As he listened to He Zhenghao’s lengthy explanation, Li Fan gradually saw the resemblance between He Zhenghao’s figure and the cultivator who had saved the group when he first entered the cultivation world in his previous life.
“So you were the one responsible for the smuggling! No wonder Heavenly Treasure Pavilion has been engaging in the illicit passage of mortals right under your nose, and nothing has happened. Even in the last life, the rumors of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion smuggling mortals were widely known across the island, and it didn’t bring any trouble.”
Thinking carefully, it made sense.
Given He Zhenghao’s greedy personality, how could he possibly let go of such a lucrative opportunity?
Li Fan was somewhat speechless but quickly accepted the reality.
“So, what do you mean, fellow Daoist?”
Seeing that Li Fan didn’t object, He Zhenghao became very pleased. “This matter is simple. You just need to run an errand for me to the Land of Immortal Extinction and bring back the materials that I had the people from the Land of Immortal Extinction collect ten years ago.”
“After selling these materials, we split the contribution points earned equally.”
“I need to guard Liuli Island and can’t leave. Originally, I was planning to cooperate with someone else, but since you messaged me, I decided to contact you.”
After some consideration, this matter indeed carried little risk.
Over a thousand contribution points in thirty days, which far exceeded the tasks one could usually take.
“I wonder how long it will take for a round trip? This must be clarified in advance. I don’t want to miss the opening of the Cloud Water Celestial Palace.”
“Don’t worry, it will take at most twenty to thirty days, and it won’t delay your cultivation, fellow Daoist,” He Zhenghao assured.
“Alright, I’ll accept this.”
He Zhenghao smiled in satisfaction and handed a small wooden boat to Li Fan. “After obtaining the materials, just give this to the mortals in the Land of Immortal Extinction. Don’t worry about anything else.”
Li Fan took a look at it: the wooden boat resembled the Tai Yan Boat but was far less exquisite.
“It’s just an ordinary wooden boat with a few inscribed formations, not a magical tool. However, it’s enough to help those mortals pass through the Immortal Extinction Formation and come here,” He Zhenghao explained.
“Of course, the strength of the formation on the boat only supports one crossing. After arriving in the cultivation world, the formation on the wooden boat will deplete its energy and dissipate on its own.”
“This is to prevent those mortals from replicating it.”
“Fellow Daoist, you’ve really thought this through,” Li Fan said.
He Zhenghao laughed heartily, not minding.
He then took out a talisman, somewhat reluctant, and handed it to Li Fan.
“No matter what, helping to smuggle mortals is not something that should be exposed. In case it’s seen by other cultivators, it’s not only a matter of losing face but you might also face the reprimand of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. To be cautious, fellow Daoist, keep this Concealing Form Talisman with you to avoid being recognized.”
Li Fan nodded and accepted it.
“This Concealing Form Talisman can hide your form and aura. It’s an advanced version of the Concealing Aura Talisman. Even a Golden Core realm cultivator can’t see through i. It’s a must-have item for us cultivators when going out.”
He Zhenghao paused for a moment and said somewhat regretfully, “It’s a pity that the materials needed to make this Concealing Form Talisman, such as Spirit Mist Grass, are relatively rare, resulting in the high price of the talisman.”
“It costs 50 contribution points for one.”
“However, if you need it in the future, you can go to Ten Thousand Immortals Island and find a cultivator named Jiao Xiuyuan. He has many defective Concealing Form Talismans, said to be eliminated from the Ten Thousand Immortals Island’s talisman pavilion. Although they’re considered defective, they can still be used normally. It’s just that the effect is not very good and can only prevent Foundation Establishment cultivators from seeing through.”
“But fortunately, they are reasonably priced, only requiring 20 contribution points. Fellow Daoist, if you go out in the future, you might want to prepare some.” He Zhenghao enthusiastically shared this information with Li Fan.
Afterward, He Zhenghao detailed to Li Fan the precautions and various situations he might encounter when going to the Land of Immortal Extinction.
With everything prepared, Li Fan was ready to set off for the Land of Immortal Extinction.
He aimed to leave and return as soon as possible.
However, before setting off, Li Fan couldn’t help but ask, “Fellow Daoist He, there’s something I’ve been puzzled about. I’m not sure if I should ask…”
He Zhenghao was taken aback, then said, “Feel free to ask.”
“Fellow Daoist He, you are a Foundation Establishment cultivator and hold the position of guarding Liuli Island. Moreover, you are an expert in formations. Logically speaking, you shouldn’t be lacking in contribution points. Why are you so stingy?” Li Fan pondered for a moment and asked tactfully.
He Zhenghao thought Li Fan was worried about his future prospects in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
He smiled bitterly and explained, “Fellow Daoist, you have misunderstood. Although Foundation Establishment cultivators still don’t have complete freedom in terms of contribution points within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, it’s not as destitute as my situation.”
“Oh? Fellow Daoist He, is there something you find difficult to discuss?” Li Fan asked in surprise.
“To be honest, I have set my eyes on a Nascent Soul cultivation technique. This technique is highly compatible with my Foundation Treasure. If I could cultivate that technique, I am sure I could achieve the Golden Core stage within a hundred years, and even reaching the Nascent Soul realm would be almost certain,” He Zhenghao’s eyes flashed with desire.
“Unfortunately, a genuine Nascent Soul technique is extremely rare and precious. Even if I’ve saved up for a long time, I’m still far from the required contribution points.”
“So, I can only save as much as I can in my daily life,” he sighed. “Even so, I don’t know when I’ll be able to exchange for it.”
“I also don’t know if the cultivation technique I’ve been longing for will be exchanged by someone else before that.”
He Zhenghao sighed.
Then, he remembered something and said to Li Fan, “By the way, you’re already in the later stage of Qi Condensation. When selecting a Foundation Establishment cultivation technique, if possible, remember to choose one that is compatible with your Foundation Treasure. This way, not only will you find it easier to cultivate in the future, but there will also be many other benefits. Due to the limitations of the Tianxuan Mirror, I can’t tell you too much. Just remember this, and you won’t go wrong.”
“A compatible Foundation Treasure and cultivation technique…” Li Fan nodded slowly upon hearing this.
He Zhenghao then sighed, “Actually, the cultivation technique I’m currently practicing is also extraordinary. I obtained it by accident when exploring an unnamed cave in my youth. It contains various incredible methods.”
“However, the difficulty of cultivating it is a bit too high. It takes decades or even hundreds of years to advance a small realm.”
“Foundation Establishment is already so difficult. If I forcefully continue practicing this technique at the Golden Core stage, I will likely exhaust my lifespan before my breakthrough, and I’ll perish before achieving success.”
“Switching to another cultivation technique is also quite difficult.” He Zhenghao finished speaking and then fell into deep silence.
Li Fan listened and respectfully clasped his hands before heading towards the Land of Immortal Extinction.
He Zhenghao watched Li Fan’s departing figure and sighed once again.
There was actually one thing he hadn’t mentioned.
While it’s true that assisting junior cultivators from the sidelines could yield benefits, cultivating the Dao was just too difficult.
Over the years, he cast his nets everywhere, nurturing young cultivators.
However, the vast majority mysteriously died not long after, without reaching even the Foundation Establishment stage.
Encountering someone like Li Fan, a young genius who had already reached the later stage of Qi Condensation, was already a great stroke of luck.
After all, in this world, how many geniuses would he be able to meet?
