Chapter 35

With the announcement of the materials required for the Purifying Spirit Pool, Liuli Island appeared calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, there was already a surge of hidden currents.

Even some ordinary people who were not concerned about the matter knew that the major forces on the island were now searching for something called Star Sea Sand.

Li Fan had been secretly investigating without success, but on this day, he welcomed an unexpected guest.

It was Xiao Heng, whom Li Fan had encountered when he first came to the cultivation world.

"Sit down wherever you like." Li Fan poured him a cup of tea.

Xiao Heng looked around Li Fan's current residence, his eyes full of envy and nostalgia.

"Brother, I wonder why you've come to see me?" He asked in a friendly tone, as he still had a good impression of Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng first cautiously scanned the surroundings, then leaned forward and whispered, "I heard that Brother Li has also been searching for Star Sea Sand recently?"

Li Fan's eyes narrowed. "That's right. I'm already old, and if I want to cultivate, I can only rely on the Purifying Spirit Pool. So, do you know about this thing?"

Xiao Heng swallowed and nodded. "Yes, when the Immortal Master descended to Dali, he promised that as long as the required materials were gathered, he would take a group of people to the Great Cultivation World. Among these materials was the Star Sea Sand."

Li Fan was taken aback and then asked with some confusion, "Is that so? Why do I have no memory of it?"

Previously, Li Fan had also inquired with the people of Dali, and they all claimed to be unaware, which was why he asked.

Xiao Heng, hearing this, looked a bit embarrassed. "When the announcement was made to the world, several items on the list had already been removed, reserved for the major families of Dali. The one assigned to my family to collect was the Star Sea Sand."

Li Fan nodded slowly.

"Speak up, what are your conditions?" Li Fan asked straightforwardly.

Seeing Li Fan's directness, Xiao Heng felt a bit embarrassed, his face turning red as he explained, "When you paid for Changyu's burial, you did me a great favor. I shouldn't be like this, but life on Liuli Island is really tough. I don't have your abilities, and I still live in a poor neighborhood on the outskirts, working hard every day to make ends meet..."

Xiao Heng rambled on, but Li Fan gently interrupted him with a smile.

"There's no need to say more; I understand your difficulties. I must obtain this item, so if you can provide any leads, feel free to make any requests, and I will do my best to fulfill them."

Xiao Heng was very grateful. "Thank you, Brother Li."

He paused, then said with a sigh, "Actually, this item isn't that rare; it's just that the Immortal Master calls it something different. Of course, if it weren't for the detailed descriptions of the materials that came with the list, I wouldn't have known that the so-called Star Sea Sand is actually meteoric iron."

Li Fan listened carefully, then suddenly realized, "Star Sea Sand... I see. But is any meteoric iron sufficient? Are there any other special requirements?"

"Yes, yes."

Xiao Heng nodded repeatedly and then slowly listed the specific requirements.

"First, the meteoric iron must have a good appearance; it can't be pitted and uneven. Second, a single piece must weigh at least fifty pounds. And then..."

Li Fan listened carefully, memorizing every detail.

After Xiao Heng finished, Li Fan did not forget his promise.

"Speak up, what do you want?"

Xiao Heng whispered, "I just want a decent courtyard and a slightly easier job. Of course, if I could have a few maids, that would be even better."

Li Fan, who had braced himself for Xiao Heng to make excessive demands, was surprised by his simple requests and couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

"I didn't expect the son of the Southern Town King to have such modest requests. How about adding a bit more? I still have some influence at Tianbao Tower."

Xiao Heng politely declined. "I know my own limits. Being able to eat well and live comfortably, without working so hard, is enough for me. If I suddenly had wealth that would make others envious, it could bring disaster."

Li Fan nodded and did not press further.

After a few more pleasantries, Xiao Heng took his leave.

"Do you have any plans to cultivate? After all, you've gone through so much trouble to come to the Great Cultivation World; it would be a waste not to try, right?" Li Fan suddenly asked as Xiao Heng was leaving.

"Maybe later. I have no interest in cultivation. Reading the *Xuanhuang Qingxin Spell* makes me drowsy, and I don't know how long it will take to completely remove the miasma." Xiao Heng replied listlessly, not looking back as he left.

After seeing Xiao Heng off, Li Fan hurried to Tianbao Tower.

Meeting with Yin Yuzhen, Li Fan repeated Xiao Heng's account of the Star Sea Sand.

"Star Sea Sand is meteoric iron? That simple?" Yin Yuzhen was surprised. "Is this Xiao Heng trustworthy?"

"He shouldn't be lying," Li Fan affirmed.

"But we still need to verify it," Li Fan added. "You said the Wan Hua Chamber of Commerce's envoy will be coming to Liuli Island soon. We can use that opportunity to probe for the truth."

"That's a good idea," Yin Yuzhen agreed. "If we can save on costs, that would be even better."

"Regardless, we should secretly purchase the required meteoric iron. Not many people know about this yet, but that might change soon. When purchasing, we must mix it with other items to avoid drawing attention and causing confusion. We can also spread false information about the Star Sea Sand in the market to muddy the waters."

Li Fan thought for a moment and patiently instructed.

To ensure the Purifying Spirit Pool slot, Li Fan needed to make thorough plans.

"You're quite resourceful, Uncle. I only knew you were a Spirit Body, but I didn't expect you to have such skills," Yin Yuzhen said, her eyes filled with curiosity as she saw Li Fan's well-organized arrangements.

"What did you do before?" Yin Yuzhen couldn't help but ask.

"Just taught people to read," Li Fan replied evasively.

Yin Yuzhen didn't believe him.

"Alright, I'll handle it. I'm going to cultivate, so don't disturb me unless there's an emergency. Oh, and take care of what I promised Xiao Heng." Li Fan gave his final instructions and then left Tianbao Tower.

"Great fortune, why is it always great fortune?" Yin Yuzhen stood there, her eyes full of confusion as she watched Li Fan leave.

Since meeting Li Fan, every task she had been given by him had been accompanied by a great fortune omen.

This almost made Yin Yuzhen doubt her ability to predict good and bad fortune.

Before meeting Li Fan, she had never encountered a great fortune.

On the contrary, when she had wanted to swallow the Lichen Pill and start her cultivation journey, she had foreseen immense danger and certain death, a clear omen of great misfortune.