Chapter 70

Listening to He Zhenghao's incessant explanations.

Li Fan's vision of him gradually merged with the figure of the cultivator he had met in his previous life when he first entered the cultivation world, the one who had saved the group from the mortal realm.

"Alright, so it was you, you little rascal, who was the one watching over and stealing! No wonder the Heavenly Treasure Tower could conduct its smuggling business right under your nose without any issues. Even in my previous life, the rumors of the Heavenly Treasure Tower smuggling mortals were known throughout the island, yet it never caused any trouble."

Upon careful thought, it made sense.

With He Zhenghao's greedy nature, how could he possibly let such a fat piece of meat slip away?

It was very reasonable.

Li Fan was speechless but quickly accepted the reality.

"So, what do you mean, Fellow Daoist He?"

Seeing that Li Fan did not object, He Zhenghao immediately became very happy: "This is simple. All you need to do is go to the mortal realm and bring back the supplies I had the people there collect for me ten years ago."

"After selling these supplies, the contribution points will be split equally between us."

"I need to guard Liuli Island and can't leave. I was originally planning to find someone else to cooperate with, but since you sent me a message, I decided to contact you instead."

After some thought, he realized there was no real risk involved.

Earning over a thousand contribution points in thirty days far exceeded what he could normally get from other tasks.

"How long will it take for a round trip?" This was something he had to ask in advance; Li Fan didn't want to miss the opening of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.

"Don't worry, it will take at most twenty to thirty days, and it won't interfere with your cultivation," He Zhenghao assured him.

"Alright, I'll take on this task."

He Zhenghao smiled in satisfaction and then took out a small wooden boat and handed it to Li Fan: "After you get the supplies, give this to the mortals in the mortal realm. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Li Fan took it and saw that the wooden boat was somewhat similar to the Taiyan Boat but far less intricate.

"It's just a simple wooden boat with some inscribed arrays, not a magical tool. However, it's enough to protect those mortals as they cross the Immortal Barrier and reach here," He Zhenghao explained.

"Of course, the array's strength only supports one crossing. Once they reach the cultivation world, the array on the wooden boat will run out of energy and dissipate."

"This is to prevent the mortals from replicating it."

"Fellow Daoist He has truly thought this through," Li Fan said insincerely.

He Zhenghao laughed heartily, not minding.

He then took out a spirit talisman, somewhat reluctantly, and handed it to Li Fan.

"Regardless, helping mortals smuggle is a secret matter. If other cultivators see, not only will it damage my reputation, but I might also face the scrutiny of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. To be safe, you should carry this Concealment Talisman to avoid being recognized."

Li Fan nodded and accepted it.

"This Concealment Talisman can hide your form and aura, an advanced version of the Conceal Qi Talisman. Once used, even a Golden Core Realm cultivator cannot see through it. It's truly a must-have item for cultivators when they go out."

"Of course, the price of the Concealment Talisman is high due to the rarity of the Spirit Mist Grass needed to draw it."

"One talisman costs 50 contribution points."

"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 a large number of defective Concealment Talismans, which are said to be rejected from the Ten Thousand Immortals Island Talisman Hall. Although they are called defective, they can still be used, just not as effectively, only hiding the aura from Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators."

"But the price is much lower, only 20 contribution points. If you go out, it's a good idea to have a few on hand." He Zhenghao continued to educate Li Fan.

After that, He Zhenghao detailed the precautions and possible situations Li Fan might encounter when going to the mortal realm.

Once everything was ready, Li Fan prepared to set off for the mortal realm, aiming to return as soon as possible.

However, before leaving, Li Fan couldn't help but ask: "Fellow Daoist He, there's something I've been wondering about, but I'm not sure if I should ask..."

He Zhenghao was taken aback but then said, "Feel free to ask."

"You are a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, in charge of guarding Liuli Island, and an expert in arrays. Logically, you shouldn't be so short of contribution points. Why..."

"...do you still seem a bit financially strained?" Li Fan hesitated, asking tactfully.

He Zhenghao thought Li Fan was worried about his future in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.

He smiled bitterly and explained, "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. In the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, while not as free with contribution points, are not as strained as I am."

"Oh? What is troubling you, Fellow Daoist He?" Li Fan asked curiously.

"To be honest, I have my eyes on an Essence Core cultivation technique. This technique is highly compatible with my Foundation Establishment Oddity. If I can switch to that technique, I am certain I can achieve the Golden Core Realm within a hundred years, and even the Essence Core Realm is almost guaranteed," a glint of desire flashed in He Zhenghao's eyes.

"Unfortunately, the Essence Core True Technique is extremely valuable. Even after saving for a long time, I still fall short of the required contribution points."

"So, I have to save wherever I can." He sighed. "Even so, I don't know when I will be able to exchange for it."

"Nor do I know if the technique I desire will be taken by someone else before then."

He Zhenghao sighed again.

Then, he remembered something and said to Li Fan, "By the way, you are now in the late-stage Qi Condensation Realm. When choosing a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation technique, if possible, remember to choose one that is compatible with your Foundation Establishment Oddity. This will not only make your future cultivation more efficient but also bring other benefits. Due to the restrictions of the Heavenly Profound Mirror, I can't tell you more, but remember this, and you won't go wrong."

"Foundation Establishment Oddity and cultivation technique compatibility..." Li Fan nodded slowly.

But then he heard He Zhenghao sigh again, "Actually, the cultivation technique I am currently practicing is also extraordinary. I obtained it unexpectedly while exploring an unnamed cave when I was young. It contains various incredible methods."

"Unfortunately, the difficulty of cultivation is too high, often taking several decades or even a century to advance a minor realm."

"Foundation Establishment Realm is already so difficult. If I continue to practice this technique at the Golden Core Realm, I will surely die of old age before I can break through to the next realm."

"Switching techniques is a last resort." After saying this, He Zhenghao fell into deep silence.

Li Fan listened, bowed, and headed for the mortal realm.

He Zhenghao watched Li Fan's departing figure and sighed again.

He actually had one more thing to say.

The Mountain Seating Decision can indeed gain benefits from helping junior cultivators, but...

Cultivation is truly too difficult.

Over the years, he had spread his net wide, helping junior cultivators.

Most of them died mysteriously after a short time, never reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Encountering someone like Li Fan, who was already in the late-stage Qi Condensation Realm at a young age, was already a stroke of luck.

After all, how many geniuses are there in the world, and how could he be so lucky to meet them?