Chapter 151: The First Investment

Li Fan had no intention of complaining.

It was just that this Sitting Mountain Skill was indeed not originally created by a Cultivator.

Its exact origin is no longer traceable.

However, according to the records in the Cultivation Technique, the original version of the Sitting Mountain Skill required only 'Sitting Mountain' to advance one's Realm.

It relied on continuously increasing the height of a chosen mountain peak to gain corresponding cultivation feedback.

This process was far too long.

In ancient times, mountains and rivers were not as easily changed as they are now.

A mountain peak would often take thousands of years for its height to increase by just a tiny bit.

If this Sitting Mountain Skill was not a joke, then it was less for humans to Cultivate.

It was more for the trees and rocks on the mountain peaks.

But as far as Li Fan knew, in the current Cultivation World, besides humans, there were no such things as Spirit Monsters of plants or异型 Yao Beasts.

Those slightly stronger exotic beasts could only control a trace of extraordinary power through their Bloodline.

But they were absolutely unable to Cultivate.

"Could it be that, in the beginning, this world also had Spirit Monsters? But then some change occurred, and all the Yao Beasts disappeared," Li Fan couldn't help but guess.

However, no matter what the truth was, it had little to do with Li Fan's Cultivation of this Sitting Mountain Skill. He merely fantasized for a moment, as deep investigation would be useless.

The original Sitting Mountain Skill could not be used by Cultivators at all.

But with the arrival of the great calamity, and mountains and rivers changing more and more frequently, this Sitting Mountain Skill gradually became barely cultivable.

Later, a brilliant Genius a thousand years ago accidentally obtained this Sitting Mountain Skill.

Based on its essence of "Sitting Mountain to enjoy its fruits," he modified the Cultivation Technique.

His own Cultivation could also increase the Cultivation Technique's progress.

And he expanded the scope of "Sitting and Enjoying the Fruits" from mountains to people.

Only then did the Sitting Mountain Skill formally become a rare and extraordinary Dharma method.

It's a pity that this peerless Genius only recorded this matter in the preface of the Cultivation Technique, without leaving his name.

The Sitting Mountain Skill, like the Technique of Calming the Sea Divine Sword, is a Golden Core Stage Cultivation Technique.

In this life, it is certainly enough for Li Fan to Cultivate.

Li Fan circulated the Cultivation Technique's incantations, and in just a moment, the Sitting Mountain Skill was mastered.

But then, the sense of stagnation in his Cultivation reappeared.

Evidently, the Sitting Mountain Skill also did not match Li Fan's Foundation Establishment wondrous item, the cang hai pearl.

Li Fan hesitated for a moment, then activated the Supreme Primordial True Scripture.

He completely dissolved the cultivation of the Thousand Machines Jade Universe Golden Chapter and instead began to Cultivate the Sitting Mountain Skill.

With the assistance of his vast and pure Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, Li Fan quickly cultivated the Sitting Mountain Skill to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Next, I need to see how effective this [Sitting and Enjoying the Fruits] truly is."

"If the effect is mediocre, then I might as well Cultivate the Technique of Calming the Sea Divine Sword instead."

Having made up his mind, Li Fan took out the Jade Slip of the Thousand Machines Jade Universe Golden Chapter.

"The greatest kindness is the transmission of Dharma, especially in this world where Immortal arts cannot be Dual Cultivated. The grace of transmitting Dharma is almost like a rebirth."

"He Zhenghao took care of me before, probably because of [Sitting and Enjoying the Fruits]."

"It's a pity his ambition was too small, only small favors and benefits. Even if it could provide cultivation feedback, it probably wouldn't be much."

"Investment, investment, naturally the greater the input, the greater the return."

"I might as well go big and see what this Sitting Mountain Skill is truly capable of."

He then took out the heavenly mystery small mirror and began checking the market for Nascent Soul Cultivation Techniques.

In the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the price of Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation Techniques generally ranged from 1000 to 3000 contribution points.

Foundation Establishment Cultivation Techniques generally ranged from 5000 to 10000 contribution points.

However, starting from Golden Core Cultivation Techniques, the price saw a significant leap.

The lowest quality ones cost at least 30000 points, and the more exquisite Core Formation methods, the higher the price.

Prices ranged from 40000 to 50000.

Nascent Soul True Cultivation Techniques started at 50000, and 100000 contribution points was not considered excessive.

Li Fan even saw a Cultivation Technique called the 'Yin and Yang Dual Cultivation Compatible Contract,' marked with an astonishing price of 150000 points.

He wondered what its profound mysteries were.

"Kou Hong, Dao Xuanzi, I will definitely not let you two brothers fight each other in this life."

Li Fan smiled slightly and chose to sell the Nascent Soul Cultivation Technique: Thousand Machines Jade Universe Golden Chapter.

The heavenly mystery small mirror swept over with a faint light.

After a while, it offered a price of 90000 contribution points.

Considering that the tianxuan mirror's acquisition came with a discount, it indicated that the Thousand Machines Jade Universe Golden Chapter was indeed extraordinary.

Li Fan didn't hesitate and immediately chose to accept.

A golden contract flew out from the heavenly mystery small mirror and stopped in front of Li Fan.

Li Fan read it carefully.

The contract outlined various precautions for Cultivation Technique transactions.

Once the transaction was completed, the Cultivation Technique would belong to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.

Any future use of the Cultivation Technique would be unrelated to its original owner.

The transaction could not be regretted.

The original owner's memories of the Cultivation Technique would also automatically disappear after the transaction was completed.

Please do not keep copies of the Cultivation Technique or trade with others. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences.

…

No objections.

Using spiritual power as a pen, Li Fan signed his name on the golden contract.

Subsequently, the contract transformed into countless golden particles, a portion disappearing into Li Fan's body.

Another portion, along with the Jade Slip, returned to the heavenly mystery small mirror.

The transaction was completed, and Li Fan's memories of the specific content of the Thousand Machines Jade Universe Golden Chapter Cultivation Technique vanished.

He only remembered having once possessed this Cultivation Technique, but every word and sentence of it left no impression whatsoever.

Li Fan felt no sense of loss at all. After all, it was a [Huan Zhen] bound item, so there was no fear of losing it.

"It seems that in every future life, I can make a fortune this way."

With 90000 contribution points in hand, Li Fan's experiment on the effect of [Sitting and Enjoying the Fruits] began.

"The experiment needs a control group, so Xiao Heng will do."

The first investment target for the Sitting Mountain Skill was naturally Su Xiaomei, who possessed an Immortal Body and was envied by heaven.

The Clone put on clothes, and the Hiding Talisman concealed its cultivation, standing to the side.

Then he used a communication spirit talisman to summon the two of them.

Not long after, Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng arrived in the stone chamber at the bottom of the lake.

They curiously looked at the Clone beside Li Fan, wondering who this unfamiliar Cultivator was.

However, since Li Fan didn't speak, they dared not ask.

"Hello, Master!"

"Greetings, Senior!"

The two bowed respectfully.

"How are you two Cultivating?" Li Fan asked, his back to them.

"Master, I'm Cultivating so fast! I've already reached Qi Refining Perfection and am about to Foundation Establish. But Foundation Establishment requires rare Heavenly and Earthly Treasures and Foundation Establishment Cultivation Techniques. It needs so many contribution points, I still have to save for a long time," Su Xiaomei said pitifully, her big eyes fixed on Li Fan.

"Replying to Senior, I am just like Xiaomei, preparing for Foundation Establishment," Xiao Heng said, a bit reserved.

He was silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.

After a while, Li Fan turned around and said, "Collecting Dao Rhyme ancient artifacts for me has delayed you two."

Xiao Heng quickly said, "Senior, what are you saying? It is my honor to serve you. If not for Senior, how could we have left the Li Realm and embarked on the path of Immortals?"

"Moreover, the Cultivation Techniques we Cultivate were provided by Senior."

"The grace of transmitting Dharma, this Junior will never forget."

Li Fan waited for Xiao Heng to finish speaking before saying again, "Cultivation emphasizes being fast one step, and fast every step."

"If you rely solely on your own accumulation, I'm afraid you'll have to wait another three to five years."

"Delaying a few years of the most precious Cultivation time will likely lead to vastly different future achievements."

"Therefore…"

Li Fan paused, then continued, "You two can choose the Cultivation Techniques and wondrous items you like in this tianxuan mirror, and I will pay for them."

"Once you get them, immediately Foundation Establish, don't delay any longer."

Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng were first stunned, seemingly not having reacted to such a great fortune falling upon them.

But just as their faces lit up with joy, and they were about to kowtow in gratitude.

They heard Li Fan say again, "Su Xiaomei has always called me Master. Although I have never agreed, there is still a hint of affection between us. So I will not ask her for contribution points. Consider it a Master's care for a Disciple."

"As for you… the contribution points are considered a loan from me. You will need to collect Heavenly and Earthly Treasures for me in the future to repay it. Do you have any objections?"

These words elicited completely different reactions from Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng.

Su Xiaomei cheered, "Long live Master!" Then, after kowtowing once, she eagerly rushed to the heavenly mystery small mirror to choose Cultivation Techniques.

Xiao Heng looked at Su Xiaomei with a wry smile.

Then his expression became serious: "Senior is willing to lend me contribution points, allowing me to Foundation Establish early. This is an immense kindness, how could this Junior be ungrateful?"

"After Foundation Establishment, this Junior will certainly do my utmost to collect Heavenly and Earthly Treasures to repay Senior's kindness."

Li Fan nodded slowly upon hearing this: "In that case, you may go too."

Xiao Heng also kowtowed once before walking to the heavenly mystery small mirror to choose alongside Su Xiaomei.

Watching the two excited individuals, Li Fan's eyes were profound.

The vastly different treatment of Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng was naturally Li Fan's way of controlling variables.

After transmitting the Dharma, how much cultivation feedback Li Fan could receive as their cultivation improved.

Whether it was worth the initial investment.

How much difference there would be in feedback between free transmission of Dharma and paid transmission of Dharma.

Whether the same amount of contribution points would yield more cultivation through investment via the Sitting Mountain Skill, or more improvement through his own Cultivation in the tianxuan mirror.

All these questions were what Li Fan needed to figure out.

This would determine how Li Fan would use the [Sitting and Enjoying the Fruits] characteristic of the Sitting Mountain Skill next.

After the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, the cost of activating the tianxuan mirror had risen to one hundred points per day.

And the bonus multiplier had decreased from twenty-seven times to around twenty times.

Moreover, the difficulty of Cultivation in the Foundation Establishment Stage had undergone a qualitative leap compared to the Qi Refinement Stage.

Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi were not mediocre talents.

But it still took them a full two hundred years to Cultivate to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.

This also, to some extent, illustrated the difficulty of Cultivation.

The consumption of contribution points was simply too great.

Although Li Fan could foresee and easily earn a large amount of contribution points.

He still had to be meticulous in his calculations.