Chapter 23: Entering Liuli Island’s Registry

While Li Fan was deep in thought, a slightly plump young man not far from him approached.

The young man patted Li Fan on the shoulder, acting quite familiar: "Brother, you look a bit unfamiliar. May I ask what official position you hold in Da Li? Or perhaps you're a wealthy merchant from some continent?"

Li Fan slapped the young man's hand off his shoulder, then stared at him coldly without saying a word.

The plump young man suddenly felt as if he were being watched by a venomous snake, a chill creeping up his spine.

Although he felt embarrassed to be intimidated by a single glance, the plump young man had some discernment. Li Fan appeared ordinary, but the faint, imposing Aura of someone accustomed to authority was unmistakable.

Not an ordinary person!

The plump young man quickly reached this conclusion and tactfully left.

Seeing this, the others realized Li Fan was not friendly, and no one else bothered him afterward.

As the lantern light flickered, voices gradually grew quieter until everyone fell asleep.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, before dawn, everyone was awakened.

A middle-aged man with a long beard, dressed in a blue robe, walked with his hands behind his back and stood before the crowd.

"I'll take you to get your household registrations shortly. Once you receive them, you will officially become members of Liuli Island," the middle-aged man said coldly, looking around.

Hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with excitement.

"Remember, don't say anything you shouldn't. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety," the man added, narrowing his eyes.

Everyone knew their activities were unsavory, so they all nodded in agreement.

Afterward, following the middle-aged man's instructions, Li Fan and the others changed into tattered clothes.

Then they were taught a set of standardized stories.

"You are all residents of the western Dayu Island. Due to a wind disaster that destroyed the island, you're seeking refuge here. If anyone asks, that's what you say."

Everyone agreed.

Then, led by the middle-aged man and under the watch of four or five burly men in black, the group left the cave through a secret passage and emerged above ground.

After winding through the residential area of the city for what seemed like an eternity, they finally arrived at a mansion.

Li Fan noticed that although their group of dozens was sizable, the island's residents barely glanced at them before losing interest, clearly accustomed to such sights.

Instead of entering through the main gate, a servant went in to announce their arrival and soon returned, leading them through a side door on the left into a large hall.

The hall was quite spacious. Before Li Fan's group arrived, two or three other groups totaling over a hundred people had already gathered.

Even so, it didn't feel crowded.

The middle-aged man signaled for everyone to wait patiently.

Soon, it was Li Fan's group's turn.

"Manager Zhao!" the middle-aged man greeted.

"Are these all refugees applying for registration?" Manager Zhao, who looked to be in his fifties or sixties and somewhat aged, had exceptionally sharp eyes. He scanned the crowd and said with a half-smile, "Sun Zhang, these refugees are hardly poor—they look wealthy and influential!"

Sun Zhang remained unruffled, merely sighing: "Indeed. They were once wealthy families on Dayu Island. But without the protection of Immortal Masters, disaster struck, and all their riches turned to dust. Now they have no choice but to travel thousands of miles to seek refuge on our Liuli Island."

With that, Sun Zhang discreetly pulled something from his bosom and handed it to Manager Zhao.

Manager Zhao glanced at it, pocketed it, and also sighed: "The wind disaster ravaged the area recently, even affecting our Liuli Island. The western islands suffered heavy losses—reportedly over two hundred islands were leveled, and countless Mortals perished at sea."

"Fortunately, the Immortal Masters showed compassion and ordered us to aid the refugees. Your Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's dedication is commendable! Rest assured, I will report this truthfully to the Island Lord. When the Immortal Masters bestow rewards, your share will not be forgotten."

Sun Zhang was overjoyed and continued with flattery.

Manager Zhao listened while processing everyone's registration.

Before long, it was Li Fan's turn. Manager Zhao looked at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"What's your name?" Manager Zhao asked.

"Li Fan," Li Fan replied truthfully.

"Come, drop a drop of your blood here." Manager Zhao wrote the characters 'Li Fan' on a rectangular object that seemed neither jade nor paper, then handed it over.

Li Fan bit his finger and let the blood fall.

The blood then seemed to come alive, seeping into the characters 'Li Fan'.

"Keep this spirit talisman safe; it will be your proof of identity from now on. For everything on the island—claiming work, receiving rations, passing inspections—you must present this talisman. Do not lose it." Unlike with others, Manager Zhao was noticeably kinder to Li Fan and added an extra reminder.

This drew sidelong glances from Sun Zhang and the rest.

Not knowing what Manager Zhao had discerned, Li Fan simply nodded without offering thanks, pocketed the talisman, and walked aside.

The registration process was efficient, and soon everyone in the group had obtained their Liuli Island household registration.

All looked excited.

They left the place and, instead of returning to the cave, were led by Sun Zhang to a courtyard within a residence.

"Now that we have the registrations, can we sign the contract?" Sun Zhang said to Su Changyu among the crowd.

Su Changyu carefully took out a thin piece of paper from his bosom, bit his finger, and solemnly wrote his name in blood.

As soon as he finished, the paper ignited spontaneously, turning into a wisp of green smoke that drifted away to an unknown destination.

After burning, only a small remnant of the contract remained.

"It's the rule of three contracts to completion. Once we are fully settled, I will sign the final contract as agreed," Su Changyu said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Hmph, dealing with your Li Realm is always troublesome. If not for… the Immortal Master's sake, our Heavenly Treasure Pavilion wouldn't bother with this unprofitable business." Sun Zhang snorted, somewhat displeased.

But he said no more and instead briefed everyone on what to note on the island.

"All Liuli Island residents can claim a dwelling using their household spirit talisman. Though it's only a remote area on the northern edge of the island, it at least provides shelter. Additionally, for the first year after registration, you can receive a certain amount of grain for free each month. Of course, if you're used to delicacies and can't stomach the free relief rations, you can spend your own money to eat and drink lavishly on the island."

…

After speaking at length, Sun Zhang's mouth went dry. He paused to rest, but then Su Changyu suddenly asked a question.

"If we wish to cultivate, what must we do?"

This was exactly what Li Fan cared about. He pricked up his ears to listen carefully.