Chapter 70: Desire

Listening to He Zhenghao's rambling explanation, Li Fan saw his figure gradually overlap with the Immortal Cultivator he had met in his previous life when he first entered the Cultivation World—the one who had saved the group from the Li Realm.

"Ah, so it was you, kid, who was stealing from your own treasury! No wonder the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion could operate smuggling businesses right under your nose without any issues. Even in my previous life, rumors of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion smuggling Mortals were known to the entire island, yet it never caused any trouble."

Thinking about it carefully, it made sense.

Given He Zhenghao's greedy nature, how could he possibly let a fat piece of meat right in front of his mouth go to someone else?

It was perfectly logical.

Li Fan felt speechless, but he quickly accepted the reality.

"Then, what is Fellow Daoist He's intention?"

Seeing that Li Fan did not object, He Zhenghao became very happy: "This matter is simple. You just need to make a trip to the Li Realm for me and bring back the supplies I had the people in the Li Realm collect ten years ago."

"After these supplies are sold, you and I will split the Contribution Points earned in half."

"I need to guard Liuli Island and cannot get away. I was originally planning to find someone else to cooperate with, but since you happened to send me a message, I decided to contact you instead."

After thinking about it, there was indeed no risk in this matter.

Over a thousand Contribution Points for thirty days was far beyond what most tasks offered.

"May I ask how long the round trip will take?" This had to be asked clearly in advance; Li Fan did not want to miss the opening of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.

"Rest assured, it will take at most twenty to thirty days; it will not delay your cultivation," He Zhenghao guaranteed.

"Very well, I agree to this matter."

He Zhenghao smiled with satisfaction and took out a small wooden boat, handing it to Li Fan: "After you obtain the supplies, give this object to the Mortals in the Li Realm; you don't need to worry about anything else."

Li Fan took it and looked; the wooden boat was somewhat similar to the Taiyan Boat, but far less exquisite.

"It is just an ordinary wooden boat engraved with a few Formations, not a real Magical Artifact. However, it is enough to protect those Mortals as they cross the Immortal Severing Grand Formation to get here," He Zhenghao explained.

"Of course, the strength of the Formation only supports one crossing. After arriving in this Cultivation World, the energy in the Formation on the wooden boat will be exhausted and dissipate on its own."

"This is also to prevent those Mortals from imitating it."

"Fellow Daoist He is truly thoughtful," Li Fan said insincerely.

He Zhenghao laughed, not minding at all.

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

"Regardless of how you look at it, helping Mortals smuggle is not something that can see the light of day. If you run into other Cultivators, not only will you lose face, but you might also have to face the interrogation of the Myriad Immortals Alliance. To be safe, Fellow Daoist should keep this Hiding Talisman on you to avoid being recognized."

Li Fan naturally nodded and accepted it.

"This Hiding Talisman can conceal one's figure and aura; it is an advanced version of the Concealment Talisman. Once used, even a Golden Core Realm Cultivator cannot see through it. It is truly a must-have for a Cultivator when going out…"

"It is truly a necessary item for us Cultivators when going out," He Zhenghao paused, then said with some regret: "It is only a pity that the Spirit Mist Grass required to draw this Hiding Talisman is relatively rare, causing the price of the Hiding Talisman to remain high."

"One piece costs 50 Contribution Points."

"However, if you have any needs in the future, you can go to Ten Thousand Immortals Island and look for a Cultivator named Jiao Xiuyuan. This person has a large number of defective Hiding Talismans; it is said that they were eliminated from the Talisman Hall of Ten Thousand Immortals Island. Although they are called defective products, they can still be used normally. It's just that the effect is not as good, and it can only prevent Foundation Establishment cultivators from seeing through it."

"But fortunately, the price is low, only 20 Contribution Points. If you go out in the future, you might want to prepare a few," He Zhenghao continued to tirelessly educate Li Fan.

Afterward, He Zhenghao detailed all the precautions for going to the Li Realm and the various situations that might be encountered.

After everything was ready, Li Fan prepared to set off for the Li Realm.

He aimed to go and return as quickly as possible.

However, before leaving, Li Fan still couldn't help but ask: "Fellow Daoist He, there is one thing I have always been puzzled about, but I don't know if I should ask…"

He Zhenghao was stunned, then said: "Speak freely."

"Fellow Daoist He, you are a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator and hold the position of Guardian of Liuli Island. You are also a master of Formations. Logically speaking, you shouldn't be that short of Contribution Points. Why…"

"…do you still seem somewhat strapped for resources?" Li Fan asked tactfully.

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

He gave a wry smile and explained: "Fellow Daoist, you have misunderstood. Within the Myriad Immortals Alliance, although Foundation Establishment cultivators do not have that much freedom with Contribution Points, they would never be like me."

"Oh? Does Fellow Daoist have any unspeakable difficulties?" Li Fan asked curiously.

"To tell you the truth, I have taken a fancy to a Nascent Soul Cultivation Technique, and this technique is very compatible with my Foundation Establishment wonder. If I can switch to that technique, I will definitely achieve the Golden Core Realm within a hundred years, and even the Nascent Soul Realm is within reach," a glimmer of longing flashed in He Zhenghao's eyes.

"Unfortunately, a true Nascent Soul Technique is simply too precious. Even though I have saved up for a long time, I am still far short of the required Contribution Points."

"Therefore, I can only save where I can in my daily life," he sighed. "Even so, I don't know when I will be able to exchange for it."

"And I don't know if this technique I am longing for will be exchanged by someone else before then," He Zhenghao sighed.

Then, remembering something, he said to Li Fan: "By the way, you are already at the Late Stage of Qi Refining. When choosing a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Technique, if you have the conditions, remember to choose one that is compatible with your own Foundation Establishment wonder. This way, not only will it be twice as effective with half the effort when cultivating in the future, but there will also be many other benefits. Due to the limitations of the Tianxuan Mirror, I cannot tell you too much. In short, remember this point, and you won't go wrong."

"Foundation Establishment wonder and Cultivation Technique compatibility…" Li Fan nodded slowly upon hearing this.

But then he heard He Zhenghao sigh: "Actually, the Cultivation Technique I am practicing now is also extremely extraordinary. I obtained it by accident when I was exploring a nameless Immortal Cave in my youth. It contains all sorts of incredible methods."

"It is just a pity that the difficulty of cultivation is a bit too high; it takes decades or even a century to improve by just one small Realm."

"The Foundation Establishment Stage is already so difficult; if I were to force myself to practice this technique in the Golden Core Stage, I would inevitably run out of Lifespan and die before I could achieve a Breakthrough in my Realm."

"Changing my Cultivation Technique is truly a helpless move." After saying this, He Zhenghao fell into a deep silence.

Li Fan listened, cupped his hands, and headed straight for the Li Realm.

He Zhenghao watched Li Fan's retreating figure and sighed again in his heart.

There was actually one thing he hadn't said.

It is true that the Sitting Mountain Incantation can gain feedback from helping junior Cultivators, but…

Cultivating the Dao is truly too difficult.

Over the years, he has cast his net everywhere, promoting promising juniors.

As a result, the vast majority died inexplicably not long after, without even reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Being able to meet a Genius like Li Fan, who was already at the Late Stage of Qi Refining at such a young age, was already a blessing from heaven.

After all, in this world, there aren't that many Geniuses, let alone enough for him to encounter.

Thanks to book friend "Yuan Ding San Sheng Ban Shi Shang" for the tip.