Great exploration era

Huangfu Song steadily caught the teacup and drank it down in one gulp.

"Having drunk Brother Li's tea, we are brothers from now on." Dongfang Yao nodded and said with satisfaction.

"Brother Dongfang, you haven't introduced me yet. Who is this?" Huangfu Song looked at Li Fan, who was sitting upright to the side, and asked tentatively.

"His name is Li Fan. I happened to meet him when I was seeking enlightenment at the Great Whirlpool in Ningxu Province. We hit it off immediately. When you mentioned there was a great opportunity to make contributions, I discussed it with him and we came over together." Dongfang Yao said with his head held high.

A flash of sharp light crossed Huangfu Song's eyes as he glanced at Li Fan once more without leaving a trace.

Li Fan's expression remained unchanged as he cupped his hands. "I have long heard of Brother Huangfu's great name. A pleasure to meet you!"

Huangfu Song did not show any special enthusiasm, merely nodding slightly to acknowledge the meeting.

The three exchanged pleasantries once more, and then the straightforward Dongfang Yao cut straight to the point.

"Huangfu, stop beating around the bush. What on earth is this once-in-a-century opportunity to make contributions that you mentioned earlier? Spit it out!"

After pondering for a moment, Huangfu Song slowly said, "Although this matter is still confidential, it will be officially announced soon. And the two of you are my own people…"

"So I won't hide it from you."

"The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is about to issue an order encouraging all Cultivators to explore the depths of the White Mist. Not only will the Puxian True Ark needed to penetrate deep into the White Mist be provided for free, but everything Cultivators gain during their exploration will belong entirely to them, without the slightest interference from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."

"Furthermore, simply reporting the surveyed situation of the White Mist will yield rewards such as Contribution Points, military merits, and even top-secret Cultivation Techniques."

…

Huangfu Song talked endlessly about the new policies that the Myriad Immortals Alliance was about to implement.

After he finished speaking, Dongfang Yao still wore a puzzled expression.

"Did I hear that right? The depths of the White Mist? Inside the White Mist Barrier, besides White Mist, could there possibly be anything else?"

Huangfu Song looked at Dongfang Yao somewhat helplessly and explained, "Within the White Mist, Mystic Domains exist. Every Mystic Domain is extremely vast, even much larger than many blessed lands and Small Worlds."

"This is just the surface appearance of the White Mist that has been surveyed so far. According to the latest investigations, there are also many hidden rift passages within the White Mist, which are extremely mysterious and lead to unknown destinations."

"The upper echelons of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are extremely resolute in their determination to explore the White Mist this time, and the rewards are unprecedentedly bountiful. Therefore, many Cultivators who got wind of the news have already taken a step ahead and entered the White Mist. They are just waiting for the policy to be officially finalized to report their findings and immediately claim merit rewards."

"Although I was a bit slow in getting the news, if we act quickly, we can still catch plenty of soup to drink. If I hadn't been waiting for you, Brother Dongfang, I would have already left seven days ago."

Finishing his words, Huangfu Song took a sip of tea and looked helplessly at Dongfang Yao.

"Good brother, you're a real friend!" Dongfang Yao slammed a heavy pat onto Huangfu's shoulder, shaking his round belly continuously.

"What are we waiting for then? Why aren't we setting off immediately? I'm so broke I can't even put food on the table. Those damn things needed to strengthen the Physical Body are truly ridiculously expensive!" He urged repeatedly.

Huangfu Song gave Dongfang Yao an eye-roll. "There are crises lurking everywhere inside the White Mist. Since we are already late, we don't need to rush for this exact moment. Naturally, we must make thorough preparations. Since we are traveling together, even if we don't have any extraordinary traits, we must at least make sure we don't hold the team back."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Li Fan intentionally or unintentionally.

Li Fan smiled slightly. "Since Brother Huangfu has put it this way, I won't hide anything either. Although my actual combat strength is slightly weak, I am quite well-off financially. The Puxian True Ark needed for this trip, as well as the Magic Treasures capable of temporarily resisting the Essence Devouring White Mist, can all be left to me to procure."

"If I find that my Nascent Soul Realm is truly too strenuous during the exploration process, I will voluntarily withdraw. I won't put you two brothers in a difficult position!"

…

Seeing Li Fan be so frank, Huangfu Song was somewhat surprised. Dongfang Yao, however, dismissed it nonchalantly. "What kind of talk is that from Li Fan? What's wrong with Nascent Soul cultivation? Aren't I also at the Nascent Soul cultivation level? When brothers are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal. How could mere Essence Devouring White Mist stump us?"

Li Fan frowned and instead advised, "I know Brother Dongfang's physique is formidable, and even the rifts in the Great Whirlpool cannot harm you. But the depths of the White Mist are truly no small matter. I once heard Brother Shuo mention that there is a Mystic Domain in the White Mist called the Chizha Abyss. Even he has to handle it carefully, otherwise, there is bound to be the might of falling. Brother Shuo possesses Soul Transformation combat power, and he also has a Magic Treasure bestowed by his mother to protect him. Since even he says so, the dangers within the White Mist are evident."

Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao were stunned on the spot upon hearing this.

"Brother Shuo? Which Brother Shuo?"

Huangfu Song's expression changed slightly. "Could it be…"

Li Fan nodded slightly. "To not hide it from you two brothers, Shuo Feng and I are close friends, and at his invitation, I serve as a Guest Elder of the Xuan Family."

Upon hearing these words, Dongfang Yao didn't react much.

Huangfu Song, however, abruptly stood up, looking at Li Fan with a face full of shock.

"Brother Li, is this true?"

Li Fan smiled. "I suppose no Nascent Soul Cultivator in the Myriad Immortals Alliance would dare to impersonate a Guest Elder of the Xuan Family, right?"

Having received confirmation in person, Huangfu Song immediately changed his attitude.

"Oh my, such a thing! Why didn't Brother Li say so earlier? With your assistance, this trip to the White Mist will surely yield a full harvest."

Their conversation was filled with flattery, while he simultaneously inquired of Li Fan about matters related to Shuo Feng without leaving a trace.

After revealing some details, Huangfu Song finally became certain, and thus grew even more enthusiastic.

"With a major helper like Brother Li Fan, our confidence in this expedition has increased by a few more points. Without further ado, we need to set off as soon as possible." Huangfu Song said resolutely.

"Preparing supplies, one day is enough," Li Fan stated his position.

Dongfang Yao shrugged, indicating that he could go at any time.

Thus, the three agreed to gather at this place at this time tomorrow.

After temporarily taking leave of the two, Li Fan entered the Tianxuan Mirror, took out the communication talisman, and asked Shuo Feng about the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's decision to conduct a large-scale exploration of the White Mist.

Not long after, Shuo Feng sent a reply.

"Oh, it seems there is such a matter. What, are you interested? But there are too many weird things in there; there's no need to take that risk. If you lack Contribution Points or anything like that, I can talk to the family and raise your stipend treatment. Don't go joining in the fun; dying in there would simply not be worth it." Shuo Feng maintained his breezy, indifferent tone.

After politely declining his goodwill, Li Fan further inquired about news concerning the original seed of the Heavenly Spirit Flower before hanging up the communication.

"Mystic Domain…"

Within the layers of White Mist, it was indeed extremely bizarre and fraught with crises.

Just from Li Fan's experiences in his previous life, there were the Chizha Abyss and the Luan Character Mystic Domain.

Even the Eternal Immortal Fortress guarding the Chizha Abyss was built using the palm of an ancient Heavenly Lord who had fallen.

This severed palm of the Heavenly Lord drifted out right from the White Mist.

This was sufficient to show the danger and mystery within the White Mist.