Even if we operate at a loss, we must complete this first official transaction. Li Fan mused inwardly, sensing Chu Xingyang undergoing Foundation Establishment.
Truthfully, Li Fan remained uncertain about the viability of large-scale, repayment-based technique transmission within the cultivation world.
However, he possessed sufficient resources to tide him over potential failures, allowing him to experiment boldly and without reservation. Thus, Li Fan felt no apprehension whatsoever.
To better facilitate Brightmoon Palace's operations, Li Fan personally designed two minor tools and commissioned a batch of backups from skilled artisans.
The first was called the Brightjade Talisman. When activated, this spirit talisman could sense the location of any individual who had borrowed techniques. It could even clearly observe the target's every movement, significantly simplifying debt collection efforts.
In truth, the Brightjade Talisman itself wasn't particularly remarkable. At its core, it was merely a perception-sharing spirit talisman. The truly valuable component was Li Fan's divine ability, Formless Killing Mechanism.
This divine ability was comprehended after decades of observing heaven and earth’s killing mechanisms. It hadn't vanished when he dissolved his cultivation of the Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Scripture.
After all, the cultivation technique was just a tool that allowed him to perceive the energy mechanisms of heaven and earth. Formless Killing Mechanism was more of an imitation and application born from his understanding of heaven and earth’s killing mechanisms. It had become as instinctual to Li Fan as breathing. Like the Insect Binding divine ability, he could execute it even without any cultivation base.
This was likely the reason Return to Truth had listed it as a separate entry.
The second tool was called the Deterrence Talisman. Anticipating future encounters with cultivators who might intentionally default on their debts while hiding in secure locations like Yuandao City where taking direct action was impossible, Li Fan specifically created these Deterrence Talismans.
Their function was equally simple, just ordinary message talismans that self-destructed after being read. The true deterrent was the pre-recorded message within:
"If you persistently refuse repayment and intentionally evade your debt, Brightmoon Palace will report the loss of your cultivation technique to the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Enforcer Hall!"
Since Li Fan had been the one to redeem the technique, he could report the loss of the technique to the Myriad Immortals Alliance. The task of recovering the technique would naturally fall to the mysterious and fearsome Enforcer Hall.
This was a mutually destructive maneuver. Once a technique was reported lost and reclaimed, ownership reverted to the Myriad Immortals Alliance. The debt-dodger would lose their life, while Brightmoon Palace would sacrifice a certain amount of contribution points.
Any cultivator with a shred of rationality would understand the obvious choice.
The purpose of creating these two specific talismans was to cultivate an aura of mystery.
Just imagine: A talisman flies out. A cultivator, smugly hiding in a safe zone and refusing to repay, suddenly turns pale, grinds their teeth in frustration, and henceforth has no choice but to obediently work off their debt.
Such a dramatic scene would spontaneously draw many cultivators to inquire and learn about Brightmoon Palace.
On top of serving as effective publicity, it would also establish Brightmoon Palace's image as an inscrutable and formidable entity within the minds of cultivators.
In Li Fan's view, two critical factors currently constrained the rapid expansion of Brightmoon Palace's technique transmission enterprise.
The first was Li Fan's own severely limited contribution points. After conducting the repayment-based technique transmission for Chu Xingyang, he was left with a pitiful number of contribution points. At most, he could only perform technique transmissions for two more final-stage Qi Refinement realm cultivators. Recovering these contribution points would typically take two to three years.
Without a sufficient reserve of contribution points for operational liquidity, any attempt to develop Brightmoon Palace's business on a large scale was laughable. Yet, small-scale operations contradicted Li Fan's original vision.
I hope Zhang Zhiliang's little black box can bring me some pleasant surprises. Li Fan thought, sensing that the array seal would be unlocked in just over two months through his avatar.
The second constraint was the lack of combat-capable subordinates under Li Fan's command.
Once operations expanded, manpower shortages would inevitably arise, affecting the efficiency of contribution point collection. However, there was currently no good solution to this problem.
In Li Fan's vision, if he could collaborate with a major power in Yuandao Province and share a portion of the profits with them, both difficulties would be resolved.
Unfortunately, Li Fan's current early-stage Foundation Establishment strength was far too weak. He would never attempt something as reckless as making a pact with a tiger.
In the following period, aside from Chu Xingyang, only one final-stage Qi Refinement realm cultivator came seeking assistance. But after careful evaluation by the Yin sisters, this person was rejected.
Claiming the individual lacked sufficient fate with Brightmoon Palace, Su Xiaomei was sent to dismiss them.
It seems we must wait for Chu Xingyang to make a name for himself by disrupting the wedding and seizing the bride. Li Fan mused silently.
To ensure Brightmoon Palace's first client achieved a decisive victory, thereby creating a greater sensational effect, Li Fan decided he could secretly assist Chu Xingyang if necessary.
For now, Brightmoon Palace's grand plan for transmitting techniques had yet to launch in full.
Standing in the underground treasure vault, Li Fan quietly sensed the resonance of tens of thousands of Dao resonance artifacts.
The Perceiving the Vast from the Minute Array had been fully deployed. Amplified by the array, a strand of Dao resonance of the sea-overturning palm strike was now perceptible.
One day, two days... After standing motionless for seven days, a trace of embarrassment flickered across Li Fan's face.
Hmm... Given my talent, comprehending a divine ability from this wisp of Dao resonance is still somewhat beyond me. Fortunately, I am not alone.
Without further hesitation, Li Fan summoned Xiao Heng and Su Xiaomei.
“The Dao resonance artifacts you painstakingly collected over several years have finally generated a sufficiently powerful resonance after being amplified by my array. This wisp of Dao resonance contains a tremendous opportunity. How much you comprehend from it depends entirely on your own fortune."
Upon entering the underground treasure vault, Xiao Heng and Su Xiaomei were immediately captivated by the profound fluctuations drifting within.
Hearing Li Fan's words, their faces lit up with joy. After bowing in gratitude, they closed their eyes and immersed themselves in contemplating the Dao resonance.
Li Fan did not give up either, joining them in observing and contemplating.
Time passed little by little. This time, the first to gain insight was Xiao Heng. His eyes snapped open, and a flash of profound worldly experience shone within them before fading.
Li Fan still hadn't comprehended anything. But seeing Xiao Heng's expression, he knew the young man had gained something. However, he didn't ask about it directly; instead, he gestured for Xiao Heng to wait patiently until Su Xiaomei finished comprehending as well. Another day later, Su Xiaomei also awoke from her epiphany.
Li Fan led the two of them to the central plaza of Brightmoon Palace. He activated the Torrent Phantasm Grand Array for protection, allowing them to spar freely without worrying about damaging their surroundings.
Li Fan then instructed, "Engage in a friendly duel. Test and verify the insights you've gained."
Both nodded simultaneously, their eyes locking as they spoke in unison.
"Xiaomei, I look forward to exchanging pointers!"
"Xiao Heng! You'd better watch out!"