"Where were you practicing before this, Fellow Daoist?"
Within the Liuli Island’s array, He Zhenghao and Li Fan sat facing each other inside a mountain pavilion.
He Zhenghao produced a pot of spirit tea and filled Li Fan's cup.
"I was originally a rogue cultivator from Yuandao Province. A few years ago, while seeking opportunities for a breakthrough, I came to the Congyun Sea." Li Fan took a sip of tea, then continued, "I've now reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm and would like to make advance preparations to obtain a Golden Core technique.
"When it comes to fortuitous encounters, acquiring a Foundation Establishment method is already the limit for ordinary rogue cultivators. Trying to find a Golden Core technique through exploration is incredibly difficult. After much thought, I decided to abandon my previous mindset of going solo and join the Myriad Immortals Alliance." Li Fan sighed deeply as he explained.
"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to feel troubled. I know many rogue cultivators outside misunderstand our Myriad Immortals Alliance. They think we Alliance cultivators are like cattle and horses, driven without any freedom. They are completely mistaken!" He Zhenghao spoke eloquently.
"Our Alliance's contribution points are essentially no different from spirit stones. Fundamentally, everyone relies on their own efforts to obtain cultivation resources. The Alliance simply provides centralized management and organization.
"Moreover, the Alliance possesses spirit treasures with extraordinary uses like the Tianxuan Mirror. You'll understand once you see it." He Zhenghao finished with a smile, lifting his teacup to take a sip.
"I've heard that referring new cultivators to the Myriad Immortals Alliance comes with corresponding contribution point rewards?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
"Ahem—" He Zhenghao choked on his tea, coughing several times before setting down his teacup.
"I see you are quite well-informed! Don't worry, I understand the rules. I'll be sure give you half the contribution points." He patted his chest with an assuring look.
Li Fan gave He Zhenghao a meaningful look, then slowly nodded: "In that case, please show me the way, Fellow Daoist. I can hardly wait any longer!"
He Zhenghao suddenly felt a chill down his spine. But it vanished immediately, making him think it was just his imagination.
Hearing Li Fan's words, he immediately said, "Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist. I'll first retrieve a passage talisman for you. Otherwise, your presence would trigger attacks from the Myriad Immortals Array once you approach the island."
Li Fan nodded: "I've heard about this. Please go ahead!"
He Zhenghao activated the teleportation array and departed for Myriad Immortals Island.
Li Fan drank his tea as he waited.
Before long, He Zhenghao returned.
"Fellow Daoist, you just need to leave a trace of your aura here." He Zhenghao explained as he handed the passage talisman to Li Fan,.
Li Fan performed the familiar procedure with ease.
“Remember to return this talisman after you officially join the Myriad Immortals Alliance. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay the equivalent value in contribution points.
"Such a tiny talisman..." He Zhenghao started to say something more, but suddenly changed his mind.
"Never mind, it's not worth mentioning. Let's go, Fellow Daoist!"
Li Fan nodded, and the two then took the teleportation array and arrived at Myriad Immortals Island.
Just as before, He Zhenghao explained various aspects of life on Myriad Immortals Island to Li Fan. But this time, his explanations were considerably more detailed than on previous occasions.
"The Tianxuan Mirror is just ahead. This spirit treasure has endless wonderful uses; once you start using it, you truly can't live without it!
"When you have abundant contribution points later, you can even purchase a separate, portable mirror avatar."
As they chatted, the two entered the Tianxuan Mirror's space.
"This Fellow Daoist is the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm cultivator I previously reported about. He wishes to join our Myriad Immortals Alliance," He Zhenghao said.
After a moment, the Tianxuan Mirror's voice rang out. "Recommendation of one late-stage Foundation Establishment realm cultivator. Recorded as a Grade C+ merit, converted to 3000 contribution points. Current total contribution points: 4140."
He Zhenghao froze, as if doubting his ears.
"How much?"
The Tianxuan Mirror repeated itself.
He Zhenghao turned to Li Fan, his expression frozen in astonishment. His jaw moved once, then twice, yet speech failed him entirely.
"What, is there a problem?" Li Fan asked, feigning ignorance.
After a while, He Zhenghao cautiously probed. "Fellow Daoist, might I ask... how old are you currently?"
Li Fan pretended to hesitate for a long moment before sighing and saying, "To be honest, I have lived for more than twenty-nine years.
"But despite spending so much time, I am still stuck at the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm, with the Golden Core realm nowhere in sight. I am truly ashamed to mention it!"
Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao immediately flushed red. His lips parted, trembling as if to speak, but no sound emerged.
After a long while, he forced a strained smile and said, "Fellow Daoist, you jest. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at twenty-nine years old...
"A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at twenty-nine years old..."
After thinking hard for some time, He Zhenghao finally squeezed out the words, "That makes you a heaven-sent prodigy."
"I dare not claim such praise, I dare not!" Li Fan repeatedly shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist, do you know that a true heaven-sent prodigy can forge their Golden Core in just eight years of cultivation?
"Moreover, they can slay a Dao Unity cultivator while still at the Golden Core realm. I am far from reaching such heights!" Li Fan said with utmost seriousness.
What Li Fan said went beyond He Zhenghao's understanding. Not knowing how to respond, he could only offer an awkward smile.
Fortunately, as an experienced veteran, he quickly changed the subject.
He Zhenghao pulled out a mountain-peak-shaped spirit talisman and handed it to Li Fan, then said enthusiastically, "Since you sought me out for a referral, you must think highly of me.
"If there is ever anything you need from me in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. Although my cultivation level is a bit low, I do have some connections here on Myriad Immortals Island."
Li Fan took the spirit talisman but remained silent, simply smiling as he looked at He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao was momentarily puzzled, then slapped his forehead as if suddenly realizing something.
"If you hadn't reminded me, I would have nearly forgotten." A trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes as He Zhenghao transferred 1500 contribution points to Li Fan.
Only then did Li Fan nod in satisfaction before asking, "Fellow Daoist, you must have joined this Myriad Immortals Alliance for quite some time. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice your contribution points don’t seem too high."
He Zhenghao immediately perked up and began explaining to Li Fan, "Fellow Daoist, if you have many contribution points but never use them, keeping them on you, they won't grow on their own.
"Instead of letting your contribution points sit around, you can use them to buy some commodities like Spirit Mist Grass or Tongxuan Wood when their prices are low and stockpile them. Then, when their prices rise, you can sell them off and profit from the difference.
"Although the fluctuations are usually small, and the profit per plant isn't much, if you buy enough of them, each transaction can yield a considerable return."
He Zhenghao puffed out his chest with pride. "This is what they call investment! You may not know this, Fellow Daoist, but I am well-versed in the ways of investment."
Li Fan looked at He Zhenghao with a strange expression, thinking to himself. No wonder you dared to stake your entire fortune. So you've already tasted success from this.
"Fellow Daoist, that look on your face suggests you don't believe me?" He Zhenghao looked somewhat wronged.
He immediately declared: "Very well, then. When the next major opportunity to profit arises, I will notify you.
"This way, I can properly show you my capabilities!"