In just half a day, the price of Stygian Obsidian had doubled.
Due to overwhelming demand, the upward trend showed no signs of stopping.
"How can this be?" He Zhenghao stared at Li Fan with renewed shock.
Li Fan, however, wore a grave expression and began calculating with his fingers once more, ignoring him.
Left with no choice, He Zhenghao turned his attention back to the Mini Tianxuan Mirror.
The number representing his contribution points was jumping non-stop.
318,000... 328,600...
His wealth was increasing at a visible pace.
He Zhenghao pinched himself hard, wondering if this was a dream.
Had his long-cherished wish been fulfilled so easily?
The first 150,000 had taken him decades of effort to accumulate. Yet this second 150,000 had taken less than five days. Was this Senior Li Fan's way of investing?
If he could learn this skill for himself... He Zhenghao felt his blood surge with excitement. He could hardly wait to brag to his brothers.
Just then, Li Fan's voice cut through his thoughts like a bucket of cold water.
"Time to quit while you're ahead! Sell now!"
He Zhenghao froze on the spot. "But the price is still climbing—"
"Hmm?" Li Fan glanced at him sideways.
He Zhenghao's breath hitched.
With immense reluctance, He Zhenghao, holding back the tears in his eyes, sold all his Stygian Obsidian at 630 contribution points per catty.
With that, he had earned 333,900 contribution points!
"I've struck it rich!" The newly wealthy He Zhenghao stared fixedly at the Mini Tianxuan Mirror, muttering to himself.
His mind was already painting fantasies of how to spend this colossal sum.
"Tch, I told you it was nothing difficult, yet you didn't believe me," Li Fan's voice came again, shattering He Zhenghao's reverie.
"Alright, the wager is over. You lost. Hurry up and change to some random technique!"
He Zhenghao snapped back to reality.
He opened the technique redemption catalog. Seeing the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Art he had longed for, he was about to redeem it when he suddenly remembered that over half of these three hundred thousand-plus contribution points had come from Li Fan's guidance.
He cautiously asked, "Senior, about those hundred thousand-plus points..."
Li Fan waved a hand dismissively, sounding impatient. "They came from the profit on your own principal investment. I simply offered advice. Why would I demand a share? Besides, I'm not a member of your Myriad Immortals Alliance.
"Furthermore, I already possess the Mountain-Sitting Art. Since half the contribution points for your new technique come from me, just take it that you’ve received a favour from me..."
Li Fan left it at that.
He Zhenghao suddenly understood. Then, he was overjoyed.
He thanked Li Fan profusely, then proceeded to redeem the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Art and dissolve his Mountain-Sitting Art cultivation in one smooth sequence.
To demonstrate his stance, He Zhenghao even proactively drew up a contract, thoroughly erasing the contents of the Mountain-Sitting Art from his memory.
Li Fan seemed quite satisfied with his performance and patted him on the shoulder.
Then, he prepared to leave.
Watching Li Fan's figure already rising into the air, He Zhenghao suddenly snapped back to his senses and hurriedly called out. "Senior, please wait a moment!"
"What is it now, kid?" Li Fan paused, his brow furrowing.
"Senior, you have just awakened after thousands of years. Why not join our Myriad Immortals Alliance?" He Zhenghao ventured. "Though I am not yet qualified to formally refer you myself, I am acquainted with several Nascent Soul cultivators..."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, as if considering the proposal.
Heartened, He Zhenghao pressed on. "Times are different now. Attempting to make progress as a rogue cultivator is basically impossible. Moreover, I've already explained the numerous benefits of membership. You've witnessed the convenience of the Tianxuan Mirror for yourself..."
After He Zhenghao's persistent efforts, Li Fan finally seemed persuaded and agreed to join the Myriad Immortals Alliance, at least for the time being.
He Zhenghao immediately began sending messages via spirit talisman. After bustling about for the better part of the day, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Please wait a moment longer, Senior," he said. "Once everything is arranged on this Fellow Daoist's end, you can head over to Myriad Immortals Island for the verification process."
"What a nuisance!" Li Fan snorted, his expression displeased.
He Zhenghao could only offer an apologetic smile.
After a moment of silence, He Zhenghao could no longer contain his curiosity and tentatively asked, "Senior, how did you know the price of Stygian Obsidian would skyrocket? I studied the matter and found no forewarning whatsoever!"
Perhaps bored from the idle waiting, Li Fan deigned to explain, a note of pride in his voice. "The energy mechanisms of heaven and earth are in constant flux. Most ordinary people cannot perceive its subtle shifts. But we disciples of the Heavenly Mechanisms Sect can discern them through our secret arts. The path of wealth operates on similar principles."
He Zhenghao's eyes gleamed with fascination. "Such a divine ability exists? To double one's investment so easily... if one could manage it several times a year..."
Li Fan chuckled dismissively. "It's not that simple. When a cultivator peers into the heavenly mechanisms, heaven and earth are also watching the cultivator. Sensing these mechanisms does not guarantee success every time. Furthermore, one must face the backlash of the world's will. The technique cannot be used too frequently. Things proceeded so smoothly this time precisely because I had refrained from employing this art for a long time."
Hearing this explanation, He Zhenghao couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. However, he quickly rallied his spirits. "Even once a year would be incredibly impressive!"
Thinking of the more than eighty thousand contribution points he had left after purchasing his new technique, an idea set his heart racing. Yet, fearing he might anger Li Fan, he hesitated, uncertain.
"What are you thinking about?" Li Fan asked abruptly, as if he had seen right through him.
Seeing no point in hiding it, He Zhenghao cautiously inquired, "Senior, after you join the Alliance, might you find the time to... guide me once more?"
Li Fan looked at him with an inscrutable, half-smiling expression.
He Zhenghao knew his request was presumptuous, but for the sake of contribution points, he pressed on, his face flushing slightly with embarrassment. "It's just that your divine ability is truly unfathomable. For people like us to turn a profit, we must exhaust our minds and live in constant fear. We are nothing like you, Senior, who can accomplish it with such effortless grace..."
He Zhenghao tried every method of flattery he could muster. Yet, by the time he received the notification for Li Fan to proceed to Myriad Immortals Island to complete the membership formalities, Li Fan had given no indication of agreeing.
Watching Li Fan's figure vanish into the distance, He Zhenghao was filled with regret, sighing and wringing his hands in frustration.
However, thinking of the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Art he had already redeemed, and the contribution points that remained, a swell of smug satisfaction rose within him.
Truly, disaster is where fortune leans upon. He mused. Who could have imagined a near-death crisis would transform into my heaven-sent opportunity?
He grew ever more puffed up with pride. So much so that he couldn't even be bothered to cultivate first. Instead, he went straight to those friends of his, the ones he usually discussed investment strategies with, to boast.
***
Deep within the Administration Hall of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, in the cavernous room crowded with countless tall, crimson wooden cabinets he had once visited, Li Fan stood upon the White Jade Heart-Questioning Platform.
He listened to the questions of the white-haired elder before him.
"You claim to be a cultivator of the ancient Heavenly Mechanisms Sect, who slumbered until this very day by accident?"
Li Fan nodded. "That is correct."