Zhang Qianmo laughed heartily once more, finding this junior brother increasingly agreeable.
Of course, while Li Fan admired Senior Brother Zhang, certain procedures still had to be followed.
Using the same method as his previous life, he went to Mister Bai's basement and crafted Immortal-Severing Stone needles.
Then he lured Senior Brother Zhang over.
Catching him off guard, Li Fan sealed his meridians with the stone needles and made a show of interrogating him about the Purple Core Nirvana Method.
Senior Brother Zhang stared at Li Fan with an incredulous gaze, as if trying to sear his image into memory forever.
Then he took his own life.
With Senior Brother Zhang dealt with, the likes of Song Hesong within Ningyuan City posed even less of a threat.
Thus, armed with the experience of having cleared this scenario before, Li Fan efficiently resolved the issue of Ningyuan City’s imminent destruction.
His surroundings blurred, and Li Fan once again saw the figure of Mister Bai standing bewildered amidst the blood-stained ruins. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Li Fan tried, he could never clearly make out his features.
Finally, the scene darkened.
Li Fan exited the Fallen Immortal Realm and returned to the real world.
As he examined his gains, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
The clearance reward for retrieving longevity fruits from Ningyuan City is still the same—three Rebirth Longevity Fruits, each capable of extending lifespan by three hundred years.
But after defeating Senior Brother Zhang, I failed to acquire any new techniques.
Still, Li Fan quickly put the thought aside.
Senior Brother Zhang is still alive in this world. It’s better that I don’t obtain his technique. If I were to truly draw him here, it might create even greater complications.
Calming himself, Li Fan began to analyze his latest journey into the Fallen Immortal Realm.
From what I can tell, after I activate Return to Truth and begin anew, the Fallen Immortal Realm cannot perceive the experiences of my previous life.
But one thing is certain: within the Fallen Immortal Realm, I am extraordinarily unique.
It feels like a kind of invisible guidance is forcing me to undergo predetermined events.
First was the Ningyuan Longevity Fruits Retrieval Incident. Next will be the Beast Taming Sect Upheaval.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Interesting...
Li Fan had no idea what was causing this peculiar phenomenon.
But since the Fallen Immortal Realm could not perceive the effects of Return to Truth, he had nothing to fear.
On the contrary, these recurring scenarios within the Fallen Immortal Realm had effectively become fixed opportunities—guaranteed sources of treasure he could harvest in every lifetime.
Just like the Dao Transformation Stone in Yi Xing’s tomb.
As he continued to explore the Fallen Immortal Realm in greater depth, the resources he could swiftly secure in each subsequent lifetime would only increase.
To Li Fan, this was purely advantageous.
After obtaining the three Rebirth Longevity Fruits, the cooldown before he could reenter the Fallen Immortal Realm had lengthened slightly. However, it was still shorter than the full year required in his previous life. By his estimate, he would be able to enter again in a little over eight months.
The Beast Taming Sect...
A flicker of anticipation rose in his heart at the thought of what he might gain from the Beast Taming Sect Upheaval scenario.
Judging from the caliber of the Rebirth Longevity Fruits, the rewards would likely be no less impressive.
Calculating the time, the appointed meeting with the Five Elders Council’s stone-face was fast approaching.
Li Fan erased every trace of his presence within the secret chamber, shifted into Zhou Qing’ang’s appearance, and set off toward the rendezvous point.
Once again, it was an uninhabited islet.
After searching briefly, Li Fan discovered another stone engraved with coordinates.
It seems the Five Elders Council has other hidden agents in the Congyun Sea besides Zhou Qing’ang.
This engraved stone, the fractured stone used for communication, even the periodic distribution of Zhou Qing’ang’s funds—all of it needs to be arranged by someone behind the scenes.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
Still, it’s best not to alert the enemy. Let’s secure those five million contribution points first.
Li Fan crushed the stone to powder and headed for the location it indicated.
It was another underwater ruin.
Li Fan placed both palms on an inconspicuous fractured stone, successfully establishing the connection.
"Boss, what's the word?" Li Fan asked, feigning a bit of eagerness.
"The higher-ups have approved the deal," the face said. "But only after confirming the test questions are genuine."
"Great! I'll go inform He Zhenghao right away," Li Fan replied, sounding excited. "Oh, and boss, since I've accomplished such a big task this time, is there any reward?"
Rubbing his hands together, Li Fan looked at the face with anticipation.
Li Fan's reaction seemed entirely within the face's expectations.
He chuckled. "Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged. Haven't you been coveting those illustrated books of Heavenly Venerable One Mind for ages? As long as this mission is completed smoothly, I'll have someone deliver them to you."
Heavenly Venerable One Mind’s illustrated books? Instantly, Li Fan recalled the scenes of sensual indulgence he had glimpsed within the Five Elders Council cultivator’s remnant soul inside the Soul-Gathering Pearl.
Cursing inwardly, Li Fan stammered, hesitating as if wanting to speak but holding back.
"What?" The face sounded surprised.
"Boss, well... I've already seen those. Could I get something else instead?" Li Fan lowered his head slightly as his voice dropped, a hint of awkwardness on his face.
"Huh?!" The face was stunned for a moment, then understanding dawned. "No wonder your operational funds were spent so quickly! So they all went to this?" he roared angrily.
Li Fan could only remain silent.
After a while, the face's anger subsided.
After some thought, he spoke again. "Fine. Considering your merit this time, I'll let it slide. How about some Bliss Crystals from the Paradise of No Troubles? Float in ecstasy, ascend to supreme bliss. Haven't you been pestering me for those for a long time too?"
Li Fan felt a wave of helplessness inside.
Thinking it over, he could only find an excuse and said tactfully, "Boss, here's what I'm thinking. Didn't you tell me to build a good relationship with He Zhenghao? But ever since he switched to a Nascent Soul technique, his cultivation level has been skyrocketing day by day. I estimate it won't be long before he breaks through to the Golden Core realm.
"I've been stuck at the Foundation Establishment realm for a long time. If I can't make a breakthrough soon, trying to befriend him with just Foundation Establishment cultivation might be a bit difficult.
“After all, this guy...” Li Fan clicked his tongue and shook his head repeatedly.
Oh? The kid's finally thinking about improving himself? The face looked at Li Fan with some surprise.
But after a moment of contemplation, he found Li Fan's reasoning quite sound.
He nodded immediately. "Good point. This He Zhenghao is extremely important. He's one of the key individuals you need to win over next. Also, you can try to get the structural details of the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Heavenly Vitality Transformation Array from him."
Pausing briefly, the face continued, "Hmm, the task is not easy. It seems we do need to raise your cultivation to the Golden Core realm as soon as possible. You'll have to find a way to redeem a technique yourself within the Myriad Immortals Alliance. We can't assist in that area. However, I can give you a few bottles of Dao Comprehension Pills."
Hearing this, Li Fan felt a flicker of joy inside.
He had personally experienced the miraculous effects of Dao Comprehension Pills.
What frustrated him was their scarcity—even with ample funds, it was nearly impossible to purchase them in any significant quantity.
If he could scrounge some from the face, that would be perfect.
Still, Li Fan put on a show of insatiable greed. "That's hardly enough! Boss, you know my aptitude. No matter how miraculous the Dao Comprehension Pills are, their effect on me is limited!"
The face replied impatiently, "Stop whining! I'm thinking."