Before Qing could speak, Shen Yuzi flicked his horsetail whisk.
The sky darkened in an instant. A vast sheet of talisman paper, densely covered in golden characters, unfurled above the island, blotting out the sun as though poised to suppress everyone from the Empire.
Qing’s expression changed sharply. Two beams of azure light, sharp as blades, shot skyward.
They collided head-on with the colossal talisman.
The golden talisman was torn apart, revealing the sky once more.
Yet the characters inscribed upon it did not dissipate. Instead, they drifted downward like falling snow.
From Qing’s body, countless blades of light surged forth in an unbroken stream, shredding the descending characters one by one.
It was evident that both sides were exercising extreme restraint. The phenomena they stirred were confined to the island’s immediate vicinity; even the bystanders, Li Fan and Li Chenfeng, were completely unaffected.
Moments later, after Qing had fully neutralized the golden talisman, she forced down her anger and prepared to demand an explanation.
Only then did she realize that the mysterious figure who had unleashed the talisman had already spoken briefly to Li Fan, then departed of his own accord.
Qing narrowed her eyes slightly but did not pursue him.
Watching Li Fan approach openly, she finally spoke, her voice cold as frost.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Li Fan shrugged. “No offense was intended. Since we are to cooperate, it is only natural to assess your strength, to determine whether you are qualified.”
He smiled faintly. “Fortunately, you have barely earned the approval of those above.”
Qing snorted coldly, her gaze fixed on him.
Unperturbed, Li Fan continued, “The Coalition has agreed to the cooperation plan you proposed earlier.
“We will assist the Empire in accelerating its separation from the Xuanhuang World. In return, you will allocate a portion of your strength to the Coalition.
“However,” Li Fan paused briefly. “Given the current circumstances of both parties, the Coalition believes this cooperation must proceed gradually.”
“How gradual?” Qing asked, her tone easing slightly.
Li Fan tossed over a storage ring.
Qing caught it, swept it with her divine sense, and her expression shifted.
Inside were none other than the materials the Empire had requested.
Azure Spirit Crystal. Ancient Emerald Blossom Silk. Arm-Penetrating Ginseng...
The quantities were limited, but every type was present.
Having been separated from the Xuanhuang World for millennia, Qing did not know the current market prices. Still, she understood that the value of the items within was anything but trivial.
Her expression softened noticeably.
“This is the first batch of supplies,” Li Fan said. “The quantities you require are immense. To avoid drawing the attention of the powers of the Xuanhuang World, we can only procure them slowly, in batches.”
Qing considered this and nodded.
"At the same time," Li Fan continued, "we are searching for a location to establish the branch of the Empire, one that is both secure and discreet.
“In today’s Xuanhuang World, such a location is not easily found. That will also require time.
“To ease your concerns and demonstrate the Coalition’s sincerity, this batch is provided free of charge.
“In roughly a year, when the next batch is ready, I will return.
“By then, the Myriad Worlds Coalition hopes to see the Empire’s stance.
“After that, we can discuss the terms of further cooperation.”
Li Fan cupped his hands and departed without waiting for Qing’s response.
“Holy Master...” Li Chenfeng looked at Qing.
Qing frowned, meticulously examining the storage ring. Finding no hidden tricks, she carefully stored it away.
“For now, it appears their intention to cooperate is relatively sincere.
“He is correct. We can proceed with cooperation gradually, starting by exchanging less critical technologies with them.
“Should any unforeseen changes occur, we can cut our losses in time.”
Qing addressed Li Chenfeng and the others.
“I must return to consult further with the Imperatrix and Hong.”
What Qing did not voice was that she felt an inexplicable strangeness about this Coalition envoy. He seemed far more complex than he appeared. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
Myriad Immortals Island.
After once again expressing his gratitude to Shen Yuzi, Li Fan began habitually searching for information within the Tianxuan Mirror.
The results of the recruitment examinations were being announced one after another, naturally bringing joy to some and disappointment to others.
Considerable controversy still surrounded the selection for certain positions, though such dissent quickly vanished.
In the southwestern region of the Congyun Sea, stormfloods raged, wiping out over a dozen mortal islands.
The price of the local specialty, Bi Xuan Dew, experienced minor fluctuations. Li Fan bought low and sold high, turning a small profit.
The Taixu Mountain Range, one of the ten major veins of Mount Taihua in Taihua Province, had suddenly collapsed for unknown reasons.
As Li Fan’s eyes swept over this piece of news, they sharpened slightly.
Hmm? Ten veins of Mount Taihua? I recall only witnessing nine in my past life.
It seems the casualties this time were rather severe.
Li Fan pondered this but did not delve deeper. He just made a note of it before continuing to browse other important news.
Next, Li Fan searched for recent updates on “Old Man Fisher,” “Martial Madman,” “Zhong Shentong,” and “Shuo Feng.”
Old Man Fisher remained in a dazed state, wandering near the Myriad Immortals Alliance’s four central provinces.
Martial Madman and Zhong Shentong had yet to make a name for themselves.
Shuo Feng had not yet begun his cultivation anew and remained the renowned Spirit Transformation Immortal Eminence.
Based on his experiences from his past lifetime, Li Fan estimated the possible timing of their destined encounters.
***
One month later, Li Fan emerged from seclusion.
Judging that the time was right, he transferred five hundred thousand contribution points directly to He Zhenghao.
“My luck was good this time. I sensed the opportunity quickly and achieved the goal early,” Li Fan said in a languid tone.
A moment later, He Zhenghao’s voice came through, ecstatic with disbelief.
“Senior, your skills are truly unfathomable!”
“Heh. The backlash from the sect’s secret art is still unavoidable. The next fundraising will proceed at the previously agreed time. Make that clear to them.”
After giving these instructions and ignoring He Zhenghao’s response, Li Fan swallowed another Dao Comprehension Pill and re-entered seclusion.
Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, Anchor Year 9 arrived.
During this period, Li Fan’s schemes began to bear fruit.
Over twenty streams of cultivation feedback, varying in strength, successively manifested within Li Fan’s dantian.
Through the combined efforts of his own grueling cultivation, bolstered by the epiphanic state boost and the Dao Comprehension Pill, Li Fan reached the limit of the mid-stage Golden Core realm.
He was fortunate; the bottleneck of the Heavenly Tribulation troubled him for only a little over ten days. Then, as naturally as water flowing in a channel, he advanced to the late-stage Golden Core realm.
Li Fan slowly exhaled, pausing his cultivation. Going forward, whether it is a matter of intimidating the Empire's people or probing the void of Tianling Province, my own power alone will likely prove insufficient.
Perhaps I should seek some assistance.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan quietly left Myriad Immortals Island and headed straight for Tian Yang’s cave dwelling.
Along the way, he transformed dozens of times before finally managing to produce a face that bore a rough resemblance to Tian Yang’s second senior brother, Ling Xiao.