Unfortunately, Li Fan could only fantasize about it for now.
The Tianxuan Mirror was a foundational treasure of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, utterly beyond the reach of an insignificant Qi Refinement cultivator like him.
Earning contribution points through mission tasks was far more realistic.
Suppressing his greed, Li Fan opened the list of available tasks. Then, he filtered for those suitable for early-stage Qi Refinement cultivators with a low danger level.
A quick scan revealed mostly menial chores and errands, their rewards just one or two contribution points.
These tasks vanished almost instantly after appearing, clearly snatched up by others watching just as closely as he was.
Removing the low-danger filter unveiled more mission tasks. These often required traveling to various islands within the Congyun Sea to perform specific tasks.
Since the work involved dealing primarily with mortals, they didn’t require combat and were still relatively safe. The rewards were also better, around five to ten contribution points.
However, using the Myriad Immortals Island’s teleportation array also cost contribution points, one point per trip. That meant a two-point deduction per round trip, significantly cutting into the mission's actual reward.
Earning enough points to reside within the Tianxuan Mirror, let alone afford its Assisted Cultivation Mode periodically, was no simple feat.
While earning points would become easier as his strength grew, the cost of the Assisted Cultivation Mode would also rise with his cultivation level.
He would still be running on the same hamster wheel, constantly hustling for contribution points.
Add to that the immense cost of redeeming new techniques...
Li Fan suddenly understood the true purpose behind the Tianxuan Mirror’s Assisted Cultivation Mode. Any cultivator who had experienced that hyper-efficient way of cultivating would find it incredibly difficult to resist using it again.
Furthermore, if one focused solely on earning points to activate the Assisted Cultivation Mode, and then only cultivated in the boosted state, it still resulted in a faster overall cultivation speed than traditional practice.
Techniques, resources, Assisted Cultivation Mode... the Myriad Immortals Alliance truly had its cultivators by the throat.
As this thought crossed his mind, Li Fan continued searching for a suitable mission task.
Earning points was secondary; his main goal was to find a legitimate reason to leave the island and retrieve the Taiyan Boat stored within Return to Truth’s space.
The boat contained a significant amount of gold, silver, and jewels, not to mention a Curio of heaven and earth: the Halt Stele Fragment. They could be exchanged for a substantial number of contribution points.
As for why he didn’t simply summon it right here on Myriad Immortals Island... he wasn’t stupid. Doing that would be like announcing he possessed an esoteric gift.
Li Fan was certain every inch of Myriad Immortals Island was under the surveillance of the Tianxuan Mirror. Drawing its attention would mean trouble.
While Return to Truth could transform reality into illusion, that required his conscious control.
What if a supreme powerhouse intervened, immobilizing Li Fan’s divine sense and preventing him from even thinking? He would be utterly powerless, completely at their mercy.
Even the slightest possibility of such an outcome was a risk Li Fan refused to take.
Moreover, judging by the capabilities the Tianxuan Mirror had already displayed, he was certain that cultivators of that terrifying caliber existed in the world.
No matter what, caution and prudence were Li Fan’s foremost principles.
Just then, amidst the long list of tasks, a familiar name caught Li Fan’s eye.
“Liuli Island.”
A spark of joy ignited within him, and he quickly accepted the mission task. He then carefully examined the task details.
It turned out that the Myriad Immortals Alliance’s stock of Liuli Pearls, a specialty of Liuli Island, had been completely depleted. According to regulations, the next scheduled delivery wasn’t for another half a year.
They were urgently needed for pill refining, so the Medicine Hall had posted a commission, recruiting someone to travel to Liuli Island to retrieve a minimum of twenty Liuli Pearls.
The reward would be determined by the pearls’ quality and quantity.
Li Fan had heard of these Liuli Pearls during his time on Liuli Island, and knew they formed occasionally within the bodies of Liuli Fish. He just didn’t know which specific pill they were used to refine.
Nevertheless, this mission was perfectly suited for him.
After spending five contribution points to purchase the smallest storage ring available as cover, Li Fan didn’t delay. He exited the Tianxuan Mirror and headed straight for the Dao Transmission Plaza.
Retracing his steps, he arrived before the same stone statue from before.
Li Fan now knew that each of the ten thousand statues in the Dao Transmission Plaza corresponded to an island within the Congyun Sea.
The great teleportation array was linked to the island protection arrays of every island.
The statue symbolizing Liuli Island was shaped like a leaping Liuli Fish.
After deducting one contribution point, Li Fan activated the teleportation array.
This time, the disorienting sensation was indeed much weaker, and he recovered quickly.
“May I ask which Fellow Daoist...” He Zhenghao’s voice drifted over faintly.
“Huh? Why is it you?” Recognizing the newcomer, He Zhenghao sounded somewhat puzzled.
Li Fan promptly explained that he had come to retrieve Liuli Pearls and told him about the mission tasks he had accepted.
“Liuli Pearls? I’ll have someone take you to retrieve them,” He Zhenghao nodded after listening, “You’ve adapted quite quickly, young friend. Already so eager to take on missions.”
“Nothing more than the pressures of life,” Li Fan feigned a tone of helplessness.
He Zhenghao immediately wore an expression of perfect understanding.
Following a servant to the Liuli Administration, Li Fan met with Manager Qian, who was in charge of finances.
Manager Qian respectfully kowtowed, and it was impossible to tell if he recognized Li Fan or not.
Li Fan had previously taken command of one of Liuli Island’s fishing vessels and had crossed paths with Manager Qian a few times.
But even if he did recognize him, Manager Qian would most likely pretend he didn’t.
In the eyes of mortals, an Immortal Master was an exalted existence, a being that was not to be offended under any circumstances.
Upon receiving the order, Manager Qian swiftly retrieved the island’s entire stock of Liuli Pearls.
“Reporting to the Immortal Master, the island currently has only twenty-three Liuli Pearls left. This is all we have been able to collect recently. If you require more, I’m afraid you will have to wait a year or so,” Manager Qian said, his voice tinged with apprehension.
“Oh? Has something happened?” Li Fan asked.
“I dare not deceive you, Immortal Master. According to reports from the island’s fishing vessels, encounters with Liuli Fish schools are becoming less and less frequent, likely due to over-harvesting. We must wait for their numbers to recover naturally before fishing can resume,” Manager Qian explained.
Hearing this, Li Fan nodded. Yet, Zhang Haobo’s words suddenly surfaced in his mind.
“I am aware of the situation,” Li Fan said, storing the Liuli Pearls in his storage ring. Instead of returning immediately, he first went to the Quietude Manor.
Entering his home, Li Fan waited a moment, then released his divine sense. After ensuring that He Zhenghao wasn’t secretly spying on him, he summoned the Taiyan Boat.
He then swiftly completed the transfer of the gold, silver, and the Halt Stele Fragment from the Taiyan Boat to his storage ring.
Once this was done, Li Fan returned to the island protection array.
Just as he was about to head back to Myriad Immortals Island, a voice called out from behind him.
“Please hold on, young friend!”
Every hair on Li Fan’s body stood on end. He spun around, his gaze sharp and wary as it fell on He Zhenghao.