Inside the stomach of the Dracowhale exotic beast, Li Fan found numerous Liuli Pearls that hadn’t been fully digested yet. They were likely remains of the Liuli Fish school the Dracowhale had fed on.
It seems the Liuli Fish have fallen on hard times since I killed that giant one. Li Fan mused silently to himself.
Besides the Liuli Pearls, there were other miscellaneous items: a broken stalk of coral, a gleaming fish bone, and other assorted debris.
Li Fan didn’t bother identifying them, simply bundling everything together.
Finally, he gave the area one last thorough check, ensuring nothing of value remained, before slipping away unnoticed.
The journey back to Myriad Immortals Island was uneventful.
After turning in the Dracowhale’s carcass, Li Fan exchanged all the items he’d scavenged from its stomach for contribution points. It was converted to 320 points in total.
Following an appraisal, the Myriad Immortals Alliance confirmed that the Dracowhale Li Fan had submitted was indeed the one that had attacked the island. Thus, he received the 2000-point mission reward.
Added to his previous balance of 450 points, Li Fan now possessed 2770 contribution points.
With this many points, I should be able to acquire a satisfactory technique.
What Li Fan currently lacked was a method to conceal his presence, something useful for tracking others.
Such techniques were relatively rare, but for something at the Qi Refinement realm, 2770 points were more than sufficient.
Li Fan began his search within the Tianxuan Mirror.
Meanwhile, news spread through the Myriad Immortals Alliance: the Dracowhale exotic beast that had stymied countless Foundation Establishment cultivators had been brought down by none other than a Qi Refinement cultivator.
This anomaly immediately drew considerable attention.
The group that had jointly issued the mission was particularly baffled.
“Late-stage Qi Refinement realm, Li Fan? Who is this? Wasn’t that Dracowhale able to withstand attacks from Golden Core cultivators? How did this Li Fan manage to kill it? Could he be concealing his true cultivation level?”
“Fellow Daoist, you must be new to our Myriad Immortals Alliance. Hiding one’s cultivation from the Tianxuan Mirror is impossible!”
“His cultivation level is definitely the late-stage Qi Refinement realm. I’ve managed to confirm that he was recently introduced to our alliance by He Zhenghao.”
“Oh? Then how did he accomplish it?”
“Perhaps he possesses some esoteric treasure?”
The fact that a Qi Refinement cultivator could achieve what Foundation Establishment cultivators could not naturally sparked wild speculation.
Just then, a dismissive voice cut through the chatter.
“Stop guessing. I just got the latest inside news: the kid just got lucky.”
The statement drew immediate attention.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou Peng, what do you mean by that?”
“Indeed, how could it just be luck?”
Zhou Peng sighed, “I could scarcely believe it myself, but the facts are clear.
“The Dracowhale’s carcass was analyzed by Elder Gongsun from the Heavenly Mechanism Hall. His conclusion was that the beast had fought at least three other leviathans of similar strength before its death.
“Most of its wounds were inflicted by those creatures.
“By the time it died, the Dracowhale was already on its last breath. It wouldn’t have survived much longer, even without that kid’s intervention.”
After Zhou Peng finished speaking, silence fell over the group.
Though it seemed unbelievable, everyone had heard of Elder Sun from the Heavenly Mechanism Hall, so his conclusion carried weight.
“Rumor has it that the Dracowhale showed signs of ascending to Dragonhood. Perhaps that’s why it attracted the envy of other massive beasts.”
“That makes perfect sense. For exotic beasts that evolve by devouring each other, one that has awakened its ancestral bloodline would be the ultimate prize.”
“Ah, that Qi Refinement kid has absurdly good luck. Two thousand contribution points! It’s enough to make anyone jealous.”
The surrounding cultivators nodded in agreement.
***
Li Fan had already anticipated the potential repercussions of completing the Dracowhale bounty, but he felt no fear.
By all appearances, the beast had died from mutual combat with other titanic beasts. He’d simply been fortunate enough to stumble upon the aftermath and claim the prize.
For two thousand contribution points, such a calculated risk was worth taking.
Setting the matter aside, Li Fan spent some time researching and comparing his options before finally settling on a technique: Shadow Stalk Art.
The essence of this technique lay in its name—to stalk like an inseparable shadow.
It excelled in tracking and concealment. Once a target was marked, the practitioner could cling to them like their own shadow, while becoming nearly impossible to shake off.
Moreover, like a shadow hidden within darkness, the user could remain utterly undetectable.
Such remarkable effects naturally came at a steep price: 1800 contribution points.
Li Fan didn’t hesitate, purchasing it outright.
Just as he prepared to go into seclusion and cultivate the technique, he received a spirit talisman message from He Zhenghao.
“Li Fan, my friend! Ah, I can’t believe it was really you who took down that Dracowhale! I thought it might just be another cultivator with the same name and realm!
“Someone came asking about you, and that’s how I confirmed it was truly you who slew the beast!”
He Zhenghao sounded exceptionally excited.
“Good, good! This really helps me settle that old grievance! You have no idea... These past few days, every time I close my eyes, all I could see is the plummeting price of Spirit Mist Grass.”
Li Fan remained silent for a moment before replying, “It was just luck. I happened upon the Dracowhale battling another massive beast during my mission and seized the opportunity.”
Almost immediately, He Zhenghao responded. “Luck is part of one’s strength, my friend! With your talent and fortune, your path to the Great Dao is surely bright!”
Before Li Fan could formulate a reply, another message arrived from He Zhenghao. “Actually, there’s a matter I’d like to ask for your help with, if you’re willing.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“I would like to invite you to serve as the acting guardian of Liuli Island in my stead. What do you think?”
“Acting guardian?” Li Fan was curious.
He Zhenghao hurried to explain.
“After that Spirit Mist Grass incident, I lost most of my savings over the years. Watching my goal of redeeming that Nascent Soul technique slip further away... I simply can’t accept it.
“Some friends recently discovered an ancient cave dwelling and invited me to explore it with them. According to them, it was sealed long before the Great Reformation descended. It’s certain to hold numerous rare treasures, perhaps even several techniques.
“If I can gain something from it, it might help recoup some of my losses. So I’ve decided to take the risk.”
Li Fan considered for a moment but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he asked, “How long would you need me to serve as guardian in your stead?”
He Zhenghao’s reply came quickly: “Not long at all. A year or two at minimum, three or four at most.”