Chapter 164: Ghost Talent He Zhenghao

"Friend, where did you cultivate before?"

Inside the grand formation of Glazed Island, in a pavilion on a mountain peak, He Zhenghao and Li Fan sat facing each other. He took out a pot of spiritual tea, filled Li Fan's cup, and then asked.

"Previously, I was a rogue cultivator in Yuandao State. A few years ago, while seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough, I came to the Clustered Clouds Sea," Li Fan said, taking a sip of tea. "I'm now in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and I'm preparing for the Core Formation methods I'll need in the future."

"The methods for Foundation Establishment are already the limit of opportunities for ordinary rogue cultivators. Trying to find a Core Formation cultivation method on my own is incredibly difficult. After much consideration, I decided to abandon my previous rogue cultivator ideals and join the Myriad Immortals Alliance," Li Fan explained with a sigh.

"There's no need to worry, friend. I know many rogue cultivators outside misunderstand our Myriad Immortals Alliance. They believe our cultivators are like oxen and horses, driven by others with no freedom. That's largely incorrect!" He Zhenghao spoke fluently. "The 'contribution points' commonly used in our Myriad Immortals Alliance are essentially no different from spirit stones. In essence, everyone relies on their own efforts to obtain cultivation resources; it's just that the Alliance has a centralized arrangement. What's more, within the Alliance, there's a spiritual treasure like the Heavenly Profound Mirror, which has extraordinary uses. You'll understand once you see it," He Zhenghao said with a smile, taking a sip from his teacup.

"I heard that recommending a cultivator to join the Myriad Immortals Alliance comes with a corresponding contribution point reward?" Li Fan suddenly asked.

"Cough, cough..." He Zhenghao seemed to choke, coughing a few times before setting his teacup down. "Friend, your information is truly well-informed! Don't worry, I naturally understand the rules! I'll share half of the contribution points I receive with you!" He patted his chest, assuring him.

Li Fan gave He Zhenghao an unreadable look, then slowly nodded. "In that case, please lead the way, friend. I can't wait!"

He Zhenghao suddenly felt a chill down his spine, but it vanished quickly, making him think it was just an illusion. Hearing Li Fan's words, he immediately said, "Please wait a moment, friend. I'll go get your transit spirit token. Otherwise, rashly entering the island will trigger the Myriad Immortals Grand Formation's attack."

Li Fan nodded. "I've heard about that. Go ahead, friend!"

He Zhenghao activated the teleportation array and went to Myriad Immortals Island. Li Fan, meanwhile, drank tea and waited.

Not long after, He Zhenghao returned. "Friend, just leave a trace of your aura," He Zhenghao said, handing the transit spirit token to Li Fan.

Li Fan knew the procedure well.

"Once you officially join the Myriad Immortals Alliance, remember to return this spirit token. Otherwise, you'll have to compensate for its equivalent value in contribution points."

"Such a small piece..." He Zhenghao was about to say more but suddenly changed his mind. "Heh heh, never mind. Let's go, friend!"

Li Fan nodded, and then the two used the teleportation array to arrive on Myriad Immortals Island. Just as before, He Zhenghao began introducing various things on Myriad Immortals Island to Li Fan. This time, however, it was significantly more detailed than the previous two times.

"The Heavenly Profound Mirror is not far ahead. This spiritual treasure has truly endless wondrous uses; once you start using it, you won't be able to live without it! When you have abundant contribution points later on, you can even buy a separate mirror-image avatar to carry with you."

Talking all the way, the two entered the Heavenly Profound Mirror space.

"This friend is the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator I previously reported, who wishes to join our Myriad Immortals Alliance," He Zhenghao said.

After a moment, the Heavenly Profound Mirror's voice resonated. "For recommending a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, a superior Grade C merit is recorded, converting to 3000 contribution points. Current total contribution points: 4140."

He Zhenghao froze, seemingly doubting what he heard. "How much?"

So the Heavenly Profound Mirror repeated it. He Zhenghao turned to look at Li Fan, his face full of shock. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Li Fan asked, feigning ignorance.

"May I ask... how old are you, friend?" After a while, He Zhenghao cautiously probed.

"To be honest, I have lived for over twenty-nine years since birth. It's just that I've spent so much time, yet I'm still stuck in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, with Core Formation seemingly out of reach. It's truly embarrassing to mention!"

Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao's face immediately flushed. His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn't speak for a long time. After a considerable pause, he managed a strained smile. "You must be joking, friend. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at twenty-nine... A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at twenty-nine..."

He Zhenghao thought for a long time before finally uttering the words "heaven-sent genius."

"Not at all, not at all!" Li Fan shook his head repeatedly. "Do you know that a true heaven-sent genius can achieve Core Formation in just eight years of cultivation? They can even use their Core Formation stage to slay a Dao Integration stage cultivator. I am far from being able to do that!" Li Fan said with utmost seriousness.

"Heh heh..." What Li Fan said was beyond He Zhenghao's comprehension. Not knowing how to respond, he could only offer an awkward smile. Fortunately, he was an experienced individual and quickly changed the subject.

Taking out a mountain-shaped communication spirit token and handing it to Li Fan, He Zhenghao enthusiastically said, "Friend, since you sought me out for a recommendation, that means you hold me, He Zhenghao, in high regard. In the future, if there's ever anything you need my help with, feel free to speak up. Although my cultivation level is a bit low, I do have some connections on Myriad Immortals Island."

Li Fan accepted the communication spirit token and, without speaking, simply smiled at He Zhenghao. He Zhenghao was first stunned, then slapped his forehead, looking as if he had just realized something.

"If not for your reminder, I would have almost forgotten." With a hint of reluctance in his eyes, He Zhenghao transferred 1500 contribution points to Li Fan.

Only then did Li Fan nod with satisfaction, then asked, "Friend, you must have been in the Myriad Immortals Alliance for quite some time. Why do your contribution points not seem very abundant?"

He Zhenghao immediately brightened up and began to explain to Li Fan, "Friend, you don't know! If you have a lot of contribution points but don't use them, they just sit there, dead, and won't grow on their own. But if you use your contribution points to buy and hoard items like Spirit Mist Grass or Profound Wood—which are essentially hard currency—when their prices are low, and then sell them when their prices rise, you'll make a profit. Although the fluctuations are usually small, and you don't earn much per item, if you buy in large enough quantities, each time it's still a decent profit." He Zhenghao beamed with pride. "This is what's called investing! You don't know, friend, but I am well-versed in the art of investment."

*No wonder you dared to go all-in with your entire fortune earlier. So, you've been profiting from this for a while,* Li Fan thought, his expression peculiar as he looked at He Zhenghao.

"Friend, your expression... it seems you don't believe me?" He Zhenghao looked a little displeased. He immediately said, "Alright, then. Next time there's an opportunity for a big profit, I'll inform you so we can do it together. I'll show you, friend, He Zhenghao's methods!"