Chapter 200: Selling Myself for Fifty Years

He Zhenghao was slightly startled and looked confused upon hearing Li Fan's words. However, Li Fan gave him no time to react or think, instantly maximizing the alluring power of the "Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart" he was simulating.

"I am twenty-nine years old and in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my talent?" Li Fan pressed, his gaze piercing He Zhenghao.

"Extraordinarily gifted, a rarity in this world," He Zhenghao couldn't help but reply.

"With a mere attempt, I made a fortune of six hundred thousand contribution points from investing in Spirit Mist Grass; others went bankrupt while I became rich. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my capabilities?" Li Fan inquired further.

As if hitting a sore spot, He Zhenghao cast a resentful glance at Li Fan before replying, "Your insight is sharp, Fellow Daoist, and your intuition keen. I am far from your equal!"

Li Fan continued, "Within this Myriad Immortals Alliance, ordinary cultivators are like oxen and horses. Without influence or background, it's virtually impossible to distinguish oneself. Do you agree, Fellow Daoist?"

He Zhenghao nodded. "What you say is very true, Fellow Daoist."

Li Fan then patted He Zhenghao's shoulder, stating earnestly, "Precisely because of this, we should stick together even more closely."

He Zhenghao felt there was some truth to Li Fan's words, but before he could ponder them, Li Fan asked with concern, "You've been a member of the Myriad Immortals Alliance for quite some years now, haven't you?"

He Zhenghao pondered for a moment, a nostalgic expression on his face. "Yes, it's been nearly a hundred years."

Li Fan listened and shook his head repeatedly. "Over a hundred years, yet only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. I've heard you mention having some influence on Myriad Immortals Island. But how much have these painstakingly cultivated connections truly helped your cultivation? Probably very little, wouldn't you say?"

He Zhenghao was about to retort, his mouth opening and closing, but he couldn't utter a single word. What Li Fan said was indeed true.

"That's because the connections you've cultivated are essentially useless. As long as you maintain your value, they'll naturally be polite and friendly. But what happens if you lose your cultivation one day? Will they still look you in the eye? Furthermore, their friendliness towards you is surely only superficial. If their own interests are truly at stake, then… heh heh," Li Fan patiently explained.

He Zhenghao couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"In short, Fellow Daoist, you haven't found the right patron; you've followed the wrong person! But if you follow me, things will be entirely different. I am a person who deeply values brotherhood. I believe in sharing good fortune and facing hardships together," Li Fan declared eloquently, his face radiating righteousness.

"Take, for example, the Nascent Soul cultivation method you've been unable to acquire…" Li Fan paused here, ensuring he had He Zhenghao's full attention. "If you wholeheartedly commit to working under me, I could lend you two hundred fifty thousand contribution points, allowing you to acquire and cultivate it without delay!" Li Fan declared resolutely.

Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao trembled as if struck by lightning, completely losing his composure. "Is that true?" he stammered.

"Heh heh, I, Li Fan, always keep my promises and mean what I say! I hear that the Nascent Soul cultivation method you desire seems quite compatible with your Foundation Establishment artifact?"

He Zhenghao nodded repeatedly. "Exactly. That cultivation method is called the 'Mountain River Hidden Dragon Technique.' If I can switch to cultivating it, I'm certain I could achieve the Golden Core stage within fifty years. Even breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm would be a near certainty." After speaking, he looked at Li Fan expectantly, on the verge of saying something more.

"Two hundred fifty thousand contribution points… if you were to accumulate them again, Fellow Daoist, it would undoubtedly take a very long time. If you could acquire the cultivation method sooner, breaking through to the Golden Core stage decades earlier, your future achievements would likely be entirely different!"

The longing in He Zhenghao's eyes intensified. After a long pause and considerable thought, He Zhenghao finally spoke: "If you can lend me the contribution points, Fellow Daoist, I will certainly follow your lead in all matters from now on."

Li Fan chuckled and retrieved a shimmering golden foil from his storage ring. Using his hand as a pen, he quickly wrote several lines of text upon it. He then smiled and handed it to He Zhenghao. "Words alone aren't proof. If you agree, Fellow Daoist, please sign this business contract!"

This golden business contract was precisely the type his clone had previously signed with Jiao Xiuyuan. It was rumored to have originated from the Council of Five Elders, a simplified version of their Soul Contract. Once signed by both parties, they would be bound by the contract's power, instinctively adhering to its terms.

He Zhenghao carefully read through the clauses of the contract.

"Be it known that Cultivator Li Fan hereby lends two hundred fifty thousand contribution points to Cultivator He Zhenghao at an annual interest rate of one percent. Both parties agree that repayment shall be completed within fifty years. During this period, He Zhenghao and Li Fan shall form an alliance of interests with Li Fan as its core. Provided it does not substantially harm his own interests, He Zhenghao shall fully accept Li Fan's requests and opinions. Li Fan shall, at his discretion, reduce the annual interest based on He Zhenghao's performance each year."

He Zhenghao's brow furrowed slightly, then quickly relaxed. In his view, the terms of this business contract were not overly demanding. In fact, they seemed quite favorable. After all, two hundred fifty thousand contribution points was a truly immense sum for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Who would be willing to lend so many contribution points to a Foundation Establishment cultivator at such a low interest rate? Furthermore, there was even the opportunity for annual interest reductions. All that was required of him was to work for Li Fan. It was simply a disguised form of employment. Compared to the unconditional servitude of the Soul Contract from the Council of Five Elders, this agreement seemed quite reasonable. This was He Zhenghao's conclusion.

After a moment of hesitation, he slowly signed his name on the business contract. Seeing this, Li Fan's face lit up with joy. With a flourish, he signed his own name. As the signatures were completed, the contract was sealed. A golden light immediately split into three parts, one soaring skyward. The other two flowed into Li Fan and He Zhenghao, respectively.

"From now on, we're on the same side," Li Fan said with a smile, patting He Zhenghao's shoulder.

He Zhenghao, too, felt an increasing sense of familiarity and closeness with Li Fan.

"Do you have a Heavenly Profound Mirror? I'll transfer the contribution points to you now," Li Fan offered.

"Yes, yes, I do," He Zhenghao replied, promptly retrieving his Heavenly Profound Mirror from his storage ring.

Moments later, two hundred fifty thousand contribution points were successfully transferred. He Zhenghao's face flushed with excitement, and he eagerly redeemed the 'Mountain River Hidden Dragon Technique'. A gleaming golden jade slip appeared in his hand. With the long-coveted Nascent Soul technique finally his, He Zhenghao's heart swelled with exhilaration.

He Zhenghao bowed deeply to Li Fan. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist!" he said.

Li Fan narrowed his eyes and waved a dismissive hand. "We're all on the same side now; there's no need for formalities. Now that you have the technique, why not quickly see how effective it is?" Li Fan suggested. "Is it truly as suitable as you claimed? I'll stand guard for you!"