Chapter 416: He Zhenghao Takes the Bait

"Sensing heavenly secrets, 'Sitting Immortal'..."He Zhenghao's eyes lit up; he seemed to have vaguely gleaned some extraordinary information from senior Li Fan's words. Just as he eagerly anticipated more, the other party suddenly fell silent. This made He Zhenghao incredibly anxious, and he several times hesitated to speak.

Li Fan sneered, "What? You and I now cultivate the same technique; it's already good that we're not at each other's throats. Do you still expect me to offer guidance?"He Zhenghao, however, perceived that this senior merely appeared somewhat fierce, not truly a great villain.He quickly replied, "Senior, your insight is keen and accurate. Although the 'Mountain Sitting Art' is a peerless divine technique, my cultivation with it has always been too slow. I've long considered searching for a different method. Please rest assured, Senior, I will absolutely not compete with you for techniques."

Upon hearing He Zhenghao's statement, Li Fan's expression softened further. "Consider yourself wise, kid. It saves me from committing further slaughter."He Zhenghao tentatively asked, "However, I have, after all, cultivated the 'Mountain Sitting Art' for over a hundred years and poured a great deal of emotion into it. I only know that I might have practiced it incorrectly, but I don't know what the correct cultivation method is. I'm truly unwilling to let it go. I still hope Senior can enlighten me." He Zhenghao spoke sincerely.

Li Fan scrutinized him carefully. He Zhenghao actually felt the same nervousness he had experienced as a mortal, when he first encountered an immortal cultivator."Alright," Li Fan sighed softly after a long pause, "you and I were originally separated by thousands of years, yet we can cultivate the same technique. Our fate is truly not shallow. Heavenly secrets are unpredictable; perhaps my meeting you after waking up is also destiny.""The cave dwelling where you obtained the technique, it was also..." Li Fan shook his head, then suddenly stopped. He said sternly, "Since you also cultivate the 'Mountain Sitting Art,' you naturally know that the essence of the technique lies entirely in the four words: 'sit and enjoy great success.'"

He Zhenghao nodded repeatedly.Li Fan continued, "But changes in mountains and rivers are measured in millennia. Relying solely on 'sitting on mountains' makes cultivation far too slow. Frankly, it might not even qualify as a third-rate technique." He Zhenghao agreed even more vehemently."Therefore, to cultivate the 'Mountain Sitting Art' quickly, one must rely on 'sitting on immortals'," Li Fan stated emphatically.

"By helping cultivators who are in distress, once their luck turns and they ascend dramatically, their cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds. We, naturally, will also benefit greatly.""Moreover, although the feedback from one person is small, by casting a wide net, small amounts accumulate to form a mighty sum. How then could cultivation be slow?""However..."

Li Fan's tone shifted. "The crucial point is also here. Although there are many cultivators in the world, only a small fraction can progress step by step from Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment to the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages.""Without special methods or blind betting, not only is efficiency low, but more often than not, it's a wasted effort. I think this is why your cultivation has been so slow." He Zhenghao nodded quickly. "So, finding the right people is the key."

"This is known as the resonance between heaven and man. If there is a world-shaking talent, heaven and earth will surely produce a vital energy resonance in response.""My Heavenly Secret Sect possesses secret techniques that can, based on changes in the vital energy between heaven and earth, preemptively locate various astonishing and extraordinary individuals in this world.""If benevolence is extended to them before they fully grow..." Li Fan stopped speaking, but He Zhenghao was swept away by a tide of excitement.

"In this way, the cultivation of the 'Mountain Sitting Art' will surely be hundreds, even thousands of times faster!""Wonderful, truly wonderful!" His expression was entranced, as if he were lost in his own beautiful fantasy. It was Li Fan's cold snort that pulled him back to reality.

"Alright, I've told you the answer you wanted. When will you switch techniques? Anyway, with the 'Daoist Primal True Scripture - Dissolution Chapter' available, it won't affect you much," Li Fan questioned.He Zhenghao's expression froze slightly, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "The technique this junior wants to switch to requires quite a bit of contribution points. I'm a bit short on funds right now. I'm afraid..."

Li Fan's expression suddenly darkened. "Kid, are you trying to make me...?" "If so, don't blame me for being impolite."Seeing a black light flash in Li Fan's eyes, He Zhenghao's hair stood on end. It was as if he were targeted by an ancient ferocious beast, his mind wildly signaling danger. He Zhenghao quickly said with a bitter face, "Yes, yes!""The technique this junior fancies is called 'Mountain River Hidden Dragon Art,' and it requires a total of 250,000 contribution points to exchange for it..." He spoke very quickly, revealing all his secrets in one breath.

"Oh?" The black light in Li Fan's eyes did not dissipate. "Then how many contribution points have you accumulated now?"He Zhenghao showed hesitation."Normally, I only keep a little over a thousand contribution points for contingencies; the rest are invested through various channels." He Zhenghao took out a small Heavenly Profound Mirror, glanced at it, and his expression changed slightly. "All told, it should be sixteen... fifteen thousand, yes." After speaking, he cautiously glanced at Li Fan. To his surprise, Li Fan was not angered.

Instead, he nodded and said, "Hmm, you're still short by 100,000 contribution points.""I'll give you a month; that should be enough, right?" With that, he flicked his finger.He Zhenghao felt a cold aura penetrate his body. When he tried to sense it again, he couldn't detect anything.

Li Fan said coldly, "This is my Heavenly Secret Sect's secret art, the Spirit-Locking Bind. No one can undo it except the one who cast the spell. When the time comes, if the Spirit-Locking Bind isn't removed, you'll be reduced to ashes and your cultivation extinguished!" Hearing this, He Zhenghao's face turned incredibly pale. "Kid, remember: within a month, voluntarily switch your technique. Otherwise..." Li Fan glanced at He Zhenghao and was about to fly away.

He Zhenghao couldn't help but lament, "Senior, isn't that too demanding? How can 150,000 turn into 250,000 in one month? It would be better to just kill..." Li Fan suddenly returned, landing in front of He Zhenghao. He Zhenghao abruptly stopped speaking.

"You brat, why are you so noisy? I've already been merciful enough to give you this much time.""You can't even turn 150,000 into 250,000 in one month?""Then what kind of investments are you making?" Li Fan said impatiently.

He Zhenghao stammered, looking as if he dared not voice his anger.Li Fan immediately flew into a rage, "What kind of expression is that?!"He Zhenghao had no choice but to brace himself and say, "It's not that this junior is trying to make excuses, it's just that..."

Li Fan waved his hand. "You brat are truly useless, like mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall. Such a simple matter, and you act as if it's killing you. If I were to act, it wouldn't take a month. It could be done in just seven or eight days." The expression on He Zhenghao's face said it all.

Li Fan sneered, "What? You don't believe me, kid?""How about we make a bet?"He Zhenghao, for once, stood firm. "A bet is a bet, but Senior, if you lose, you can't go back on your word!"