Chapter 585: Clouds Take on a Hundred Forms

Angry Squid

"Damn you, give us our money back!"

"I knew that Li Fan couldn't suddenly be so kind! The fundraising plan, which had been suspended for so long, restarted without warning! Not only did it restart, but he even removed the fundraising cap! So this is where he was waiting to trap us!"

"Exactly! This person's deductive abilities have reached an unparalleled level; he can even foresee a truce between the Myriad Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Council. How could he not have predicted this outcome when he released the cultivation techniques this time? I believe he just wanted to seize this opportunity to swindle us brothers!"

"Surely not. With Secret Emissary Li's current wealth and status, would he really care about our meager contributions?"

"He might not be tempted by one person's or even ten people's contributions. But there are tens of thousands of cultivators participating in this fundraiser! With so many contribution points, not only would a minor Prefectural Secret Emissary like him be envious, even a Dao Integration Immortal Venerable would likely be jealous! Just you wait and see; when we go to He Zhenghao later to ask for our contribution points back, he'll definitely come up with every excuse imaginable!"

Under the instigation of many cultivators, panic spread, and the crowd became agitated. They gathered around the entrance of the Administration Hall, refusing to leave for a long time.

Normally, unrelated individuals are not permitted to gather in the central core area of the Immortal City. However, this fundraising event involved too many people, with even many cultivators within the system having contributed their entire fortunes. Now that the cultivation techniques were half price, these individuals couldn't immediately produce enough contribution points. Given their special identities, they naturally dared not trouble their direct superiors. However, they did have the courage to turn a blind eye and allow these people to enter and "defend their own rights." This is how the chaotic scene unfolded.

While chaos reigned outside, inside the Administration Hall, Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao were perfectly at ease, showing no signs of worry.

"A bunch of rabble!"

"It was clearly agreed to be five years. Five years means five years! How long has it even been, and they're already clamoring to redeem their contribution points?"

"Do they truly think the business contracts I painstakingly signed with them are fake?"

He Zhenghao spoke with disdain, his gaze continuously sweeping across the surface of the small Heavenly Profound Mirror in front of him.

"The 'Nine Transformations of the Dragon Ascent,' a Soul Transformation technique, requires 950,000 contribution points. Like a dragon's metamorphosis, it can defy fate and reshape one's body..."

"The 'Mountains and Rivers in the Sleeve,' a Soul Transformation technique, requires one million contribution points. Cultivate it to mastery, and with a mere flick of your sleeve, you can gather mountains and rivers..."

He was now casually selecting cultivation techniques that he previously wouldn't have dared to even imagine, completely without burden. After only a few years of following Li Fan, he was no longer the Lapis Lazuli Island guardian who had to meticulously calculate even a hundred contribution points.

"While these Soul Transformation techniques are decent, they still fall a bit short. It's better to go all out and directly exchange for a Dao Integration technique."

"Such an opportunity is rare."

As He Zhenghao's eyes were dazzled by the choices, a thought suddenly emerged, and he could no longer suppress it. After carefully examining the descriptions of several Dao Integration techniques, the Soul Transformation techniques he had previously favored suddenly felt dull and uninteresting.

"Hmm... these are all extraordinary items, and the cheapest ones cost at least two million contribution points. I don't quite have enough on hand."

"If I were to pick one that truly suits me, the gap would be even larger."

"However, it's not impossible to come up with a solution..."

He Zhenghao began to secretly scheme in his mind.

Meanwhile, Gao Yuan, who was beside him, remained silent throughout. However, the excited expression in his eyes was impossible to conceal. Like He Zhenghao, he was also busy choosing his desired cultivation techniques. Only Zhou Qingang, who was seated between the two, was different. He simply sat with his eyes closed, deep in thought, completely unfazed.

"Zhou Qingang's composure is becoming increasingly astonishing; he can resist even this level of temptation. No wonder Secret Emissary Li values him more and more," He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan both thought, inadvertently glancing at Zhou Qingang during their breaks.

A short while ago, cultivators began showing up at their doors, one after another, demanding to redeem their contribution points early. After being incessantly bothered by this harassment, the three of them had hidden themselves there, with the main door tightly shut, following the principle of "out of sight, out of mind."

Soon after, Zhou Qingang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke: "Allowing them to carry on with this commotion isn't really a solution."

"We don't mind what they think. My concern is that in their shame and anger, they might say something regrettable and tarnish Secret Emissary Li's good name."

"Gossip is a terrifying thing! If this gets out, uninformed outsiders might actually believe that Secret Emissary Li is a petty individual who covets others' assets!"

Gao Yuan reacted swiftly; before Zhou Qingang had even finished speaking, he chimed in, "Exactly! Secret Emissary Li is still hoping to win people's hearts through this matter. If we let this drag on, it might well delay his plans!"

He Zhenghao then looked up and asked blankly, "What profound insights do you two fellow cultivators have?"

"Didn't Secret Emissary Li give instructions earlier? It's clearly stated in the business contract. It's not impossible to redeem early. It simply involves deducting a penalty for breach of contract and being permanently barred from participating in future fundraising plans."

"Go out and explain it clearly to them. If they still insist on having their way, then just return their contribution points."

"You register their names, and I'll report it to Secret Emissary Li. Won't that solve the problem?" Zhou Qingang said unhurriedly.

He Zhenghao, however, secretly groaned inwardly: "It's easy for you to say, but is that just 'a bit' of liquidated damages? That's a full one-third! It's all hard-earned savings; how many people would be willing to part with that? If I actually tell them that, won't they tear me to shreds?"

He looked at Gao Yuan as if for help, but saw him in a detached posture, seemingly unconcerned with the matter at hand.

"Fellow Cultivator He?"

Hearing Zhou Qingang's tone grow heavier again, He Zhenghao, left with no choice, had to bite the bullet and agree.

The moment he stepped out of the Administration Hall, the boisterous crowd of cultivators suddenly fell silent. They all stared intently at He Zhenghao.

"Bang!"

The large door behind him quickly shut, and He Zhenghao forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace. "Everyone, please listen to my explanation!"

While He Zhenghao was racking his brain, trying to reason with the gathered cultivators, Han Yi still hadn't recovered from his extreme regret.

After the news of the cultivation technique discount was announced, although he was now penniless, he still felt a sense of curiosity and began to study the list of techniques that had been released. It would have been better if he hadn't looked, but upon seeing it, his heart instantly felt a sense of imbalance.

Among them was a cultivation technique called the 'Empty Calamity Primordial Scroll,' which had the wondrous ability to avoid disasters and evade calamities. Moreover, it was merely a Soul Transformation technique, and at half price, it could be acquired for only 1.1 million contribution points.

"If combined with my Heavenly Fate Sutra, it could significantly reduce the consequences of suffering from the backlash of Heavenly Fate."

"I would no longer have to worry about inexplicable disasters befalling me as they did before."

"It's simply too perfect for me..."

The more Han Yi thought about it, the more profound his regret became.

"Damn it! Why couldn't I control my hands back then!"

With his heart heavy with frustration, Han Yi felt a stifling sensation in his chest and nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.