Chapter 609: Exchange Thawing the Freeze

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Gao!" Zhou Qingang said with a smile, as he transferred thirty thousand contribution points.

This was naturally Gao Yuan's remuneration. While one thousand contribution points to settle a cultivator might not seem like much, it certainly wasn't a small amount.

After all, it was just a matter of lifting a finger.

Moreover, both parties knew that this was just the first batch; the larger operations were yet to come.

Gao Yuan didn't stand on ceremony, accepting the contribution points on the spot and proactively promising, "If any ancient cultivators need to join the alliance in the future, just come find me. I will handle all the relevant procedures properly, without the slightest error."

"However, to avoid being detected, it's best to do it in batches, with intervals," Gao Yuan suggested tactfully.

Zhou Qingang cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Gao is indeed thoughtful. I will be bothering you frequently from now on."

Gao Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He lowered his voice, "Could Fellow Daoist give me a hint? Just how many ancient cultivators are there in this secret realm?"

Zhou Qingang smiled without answering, merely holding up four fingers before leading the Medicine King Sect disciples away.

"Four hundred? It seems this secret realm is quite large. No wonder Zhou Qingang's friend wanted to monopolize it..." Gao Yuan was secretly surprised.

Having managed the political affairs of Congyun Sea for several years, Gao Yuan now had a respectable breadth of vision.

But even so, he would never, nor would he dare to, imagine that the "four" gesture Zhou Qingang made didn't represent four hundred at all.

It was four thousand.

Instead of taking the thirty Medicine King Sect disciples who had already gained Myriad Immortals Alliance identities into the Sky Profound Mirror space, he led them to a cave dwelling in the central residential area of Congyun Immortal City.

Inside a secret chamber within the cave dwelling, more than fifty small Sky Profound Mirrors were neatly arranged.

"Each of you, first familiarize yourselves with the basic operations of the small Sky Profound Mirror."

Zhou Qingang demonstrated it for everyone, then instructed.

Although the Sky Profound Mirror was incredibly wondrous, the Medicine King Sect disciples were all well-traveled members of a major sect. After a brief period of awe, they quickly got the hang of it.

"Each of you currently only has the one thousand contribution points from your initial welfare. But don't worry, next, pay attention to the tasks that will soon be released in the Sky Profound Mirror." Zhou Qingang said, with a flick of his sleeve, a light screen appeared in mid-air in the secret chamber.

The tasks displayed on the light screen were somewhat strange in their requirements but offered generous rewards.

For example, inquiries about the life stories and anecdotes of a cultivator from an ancient sect thousands of years ago.

Or, for instance, someone having difficulty understanding a certain cultivation technique and hoping for guidance from an expert.

And another example, someone admiring a female cultivator but unable to win her affection, thus offering a high reward for possible solutions.

Such tasks were numerous and bizarre.

"These are the standard answers. You just need to copy them once the bounty tasks are released."

"Distribute them among yourselves. Each person can complete a maximum of two tasks. Don't fight over them, and don't duplicate them."

Zhou Qingang conjured another light screen, marking all the answers to the strange bounties.

None of the Medicine King Sect cultivators present were dull-witted; they instantly understood what they were doing, and their expressions grew somewhat excited.

After a brief discussion, they each chose their respective targets.

They nervously stared at the small Sky Profound Mirrors in front of them, awaiting the release of the tasks.

Soon, as mechanical voices sounded from the small Sky Profound Mirrors, all these Medicine King Sect cultivators received their first pot of gold.

Zhou Qingang nodded in satisfaction. Then, with a wave of his hand, a small mountain of miscellaneous items instantly appeared in the secret chamber.

"While waiting for the tasks to refresh, take these items and exchange them for contribution points in the Sky Profound Mirror."

"Don't exchange too much. Each person should keep it within three thousand."

Zhou Qingang said gravely.

Everyone complied.

After this was completed, Zhou Qingang had them open a section of the Sky Profound Mirror called "Dharma Evolution Under Heaven."

It seemed extremely popular, with different information constantly being refreshed.

"Place your bets, place your bets! Which state will host this friendly exchange meeting between the Five Elders Council and the Myriad Immortals Alliance?"

"Hahaha, I guessed right! Old Man Yu Fu actually appeared in Taihua State this time! Who would have thought he'd suddenly travel so far!"

"The ultimate bet: how long will peace between the Five Elders Council and our Immortal Alliance last this time? High rollers, come on in!"

All the disciples were dumbfounded.

Just like answering questions according to standard answers, this time they were placing bets based on predetermined outcomes.

The results included both wins and losses, but overall, there were more wins than losses.

When the Medicine King Sect disciples' contribution points gradually increased, Zhou Qingang saw this and called a halt to everyone.

"First, each of you choose the cultivation techniques you wish to practice, up to the Core Formation realm. We'll continue tomorrow."

Faced with the dazzling array of cultivation technique catalogs, all the disciples were mesmerized and engrossed.

Meanwhile, "Zhou Qingang" was secretly calculating in his mind.

"A total of four hundred thousand contribution points were spent. Each disciple acquired about ten thousand today, meaning three hundred thousand contribution points were laundered."

"Not too bad."

Indeed, this secret chamber, as well as the tasks and bets in the Sky Profound Mirror, were all channels for quickly laundering contribution points.

As the saying goes, professional matters should be handled by professionals.

It was nothing more than spending a few more contribution points, which Li Fan could fully afford.

This group did not disappoint Li Fan; they were quite professional. Their laundering methods were diverse and highly discreet.

Take the small Sky Profound Mirrors in this secret chamber, for instance: they appeared to be in one place, but their actual bodies were distributed throughout the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

This secret chamber merely provided a relayed interface. There was no need to worry about exposure due to similar contribution point acquisition activities occurring densely in the same location.

The laundering process was highly efficient.

Three days later, all the disciples in this first batch of Medicine King Sect had accumulated the necessary contribution points.

They joyfully exchanged them for cultivation techniques.

Zhou Qingang brought them back to Shenhua Island.

And there, the next batch of Medicine King Sect cultivators was ready to depart.

After all, Zhou Qingang was an official serving in the Immortal Alliance; being too conspicuous would make him easily exposed.

So, this time, the team leader was Xia Ye, the first fortunate individual to awaken.

Although he seemed a bit nervous, he didn't lose his composure. Moreover, they had already informed Gao Yuan in advance, so no issues arose.

Soon, everything proceeded as planned, and the second and third batches of ancient Medicine King Sect cultivators smoothly completed their transition, becoming members of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

A month later.

When Liu San, his face full of defeat and travel-worn, rushed back, he saw the sight of the disciples within the Medicine King Cauldron exuding renewed vitality.

Liu San was greatly surprised.

Just then, he heard Li Fan ask, "Elder Liu, how did things go?"

Liu San's old face flushed. He was about to answer but glanced at the disciples around him, who were discussing something with each other. He ultimately pulled Li Fan aside and transmitted his voice, saying, "I have failed the Young Master's trust. Although I had seen the map, it was only when I visited the locations in person that I truly understood what a monumental change the land has undergone."

Liu San sighed. "I couldn't find any trace of the scenes from my original memories. It was as if they were two different worlds."

"Moreover, the Dao Integration cultivators here are much more perceptive than in our time. I tried to conceal my aura as much as possible, but I was still discovered."

Upon hearing this, Li Fan couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

"Fortunately, he thought I was a cultivator from the Five Elders Council and merely warned me, saying that the friendly exchange meeting was about to be held and I shouldn't wander around, lest I cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Hmph..."

Liu San snorted coldly, his expression somewhat indignant.

However, after a moment, he still appeared helpless: "Alas, I could sense that the other party was also at the mid-stage Dao Integration cultivation. But if we truly fought, I'm afraid I wouldn't be their match."

Li Fan offered comfort: "The new cultivation method seizes heaven and earth, with its own inner caves and laws. When fighting, it naturally has an advantage over us ancient cultivators. Elder Liu, there's no need to mind. If you could cultivate the new method, your combat power would surely not be inferior to others."

These words somewhat eased Liu San's expression.

Li Fan then said, "The cultivators needed to refine the Longevity Elixir have now gathered. We are just waiting for you, Elder Liu, to oversee the process."

"The contribution points the disciples used to exchange for cultivation techniques were all advanced by Fellow Daoist Zhou and me. We urgently need to sell a batch of Longevity Elixirs to repay this debt."

Li Fan explained.

Hearing this, Liu San nodded.

Then he frowned slightly and said, "Currently, I am the only one in the entire sect who cultivates the 'World-Saving Longevity Art.' My Longevity Green Power is limited, so I'm afraid the quality of the elixirs produced won't be very good."

After a moment of thought, Liu San frowned and said, "At best, they'll likely be of lower-middle grade, only capable of extending life by about two to three hundred years..."

"That's enough, Elder Liu, please begin," Li Fan said gravely.