Chapter 627: The Last Matters of the Cluster Clouds

Angry Squid:

Before his departure, Gao Yuan also handed over the task of "whitewashing the identities of ancient secret realm cultivators" to He Zhenghao.

Zhou Qingang, in turn, offered another sum as a gesture of sincerity.

As they were old colleagues, He Zhenghao readily agreed. Incidentally, He Zhenghao also asked Zhou Qingang if he had any plans to leave Congyun Sea.

Zhou Qingang laughed heartily and said there was absolutely no such intention.

Hearing this, He Zhenghao immediately felt relieved. Even Zhou Qingang, the trusted confidant of the Secret Emissary, had no intention of avoiding disaster, which suggested that while the descent of the World Spirit might carry some risks, they certainly wouldn't be significant.

Increasingly confident in his choice, he stopped overthinking. After much persuasion, he convinced his daughter to leave and then began to handle the matter of "secret realm cultivators joining the Alliance."

In his eyes, this was essentially the same as when he was guarding Glazed Island and helped mortals from the Outer Realm smuggle themselves in.

Both involved charging per head, and he was extremely familiar with the process.

Furthermore, he was far bolder than Gao Yuan and had no worries whatsoever about being discovered by the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

Consequently, the process of the Medicine King Sect cultivators joining the alliance and having their identities whitewashed accelerated significantly.

Batch after batch of cultivators were awakened after the bloodline transfer, joined the Myriad Immortals Alliance, and received the contribution points that Li Fan had discreetly transferred to them.

Even so, this was merely a drop in the ocean compared to the hundreds of millions of contribution points Li Fan possessed.

To transfer all the contribution points before the Crimson Flame Scorch Sea event, Li Fan secretly exchanged and acquired standardized spirit stones from other cultivators.

Meanwhile, he once again contacted the Five Elders Council.

The contact was still made through Zhou Qingang. This time, the other party's actions were much swifter than before.

Soon, Zhou Qingang met the person in charge from the Five Elders Council again.

The familiar figure was dressed in black, their face obscured. However, the other party was clearly aware of the details of their previous transaction.

They immediately asked, "Is there a result regarding the previous matter?"

Zhou Qingang smiled slightly, "It seems this matter is truly important to you. So much time has passed, yet you still haven't forgotten it."

The previous matter, of course, referred to the Five Elders Council's commission to Zhou Qingang to help investigate the identity of an ancient cultivator excavated from the Zixiao Sect ruins.

Li Fan had already thoroughly investigated this matter through Jiao Xiuyuan and intended to use it as a bargaining chip for this transaction.

The Five Elders Council cultivator calmly stated, "Although both sides are currently in a truce, everyone knows that peace is destined to be short-lived. No one can predict when war will erupt again. Moreover, it's only a general peace. In some areas, the Myriad Immortals Alliance is still in a standoff with us."

"Currently, regarding the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Profound Heaven Soul Lock, we have only found a way to counteract it. To completely dismantle its effects, we still need more intelligence."

Zhou Qingang's eyes flickered slightly, but he showed no abnormality, merely nodding.

"I have thoroughly investigated the identity of that excavated ancient cultivator. What price are you, the Five Elders Council, willing to pay this time?" he asked slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Is that true?" As if greatly surprised, the Five Elders Council cultivator immediately stood up, staring intently at Zhou Qingang.

Zhou Qingang nodded proudly.

"Good, good!" The other party repeated several times. "Your Heaven-Covering Society's methods are truly extraordinary!"

"Please wait a moment, I'll report this to my superiors immediately!"

The black-clad cultivator turned away and fell silent.

Zhou Qingang observed carefully but couldn't discern how the other party contacted the Five Elders Council's official channels. It could only be said that, as a spy organization of the Five Elders Council, they should not be underestimated.

Shortly after, the Five Elders Council cultivator turned back.

This time, with renewed vigor, he began to discuss terms with Zhou Qingang.

"The previous batch of True Lure Fruits and Human Dao Stardust were very effective; we'll need more of those..."

After some negotiation, a deal was struck at a price satisfactory to both parties.

"It's urgent; the sooner the transaction is completed, the better," Zhou Qingang said meaningfully.

The Five Elders Council cultivator looked intently at Zhou Qingang, then nodded, indicating understanding.

"Oh, and one more thing,"

Just before the contract was fully signed, Zhou Qingang suddenly asked, "I have some contribution points with a rather complicated origin. I need them converted into standardized spirit stones with a clean, untraceable source. Could you help me with this favor while you're at it?"

The Five Elders Council cultivator was initially stunned, thinking Zhou Qingang had gone back on his word. But upon hearing the condition clearly, he immediately smiled, unconcerned, and said, "A small matter, no problem."

"How much do you need?" he then asked.

"Not much, just two or three hundred million," Zhou Qingang said casually.

The Five Elders Council cultivator was instantly petrified.

"How... much?" For a moment, he suspected he had misheard.

So Zhou Qingang repeated it again.

"This... Daoist friend, please wait, I need to ask for instructions." He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, his voice even trembling slightly.

Zhou Qingang waved his hand, urging him to hurry.

The black-clad cultivator took a much longer time for this consultation than the previous one, returning almost exhausted.

"Uh, my superiors have agreed to your request. However..."

He said hesitantly, "The list of materials we just discussed might need some adjustments."

"Hm?" Zhou Qingang showed a displeased expression and turned to leave.

"Wait! Wait!" The black-clad cultivator quickly stepped forward and grabbed him.

"Everything can be discussed! Daoist friend, the amount of standardized spirit stones you require is truly immense. And wanting to do so without alerting the Myriad Immortals Alliance makes it even more difficult!" he explained.

"If it weren't difficult, why would I come to you? I would have handled it myself," Zhou Qingang scoffed.

The Five Elders Council cultivator nodded repeatedly, not daring to refute.

The two parties negotiated again and finally reached an agreement.

As a golden light flew into Zhou Qingang's body, the black-clad spy slowly dissolved within the golden light and disappeared.

However, there was no trace of fear or panic on his face.

He merely instructed Zhou Qingang about the agreed location and details for their next transaction.

After the black-clad spy completely vanished, Zhou Qingang carefully observed the spot for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

"Using people as contracts, unafraid of life and death. Truly sinister,"

He then destroyed all traces at the location and quietly returned.

Ten days later, Zhou Qingang met another black-clad spy whose aura was extremely similar but who was clearly not the same person.

Just like last time, he handed over a piece of Kongming Stone Mother, which contained all the materials specified in the list.

After a brief inspection, Li Fan revealed the identity of the excavated ancient cultivator.

"The Dharma King of the Profound Heaven Sect?"

The other party was clearly very shocked upon learning this.

However, they seemed to have anticipated it somewhat, quickly regaining their composure.