Chapter 687: Unexpected Gift of Wealth

Li Fan speculated that besides numerous relics from ancient cultivation worlds, the white mist might also contain remains from other cultivation worlds.

After all, no one knew how many worlds the Xuanhuang Realm had absorbed over the years to delay its fate of being devoured by the Immortal Ruins. Even the Xuanhuang Realm itself had undergone drastic changes, appearing to have expanded in circumference. This made the white mist barrier, a suspected buffer zone where worlds merged, even more significant.

However, for Li Fan, although the white mist was fraught with danger, its actual peril might not exceed that of the Xuanhuang Realm itself.

After all, too many monsters lurked in the Xuanhuang Realm. Since his reincarnation, Li Fan had encountered beings like the Heavenly Doctor, Ruomu, and the mysterious Heavenly Palm, each time narrowly escaping death. Who knew how many other powerful entities remained hidden in the shadows?

While dangerous, most of the perils in the white mist stemmed from the Essence-Devouring White Mist itself. Even if he encountered some bizarre and terrifying entities, they wouldn't be like the powerful beings in the Xuanhuang Realm, preventing Li Fan from even using his "Return to True" ability.

"Compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, the white mist is like the corpse of a dead cultivation world. And the living are often more terrifying than the dead."

"With my clone, Xu Bai, managing the latter part of the 'Sitting Mountain Art' plan, there should be no mistakes. This is a good opportunity for my true body to investigate the white mist and see what the Myriad Immortals Alliance is truly up to."

Li Fan collected his thoughts and, drawing on his experience from his previous life, began purchasing useful supplies from the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

For instance: the Eight Directions Purity Formation Map, capable of temporarily blocking the onslaught of the Essence-Devouring White Mist and buying crucial time for respite.

The Black Death Talisman, a necessity for navigating the white mist, as it could resist the mist's essence-devouring effects.

And various elixirs and miraculous medicines for rapidly restoring spiritual energy within the body.

Li Fan keenly noticed that the prices of these items had significantly increased recently. The Black Death Talisman, in particular, had quietly doubled in price. It was clear that a considerable number of people already knew about the Myriad Immortals Alliance's impending push for cultivators to explore the white mist. They were quietly profiting from this final opportunity.

Among all supplies, the price increase for longevity treasures was the most alarming, generally tripling or quadrupling. Longevity items were inherently rare and expensive in the world.

After a cultivator consumed one type, they needed to find a different kind. This also led to them often being unavailable for purchase, with demand far outstripping supply.

With the era of white mist exploration fast approaching, and facing the threat of the Essence-Devouring White Mist, these longevity treasures were almost equivalent to life-saving items.

In his previous life, Li Fan was trapped in the white mist and forced his way out. However, he had stayed in the mist for too long and returned to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold already decrepit with age. If he had possessed a Longevity Pill at that time, he could have avoided this situation.

Cultivators in the world didn't have the constant "do-over" opportunities Li Fan did, so it was only natural for them to prepare more life-saving items for their own survival.

Glancing at the over one hundred Longevity Pills Liu San had prepared for him, Li Fan, who had no shortage of contribution points, naturally didn't sell them. Instead, he planned to use them at critical moments in the future.

"It's a pity that at this point, Zhong Shentong isn't well-known yet. I've searched for a long time but couldn't find any trace of him. Otherwise, if I could learn his Seven-Colored Divine Light technique, moving around freely would be much easier. As for his half-scroll of the 'Profound Life and Death Art,' I'll consider completing it when there's an opportunity later."

Time flew by.

The next day, Li Fan, Huangfu Song, and Dongfang Yao met again.

As agreed, Li Fan took out the large batch of supplies he had purchased and handed them over.

"Hiss, brother, you're truly generous!" Dongfang Yao immediately beamed, happily accepting the fully-laden storage ring.

Huangfu Song glanced at the ring, and a look of surprise appeared on his face: "Brother Li, you've really gone to great expense!"

"Since we've agreed to brave the white mist together, full preparation is essential. A bit of money is nothing compared to our lives, my brothers," Li Fan said, waving his hand dismissively, as if it were of no concern.

"Oh, and besides that, I've also prepared this," Li Fan said, his expression turning serious as he took out two jade bottles and handed them over.

Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao took the bottles, opened them, and saw three pills inside, glowing with a faint blue light.

An alluring medicinal fragrance wafted into their nostrils, making them almost unable to resist the urge to eagerly swallow the pills on the spot.

Both their expressions subtly changed, and they spoke in unison: "Longevity pills?"

Li Fan nodded slightly, lowering his voice and quietly saying, "I went to great lengths to acquire these. Their name is 'Everlasting.' Each pill can extend life by two hundred years, and even better, they can be taken repeatedly. Although the effect gradually weakens, it's said that within ten pills, it can still guarantee an extension of a hundred years per pill."

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao immediately realized the true value of these Everlasting Pills.

They immediately put away the jade bottles with great solemnity, then looked at Li Fan, moved, and said, "Brother Li..."

Li Fan smiled faintly, raising a hand to interrupt them.

Huangfu Song's expression shifted uncertainly, then he finally gritted his teeth, as if having made a profound decision.

"Brothers, please wait a moment. I'll be right back."

Without waiting for Li Fan's reply, Huangfu Song hastily left the private room in the Dao Discussion Tower. Someone unaware might have thought he had absconded with the supplies.

However, neither Dongfang Yao nor Li Fan showed any such suspicion.

Both waited patiently and calmly in the room.

Dongfang Yao had known Huangfu Song for many years and naturally understood his character perfectly, having no such concerns. But for Li Fan to also be so calm, it truly impressed him.

"Hehe, my judgment is truly good. Brother, you are indeed worth knowing well!"

"The white mist is full of dangers. If you can't trust your companions, why journey together?" Li Fan said calmly, exhibiting a certain bearing.

However, after waiting for most of the day, Huangfu Song still hadn't returned, and there was no response when they tried to contact him via communication talisman. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

This time, even Dongfang Yao couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt.

Yet, Li Fan remained as composed as ever.

This made Dongfang Yao admire him greatly.

The reason Li Fan could remain so calm was not only his familiarity with Huangfu Song, knowing he wasn't a short-sighted individual. More importantly...

What Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao considered "extremely valuable" supplies were, in Li Fan's eyes, actually negligible.

Another half-day passed, and by late night, Huangfu Song quietly returned.

"Since Brother Li is so forthright, I'll go all out too."

"Brothers, behold..."

Sealing the room's door, Huangfu Song then set up a formation around them to prevent eavesdropping.

Then, with a solemn expression, he took a small, square, antique mirror from his robe and placed it before them.

"What in the world is this?" Dongfang Yao was utterly confused.

Li Fan, however, felt a shock in his heart, his eyes fixed on the mirror in Huangfu Song's hand.