Chapter 70: Desire for the Nascent Soul Technique

Listening to He Zhenghao's rambling explanation, Li Fan saw his figure gradually overlap with that of the immortal cultivator he had met in his previous life—the one who saved the group from Li Realm when he first entered the cultivation world.

"Aha, so it was you who was embezzling! No wonder Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was running a smuggling business right under your nose without any issues. Even in my previous life, the rumors of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion smuggling mortals were well-known across the island, yet it never caused any trouble."

Thinking it over, it made sense. Given He Zhenghao's greedy nature, how could he possibly let such a lucrative opportunity slip to others? It was very logical.

Li Fan felt a bit speechless, but quickly accepted the reality. "So, what does Fellow Daoist He propose?"

Seeing Li Fan didn't object, He Zhenghao became delighted. "It's simple. You just need to make a trip to Li Realm for me and bring back the materials I had people collect there ten years ago. After these materials are sold, we'll split the earned contribution points fifty-fifty. I need to guard Liuli Island and can't leave. I was originally going to find someone else to cooperate with, but since you messaged me, I decided to contact you instead."

After thinking about it, there indeed seemed to be no risk involved. Over a thousand contribution points in thirty days was also far more than what typical missions offered.

"How long will a round trip take?" This was crucial to ask in advance, as Li Fan didn't want to miss the opening of the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace.

"Don't worry, it will only take twenty to thirty days at most; it won't delay your cultivation, Fellow Daoist," He Zhenghao assured.

"Alright, I'll take on this task then."

He Zhenghao smiled contentedly and handed Li Fan a small wooden boat. "Once you have the materials, give this item to the mortals in Li Realm; you don't need to worry about anything else."

Li Fan took it and saw that the wooden boat was somewhat similar to the Taiyan Skiff, but far less refined.

"It's just an ordinary wooden boat inscribed with a few arrays, not a magic artifact," He Zhenghao explained. "However, it's enough to protect those mortals as they pass through the Immortal Severance Grand Array and arrive here. Of course, the array's power only supports a single crossing. Once they arrive in the cultivation world, the array on the wooden boat will deplete its energy and dissipate on its own. This is also to prevent those mortals from replicating it."

"Fellow Daoist He is truly far-sighted," Li Fan said, not entirely sincerely.

He Zhenghao chuckled, unconcerned. He then took out a spirit talisman and, with some reluctance, handed it to Li Fan.

"No matter what, helping mortals smuggle themselves is still something best kept hidden. If other cultivators spot it, not only would it be embarrassing, but you might also face reprimands from the Myriad Immortals Alliance. To be safe, Fellow Daoist, please carry this Concealment Talisman to avoid being recognized."

Li Fan naturally nodded and accepted it.

"This Concealment Talisman can hide one's form and aura; it's an advanced version of the Qi Concealment Talisman. Even Golden Core cultivators cannot see through it once it's activated. It's truly for killing..." He Zhenghao paused, then added with a touch of regret, "...it's truly an essential item for cultivators traveling outside. It's just a pity that the Spirit Mist Grass required to draw this Concealment Talisman is quite rare, which keeps its price consistently high. One talisman costs 50 contribution points.

"However, if you need more in the future, Fellow Daoist, you can go to Myriad Immortals Island and look for a cultivator named Jiao Xiuyuan. He has a large quantity of defective Concealment Talismans, reportedly discarded from the Talisman Hall on Myriad Immortals Island. Although they are called defective, they can still be used normally. It's just that their effect isn't as good; they can only prevent Foundation Establishment cultivators from seeing through them. But luckily, they're cheap, only 20 contribution points. Young friend, if you travel outside in the future, you might want to prepare a few." He Zhenghao tirelessly lectured Li Fan.

Afterwards, He Zhenghao meticulously detailed all the precautions for going to Li Realm and the various situations Li Fan might encounter. With everything ready, Li Fan prepared to set off for Li Realm, aiming to go and return as quickly as possible.

However, before departing, Li Fan couldn't resist asking, "Fellow Daoist He, there's something that has puzzled me, but I'm not sure if I should ask..."

He Zhenghao was surprised, then said, "Just speak your mind."

"Fellow Daoist He, you are a Foundation Establishment cultivator, holding the position of Liuli Island's guardian. You're also a grandmaster of arrays. Logically, you shouldn't be so short on contribution points. Why then..."

"...do you still seem somewhat constrained?" Li Fan mused for a moment, asking tactfully.

He Zhenghao thought Li Fan was concerned about his future prospects in the Myriad Immortals Alliance. He gave a wry smile and explained, "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. Within the Myriad Immortals Alliance, while Foundation Establishment cultivators don't have complete freedom with their contribution points, they are certainly not as constrained as I am."

"Oh? Does Fellow Daoist He have some untold difficulty?" Li Fan asked, surprised.

"To be honest, I've set my sights on a Nascent Soul cultivation technique. This technique is highly compatible with my Foundation Establishment spiritual item. If I can switch to cultivating that technique, I'm certain to reach the Golden Core stage within a hundred years, and even the Nascent Soul realm would be a sure thing." A glimmer of longing flashed in He Zhenghao's eyes.

"Unfortunately, true Nascent Soul techniques are simply too valuable. Even after accumulating contribution points for a long time, I'm still far short of what's needed. So, I can only save whenever possible," he sighed. "Even then, I don't know when I'll be able to exchange for it. And I also wonder if this technique, which I've longed for, will be exchanged by someone else before I get the chance?" He Zhenghao sighed.

Then, remembering something else, he said to Li Fan, "Oh, right, you're already in the late Qi Condensation stage. When choosing a Foundation Establishment cultivation technique, if you have the option, remember to select one that is compatible with your own Foundation Establishment spiritual item. Doing so will not only make your future cultivation more efficient, yielding twice the results with half the effort, but also bring many other benefits. Due to the limitations of the Heavenly Profound Mirror, I can't tell you too much about the specifics. In short, just remember this point, and you won't go wrong."

"Compatibility between Foundation Establishment spiritual items and cultivation techniques..." Li Fan slowly nodded upon hearing this.

But then he heard He Zhenghao sigh again: "Actually, the cultivation technique I'm currently practicing is also extraordinary. I obtained it accidentally when I was young, exploring an unnamed cave dwelling. It contains various incredible methods. It's just that the difficulty of cultivation is a bit too high; it takes decades or even centuries to advance a small realm. Foundation Establishment is already this difficult. If I were to forcibly cultivate this technique in the Golden Core stage, I would surely run out of lifespan and perish before achieving a breakthrough. Changing cultivation techniques is truly a reluctant decision." After these words, He Zhenghao fell into deep silence.

Li Fan listened, cupped his hands, and headed straight for Li Realm.

He Zhenghao watched Li Fan's receding figure and sighed inwardly again. He actually had one more thing he didn't say. While it was true that the Mountain Sitting Art could gain feedback from helping junior cultivators, cultivating the Dao was simply too difficult. Over the years, he had cast a wide net, promoting junior cultivators. Yet, most of them inexplicably died not long after, without even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. To encounter a genius like Li Fan, who was already in the late Qi Condensation stage at such a young age, was truly a blessing from heaven. After all, how could there be so many geniuses in this world, just waiting to be met by him?