“ dào yǒu zhī qián zài hé chù xiū xíng ？”
“道友之前在何处修行？”
"Where did you cultivate before, dao friend?"
liú lí dǎo dà zhèn nèi ， yī shān dǐng liáng tíng zhōng ， hé zhèng hào yǔ lǐ fán xiāng duì ér zuò 。
琉璃岛大阵内，一山顶凉亭中，何正浩与李凡相对而坐。
In the cool pavilion atop a mountain on Lustrous Isle, He Zhenghao sat across from Li Fan.
tā ná chū yī hú líng chá ， wèi lǐ fán zhēn mǎn ， suí hòu wèn dào 。
他拿出一壶灵茶，为李凡斟满，随后问道。
He took out a pot of spirit tea and poured it for Li Fan. Then he asked, "Before, I was just an independent cultivator in Source Dao Prefecture. A few years ago, when seeking breakthrough opportunities, I arrived at the Cunyun Sea."
“ zhī qián běn shì yuán dào zhōu yī sàn xiū ， qián jǐ nián xún qiú tū pò jī yuán shí ， lái dào le zhè cóng yún hǎi 。” lǐ fán hē le yī kǒu chá ， jì xù shuō dào ，“ wǒ rú jīn yǐ shì zhù jī hòu qī ， wèi yǔ chóu móu ， xiǎng wèi jīn hòu de jié dān fǎ mén zuò zhǔn bèi 。”
“之前本是源道州一散修，前几年寻求突破机缘时，来到了这丛云海。”李凡喝了一口茶，继续说道，“我如今已是筑基后期，未雨绸缪，想为今后的结丹法门做准备。”
Li Fan sipped some tea before continuing, "I am now late-stage Foundation Establishment. I'm preparing ahead of time to make sure I have the resources for my alchemy technique."
“ zhù jī zhī fǎ ， yǐ shì xún cháng sàn xiū jī yuán jí xiàn 。 píng zì jǐ tàn suǒ ， xiǎng yào zhǎo dào yī mén jīn dān gōng fǎ ， kě zhēn shì qiān nán wàn nán 。 sī lái xiǎng qù ， hái shì fàng qì zhī qián sàn xiū lǐ niàn ， jué dìng jiā rù wàn xiān méng 。” lǐ fán cháng tàn yì kǒu qì ， jiě shì dào 。
“筑基之法，已是寻常散修机缘极限。凭自己探索，想要找到一门金丹功法，可真是千难万难。思来想去，还是放弃之前散修理念，决定加入万仙盟。”李凡长叹一口气，解释道。
"Foundation Establishment techniques are already the limit for ordinary independent cultivators. To find a Golden Core technique on my own is truly difficult," Li Fan sighed deeply and explained further.
“ dào yǒu bù bì jiè huái 。 wǒ zhī wài jiè sàn xiū ， duō duì wǒ men wàn xiān méng yǒu suǒ wù jiě 。 rèn wéi wǒ men wàn xiān méng xiū shì rú tóng niú mǎ ， bèi rén qū shǐ ， háo wú zì yóu kě yán 。 shí duō miù yǐ ！” hé zhèng hào kǎn kǎn ér tán 。
“道友不必介怀。我知外界散修，多对我们万仙盟有所误解。认为我们万仙盟修士如同牛马，被人驱使，毫无自由可言。实多谬矣！”何正浩侃侃而谈。
"Do not worry about it, dao friend. I know that many outside our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance have misconceptions about us. They think we are like cattle, driven by others with no freedom at all. This is greatly mistaken!" He Zhenghao spoke confidently.
“ wǒ men wàn xiān méng tōng yòng de gòng xiàn dù ， qí shí hé líng shí méi shén me qū bié 。 běn zhì shàng dà jiā dōu shì yī kào zì jǐ de nǔ lì huò qǔ xiū xíng zī yuán ， zhǐ bù guò wàn xiān méng nèi yǒu tǒng chóu ān pái bà le 。”
“我们万仙盟通用的贡献度，其实和灵石没什么区别。本质上大家都是依靠自己的努力获取修行资源，只不过万仙盟内有统筹安排罢了。”
"The contribution points used throughout the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are essentially equivalent to spirit stones. Fundamentally, everyone relies on their own efforts to acquire cultivation resources, just with a bit of coordination within our alliance."
“ gèng hé kuàng ， méng nèi hái yǒu tiān xuán jìng zhè děng líng bǎo ， miào yòng fēi cháng 。 děng děng dào yǒu yī jiàn biàn zhī 。” hé zhèng hào xiào zhe shuō bà ， duān qǐ chá bēi hē le yī kǒu 。
“更何况，盟内还有天玄镜这等灵宝，妙用非常。等等道友一见便知。”何正浩笑着说罢，端起茶杯喝了一口。
"Moreover, there's also the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror in the alliance, which has many uses. You'll see once you meet it," He Zhenghao said with a smile as he took a sip from his cup.
“ wǒ tīng shuō ， yǐn jiàn xiū shì jiā rù wàn xiān méng ， huì yǒu xiāng yìng de gòng xiàn dù bào chóu ？” lǐ fán tū rán wèn dào 。
“我听说，引荐修士加入万仙盟，会有相应的贡献度报酬？”李凡突然问道。
"I heard that recommending cultivators to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance comes with corresponding contribution points?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
“ hāi hāi ……” hé zhèng hào sì hū bèi qiāng zhù le ， ké sòu le jǐ shēng ， jiāng chá bēi fàng xià 。
“咳咳……”何正浩似乎被呛住了，咳嗽了几声，将茶杯放下。
"Ahem... " He Zhenghao seemed choked, coughed a few times, and put down his teacup.
“ dào yǒu xiāo xī zhēn shì líng tōng a ！ fàng xīn ， guī jǔ wǒ zì rán dǒng ！ dào shí hòu suǒ de gòng xiàn dù wǒ fēn rùn dào yǒu yí bàn ！” tā pāi pāi xiōng pú ， bǎo zhèng dào 。
“道友消息真是灵通啊！放心，规矩我自然懂！倒时候所得贡献度我分润道友一半！”他拍拍胸脯，保证道。
"Your information is indeed reliable! Rest assured, I understand the rules. When we receive contributions, I will share half of them with you!" he assured as he patted his chest.
lǐ fán mò míng de kàn le hé zhèng hào yī yǎn ， huǎn huǎn hàn shǒu ：“ rú cǐ ， jiù qǐng dào yǒu wèi wǒ yǐn lù ba 。 rú jīn wǒ yǐ jīng pò bù jí dài le ！”
李凡莫名的看了何正浩一眼，缓缓颔首：“如此，就请道友为我引路吧。如今我已经迫不及待了！”
Li Fan gave He Zhenghao an odd look before nodding slowly. "Very well, then please lead me on this path. I am eager to go!"
hé zhèng hào hū rán gǎn jué bèi hòu yī liáng ， dàn què mǎ shàng xiāo shī ， zhǐ yǐ wéi shì cuò jué 。
何正浩忽然感觉背后一凉，但却马上消失，只以为是错觉。
He Zhenghao suddenly felt a chill down his spine but quickly dismissed it as just an illusion.
tīng wén lǐ fán de huà yǔ ， dāng jí shuō dào ：“ dào yǒu shāo děng ， wǒ xiān qù wèi nǐ qǔ tōng xíng líng fú lái 。 fǒu zé ， mào rán shàng dǎo ， huì zāo dào wàn xiān dà zhèn de gōng jī 。”
听闻李凡的话语，当即说道：“道友稍等，我先去为你取通行灵符来。否则，贸然上岛，会遭到万仙大阵的攻击。”
Hearing Li Fan's words, he said, "Please wait, dao friend. I will first fetch the spirit token for you. Otherwise, you might be attacked by the Ten Thousand Immortals Array upon entering."
lǐ fán diǎn diǎn tóu ：“ cǐ shì wǒ yě tīng shuō guò ， dào yǒu qiě qù ！”
李凡点点头：“此事我也听说过，道友且去！”
Li Fan nodded, "I have heard of this before. Go ahead!"
hé zhèng hào dǎ kāi chuán sòng zhèn ， qián wǎng le wàn xiān dǎo 。
何正浩打开传送阵，前往了万仙岛。
He Zhenghao activated the teleportation array and headed to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
lǐ fán zé shì yī biān hē chá ， yī biān děng dài 。
李凡则是一边喝茶，一边等待。
Meanwhile, Li Fan continued drinking his tea while waiting.
mò guò duō zhǎng shí jiān ， hé zhèng hào fǎn le huí lái 。
没过多长时间，何正浩返了回来。
After a short time, He Zhenghao returned.
“ dào yǒu liú xià yī dào qì xī jí kě 。” jiāng tōng xíng líng fú dì gěi lǐ fán ， hé zhèng hào shuō dào 。
“道友留下一道气息即可。”将通行灵符递给李凡，何正浩说道。
"Leave behind a trace of your spirit," he said as he handed over the spirit token.
lǐ fán qīng chē shú lù 。
李凡轻车熟路。
Li Fan did so without hesitation.
“ děng dào yǒu zhèng shì jiā rù wàn xiān méng hòu ， zhè méi líng fú kě yào jì de guī huán 。 fǒu zé ， kě shì yào péi cháng qí xiāng yìng jià zhí de gòng xiàn dù de 。”
“等道友正式加入万仙盟后，这枚灵符可要记得归还。否则，可是要赔偿其相应价值的贡献度的。”
"When you officially join our alliance, remember to return this token. Otherwise, you will have to compensate with equivalent contribution points."
“ zhè me yī xiǎo kuài ……” hé zhèng hào hái yù shuō xiē shén me ， què hū rán gǎi kǒu le 。
“这么一小块……”何正浩还欲说些什么，却忽然改口了。
"This little piece..." He Zhenghao was about to say more but suddenly changed his mind.
“ hē hē ， bù tí yě bà 。 dào yǒu ， zǒu ba ！”
“呵呵，不提也罢。道友，走吧！”
"Hmm, let's not talk about it. Let's go!" he said with a smile.
lǐ fán diǎn diǎn tóu ， suí hòu èr rén biàn tōng guò chuán sòng zhèn ， lái dào le wàn xiān dǎo shàng 。
李凡点点头，随后二人便通过传送阵，来到了万仙岛上。
Li Fan nodded and they both teleported through the array onto Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
yī rú zhī qián nà bān ， hé zhèng hào wèi lǐ fán jiè shào zhe wàn xiān dǎo shàng de diǎn dī shì wù 。
一如之前那般，何正浩为李凡介绍着万仙岛上的点滴事物。
As before, He Zhenghao introduced Li Fan to various things on the island.
zhǐ shì zhè cì ， bǐ qián liǎng cì dōu yào xiáng xì bù shǎo 。
只是这次，比前两次都要详细不少。
This time, however, he was much more detailed than before.
“ qián miàn bù yuǎn ， jiù shì tiān xuán jìng le 。 zhè líng bǎo kě wèi shì miào yòng wú qióng ， yí dàn yòng shàng ， kě zhēn jiù lí bù kāi tā le a ！”
“前面不远，就是天玄镜了。这灵宝可谓是妙用无穷，一旦用上，可真就离不开它了啊！”
"Up ahead is the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror. This treasure has countless uses; once you start using it, you'll find yourself relying on it."
“ děng dào yǒu yǐ hòu gòng xiàn dù fù yù le ， shèn zhì kě yǐ dān dú mǎi yī kuài jìng miàn fēn shēn ， suí shēn xié dài 。”
“等道友以后贡献度富裕了，甚至可以单独买一块镜面分身，随身携带。”
"You can even buy a mirror clone for personal use when your contributions are plentiful enough."
yī lù huà méi tíng ， liǎng rén jìn rù le tiān xuán jìng kōng jiān zhī zhōng 。
一路话没停，两人进入了天玄镜空间之中。
The two continued their conversation as they entered the space within the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror.
“ zhè wèi dào yǒu ， jiù shì wǒ cǐ qián tōng bào de zhù jī hòu qī xiū shì ， xiǎng yào jiā rù wǒ men wàn xiān méng 。” hé zhèng hào shuō dào 。
“这位道友，就是我此前通报的筑基后期修士，想要加入我们万仙盟。”何正浩说道。
"This dao friend is the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator I previously reported to join our alliance," He Zhenghao said.
guò le yī huì ， tiān xuán jìng de shēng yīn xiǎng qǐ 。
过了一会，天玄镜的声音响起。
After some time, the voice of the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror sounded.
“ yǐn jiàn yī zhù jī hòu qī xiū shì ， jì shàng děng bǐng gōng ， zhé suàn 3000 diǎn gòng xiàn dù 。 dāng qián zǒng gòng xiàn dù ：4140 diǎn 。”
“引荐一筑基后期修士，记上等丙功，折算3000点贡献度。当前总贡献度：4140点。”
"Recommending a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator earns you upper-gradeBing Gong, equivalent to 3000 contribution points. Current total contributions: 4140."
hé zhèng hào lèng le lèng ， sì hū huái yí tīng cuò le 。
何正浩愣了愣，似乎怀疑听错了。
He Zhenghao was taken aback and seemed to doubt his ears.
“ duō shǎo ？”
“多少？”
"How much?"
yú shì tiān xuán jìng yòu chóng fù le yī biàn 。
于是天玄镜又重复了一遍。
The Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror repeated the amount.
hé zhèng hào mǎn liǎn zhèn jīng huí guò tóu lái kàn zhe lǐ fán ， zhāng le zhāng zuǐ ， lèng shì yī jù huà méi néng shuō chū kǒu 。
何正浩满脸震惊回过头来看着李凡，张了张嘴，愣是一句话没能说出口。
He Zhenghao's face showed shock as he turned to look at Li Fan, but no words came out of his mouth.
“ zěn me ， yǒu shén me wèn tí ma ？” lǐ fán míng zhī gù wèn dào 。
“怎么，有什么问题嘛？”李凡明知故问道。
"Is there something wrong?" Li Fan asked knowingly.
“ bù zhī …… dào yǒu rú jīn shì hé nián jì ？”
“不知……道友如今是何年纪？”
"I wonder... how old are you now?" He Zhenghao cautiously probed after a while.
guò le huì ， hé zhèng hào fāng cái xiǎo xīn shì tàn wèn dào 。
过了会，何正浩方才小心试探问道。
Li Fan pretended to hesitate for a moment before sighing and saying, "To be honest, I have been alive for more than 29 years."
lǐ fán zhuāng zuò yóu yù le bàn shǎng ， zhè cái tàn le kǒu qì ， dào ：“ shí bù xiāng mán ， wǒ cóng chū shēng zhì jīn ， yǐ èr shí jiǔ zài yǒu yú le 。”
李凡装作犹豫了半晌，这才叹了口气，道：“实不相瞒，我从出生至今，已二十九载有余了。”
"It's shameful to talk about it since I've spent so much time stuck at late-stage Foundation Establishment, with the Golden Core still far away."
“ zhǐ shì hào fèi rú cǐ duō guāng yīn ， yī rán kùn dùn zhù jī hòu qī ， jīn dān yáo yáo bù kě jiàn ， shí zài shì xiū yú tí jí cǐ shì a ！”
“只是耗费如此多光阴，依然困顿筑基后期，金丹遥遥不可见，实在是羞于提及此事啊！”
He Zhenghao's face turned red as he tried to speak but could not form a sentence.
hé zhèng hào wén yán lì jí zhàng hóng le liǎn ， zuǐ bā zhāng hé ， bàn tiān méi yǒu shuō chū yī jù huà 。
何正浩闻言立即涨红了脸，嘴巴张合，半天没有说出一句话。
After a long while, he managed a weak smile. "You're joking. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at 29..."
xǔ jiǔ zhī hòu ， tā cái lù chū gè miǎn qiǎng de xiào róng ：“ dào yǒu shuō xiào le 。 èr shí jiǔ suì de zhù jī hòu qī ……”
许久之后，他才露出个勉强的笑容：“道友说笑了。二十九岁的筑基后期……”
"A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at 29..."
“ èr shí jiǔ suì de zhù jī hòu qī ……”
“二十九岁的筑基后期……”
He Zhenghao pondered for a long time before finally saying, "A prodigy!"
hé zhèng hào xiǎng le bàn tiān ， zhè cái yòu biē chū “ tiān zòng qí cái ” sì gè dà zì 。
何正浩想了半天，这才又憋出“天纵奇才”四个大字。
"Impossible! Impossible!" Li Fan shook his head.
“ dāng bù dé ， dāng bù dé ！” lǐ fán lián lián yáo tóu 。
“当不得，当不得！”李凡连连摇头。
"Do you know that true prodigies can achieve the Golden Core in just eight years?"
“ dào yǒu kě zhī ， zhēn zhèng de tiān zòng qí cái ， xiū xíng bā nián ， jí kě jié dān 。”
“道友可知，真正的天纵奇才，修行八年，即可结丹。”
"I am far from reaching that level," Li Fan said earnestly.
“ gèng néng jīn dān zhǎn hé dào ， wǒ yuǎn yuǎn bù jí yě ！”
“更能金丹斩合道，我远远不及也！”
"Haha..." What He Zhenghao heard was beyond his comprehension.
lǐ fán mǎn shì rèn zhēn de shuō dào 。
李凡满是认真的说道。
Unable to respond, he only managed an awkward smile.
“ hē hē ……” lǐ fán suǒ shuō ， chāo chū le hé zhèng hào de rèn zhī 。
“呵呵……”李凡所说，超出了何正浩的认知。
Fortunately, as a seasoned veteran, he quickly changed the subject.
bù zhī gāi rú hé huí dá ， zhǐ dé lù chū gè gān gà de xiào róng 。
不知该如何回答，只得露出个尴尬的笑容。
He took out a mountain-shaped communication spirit token and handed it to Li Fan. "Since you asked me for this introduction, you must think highly of me, He Zhenghao."
hǎo zài tā bì jìng yě shì lǎo jiāng hú le ， lián máng zhuǎn yí qǐ huà tí lái 。
好在他毕竟也是老江湖了，连忙转移起话题来。
"Should there be anything I can do for you in the future, just let me know. Although my cultivation level is low, I still have some connections on Ten Thousand Immortals Island."
tāo chū yí gè shān fēng zhuàng de tōng xùn líng fú ， dì gěi lǐ fán ， hé zhèng hào rè qíng dì shuō dào ：“ dào yǒu jì rán xún wǒ yǐn jiàn ， nà jiù shì kàn de qǐ wǒ hé zhèng hào 。”
掏出一个山峰状的通讯灵符，递给李凡，何正浩热情地说道：“道友既然寻我引荐，那就是看的起我何正浩。”
Li Fan took the communication spirit token but did not say anything. Instead, he smiled at He Zhenghao.
“ jīn hòu ruò yǒu shén me yòng de zhe wǒ hé zhèng hào de dì fāng ， dào yǒu jǐn guǎn kāi kǒu 。 wǒ hé zhèng hào suī rán xiū wèi dī le diǎn ， dàn shì zài zhè wàn xiān dǎo shàng hái shì yǒu yì diǎn rén mài de 。”
“今后若有什么用的着我何正浩的地方，道友尽管开口。我何正浩虽然修为低了点，但是在这万仙岛上还是有一点人脉的。”
He Zhenghao was taken aback before patting his head and looking as if he had just realized something.
lǐ fán jiē guò le tōng xùn líng fú ， yě bù shuō huà ， ér shì wēi xiào zhe kàn zhe hé zhèng hào 。
李凡接过了通讯灵符，也不说话，而是微笑着看着何正浩。
"If it weren't for you reminding me, I would have forgotten," he said with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. He then transferred 1500 contribution points to Li Fan.
hé zhèng hào xiān shì yī lèng ， suí hòu pāi le pāi zì jǐ de nǎo dài ， yī fù huǎng rán de yàng zi 。
何正浩先是一愣，随后拍了拍自己的脑袋，一副恍然的样子。
Li Fan nodded contentedly and then asked, "I see that you've been part of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for some time now. Why do you not seem very wealthy?"
“ ruò bú shì dào yǒu tí xǐng ， xiǎn xiē gěi wàng le 。” yǎn shén zhōng lù chū yī sī bù shě ， hé zhèng hào jiāng 1500 diǎn gòng xiàn dù zhuǎn gěi le lǐ fán 。
“若不是道友提醒，险些给忘了。”眼神中露出一丝不舍，何正浩将1500点贡献度转给了李凡。
He Zhenghao perked up immediately as he explained, "You don't know, dao friend! If contribution points accumulate but are never used, they just sit there and won't grow."
lǐ fán zhè cái mǎn yì de diǎn diǎn tóu ， suí hòu yòu wèn dào ：“ dào yǒu xiǎng bì jiā rù zhè wàn xiān méng yǐ jīng yǒu bù shǎo shí rì le 。 zěn me shēn shàng gòng xiàn dù bù shì hěn kuān yù de yàng zi ？”
李凡这才满意的点点头，随后又问道：“道友想必加入这万仙盟已经有不少时日了。怎么身上贡献度不似很宽裕的样子？”
"But if you buy hard currency items like Spirit Grass or Profound Knowledge Wood when their prices are low using your contributions, store them away."
hé zhèng hào dùn shí lái jìn le ， dāng jí wèi lǐ fán jiè shào dào ：“ dào yǒu yǒu suǒ bù zhī a ！ zhè gòng xiàn dù ruò shì duō le ， dàn què shǐ zhōng bù yòng ， fàng zài shēn shàng ， nà jiù shì sǐ de ， bú huì zì jǐ zēng zhǎng 。”
何正浩顿时来劲了，当即为李凡介绍道：“道友有所不知啊！这贡献度若是多了，但却始终不用，放在身上，那就是死的，不会自己增长。”
"Then sell them at higher prices later to make a profit."
“ dàn ruò shì chèn zhe líng wù cǎo 、 tōng xuán mù zhè lèi kān chēng shì yìng tōng huò de shāng pǐn jià gé piān dī de shí hòu ， yòng gòng xiàn dù mǎi shàng yī xiē ， tún zhe 。”
“但若是趁着灵雾草、通玄木这类堪称是硬通货的商品价格偏低的时候，用贡献度买上一些，屯着。”
"This way, you can earn money even with small fluctuations each time," He Zhenghao said proudly.
“ děng tā men jià gé shàng zhǎng de shí hòu ， zài jiāng qí pāo shòu 。”
“等它们价格上涨的时候，再将其抛售。”
"This is what we call investment!"
“ jiù huì cóng zhōng huò lì 。”
“就会从中获利。”
"I knew you were skilled in this. No wonder you could risk all your assets before. You must have reaped the benefits many times over," Li Fan thought to himself as he looked at He Zhenghao.
“ suī rán tōng cháng bō dòng hěn xiǎo ， měi zhū zhuàn de bù duō 。 dàn ruò shì mǎi de shù liàng zú gòu duō de huà ， měi cì yě dōu shì yī bǐ bù sú de shōu yì le 。”
“虽然通常波动很小，每株赚的不多。但若是买的数量足够多的话，每次也都是一笔不俗的收益了。”
"Dao friend, do you not believe me?" He Zhenghao sounded a bit unhappy.
hé zhèng hào yáng yáng dé yì 。
何正浩洋洋得意。
He quickly said, "Let's make a deal."
“ zhè jiù shì suǒ wèi de tóu zī ！”
“这就是所谓的投资！”
"If there is another big opportunity in the future, I will inform you so we can both participate."
“ dào yǒu bù zhī ， wǒ kě shì shēn ān tóu zī zhī dào 。”
“道友不知，我可是深谙投资之道。”
"This way, you can see my skills firsthand!"
"Where did you cultivate before, dao friend?"
In the cool pavilion atop a mountain on Lustrous Isle, He Zhenghao sat across from Li Fan.
He took out a pot of spirit tea and poured it for Li Fan. Then he asked, "Before, I was just an independent cultivator in Source Dao Prefecture. A few years ago, when seeking breakthrough opportunities, I arrived at the Cunyun Sea."
Li Fan sipped some tea before continuing, "I am now late-stage Foundation Establishment. I'm preparing ahead of time to make sure I have the resources for my alchemy technique."
"Foundation Establishment techniques are already the limit for ordinary independent cultivators. To find a Golden Core technique on my own is truly difficult," Li Fan sighed deeply and explained further.
"Do not worry about it, dao friend. I know that many outside our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance have misconceptions about us. They think we are like cattle, driven by others with no freedom at all. This is greatly mistaken!" He Zhenghao spoke confidently.
"The contribution points used throughout the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are essentially equivalent to spirit stones. Fundamentally, everyone relies on their own efforts to acquire cultivation resources, just with a bit of coordination within our alliance."
"Moreover, there's also the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror in the alliance, which has many uses. You'll see once you meet it," He Zhenghao said with a smile as he took a sip from his cup.
"I heard that recommending cultivators to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance comes with corresponding contribution points?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
"Ahem... " He Zhenghao seemed choked, coughed a few times, and put down his teacup.
"Your information is indeed reliable! Rest assured, I understand the rules. When we receive contributions, I will share half of them with you!" he assured as he patted his chest.
Li Fan gave He Zhenghao an odd look before nodding slowly. "Very well, then please lead me on this path. I am eager to go!"
He Zhenghao suddenly felt a chill down his spine but quickly dismissed it as just an illusion.
Hearing Li Fan's words, he said, "Please wait, dao friend. I will first fetch the spirit token for you. Otherwise, you might be attacked by the Ten Thousand Immortals Array upon entering."
Li Fan nodded, "I have heard of this before. Go ahead!"
He Zhenghao activated the teleportation array and headed to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Meanwhile, Li Fan continued drinking his tea while waiting.
After a short time, He Zhenghao returned.
"Leave behind a trace of your spirit," he said as he handed over the spirit token.
Li Fan did so without hesitation.
"When you officially join our alliance, remember to return this token. Otherwise, you will have to compensate with equivalent contribution points."
"This little piece..." He Zhenghao was about to say more but suddenly changed his mind.
"Hmm, let's not talk about it. Let's go!" he said with a smile.
Li Fan nodded and they both teleported through the array onto Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
As before, He Zhenghao introduced Li Fan to various things on the island.
This time, however, he was much more detailed than before.
"Up ahead is the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror. This treasure has countless uses; once you start using it, you'll find yourself relying on it."
"You can even buy a mirror clone for personal use when your contributions are plentiful enough."
The two continued their conversation as they entered the space within the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror.
"This dao friend is the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator I previously reported to join our alliance," He Zhenghao said.
After some time, the voice of the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror sounded.
"Recommending a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator earns you upper-gradeBing Gong, equivalent to 3000 contribution points. Current total contributions: 4140."
He Zhenghao was taken aback and seemed to doubt his ears.
"How much?"
The Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror repeated the amount.
He Zhenghao's face showed shock as he turned to look at Li Fan, but no words came out of his mouth.
"Is there something wrong?" Li Fan asked knowingly.
"I wonder... how old are you now?" He Zhenghao cautiously probed after a while.
Li Fan pretended to hesitate for a moment before sighing and saying, "To be honest, I have been alive for more than 29 years."
"It's shameful to talk about it since I've spent so much time stuck at late-stage Foundation Establishment, with the Golden Core still far away."
He Zhenghao's face turned red as he tried to speak but could not form a sentence.
After a long while, he managed a weak smile. "You're joking. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at 29..."
"A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at 29..."
He Zhenghao pondered for a long time before finally saying, "A prodigy!"
"Impossible! Impossible!" Li Fan shook his head.
"Do you know that true prodigies can achieve the Golden Core in just eight years?"
"I am far from reaching that level," Li Fan said earnestly.
"Haha..." What He Zhenghao heard was beyond his comprehension.
Unable to respond, he only managed an awkward smile.
Fortunately, as a seasoned veteran, he quickly changed the subject.
He took out a mountain-shaped communication spirit token and handed it to Li Fan. "Since you asked me for this introduction, you must think highly of me, He Zhenghao."
"Should there be anything I can do for you in the future, just let me know. Although my cultivation level is low, I still have some connections on Ten Thousand Immortals Island."
Li Fan took the communication spirit token but did not say anything. Instead, he smiled at He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao was taken aback before patting his head and looking as if he had just realized something.
"If it weren't for you reminding me, I would have forgotten," he said with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. He then transferred 1500 contribution points to Li Fan.
Li Fan nodded contentedly and then asked, "I see that you've been part of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for some time now. Why do you not seem very wealthy?"
He Zhenghao perked up immediately as he explained, "You don't know, dao friend! If contribution points accumulate but are never used, they just sit there and won't grow."
"But if you buy hard currency items like Spirit Grass or Profound Knowledge Wood when their prices are low using your contributions, store them away."
"Then sell them at higher prices later to make a profit."
"This way, you can earn money even with small fluctuations each time," He Zhenghao said proudly.
"This is what we call investment!"
"I knew you were skilled in this. No wonder you could risk all your assets before. You must have reaped the benefits many times over," Li Fan thought to himself as he looked at He Zhenghao.
"Dao friend, do you not believe me?" He Zhenghao sounded a bit unhappy.
He quickly said, "Let's make a deal."
"If there is another big opportunity in the future, I will inform you so we can both participate."
"This way, you can see my skills firsthand!"