tīng wén lǐ fán suǒ yán ， hé zhèng hào wēi wēi yí zhèng ， miàn lù yí huò zhī sè 。
听闻李凡所言，何正浩微微一怔，面露疑惑之色。
Hearing Li Fan's words, He Zhenghao was slightly stunned and showed a puzzled expression.
rán ér ， lǐ fán gēn běn bù gěi tā fǎn yìng yǔ sī kǎo de shí jiān ， chà nà jiān jiāng 【 hái zhēn 】 mó nǐ de 【 qī qiào líng lóng xīn 】 gǔ huò rén xīn de néng lì yùn zhuàn dào jí zhì 。
然而，李凡根本不给他反应与思考的时间，刹那间将【还真】模拟的【七窍玲珑心】蛊惑人心的能力运转到极致。
However, Li Fan did not give him any time to react or think. In an instant, he activated the charm of the "Truly Real Seven-Holed Heart" from his simulation of "Truly Real."
“ wǒ ， èr shí jiǔ suì ， zhù jī hòu qī 。 dào yǒu yǐ wéi ， wǒ tiān zī rú hé ？” lǐ fán mù guāng rú jù kàn zhe hé zhèng hào ， bī wèn dào 。
“我，二十九岁，筑基后期。道友以为，我天资如何？”李凡目光如炬看着何正浩，逼问道。
"I am 29 years old, at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my innate talent?" Li Fan's piercing gaze locked onto He Zhenghao as he pressed the question.
“ tiān fù yì bǐng ， dāng shì shǎo yǒu 。” hé zhèng hào bù jīn huí dá dào 。
“天赋异禀，当世少有。”何正浩不禁回答道。
"Heavenly gifted and exceptional; few in this world possess such abilities," He Zhenghao replied without hesitation.
“ wǒ ， niú dāo xiǎo shì ， biàn zài líng wù cǎo tóu zī shàng ， bào zhuàn liù shí wàn gòng xiàn dù ， bié rén pò chǎn wǒ bào fù 。 dào yǒu yǐ wéi ， wǒ néng lì rú hé ？” lǐ fán yòu wèn dào 。
“我，牛刀小试，便在灵雾草投资上，暴赚六十万贡献度，别人破产我暴富。道友以为，我能力如何？”李凡又问道。
"Even with a small test, I made 600,000 contribution points by investing in Spirit Fog Grass. While others went bankrupt, I became wealthy overnight. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my capabilities?" Li Fan continued his questioning.
sì hū shuō dào hé zhèng hào tòng chù ， tā yōu yuàn de kàn le lǐ fán yī yǎn ， suí hòu fāng cái huí dá dào ：“ dào yǒu yǎn guāng dú là ， zhí jué mǐn ruì 。 wú yuǎn bù jí yě ！”
似乎说道何正浩痛处，他幽怨的看了李凡一眼，随后方才回答道：“道友眼光毒辣，直觉敏锐。吾远不及也！”
It seemed he had hit on He Zhenghao's sore spot, as the latter cast a resentful glance at Li Fan before replying, "Fellow Daoist has keen eyes and sharp intuition. I am far inferior to you!"
lǐ fán yòu shuō dào ：“ zhè wàn xiān méng nèi ， xún cháng xiū shì ， jiē rú niú mǎ 。 méi yǒu shì lì 、 méi yǒu bèi jǐng ， xiǎng yào chū tóu ， nán rú dēng tiān 。 dào yǒu yǐ wéi rán fǒu ？”
李凡又说道：“这万仙盟内，寻常修士，皆如牛马。没有势力、没有背景，想要出头，难如登天。道友以为然否？”
Li Fan then said, "In this Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, ordinary cultivators are like cattle and horses. Without power or background, it's as hard as climbing a mountain to rise above. Fellow Daoist, do you agree?"
hé zhèng hào diǎn diǎn tóu ：“ dào yǒu suǒ yán shèn shì 。”
何正浩点点头：“道友所言甚是。”
He Zhenghao nodded, "Fellow Daoist is correct."
lǐ fán shùn shì pāi le pāi hé zhèng hào de jiān bǎng ， yǔ zhòng xīn cháng dào ：“ zhèng yīn rú cǐ ， nǐ wǒ cái yào gèng bào tuán qǔ nuǎn cái shì 。”
李凡顺势拍了拍何正浩的肩膀，语重心长道：“正因如此，你我才要更抱团取暖才是。”
Li Fan patted He Zhenghao on the shoulder and said earnestly, "That’s why we must stick together for warmth."
hé zhèng hào jué de lǐ fán shuō de yǒu xiē dào lǐ ， bù guò hái méi lái dì jí xì xiǎng ， què yòu tīng lǐ fán guān qiè de wèn dào ：“ nǐ jiā rù wàn xiān méng yě yǒu bù shǎo nián tóu le ba ？”
何正浩觉得李凡说的有些道理，不过还没来地及细想，却又听李凡关切的问道：“你加入万仙盟也有不少年头了吧？”
Although He Zhenghao found some merit in Li Fan's words, he had not yet fully processed them when Li Fan asked with concern, "Have you been a member of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for many years?"
hé zhèng hào xiǎng le xiǎng ， miàn lù miǎn huái zhī sè ：“ shì a ， chà bu duō kuài yào yǒu yì bǎi duō nián le 。”
何正浩想了想，面露缅怀之色：“是啊，差不多快要有一百多年了。”
He Zhenghao thought about it and said with nostalgia, "Yes, almost 100 years."
lǐ fán tīng le ， lián lián yáo tóu ：“ yì bǎi duō nián ， cái zhù jī zhōng qī 。 wǒ yě céng tīng nǐ shuō guò ， zài wàn xiān dǎo shàng pǒ yǒu jǐ fēn bó miàn 。 kě shì ， nǐ zhè kǔ xīn jīng yíng de rén mài ， duì nǐ xiū xíng ， jiū jìng yǒu jǐ fēn zuò yòng ？ kǒng pà wēi hū qí wēi ba ？”
李凡听了，连连摇头：“一百多年，才筑基中期。我也曾听你说过，在万仙岛上颇有几分薄面。可是，你这苦心经营的人脉，对你修行，究竟有几分作用？恐怕微乎其微吧？”
Li Fan shook his head, "A hundred years to reach the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. I have heard that on the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, you had some influence. But how much has your carefully cultivated network actually helped in your cultivation? It’s probably negligible."
hé zhèng hào zhèng yù fǎn bó ， zuǐ zhāng le zhāng ， què méi néng tǔ chū bàn gè zì lái 。
何正浩正欲反驳，嘴张了张，却没能吐出半个字来。
He Zhenghao was about to argue but stopped when he realized Li Fan's words were true.
yīn wèi lǐ fán suǒ yán ， dí què bù xū 。
因为李凡所言，的确不虚。
"Because what you've been cultivating are worthless relationships. If you still have value, they will greet you with smiles and courtesy. But if one day you lose all your power, how would they treat you? They wouldn’t even look at you in the eye," Li Fan continued persuasively.
“ nà shì yīn wèi ， nǐ jīng yíng de ， dōu shì xiē wú yòng guān xì 。 nǐ ruò jià zhí shàng zài ， tā men zì rán xiào miàn yǐ duì ， kè kè qì qì 。 dàn tǎng ruò yǒu yī rì nǐ xiū wèi jǐn shī ， tā men yòu dāng rú hé ？ hái huì zhèng yǎn kàn nǐ me ？ gèng hé kuàng ， tā men gēn nǐ yě jué duì zhǐ shì biǎo miàn shàng de guān xì hǎo ér yǐ 。 ruò zhēn de shè jí zì shēn lì yì ， hē hē ……” lǐ fán xún xún shàn yòu 。
“那是因为，你经营的，都是些无用关系。你若价值尚在，他们自然笑面以对，客客气气。但倘若有一日你修为尽失，他们又当如何？还会正眼看你么？更何况，他们跟你也绝对只是表面上的关系好而已。若真的涉及自身利益，呵呵……”李凡循循善诱。
He Zhenghao fell into deep thought.
hé zhèng hào bù jīn xiàn rù shēn sī 。
何正浩不禁陷入深思。
"In short, Fellow Daoist has not found a true ally or the wrong person to follow!"
“ jiǎn ér yán zhī ， dào yǒu shì méi yǒu zhǎo duì zhēn zhèng de kào shān ， gēn cuò le rén ！”
“简而言之，道友是没有找对真正的靠山，跟错了人！”
"But if you follow me, it will be different."
“ dàn rú guǒ nǐ gēn zài wǒ hòu miàn ， nà jiù dà bù xiāng tóng le 。”
“但如果你跟在我后面，那就大不相同了。”
"I value brotherhood and share both good fortune and misfortune," Li Fan said with earnestness.
“ wǒ zhè rén ， zuì zhòng xiōng dì qíng yì 。 jiǎng jiū yǒu fú tóng xiǎng ， yǒu nán tóng dāng 。” lǐ fán mǎn liǎn zhèng qì ， tāo tāo bù jué de shuō dào 。
“我这人，最重兄弟情义。讲究有福同享，有难同当。”李凡满脸正气，滔滔不绝的说道。
"Take your desired Immortal Core True Art for example…" Li Fan paused, capturing He Zhenghao's attention completely.
“ jiù ná nǐ qiú ér bù dé de yuán yīng gōng fǎ lái jiǎng ……” lǐ fán shuō dào zhè lǐ ， dùn le dùn ， jiāng hé zhèng hào de zhù yì lì chè dǐ xī yǐn guò lái 。
“就拿你求而不得的元婴功法来讲……”李凡说道这里，顿了顿，将何正浩的注意力彻底吸引过来。
"If you commit yourself wholeheartedly to following me, I can lend you 250,000 contribution points so that you can convert it and cultivate. It’s not a problem!" Li Fan said firmly.
“ ruò shì nǐ sǐ xīn tā dì de gēn zài wǒ hòu miàn zuò shì 。 nà me wǒ jiè nǐ èr shí wǔ wàn gòng xiàn dù ， ràng nǐ bǎ xiān tā duì huàn chū lái xiū liàn ， yě bú shì bù xíng ！” lǐ fán zhǎn dīng jié tiě dào 。
“若是你死心塌地的跟在我后面做事。那么我借你二十五万贡献度，让你把先它兑换出来修炼，也不是不行！”李凡斩钉截铁道。
He Zhenghao seemed struck by lightning, trembling uncontrollably: "Is this true?"
hé zhèng hào wén yán ， què fǎng fú bèi léi pī zhōng zhī hòu yì bān ， hún shēn chàn dǒu 、 chè dǐ bù dàn dìng qǐ lái ：“ cǐ yán dàng zhēn ？”
何正浩闻言，却仿佛被雷劈中之后一般，浑身颤抖、彻底不淡定起来：“此言当真？”
"Ha ha, my word is as good as gold; I never break my promises!"
“ hē hē ， wǒ lǐ fán xiàng lái yí nuò qiān jīn 、 shuō yī bù èr ！”
“呵呵，我李凡向来一诺千金、说一不二！”
"You've heard that the Immortal Core True Art you desire seems to be well-suited for your Foundation Establishment treasure?" Li Fan asked.
“ wǒ tīng shuō ， dào yǒu xīn yí de zhè mén yuán yīng gōng fǎ ， sì hū yǔ nǐ de zhù jī qí wù xiāng xìng pǒ hé ？”
“我听说，道友心仪的这门元婴功法，似乎与你的筑基奇物相性颇合？”
He Zhenghao nodded, "Yes. The technique is called 'Mountain River Concealed Dragon Skill.' If I can convert and cultivate this, I will definitely achieve the Golden Core in fifty years. Even breaking through to the Immortal Core realm is almost certain."
hé zhèng hào lián lián diǎn tóu ：“ bù cuò ， nà mén gōng fǎ jiào zuò 《 shān hé yǐn lóng gōng 》。 ruò néng gǎi xiū zhè mén gōng fǎ ， wǒ bì dìng néng wǔ shí nián nèi chéng jiù jīn dān 。 shèn zhì tū pò dào yuán yīng jìng yě shì shí ná jiǔ wěn 。”
何正浩连连点头：“不错，那门功法叫做《山河隐龙功》。若能改修这门功法，我必定能五十年内成就金丹。甚至突破到元婴境也是十拿九稳。”
With that said, he looked at Li Fan eagerly but hesitated.
shuō bà ， tā yǎn bā bā de kàn zhe lǐ fán ， yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
说罢，他眼巴巴的看着李凡，欲言又止。
"250,000 contribution points; if you accumulate them again, it would take a long time. If we can convert this technique early and achieve the Golden Core decades earlier, your future accomplishments will be vastly different!"
“ èr shí wǔ wàn gòng xiàn dù ， ruò shì dào yǒu chóng xīn jī zǎn ， yòu yào cuō tuó hěn zhǎng shí jiān ba 。 ruò shì néng zǎo rì duì huàn dào gōng fǎ ， zǎo gè jǐ shí nián tū pò dào jīn dān jìng ， kǒng pà rì hòu de chéng jiù wán quán bù tóng le ！”
“二十五万贡献度，若是道友重新积攒，又要蹉跎很长时间吧。若是能早日兑换到功法，早个几十年突破到金丹境，恐怕日后的成就完全不同了！”
He Zhenghao's desire grew stronger.
hé zhèng hào yǎn zhōng de kě wàng yù fā qiáng liè 。
何正浩眼中的渴望愈发强烈。
After some thought, He Zhenghao finally said, "If Fellow Daoist lends me these contribution points, I will follow you in everything from now on."
guò le bàn shǎng ， jīng guò yī fān sī suǒ ， hé zhèng hào zhōng yú shuō dào ：“ ruò shì dào yǒu néng jiè wǒ gòng xiàn dù ， wǒ yǐ hòu dìng rán shì shì wéi dào yǒu mǎ shǒu shì zhān 。”
过了半晌，经过一番思索，何正浩终于说到：“若是道友能借我贡献度，我以后定然事事唯道友马首是瞻。”
Li Fan chuckled and took out a golden foil paper from his storage ring. With his hand as the pen, he quickly wrote several lines of text.
lǐ fán hē hē yī xiào ， cóng chǔ wù jiè zhōng tāo chū yī zhāng jīn càn càn de bó zhǐ ， yǐ shǒu wèi bǐ ， kuài sù zài shàng miàn shū xiě le shù xíng zì 。
李凡呵呵一笑，从储物戒中掏出一张金灿灿的箔纸，以手为笔，快速在上面书写了数行字。
He then handed it to He Zhenghao with a smile: "Words are meaningless; if Fellow Daoist agrees, please sign this 'Business Contract'!"
zhī hòu xiào zhe dì gěi hé zhèng hào ：“ kǒu shuō wú píng ， ruò shì dào yǒu tóng yì ， jiù zài zhè 【 shāng qì shū 】 shàng qiān zì ba ！”
之后笑着递给何正浩：“口说无凭，若是道友同意，就在这【商契书】上签字吧！”
This golden "Business Contract" was exactly like the one signed by his avatar and Jiao Xiuyuan before. It was said to be a simplified version of the Five Elders' "Spirit Soul Contract." Once signed, both parties would be bound by the contract's terms.
zhè jīn sè 【 shāng qì shū 】， hè rán jiù shì zhī qián fēn shēn yǔ jiāo xiū yuǎn qiān dìng de nà zhǒng 。
这金色【商契书】，赫然就是之前分身与焦修远签订的那种。
He Zhenghao carefully read through the contract.
jù shuō shì cóng wǔ lǎo huì nà biān liú chuán chū lái de ， shì wǔ lǎo huì 【 shén hún qì 】 de jiǎn huà bǎn běn 。
据说是从五老会那边流传出来的，是五老会【神魂契】的简化版本。
"This is the agreement between cultivator Li Fan and cultivator He Zhenghao."
shuāng fāng yī dàn qiān dìng ， jiù néng bèi qì yuē de lì liàng yuē shù ， zì fā de àn zhào qì yuē zhōng yuē dìng de shì xiàng xíng shì 。
双方一但签订，就能被契约的力量约束，自发的按照契约中约定的事项行事。
"Li Fan lends 250,000 contribution points to He Zhenghao at an annual interest rate of one percent."
hé zhèng hào zǐ xì yuè dú qǐ qì shū zhōng de tiáo kuǎn qǐ lái 。
何正浩仔细阅读起契书中的条款起来。
"He Zhenghao agrees to repay within fifty years."
“ zī yǒu xiū shì lǐ fán ， yǐ nián xī bǎi fēn zhī yī ， jiè èr shí wǔ wàn gòng xiàn dù gěi xiū shì hé zhèng hào 。”
“兹有修士李凡，以年息百分之一，借二十五万贡献度给修士何正浩。”
"In this period, He Zhenghao will form a mutual benefit alliance with Li Fan as the core. Under no significant harm to his own interests, He Zhenghao will fully accept Li Fan's requests and opinions."
“ shuāng fāng yuē dìng ， wǔ shí nián shí jiān huán qīng 。”
“双方约定，五十年时间还清。”
"Li Fan should reduce interest based on He Zhenghao’s performance each year,"
“ qī jiān ， hé zhèng hào yǔ lǐ fán jié chéng yǐ lǐ fán wèi hé xīn de lì yì tóng méng 。 zài bú huì dà fú dù sǔn hài zì shēn lì yì de tí qián xià ， hé zhèng hào huì chōng fèn jiē nà lǐ fán de yāo qiú yǔ yì jiàn 。”
“期间，何正浩与李凡结成以李凡为核心的利益同盟。在不会大幅度损害自身利益的提前下，何正浩会充分接纳李凡的要求与意见。”
...
“ lǐ fán zé yīng dāng gēn jù hé zhèng hào měi nián de biǎo xiàn ， zhuó qíng jiǎn miǎn dāng nián lì xī 。”
“李凡则应当根据何正浩每年的表现，酌情减免当年利息。”
He Zhenghao frowned but quickly relaxed.
……
……
In his view, this "Business Contract" was not harsh at all. In fact, it was quite generous. After all, 250,000 contribution points were a huge sum for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Who would lend such a large amount of contribution points to a Foundation Establishment cultivator with such low interest? Moreover, there was the chance to reduce interest annually.
hé zhèng hào méi tóu wēi zhòu ， dàn yòu hěn kuài sōng kāi 。
何正浩眉头微皱，但又很快松开。
All he needed to do was work for Li Fan.
zài tā kàn lái ， zhè fèn 【 shāng qì shū 】 de nèi róng ， qí shí bìng bù kē kè 。
在他看来，这份【商契书】的内容，其实并不苛刻。
It was just like working under an employer in disguise compared to the Five Elders' unconditional "Spirit Soul Contract."
shèn zhì yǒu diǎn yōu wò le 。
甚至有点优渥了。
He Zhenghao thought this way and hesitated before signing his name on the contract.
bì jìng ， èr shí wǔ wàn diǎn gòng xiàn dù ， duì yú yī míng zhù jī xiū shì lái shuō ， kě zhēn shì yī bǐ jù kuǎn le 。
毕竟，二十五万点贡献度，对于一名筑基修士来说，可真是一笔巨款了。
Seeing this, Li Fan smiled happily and signed his own name with a flowing handwriting.
shuí huì yuàn yì yǐ zhè me dī de lì xī ， jiè zhè me duō gòng xiàn dù gěi zhù jī xiū shì ne ？
谁会愿意以这么低的利息，借这么多贡献度给筑基修士呢？
The golden light instantly split into three parts: one flew up, while two entered He Zhenghao's and Li Fan's bodies.
gèng hé kuàng ， hái yǒu jī huì měi nián jiǎn miǎn lì xī 。
更何况，还有机会每年减免利息。
"From now on, we are family," Li Fan said as he patted He Zhenghao's shoulder.
suǒ xū zuò de ， yě jǐn jǐn shì wèi lǐ fán zuò shì bà le 。
所需做的，也仅仅是为李凡做事罢了。
He Zhenghao felt closer to Li Fan.
bù guò shì biàn xiàng de dǎ gōng ér yǐ 。
不过是变相的打工而已。
"Do you have the Heavenly Dao Mini Mirror? I'll transfer the contribution points to you," Li Fan offered.
gēn wǔ lǎo huì nà biān ， wú tiáo jiàn mài mìng de 【 shén hún qì 】 xiāng bǐ ， zhè fèn qì shū hái shì hěn hòu dào de 。
跟五老会那边，无条件卖命的【神魂契】相比，这份契书还是很厚道的。
"Yes, yes." He Zhenghao immediately took out the Heavenly Dao Mini Mirror from his storage ring.
hé zhèng hào rú cǐ xiǎng dào 。
何正浩如此想到。
After a moment, 250,000 contribution points were smoothly transferred. He Zhenghao's face turned red with excitement as he eagerly converted "Mountain River Concealed Dragon Skill."
yú shì ， zài yóu yù le yī huì hòu ， tā huǎn huǎn zài 【 shāng qì shū 】 shàng xiě xià le zì jǐ de míng zì 。
于是，在犹豫了一会后，他缓缓在【商契书】上写下了自己的名字。
A golden jade scroll appeared in his hand, and the long-desired Immortal Core true art finally came to him. He Zhenghao was overwhelmed with emotion.
lǐ fán jiàn zhuàng ， miàn lù xǐ sè 。
李凡见状，面露喜色。
He bowed to Li Fan and said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
bǐ zǒu lóng shé ， qiān xià le zì jǐ de dà míng 。
笔走龙蛇，签下了自己的大名。
Li Fan squinted and waved his hand, "We are our own people; no need for formalities."
bǐ jì luò dìng ， qì yuē yǐ chéng 。
笔迹落定，契约已成。
"Since you have the technique now, why not check its effect? Is it really as suitable as you say?" Li Fan suggested. "I will guard your back!"
Hearing Li Fan's words, He Zhenghao was slightly stunned and showed a puzzled expression.
However, Li Fan did not give him any time to react or think. In an instant, he activated the charm of the "Truly Real Seven-Holed Heart" from his simulation of "Truly Real."
"I am 29 years old, at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my innate talent?" Li Fan's piercing gaze locked onto He Zhenghao as he pressed the question.
"Heavenly gifted and exceptional; few in this world possess such abilities," He Zhenghao replied without hesitation.
"Even with a small test, I made 600,000 contribution points by investing in Spirit Fog Grass. While others went bankrupt, I became wealthy overnight. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my capabilities?" Li Fan continued his questioning.
It seemed he had hit on He Zhenghao's sore spot, as the latter cast a resentful glance at Li Fan before replying, "Fellow Daoist has keen eyes and sharp intuition. I am far inferior to you!"
Li Fan then said, "In this Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, ordinary cultivators are like cattle and horses. Without power or background, it's as hard as climbing a mountain to rise above. Fellow Daoist, do you agree?"
He Zhenghao nodded, "Fellow Daoist is correct."
Li Fan patted He Zhenghao on the shoulder and said earnestly, "That’s why we must stick together for warmth."
Although He Zhenghao found some merit in Li Fan's words, he had not yet fully processed them when Li Fan asked with concern, "Have you been a member of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for many years?"
He Zhenghao thought about it and said with nostalgia, "Yes, almost 100 years."
Li Fan shook his head, "A hundred years to reach the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. I have heard that on the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, you had some influence. But how much has your carefully cultivated network actually helped in your cultivation? It’s probably negligible."
He Zhenghao was about to argue but stopped when he realized Li Fan's words were true.
"Because what you've been cultivating are worthless relationships. If you still have value, they will greet you with smiles and courtesy. But if one day you lose all your power, how would they treat you? They wouldn’t even look at you in the eye," Li Fan continued persuasively.
He Zhenghao fell into deep thought.
"In short, Fellow Daoist has not found a true ally or the wrong person to follow!"
"But if you follow me, it will be different."
"I value brotherhood and share both good fortune and misfortune," Li Fan said with earnestness.
"Take your desired Immortal Core True Art for example…" Li Fan paused, capturing He Zhenghao's attention completely.
"If you commit yourself wholeheartedly to following me, I can lend you 250,000 contribution points so that you can convert it and cultivate. It’s not a problem!" Li Fan said firmly.
He Zhenghao seemed struck by lightning, trembling uncontrollably: "Is this true?"
"Ha ha, my word is as good as gold; I never break my promises!"
"You've heard that the Immortal Core True Art you desire seems to be well-suited for your Foundation Establishment treasure?" Li Fan asked.
He Zhenghao nodded, "Yes. The technique is called 'Mountain River Concealed Dragon Skill.' If I can convert and cultivate this, I will definitely achieve the Golden Core in fifty years. Even breaking through to the Immortal Core realm is almost certain."
With that said, he looked at Li Fan eagerly but hesitated.
"250,000 contribution points; if you accumulate them again, it would take a long time. If we can convert this technique early and achieve the Golden Core decades earlier, your future accomplishments will be vastly different!"
He Zhenghao's desire grew stronger.
After some thought, He Zhenghao finally said, "If Fellow Daoist lends me these contribution points, I will follow you in everything from now on."
Li Fan chuckled and took out a golden foil paper from his storage ring. With his hand as the pen, he quickly wrote several lines of text.
He then handed it to He Zhenghao with a smile: "Words are meaningless; if Fellow Daoist agrees, please sign this 'Business Contract'!"
This golden "Business Contract" was exactly like the one signed by his avatar and Jiao Xiuyuan before. It was said to be a simplified version of the Five Elders' "Spirit Soul Contract." Once signed, both parties would be bound by the contract's terms.
He Zhenghao carefully read through the contract.
"This is the agreement between cultivator Li Fan and cultivator He Zhenghao."
"Li Fan lends 250,000 contribution points to He Zhenghao at an annual interest rate of one percent."
"He Zhenghao agrees to repay within fifty years."
"In this period, He Zhenghao will form a mutual benefit alliance with Li Fan as the core. Under no significant harm to his own interests, He Zhenghao will fully accept Li Fan's requests and opinions."
"Li Fan should reduce interest based on He Zhenghao’s performance each year,"
...
He Zhenghao frowned but quickly relaxed.
In his view, this "Business Contract" was not harsh at all. In fact, it was quite generous. After all, 250,000 contribution points were a huge sum for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Who would lend such a large amount of contribution points to a Foundation Establishment cultivator with such low interest? Moreover, there was the chance to reduce interest annually.
All he needed to do was work for Li Fan.
It was just like working under an employer in disguise compared to the Five Elders' unconditional "Spirit Soul Contract."
He Zhenghao thought this way and hesitated before signing his name on the contract.
Seeing this, Li Fan smiled happily and signed his own name with a flowing handwriting.
The golden light instantly split into three parts: one flew up, while two entered He Zhenghao's and Li Fan's bodies.
"From now on, we are family," Li Fan said as he patted He Zhenghao's shoulder.
He Zhenghao felt closer to Li Fan.
"Do you have the Heavenly Dao Mini Mirror? I'll transfer the contribution points to you," Li Fan offered.
"Yes, yes." He Zhenghao immediately took out the Heavenly Dao Mini Mirror from his storage ring.
After a moment, 250,000 contribution points were smoothly transferred. He Zhenghao's face turned red with excitement as he eagerly converted "Mountain River Concealed Dragon Skill."
A golden jade scroll appeared in his hand, and the long-desired Immortal Core true art finally came to him. He Zhenghao was overwhelmed with emotion.
He bowed to Li Fan and said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
Li Fan squinted and waved his hand, "We are our own people; no need for formalities."
"Since you have the technique now, why not check its effect? Is it really as suitable as you say?" Li Fan suggested. "I will guard your back!"