tǐ wù le dà bàn tiān wán běn 《 zuò shān jué 》 de xuán miào zhī chù hòu ， lǐ fán cóng tiān xuán jìng zhōng ， gòu mǎi le yī zhāng kòng bái de 【 gōng fǎ shòu mài qì shū 】。
体悟了大半天完本《坐山决》的玄妙之处后，李凡从天玄镜中，购买了一张空白的【功法售卖契书】。
After contemplating the profound aspects of the completed "Sitting Mountain Decision" for most of the day, Li Fan purchased a blank "Skill Sale Contract" from the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
dà tǐ hé zhī qián lǐ fán chū shòu 《 qiān jī yù huán jīn zhāng 》 gěi tiān xuán jìng shí qiān de yī yàng 。
大体和之前李凡出售《千机玉寰金章》给天玄镜时签的一样。
The contract was similar to the one he had used before when selling the "Thousand Mechanisms and Jade Circle" to the Heavenly Dao Mirror. However, since most cultivators have confidentiality requirements regarding their techniques, the buyer could remain anonymous on this contract.
bù guò yóu yú dà duō shù xiū shì dōu duì zì jǐ suǒ xiū gōng fǎ yǒu bǎo mì de yāo qiú ， suǒ yǐ zhè fèn qì shū de mǎi fāng shì kě yǐ nì míng de 。
不过由于大多数修士都对自己所修功法有保密的要求，所以这份契书的买方是可以匿名的。
Each such contract cost 500 contribution points, which was much cheaper than the usual 1000 contribution points for a regular "Business Contract." The format was fixed, requiring only that he fill in the seller's name, the skill name, and the selling price.
zhè zhǒng qì shū ， wǔ bǎi gòng xiàn dù yī zhāng 。 bǐ qǐ pǔ tōng de 【 shāng qì shū 】 yī qiān gòng xiàn dù de jià gé ， yào pián yi le xǔ duō 。
这种契书，五百贡献度一张。比起普通的【商契书】一千贡献度的价格，要便宜了许多。
Li Fan wrote down He Zhenghao, "Sitting Mountain Decision," and 55,500 contribution points with a different handwriting style. He then sent it to He Zhenghao via the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
gé shì gù dìng ， zhǐ xū yào zài shàng miàn tián xiě shòu mài rén 、 gōng fǎ míng zì 、 shòu mài jià gé jí kě 。
格式固定，只需要在上面填写售卖人、功法名字、售卖价格即可。
"Friend He, we've settled on the terms. The other party is quite generous; they're offering more than expected by an additional 5,000 points. You should sign the contract quickly."
lǐ fán huàn le zhǒng bǐ jì ， yī cì xiě xià le hé zhèng hào 、《 zuò shān jué 》、 wǔ wàn wǔ qiān diǎn gòng xiàn dù 。
李凡换了种笔迹，依次写下了何正浩、《坐山决》、五万五千点贡献度。
A moment later, He Zhenghao's excited voice rang out: "Thank you! I'll sign it right away!"
suí hòu yòng tiān xuán jìng gěi hé zhèng hào jì le guò qù 。
随后用天玄镜给何正浩寄了过去。
Shortly after, a golden light sliced through space and entered Li Fan’s body.
“ hé dào yǒu ， shì qíng yǐ jīng tán tuǒ le 。 duì fāng bǐ jiào dà qì ， jià gé bǐ yù xiǎng zhōng hái yào gāo gè wǔ qiān diǎn 。 nǐ gǎn jǐn bǎ qì shū qiān le ba 。”
“何道友，事情已经谈妥了。对方比较大气，价格比预想中还要高个五千点。你赶紧把契书签了吧。”
He Zhenghao had forgotten about the "Sitting Mountain Decision."
piàn kè zhī hòu ， hé zhèng hào jīng xǐ de shēng yīn chuán lái ：“ duō xiè dào yǒu ！ wǒ zhè jiù qiān ， wǒ zhè jiù qiān ！”
片刻之后，何正浩惊喜的声音传来：“多谢道友！我这就签，我这就签！”
Li Fan then exchanged for 55 top-grade spirit stones and handed them to He Zhenghao. The transaction was complete.
bù duō shí ， yī dào jīn guāng huà pò kōng jiān ， zuān rù lǐ fán tǐ nèi 。
不多时，一道金光划破空间，钻入李凡体内。
Activating the "Supreme Primordial True Scripture," he converted all his cultivation techniques into this new skill. Over the next half month, he thoroughly familiarized himself with the various methods in the "Sitting Mountain Decision."
hé zhèng hào cóng cǐ wàng què le 《 zuò shān jué 》。
何正浩从此忘却了《坐山决》。
Next, Li Fan conducted some tests. In his dantian, he repeatedly transformed into different foundation establishment wonders. Each time he changed form, he practiced for a period to compare how each affected his cultivation speed.
lǐ fán yòu duì huàn le wǔ shí wǔ méi jí pǐn líng shí ， gěi hé zhèng hào dì le guò qù 。
李凡又兑换了五十五枚极品灵石，给何正浩递了过去。
The results disappointed him; none of the natural wonders currently under his control seemed well-suited to complement the "Sitting Mountain Decision." The speeds were roughly equal.
jiāo yì zì cǐ wán chéng 。
交易自此完成。
However, the impact was not significant. Li Fan had chosen the "Sitting Mountain Decision" because of its investment potential.
yùn zhuàn 【 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 】， jiāng zì shēn xiū xíng gōng fǎ jìn shù zhuǎn huà 。
运转【太上原始真经】，将自身修行功法尽数转化。
So far, only He Zhenghao benefited from Li Fan's kindness in this world.
suí hòu yòu huā fèi le dà bàn gè yuè de shí jiān ， bǎ 《 zuò shān jué 》 zhōng de fǎ mén yī yī shú xī 、 zhǎng wò 。
随后又花费了大半个月的时间，把《坐山决》中的法门一一熟悉、掌握。
Closing his eyes, he stopped practicing and carefully felt the growth and changes within him.
jiē zhe ， lǐ fán yòu zuò le yī fān shì yàn 。
接着，李凡又做了一番试验。
After a moment, Li Fan found his target—a small amount of cultivation energy appeared out of nowhere, though it was so minimal that it could not be detected without careful attention.
hái zhēn zài dān tián nèi jiē lián biàn huà chéng bù tóng de zhù jī qí wù ， měi biàn huàn yī cì ， lǐ fán jiù xiū liàn yī duàn shí jiān 。
还真在丹田内接连变化成不同的筑基奇物，每变幻一次，李凡就修炼一段时间。
"It seems Friend He has made good progress," Li Fan said with a smile.
jiè cǐ bǐ jiào bù tóng qí wù duì xiū liàn zuò shān jué de sù dù yǐng xiǎng 。
借此比较不同奇物对修炼坐山诀的速度影响。
"In my twelfth incarnation, I practiced the 'Sitting Mountain Decision' focusing on quantity. Although my progress was rapid, it drew the attention of powerful beings who sought to kill me."
jié guǒ ràng lǐ fán yǒu diǎn shī wàng ， zì jǐ mù qián zhǎng wò de zhè xiē tiān dì zhī qí ， shàng qiě hái méi yǒu yǔ zuò shān jué xiāng xìng bǐ jiào hé shì de 。 xiū liàn sù dù bǐ cǐ jiān dōu chà bu duō 。
结果让李凡有点失望，自己目前掌握的这些天地之奇，尚且还没有与坐山诀相性比较合适的。修炼速度彼此间都差不多。
"This time around, we need a different approach. Focus on quality instead."
hǎo zài yǐng xiǎng yě bú shì hěn dà 。 lǐ fán kàn zhòng zuò shān jué de yuán yīn ， shì yīn wèi tā de tóu zī gōng néng 。
好在影响也不是很大。李凡看中坐山诀的原因，是因为它的投资功能。
"Invest in the memories of various prodigies and no longer restrict them. Just freely transmit techniques and let them cultivate freely, seeking their own opportunities."
cǐ shì ， mù qián shòu lǐ fán ēn huì de ， hái zhǐ yǒu hé zhèng hào yī rén 。
此世，目前受李凡恩惠的，还只有何正浩一人。
"With the prodigies' luck, they will surely surpass my previous incarnation's progress without any constraints.
dāng jí bì mù ， tíng zhǐ xiū liàn ， xī xīn gǎn shòu zhe tǐ nèi xiū wèi de zēng zhǎng biàn huà 。
当即闭目，停止修炼，悉心感受着体内修为的增长变化。
"In addition, I'll use the formless killing mechanism to monitor them. Once they grasp a divine technique, I can sense it immediately. Constant observation and application of what I learn."
piàn kè zhī hòu ， lǐ fán zhǎo dào le mù biāo 。
片刻之后，李凡找到了目标。
Li Fan’s thoughts raced as he silently pondered his strategy.
yī gǔ xiū wèi bān píng kōng ér shēng ， suī rán shù liàng jí shǎo 、 bù zǐ xì fēn biàn gēn běn chá jué bú dào 。
一股修为般凭空而生，虽然数量极少、不仔细分辨根本察觉不到。
Previously, Li Fan had already tested that free transmission was equivalent to exchanging contribution points for cultivation energy—guaranteed profit.
dàn què rú juān juān xì liú bān lián mián bù jué 。
但却如娟娟细流般连绵不绝。
In this incarnation, the contribution points were still relatively plentiful, sufficient to support Xiao Heng, Su Xiaomei, and others reaching the foundation establishment stage.
lǐ fán wēi wēi yī xiào ：“ kàn lái hé dào yǒu jìn jìng bù cuò 。”
李凡微微一笑：“看来何道友进境不错。”
Li Fan mused that by the time they all reached late foundation establishment, he should be able to break through to the golden core realm.
“ dì shí èr shì shí ， wǒ xiū zuò shān jué ， tóu zī yǐ liàng wéi zhǔ 。 suī shuō jìn jìng jí kuài ， dàn què huì yǐn lái dà néng zhuī shā 。”
“第十二世时，我修坐山决，投资以量为主。虽说进境极快，但却会引来大能追杀。”
"But I must devise a foolproof plan," Li Fan thought. "After all, free gifts tend to make people suspicious."
“ zhè yī shì ， xū huàn gè fāng àn 。 tóu zī yǐ zhì wéi zhǔ 。”
“这一世，需换个方案。投资以质为主。”
...
“ tóu zī jì yì zhōng de zhū wèi tiān jiāo ， bìng qiě bù zài yuē shù tā men 。 zhǐ shì miǎn fèi dù fǎ ， rèn tā men zì yóu xiū xíng ， gè zì xún zhǎo gè zì jī yuán 。”
“投资记忆中的诸位天骄，并且不再约束他们。只是免费渡法，任他们自由修行，各自寻找各自机缘。”
As Li Fan pondered how to maximize the benefits of his passive income, news spread on Thousand Immortal Island about Zhou Qingang's mysterious disappearance.
“ yǐ zhū wèi tiān jiāo qì yùn ， méi yǒu le shù fù ， xiǎng bì xiū xíng sù dù bì dìng yuǎn chāo shàng yī cì 。”
“以诸位天骄气运，没有了束缚，想必修行速度必定远超上一次。”
The Martial Arts Hall dispatched a team of golden core cultivators led by Elder Gong Sun from the Celestial Oracle Hall to investigate.
“ zài jiā shàng yòng wú xiāng shā jī jiān kòng ， yí dàn tā men lǐng wù shén tōng ， wǒ yě néng suí shí gǎn yìng dào 。 bù duàn guān mó ， huà wèi jǐ yòng 。”
“再加上用无相杀机监控，一旦他们领悟神通，我也能随时感应到。不断观摩，化为己用。”
Initially, when they calculated that Zhou Qingang had been eaten by fish, it caused quite a stir. How could a foundation establishment cultivator be killed by ordinary fish?
lǐ fán sī xù zhuǎn dòng ， mò mò sī kǎo qǐ lái 。
李凡思绪转动，默默思考起来。
It must have been a plot by the Five Elders!
zhī qián lǐ fán yǐ jīng zuò guò shì yàn ， miǎn fèi dù fǎ xiàng dāng yú yòng gòng xiàn dù huàn qǔ xiū wèi ， wěn zhuàn bù péi 。
之前李凡已经做过试验，免费渡法相当于用贡献度换取修为，稳赚不赔。
A thorough investigation was about to begin. Hearing this news, He Zhenghao grew anxious and asked Li Fan to come to the Crystal Mirror Island for advice.
zhè yī shì gòng xiàn dù hái suàn bǐ jiào chōng yù ， zú yǐ zhī chí xiāo héng 、 sū xiǎo mèi tā men xiū liàn dào zhù jī qī suǒ xū 。
这一世贡献度还算比较充裕，足以支持萧恒、苏小妹他们修炼到筑基期所需。
Li Fan reassured him that there was no need to worry; he should just act normally and avoid drawing attention.
lǐ fán zhuó mó zhe ， děng tā men tōng tōng xiū liàn dào zhù jī hòu qī de shí hòu ， zì jǐ zěn me zhe yě néng tū pò dào jīn dān qī le ba 。
李凡琢磨着，等他们通通修炼到筑基后期的时候，自己怎么着也能突破到金丹期了吧。
He then submitted the footage recorded by the recording stone, but only kept the part where Zhou Qingang changed his appearance on a nameless island. The underwater infiltration and dialogue with the Broken Stone Face were deleted.
“ zhǐ shì ， què yào sī suǒ gè wàn quán de fāng fǎ 。 bì jìng ， miǎn fèi sòng shàng mén de dōng xī ， nán miǎn huì ràng rén xīn shēng yí lǜ 、 bù qù zhēn xī 。”
“只是，却要思索个万全的方法。毕竟，免费送上门的东西，难免会让人心生疑虑、不去珍惜。”
Li Fan explained that he had noticed Zhou Qingang's transformation and his suspicious behavior before secretly following him to record the scene. He could not recall what happened afterward due to losing track.
……
……
The authenticity of the footage was quickly confirmed, leading to an investigation by the Celestial Oracle Hall.
jiù zài lǐ fán sī kǎo zhe rú hé jiāng 【 zuò xiǎng qí chéng 】 de xiào guǒ fā huī dào jí zhì de shí hòu 。
就在李凡思考着如何将【坐享其成】的效果发挥到极致的时候。
They asked questions like when it was recorded and why it wasn't submitted until after Zhou Qingang's disappearance.
wàn xiān dǎo shàng ， zhōu qīng áng de mò míng shī zōng ， zhōng yú yǐn qǐ le xiāng guān rén yuán de zhù yì 。
万仙岛上，周青昂的莫名失踪，终于引起了相关人员的注意。
"Recorded about twenty-three days ago. I didn’t think much of it at the time; I just felt he might be hiding something."
yǎn wǔ táng chū dòng le yī duì jīn dān ， zài tiān jī táng gōng sūn zhǎng lǎo de dài lǐng xià ， duì cǐ shì zhǎn kāi le diào chá 。
演武堂出动了一队金丹，在天机堂公孙长老的带领下，对此事展开了调查。
"I never expected him to die in such a bizarre way—eaten by fish!"
zuì kāi shǐ ， tuī suàn chū zhōu qīng áng zàng shēn yú fù de jié guǒ zhī hòu ， yǐn qǐ le hěn dà de zhèn dòng 。
最开始，推算出周青昂葬身鱼腹的结果之后，引起了很大的震动。
"I knew something was wrong, so I immediately submitted this footage."
táng táng zhù jī xiū shì ， zěn me kě néng bèi pǔ tōng yú lèi yǎo sǐ ？
堂堂筑基修士，怎么可能被普通鱼类咬死？
With the support of his Seven-Hole Clear Heart, Li Fan appeared slightly nervous as he truthfully explained.
yí dìng shì wǔ lǎo huì de yīn móu ！
一定是五老会的阴谋！
A Celestial Oracle Hall cultivator nodded slowly after hearing this. The investigators then exchanged information and let Li Fan go.
yī cháng chè chá fēng bō jí jiāng dàn shēng ， tīng dào xiāo xī de hé zhèng hào huáng huáng bù ān ， qǐng lǐ fán qián wǎng liú lí dǎo shāng yì duì cè 。
一场彻查风波即将诞生，听到消息的何正浩惶惶不安，请李凡前往琉璃岛商议对策。
"Don't leave the island unnecessarily; you might be needed for further investigations," they warned before leaving.
lǐ fán ān fǔ le yī fān ， ràng tā bù yòng dān xīn ， biǎo xiàn rú cháng 、 bú yào lù chū yì yàng jí kě 。
李凡安抚了一番，让他不用担心，表现如常、不要露出异样即可。
Li Fan nodded in agreement but no second investigation came.
zhī hòu jiāng dāng shí yòng liú yǐng shí jì lù xià de yǐng xiàng ， dì jiāo le shàng qù 。
之后将当时用留影石记录下的影像，递交了上去。
Several days later, the grand investigation on Thousand Immortal Island suddenly disappeared without a trace, as if it had never happened.
bù guò ， zhǐ bǎo liú le tā biàn huàn róng mào hòu ， zài wú míng dǎo yǔ shàng xún zhǎo yǒu tè shū shí kuài de bù fèn 。
不过，只保留了他变幻容貌后，在无名岛屿上寻找有特殊石块的部分。
People speculated about what had occurred, though everyone knew something was amiss and only discussed it privately.
ér jiāng hòu miàn qián rù hǎi dǐ 、 hé duàn shí rén liǎn duì huà de bù fèn quán bù shān chú 。
而将后面潜入海底、和断石人脸对话的部分全部删除。
"Heavenly Dao Friend, what's going on? Isn't Zhou Qingang an agent? Why did he suddenly die?"
dì jiāo de tóng shí ， lǐ fán hái jiāo dài ， dāng shí ǒu rán jiān kàn dào zhōu qīng áng biàn huàn le róng mào ， suí hòu yī fù guǐ guǐ suì suì de yàng zi 。
递交的同时，李凡还交代，当时偶然间看到周青昂变幻了容貌，随后一副鬼鬼祟祟的样子。
"Why has the alliance stopped investigating so suddenly?"
zhè cái liú le gè xīn yǎn ， qiāo qiāo gēn suí ， bìng jiāng huà miàn jì lù le xià lái 。
这才留了个心眼，悄悄跟随，并将画面记录了下来。
He Zhenghao, relieved that the crisis was over, was puzzled.
zhì yú hòu miàn fā shēng le hé shì ， zé shì yīn wèi gēn diū le de yuán yīn ， wú fǎ zhī xiǎo le 。
至于后面发生了何事，则是因为跟丢了的原因，无法知晓了。
Li Fan thought for a moment and understood the situation: "I think this investigation was halted precisely because it turned out Zhou Qingang was an agent."
yǐng xiàng de zhēn shí xìng hěn kuài dé dào le què rèn 。
影像的真实性很快得到了确认。
"Each state on Thousand Immortal Alliance is highly autonomous. Not only did an agent infiltrate the Cloudy Sea branch, but he even became the island's governor."
lǐ fán yě yíng lái le tiān jī táng de diào chá 。
李凡也迎来了天机堂的调查。
"It’s a major scandal."
duì fāng tí chū le zhè duàn yǐng xiàng shì shén me shí jiān lù xià 、 wèi shén me děng zhōu qīng áng shī zōng le cái shàng jiāo děng yī xì liè wèn tí 。
对方提出了这段影像是什么时间录下、为什么等周青昂失踪了才上交等一系列问题。
"To avoid punishment from headquarters and protect many positions, they must downplay the incident."
“ jì lù de shí jiān ， dà gài shì èr shí sān tiān qián ba 。 dāng shí yě méi duō xiǎng ， zhǐ jué de zhè rén shēn shàng kě néng cáng yǒu shén me mì mì 。”
“记录的时间，大概是二十三天前吧。当时也没多想，只觉的这人身上可能藏有什么秘密。”
"After all, Zhou Qingang is dead. Whether it was an accident or murder, it makes no difference.
“ shuí zhī dào bì gè guān de shí jiān ， tā jiù sǐ le 。 hái shì bèi yú chī le zhè zhǒng huāng táng de sǐ fǎ ！”
“谁知道闭个关的时间，他就死了。还是被鱼吃了这种荒唐的死法！”
"The most important thing is that he really died—everything ends with his death, as if nothing happened."
“ wǒ jiù zhī dào yǒu diǎn bú duì ， zhè cái mǎ shàng bǎ zhè yǐng xiàng shàng jiāo le 。”
“我就知道有点不对，这才马上把这影像上交了。”
"Everyone can be happy this way."
zài qī qiào líng lóng xīn de jiā chí xià ， lǐ fán biǎo xiàn chū yǒu diǎn jǐn zhāng de mú yàng ， lǎo shí jiāo dài dào 。
在七窍玲珑心的加持下，李凡表现出有点紧张的模样，老实交代道。
"As for whether he stole any secrets..."
yī míng tiān jī táng de xiū shì wén yán hòu ， huǎn huǎn diǎn tóu 。
一名天机堂的修士闻言后，缓缓点头。
"It doesn't matter. Would the Five Elders really attack?"
suí hòu fù zé diào chá de rén xiāng hù jiāo liú le yī fān ， ràng lǐ fán lí kāi le 。
随后负责调查的人相互交流了一番，让李凡离开了。
He Zhenghao was initially incredulous at Li Fan's words but after deep thought, realized it might indeed be true.
“ zuì jìn méi shì bú yào qīng yì lí dǎo ， kě néng suí shí xū yào nǐ zài cì pèi hé diào chá 。” lín zǒu qián ， duì fāng zhǔ fù dào 。
“最近没事不要轻易离岛，可能随时需要你再次配合调查。”临走前，对方嘱咐道。
Thus, he remained speechless for a long time.
After contemplating the profound aspects of the completed "Sitting Mountain Decision" for most of the day, Li Fan purchased a blank "Skill Sale Contract" from the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
The contract was similar to the one he had used before when selling the "Thousand Mechanisms and Jade Circle" to the Heavenly Dao Mirror. However, since most cultivators have confidentiality requirements regarding their techniques, the buyer could remain anonymous on this contract.
Each such contract cost 500 contribution points, which was much cheaper than the usual 1000 contribution points for a regular "Business Contract." The format was fixed, requiring only that he fill in the seller's name, the skill name, and the selling price.
Li Fan wrote down He Zhenghao, "Sitting Mountain Decision," and 55,500 contribution points with a different handwriting style. He then sent it to He Zhenghao via the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
"Friend He, we've settled on the terms. The other party is quite generous; they're offering more than expected by an additional 5,000 points. You should sign the contract quickly."
A moment later, He Zhenghao's excited voice rang out: "Thank you! I'll sign it right away!"
Shortly after, a golden light sliced through space and entered Li Fan’s body.
He Zhenghao had forgotten about the "Sitting Mountain Decision."
Li Fan then exchanged for 55 top-grade spirit stones and handed them to He Zhenghao. The transaction was complete.
Activating the "Supreme Primordial True Scripture," he converted all his cultivation techniques into this new skill. Over the next half month, he thoroughly familiarized himself with the various methods in the "Sitting Mountain Decision."
Next, Li Fan conducted some tests. In his dantian, he repeatedly transformed into different foundation establishment wonders. Each time he changed form, he practiced for a period to compare how each affected his cultivation speed.
The results disappointed him; none of the natural wonders currently under his control seemed well-suited to complement the "Sitting Mountain Decision." The speeds were roughly equal.
However, the impact was not significant. Li Fan had chosen the "Sitting Mountain Decision" because of its investment potential.
So far, only He Zhenghao benefited from Li Fan's kindness in this world.
Closing his eyes, he stopped practicing and carefully felt the growth and changes within him.
After a moment, Li Fan found his target—a small amount of cultivation energy appeared out of nowhere, though it was so minimal that it could not be detected without careful attention.
"It seems Friend He has made good progress," Li Fan said with a smile.
"In my twelfth incarnation, I practiced the 'Sitting Mountain Decision' focusing on quantity. Although my progress was rapid, it drew the attention of powerful beings who sought to kill me."
"This time around, we need a different approach. Focus on quality instead."
"Invest in the memories of various prodigies and no longer restrict them. Just freely transmit techniques and let them cultivate freely, seeking their own opportunities."
"With the prodigies' luck, they will surely surpass my previous incarnation's progress without any constraints.
"In addition, I'll use the formless killing mechanism to monitor them. Once they grasp a divine technique, I can sense it immediately. Constant observation and application of what I learn."
Li Fan’s thoughts raced as he silently pondered his strategy.
Previously, Li Fan had already tested that free transmission was equivalent to exchanging contribution points for cultivation energy—guaranteed profit.
In this incarnation, the contribution points were still relatively plentiful, sufficient to support Xiao Heng, Su Xiaomei, and others reaching the foundation establishment stage.
Li Fan mused that by the time they all reached late foundation establishment, he should be able to break through to the golden core realm.
"But I must devise a foolproof plan," Li Fan thought. "After all, free gifts tend to make people suspicious."
...
As Li Fan pondered how to maximize the benefits of his passive income, news spread on Thousand Immortal Island about Zhou Qingang's mysterious disappearance.
The Martial Arts Hall dispatched a team of golden core cultivators led by Elder Gong Sun from the Celestial Oracle Hall to investigate.
Initially, when they calculated that Zhou Qingang had been eaten by fish, it caused quite a stir. How could a foundation establishment cultivator be killed by ordinary fish?
It must have been a plot by the Five Elders!
A thorough investigation was about to begin. Hearing this news, He Zhenghao grew anxious and asked Li Fan to come to the Crystal Mirror Island for advice.
Li Fan reassured him that there was no need to worry; he should just act normally and avoid drawing attention.
He then submitted the footage recorded by the recording stone, but only kept the part where Zhou Qingang changed his appearance on a nameless island. The underwater infiltration and dialogue with the Broken Stone Face were deleted.
Li Fan explained that he had noticed Zhou Qingang's transformation and his suspicious behavior before secretly following him to record the scene. He could not recall what happened afterward due to losing track.
The authenticity of the footage was quickly confirmed, leading to an investigation by the Celestial Oracle Hall.
They asked questions like when it was recorded and why it wasn't submitted until after Zhou Qingang's disappearance.
"Recorded about twenty-three days ago. I didn’t think much of it at the time; I just felt he might be hiding something."
"I never expected him to die in such a bizarre way—eaten by fish!"
"I knew something was wrong, so I immediately submitted this footage."
With the support of his Seven-Hole Clear Heart, Li Fan appeared slightly nervous as he truthfully explained.
A Celestial Oracle Hall cultivator nodded slowly after hearing this. The investigators then exchanged information and let Li Fan go.
"Don't leave the island unnecessarily; you might be needed for further investigations," they warned before leaving.
Li Fan nodded in agreement but no second investigation came.
Several days later, the grand investigation on Thousand Immortal Island suddenly disappeared without a trace, as if it had never happened.
People speculated about what had occurred, though everyone knew something was amiss and only discussed it privately.
"Heavenly Dao Friend, what's going on? Isn't Zhou Qingang an agent? Why did he suddenly die?"
"Why has the alliance stopped investigating so suddenly?"
He Zhenghao, relieved that the crisis was over, was puzzled.
Li Fan thought for a moment and understood the situation: "I think this investigation was halted precisely because it turned out Zhou Qingang was an agent."
"Each state on Thousand Immortal Alliance is highly autonomous. Not only did an agent infiltrate the Cloudy Sea branch, but he even became the island's governor."
"It’s a major scandal."
"To avoid punishment from headquarters and protect many positions, they must downplay the incident."
"After all, Zhou Qingang is dead. Whether it was an accident or murder, it makes no difference.
"The most important thing is that he really died—everything ends with his death, as if nothing happened."
"Everyone can be happy this way."
"As for whether he stole any secrets..."
"It doesn't matter. Would the Five Elders really attack?"
He Zhenghao was initially incredulous at Li Fan's words but after deep thought, realized it might indeed be true.
Thus, he remained speechless for a long time.