「 chú cǐ zhī wài ， tā de shēn shàng sì hū hái yǒu zhū duō mì shù jìn xíng zhē yǎn ， ràng rén rú tóng wù lǐ kàn huā ， zhuō mō bù tòu 。」
「除此之外，他的身上似乎还有诸多秘术进行遮掩，让人如同雾里看花，捉摸不透。」
"Besides, it seems he has many secret techniques to conceal himself. It's like trying to see through a mist."
qīng yī nǚ zǐ huǎn huǎn shuō zhe 。
青衣女子缓缓说着。
The green-robed woman spoke slowly.
lǐ chén fēng hé zhù shǎo táng děng rén wén yán zé shì miàn miàn xiāng qù ， xīn xià hài rán 。
李晨风和祝少堂等人闻言则是面面相觑，心下骇然。
Li Chenfeng and Zhu Shaotang exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock.
tā men kě shì qīng chǔ de zhī dào ， dì guó de liǎng wèi shèng shī 【 qīng 】 hé 【 hóng 】， kě shì zì shàng gǔ shí dài jiù cún huó zhì jīn de qiáng dà cún zài 。
他们可是清楚的知道，帝国的两位圣师【青】和【红】，可是自上古时代就存活至今的强大存在。
They knew all too well that the two Sage Masters [Qing] and [Hong] of the empire had been powerful existences since ancient times.
shèng shī èr rén qīn yǎn kàn zhe dì guó cóng dāng chū de fán rén qún luò ， yí bù bù fā zhǎn ér chéng rú jīn de páng dà dì guó 。
圣师二人亲眼看着帝国从当初的凡人群落，一步步发展而成如今的庞大帝国。
The two Sage Masters had witnessed the empire grow from a cluster of ordinary people to its current grandeur.
zhè qí zhōng ， shèng shī de zhǐ diǎn gōng bù kě méi 。
这其中，圣师的指点功不可没。
Their guidance was invaluable during this process.
zài dì guó rén yǎn zhōng ， liǎng wèi shèng shī jiù shì lì liàng hé zhì huì de jué duì huà shēn 。
在帝国人眼中，两位圣师就是力量和智慧的绝对化身。
In the eyes of the empire's people, these two Sage Masters were embodiments of power and wisdom.
dàn xiàn zài ，【 qīng 】 shèng shī jū rán shuō kàn bù tòu gāng gāng nà wèi shǐ zhě ？
但现在，【青】圣师居然说看不透刚刚那位使者？
But now, [Qing] Sage Master actually said he couldn't understand the envoy who just left?
xiǎng qǐ zhī qián céng zài duì fāng miàn qián de mǎng zhuàng xíng wéi ， lǐ chén fēng bù jīn gǎn dào yī zhèn hòu pà 。
想起之前曾在对方面前的莽撞行为，李晨风不禁感到一阵后怕。
Recalling his impulsive behavior in front of that person earlier, Li Chenfeng felt a chill down his spine.
「 huò xǔ ， shì tài jiǔ méi yǒu huí dào zhè lǐ 。 wǒ zhōng jiū yǒu diǎn bù shì yīng le 。」
「或许，是太久没有回到这里。我终究有点不适应了。」
"Perhaps it’s because I haven’t been here for too long. I’m still not quite used to it."
jiù zài cǐ shí ， qīng de yī jù yǒu xiē shāng gǎn de gǎn tàn ， ràng lǐ chén fēng shāo wēi sōng le kǒu qì 。
就在此时，青的一句有些伤感的感叹，让李晨风稍微松了口气。
At this moment, Qing's somewhat melancholic remark brought some relief to Li Chenfeng.
shù bǎi lǐ zhī wài 。
数百里之外。
Hundreds of miles away,
gǎn shòu zhe wú xiāng shā jī chuán lái de shí duàn shí xù 、 mó mó hú hú de huà miàn ， lǐ fán xīn zhōng yě shì àn àn chī jīng 。
感受着无相杀机传来的时断时续、模模糊糊的画面，李凡心中也是暗暗吃惊。
Li Fan felt the intermittent and blurry images transmitted by the formless killing intent. He was secretly surprised.
「 kàn lái zhè wèi shèng shī yě bù jiǎn dān a ， jū rán néng yǐn yǐn chá jué bìng duì wú xiāng shā jī zuò chū xiē xǔ fǎn zhì 。」
「看来这位圣师也不简单啊，居然能隐隐察觉并对无相杀机做出些许反制。」
"Looks like this Sage Master isn't so simple either. He can vaguely sense and counteract the formless killing intent."
「 hái hǎo wǒ jì gāo yī chóu 。」
「还好我技高一筹。」
"Thankfully, I'm a cut above him."
yǐ gòng xiàn dù ， huàn qǔ dì guó suǒ zhǎng wò de 【 shòu shén jiǎ 】 děng jì shù ， lǐ fán shì jué duì lè yì de 。
以贡献度，换取帝国所掌握的【兽神甲】等技术，李凡是绝对乐意的。
To exchange contributions for the empire's [Beast God Armor] technology, Li Fan was more than willing.
zhǐ shì rú guǒ zhēn de yào zhǎn kāi hé zuò ， jiāng xì yǎn xià qù 。
只是如果真的要展开合作，将戏演下去。
However, if he were to truly collaborate and continue this act,
zì jǐ yí gè rén kǒng pà yǒu diǎn chēng bù qǐ zhè ge wǔ tái ， róng yì bèi shí pò 。
自己一个人恐怕有点撑不起这个舞台，容易被识破。
he might not be able to carry it off alone. It could easily be exposed.
ér qiě wǔ bǎi wàn gòng xiàn dù ， zhōu zhuǎn qǐ lái ， yě yǒu xiē zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu 。
而且五百万贡献度，周转起来，也有些捉襟见肘。
And with half a million contributions, he found himself struggling to manage them.
「 kàn lái ， shì shí hòu tuī jìn wǒ yuán běn de jì huà le 。」
「看来，是时候推进我原本的计划了。」
"It seems the time has come to push forward my original plan."
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lǐ fán gǎn yìng le fān hé zhèng hào suǒ chù de wèi zhì 。
想到这里，李凡感应了番何正浩所处的位置。
With that thought in mind, Li Fan sensed where He Zhenghao was located.
yī biān cháo zhe liú lí dǎo gǎn qù ， yī biān chóng xīn biàn huàn chéng 【 shàng gǔ tiān jī zōng xiū shì 】 mú yàng 。
一边朝着琉璃岛赶去，一边重新变幻成【上古天机宗修士】模样。
As he headed towards Lustrous Isle, he transformed back into the appearance of an ancient Heaven's Providence Sect cultivator.
hé zhèng hào zuì jìn yǒu diǎn fán 。
何正浩最近有点烦。
He Zhenghao had been feeling rather stressed lately.
kàn zhe tōng xùn líng fú bù duàn chuán lái de xún wèn xìn xī ， tā suǒ xìng chè dǐ jiāng qí fēng bì jìn chǔ wù jiè zhōng ， zhè cái shāo wēi qīng jìng le yī xiē 。
看着通讯灵符不断传来的询问信息，他索性彻底将其封闭进储物戒中，这才稍微清静了一些。
Seeing the constant inquiries from his communication spirit tokens, he decided to seal them away in a storage ring and found some peace.
xiàn zài de tā ， kě shì lián liú lí dǎo dōu bù gǎn tà chū qù bàn bù le 。
现在的他，可是连琉璃岛都不敢踏出去半步了。
Now, he was so afraid to step out of Lustrous Isle.
suí zhe tā yī yè bào fù shén huà de liú chuán ， xiǎng yào cóng tā shēn shàng dǎ tàn dào lǐ fán xiāo xī de rén yuè lái yuè duō 。
随着他一夜暴富神话的流传，想要从他身上打探到李凡消息的人越来越多。
As his overnight wealth story spread, more and more people wanted to know about Li Fan.
yǒu bào zhe huái yí tài dù ， xiǎng yào qīn zì yàn zhèng yī fān zhè wèi dà shī de chéng sè de 。
有抱着怀疑态度，想要亲自验证一番这位大师的成色的。
Some doubted him and wanted to verify his status firsthand.
yě yǒu cún cuì shì xiǎng yào bào dà tuǐ ， fù zhì hé zhèng hào jīng lì 、 yī bù dēng tiān de 。
也有存粹是想要抱大腿，复制何正浩经历、一步登天的。
Others simply wanted to piggyback on his success.
shèn zhì hái yǒu yī xiē jǐn shuō xiē mò míng qí miào huà yǔ 、 xiǎng yào gēn tā jìn xíng shén me jiāo yì de 。
甚至还有一些尽说些莫名其妙话语、想要跟他进行什么交易的。
Even some were making nonsensical offers, wanting to do business with him.
bǎ tā gǎo dé shì jiāo tóu làn é ， pí yú yìng duì 。
把他搞得是焦头烂额，疲于应对。
This left He Zhenghao feeling overwhelmed and exhausted as he tried to handle it all.
zhǐ dé dǎ zhe bì guān de huǎng zi ， duǒ zài liú lí dǎo shān chuān xīng dǒu dà zhèn zhōng ， bù gǎn chū qù jiàn rén 。
只得打着闭关的幌子，躲在琉璃岛山川星斗大阵中，不敢出去见人。
He could only hide behind the guise of seclusion in Lustrous Isle's Mountain River Starry Array, avoiding contact with others.
hé zhèng hào xīn lǐ zhè ge kǔ a 。
何正浩心里这个苦啊。
He Zhenghao was really suffering.
bú shì tā gù yì tuī wěi ， shí zài shì zì cóng dāng rì jiā rù wàn xiān méng guò hòu ， nà wèi tiān jī zōng qián bèi jiù xiāo shēng nì jì 、 zài yě wú fǎ jiàn dào 。
不是他故意推诿，实在是自从当日加入万仙盟过后，那位天机宗前辈就销声匿迹、再也无法见到。
It wasn't that he was intentionally shirking his duties. Ever since he joined the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance on that day, the senior from Heaven's Providence Sect had vanished and could no longer be seen.
tā hé zhèng hào yě shì wú kě nài hé a ！
他何正浩也是无可奈何啊！
He Zhenghao was in a difficult position!
jiù zài tā chóu méi kǔ liǎn ， sī suǒ zhe gāi rú hé xiàng shēn biān hǎo yǒu jiāo dài de shí hòu 。
就在他愁眉苦脸，思索着该如何向身边好友交代的时候。
Just as he was fretting over how to explain this to his friends, a familiar scent approached rapidly.
yī dào yǐn yǐn yǒu xiē shú xī qì xī zhèng kuài sù jiē jìn 。
一道隐隐有些熟悉气息正快速接近。
Piercing through the Mountain River Starry Array’s defenses, it landed before him with great nonchalance.
chuān guò shān chuān xīng dǒu zhèn de fáng hù ， qǐng kè jiān dà dà liē liē de jiàng lín dào tā de miàn qián 。
穿过山川星斗阵的防护，顷刻间大大咧咧的降临到他的面前。
"Haha! Little He, long time no see!"
「 hā hā hā ， hé xiǎo zi ， hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn ！」
「哈哈哈，何小子，好久不见！」
Li Fan laughed loudly and spoke with春风得意 (springing up with success).
lǐ fán dà xiào yī shēng ， mǎn shì chūn fēng dé yì de shuō dào 。
李凡大笑一声，满是春风得意的说道。
He Zhenghao was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up in joy.
hé zhèng hào xiān shì lèng le lèng ， suí hòu dà xǐ guò wàng 。
何正浩先是愣了愣，随后大喜过望。
It really was what he wished for!
zhēn shì xiǎng shén me jiù lái shén me 。
真是想什么就来什么。
"Senior, you've finally come!" He almost wanted to cry out of gratitude.
「 qián bèi ， nǐ zhōng yú lái le ！」 tā chà diǎn jiù yào bào zhe lǐ fán de dà tuǐ tòng kū liú tì le 。
「前辈，你终于来了！」他差点就要抱着李凡的大腿痛哭流涕了。
"Hmm? What's wrong with you?"
「 ń ？ nǐ xiǎo zi zhè shì zěn me le ？」
「嗯？你小子这是怎么了？」
Li Fan waved him back by several dozen feet and asked knowingly.
qīng qīng yī fú ， jiāng hé zhèng hào dǎng zài shù zhàng zhī wài ， lǐ fán míng zhī gù wèn dào 。
轻轻一拂，将何正浩挡在数丈之外，李凡明知顾问道。
After He Zhenghao finished pouring out his grievances, Li Fan immediately put on a serious face and shouted: "You deserve it!"
děng hé zhèng hào tǔ wán dǔ zi lǐ de kǔ shuǐ ， lǐ fán dùn shí shōu liǎn qǐ le xiào róng ， pī tóu mà dào ：「 zhēn shì huó gāi ！」
等何正浩吐完肚子里的苦水，李凡顿时收敛起了笑容，劈头骂道：「真是活该！」
"Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could you not understand the wisdom of keeping your success to yourself?"
「 nǐ hǎo dǎi yě shì zhù jī xiū shì le ， rú hé bù dǒng de mēn shēng fā dà cái de dào lǐ ？」
「你好歹也是筑基修士了，如何不懂得闷声发大财的道理？」
"Why flaunt your achievements when you have the secret technique? Why make everyone know about it?"
「 dé le yuán yīng gōng fǎ ， hǎo shēng xiū xíng biàn shì ， wèi hé piān piān yào qù xiàng bié rén xuàn yào ？」
「得了元婴功法，好生修行便是，为何偏偏要去向别人炫耀？」
"It's fine if only close friends know. But why did you make it public knowledge?"
「 ruò zhǐ shì mì yǒu zhī xiǎo yě jiù bà le ， jū rán hái gǎo dé rén jǐn jiē zhī ？」
「若只是密友知晓也就罢了，居然还搞得人尽皆知？」
"You're dead anyway, but now I'm involved too!"
「 zì jǐ sǐ jiù suàn le ， hái qiān lián dào wǒ ！」
「自己死就算了，还牵连到我！」
Li Fan's hair stood on end in anger.
lǐ fán xū fà jiē zhāng ， yī fù nù jí de yàng zi 。
李凡须发皆张，一副怒极的样子。
He Zhenghao trembled and dared not speak.
hé zhèng hào chàn chàn wēi wēi ， bù gǎn dá huà 。
何正浩颤颤巍巍，不敢答话。
Li Fan shook his head and looked at He Zhenghao with disappointment.
lǐ fán yáo yáo tóu ， kàn le yǎn hé zhèng hào ， yǎn zhōng mǎn shì rú zi bù kě jiào de shī wàng 。
李凡摇摇头，看了眼何正浩，眼中满是孺子不可教的失望。
He made a gesture to fly away.
zuò shì jiù yào fēi zǒu 。
作势就要飞走。
He Zhenghao panicked: "Senior, please wait! Senior, save me!"
hé zhèng hào dùn shí jí le ：「 qián bèi màn zǒu ！ qián bèi jiù wǒ ！」
何正浩顿时急了：「前辈慢走！前辈救我！」
With a forlorn expression, he explained: "I didn't mean to flaunt it. Perhaps the joy of fulfilling a long-held wish got the better of me that day."
tā kū sāng zhe liǎn ， jiě shì dào ：「 wǒ yě bìng fēi shì yǒu yì yào qù xuàn yào de 。 huò xǔ shì duō nián sù yuàn 、 yī zhāo dé cháng de yuán gù ， wǒ nà rì shí zài shì xīn qíng jī dàng ， kòng zhì bú zhù zì jǐ a 。」
他哭丧着脸，解释道：「我也并非是有意要去炫耀的。或许是多年夙愿、一朝得偿的缘故，我那日实在是心情激荡，控制不住自己啊。」
"I only realized too late when everyone found out."
「 děng wǒ huí guò shén lái shí ， yǐ jīng zhuàn kāi ， hòu huǐ yě lái bù jí le 。」
「等我回过神来时，已经传开，后悔也来不及了。」
In fact, He Zhenghao's resolve was far from being so weak.
qí shí hé zhèng hào de xīn zhì yuǎn bú huì rú cǐ bù kān 。
其实何正浩的心志远不会如此不堪。
While emotional excitement and momentary impulsiveness played a role, more significantly, Li Fan had covertly influenced him on that day.
qíng xù zhèn fèn 、 yī shí chōng dòng de yīn sù gù rán cún zài ， dàn gèng duō zé shì yīn wèi lǐ fán dāng rì de àn zhōng gǔ huò 、 yǐn dǎo suǒ zhì 。
情绪振奋、一时冲动的因素固然存在，但更多则是因为李凡当日的暗中蛊惑、引导所致。
Seeing He Zhenghao's remorseful expression, Li Fan chuckled inwardly but kept his face stern.
kàn zhe hé zhèng hào ào nǎo wàn fēn de yàng zi ， lǐ fán xīn zhōng àn xiào ， réng què bǎn zhe fù liǎn 。
看着何正浩懊恼万分的样子，李凡心中暗笑，仍却板着副脸。
"Save? How can I save you? Compassion does not help those who cut themselves off. You're killing yourself; how could I help?"
lěng shēng shuō dào ：「 jiù ？ wǒ zěn me jiù nǐ ？ suǒ wèi cí bēi bù dù zì jué rén ， nǐ zì jǐ zuò sǐ ， wǒ rú hé néng bāng nǐ ？」
冷声说道：「救？我怎么救你？所谓慈悲不渡自绝人，你自己作死，我如何能帮你？」
He Zhenghao's face grew even more sorrowful, but seeing that Li Fan wasn't about to fly away, he knew there was still a chance.
hé zhèng hào miàn sè gèng kū ， bù guò kàn zhe lǐ fán méi yǒu lì mǎ fēi zǒu ， xīn zhōng zhī dào hái yǒu xì 。
何正浩面色更哭，不过看着李凡没有立马飞走，心中知道还有戏。
"Those friends of mine are only纠缠 (pursuing) me because they want the guidance you can offer and gain from it."
yú shì lián máng shuō dào ：「 wǒ zhè xiē péng yǒu zhī suǒ yǐ jiū chán zhe wǒ ， wú fēi shì wèi le xiǎng yào gēn wǒ yì bān ， dé dào qián bèi de zhǐ dǎo 、 cóng ér huò lì ér yǐ 。」
于是连忙说道：「我这些朋友之所以纠缠着我，无非是为了想要跟我一般，得到前辈的指导、从而获利而已。」
"You can use your感应天机 (sensing Providence) technique…"
「 qián bèi kě yǐ shī zhǎn nǐ nà zhǒng gǎn yìng tiān jī de shén tōng ， zài ……」
「前辈可以施展你那种感应天机的神通，再……」
Li Fan's face turned cold: "Foolish! We're not related. Why should I help them?"
lǐ fán miàn sè yī hán ：「 xiào huà ， fēi qīn fēi gù ， wǒ wèi hé yào bāng zhù tā men ？」
李凡面色一寒：「笑话，非亲非故，我为何要帮助他们？」
"Besides, using my powers would invite天地反噬 (heavenly backlash). What benefit is that to me?"
「 kuàng qiě shī zhǎn shén tōng ， yě yào miàn duì tiān dì fǎn shì 。 yú wǒ hé yì ？」
「况且施展神通，也要面对天地反噬。于我何益？」
With a sweeping gesture, Li Fan left.
dà xiù yī huī ， lǐ fán liǎn shàng bù mǎn ， jiù yào lí qù 。
大袖一挥，李凡脸上不满，就要离去。
He Zhenghao hurried to stop him and said urgently: "Sit Mountain Technique! Sit Mountain Technique!"
hé zhèng hào huāng máng lán zhù ， líng jī yī dòng ， lián shēng shuō dào ：「 zuò shān jué ！ zuò shān jué ！」
何正浩慌忙拦住，灵机一动，连声说道：「坐山诀！坐山诀！」
"When I broke through to late-stage Foundation Establishment, did you feel any feedback on my cultivation?"
「 wǒ zhī qián tū pò dào zhù jī hòu qī ， qián bèi kě zēng gǎn yìng dào fǎn kuì xiū wèi ？」
「我之前突破到筑基后期，前辈可曾感应到反馈修为？」
Li Fan's face froze for a moment before he slowly replied: "It does seem like that."
lǐ fán liǎn shàng wēi wēi yí zhèng ， guò le huì ， huǎn huǎn shuō dào ：「 hǎo xiàng dí què yǒu zhè me yī huí shì 。」
李凡脸上微微一怔，过了会，缓缓说道：「好像的确有这么一回事。」
He Zhenghao clapped his hands: "Exactly! Think about it. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance now requires contributions to obtain techniques."
hé zhèng hào yī pāi dà tuǐ ：「 zhèng shì rú cǐ ！ qián bèi nǐ xiǎng ， rú jīn de wàn xiān méng ， gōng fǎ dōu yào tōng guò gòng xiàn dù duì huàn 。」
何正浩一拍大腿：「正是如此！前辈你想，如今的万仙盟，功法都要通过贡献度兑换。」
"You help us earn these contributions, and we use them to buy cultivation methods."
「 ér qián bèi nǐ bāng zhù wǒ men zhuàn qǔ gòng xiàn dù ， wǒ men zài yòng zhè xiē gòng xiàn dù qù gòu mǎi gōng fǎ xiū xíng 。」
「而前辈你帮助我们赚取贡献度，我们再用这些贡献度去购买功法修行。」
"This means you indirectly pass on your teachings, right?"
「 zhè bù jiù yì wèi zhe ， nǐ zhè shì jiàn jiē de chuán fǎ zhī ēn me ？」
「这不就意味着，你这是间接的传法之恩么？」
"Remember, in the current cultivation world, no favor is greater than passing on knowledge!"
「 yào zhī dào ， rú jīn de xiū xiān jiè ， ēn mò dà yú chuán fǎ ！」
「要知道，如今的修仙界，恩莫大于传法！」
"By practicing Sit Mountain Technique and bestowing such favors, you'll surely receive significant feedback on your cultivation."
「 qián bèi xiū xíng zuò shān jué ， rú cǐ shī ēn ， dìng rán néng dé dào jí qiáng de fǎn kuì xiū wèi 。」
「前辈修行坐山诀，如此施恩，定然能得到极强的反馈修为。」
"And I have many friends who heard about this."
「 ér qiě ， wǒ wén xùn ér lái de zhè xiē péng yǒu jí duō 。」
「而且，我闻讯而来的这些朋友极多。」
"If you help them all, it will add up to a massive amount of cultivation."
「 qián bèi nǐ ruò chū shǒu ， jìn shù bāng zhù 。」
「前辈你若出手，尽数帮助。」
"You should be able to recover from your pre-sleep state soon."
「 jī shǎo chéng duō ， zhè jiā qǐ lái ， zǒng gòng yòu huì shì duō me páng dà de yī gǔ xiū wèi a ！」
「积少成多，这加起来，总共又会是多么庞大的一股修为啊！」
He Zhenghao seemed enlightened. The more he thought, the more excited he became.
「 rú cǐ yī lái ， qián bèi nǐ yīng gāi hěn kuài jiù néng huī fù chén shuì qián de xiū wèi le ba ？」
「如此一来，前辈你应该很快就能恢复沉睡前的修为了吧？」
Li Fan nodded slowly: "That makes sense!"
hé zhèng hào fǎng fú kāi le qiào yì bān ， yuè xiǎng yuè jī dòng 。
何正浩仿佛开了窍一般，越想越激动。
"But... with so many people, my powers are limited. How can I help each one individually?"
lǐ fán huǎn huǎn diǎn tóu ：「 yǒu diǎn dào lǐ ！」
李凡缓缓点头：「有点道理！」
After some thought, Li Fan dismissed it.
「 bù guò …… zhè me duō rén ， wǒ shī zhǎn shén tōng de cì shù yǒu xiàn ， rú hé néng yí gè gè qù bāng zhù ？」
「不过……这么多人，我施展神通的次数有限，如何能一个个去帮助？」
Just then, He Zhenghao had a sudden realization.
lǐ fán xiǎng le xiǎng ， hái shì fǒu jué le 。
李凡想了想，还是否决了。
"Can we collect and manage the contributions from those who want you to help them all at once?"
jiù zài zhè shí ， hé zhèng hào fú lín xīn zhì 。
就在这时，何正浩福临心至。
"After you use your powers to find suitable investment methods and earn more contributions, return them."
tuō kǒu ér chū dào ：「 kě yǐ jiāng nà xiē xiǎng yào qǐng qián bèi chū shǒu de rén de gòng xiàn dù jí zhōng qǐ lái ， tǒng yī guǎn lǐ 。」
脱口而出道：「可以将那些想要请前辈出手的人的贡献度集中起来，统一管理。」
Li Fan was very satisfied. He thought: "Good! He Zhenghao has learned to answer quickly."
"Besides, it seems he has many secret techniques to conceal himself. It's like trying to see through a mist."
The green-robed woman spoke slowly.
Li Chenfeng and Zhu Shaotang exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock.
They knew all too well that the two Sage Masters [Qing] and [Hong] of the empire had been powerful existences since ancient times.
The two Sage Masters had witnessed the empire grow from a cluster of ordinary people to its current grandeur.
Their guidance was invaluable during this process.
In the eyes of the empire's people, these two Sage Masters were embodiments of power and wisdom.
But now, [Qing] Sage Master actually said he couldn't understand the envoy who just left?
Recalling his impulsive behavior in front of that person earlier, Li Chenfeng felt a chill down his spine.
"Perhaps it’s because I haven’t been here for too long. I’m still not quite used to it."
At this moment, Qing's somewhat melancholic remark brought some relief to Li Chenfeng.
Hundreds of miles away,
Li Fan felt the intermittent and blurry images transmitted by the formless killing intent. He was secretly surprised.
"Looks like this Sage Master isn't so simple either. He can vaguely sense and counteract the formless killing intent."
"Thankfully, I'm a cut above him."
To exchange contributions for the empire's [Beast God Armor] technology, Li Fan was more than willing.
However, if he were to truly collaborate and continue this act,
he might not be able to carry it off alone. It could easily be exposed.
And with half a million contributions, he found himself struggling to manage them.
"It seems the time has come to push forward my original plan."
With that thought in mind, Li Fan sensed where He Zhenghao was located.
As he headed towards Lustrous Isle, he transformed back into the appearance of an ancient Heaven's Providence Sect cultivator.
...
He Zhenghao had been feeling rather stressed lately.
Seeing the constant inquiries from his communication spirit tokens, he decided to seal them away in a storage ring and found some peace.
Now, he was so afraid to step out of Lustrous Isle.
As his overnight wealth story spread, more and more people wanted to know about Li Fan.
Some doubted him and wanted to verify his status firsthand.
Others simply wanted to piggyback on his success.
Even some were making nonsensical offers, wanting to do business with him.
This left He Zhenghao feeling overwhelmed and exhausted as he tried to handle it all.
He could only hide behind the guise of seclusion in Lustrous Isle's Mountain River Starry Array, avoiding contact with others.
He Zhenghao was really suffering.
It wasn't that he was intentionally shirking his duties. Ever since he joined the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance on that day, the senior from Heaven's Providence Sect had vanished and could no longer be seen.
He Zhenghao was in a difficult position!
Just as he was fretting over how to explain this to his friends, a familiar scent approached rapidly.
Piercing through the Mountain River Starry Array’s defenses, it landed before him with great nonchalance.
"Haha! Little He, long time no see!"
Li Fan laughed loudly and spoke with春风得意 (springing up with success).
He Zhenghao was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up in joy.
It really was what he wished for!
"Senior, you've finally come!" He almost wanted to cry out of gratitude.
"Hmm? What's wrong with you?"
Li Fan waved him back by several dozen feet and asked knowingly.
After He Zhenghao finished pouring out his grievances, Li Fan immediately put on a serious face and shouted: "You deserve it!"
"Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could you not understand the wisdom of keeping your success to yourself?"
"Why flaunt your achievements when you have the secret technique? Why make everyone know about it?"
"It's fine if only close friends know. But why did you make it public knowledge?"
"You're dead anyway, but now I'm involved too!"
Li Fan's hair stood on end in anger.
He Zhenghao trembled and dared not speak.
Li Fan shook his head and looked at He Zhenghao with disappointment.
He made a gesture to fly away.
He Zhenghao panicked: "Senior, please wait! Senior, save me!"
With a forlorn expression, he explained: "I didn't mean to flaunt it. Perhaps the joy of fulfilling a long-held wish got the better of me that day."
"I only realized too late when everyone found out."
In fact, He Zhenghao's resolve was far from being so weak.
While emotional excitement and momentary impulsiveness played a role, more significantly, Li Fan had covertly influenced him on that day.
Seeing He Zhenghao's remorseful expression, Li Fan chuckled inwardly but kept his face stern.
"Save? How can I save you? Compassion does not help those who cut themselves off. You're killing yourself; how could I help?"
He Zhenghao's face grew even more sorrowful, but seeing that Li Fan wasn't about to fly away, he knew there was still a chance.
"Those friends of mine are only纠缠 (pursuing) me because they want the guidance you can offer and gain from it."
"You can use your感应天机 (sensing Providence) technique…"
Li Fan's face turned cold: "Foolish! We're not related. Why should I help them?"
"Besides, using my powers would invite天地反噬 (heavenly backlash). What benefit is that to me?"
With a sweeping gesture, Li Fan left.
He Zhenghao hurried to stop him and said urgently: "Sit Mountain Technique! Sit Mountain Technique!"
"When I broke through to late-stage Foundation Establishment, did you feel any feedback on my cultivation?"
Li Fan's face froze for a moment before he slowly replied: "It does seem like that."
He Zhenghao clapped his hands: "Exactly! Think about it. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance now requires contributions to obtain techniques."
"You help us earn these contributions, and we use them to buy cultivation methods."
"This means you indirectly pass on your teachings, right?"
"Remember, in the current cultivation world, no favor is greater than passing on knowledge!"
"By practicing Sit Mountain Technique and bestowing such favors, you'll surely receive significant feedback on your cultivation."
"And I have many friends who heard about this."
"If you help them all, it will add up to a massive amount of cultivation."
"You should be able to recover from your pre-sleep state soon."
He Zhenghao seemed enlightened. The more he thought, the more excited he became.
Li Fan nodded slowly: "That makes sense!"
"But... with so many people, my powers are limited. How can I help each one individually?"
After some thought, Li Fan dismissed it.
Just then, He Zhenghao had a sudden realization.
"Can we collect and manage the contributions from those who want you to help them all at once?"
"After you use your powers to find suitable investment methods and earn more contributions, return them."
Li Fan was very satisfied. He thought: "Good! He Zhenghao has learned to answer quickly."