jiāo xiū yuǎn miàn sè yī xǐ ：“ dào yǒu zhè zuò shì fēng gé ， shèn hé wǒ yì ！ suǒ wèi qīn xiōng dì ， míng suàn zhàng 。 nǐ zhī qián suī rán yòng jì zhù wǒ huò lì shù yì ， dàn shì guī jǔ què bù néng pò 。”
焦修远面色一喜：“道友这做事风格，甚合我意！所谓亲兄弟，明算账。你之前虽然用计助我获利数亿，但是规矩却不能破。”
Jiao Xiuyuan's face lit up with excitement: "Friend Daoist, your way of handling things suits me just fine! As they say, even close relatives must settle accounts. Although you helped me gain billions using a strategy before, the rules cannot be broken."
chén yín piàn kè ， jiāo xiū yuǎn dào ：“ gěi nǐ dǎ gè gǔ zhé ， zhuǎn gěi wǒ liǎng bǎi diǎn gòng xiàn dù biàn shì 。”
沉吟片刻，焦修远道：“给你打个骨折，转给我两百点贡献度便是。”
After pondering for a moment, Jiao Xiuyuan said, "I'll break both our bones; transfer two hundred points of contribution to me instead."
lǐ fán shěn rán yī xiào ：“ jiāo dào yǒu kè qì le ！”
李凡哂然一笑：“焦道友客气了！”
Li Fan chuckled and replied: "Friend Daoist, you're too polite!"
jiāo xiū yuǎn zài hū de zì rán bú shì shén me gòng xiàn dù ， ér shì wán chéng jiāo yì suǒ xū de wán chéng liú chéng 。
焦修远在乎的自然不是什么贡献度，而是完成交易所需的完成流程。
Jiao Xiuyuan naturally wasn't concerned about the contributions but rather the process required to complete the transaction.
dāng xià lǐ fán yě bù jiū jié ， zhí jiē bǎ liǎng bǎi diǎn gòng xiàn dù zhuǎn le guò qù 。
当下李凡也不纠结，直接把两百点贡献度转了过去。
Without hesitation, Li Fan transferred the two hundred points of contribution over.
jiāo yì wán chéng ， lǐ fán yǐn yǐn chá jué dào ， miàn qián zhè jù kuǐ lěi shēn shàng ， sì hū duō le xiē shuō bù qīng 、 dào bù míng de biàn huà 。
交易完成，李凡隐隐察觉到，面前这具傀儡身上，似乎多了些说不清、道不明的变化。
The transaction completed, Li Fan vaguely sensed that something indescribable had changed on this puppet's body. This phenomenon hadn't occurred before.
zhè zhǒng xiàn xiàng ， yǐ qián kě shì cóng wèi chū xiàn guò 。
这种现象，以前可是从未出现过。
Li Fan's mind raced with a hypothesis. He asked: "Friend Daoist, are you planning to breakthrough?"
lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī dòng ， bù jīn fú xiàn chū mǒu gè cāi xiǎng 。
李凡心中一动，不禁浮现出某个猜想。
Jiao Xiuyuan was surprised; he didn't expect the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator Li Fan to notice such details.
yú shì chū shēng wèn dào ：“ jiāo dào yǒu ， nǐ mò bú shì yào tū pò le ？”
于是出声问道：“焦道友，你莫不是要突破了？”
"Your excellent vision! The ancient Heavenly Fortune Sect truly lives up to its reputation."
jiāo xiū yuǎn yǒu xiē jīng yà ， sì hū shì méi xiǎng dào jū rán huì bèi jīn dān qī de lǐ fán kàn chū duān ní 。
焦修远有些惊讶，似乎是没想到居然会被金丹期的李凡看出端倪。
After expressing his admiration, Jiao Xiuyuan nodded and said: "Indeed. However, my cultivation technique is special. My breakthrough isn't like ordinary realm advancements. I can't go into the specifics for now. Please bear with me."
“ dào yǒu hǎo yǎn guāng ！ shàng gǔ tiān jī zōng ， guǒ rán míng bù xū chuán 。”
“道友好眼光！上古天机宗，果然名不虚传。”
Jiao Xiuyuan spoke with a rare sense of apology.
tā gǎn tàn yī fān hòu ， suí hòu yòu diǎn diǎn tóu dào ：“ dí què rú cǐ 。 bù guò wǒ suǒ xiū gōng fǎ tè shū ， wǒ suǒ wèi de tū pò hé xún cháng jìng jiè de tū pò ， shì liǎng mǎ shì 。 jù tǐ de ma ， què bù biàn xì shuō le 。 hái qǐng dào yǒu jiàn liàng 。”
他感叹一番后，随后又点点头道：“的确如此。不过我所修功法特殊，我所谓的突破和寻常境界的突破，是两码事。具体的嘛，却不便细说了。还请道友见谅。”
Li Fan nodded in understanding.
jiāo xiū yuǎn nán dé de dài zhe qiàn yì shuō dào 。
焦修远难得的带着歉意说道。
"But as Jiao Xiuyuan, I won't forget to repay kindness. Thanks to your help, I've made much money," said Jiao Xiuyuan.
lǐ fán diǎn diǎn tóu ， biǎo shì lǐ jiě 。
李凡点点头，表示理解。
"If you need anything, just let me know. I'll definitely fulfill your request!" Jiao Xiuyuan spoke with great confidence and slapped his chest.
“ bù guò wǒ jiāo xiū yuǎn yě jué bú shì zhī ēn bù bào zhī rén ， wǒ tuō dào yǒu zhī fú ， zhuàn le xǔ duō 。”
“不过我焦修远也绝不是知恩不报之人，我托道友之福，赚了许多。”
"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask of you. Do you know about the ancient Medicine King Sect?" Li Fan asked, taking this opportunity to ask for help in uncovering the Small Medicine King Cauldron.
“ ruò shì dào yǒu nǐ yǒu shén me xū yào ， jǐn guǎn gēn wǒ jiǎng 。 wǒ yí dìng mǎn zú nǐ ！” jiāo xiū yuǎn háo qì héng shēng ， pāi zhe xiōng pú dào 。
“若是道友你有什么需要，尽管跟我讲。我一定满足你！”焦修远豪气横生，拍着胸脯道。
"I have a premonition that these small cauldrons will be involved in many causes and effects in the future. However, the old Medicine King Sect poses a potentially fatal risk to me, so I can't go there personally. Thus, it's your duty," Jiao Xiuyuan agreed immediately.
“ shuō qǐ lái ， wǒ zhèng hǎo yǒu yī shì xū láo fán dào yǒu 。 dào yǒu kě zhī shàng gǔ yào wáng zōng ？” lǐ fán yú shì chèn jī tí chū le ràng tā bāng máng fā jué xiǎo yào wáng dǐng zhī shì 。
“说起来，我正好有一事需劳烦道友。道友可知上古药王宗？”李凡于是趁机提出了让他帮忙发掘小药王鼎之事。
"By the way, Chief Lu hasn't been seen since she arrived at Ten Thousand Immortals Island. You're well-informed; could you also help me gather some information? As a direct witness to the incident, I'm very curious about its impact on the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance," Li Fan said, tactfully mentioning his need for confidentiality.
“ wǒ yǒu yù gǎn ， zhè xiē xiǎo dǐng rì hòu jiāng huì qiān shè zhū duō yīn guǒ ， shì guān zhòng dà 。 zhǐ shì nà yào wáng zōng jiù dì ， duì wǒ lái shuō què shì kě néng huì yǒu zhì mìng de fēng xiǎn ， wǒ bù biàn qīn zì qián wǎng ， suǒ yǐ zhǐ néng láo fán dào yǒu le 。”
“我有预感，这些小鼎日后将会牵涉诸多因果，事关重大。只是那药王宗旧地，对我来说却是可能会有致命的风险，我不便亲自前往，所以只能劳烦道友了。”
Jiao Xiuyuan readily agreed.
jiāo xiū yuǎn yī kǒu yīng xià 。
焦修远一口应下。
After thanking Jiao Xiuyuan, they chatted idly. Once the surrounding cultivators who had been blocking him gradually dispersed, he quietly left the Thousand Mile Hall.
“ duì le ， dāng rì lù shǒu xí lái wàn xiān dǎo zhī hòu ， biàn zài yě jiàn bú dào tā de zōng jì 。 dào yǒu xiāo xī líng tōng ， yě shùn biàn bāng wǒ dǎ tàn dǎ tàn 。 bì jìng shēn wèi shì jiàn de qīn lì zhě ， wǒ hái shì hěn xiǎng zhī dào zhè jiàn shì duì wàn xiān méng chǎn shēng de yǐng xiǎng de 。”
“对了，当日陆首席来万仙岛之后，便再也见不到她的踪迹。道友消息灵通，也顺便帮我打探打探。毕竟身为事件的亲历者，我还是很想知道这件事对万仙盟产生的影响的。”
---
yīn wèi bǎo mì xié yì de cún zài ， lǐ fán zhǐ néng wěi wǎn de shuō dào 。
因为保密协议的存在，李凡只能委婉的说道。
Lu Xichan had lifted her seal on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, allowing free movement for all cultivators now.
jiāo xiū yuǎn yě shì mǎn kǒu dā yìng 。
焦修远也是满口答应。
No one knew what she had discovered, but it was said that even Purple Cloud and Bright Sun, two Transcendent Medicine Kings, were recalled to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
xiè guò jiāo xiū yuǎn ， liǎng rén yòu xián liáo le yī fān 。
谢过焦修远，两人又闲聊了一番。
At the same time, sensitive cultivators noticed unusual orders being issued subsequently.
děng dào wài jiè wéi dǔ lǐ fán de xiū shì zhú jiàn sàn qù ， tā fāng cái qiǎo rán lí kāi qiān lǐ táng 。
等到外界围堵李凡的修士逐渐散去，他方才悄然离开千里堂。
All元婴 cultivation level and above cultivators from the Heavenly Fortune Hall and Strategy Array Hall were summoned one by one to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
lù xī chán duì wàn xiān dǎo de fēng suǒ yǐ jīng chè xiāo ， rú jīn xiū shì kě yǐ zì yóu xíng dòng le 。
陆溪婵对万仙岛的封锁已经撤销，如今修士可以自由行动了。
"Such a grand gathering—could they be preparing the Heaven Xuan Lock Spirit Formation in advance?"
yě bù zhī dào tā jiū jìng chá dào le xiē shén me ， zǒng zhī jù shuō lián tōng zǐ yún 、 hóng xī liǎng wèi huà shén xiān jūn zài nèi ， dōu bèi chōu diào huí le wàn xiān méng zǒng bù 。
也不知道她究竟查到了些什么，总之据说连通紫云、鸿曦两位化神仙君在内，都被抽调回了万仙盟总部。
"I hope the Five Elders can work faster. I don't want to see that green sky again."
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， xiù jué mǐn ruì de xiū shì yě zhù yì dào le suí hòu fā bù de yī tiáo tiáo jí bù xún cháng de diào lìng 。
与此同时，嗅觉敏锐的修士也注意到了随后发布的一条条极不寻常的调令。
Li Fan thought to himself.
tiān jī táng 、 cè zhèn táng ， fán shì yuán yīng xiū wèi jí yǐ shàng de xiū shì men ， dōu bèi lù xù zhào huàn qù le wàn xiān méng zǒng bù 。
天机堂、策阵堂，凡是元婴修为及以上的修士们，都被陆续召唤去了万仙盟总部。
While waiting for Jiao Xiuyuan's report, Li Fan quietly left Ten Thousand Immortals Island and transformed into an envoy of the Interdimensional Alliance, heading straight towards a group of people on another island.
“ zhè me dà zhèn zhàng ， zhè shì yào tí qián yán jiū 、 jiàn zào chū tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn ma ？”
“这么大阵仗，这是要提前研究、建造出天玄锁灵阵嘛？”
He hadn’t forgotten that one million points of contribution were still in their possession.
“ xī wàng wǔ lǎo huì nà biān jiā bǎ jìn a ， wǒ kě bù xiǎng cǐ shì zài jiàn dào nà lǜ yóu yóu de tiān kōng 。”
“希望五老会那边加把劲啊，我可不想此世再见到那绿油油的天空。”
Although these contributions existed as standardized spirit stones which could be exchanged for his own anytime using the Heaven Xuan Mirror, the amount was enormous and its origin unclear.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng dào 。
李凡心中如此想道。
If Li Fan exchanged them alone, he might attract suspicious attention, especially after already exchanging half a million points last time.
děng dài jiāo xiū yuǎn tàn míng huí bào xìn xī de gōng fu ， lǐ fán zé shì qiāo qiāo yī rén lí kāi le wàn xiān dǎo ， biàn huàn chéng 【 wàn jiè lián hé huì 】 shǐ zhě mú yàng ， zhí bēn 【 dì guó 】 yī qún rén suǒ zài de dǎo yǔ ér qù 。
等待焦修远探明回报信息的功夫，李凡则是悄悄一人离开了万仙岛，变幻成【万界联合会】使者模样，直奔【帝国】一群人所在的岛屿而去。
Since he needed to obtain technology from the Empire to control beasts, it would be better to hand over this hot potato to them.
tā kě méi wàng jì ， wǔ lǎo huì de yī qiān wàn gòng xiàn dù ， hái zài duì fāng shǒu lǐ ne 。
他可没忘记，五老会的一千万贡献度，还在对方手里呢。
There were many rogue practitioners who had infiltrated the Empire; they should easily be able to launder these contributions from the Five Elders.
zhè yī qiān wàn gòng xiàn dù ， suī rán dōu shì yǐ zhì shì líng shí de xíng shì cún zài ， kě yǐ suí shí zài tiān xuán jìng zhōng duì huàn chéng zì shēn de gòng xiàn dù 。
这一千万贡献度，虽然都是以制式灵石的形式存在，可以随时在天玄镜中兑换成自身的贡献度。
Li Fan rushed and soon arrived above the island.
bù guò bù bǐ yǐ wǎng ， shù é rú cǐ jù dà ， qiě lái lì bù míng 。
不过不比以往，数额如此巨大，且来历不明。
Perceiving Li Fan's arrival, Qing also appeared, welcoming him with a warm greeting.
lǐ fán dú zì yī rén duì huàn de huà ， shuō bù dìng huì yǐn qǐ xiāng guān xiū shì de jǐng jué 。
李凡独自一人兑换的话，说不定会引起相关修士的警觉。
Compared to his previous cold attitude, it was much more polite.
yóu qí shì zài shàng yī cì yǐ jīng duì huàn le wǔ bǎi wàn gòng xiàn dù de qíng kuàng xià 。
尤其是在上一次已经兑换了五百万贡献度的情况下。
Money truly had an incredible influence in any era.
fǎn zhèng xū yào cóng dì guó nà biān huàn qǔ kòng zhì yì shòu de jì shù ， bù rú zhí jiē bǎ zhè tàng shǒu shān yù jiāo gěi tā men 。
反正需要从帝国那边换取控制异兽的技术，不如直接把这烫手山芋交给他们。
"How do you like our Interdimensional Alliance gift?" Li Fan asked with a smile.
dì guó tōu dù ér lái de dào fǎ zhě shù liàng bù zài shǎo shù ， xiāng xìn yīng gāi néng hěn róng yì de bǎ zhè lái zì wǔ lǎo huì de jù é gòng xiàn dù gěi xǐ bái 。
帝国偷渡而来的盗法者数量不在少数，相信应该能很容易的把这来自五老会的巨额贡献度给洗白。
"Haha, not just satisfied; I'm actually surprised," said Qing as he led Li Fan into the secret room.
yī lù jí xíng ， hěn kuài jiù lái dào le dǎo yǔ shàng kōng 。
一路疾行，很快就来到了岛屿上空。
"A million points of contribution—quite generous. Why did you send it now? We agreed to exchange during our next meeting." Qing's tone carried a hint of amusement and curiosity.
gǎn yìng dào lǐ fán qián lái ， qīng yě yí gè shǎn shēn ， shàng qián yíng jiē 。
感应到李凡前来，青也一个闪身，上前迎接。
Li Fan shook his head: "Something unexpected happened. For some time, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will increase its internal supervision. So we need to complete this transaction quickly."
bǐ qǐ zhī qián lěng bīng bīng de tài dù ， yào kè qì le tài duō 。
比起之前冷冰冰的态度，要客气了太多。
"I delayed coming here before to find you a place to settle down..."
kàn lái wú lùn shì zài nǎ ge shí dài ， jīn qián de lì liàng zǒng shì chāo hū xiǎng xiàng 。
看来无论是在哪个时代，金钱的力量总是超乎想象。
---
“ rú hé ， wǒ men wàn jiè lián hé huì de lǐ wù dào yǒu hái mǎn yì ma ？” lǐ fán wēi xiào zhe wèn dào 。
“如何，我们万界联合会的礼物道友还满意嘛？”李凡微笑着问道。
At this point, Li Fan deliberately left it hanging and stopped.
“ hē hē ， qǐ zhǐ shì mǎn yì 。 jiǎn zhí yǒu diǎn jīng xià le 。” qīng jiāng lǐ fán lǐng dào mì shì zhī zhōng 。
“呵呵，岂止是满意。简直有点惊吓了。”青将李凡领到密室之中。
"We've already shown enough sincerity. Now, it's up to your Empire," said Li Fan as he drank the tea prepared for him by Qing.
“ yī qiān wàn gòng xiàn dù ， dào yǒu dàng zhēn shì hǎo dà de shǒu bǐ 。 kě wèi hé huì tū rán pài qiǎn rén sòng lái ？ bú shì shuō hǎo xià cì jiàn miàn de shí hòu zài jiāo yì ma ？ rú guǒ bú shì duì fāng zì bào shēn fèn ， wǒ dōu yào rěn bú zhù dòng shǒu le 。” qīng yǔ qì zhōng dài zhe yī sī xiào yì ， tóng shí yǒu xiē yí huò dì wèn dào 。
“一千万贡献度，道友当真是好大的手笔。可为何会突然派遣人送来？不是说好下次见面的时候再交易嘛？如果不是对方自报身份，我都要忍不住动手了。”青语气中带着一丝笑意，同时有些疑惑地问道。
"Hmm? This tea is quite good." Li Fan was surprised as the blue-green tea entered his stomach.
lǐ fán yáo yáo tóu ：“ chū le diǎn biàn gù ， jīn hòu yī duàn shí jiān ， wàn xiān méng kě néng huì jiā dà duì jìng nèi de jiān guǎn lì dù 。 suǒ yǐ wǒ men de jiāo yì yào jǐn kuài wán chéng le 。”
李凡摇摇头：“出了点变故，今后一段时间，万仙盟可能会加大对境内的监管力度。所以我们的交易要尽快完成了。”
Unlike the spirit teas he usually consumed, this one didn't benefit cultivation or spiritual energy; instead, a warm current flowed through his body, improving and strengthening his physique.
“ zhī qián wǒ chí chí bù lái ， jiù shì wèi le tì nǐ men xún zhǎo yī chù luò jiǎo diǎn ……”
“之前我迟迟不来，就是为了替你们寻找一处落脚点……”
Li Fan recognized it immediately from his practice of The Art of Forging Life Furnace.
shuō dào zhè lǐ ， lǐ fán gù yì mài le gè guān zi ， tíng le xià lái 。
说到这里，李凡故意卖了个关子，停了下来。
It seemed similar to the hidden power within the human body.
“ xiāng xìn wǒ men yǐ jīng zhǎn shì le zú gòu de chéng yì 。 jiē xià lái ， jiù kàn nǐ men dì guó shì zěn me xiǎng de le 。” lǐ fán jiāng qīng wèi zì jǐ zhǔn bèi de yī zhǎn chá hē xià ， huǎn huǎn shuō dào 。
“相信我们已经展示了足够的诚意。接下来，就看你们帝国是怎么想的了。”李凡将青为自己准备的一盏茶喝下，缓缓说道。
"This is the Extreme Spirit Dragon须 Tea. If you like it, I'll give you some," Qing said with a smile as he handed Li Fan a storage ring.
“ ń ？ zhè chá bù cuò 。” tiān lán sè de chá shuǐ rù dǔ zi ， lǐ fán yǒu xiē yà rán dào 。
“嗯？这茶不错。”天蓝色的茶水入肚子，李凡有些讶然道。
After straightening his expression, Qing continued: "That was personal business. Now we need to discuss the transactions between our Empire and the Interdimensional Alliance."
gēn lǐ fán yǐ wǎng suǒ hē líng chá bù tóng ， duì xiū wèi 、 líng lì 、 shén shí zhè xiē dōu méi yǒu yì chù 。
跟李凡以往所喝灵茶不同，对修为、灵力、神识这些都没有益处。
"We believe that the Alliance genuinely intends to help us. Therefore, in return, the Empire will increase cooperation significantly."
zhǐ shì gǎn dào yī gǔ gǔ rè liú zì sì zhī bǎi mài zhōng liú tǎng ér chū ， gǎi shàn 、 qiáng huà zhe lǐ fán de shēn qū 。
只是感到一股股热流自四肢百脉中流淌而出，改善、强化着李凡的身躯。
"Firstly, this is the first part of the transaction," said Qing as he handed Li Fan another unique storage ring.
xiū xíng 《 zào huà hōng lú gōng 》 de lǐ fán ， zì rán shì duì qí wú bǐ shú xī 。
修行《造化烘炉功》的李凡，自然是对其无比熟悉。
Engraved on it was a vivid depiction of a blue phoenix, its eyes constantly moving.
gēn rén tǐ mì cáng zhī lì ， jìng jí wéi xiāng sì 。
跟人体密藏之力，竟极为相似。
Looking at the phoenix on the storage ring, Li Fan felt familiar but couldn't be sure given the similarity among most birds. He carefully examined the contents within.
“ zhè shì 【 jí líng lóng xū chá 】， dào yǒu ruò shì xǐ huān ， biàn sòng nǐ xiē biàn shì 。” qīng xiào zhe dào 。
“这是【极灵龙须茶】，道友若是喜欢，便送你些便是。”青笑着道。
To his surprise, his spirit perception was blocked and failed to reveal anything.
jiāng yī méi chǔ wù jiè jiāo gěi lǐ fán hòu ， qīng zhèng le zhèng shén sè 。
将一枚储物戒交给李凡后，青正了正神色。
Only when the phoenix lazily glanced at him and flapped its wings did Li Fan finally see what was inside.
Jiao Xiuyuan's face lit up with excitement: "Friend Daoist, your way of handling things suits me just fine! As they say, even close relatives must settle accounts. Although you helped me gain billions using a strategy before, the rules cannot be broken."
After pondering for a moment, Jiao Xiuyuan said, "I'll break both our bones; transfer two hundred points of contribution to me instead."
Li Fan chuckled and replied: "Friend Daoist, you're too polite!"
Jiao Xiuyuan naturally wasn't concerned about the contributions but rather the process required to complete the transaction.
Without hesitation, Li Fan transferred the two hundred points of contribution over.
The transaction completed, Li Fan vaguely sensed that something indescribable had changed on this puppet's body. This phenomenon hadn't occurred before.
Li Fan's mind raced with a hypothesis. He asked: "Friend Daoist, are you planning to breakthrough?"
Jiao Xiuyuan was surprised; he didn't expect the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator Li Fan to notice such details.
"Your excellent vision! The ancient Heavenly Fortune Sect truly lives up to its reputation."
After expressing his admiration, Jiao Xiuyuan nodded and said: "Indeed. However, my cultivation technique is special. My breakthrough isn't like ordinary realm advancements. I can't go into the specifics for now. Please bear with me."
Jiao Xiuyuan spoke with a rare sense of apology.
Li Fan nodded in understanding.
"But as Jiao Xiuyuan, I won't forget to repay kindness. Thanks to your help, I've made much money," said Jiao Xiuyuan.
"If you need anything, just let me know. I'll definitely fulfill your request!" Jiao Xiuyuan spoke with great confidence and slapped his chest.
"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask of you. Do you know about the ancient Medicine King Sect?" Li Fan asked, taking this opportunity to ask for help in uncovering the Small Medicine King Cauldron.
"I have a premonition that these small cauldrons will be involved in many causes and effects in the future. However, the old Medicine King Sect poses a potentially fatal risk to me, so I can't go there personally. Thus, it's your duty," Jiao Xiuyuan agreed immediately.
"By the way, Chief Lu hasn't been seen since she arrived at Ten Thousand Immortals Island. You're well-informed; could you also help me gather some information? As a direct witness to the incident, I'm very curious about its impact on the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance," Li Fan said, tactfully mentioning his need for confidentiality.
Jiao Xiuyuan readily agreed.
After thanking Jiao Xiuyuan, they chatted idly. Once the surrounding cultivators who had been blocking him gradually dispersed, he quietly left the Thousand Mile Hall.
---
Lu Xichan had lifted her seal on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, allowing free movement for all cultivators now.
No one knew what she had discovered, but it was said that even Purple Cloud and Bright Sun, two Transcendent Medicine Kings, were recalled to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
At the same time, sensitive cultivators noticed unusual orders being issued subsequently.
All元婴 cultivation level and above cultivators from the Heavenly Fortune Hall and Strategy Array Hall were summoned one by one to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"Such a grand gathering—could they be preparing the Heaven Xuan Lock Spirit Formation in advance?"
"I hope the Five Elders can work faster. I don't want to see that green sky again."
Li Fan thought to himself.
While waiting for Jiao Xiuyuan's report, Li Fan quietly left Ten Thousand Immortals Island and transformed into an envoy of the Interdimensional Alliance, heading straight towards a group of people on another island.
He hadn’t forgotten that one million points of contribution were still in their possession.
Although these contributions existed as standardized spirit stones which could be exchanged for his own anytime using the Heaven Xuan Mirror, the amount was enormous and its origin unclear.
If Li Fan exchanged them alone, he might attract suspicious attention, especially after already exchanging half a million points last time.
Since he needed to obtain technology from the Empire to control beasts, it would be better to hand over this hot potato to them.
There were many rogue practitioners who had infiltrated the Empire; they should easily be able to launder these contributions from the Five Elders.
Li Fan rushed and soon arrived above the island.
Perceiving Li Fan's arrival, Qing also appeared, welcoming him with a warm greeting.
Compared to his previous cold attitude, it was much more polite.
Money truly had an incredible influence in any era.
"How do you like our Interdimensional Alliance gift?" Li Fan asked with a smile.
"Haha, not just satisfied; I'm actually surprised," said Qing as he led Li Fan into the secret room.
"A million points of contribution—quite generous. Why did you send it now? We agreed to exchange during our next meeting." Qing's tone carried a hint of amusement and curiosity.
Li Fan shook his head: "Something unexpected happened. For some time, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will increase its internal supervision. So we need to complete this transaction quickly."
"I delayed coming here before to find you a place to settle down..."
---
At this point, Li Fan deliberately left it hanging and stopped.
"We've already shown enough sincerity. Now, it's up to your Empire," said Li Fan as he drank the tea prepared for him by Qing.
"Hmm? This tea is quite good." Li Fan was surprised as the blue-green tea entered his stomach.
Unlike the spirit teas he usually consumed, this one didn't benefit cultivation or spiritual energy; instead, a warm current flowed through his body, improving and strengthening his physique.
Li Fan recognized it immediately from his practice of The Art of Forging Life Furnace.
It seemed similar to the hidden power within the human body.
"This is the Extreme Spirit Dragon须 Tea. If you like it, I'll give you some," Qing said with a smile as he handed Li Fan a storage ring.
After straightening his expression, Qing continued: "That was personal business. Now we need to discuss the transactions between our Empire and the Interdimensional Alliance."
"We believe that the Alliance genuinely intends to help us. Therefore, in return, the Empire will increase cooperation significantly."
"Firstly, this is the first part of the transaction," said Qing as he handed Li Fan another unique storage ring.
Engraved on it was a vivid depiction of a blue phoenix, its eyes constantly moving.
Looking at the phoenix on the storage ring, Li Fan felt familiar but couldn't be sure given the similarity among most birds. He carefully examined the contents within.
To his surprise, his spirit perception was blocked and failed to reveal anything.
Only when the phoenix lazily glanced at him and flapped its wings did Li Fan finally see what was inside.