bù tí dòng xī rén xīn de gāo yuǎn de nà diǎn xiǎo xīn sī ， shì jiǎo huí dào hé zhèng hào shēn biān 。
不提洞悉人心的高远的那点小心思，视角回到何正浩身边。
Not dwelling on the subtle thoughts High Yuan had about perceiving people's hearts, the perspective returned to He Zhenghao.
tā zài xīn xù bù níng zhōng ， yòu yòng le shí tiān zuǒ yòu de shí jiān ， zǒng suàn shì wán chéng le yī yì gòng xiàn dù de mù jí 。
他在心绪不宁中，又用了十天左右的时间，总算是完成了一亿贡献度的募集。
In his restless state of mind, he spent another ten days or so and finally managed to gather one hundred million contribution points.
ér hòu ， jiù àn zhào gāo yuǎn de dīng zhǔ ， jìng jìng děng hòu lǐ fán jiē xià lái de mìng lìng 。
而后，就按照高远的叮嘱，静静等候李凡接下来的命令。
Following High Yuan's instructions, he quietly waited for Li Fan’s next orders. This period was quite a torment.
zhè duàn shí jiān ， kě shì yǒu diǎn xiāng dāng nán áo 。
这段时间，可是有点相当难熬。
Although it seemed reasonable that High Yuan’s guess might be correct, it was just his personal speculation after all.
yīn wèi suī rán tīng shàng qù zài zěn me hé lǐ ， nà yě shì gāo yuǎn gè rén de cāi cè ér yǐ 。
因为虽然听上去再怎么合理，那也是高远个人的猜测而已。
As for what the Secret Envoy truly intended...
zhì yú mì shǐ dà rén jiū jìng shì zěn me xiǎng de ……
至于秘使大人究竟是怎么想的……
Who could really know?
shuí yòu néng zhēn de shuō de zhǔn ne ？
谁又能真的说的准呢？
Perhaps, High Yuan had already decided to let him manage those one hundred million contribution points?
shuō bù dìng ， tā jiù dòng le ràng wǒ hé zhèng hào qù yùn zuò nà yī yì gòng xiàn dù de xīn sī ne ？
说不定，他就动了让我何正浩去运作那一亿贡献度的心思呢？
Despite appearing calm on the surface, his mind was in turmoil and he felt anxious.
suī rán biǎo miàn kàn shàng qù ， hé zhèng hào yī jiù miàn róng píng jìng 。
虽然表面看上去，何正浩依旧面容平静。
It was like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution, anxiously waiting to see what fate would befall him.
shí zé nǎo hǎi zhōng sī xù wàn qiān ， xīn zhōng tǎn tè bù yǐ 。
实则脑海中思绪万千，心中忐忑不已。
He truly experienced firsthand what ancient cultivators called "heart demons invading."
fǎng fú jí jiāng shàng xíng chǎng de sǐ qiú ， zài shí jiān liú shì zhōng ， jiān áo de děng dài zì jǐ zuì zhōng de mìng yùn 。
仿佛即将上刑场的死囚，在时间流逝中，煎熬的等待自己最终的命运。
Fortunately for him, High Yuan’s luck seemed to hold out. Just as he thought he couldn’t bear it any longer, he suddenly felt a strange vibration in his storage ring.
ràng tā zhe shí tǐ yàn le yī bǎ ， gǔ zhī xiū shì kǒu zhōng de “ xīn mó rù qīn ”， dào dǐ shì zěn me yī huí shì 。
让他着实体验了一把，古之修士口中的“心魔入侵”，到底是怎么一回事。
Overjoyed, He Zhenghao quickly composed himself and retrieved the tiny metal figure from within.
hǎo zài ， tā hé zhèng hào de yùn qì hái suàn bú cuò 。
好在，他何正浩的运气还算不错。
"Sir, is there something you need?" he asked respectfully, placing the figure on the table.
zhèng dāng tā jué de zì jǐ yǐ jīng kuài yào chēng bù xià qù de shí hòu ， hū de gǎn dào chǔ wù jiè zhōng chuán lái mò míng de zhèn zhèn bō dòng 。
正当他觉得自己已经快要撑不下去的时候，忽的感到储物戒中传来莫名的阵阵波动。
"You should use the one hundred million contribution points to purchase the items listed as soon as possible."
xǐ chū wàng wài de hé zhèng hào máng bù wàng zhěng sù zì jǐ róng mào ， suí hòu zài máng bù dié de jiāng nà zūn jīn shǔ xiǎo rén qǔ chū 。
喜出望外的何正浩忙不忘整肃自己容貌，随后再忙不迭的将那尊金属小人取出。
Li Fan’s voice came from the metal statue.
“ dà rén ， nín zhǎo wǒ yǒu shì ？” jiāng xiǎo rén fàng zài zhuō qián ， hé zhèng hào gōng jìng dì wèn dào 。
“大人，您找我有事？”将小人放在桌前，何正浩恭敬地问道。
"You don’t necessarily have to buy them through the Celestial Mirror. You can consider other lower-quality but cheaper options if they meet your needs."
“ nǐ yòng mù jí lái de yī yì gòng xiàn dù ， àn zhào cǐ qīng dān shàng de wù zī ， jǐn kuài wán chéng cǎi gòu 。”
“你用募集来的一亿贡献度，按照此清单上的物资，尽快完成采购。”
"Once these prices increase, you can sell them off."
cóng jīn shǔ sù xiàng shàng ， chuán lái lǐ fán de shēng yīn 。
从金属塑像上，传来李凡的声音。
...
“ bù yí dìng fēi yào cóng tiān xuán jìng zhōng gòu mǎi ， qí tā yī xiē zhì liàng shāo wēi yǒu diǎn xiá cī 、 dàn shì jià gé dī hěn duō de ， yě kě yǐ zhuó qíng yōu xiān kǎo lǜ 。”
“不一定非要从天玄镜中购买，其他一些质量稍微有点瑕疵、但是价格低很多的，也可以酌情优先考虑。”
After finishing his instructions, Li Fan's voice faded away.
“ bù jiǔ zhī hòu ， děng zhè xiē dōng xī jià gé zhǎng shàng qù ， nǐ zài jiāng qí pāo shòu 。”
“不久之后，等这些东西价格涨上去，你再将其抛售。”
He Zhenghao’s mind was now a blank canvas, thundering with thoughts.
……
……
"High Yuan guessed wrong!"
jiāng shì qíng jiāo dài wán hòu ， lǐ fán de shēng yīn zhú jiàn xiāo shī 。
将事情交代完后，李凡的声音逐渐消失。
"The Secret Envoy truly intends to let me manage those one hundred million contribution points!"
ér hé zhèng hào de nǎo hǎi zhōng ， cǐ shí què shì kòng bái yī piàn 、 rú léi hōng míng 。
而何正浩的脑海中，此时却是空白一片、如雷轰鸣。
For a moment, he paused in thought before recovering.
“ gāo yuǎn tā cāi cuò le ！”
“高远他猜错了！”
But this time, he no longer felt fear or helplessness. Instead, he felt an inexplicable excitement and enthusiasm.
“ mì shǐ dà rén zhè cì ， zhēn de dǎ suàn jiāng zhè yī yì gòng xiàn dù ， jiāo gěi wǒ lái yùn zuò ！”
“秘使大人这次，真的打算将这一亿贡献度，交给我来运作！”
Although it would be difficult for him alone, with the guidance of his superior, everything would fall into place!
sī wéi duǎn zàn de tíng zhì piàn kè hòu ， hé zhèng hào màn màn huī fù le 。
思维短暂的停滞片刻后，何正浩慢慢恢复了。
Investment was simple—just take advantage of information gaps.
bù guò zhè cì ， tā méi yǒu le xiān qián de kǒng jù yǔ wú zhù 。
不过这次，他没有了先前的恐惧与无助。
As long as you knew something others didn’t, even a pig could make money lying down!
ér shì yǒu diǎn mò míng xīng fèn hé rè xuè 。
而是有点莫名兴奋和热血。
He Zhenghao’s body trembled slightly as he quickly scanned through Li Fan's list.
suī rán zhǐ kào zì jǐ yī rén de běn shì ， kěn dìng shì lì yǒu bù dǎi 。
虽然只靠自己一人的本事，肯定是力有不逮。
"Restorative Elixir, Rage Inducing Powder, Madness from Killing Intent..."
dàn rú guǒ yǒu dà rén de zhǐ diǎn ， nà jiù dōu bú shì shì le ！
但如果有大人的指点，那就都不是事了！
"Standard Heavenly Wielder Armor, Divine Might Lightning..."
tóu zī yī dào ， shuō bái le ， qí shí yě hěn jiǎn dān 。
投资一道，说白了，其实也很简单。
"Hundred Battle Formation Diagrams..."
wú fēi jiù shì xìn xī chà ér yǐ 。
无非就是信息差而已。
The more He Zhenghao read, the tighter his brows furrowed with confusion.
zhǐ yào tí qián zhī xiǎo le bié rén bù zhī dào de xiāo xī ， jiē xià lái ， nǎ pà shì tóu zhū ， yě néng tǎng zhe zhuàn qián ！
只要提前知晓了别人不知道的消息，接下来，哪怕是头猪，也能躺着赚钱！
This was completely different from what he had expected.
hé zhèng hào shēn qū yǒu xiē wēi wēi chàn dǒu ， nǎo hǎi zhōng kuài sù yuè dú qǐ le lǐ fán tí gōng de míng dān 。
何正浩身躯有些微微颤抖，脑海中快速阅读起了李凡提供的名单。
He Zhenghao originally thought Li Fan would instruct him to buy rare minerals and spiritual herbs—materials whose prices wouldn’t fluctuate much due to the comprehensive control of the Celestial Mirror.
“ tiān yù dān 、 bào qì sàn 、 shā yì fēng mó dān ……”
“天愈丹、暴气散、杀意疯魔丹……”
At most, they might swing by 20% in either direction.
“ zhì shì tiān gāng jiǎ 、 shén wǔ léi ……”
“制式天罡甲、神武雷……”
Even if bought at peak price, holding them long enough could recoup losses when prices rose again.
“ bǎi zhàn zhèn tú ……”
“百战阵图……”
If his contribution rank was high enough, such losses would be negligible.
hé zhèng hào yuè dú ， méi tóu jiù yuè shì jǐn suǒ ， mǎn liǎn de yí huò 。
何正浩越读，眉头就越是紧锁，满脸的疑惑。
But now, Li Fan’s list consisted entirely of finished products—items used in magical battles like elixirs and artifacts.
gēn tā suǒ yù xiǎng de wán quán bù yí yàng 。
跟他所预想的完全不一样。
While it made sense to carry some elixirs for emergencies during exploration, most artifacts like Heavenly Wielder Armor or Divine Might Lightning were rarely needed by ordinary cultivators.
hé zhèng hào yuán xiān yǐ wéi ， lǐ fán ràng cǎi gòu de wù zī ， huì shì yī xiē xī yǒu kuàng shí 、 líng mù cǎo yào zhī lèi de yuán cái liào 。
何正浩原先以为，李凡让采购的物资，会是一些稀有矿石、灵木草药之类的原材料。
And the formation diagrams? He Zhenghao searched through their market transactions, finding few records of them. They seemed almost ignored.
yīn wèi yǒu zhe tiān xuán jìng de quán jú zhǎng wò ， zhè xiē dōng xī de jià gé bō dòng fú dù ， dōu bú huì tài dà 。
因为有着天玄镜的全局掌握，这些东西的价格波动幅度，都不会太大。
Thus, prices remained stable and they could be mass-produced with ample stock. How could these items increase in value?
zuì duō yě jiù zài shàng xià bǎi fēn zhī èr shí zuǒ yòu 。
最多也就在上下百分之二十左右。
Despite Li Fan’s impressive predictive abilities, He Zhenghao still harbored deep doubts about buying so many.
jiù suàn bù xìng zài zuì gāo diǎn mǎi rù ， zhǐ yào chí yǒu zú gòu de zhǎng de shí jiān ， jiù néng chóng xīn děng dào jià gé de bō fēng 。
就算不幸在最高点买入，只要持有足够的长的时间，就能重新等到价格的波峰。
Should he really buy such large quantities?
dào shí hòu zài mài chū de huà ， zuì duō yě jiù sǔn shī diǎn shǒu xù fèi 。
到时候再卖出的话，最多也就损失点手续费。
He Zhenghao hesitated but High Yuan's warning echoed in his mind.
ruò guǒ gōng xūn děng jí gòu gāo de huà ， shǒu xù fèi de sǔn shī dōu néng hū lüè bù jì 。
若果功勋等级够高的话，手续费的损失都能忽略不计。
"As subordinates, we may not have the ability, but it is crucial that we follow orders obediently."
kě zhè cì lǐ fán jiāo dài de qīng dān shàng de wù zī ， jū rán quán dōu shì xiē chéng pǐn 。
可这次李凡交代的清单上的物资，居然全都是些成品。
"We must complete whatever our superior asks of us without hesitation or delay."
ér qiě ……
而且……
"Otherwise, with so many cultivators in Cunyun Sea, why would he favor us?"
dōu shì xiē gēn rén dòu fǎ cái huì yòng dào de dān yào 、 fǎ qì 、 zhèn tú zhī lèi de 。
都是些跟人斗法才会用到的丹药、法器、阵图之类的。
...
dān yào hái hǎo shuō ， xiū shì men tàn suǒ zōng mén yí jì ， nán miǎn huì yù dào wēi xiǎn 。 suí shēn dài diǎn ， yǐ bèi bù shí zhī xū yě shì yīng yǒu zhī lǐ 。
丹药还好说，修士们探索宗门遗迹，难免会遇到危险。随身带点，以备不时之需也是应有之理。
He Zhenghao gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
kě xiàng tiān gāng jiǎ 、 shén wǔ léi zhī lèi de fǎ qì ， chú fēi shēng sǐ bó shā ， xún cháng xiū shì gēn běn yòng bù shàng 。
可像天罡甲、神武雷之类的法器，除非生死搏杀，寻常修士根本用不上。
"Although I don’t understand it fully, I will follow the instructions."
gèng bié tí nà xiē zhèn tú le 。
更别提那些阵图了。
"Moreover, these elixirs and artifacts are widely known. When people mention cheap and effective options, they always come to mind first."
hé zhèng hào sōu suǒ le xià zhè xiē wù zī zài shì chǎng shàng de jiāo yì jì lù ， liáo liáo wú jǐ 。
何正浩搜索了下这些物资在市场上的交易记录，寥寥无几。
"Even if the prediction fails, we won't lose much."
jī běn kě yǐ shuō shì wú rén wèn jīn 。
基本可以说是无人问津。
He Zhenghao consoled himself.
suǒ yǐ jià gé yě yì zhí hěn wěn dìng 。 ér qiě zhè dōu shì xiē néng gòu zhì shì dà pī liàng shēng chǎn de ， xiǎng lái kù cún yě shì jí duō de 。
所以价格也一直很稳定。而且这都是些能够制式大批量生产的，想来库存也是极多的。
With renewed focus, He Zhenghao quickly contacted his friends for advice.
zhè xiē dōng xī de jià gé ， huì zhǎng ？
这些东西的价格，会涨？
As a sought-after individual, he received many suggestions from eager cultivators. After comparing prices from over ten suppliers, He Zhenghao began his procurement efforts.
nǎ pà qián jǐ cì lǐ fán yǐ jīng zhǎn shì le tā nà shén hū qí jì de yù yán néng lì ， cǐ kè de hé zhèng hào hái shì bù jīn xiàn rù le shēn shēn de huái yí zhōng 。
哪怕前几次李凡已经展示了他那神乎其技的预言能力，此刻的何正浩还是不禁陷入了深深的怀疑中。
With such a large order and products with ample stock, the sellers were more than willing to offer discounts to finalize the deal swiftly.
zhēn de yào dà pī liàng mǎi zhè xiē dōng xī ma ？
真的要大批量买这些东西嘛？
Though one hundred million contribution points seemed like a lot, they didn’t go far when divided among various items.
hé zhèng hào dùn shí yǒu xiē yóu yù 。
何正浩顿时有些犹豫。
Even small workshops could meet his requirements.
bù guò zhè ge shí hòu ， gāo yuǎn de gào jiè zhī shēng ， zài dù huí xiǎng zài tā de nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
不过这个时候，高远的告戒之声，再度回想在他的脑海中。
Thus, the procurement progressed faster than He Zhenghao expected.
“ wǒ men zhè xiē shēn wèi xià shǔ de ， méi yǒu néng lì hái wú suǒ wèi 。 zuì zhòng yào de shì ， zú gòu tīng huà 。”
“我们这些身为下属的，没有能力还无所谓。最重要的是，足够听话。”
When he spent all of the one hundred million contribution points on seemingly useless "waste products," even though it was Li Fan’s instruction, he felt a hollow emptiness in his heart.
“ dà rén ràng wǒ men gàn shén me ， wǒ men yí dìng yào jiān jué dì 、 bù tuō ní dài shuǐ de wán chéng 。”
“大人让我们干什么，我们一定要坚决地、不拖泥带水的完成。”
A sense of unreality lingered, refusing to dissipate.
“ yào bù rán ， cóng yún hǎi zhè me duō xiū shì ， wǒ men yòu bú shì shén me tiān zòng zhī cái 。 dà rén yòu hé bì qīng lài wǒ men ？”
“要不然，丛云海这么多修士，我们又不是什么天纵之材。大人又何必青睐我们？”
He Zhenghao's actions were not hidden from some observant eyes.
……
……
In everyone’s view, his every move represented more than just himself; he was Li Fan’s trusted aide. Such a large-scale purchase couldn’t be without Li Fan’s approval.
hé zhèng hào yǎo yǎo yá ， xià dìng le jué xīn 。
何正浩咬咬牙，下定了决心。
Could the ancient Heaven Mechanism Sect cultivator have predicted this?
“ suī rán yǒu diǎn kàn bù dǒng ， dàn shì àn zhào dà rén de zhǐ diǎn qù cāo zuò jiù shì le 。”
“虽然有点看不懂，但是按照大人的指点去操作就是了。”
Many people felt tempted by He Zhenghao's purchases.
“ kuàng qiě zhè xiē dān yào 、 fǎ qì de liú chuán dù hěn guǎng ， yī tí qǐ shén me pián yi hǎo yòng de ， nǎo hǎi zhōng shǒu xiān jiù huì xiǎng qǐ tā men 。”
“况且这些丹药、法器的流传度很广，一提起什么便宜好用的，脑海中首先就会想起它们。”
However...
“ jiù suàn dà rén yù yán shī bài ， yě bù kě néng kuī dào nǎ lǐ qù ba 。”
“就算大人预言失败，也不可能亏到哪里去吧。”
The tragic case of Pusei Zhenye Grass served as a reminder, and more cultivators learned to be cautious. They suspected that Li Fan was deliberately inflating prices again.
hé zhèng hào zhè me ān wèi zì jǐ 。
何正浩这么安慰自己。
They chose to wait instead.
Not dwelling on the subtle thoughts High Yuan had about perceiving people's hearts, the perspective returned to He Zhenghao.
In his restless state of mind, he spent another ten days or so and finally managed to gather one hundred million contribution points.
Following High Yuan's instructions, he quietly waited for Li Fan’s next orders. This period was quite a torment.
Although it seemed reasonable that High Yuan’s guess might be correct, it was just his personal speculation after all.
As for what the Secret Envoy truly intended...
Who could really know?
Perhaps, High Yuan had already decided to let him manage those one hundred million contribution points?
Despite appearing calm on the surface, his mind was in turmoil and he felt anxious.
It was like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution, anxiously waiting to see what fate would befall him.
He truly experienced firsthand what ancient cultivators called "heart demons invading."
Fortunately for him, High Yuan’s luck seemed to hold out. Just as he thought he couldn’t bear it any longer, he suddenly felt a strange vibration in his storage ring.
Overjoyed, He Zhenghao quickly composed himself and retrieved the tiny metal figure from within.
"Sir, is there something you need?" he asked respectfully, placing the figure on the table.
"You should use the one hundred million contribution points to purchase the items listed as soon as possible."
Li Fan’s voice came from the metal statue.
"You don’t necessarily have to buy them through the Celestial Mirror. You can consider other lower-quality but cheaper options if they meet your needs."
"Once these prices increase, you can sell them off."
...
After finishing his instructions, Li Fan's voice faded away.
He Zhenghao’s mind was now a blank canvas, thundering with thoughts.
"High Yuan guessed wrong!"
"The Secret Envoy truly intends to let me manage those one hundred million contribution points!"
For a moment, he paused in thought before recovering.
But this time, he no longer felt fear or helplessness. Instead, he felt an inexplicable excitement and enthusiasm.
Although it would be difficult for him alone, with the guidance of his superior, everything would fall into place!
Investment was simple—just take advantage of information gaps.
As long as you knew something others didn’t, even a pig could make money lying down!
He Zhenghao’s body trembled slightly as he quickly scanned through Li Fan's list.
"Restorative Elixir, Rage Inducing Powder, Madness from Killing Intent..."
"Standard Heavenly Wielder Armor, Divine Might Lightning..."
"Hundred Battle Formation Diagrams..."
The more He Zhenghao read, the tighter his brows furrowed with confusion.
This was completely different from what he had expected.
He Zhenghao originally thought Li Fan would instruct him to buy rare minerals and spiritual herbs—materials whose prices wouldn’t fluctuate much due to the comprehensive control of the Celestial Mirror.
At most, they might swing by 20% in either direction.
Even if bought at peak price, holding them long enough could recoup losses when prices rose again.
If his contribution rank was high enough, such losses would be negligible.
But now, Li Fan’s list consisted entirely of finished products—items used in magical battles like elixirs and artifacts.
While it made sense to carry some elixirs for emergencies during exploration, most artifacts like Heavenly Wielder Armor or Divine Might Lightning were rarely needed by ordinary cultivators.
And the formation diagrams? He Zhenghao searched through their market transactions, finding few records of them. They seemed almost ignored.
Thus, prices remained stable and they could be mass-produced with ample stock. How could these items increase in value?
Despite Li Fan’s impressive predictive abilities, He Zhenghao still harbored deep doubts about buying so many.
Should he really buy such large quantities?
He Zhenghao hesitated but High Yuan's warning echoed in his mind.
"As subordinates, we may not have the ability, but it is crucial that we follow orders obediently."
"We must complete whatever our superior asks of us without hesitation or delay."
"Otherwise, with so many cultivators in Cunyun Sea, why would he favor us?"
...
He Zhenghao gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
"Although I don’t understand it fully, I will follow the instructions."
"Moreover, these elixirs and artifacts are widely known. When people mention cheap and effective options, they always come to mind first."
"Even if the prediction fails, we won't lose much."
He Zhenghao consoled himself.
With renewed focus, He Zhenghao quickly contacted his friends for advice.
As a sought-after individual, he received many suggestions from eager cultivators. After comparing prices from over ten suppliers, He Zhenghao began his procurement efforts.
With such a large order and products with ample stock, the sellers were more than willing to offer discounts to finalize the deal swiftly.
Though one hundred million contribution points seemed like a lot, they didn’t go far when divided among various items.
Even small workshops could meet his requirements.
Thus, the procurement progressed faster than He Zhenghao expected.
When he spent all of the one hundred million contribution points on seemingly useless "waste products," even though it was Li Fan’s instruction, he felt a hollow emptiness in his heart.
A sense of unreality lingered, refusing to dissipate.
He Zhenghao's actions were not hidden from some observant eyes.
In everyone’s view, his every move represented more than just himself; he was Li Fan’s trusted aide. Such a large-scale purchase couldn’t be without Li Fan’s approval.
Could the ancient Heaven Mechanism Sect cultivator have predicted this?
Many people felt tempted by He Zhenghao's purchases.
However...
The tragic case of Pusei Zhenye Grass served as a reminder, and more cultivators learned to be cautious. They suspected that Li Fan was deliberately inflating prices again.
They chose to wait instead.