“ bù xíng ， cǐ fǎ kě yǐ shuō shì wèi wǒ liàng shēn dìng zuò ， jué bù kě cuò guò ！”
“不行，此法可以说是为我量身定做，决不可错过！”
"Absolutely not, this technique is tailor-made for me. I can't afford to miss it!"
hán yì lái huí duó bù ， zuǐ lǐ nán nán zì yǔ 。
韩易来回踱步，嘴里喃喃自语。
Han Yi paced back and forth, muttering to himself.
“ sǔn shī sān fēn zhī yī de wéi yuē jīn ， ér wǒ de běn jīn shì jiǔ shí yī wàn 。”
“损失三分之一的违约金，而我的本金是九十一万。”
"The penalty fee is a third of my principal—ninety-one thousand."
“ rú guǒ néng shùn lì qǔ huí ， jiù shì liù shí wàn ……”
“如果能顺利取回，就是六十万……”
"If everything goes smoothly, that's sixty thousand..."
hán yì xīn zhōng yī zhèn ròu tòng 。
韩易心中一阵肉痛。
Han Yi felt a sharp pain in his heart.
jì ér miàn lù jiū jié ：“ hái chà wǔ shí duō wàn ！”
继而面露纠结：“还差五十多万！”
Then he looked troubled: "Still fifty thousand short!"
“ yī nián shí jiān ， wǒ rú guǒ pīn zhe zài dù fǎn shì ， yě bú shì bù néng zài zhuàn zhè me duō 。”
“一年时间，我如果拼着再度反噬，也不是不能再赚这么多。”
"Even if I risk another backlash, I could still make this much within a year."
“ zhǐ shì rú cǐ pín fán ， pà shì huì shāng jí gēn jī 。”
“只是如此频繁，怕是会伤及根基。”
"But doing it too often might damage my foundation."
yī zhèn jiū jié ， xǔ jiǔ zhī hòu ， hán yì zhōng yú shì xià le jué xīn 。
一阵纠结，许久之后，韩易终于是下了决心。
After much deliberation, Han Yi finally made up his mind.
“ cóng qián wǒ yǐ wéi ， zhǐ yào néng gòu zhǎng kòng qì yùn ， jiù bì dìng néng xiū yǒu suǒ chéng 。”
“从前我以为，只要能够掌控气运，就必定能修有所成。”
"I used to think that as long as I could control fate and fortune, I would surely succeed in cultivation."
“ bù guò cóng zhè jǐ nián wǒ de jīng lì lái kàn ， qì yùn yě bú shì wàn néng de 。 xiǎng yào chéng jiù hé dào ， shèn zhì cháng shēng ， guāng kào qì yùn ， shì yuǎn yuǎn bù gòu de 。”
“不过从这几年我的经历来看，气运也不是万能的。想要成就合道，甚至长生，光靠气运，是远远不够的。”
"But after these few years of experience, I realize that fate isn't all-powerful. To achieve harmony with the Dao or even immortality, relying solely on fate is far from enough."
“ zī yuán 、 rén mài ， zhè xiē tóng yàng zhòng yào ！”
“资源、人脉，这些同样重要！”
"Resources and connections are equally important!"
“ cǐ fān gōng fǎ xiǎn yú shì jiān ， nǎi qiān zài liáng jī 。 tiān yǔ bù qǔ ， fǎn shòu qí jiù ！”
“此番功法显于世间，乃千载良机。天予不取，反受其咎！”
"This technique being revealed to the world now is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. If you don’t seize it when offered, you’ll only suffer its consequences!"
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， hán yì jìng zhí cháo zhe cóng yún chéng bù zhèng táng ér qù 。
想到这里，韩易径直朝着丛云城布政堂而去。
With this thought in mind, Han Yi headed straight for the government hall of Congyun City.
tā zài lù shàng ， jiù yǐ jīng tīng shuō cǐ chù jù jí le hǎo dà yī pī xiū shì 。 gēn tā yī yàng ， dōu shì xiǎng tí qián shú huí gòng xiàn dù de 。
他在路上，就已经听说此处聚集了好大一批修士。跟他一样，都是想提前赎回贡献度的。
On his way, he heard that many cultivators had gathered here, all hoping to redeem their contribution points early.
yuán běn tā xīn zhōng hái yǒu diǎn qìng xìng ， xiǎng zhe rén duō shì zhòng 、 hǎo bàn shì diǎn 。
原本他心中还有点庆幸，想着人多势众、好办事点。
Initially, he felt a bit relieved, thinking that with so many people, it would be easier to handle.
děng tā zhēn de dào le zhè lǐ ， xīn zhōng què shì yī liáng 。
等他真的到了这里，心中却是一凉。
But when he arrived, his heart sank.
zhǐ shèng xià xī xī luò luò de jǐ rén hái zài cǐ chù ， liǎn shàng yě shì shuāng dǎ dī qié zi bān ， wú jīng dǎ cǎi 。
只剩下稀稀落落的几人还在此处，脸上也是霜打的茄子般，无精打采。
Only a few scattered individuals remained, looking dispirited and forlorn.
“ mò bú shì yòu chū shén me biàn gù le ？” xīn zhōng tǎn tè de hán yì lián máng dǎ tàn le qǐ lái 。
“莫不是又出什么变故了？”心中忐忑的韩易连忙打探了起来。
"Is there another twist?" Han Yi nervously inquired.
jié guǒ què shì yǒu diǎn yì wài ， ràng tā bái dān xīn le 。
结果却是有点意外，让他白担心了。
To his surprise, the situation wasn't as dire as he had feared.
“ zhǐ yào yuàn yì péi cháng bǎi fēn zhī sān shí de wéi yuē jīn ， jiù néng bǎ gòng xiàn dù qǔ zǒu ？”
“只要愿意赔偿百分之三十的违约金，就能把贡献度取走？”
"Just pay thirty percent of the penalty fee, and you can take back your contribution points?"
“ méi yǒu qí tā fù jiā tiáo jiàn le ？”
“没有其他附加条件了？”
"Are there no other conditions?"
wèn qīng chǔ de hán yì ， bù jīn zhǎng shū le kǒu qì 。
问清楚的韩易，不禁长舒了口气。
Relieved after clarifying these details, Han Yi sighed with relief.
duì miàn de xiū shì jiàn zhuàng yǒu xiē bù fèn ：“ zhè kě shì sān fēn zhī yī ， dào yǒu què shì kàn shàng qù yì diǎn dōu bù zài hū de yàng zi 。”
对面的修士见状有些不忿：“这可是三分之一，道友却是看上去一点都不在乎的样子。”
The cultivator across from him was displeased: "That's a third. Your friend seems unconcerned about it."
hán yì yáo yáo tóu ：“ yuàn dǔ fú shū ， dāng chū qì yuē shàng xiě de míng míng bái bái 。 wǒ jì rán qiān le ， jiù suàn hòu huǐ ， yě bú huì duō shuō shén me 。”
韩易摇摇头：“愿赌服输，当初契约上写的明明白白。我既然签了，就算后悔，也不会多说什么。”
Han Yi shook his head: "I accept my fate as written in the contract. I signed it and won't have much to say even if I regret it."
“ wǒ yuán běn yǐ wéi ， mì shǐ dà rén zhè biān hái huì chèn zhe dà jiā jí yòng qián de gōng fu ， chèn jī jiā mǎ 。”
“我原本以为，秘使大人这边还会趁着大家急用钱的功夫，趁机加码。”
"I thought the secret envoy would take advantage of everyone’s urgent need for money, adding more conditions."
“ bù guò xiàn zài kàn lái ， tā men de xìn yòng dǎo shì hái bú cuò 。”
“不过现在看来，他们的信用倒是还不错。”
"But now it looks like their credit is good."
shuō zhě wú yì ， tīng zhě yǒu xīn 。
说者无意，听者有心。
Intentions aside, Han Yi's words angered some cultivators.
hán yì cǐ huà ， què shì jī nù le yī xiē xiū shì 。
韩易此话，却是激怒了一些修士。
"You must be Li Fan's stooge. Your tone suggests you were conned and are thanking him?"
“ nǐ zhè sī ， bú huì shì lǐ fán qǐng lái de tuō ba ？ qiáo nǐ nà yǔ qì ， shuō de hǎo xiàng bèi tā kēng le zhè duō ， hái yào xiè xiè tā shì de ？”
“你这厮，不会是李凡请来的托吧？瞧你那语气，说的好像被他坑了这多，还要谢谢他似的？”
"Indeed, this friend seems unfamiliar. He looks like he was brought here by Li Fan to sow discord! Don't let his lies fool you!"
“ jiù shì ， zhè wèi dào yǒu kàn zhuó yǎn shēng 。 zěn me kàn zěn me xiàng tā lǐ fán qǐng guò lái ， bān nòng shì fēi de ！ dà jiā bú yào bèi tā de yāo yán gǔ huò le ！”
“就是，这位道友看着眼生。怎么看怎么像他李凡请过来，搬弄是非的！大家不要被他的妖言蛊惑了！”
"He deserves death for his treachery!"
“ zhēn shì qí xīn kě zhū ！”
“真是其心可诛！”
...
……
……
Han Yi suddenly became the target of everyone’s frustration.
shùn jiān ， hán yì jiù mò míng qí miào chéng wéi le zhòng rén fā xiè de duì xiàng 。
瞬间，韩易就莫名其妙成为了众人发泄的对象。
He was still dazed when a few cultivators approached him.
yī shí jiān tā hái méi huí guò shén lái ， yǒu xiē fā mēng 。
一时间他还没回过神来，有些发蒙。
"Stop all this nonsense!" said Hao Zhenghao, who had witnessed the scene. "This friend makes sense. Accept your fate as written in the contract. It wasn't forced upon you by our master. Some even begged to join the fundraising!"
hǎo zài hé zhèng hào qiáo jiàn zhè mù ， jí shí lái jiù chǎng le 。
好在何正浩瞧见这幕，及时来救场了。
Hao Zhenghao lectured sternly.
“ wú lǐ qǔ nào shén me ！ wǒ kàn zhè wèi dào yǒu shuō de hěn yǒu dào lǐ ， yuàn dǔ fú shū ！ dāng chū yuē dìng ， yě bú shì wǒ jiā dà rén bī zhe nǐ men qiān xià de 。 shèn zhì nǐ men dāng zhōng ， hái yǒu xiē qiú zhe wǒ jiā rù mù zī de ？ zěn me rú jīn ， yí gè gè dōu fān liǎn bù rèn le ？”
“无理取闹什么！我看这位道友说的很有道理，愿赌服输！当初约定，也不是我家大人逼着你们签下的。甚至你们当中，还有些求着我加入募资的？怎么如今，一个个都翻脸不认了？”
The other cultivators, intimidated, retreated silently.
hé zhèng hào yī zhèn shǔ luò ， qì shì xiōng xiōng 。
何正浩一阵数落，气势汹汹。
"How should I address you?" Hao Zhenghao asked Han Yi, who was now visibly nervous.
ér nà xiē xiū shì jiàn zhuàng ， yě bù gǎn zài dāng miàn gēn tā zhēng lùn ， zhǐ dé xìng xìng tuì qù 。
而那些修士见状，也不敢再当面跟他争论，只得悻悻退去。
"I am Han Yi!" Han Yi knew this was Hao Zhenghao, the key figure in organizing the fundraising. He felt a mix of tension and relief.
“ zhè wèi dào yǒu zěn me chēng hū a ？” zhòng rén tuì qù ， hé zhèng hào kàn zhe wéi yī wèi lǐ fán shuō huà de xiū shì ， bù jīn hé yán yuè sè de wèn dào 。
“这位道友怎么称呼啊？”众人退去，何正浩看着唯一为李凡说话的修士，不禁和颜悦色的问道。
"Haha, relax, Han friend," Hao Zhenghao said with a smile. "I've met thousands of cultivators like you."
“ zài xià hán yì ！” hán yì zhī dào cǐ rén jiù shì zhǔ chí mù jí jì huà de hé zhèng hào ， yě shì zì jǐ néng gòu qǔ huí gòng xiàn dù de guān jiàn rén wù ， yī shí jiān yǒu xiē jǐn zhāng 。
“在下韩易！”韩易知道此人就是主持募集计划的何正浩，也是自己能够取回贡献度的关键人物，一时间有些紧张。
He quickly understood Han Yi's state of mind.
“ hē hē ， hán dào yǒu fàng qīng sōng diǎn 。” hé zhèng hào rú jīn dǎ guò jiāo dào de xiū shì ， hé zhǐ shàng wàn 。
“呵呵，韩道友放轻松点。”何正浩如今打过交道的修士，何止上万。
Recalling Li Fan’s sudden instructions, Hao Zhenghao had an idea.
zì rán yī yǎn jiù kàn chuān le hán yì cǐ shí de xīn tài 。
自然一眼就看穿了韩易此时的心态。
"In this era, few cultivators are as rational and wise as you." He sighed.
xiǎng dào zhī qián lǐ fán tū rán chuán lái de fēn fù ， xīn zhōng dùn shí yǒu le zhǔ yì 。
想到之前李凡突然传来的吩咐，心中顿时有了主意。
"Don't be fooled by these rumors. The secret envoy is no fraud. On the contrary, he has a kind heart. Knowing many need contribution points urgently, he specially instructed us."
“ zhè ge nián dài ， xiàng hán dào yǒu zhè bān míng shì lǐ de xiū shì kě bù duō le 。” hé zhèng hào yáo tóu tàn qì dào 。
“这个年代，像韩道友这般明事理的修士可不多了。”何正浩摇头叹气道。
"If truly in trouble, you can waive the penalty fee."
“ bú yào bèi wài jiè zhè xiē liú yán fēi yǔ gěi piàn le ， mì shǐ dà rén kě jué duì bú shì shén me piàn zi 。 xiāng fǎn ， tā xīn huái rén hòu ， dé zhī rú jīn xǔ duō xiū shì jí xū gòng xiàn dù ， hái tè dì dīng zhǔ xià lái 。”
“不要被外界这些流言蜚语给骗了，秘使大人可绝对不是什么骗子。相反，他心怀仁厚，得知如今许多修士急需贡献度，还特地叮嘱下来。”
Hearing this, Han Yi was overjoyed: "Really?"
“ ruò zhēn de yī shí kùn nán ， kě jiāng wéi yuē jīn miǎn qù 。”
“若真的一时困难，可将违约金免去。”
Hao Zhenghao's face turned serious: "Our master always keeps his word; there’s no lie here."
hán yì wén yán ， jīng xǐ mò míng ：“ zhēn de ？”
韩易闻言，惊喜莫名：“真的？”
"Come, Han friend. I'll handle your affairs now."
hé zhèng hào liǎn sè yī sù ：“ mì shì dà rén xiàng lái yán chū bì xíng ， nǎ huì yǒu jiǎ ？”
何正浩脸色一肃：“密室大人向来言出必行，哪会有假？”
Overwhelmed with joy, Han Yi hurriedly followed.
“ lái ， hán dào yǒu ， wǒ zhè jiù wèi nǐ bàn lǐ xiāng guān shì yí 。”
“来，韩道友，我这就为你办理相关事宜。”
After a while, he looked at the ninety-one thousand contribution points he had regained and felt myriad emotions.
hán yì jīng xǐ lián lián ， lián máng gēn zhe jìn qù 。
韩易惊喜连连，连忙跟着进去。
"Is this my lucky day?"
xiǎo bàn tiān zhī hòu ， hán yì kàn zhe zì jǐ shī ér fù de de jiǔ shí yī wàn gòng xiàn dù ， xīn zhōng yǒng qǐ wàn qiān gǎn kǎi 。
小半天之后，韩易看着自己失而复得的九十一万贡献度，心中涌起万千感慨。
Thinking about it, Han Yi vaguely sensed his troubles weren't over yet.
“ mò bú shì wǒ shí lái yùn zhuǎn le ？”
“莫不是我时来运转了？”
"Not really. Li Fan truly lives up to his reputation."
zhuǎn niàn yī xiǎng ， hán yì yǐn yuē yòu jué de zì jǐ jié nàn hái wèi guò qù 。
转念一想，韩易隐约又觉得自己劫难还未过去。
"With so many penalty fees due, he waved his hand and waived them all."
“ bú duì ， yīng gāi shuō shì zhè lǐ fán guǒ rán bù fù qí xū míng 。 dàng zhēn qì dù fēi fán 。”
“不对，应该说是这李凡果然不负其虚名。当真气度非凡。”
"I see those cultivators were clearly judging him with a small-minded heart!"
“ wéi yuē de gòng xiàn dù zhè me duō ， tā dà shǒu yī huī ， shuō miǎn jiù miǎn 。”
“违约的贡献度这么多，他大手一挥，说免就免。”
Grateful for Li Fan's help, Han Yi thought to himself.
“ wǒ kàn gāng gāng nà xiē xiū shì ， shì míng xiǎn de yǐ xiǎo rén zhī xīn ， dù jūn zǐ zhī fù le ！”
“我看刚刚那些修士，是明显的以小人之心，度君子之腹了！”
Unbeknownst to him, this was exactly what Li Fan wanted.
duì lǐ fán àn zì gǎn jī de tóng shí ， hán yì bù jīn rú cǐ xiǎng dào 。
对李凡暗自感激的同时，韩易不禁如此想到。
Through Zhou Qingang, he issued the command: when some defaulting cultivators came seeking redemption, they could be offered half their penalty fee waived at random.
rán ér ， tā què bù zhī ， rú cǐ xiǎng fǎ ， zhèng shì lǐ fán xiǎng yào de 。
然而，他却不知，如此想法，正是李凡想要的。
This would cost a little but muddy the waters.
tā jiè yóu zhōu qīng áng zhī kǒu ， chuán dá mìng lìng 。
他借由周青昂之口，传达命令。
The relieved cultivators who had their fees waived would naturally defend Li Fan against slander.
yǒu wéi yuē xiū shì zhǎo shàng mén lái de shí hòu ， kě yǐ zhuó qíng suí jī miǎn qù qí zhōng yí bàn xiū shì tí qǔ gòng xiàn dù suǒ xū de wéi yuē jīn 。
有违约修士找上门来的时候，可以酌情随机免去其中一半修士提取贡献度所需的违约金。
But those who lost out would not easily be convinced.
zhè yàng ， zhǐ shì shǎo zhuàn le yì diǎn ， què néng jiāng shuǐ jiǎo hún 。
这样，只是少赚了一点，却能将水搅浑。
Thus, disputes were inevitable.
nà xiē bèi miǎn le wéi yuē jīn de xiū shì ， jiàn dào páng rén dǐ huǐ lǐ fán ， shòu dào ēn huì de tā men ， zì rán huì wèi qí biàn jiě jǐ jù 。
那些被免了违约金的修士，见到旁人诋毁李凡，受到恩惠的他们，自然会为其辩解几句。
With one side accusing and the other defending, outside observers wouldn't easily believe either party’s viewpoint.
rán ér páng rén de sǔn shī yě shì shí dǎ shí de 。
然而旁人的损失也是实打实的。
This way, negative effects could be minimized.
dāng rán bù kě néng bèi qīng yì shuō fú 。
当然不可能被轻易说服。
Others could simply say "It's complicated; they're just arguing."
yú shì zhēng chǎo nán yǐ bì miǎn 。
于是争吵难以避免。
In fact, Li Fan was buying time to soothe those still hesitating about redeeming their contribution points.
gōng shuō gōng yǒu lǐ pó shuō pó yǒu lǐ ， dāng yí miàn dǎo de zhǐ zé hé pī píng ， biàn chéng liǎng fāng de zhēng lùn shí 。
公说公有理婆说婆有理，当一面倒的指责和批评，变成两方的争论时。
If he went too far, they might suspect he was leaving. But once their doubts were temporarily quelled, waiting for the arrival of the Scarlet Flame to Burn the Sea would complete his plans in Congyun Sea.
zhì shēn shì wài de chī guā qún zhòng ， duì yú liǎng zhě rèn hé yī fāng de guān diǎn ， dōu bú huì qīng yì xiāng xìn le 。
置身事外的吃瓜群众，对于两者任何一方的观点，都不会轻易相信了。
It matched Li Fan's expectations.
rú cǐ ， jiù néng jǐn kě néng de jiāng fù miàn yǐng xiǎng xiāo mǐ wú xíng 。
如此，就能尽可能的将负面影响消弭无形。
Despite causing a commotion, this incident gradually faded from memory as the deadline for discounts on techniques approached. Cultivators focused on earning contribution points and exchanging them before the opportunity vanished.
bié rén dǎ tīng qǐ lái ， yě dà kě shuō shàng yī jù “ āi ， cǐ shì yǒu diǎn fù zá ， chǎo lái chǎo qù dōu shuō bù qīng ” fū yǎn guò qù 。
别人打听起来，也大可说上一句“哎，此事有点复杂，吵来吵去都说不清”敷衍过去。
Han Yi was no exception.
lǐ fán zhè me zuò ， qí shí yě shì huǎn bīng zhī jì 。
李凡这么做，其实也是缓兵之计。
Perhaps because everyone needed contribution points, he searched long and hard without finding an opportune moment.
ān fǔ nà xiē hái zài guān wàng ， méi yǒu qǔ huí gòng xiàn dù de xiū shì 。
安抚那些还在观望，没有取回贡献度的修士。
Desperate, he activated his Fortune Scripture to seek a chance.
rú guǒ zuò de tài guò fèn ， nán miǎn nà xiē rén huì qǐ yí xīn ， rèn wéi zì jǐ zhēn de yào pǎo lù le 。
如果做的太过分，难免那些人会起疑心，认为自己真的要跑路了。
Following the感应, he left Congyun Sea and headed inland toward the mainland of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"Absolutely not, this technique is tailor-made for me. I can't afford to miss it!"
Han Yi paced back and forth, muttering to himself.
"The penalty fee is a third of my principal—ninety-one thousand."
"If everything goes smoothly, that's sixty thousand..."
Han Yi felt a sharp pain in his heart.
Then he looked troubled: "Still fifty thousand short!"
"Even if I risk another backlash, I could still make this much within a year."
"But doing it too often might damage my foundation."
After much deliberation, Han Yi finally made up his mind.
"I used to think that as long as I could control fate and fortune, I would surely succeed in cultivation."
"But after these few years of experience, I realize that fate isn't all-powerful. To achieve harmony with the Dao or even immortality, relying solely on fate is far from enough."
"Resources and connections are equally important!"
"This technique being revealed to the world now is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. If you don’t seize it when offered, you’ll only suffer its consequences!"
With this thought in mind, Han Yi headed straight for the government hall of Congyun City.
On his way, he heard that many cultivators had gathered here, all hoping to redeem their contribution points early.
Initially, he felt a bit relieved, thinking that with so many people, it would be easier to handle.
But when he arrived, his heart sank.
Only a few scattered individuals remained, looking dispirited and forlorn.
"Is there another twist?" Han Yi nervously inquired.
To his surprise, the situation wasn't as dire as he had feared.
"Just pay thirty percent of the penalty fee, and you can take back your contribution points?"
"Are there no other conditions?"
Relieved after clarifying these details, Han Yi sighed with relief.
The cultivator across from him was displeased: "That's a third. Your friend seems unconcerned about it."
Han Yi shook his head: "I accept my fate as written in the contract. I signed it and won't have much to say even if I regret it."
"I thought the secret envoy would take advantage of everyone’s urgent need for money, adding more conditions."
"But now it looks like their credit is good."
Intentions aside, Han Yi's words angered some cultivators.
"You must be Li Fan's stooge. Your tone suggests you were conned and are thanking him?"
"Indeed, this friend seems unfamiliar. He looks like he was brought here by Li Fan to sow discord! Don't let his lies fool you!"
"He deserves death for his treachery!"
...
Han Yi suddenly became the target of everyone’s frustration.
He was still dazed when a few cultivators approached him.
"Stop all this nonsense!" said Hao Zhenghao, who had witnessed the scene. "This friend makes sense. Accept your fate as written in the contract. It wasn't forced upon you by our master. Some even begged to join the fundraising!"
Hao Zhenghao lectured sternly.
The other cultivators, intimidated, retreated silently.
"How should I address you?" Hao Zhenghao asked Han Yi, who was now visibly nervous.
"I am Han Yi!" Han Yi knew this was Hao Zhenghao, the key figure in organizing the fundraising. He felt a mix of tension and relief.
"Haha, relax, Han friend," Hao Zhenghao said with a smile. "I've met thousands of cultivators like you."
He quickly understood Han Yi's state of mind.
Recalling Li Fan’s sudden instructions, Hao Zhenghao had an idea.
"In this era, few cultivators are as rational and wise as you." He sighed.
"Don't be fooled by these rumors. The secret envoy is no fraud. On the contrary, he has a kind heart. Knowing many need contribution points urgently, he specially instructed us."
"If truly in trouble, you can waive the penalty fee."
Hearing this, Han Yi was overjoyed: "Really?"
Hao Zhenghao's face turned serious: "Our master always keeps his word; there’s no lie here."
"Come, Han friend. I'll handle your affairs now."
Overwhelmed with joy, Han Yi hurriedly followed.
After a while, he looked at the ninety-one thousand contribution points he had regained and felt myriad emotions.
"Is this my lucky day?"
Thinking about it, Han Yi vaguely sensed his troubles weren't over yet.
"Not really. Li Fan truly lives up to his reputation."
"With so many penalty fees due, he waved his hand and waived them all."
"I see those cultivators were clearly judging him with a small-minded heart!"
Grateful for Li Fan's help, Han Yi thought to himself.
Unbeknownst to him, this was exactly what Li Fan wanted.
Through Zhou Qingang, he issued the command: when some defaulting cultivators came seeking redemption, they could be offered half their penalty fee waived at random.
This would cost a little but muddy the waters.
The relieved cultivators who had their fees waived would naturally defend Li Fan against slander.
But those who lost out would not easily be convinced.
Thus, disputes were inevitable.
With one side accusing and the other defending, outside observers wouldn't easily believe either party’s viewpoint.
This way, negative effects could be minimized.
Others could simply say "It's complicated; they're just arguing."
In fact, Li Fan was buying time to soothe those still hesitating about redeeming their contribution points.
If he went too far, they might suspect he was leaving. But once their doubts were temporarily quelled, waiting for the arrival of the Scarlet Flame to Burn the Sea would complete his plans in Congyun Sea.
It matched Li Fan's expectations.
Despite causing a commotion, this incident gradually faded from memory as the deadline for discounts on techniques approached. Cultivators focused on earning contribution points and exchanging them before the opportunity vanished.
Han Yi was no exception.
Perhaps because everyone needed contribution points, he searched long and hard without finding an opportune moment.
Desperate, he activated his Fortune Scripture to seek a chance.
Following the感应, he left Congyun Sea and headed inland toward the mainland of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.