Li Fan secretly investigated and confirmed that Yin Yuzhen was not lying about the Dust-Cleansing Pill. Three days later, he met with Yin Yuzhen again and agreed to her request. They agreed that before the Purification Spirit Pool opened, Li Fan would help the Treasure Pavilion collect a certain amount of treasures at regular intervals. When the spirit pool opened, Yin Yuzhen would hand over the Dust-Cleansing Pill to Li Fan. To show her sincerity, Yin Yuzhen also presented the deed to the Tingyou Tower.
With the agreement in place, Li Fan did not hesitate to accept it. Thus, Li Fan moved once again. Tingyou Tower was located in the central area of Glass Island, surrounded by bustling activity. However, its unique architectural structure and the arrangement of plants completely isolated it from the noisy environment. Though situated in a busy market, it felt as if one was residing in a secluded mountain. This concept of finding tranquility amidst chaos is why it was named Tingyou.
The area of Tingyou Tower was several times larger than Li Fan's previous small courtyard, and its internal rock gardens, lakes, flowers, and trees required maintenance. Once again, Li Fan declined the maids sent by the Treasure Pavilion and instead hired a few workers from the island to clean every three days. Yin Yuzhen was helpless regarding Li Fan's cautiousness. Fortunately, Li Fan did not shirk his responsibilities regarding their agreement.
During the year he lived in Tingyou Tower, Li Fan completed three official seafaring missions from Glass Island, each time bringing back several chests of treasures. This not only shocked the entire island but also secured a spot for the Treasure Pavilion's fleet. Thereafter, whenever the Treasure Pavilion's fleet set sail, Li Fan would accompany them. Over the year, the Treasure Pavilion's profits were overflowing, almost equaling the total earnings of the previous five years.
Li Fan also established a reputation among the people of the Treasure Pavilion, who both respected and feared him. In their eyes, Elder Li not only possessed great abilities, always finding treasures during expeditions, but was also meticulous and decisive. On one occasion, when the Treasure Pavilion's fleet was at sea, some crew members, envious of the treasures salvaged, plotted to kill and rob. However, Elder Li had already sensed something amiss and preemptively beheaded them before they could act. The bodies were thrown into the sea, and the heads were strung together to serve as a warning to others.
Privately, people speculated that those crew members might have just been speaking recklessly under the influence of alcohol and might not have had the courage to commit murder and robbery. But even with just a slight possibility, Elder Li showed no mercy and killed them all. Moreover, not only did the officials of Glass Island and the shopkeepers not blame him, but they also praised Elder Li's actions, stating that he had effectively protected Glass Island's assets. Even the island's residents, upon learning of the incident, cursed the robbers, saying Elder Li did a splendid job.
Since then, no one in the Treasure Pavilion's fleet dared to harbor any ill intentions. Everyone was cautious around Li Fan, fearing he might find an excuse to execute them.
Li Fan, however, was indifferent to others' opinions of him. To quickly gain full control of the fleet, some deterrent measures were necessary. He had no time to waste on mundane matters. Over the past year, whenever he had free time, he diligently practiced the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra. It wasn't just because it could dispel miasma; Li Fan discovered something that delighted him.
The charging progress of [Return to Origin] had accelerated! Previously, the charging progress of [Return to Origin] could only naturally increase over time. It would reach 100% every twenty years, slowly rising to a maximum of 200%, and then stop increasing. In his previous nine reincarnations, Li Fan had tried various methods to speed up the charging progress, but none succeeded.
Li Fan had left the Great Xuan Kingdom and entered the Immortal Cultivation World over a year ago. According to previous patterns, the charging progress should have been between 6% and 7%. However, to his surprise, the charging progress had reached 15%. The charging speed had nearly doubled! Apart from the Clear Heart Mantra, Li Fan hadn't encountered anything else that might have contributed to this. The only explanation was that practicing the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra could accelerate the charging progress of [Return to Origin].
Although he didn't yet understand the principle behind it, this didn't stop Li Fan from practicing even more diligently. With the [Return to Origin] panel displaying every bit of progress clearly, Li Fan wouldn't lose motivation due to the long and monotonous practice. Besides the charging progress, Li Fan's lifespan limit had also increased significantly.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Biological Age: 42/95↑
Mental Age: 505/1210↑
Void Energy Charge Progress: 115%
Anchor Charging Progress: 51%
Current Anchor Points: 1
Bound Items: Thousand Mysteries Jade Golden Seal, Taiyan Boat, Fragmented Stele (Damaged)
Time quietly passed as Li Fan immersed himself in cultivation. Soon, only a year remained until the opening of the Purification Spirit Pool. Glass Island also announced the list of required materials for this occasion. Li Fan was currently discussing this list with the people of the Treasure Pavilion.
"Everything else on this list is manageable, but what is this Star Sea Flowing Sand?" Li Fan asked with a frown after reviewing the list. After working at the Treasure Pavilion for a year, Li Fan had gained some understanding of the common ores and rare materials circulating in the Congyun Sea.
Not only was Sun Zhang puzzled, but even Yin Yuzhen, the shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion, remained silent. "All the materials needed this time are very common, except for this Star Sea Flowing Sand, which I've never heard of. It seems the key to securing a spot this time lies in this Star Sea Flowing Sand," Sun Zhang said.
"I've been in business for over a decade and have never heard of this thing," Yin Yuzhen said, tapping her fingers on the table. "It seems we need to inquire with the people from the Wanhua Merchant Guild."
"Those people are as greedy as ghosts. It will probably cost us dearly," Sun Zhang sighed.
"I am determined to secure a spot in the spirit pool," Li Fan said firmly.
The Wanhua Merchant Guild was not a local guild in the Congyun Sea but came from a continent thousands of miles away. It was said that the guild was supported by immortal masters, allowing them to easily traverse the endless seas and conduct business in the remote Congyun Sea. Ever since Yin Yuzhen established a connection with the Wanhua Merchant Guild over a decade ago, both sides had maintained trade relations. It was through the Wanhua Merchant Guild that the Treasure Pavilion could quickly convert the vast treasures Li Fan salvaged into profits.
"There is still a year to prepare. The merchant from the Wanhua Merchant Guild should pass through the Congyun Sea in three months, and I can contact him then," Yin Yuzhen said.
"We can't rely entirely on the Wanhua Merchant Guild. Over the past year, Glass Island has taken in many refugees from other islands. These refugees come from various parts of the Congyun Sea, and perhaps some of them know about this Star Sea Flowing Sand. We can inquire with them. The other forces on the island will also be searching for this Star Sea Flowing Sand, so we need to monitor them closely. If they make any discoveries, we can follow suit," Li Fan decided.
(End of Chapter)