With the announcement of the materials needed for the Purification Spirit Pool, the surface of Glass Island remained calm, but beneath, undercurrents were surging. Even ordinary people who were not concerned with such matters knew that the major forces on the island were now searching for something called Star Sea Flowing Sand.
Li Fan had been secretly investigating to no avail, but on this day, he received an unexpected visitor. It was none other than Xiao Heng, whom Li Fan had met when he first arrived in the Immortal Cultivation World.
"Please, have a seat," Li Fan poured him a cup of tea.
Xiao Heng looked around Li Fan's current residence, his eyes filled with envy and nostalgia.
"Is there something you need from me, young brother?" Li Fan asked kindly, as he had a good impression of Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng first glanced around cautiously, then leaned in and whispered, "I heard that Brother Li is also looking for Star Sea Flowing Sand recently?"
Li Fan's eyes narrowed, "Yes. I am getting old, and if I want to cultivate, I can only rely on the Purification Spirit Pool. Do you know about this?"
Xiao Heng swallowed and nodded, "Yes, when the Immortal Master descended upon the Great Li Kingdom, he promised that if we gathered the materials he needed, he would take a group of people to the Great Immortal World. Among these materials was the Star Sea Flowing Sand."
Li Fan was taken aback and then asked with some doubt, "Really? Why do I have no impression of this?"
Previously, Li Fan had also asked the people from the Great Li Kingdom, and they all claimed ignorance, which is why he asked.
Xiao Heng felt a bit embarrassed, "When the announcement was made to the world, some items on the list were already removed and allocated as reserved quotas to the major families of the Great Li Kingdom. The item my family was assigned to collect was this Star Sea Flowing Sand."
Li Fan nodded slowly.
"Tell me, what are your conditions?" Li Fan asked directly.
Seeing Li Fan being so straightforward, Xiao Heng felt a bit embarrassed, his face flushed as he explained, "You paid for Chang Yu's burial back then, which was a kindness to me. I shouldn't be asking for anything, but life on Glass Island is too hard. I don't have the skills like Brother Li, and I'm still living in the slums on the outskirts, doing hard labor every day to make a living..."
Xiao Heng rambled on, and Li Fan smiled gently, interrupting him.
"No need to say more, I understand your difficulties. I am determined to obtain this item. As long as you can provide clues, feel free to make any requests, and I will do my best to fulfill them."
Xiao Heng was very grateful, "In that case, I thank you, Brother Li."
He paused, then said with some emotion, "Actually, this item is not rare. It's just that the Immortal Master's terminology differs from ours. Of course, if it weren't for the explanations attached to the list back then, I wouldn't have known that the so-called Star Sea Flowing Sand is actually just meteorite iron."
Li Fan pondered this and then realized, "Star Sea Flowing Sand... I see. But is any meteorite iron acceptable? Are there any other specific requirements?"
"There are, there are."
Xiao Heng nodded repeatedly and then slowly explained the specific requirements one by one.
"First, the meteorite iron must have a good appearance; it can't be pitted. Secondly, the overall weight of a piece must be at least fifty catties. Then..."
As Xiao Heng spoke, Li Fan memorized everything carefully.
After Xiao Heng finished, Li Fan did not forget his promise.
"Tell me, what do you want?"
Xiao Heng whispered, "I just want a decent courtyard and a slightly easier job. Of course, if I could have a few maidservants, that would be even better."
Li Fan had been prepared for Xiao Heng to make exorbitant demands, but seeing such simple requests, he couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
"I didn't expect the son of the Prince of Southern Town to have such modest requests. Why not ask for more? I do have some influence at the Treasure Pavilion."
Xiao Heng declined politely, "I know my own capabilities. Being able to eat well and live comfortably without working so hard is enough for me. If I suddenly had wealth that made others envious, it would only invite disaster."
Li Fan nodded and did not insist further.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Xiao Heng took his leave.
"Do you have any plans to cultivate? After all, you went through so much to reach the Great Immortal World; it shouldn't be for nothing, right?" Li Fan asked suddenly as they parted.
"Maybe in the future. I'm really not interested in cultivation. Just reading the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra makes me sleepy, and I don't know how long it will take to completely dispel the miasma," Xiao Heng replied disinterestedly, leaving without looking back.
After seeing Xiao Heng off, Li Fan hurried to the Treasure Pavilion.
Meeting with Yin Yuzhen, Li Fan repeated Xiao Heng's explanation about the Star Sea Flowing Sand.
"Star Sea Flowing Sand is just meteorite iron? That simple?" Yin Yuzhen was surprised. "Is this Xiao Heng trustworthy?"
"He shouldn't be lying," Li Fan affirmed.
"But we can't leave it unverified," Li Fan suddenly changed the topic, "Didn't you say that the merchant from the Wanhua Chamber of Commerce will be coming to Glass Island soon? We can probe the truth from him then."
"That's a good idea," Yin Yuzhen agreed. "If we can save some costs, all the better."
"No matter what, we should start secretly purchasing meteorite iron that meets the requirements. Not many people know about this yet, but that might change soon. Also, when purchasing, mix it with other items to cover our tracks and confuse others. Meanwhile, spread false information about Star Sea Flowing Sand in the market to muddy the waters."
Li Fan thought for a moment and then patiently instructed.
To ensure the allocation of the Purification Spirit Pool, Li Fan needed to plan thoroughly.
"Uncle, you really are something. I only knew you had a spiritual body, but I didn't expect you to be so capable," Yin Yuzhen said, her eyes filled with curiosity as she observed Li Fan's orderly arrangements.
"What did you do before, Uncle?" Yin Yuzhen couldn't help but ask.
"Just teaching people to read," Li Fan replied evasively.
Yin Yuzhen looked skeptical.
"Alright, I'll leave the matters to you. I need to go cultivate. Unless there's something urgent, don't disturb me. Oh, and handle the matter I promised Xiao Heng," Li Fan instructed before leaving the Treasure Pavilion.
"Great fortune, how can it always be great fortune?" Yin Yuzhen muttered, feeling puzzled as she sensed the direction Li Fan had left.
Ever since meeting Li Fan, every task he assigned her had shown signs of great fortune.
This almost made Yin Yuzhen think her ability to foresee fortune and misfortune had failed.
Before meeting Li Fan, she had never encountered anything of great fortune.
In contrast, when she once wanted to consume the Dust-Cleansing Pill and embark on the path of cultivation, she foresaw a perilous journey with no chance of survival, a definite sign of great misfortune.