Without explaining too much to Xiao Heng, Li Fan reassured him and then hurried to the Treasure Pavilion.
Yin Yuzhen was somewhat surprised by Li Fan's sudden arrival. After hearing the reason for his visit, she angrily explained the situation.
It turned out that after months of investigation, the various forces on Glass Island finally discovered that the Starsea Quicksand was actually celestial meteorite iron. However, when they wanted to collect the meteorite iron, they found that all the Starsea Quicksand within the Glass Island sea region had already been completely scavenged by the Treasure Pavilion. The previous chaos in the Glass Island market was actually orchestrated by the Treasure Pavilion behind the scenes.
"The Treasure Pavilion is treating everyone like fools!" In their shame and anger, they went to the Island Lord of Glass to demand an explanation. Yin Yuzhen naturally defended herself righteously, claiming her actions were legitimate business competition. The Island Lord also believed that although Yin Yuzhen's methods were a bit extreme, the competition for the Purification Spirit Pool slots was always based on one's abilities. As long as the necessary resources for the Immortal Master were gathered, even slightly excessive means were acceptable. Therefore, the Island Lord did not punish the Treasure Pavilion but instead reprimanded those causing trouble.
How could these people be content? A few days later, rumors began to spread on the island that the Treasure Pavilion was secretly involved in smuggling mortals. The rumors grew more exaggerated, suggesting that the Immortal Master would soon punish the Treasure Pavilion and annihilate them.
"So, is this matter serious? Will the Immortal Master really hold them accountable?" After understanding the situation, Li Fan couldn't help but ask.
"This is the troublesome part," Yin Yuzhen frowned. "The so-called 'unseen punishment, immeasurable power.' There has never been a clear prohibition against helping mortals smuggle. But this matter is ultimately taboo and cannot be exposed."
"Moreover, over a decade ago, an Immortal Master happened to witness a smuggling incident and, in anger, slaughtered all the mortals present."
"Since then, everyone tacitly conducts this smuggling business in secret."
Li Fan frowned slightly after hearing this. "So, this matter can be big or small. It all depends on the Immortal Master's mood?"
"Exactly. If the Immortal Master doesn't care much, then it's nothing. But if the Immortal Master is in a bad mood, then..." Yin Yuzhen didn't finish her sentence, but her face turned pale.
Li Fan fell silent. He recalled the scene when he first met Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi. In the eyes of these immortal cultivators, mortals were like ants, to be killed at will.
"To risk being beheaded just to do this smuggling business, the profits must be extremely high," Li Fan sighed.
"Naturally. The cost of a single smuggling operation often requires nearly a decade of plundering from a small world to satisfy. Imagine the profits," Yin Yuzhen nodded. "Because of this, some Immortal Masters can't resist secretly joining in to take a share."
"These Immortal Masters would never admit their involvement. When they interact with us, they use immortal arts to obscure their appearances and take away most of the profits," Yin Yuzhen said helplessly. "So, this matter has to be handled by the Treasure Pavilion itself."
Li Fan recalled the Immortal Master he encountered when he first entered the Immortal Cultivation World, nodding in agreement.
"Then, what is the temperament of the Immortal Master stationed on Glass Island? What is their attitude towards this matter?" Li Fan asked.
"Immortal Master He of Glass Island is reclusive, and I've only seen him a few times. So, I can't be sure of his attitude. But judging from his past handling of mundane affairs, he is not a merciful person," Yin Yuzhen said solemnly.
After analyzing the situation in his mind, Li Fan finally sighed. He knew that no matter how many schemes he had, in the face of absolute power disparity, everything was in vain.
For such an unstable factor like a ticking time bomb, Li Fan had no solution.
A thought crossed Li Fan's mind about the large amount of immortal miasma stored in a cabin of the Taiyan Boat.
"If there were thousands of death warriors in the Great Xuan, perhaps there would be a chance to fight back. But alas..."
But he quickly suppressed this dangerous thought.
"Let's arrange a meeting. This matter shouldn't be blown out of proportion," Li Fan suggested.
"Yes, I think so too," Yin Yuzhen agreed.
"They just want us to hand over some Starsea Quicksand. Since we have the upper hand and have collected enough, we might as well throw out a portion and let them fight among themselves. They will soon be at each other's throats," Li Fan sneered. "There is no unbreakable alliance in this world."
...
Three days later, the Treasure Pavilion met with the various forces on Glass Island and proposed the following conditions:
The Treasure Pavilion agreed to hand over a portion of the Starsea Quicksand, but the other parties must provide resources of equal value in exchange. Furthermore, how the Starsea Quicksand is divided among the parties is up to them to decide. Lastly, the Treasure Pavilion must secure a slot for the Purification Spirit Pool.
These conditions were not too harsh, and after some discussion, both parties quickly reached a reconciliation. After all, there was no deep-seated hatred between them, only a competition for the Purification Spirit Pool slots.
Thus, after paying the price of several pieces of meteorite iron, the Treasure Pavilion successfully extricated itself from the chaotic whirlpool. Almost immediately, the rumors about smuggling on the island vanished without a trace. Meanwhile, the other forces began openly and covertly fighting over the meteorite iron, leaving them no time to worry about the Treasure Pavilion.
As time passed, the day for the Purification Spirit Pool to open was fast approaching. After completing the inventory of the resources submitted by each party, the slots for the Purification Spirit Pool were finally determined. There were a total of thirteen slots, with one belonging to the Treasure Pavilion.
With the major issue settled, Li Fan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Once the spirit pool opened, Li Fan could cleanse himself of the miasma and officially embark on the path of cultivation!
He had waited too long for this day. Even with Li Fan's composure, he felt a bit excited.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Biological Age: 42/99
Mental Age: 505/1299↑
Void Energy Charge Progress: 121%
Anchor Charging Progress: 51%
Current Anchor Points: 1
Bound Items: Thousand Mysteries Jade Golden Seal, Taiyan Boat, Fragmented Stele (Damaged)
Li Fan looked at the [Return to Origin] panel. After two years of transformation, his biological age had reached the limit of 99 years, with no sign of further growth. Meanwhile, his mental age limit continued to grow slowly due to his daily practice of the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra.
He wondered what changes would occur after the baptism of the spirit pool. Li Fan felt a sense of anticipation.
The day for the spirit pool to open finally arrived. On this day, Li Fan took the Dust-Cleansing Pill given to him by Yin Yuzhen and, under the guidance of a designated person, entered the formation at the center of Glass Island.
(End of Chapter)