Before entering seclusion, Li Fan set a minimum threshold of 100 contribution points. Once it fell below this number, the auxiliary cultivation mode would forcibly terminate. It was as if he had been woken from a pleasant dream, and Li Fan felt a wave of irritation, though he quickly suppressed it.
"The consumption of contribution points is too fast," he thought. The days of holding over three thousand points seemed just like yesterday, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.
"There are still about two years before the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace opens. Before that, I must find a way to earn more contribution points and enhance my strength."
With this thought, he browsed the task page of the Profound Mirror again. Li Fan chose to ignore the official tasks released by the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
Having reached the late stage of Qi Refinement, the official tasks he could take were still low-reward and risk-free. Tasks like assisting alchemists, artifact refiners, or talisman makers, or helping to repair and inspect formations across the Congyun Sea.
Though stable, the contribution points came too slowly. If Li Fan were interested in learning alchemy or artifact refining, it might be worth considering. But with the opening of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace imminent, the most important thing now was to obtain the Cloud Water Scroll.
Unfortunately, Li Fan's luck didn't seem to be good this time. After looking for a long time, he couldn't find a task he liked.
After some thought, Li Fan took out the communication talisman given by He Zhenghao and sent him a message.
"Fellow Daoist He, is there any quick way to earn contribution points? I've been looking at the Profound Mirror for a long time, and most tasks only reward a few dozen points. I need thirty points just for a day of cultivation. At this rate, when will I be able to exchange for a Foundation Establishment technique?"
Li Fan spoke in a complaining tone. After sending the message, he set the communication talisman aside.
While waiting for He Zhenghao's reply, Li Fan resumed his cultivation. Although the speed was much slower without the aid of spiritual awakening, he was still making gradual progress.
Three days later, He Zhenghao finally replied.
"Hahaha, that's how our Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals is. New cultivators often need to work hard for several years before they can exchange for a technique. Everyone goes through this."
"But..."
He Zhenghao's tone shifted as he continued, "Since you were introduced by me, I naturally have to help you out."
"After all, I also hope you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage soon!"
"However, this matter is inconvenient to discuss through the communication talisman. If you're willing, you can come to Glass Island. We can discuss it in person."
Originally, Li Fan had only asked casually, not expecting He Zhenghao to respond so positively.
"Truly a timely rain. But, there's always a reason behind such generosity..." Remembering how He Zhenghao had always been generous in both his lives, Li Fan pondered.
Without hesitation, he exited the Profound Mirror and headed straight for Glass Island.
Within the Island Protection Array of Glass Island, He Zhenghao sat in a pavilion atop a mountain, sipping tea, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
"It seems you couldn't wait any longer," He Zhenghao laughed when he saw Li Fan.
He clapped his hands, and the mountain beneath them began to tremble.
Soon, Li Fan witnessed the surrounding mountains rising, a wondrous sight.
But he quickly realized that it wasn't the other mountains rising, but the one they were on descending.
The mountain rapidly sank, soon reaching below ground level, arriving in a space filled with silver clouds.
Looking up, Li Fan saw the continuous mountains within the Island Protection Array, now floating above like stars.
The mountains seemed scattered, yet they formed a whole according to some pattern.
They appeared still, yet were constantly in motion.
He Zhenghao, noticing Li Fan's expression, said with a hint of pride, "What do you think of my Mountain and Star Formation?"
In his previous life, Li Fan had never seen the true appearance of Glass Island's protection array. Now, seeing it, he sincerely said, "The Mountain and Star Formation... truly extraordinary. But why does the protection array of Glass Island seem..."
He Zhenghao already knew what Li Fan was going to ask and became even more smug. "That's because this array was personally constructed by me, naturally different from other islands."
Li Fan was taken aback, "I didn't expect you to be proficient in formations as well?"
However, he was somewhat puzzled, "This Mountain and Star Formation is so vast, how could you construct it with just a Foundation Establishment cultivation?"
He Zhenghao coughed and said seriously, "Naturally, I had assistance. But the arrangement of the formation was primarily my doing."
"To be honest, my Foundation Establishment artifact is a Mountain and Veins Formation Diagram. Therefore, I have a talent in formations unmatched by ordinary cultivators. In terms of formations, even Nascent Soul formation masters may not compare to me," He Zhenghao said confidently.
"I see..." Li Fan nodded, then asked, "What is this matter you mentioned? Why so secretive and elaborate?"
He Zhenghao smiled, "It's nothing major, just a bit taboo."
"Are you aware that many years ago, mortals in the Immortal Cultivation World were exiled to various minor worlds?"
Li Fan squinted, "I've heard a little."
He Zhenghao continued, "Actually, these minor worlds contain many valuable items that can be exchanged for a good amount of contribution points. But gathering them alone is time-consuming and not worth the effort."
"However, often the powerful mortals in these minor worlds are eager to return to the Immortal Cultivation World. So..."
Li Fan understood what He Zhenghao intended, "So?"
"We can use this as leverage to have those mortals help us collect resources. Coincidentally, I know of a minor world called Great Li, which is quite vast and produces several precious treasures. It even has a considerable amount of starlight sands."
"Starlight sands are common materials for formation setups, often priced at two to three contribution points per pound..."
He Zhenghao explained enthusiastically but noticed Li Fan's increasingly strange look, feeling a bit awkward.
He then said, "Don't look at me like that, I know what you're thinking."
"How could a dignified cultivator lower themselves to do such things, right?"
"But you must understand, if you don't do it, others will."
"A minor world, plundered every ten years or so, can yield over two thousand contribution points. If there are several such worlds, wouldn't that mean you could easily earn over two thousand contribution points every year?"
"See, doesn't it sound reasonable when I put it that way?"
(End of Chapter)