Hearing Li Fan's words, He Zhenghao started slightly, confusion showing on his face.
Yet Li Fan gave him no time to react or think. In an instant, he pushed the bewitching power of the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart, simulated by True Reversion, to its absolute limit.
"I am twenty-nine years old, in the late Foundation Establishment stage. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my aptitude?" Li Fan pressed, his eyes burning like torches as he fixed them upon He Zhenghao.
"Extraordinary talent, rare in this world," He Zhenghao could not help answering.
"With a mere test of my skills in Spirit Mist Grass speculation, I made a massive windfall of six hundred thousand contribution points. While others went bankrupt, I struck it rich. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my competence?" Li Fan asked again.
Having apparently struck a sore spot, He Zhenghao shot Li Fan a resentful glance before replying, "Fellow Daoist has a shrewd eye and razor-sharp instincts. I fall far short!"
Li Fan continued, "Within this Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, ordinary cultivators are treated no better than beasts of burden. Without backing, without influence, trying to make a name for oneself is harder than scaling the heavens. Do you agree?"
He Zhenghao nodded. "What you say is entirely true."
Seizing the moment, Li Fan patted He Zhenghao on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Which is precisely why you and I must huddle together for warmth."
He Zhenghao felt there was some sense in Li Fan's words, but before he had time to ponder it carefully, Li Fan asked with apparent concern, "You've been in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals for quite a few years now, haven't you?"
He Zhenghao thought for a moment, a reminiscent look appearing on his face. "Indeed, it has been nearly a hundred years."
Hearing this, Li Fan shook his head repeatedly. "Over a hundred years, yet only in the mid Foundation Establishment stage. I've also heard you mention that you carry some sway on Wanxian Island. But how much has this network of contacts you've painstakingly cultivated actually aided your cultivation? Negligible, I'm afraid, wouldn't you say?"
He Zhenghao moved to refute it, opening his mouth, but not half a word came out.
Because what Li Fan said was the undeniable truth.
"That is because the relationships you've nurtured are all useless. So long as you still have value, they naturally smile and treat you with courtesy. But if you were to lose your cultivation one day, what would they do? Would they even look at you? What's more, their goodwill toward you is strictly superficial. If their own interests were truly at stake, heh..." Li Fan guided him patiently, step by step.
He Zhenghao could not help sinking into deep thought.
"In short, Fellow Daoist, you never found a real backer—you followed the wrong people!"
"However, if you follow me, things will be vastly different."
"I value brotherhood above all else. For me, blessings are to be shared, and hardships to be weathered together." With a righteous expression, Li Fan spoke in an impassioned flow.
"Take the Nascent Soul technique you've yearned for but never obtained..." Li Fan paused here, commanding He Zhenghao's undivided attention.
"If you follow me and work for me wholeheartedly, then lending you two hundred and fifty thousand contribution points so you can redeem it first and begin cultivating isn't out of the question!" Li Fan stated decisively.
At these words, He Zhenghao trembled all over as if struck by lightning, completely losing his composure. "Is that true?"
"Heh, I, Li Fan, have always held my word to be worth a thousand gold pieces—I say what I mean and mean what I say!"
"I hear that the Nascent Soul technique you've set your heart on is remarkably compatible with your Foundation Establishment wonder?"
He Zhenghao nodded vigorously. "Indeed! The technique is called the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Technique. If I can switch to cultivating it, I am certain to achieve the Golden Core realm within fifty years. Even breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm would be practically guaranteed."
With that, he looked eagerly at Li Fan, words hovering on the tip of his tongue.
"Two hundred and fifty thousand contribution points... If Fellow Daoist had to save up from scratch, you would waste a great deal of time. If you could redeem the technique sooner and break through to the Golden Core realm decades earlier, your future prospects would be completely transformed!"
The longing in He Zhenghao's eyes burned ever brighter.
After a long silence and deep contemplation, He Zhenghao finally said, "If Fellow Daoist can lend me the contribution points, I will gladly follow your every lead in all matters from now on."
Li Fan chuckled softly. Producing a shimmering sheet of golden foil from his storage ring, he used his finger as a pen to swiftly write several lines across it.
Then, with a smile, he handed it to He Zhenghao. "Words alone carry no proof. If Fellow Daoist agrees, then sign this Commercial Contract!"
This golden Commercial Contract was precisely the kind his clone had previously signed with Jiao Xiuyuan.
It was said to have originated from the Five Elders Association—a simplified version of their Divine Soul Contract.
Once signed by both parties, they would be bound by the contract's power, naturally acting in accordance with the terms agreed upon.
He Zhenghao carefully read through the clauses in the contract:
"Hereby, cultivator Li Fan lends two hundred and fifty thousand contribution points to cultivator He Zhenghao at an annual interest rate of one percent."
"Both parties agree that the debt shall be settled within fifty years."
"During this period, He Zhenghao and Li Fan shall form an alliance of interests centered on Li Fan. On the premise that it does not significantly harm his own interests, He Zhenghao shall fully comply with Li Fan's requests and suggestions."
"Li Fan, based on He Zhenghao's annual performance, shall grant discretionary reductions or waivers of that year's interest."
...
He Zhenghao's brow knitted slightly, but soon relaxed.
In his eyes, the terms of this Commercial Contract were not at all harsh.
If anything, they were rather generous.
After all, two hundred and fifty thousand contribution points was a colossal fortune for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Who would be willing to lend such a massive sum of contribution points to a Foundation Establishment cultivator at such a low interest rate?
What was more, there was even the opportunity for annual interest waivers.
All that was required of him was to work for Li Fan.
It was nothing more than disguised employment.
Compared to the Five Elders Association's Divine Soul Contract, which bound one to lay down one's life unconditionally, this contract was exceptionally fair.
Or so He Zhenghao thought.
And so, after hesitating for a moment, he slowly wrote his name upon the Commercial Contract.
Seeing this, a look of delight crossed Li Fan's face.
With a flourish of his finger like dancing dragons and snakes, he signed his own name.
As the strokes settled, the contract was sealed.
The golden light split into three parts: one soared into the sky, while the other two flowed into Li Fan and He Zhenghao respectively.
"From now on, we're on the same side," Li Fan said with a smile, patting He Zhenghao on the shoulder.
He Zhenghao also felt that Li Fan seemed all the more amiable and close.
"Do you have your Lesser Heavenly Profound Mirror with you? I'll transfer the contribution points to you," Li Fan offered.
"Yes, yes." He Zhenghao immediately took out his Lesser Heavenly Profound Mirror from his storage ring.
Moments later, the two hundred and fifty thousand contribution points were safely in hand.
He Zhenghao's face flushed with excitement, and he wasted no time redeeming the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Technique.
A radiant golden jade slip appeared in his hand. Holding the Nascent Soul true technique he had yearned for day and night, He Zhenghao was overwhelmed with surging emotions.
Bowing deeply to Li Fan, He Zhenghao said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes and waved a hand. "We're on the same side now—no need to stand on ceremony."
"Now that you have the technique, why don't you see how it works? Is it truly as suitable as you claimed? I'll stand guard for you!" Li Fan suggested.
Chapter 200