Zhang Qianmo laughed boisterously once more, looking upon this junior brother with ever greater favor.
Of course, Li Fan's admiration for Senior Brother Zhang was one thing, but the necessary procedures still had to be carried out.
Following the exact method he had used in his previous life, he headed into Mr. Bai's cellar and forged the Immortal-Severing Stone needles.
Next, he lured Senior Brother Zhang over.
Catching him unawares, Li Fan sealed his meridians with the stone needles and made a show of threatening to torture him for the Purple Core Nirvana Method.
Senior Brother Zhang stared at Li Fan in utter disbelief, as though wanting to etch his image into memory forever, before taking his own life.
Once Senior Brother Zhang was dealt with, Song Hesong and the others in Ningyuan City were even less capable of making waves.
Thus, armed with his past experience, Li Fan resolved the crisis of Ningyuan City's destruction in the clash between cultivators with supreme efficiency.
The scenery around him blurred in an instant.
Once more, Li Fan saw the figure of Mr. Bai standing dazed amidst the blood-colored ruins. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he still could not discern his features.
Finally, the vision went dark.
Li Fan departed the Fallen Immortal Realm and returned to the real world.
Taking stock of his gains, Li Fan could not help feeling a slight twinge of regret. "The clear reward for 'Retrieving Longevity Fruits in Ningyuan'—the three Rebirth Longevity Fruits that each extend lifespan by three hundred years—is still here. But after defeating Senior Brother Zhang, I wasn't able to obtain a new technique."
Soon, however, Li Fan let it go. "Senior Brother Zhang is still alive in this world; it might be just as well not to have his technique. If using it were to summon him over, it would only bring greater trouble."
Li Fan then analyzed this venture into the Fallen Immortal Realm. "As things stand, after I restart with True Reversion, the Fallen Immortal Realm cannot detect what I experienced in my past life. But one thing is certain: my presence in the Fallen Immortal Realm is extraordinarily unique. It seems like some sort of guidance directing me to undergo set events. First was 'Retrieving Longevity Fruits in Ningyuan,' and next will be the 'Disaster of the Beast Taming Sect.' Interesting..."
Li Fan did not know what caused this peculiar phenomenon to occur.
However, so long as the Fallen Immortal Realm remained oblivious to the workings of True Reversion, he had nothing to fear.
Instead, these recurring trials within the realm had become a reliable path for him to obtain set treasures in every cycle, just like the Dao Transformation Stone in the Tomb of Yi Yin.
As his exploration of the Fallen Immortal Realm went deeper, the resources he could quickly amass in each life would surely multiply.
For Li Fan, this offered only benefits and no drawbacks.
After obtaining the three Rebirth Longevity Fruits in the Fallen Immortal Realm, the restriction period before he could enter again had lengthened slightly.
Yet it was not a full year like in his previous life; he would be able to enter again in roughly eight months or so.
"Beast Taming Sect..."
Li Fan began to look forward to what he might obtain from the Disaster of the Beast Taming Sect scenario.
Judging by the caliber of the Rebirth Longevity Fruits, it was bound to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Calculating the time, there was not much left before his scheduled meeting with the face on the broken stone from the Five Elders Association.
Li Fan swept the secret chamber clean of any traces, disguised himself as Zhou Qing'ang, and flew toward the agreed location.
It was likewise an uninhabited islet. After searching for a brief moment, Li Fan found another stone engraved with coordinates.
"It seems the Five Elders Association has other secret agents in the Congyun Sea besides Zhou Qing'ang. This stone, the broken stone used for communication, and the regular dispersal of Zhou Qing'ang's operational funds all require someone to handle them."
However, it would not do to startle the snake in the grass. He would first trick them out of the five million contribution points before doing anything else.
Li Fan crushed the stone to dust and turned toward the indicated location.
It was, once again, a set of undersea ruins.
Li Fan placed both palms on the inconspicuous broken stone and successfully established communication.
"Chief, how did it go?" Li Fan asked, affecting a slightly nervous tone.
"The higher-ups have agreed to the transaction," the human face said. "However, the exam questions must be verified before we proceed."
"Understood! Then I'll explain the matter to He Zhenghao as soon as I return." Li Fan sounded a little excited. "By the way, Chief, I've accomplished such a major merit this time. Is there any reward for me?"
Rubbing his hands together, Li Fan looked at the face with eager anticipation.
Li Fan's reaction seemed entirely within the face's expectations.
He gave a dry chuckle and said, "Rest assured, you won't be shortchanged. Haven't you been drooling over Venerable Sovereign Yixin's picture albums for ages? As long as this mission goes smoothly, I'll have someone deliver them to you."
"Venerable Sovereign Yixin's picture albums?" Li Fan instantly recalled the erotic scenes he had glimpsed from the remnant souls of the Five Elders Association cultivators within the Soul-Gathering Pearl.
Cursing silently in his heart, Li Fan stammered and hesitated as if struggling to speak.
"What is it?" The face sounded surprised.
"Chief, those... I've already seen them. Could I trade for something else?" Li Fan bowed his head slightly, keeping his voice low, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Huh?!" The face was taken aback, then came to a sudden realization. "No wonder your funds ran out so quickly! You spent it all on that sort of thing?!" he snapped in fury.
Li Fan could only maintain a guilty silence.
After a moment, the face's anger subsided.
Considering for a moment, he spoke again, "Forget it. For the sake of your merit this time, I won't hold it against you. How about a Carefree Crystal from Carefree Paradise? Floating like an immortal, ascending to supreme bliss—haven't you been pestering me for one for a long time too?"
Li Fan felt utterly exasperated inside.
After a quick thought, he came up with an excuse and said tactfully, "Chief, here's what I was thinking. Didn't you tell me to get on good terms with He Zhenghao? But ever since he switched to a Nascent Soul technique, his cultivation has been rocketing upward, changing day by day. At this rate, it won't be long before he breaks through to the Golden Core realm. Meanwhile, I've been stuck at Foundation Establishment for ages. If I keep dragging my feet and can't break through, trying to stay on good terms with him while only at Foundation Establishment might prove a bit difficult."
"After all, that man..." Li Fan clicked his tongue and shook his head repeatedly.
"Oh? You actually care about making progress now?" The face scrutinized Li Fan with some surprise.
Yet after pondering for a moment, he found the argument quite reasonable.
He promptly nodded. "Indeed. He Zhenghao is of utmost importance, one of the key targets you need to win over going forward. Furthermore, we can use him as a route to secure the blueprint of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' Tianyuan Creation Formation."
Pausing, the face continued, "Mm, a heavy task indeed. It seems we really must raise your cultivation to the Golden Core stage as soon as possible. As for the cultivation method, you'll have to find a way to exchange for it yourself within the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals; we cannot offer help on that front. But as for Dao Comprehension Pills, I can give you a few bottles."
Hearing this, Li Fan was secretly delighted.
He had experienced the miraculous effects of the Dao Comprehension Pill firsthand.
His only frustration had been how exceedingly rare the acquisition channels were; even spending money could barely buy him any.
If he could fleece some from the face, that would truly be wonderful.
"Just that? That's nowhere near enough!"
Still, Li Fan put on an insatiably greedy front. "Boss, you know my aptitude. No matter how divine the Dao Comprehension Pills are, their effect on me will be limited!"
The face snapped impatiently, "Quiet down! I'm thinking!"
Chapter 433