Yet Li Fan wore a look of utter skepticism. "Would others really hand over their contribution points so easily? I find that hard to believe."
*All the better if they refuse! I can use this as an excuse to brush off a portion of them and save them from pestering me endlessly!*
That was what He Zhenghao thought, but aloud he said, "Rest assured, Senior. Too many cultivators have been hounding me for answers lately. Even if only a tiny fraction of them are willing to entrust their contribution points to your management, it will still amount to a tidy sum.
"Besides, once Senior demonstrates your divine abilities and returns their contribution points with both principal and interest, facts will speak louder than words. From then on, more and more people will surely want to rely on Senior."
He Zhenghao was brimming with confidence.
Li Fan fell silent for a moment, appearing deep in thought.
Before long, he gave a slow nod. "As it happens, I have recently seen many novel techniques in the Heavenly Profound Mirror, and my hands have been itching to try them. Moreover, cultivation in this era truly cannot do without contribution points in every aspect.
"If you can truly raise a substantial sum of contribution points, it wouldn't hurt for me to step in and multiply it several times over."
Listening to Li Fan speak so lightly of such a feat, He Zhenghao's eyes lit up.
After thinking for a moment, he hurriedly advised, "There is no need for that much, no need for that much!
"You must realize, if the principal can grow by half within a single year, people will flock over themselves to hand their contribution points to Senior to manage!
"As for whatever remains, Senior can simply keep it for yourself as your fee.
"Of course, if you could spare a little share for Junior as compensation for my legwork, that would be even better!"
He Zhenghao spoke with utter delight.
"They would be content with fifty percent a year?" Li Fan was surprised at first, then nodded. "That works too.
"Then let us settle on this for now. Go and get in touch with your friends.
"Remember, you must choose people whose backgrounds are thoroughly known. As for cultivators of dubious origin, do not take a single point from them."
After giving a few more instructions, He Zhenghao eagerly retrieved the sealed communication talisman and began replying to the messages one by one.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, a fortune-making opportunity has presented itself before you. I wonder if you would be willing to give it a try?"
...
*The first batch of contribution points raised probably won't be very large, but that doesn't matter.*
*Distrust the first time; hesitate the second time.*
*By the third and fourth time, once they watch everyone else strike it rich while they themselves missed out...*
*By the fifth time, they will come crying and shouting to deliver their contribution points right to the doorstep.*
Watching He Zhenghao busy at work nearby, Li Fan thought to himself.
Make no mistake.
Though what Li Fan was doing in this lifetime looked remarkably like a scam...
In truth...
He, Li Fan, truly possessed the ability to lead everyone in making a fortune.
Setting aside major events like speculating on Spirit Mist Grass to easily net hundredfold returns...
Just by relying on the diverse information gathered throughout his endless reincarnations, he could anticipate future developments and engage in arbitrage.
Earning fifty percent a year was practically effortless.
If something even exceptionally gifted individuals could accomplish was beyond an anomaly like Li Fan who reincarnated endlessly, then he might as well abandon his pursuit of Longevity and obediently return to Great Xuan to serve as a mortal Grand Preceptor life after life.
To put it plainly, wealth appreciation was hardly difficult for Li Fan, who possessed a wealth of foresight.
Naturally, there were certain constraints.
For instance, the overall scale of assets under his control could not be excessively large.
For instance, it could not attract direct sanctions from an authority on the level of the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
In reality, however, Li Fan had no intention of making too grand a commotion.
His sole objective was to gather a usable pool of power while raising his cultivation via [Sitting Immortal].
And when the bubble expanded so wildly that it was about to exceed Li Fan's ability to control...
Crimson Flame would boil the sea, and Mo Sha would destroy the world.
Everything would be settled once and for all.
With all the creditors dead, there would naturally be no debt to speak of.
He could then openly claim all those contribution points for himself.
Such was the preliminary plan for now.
As for the particulars, he would have to cross that bridge when he came to it.
After making several contacts, He Zhenghao went to Wanxian Island to meet with his fellow Daoists.
Only after more than half a day did he return, his face flushed with excitement.
He had also brought back over two hundred thousand contribution points.
Just as Li Fan had expected, once He Zhenghao stated the condition, the vast majority of cultivators had gotten cold feet.
After all, nobody's contribution points had blown in on the wind.
Seeking guidance from this "ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator" was one thing, but actually handing over contribution points...
Very few were truly willing to part with them.
Of the two-hundred-odd thousand points raised this time, a cultivator named Zhou Peng had contributed fifty thousand all at once, making up the lion's share.
Excluding him, the average investment from the others did not exceed five thousand points.
Even so, He Zhenghao was extraordinarily excited.
With a solemn expression, he transferred the two hundred and thirty thousand contribution points to Li Fan via the Lesser Heavenly Profound Mirror.
At the same time, he did not forget to transfer another hundred thousand contribution points from his personal stash.
"Senior..."
He Zhenghao opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately held back.
He merely looked at Li Fan with an ardent gaze.
"In one year, a mere five hundred thousand contribution points. Nothing to it! Rest assured!"
Tossing a communication talisman to He Zhenghao, Li Fan added, "If anything urgent arises, I will contact you. At all other times, do not disturb me!"
He Zhenghao nodded repeatedly and excitedly accepted the communication talisman.
Li Fan waved a hand and returned to Wanxian Island.
*Nothing should go wrong, right...?*
He Zhenghao muttered inwardly.
Once the rush of adrenaline faded and his head gradually cooled, He Zhenghao could not help feeling uneasy.
However, now that the rice was already cooked, he could only pray that nothing would go awry with this Heavenly Mechanism Sect senior.
Within the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
Li Fan released several volumes of Lan Xiao's posthumous works.
While purchasing the supplies required by the Empire, he waited patiently.
Sure enough, three days later, Shenyuzi contacted Li Fan to express his gratitude.
"I still have a few rare manuscripts here, but I will need Senior to do me a trivial favor," Li Fan said with a smile.
"Oh?" Shenyuzi was momentarily taken aback, yet he listened with great interest as Li Fan explained his request.
"Fascinating." It seemed this kindred spirit was up to some covert business.
Shenyuzi, however, could not care less.
In this world, who didn't harbor a few secrets?
Lightly waving his horsetail whisk, Shenyuzi concealed his aura and quietly arrived on Wanxian Island.
After meeting up with Li Fan, the two flew straight toward the island where the Empire's people were staying.
Inside a secret chamber, Saint Teacher Qing of the Empire, who was engrossed in drawing something, suddenly stood up and looked in the direction Li Fan was approaching, her expression solemn.
When Li Fan and Shenyuzi descended upon the island, her complexion shifted slightly.
"The Myriad Realms Association truly does have some weight to it."
Chapter 443