Sikong Yi eyed Han Wuyou with suspicion, disbelief written across his face. "I have heard of this He Zhenghao. He is quite the sought-after figure in the Congyun Sea these days. You only have Qi Condensation cultivation, so how could you possibly be connected to him?"
Han Wuyou stroked his wispy goatee and said with immense smugness, "My methods far exceed Fellow Daoist's imagination. As for how I managed it, it is not convenient to go into details, but you have no need to doubt its authenticity."
Seeing that both Baili Chen and Sikong Yi still looked skeptical, Han Wuyou gave a cold chuckle. "Very well, I knew you wouldn't take my word easily."
With that, he tossed over a communication talisman. "This is Senior He Zhenghao's communication talisman. Try it for yourselves, and you will see whether I am boasting."
Sikong Yi caught the talisman with a solemn expression and probed it with a trace of spiritual sense.
Sure enough, it displayed He Zhenghao's likeness.
He attempted to send a greeting. Unfortunately, Senior He Zhenghao seemed very busy at the moment, only returning a perfunctory automated reply.
Even so, this proved beyond doubt that the Han Wuyou standing before them had spoken the truth.
Han Wuyou retrieved the communication talisman and continued enticing them, "A hundred thousand contribution points in your hands will only be squandered away. How much will be left after one year? Two years? Three years?
"Yet handing it over through Senior He Zhenghao to Master Li Fan makes all the difference. You might not know, but any contribution points entrusted to Master Li Fan for investment yield at least a fifty percent return each year."
At those words, Sikong Yi's breath caught.
His clone, Baili Chen, blurted out in shock, "Fifty percent annual returns? How is that possible?!"
He calculated swiftly in his mind. *Doing nothing at all each year, that would be at least fifty thousand points in profit.*
*If those earnings are reinvested with Master Li, in just six years, one hundred thousand contribution points will turn into one million...*
*Hiss...*
A million contribution points.
At the thought of that staggering sum, Sikong Yi grew slightly dizzy.
Once upon a time, he had believed one hundred thousand contribution points was his life's ultimate goal. Who could have imagined he might one day control a fortune in the millions?
Once desire took root in his heart, it became impossible to suppress.
Though reason told him such an explosive return curve was utterly unreasonable,
the various legendary deeds of Li Fan circulating throughout the cultivation world were certainly not fabricated.
That was a realm far beyond Sikong Yi's current reach. Who was to say Master Li didn't possess such unbelievable divine abilities?
Sikong Yi's heart raced.
Observing the look on Sikong Yi's face, Han Wuyou knew the matter was settled.
"Fellow Daoist Han, please come inside so we can talk in detail." Sikong Yi invited Han Wuyou into his cave abode and pressed for every detail regarding the investment.
As Han Wuyou explained, Sikong Yi listened with surging excitement, regretting only that he hadn't met Fellow Daoist Han sooner and had missed out on so many opportunities to make a fortune.
"Although I wish I could hand over one hundred thousand contribution points to Master Li for investment right this second, we haven't even written the first stroke yet."
After indulging in wild fantasies, Baili Chen sighed softly. "The Cloud Water Heavenly Palace ruins have been sealed away for thousands of years; the interior is bound to be fraught with peril. Even I am not entirely certain I can secure the Cloud Water Chart and Talismans.
"Moreover..."
After hesitating for a moment, Baili Chen decided to be honest. "I fear there may still be a living successor of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace in this world!"
Han Wuyou's expression shifted slightly at the news. "Is that true?"
And so, Baili Chen recounted what he had sensed earlier while cultivating the *Sea-Calming Divine Sword*.
Han Wuyou pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "In my view, that person might not be any Cloud Water Heavenly Palace successor at all. It is very likely they simply chanced upon this technique in some ruin."
Baili Chen offered a bitter smile. "Even if that is true, there is no way to verify it. To tell the truth, Fellow Daoist Han, I wouldn't dare even approach that island."
Han Wuyou paced back and forth, seemingly deep in thought.
After a long while, he spoke up, "If you trust me, you can point out the location of that island. I will settle this matter for you!
"However, if it succeeds, I want forty percent of that hundred thousand contribution points!"
Sikong Yi and Baili Chen looked up at the same time, glaring fixedly at Han Wuyou.
After a pause, Baili Chen said in a deep voice, "If you can truly eliminate the cultivator practicing the Sea-Calming Divine Sword, then what harm is there in giving you forty percent!"
"Splendid!"
And so, Sikong Yi guided Han Wuyou to the vicinity of Shenhua Island.
"How does it look?"
"Indeed, a dangerous aura lurks within the island," Han Wuyou observed from a distance for a moment, frowning.
"However..." Han Wuyou shifted tone. "It's no big deal!"
Sikong Yi was somewhat surprised.
Then he heard Han Wuyou say coldly, "In today's cultivation world, a cultivator's life may not be as precious as people think.
"Return to your cave abode for now and await my good news!" With that, Han Wuyou cupped his hands and drifted away.
Watching his departing figure, Sikong Yi wore an inscrutable expression.
Instead of returning to his cave abode, he hid himself near the island, lurking in wait.
Three days later, a black shadow flew over at extreme speed, heading straight for the airspace above the island.
At the same time, a cultivator flew up from the island.
After a brief confrontation, the two engaged in a fierce battle.
The commotion was astonishing, leaving Sikong Yi utterly shocked as he observed in secret.
*That Han Wuyou really has connections. Judging by this immense power and disturbance, at least Nascent Soul cultivators are clashing!* Sikong Yi felt a sudden rush of excitement.
After watching for a while, Sikong Yi grew fearful of being discovered by the battling powerhouses and caught in the crossfire.
He quietly slipped away and returned to his cave abode.
Another two days passed before Han Wuyou visited again.
"Fellow Daoist Baili, you can try cultivating the *Sea-Calming Divine Sword* once more!" Han Wuyou declared proudly.
"I paid a massive price to commission a senior to take action this time. Fellow Daoist, do not disappoint me on this trip to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace!" Han Wuyou added in an inscrutable tone.
Overjoyed by the news, Baili Chen immediately set about resuming his cultivation.
The cultivation base converted by the *Taishang Primordial Scripture* was still preserved in his dantian, and in less than half a day, he had successfully restored his realm from before he had dispersed the technique.
Probing carefully, he found that the cultivator who had been sharing the technique was indeed gone!
"Fellow Daoist Han truly possesses formidable means!" Sikong Yi rejoiced, his trust in Han Wuyou deepening considerably.
Han Wuyou stroked his beard smugly and said, "In today's cultivation world, relying solely on brute force and bravado gets you nowhere. One must have backing and connections!"
Sikong Yi nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The three discussed the details of their operation thoroughly. Once everything was in order, the day of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace's opening drew ever closer.
And so, they set off together toward the center of the Congyun Sea.
By this time, outside the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, many cultivators had already gathered to watch.
Chapter 482