Chapter 35: Fruits Are All Preordained |
With the announcement of the materials needed for the Pure Body Spirit Pool, the surface of Liuli Island appeared calm, but there were already hidden undercurrents.
Even ordinary people who didn't care about this matter knew that the major powers on the island were now searching for something called "Starry Sea Quicksand."
After inquiring covertly without results, Li Fan unexpectedly received an unexpected guest one day.
It was Xiao Heng, the person Li Fan had encountered when he first came to the cultivation world.
"Please have a seat," Li Fan said as he poured him a cup of tea.
Xiao Heng observed Li Fan's current residence, his eyes filled with envy and nostalgia.
"I wonder what business you have with me, young brother?" Li Fan had a good impression of Xiao Heng and asked kindly.
Xiao Heng first looked around cautiously, then leaned in and said softly, "I heard that Brother Li has also been looking for Starry Sea Quicksand lately?"
Li Fan's eyes narrowed, "Indeed. I am already of an advanced age and want to cultivate, and my only reliance is the Pure Body Spirit Pool. Why, do you know about this item?"
Li Fan was momentarily stunned. Afterward, he expressed his confusion, "Is that so? Why don't I have any recollection of this? I asked those people from before, and they all claimed ignorance. Hence, my inquiry."
Xiao Heng looked a bit embarrassed upon hearing this, "At that time, when it was publicly announced, several items were already omitted from the list and allocated to the major families as reserved slots. My family was tasked with collecting the Starry Sea Quicksand."
Li Fan nodded thoughtfully.
"Go on, what conditions do you have?" Li Fan got straight to the point.
Seeing Li Fan being so direct, Xiao Heng felt a bit awkward, blushing slightly, and explained, "Back when you paid for Changyu's burial, it was a favor to me. I shouldn't ask for this, but life here on Liuli Island is too difficult. I don't have the same abilities as Brother Li. I still live in a poor area on the outskirts and have to do hard labor to sustain my daily life..."
Xiao Heng rambled on, but Li Fan lightly chuckled and interrupted him.
"No need for many words. I understand your predicament. I am determined to obtain this item. As long as you can provide clues and have any requests, feel free to mention them, and I will do my best to fulfill them."
Xiao Heng was very grateful, "In that case, I thank Brother Li in advance."
He paused for a moment, then said somewhat sentimentally, "Actually, this item is not that rare. It's just that the term used by the immortal master is different from our ordinary language. Of course, if it weren't for the attached material descriptions that came with the list, I wouldn't have known. Essentially, the so-called Starry Sea Quicksand is just meteoric iron from the heavens."
Li Fan listened carefully, comprehending it all. Then, when Xiao Heng finished, Li Fan didn't forget his promise.
"Tell me, what do you want?"
Xiao Heng spoke in a low voice, "I just want a decent courtyard and a slightly easier job. Of course, it would be even better if I could have a few maids."
Li Fan had prepared himself for Xiao Heng's ambitious requests but was surprised to see how easily he could be satisfied. He chuckled and shook his head.
"I didn't expect the son of the Southern King to have such modest requests. Perhaps add a little more; I still have some influence at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion."
Xiao Heng declined politely, "I am aware of my abilities. Being able to live comfortably and not work so hard already satisfies me. If suddenly gaining wealth that attracts envy, it might bring disaster."
Li Fan nodded and didn't insist further.
After a few pleasantries, Xiao Heng took his leave.
"Do you have any plans for cultivation? After all, you've come all the way to this cultivation world through great hardships; wouldn't it be a waste if you don't make use of this opportunity?" Li Fan suddenly asked as they parted.
"Let's talk about it later. I'm not really interested in cultivation. When I practiced Cleansing Heart Mantra, I felt nothing. I have no idea how long it will take to completely dispel the miasma." Xiao Heng responded with little interest and left without looking back.
After seeing Xiao Heng off, Li Fan hurried to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.
Meeting Yin Yuzhen, Li Fan repeated Xiao Heng's discourse about the Starry Sea Quicksand.
"Starry Sea Quicksand is meteoric iron? It's so simple?" Yin Yuzhen was somewhat surprised. "Can we trust this guy named Xiao Heng?"
"He shouldn't be lying," Li Fan affirmed.
"But we shouldn't take his word for it," Li Fan suddenly changed the subject. "Didn't you say that the caravan of the Wanhua Chamber of Commerce will be passing by Liuli Island soon? When the time comes, you might inquire about it from them."
"That's a good idea," Yin Yuzhen agreed. "It would be even better if we could save some money."
"Anyway, we still need to secretly purchase meteoric iron that meets the requirements. Not many people know about this item now, but it might change soon. In addition, when making the purchase, we need to mix it with other things to divert attention and confuse observers. At the same time, we can have someone spread fake news about Starry Sea Quicksand in the market to muddy the waters."
Li Fan thought for a moment and then patiently gave instructions.
To ensure the allocation of the Pure Body Spirit Pool spot, Li Fan needed to plan carefully.
"Li Fan, you are really something. I only knew that you had a Treasure Seer Physique before, but I didn't expect you to have such skills," Yin Yuzhen said, her eyes filled with curiosity, seeing Li Fan's well-organized arrangements.
"What did you do before?" Yin Yuzhen couldn't help but ask.
"I was just a minor advisor," Li Fan replied casually.
Yin Yuzhen scoffed disbelievingly.
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you to handle. I need to go cultivate. Unless there's a special situation, don't disturb me. Oh, and handle the matter I promised Xiao Heng as well," Li Fan concluded and then left the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.
"Auspicious again? How could it be auspicious again?" Yin Yuzhen felt dazed, watching the direction Li Fan left. Her eyes were full of puzzlement.
Since meeting Li Fan, every time she entrusted a task to him, her intuition showed signs of great luck.
This made Yin Yuzhen almost believe that her ability to seek good fortune and avoid calamity had failed.
After all, before encountering Li Fan, she had never experienced any good omens.
On the contrary, when she wanted to swallow the Body Cleansing Pill and embark on the path of cultivation, she felt extreme dread, as if death was certain on the road ahead. It was a clear omen of great calamity.
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