"Exactly so!" Li Fan's clear voice echoed within the space.
The white jade Heart-Questioning Platform remained silent, showing no reaction.
The old man scrutinized Li Fan once more before continuing, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, where exactly were you in slumber? And roughly when did you awaken?"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Li Fan's face, but he still replied in a measured tone, "In an underground cavern on the remote shores of the Congyun Sea. As for the time... approximately twenty-six days ago."
"Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist." The old man smiled, then closed his eyes.
Li Fan waited patiently upon the Heart-Questioning Platform.
After a full day passed, Li Fan began to show signs of impatience.
"Still not done, old man?
"Each generation truly is worse than the last. In my day, when our Heavenly Mechanisms Sect selected disciples, the process wasn't this troublesome..."
He muttered under his breath.
Not long after, the old man opened his eyes.
"Confirmation received. Indeed, a cultivator did emerge from the Hundred Stones Grotto-Heaven some days ago.
"However, Fellow Daoist, please remain patient. There is one final procedure to complete."
The old man offered an apologetic smile. As he spoke, an ancient bronze mirror materialized above Li Fan's head.
A faint, ghostly green light shot forth, enveloping Li Fan.
Here it comes...
Li Fan's mind stirred, yet he felt no fear.
In his past lifetime, the Furnace of Myriad Forms combined with A Single Hand Veils the Heavens had been sufficient to deceive the upgraded version of the Tianxuan Mirror, the Xuan Net.
Now, Li Fan was further bolstered by his Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart, and the entity here to verify him was just an avatar of the Tianxuan Mirror. The chance of exposure was vanishingly small.
As expected, moments later, the Tianxuan Mirror withdrew its green light and vanished.
The old man's expression grew even more amiable. "Welcome to our Myriad Immortals Alliance, Fellow Daoist!
"All things change as the years pass. Many significant events have transpired in the world during your long slumber.
"If you have any needs, the Myriad Immortals Alliance can assign a specialist to assist you in adapting to modern life—"
Li Fan waved a hand. "I appreciate the offer! However, before coming here, I had some dealings with He Zhenghao of Liuli Island. I am already quite familiar with your Alliance's various affairs."
The old man nodded. "Even better. Your identity has been registered. You are now free to act as you wish."
Upon hearing this, Li Fan stepped down to leave.
"Ah, one more thing, Fellow Daoist. Remember, from now on, you should change your phrasing. It is no longer 'your Alliance,' but 'our Myriad Immortals Alliance.'" The old man spoke with a smile that carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Li Fan's steps paused briefly. He offered no reply and departed directly.
Leaving the central area of Myriad Immortals Island, he arrived before the Tianxuan Mirror.
Gazing at the seemingly ordinary, harmless mirror surface, Li Fan couldn't help but recall that vast green net which had enveloped the entire Xuanhuang World in his past lifetime.
After staring at it for a long while, Li Fan took a deep breath and stepped into the mirror.
"Ancient Cultivator Li Fan, welcome to the future!"
The familiar, mechanical voice of the Tianxuan Mirror rang out.
What followed was a series of introductions and explanations of the Tianxuan Mirror's functions.
Li Fan pretended to listen attentively, testing each and every feature.
A long time later, the Tianxuan Mirror's voice fell silent.
Li Fan looked at his contribution point balance.
10,000 points.
Such unexpectedly generous treatment. I remember it only gave me 1000 points back when I was at the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm.
Or perhaps ancient cultivators who pledge their allegiance receive special preferential treatment?
He shook his head inwardly, dismissing the irrelevant thought.
After looking through the Tianxuan Mirror's technique catalogs, Li Fan retrieved a pile of jade slips from his storage ring and requested to sell them.
These were the many techniques he had acquired from the Hundred Stones Grotto-Heaven.
Fortunately, these techniques were all unique copies.
Originally, there were twenty Golden Core techniques and ten Nascent Soul techniques.
Li Fan kept three of each for future contingencies and sold off all the rest.
The Tianxuan Mirror offered an average purchase price of 13,000 per Golden Core technique and 85,000 per Nascent Soul technique.
Li Fan didn't haggle and sold them immediately.
Thus, in an instant, his account balance swelled to 826,000 contribution points.
Reselling techniques truly is the fastest way to make money. Without even lifting a finger, I’ve earned the equivalent of years of loaning techniques at Brightmoon Palace.