Contrary to his expectations, Li Fan showed no anger.
Instead, he nodded. “Hmm. Still short by about a hundred thousand contribution points.
“A month should be about enough.”
With that, he flicked a finger.
He Zhenghao felt a thread of icy energy drill into his body.
When he tried to sense where it had gone, he found it undetectable.
Li Fan said coldly, “This is my Heavenly Mechanisms Sect’s secret art, the Spirit-Binding Lock. None but the caster can undo it.
“When the time is up, if the Spirit-Binding Lock remains, it will reduce you to ashes, annihilating both your body and your Dao!”
Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao’s face turned deathly pale.
“Remember to switch your cultivation technique within one month. Otherwise...” Li Fan shot He Zhenghao a final glance and prepared to fly away.
He Zhenghao couldn’t stop himself from lamenting, “Senior, aren’t you asking for the impossible? Turning 150,000 into 250,000 in one month? You might as well just kill—”
Li Fan suddenly returned, landing right in front of He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao choked back his words.
“You’re such a noisy little brat. I’ve already been exceedingly merciful in giving you this much time.
“You can’t turn 150,000 into 250,000 in a month? Then what are you even investing for?”
Li Fan spoke with clear impatience.
He Zhenghao mumbled something under his breath, wearing an expression of suppressed indignation.
Li Fan immediately flew into a rage. “What is that look on your face?”
He Zhenghao had no choice but to steel himself and say, "It's not that I'm making excuses, it's just that..."
Li Fan waved his hand dismissively. "You really are like mud that can't be plastered to a wall.[1] Such a simple task, and you act as if it's a matter of life and death.
"If I were to handle it myself, it wouldn't take a month. Seven or eight days would be more than enough."
The expression on He Zhenghao's face said it all.
Li Fan sneered. "What? You don't believe me?"
"How about we make a wager?"
For once, He Zhenghao found some backbone. "A wager it is! But if you lose, Senior, you can't go back on your word!"
1. 烂泥扶不上墙, Chinese idiom used to express deep disappointment in someone who fails to improve or meet expectations despite guidance or support. ☜