"Sorry. I'm indeed helpless in this matter. I have a premonition that a breakthrough is imminent, and I need to go out to seek opportunities within the next two years. I can't guard Liuli Island for an extended period," Li Fan replied.
The Cloud Water Heavenly Palace would open in a little over a year. Li Fan was determined not to miss the opportunity to enter early just for a small amount of contribution points obtained guarding duty.
He straightforwardly declined He Zhenghao's request.
"I see. I'll have to find someone else then. I wish you success in reaching Foundation Establishment soon!" He Zhenghao regretfully responded.
No more messages were exchanged through the Communication Talisman.
Li Fan didn't pay much attention and, instead, spent contribution points to activate the auxiliary cultivation mode.
He began cultivating "Stalking Shadow Technique."
After all, it was an auxiliary technique, and cultivating "Stalking Shadow Technique" was much simpler compared to the other two techniques.
With the double boosts from the augmented cultivation and the Golden Liuli Pearl, in less than ten days, Li Fan had cultivated it to the later stage of the Qi Condensation.
At the moment, Li Fan was testing the effects of the "Stalking Shadow Technique."
With 100 contribution points, he simulated a hunt for a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Tianxuan Mirror.
The surrounding space transformed into continuous mountain ranges.
In the mountains, a figure was swiftly flying away into the distance.
That was the target set for the hunt.
As Li Fan watched the figure getting farther away, he activated the technique, and his figure suddenly darkened.
It was as if he was covered with a dark veil, making him hard to detect amidst the ubiquitous shadows.
As the target was about to disappear from sight, Li Fan accelerated abruptly, catching up in a burst of speed.
Compared to the simple wind-controlling flight he had learned before, Li Fan's speed had greatly increased.
There seemed to be a subtle connection with the locked target, boosting Li Fan's speed to a certain extent.
It was as if Li Fan had truly become the target's shadow, making it impossible for the target to shake him off.
He could continuously leap and navigate through the shadows on the ground.
In no time at all, Li Fan caught up with the figure ahead.
The surroundings blurred for a moment, and the illusion of mountains, rivers, and the cultivator vanished simultaneously.
Once again, it returned to a pitch-black space.
The hunt concluded, and Li Fan was quite satisfied with the "Stalking Shadow Technique."
Its effect of concealing one's aura was outstanding, especially when combined with the Concealing Form Talisman. It would make it even more difficult for others to detect him.
Although Sikong Yi seemed a bit mysterious, his cultivation should be in the late stage of Qi Condensation. Li Fan had made ample preparations and had a well-devised plan. The heist of the "Cloud Water Map" should not pose significant problems.
Now that everything was in place, he awaited the intelligence from Jiao Xiuyuan and the official opening of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan's eyes were deep as he gazed into the distance.
...
Two months later, Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Island, Thousand Mile Hall.
Having received a message from Jiao Xiuyuan, Li Fan activated the Concealing Form Talisman and hurried over.
Upon meeting Jiao Xiuyuan, he pretended to be angry, saying, "How is Thousand Mile Hall operating? Just a mere Qi Condensation cultivator and it took so long to gather intelligence. I thought you all had forgotten about it and I was preparing to find someone else!"
Jiao Xiuyuan looked a bit embarrassed, but he quickly grabbed Li Fan and activated the shop's formation to isolate prying eyes.
He then explained in a low voice, "Please lower your voice! There were reasons for the delay."
"Hmm?" Li Fan's expression changed slightly, waiting for further explanation.
"Hehe, to be honest, this task's difficulty was beyond my expectations. The fifty contribution points we agreed upon last time were really too little! You know, I had to seek help from a senior in the late stage of Foundation Establishment to complete this task..." Jiao Xiuyuan looked at Li Fan, making obvious implications.
"What, are you trying to renegotiate the price?" Li Fan squinted his eyes, staring at Jiao Xiuyuan with a displeased expression.
Jiao Xiuyuan scratched her head. "Could you add a few more points...?"
Li Fan turned to leave.
Jiao Xiuyuan panicked and almost jumped up. "Oh my goodness, my dear ancestor, my luck is really bad! Two consecutive money-losing deals."
"Alright, alright, I'll stick to what we agreed upon—fifty it is!" he gritted his teeth and said.
"Here, added the previous deposit, it sums up to exactly fifty contribution points," Li Fan said coldly, tossing four medium-grade spirit stones over.
"I'm not making much money off you," Jiao Xiuyuan said, receiving the spirit stones with a wry face, then handed a jade slip to Li Fan.
Li Fan took the jade slip and examined it with his divine sense, his expression changing.
He then put away the jade slip and left.
Watching Li Fan's departing figure, the obsequious expression on Jiao Xiuyuan's face vanished suddenly.
He caressed the spirit stones in his hand, emitting a sneer.
"One is mysterious, with an unknown background; the other is secretive, with unclear motives."
"I'd like to see what you two are up to."