Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The Outcome is Predestined
Translator: 549690339
With the announcement of the materials needed for the Spirit Cleansing Pond, the surface of Liuli Island remained calm, but beneath it stirred with silent currents.
Even ordinary people who were indifferent to this matter now knew that the big powers on the island were all searching for something called Star Sea Sand.
Despite Li Fan’s undercover inquiries coming up empty, he received an unexpected visit from a guest one day.
It was Xiao Heng, the person from the separating realm whom Li Fan met when he first arrived in the Immortal Cultivation World.
“Have a seat.” Li Fan poured him a cup of tea.
Xiao Heng looked at Li Fan’s current residence with envy and nostalgia in his eyes.
“I wonder what you are looking for me for?” His impression of Xiao Heng is not bad, so he asked in a friendly voice.
Xiao Heng first looked around cautiously, then leaned in and whispered, “I heard that older brother Li is also looking for Star Sea Sand?”
Li Fan’s eyes narrowed, “Indeed. I am getting old and want to cultivate, so I have to rely on the Spirit Cleansing Pond. You know this thing?”
Xiao Heng swallowed, nodded, “Yes, when the Immortal Teacher descended on
Da Li, he promised to bring a group of people to the Immortal Cultivation World as long as they gathered the materials he needed. Among them is the
Star Sea Sand.”
Li Fan was taken aback, then said in confusion, “Really? Why don’t I remember this?”
Previously, Li Fan had asked the group from Da Li, and they all claimed ignorance, hence his question.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng looked slightly embarrassed, “At the time of the public announcement, several items had already been removed from the list, as designated quotas were allocated to the major families in Da Li. What my family needed to collect was this Star Sea Sand.” Li Fan slowly nodded.
“Speak, what are your terms?” Li Fan asked directly.
Seeing Li Fan’s straightforwardness, Xiao Heng appeared somewhat embarrassed, his face turning red as he explained, “When you funded the burial of Changyu, you essentially did me a favour. I shouldn’t be like this, but living on Liuli Island is really tough. I don’t have your skills, and I’m still living in the slums on the outskirts of the city, enduring hard labor every day to sustain my life…”
As Xiao Heng rambled on, Li Fan gently interrupted him with a smile.
“No need to say more, I understand your difficulties. I am determined to get this item. As long as you can provide the clues, feel free to make any demands, and I will try my best to meet them.”
Xiao Heng was very grateful, “In that case, thank you, brother.”
He paused for a moment, then said somewhat sentimentally, “Actually, this item is not rare, it just has a different name in the Immortal Teacher’s vocabulary than in the mortal world’s. Of course, if it weren’t for the accompanying material descriptions that came with the list, I wouldn’t have known that the so-called Star Sea Sand is actually just meteoric iron.”
When Li Fan heard this, he pondered carefully, and then suddenly realized, “Star Sea Sand… I see. But can it be any meteoric iron? Are there any other specific requirements?”
“Yes, tnere are.’
Xiao Heng nodded repeatedly, then slowly explained the specific requirements one by one.
“First of all, the meteoric iron must look good, if the surface is pockmarked, it won’t do. Secondly, a single piece must weigh at least fifty catties.
Furthermore…”
As Li Fan listened, he engraved these details in his spirit consciousness.
When Xiao Heng had finished speaking, Li Fan didn’t forget his promise.
“Speak, what do you want?”
Xiao Heng whispered, “I just want a decent courtyard and a slightly relaxed job. Of course, it would be even better if there were a few maids.”
Li Fan had prepared for Xiao Heng to make outrageous demands, but he didn’t expect him to be satisfied with such simple requests. He couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.
“Who would have thought that the son of King Zhen Nan would have such low demands? Feel free to ask for more, I can still put in a good word at Tianbao Building.”
Xiao Heng refused politely, “I’m aware of my own abilities. Being able to eat and live well without having to work so hard is contentment enough for me. If I suddenly acquired wealth that would make others jealous, it would only invite disaster.”
Li Fan nodded and did not insist any further.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a bit longer before Xiao Heng bid him farewell.
“Do you have any plans to cultivate? After all, having come all this way to the Immortal Cultivation World, it would be a shame not to try, wouldn’t it?” As they were parting, Li Fan suddenly asked.
“We’ll see in the future. I’m really not interested in cultivation, and reading ‘The Mysterious Yellow Heart-Purifying Mantra’ makes me sleepy. I don’t know how long it will take to completely remove the miasma.” Xiao Heng answered listlessly, then left without looking back.
After seeing off Xiao Heng, Li Fan hurried to Tianbao Building.
After meeting Yin Yuzhen, Li Fan repeated Xiao Heng’s speeches about Star Sea Sand.
“Star Sea Sand is meteoric iron? That simple?” Yin Yuzhen was surprised. “Is this Xiao Heng person reliable?”
“He should not be lying.” Li Fan confirmed.
“But we can’t not verify it.” Li Fan suddenly changed the topic, ‘You said that the merchant from the Wanhua Commercial Association would be coming to Liuli Island soon right? We can try to probe the truth from him then.” “That’s a good idea,” agreed Yin Yuzhen, “It’d be great if we could save some expense.”
“Anyway, we have to secretly purchase the meteoric iron that meets the requirements as soon as possible. Right now, not many people know about it, but that might change soon. Also, when purchasing, other materials must also be bought in order to confuse and mislead people. At the same time, we can spread false news about Star Sea Sand in the market to muddle the waters.” After thinking for a moment, Li Fan instructed carefully again.
To ensure the quota for the Spirit Cleansing Pond, Li Fan needed to have a foolproof plan.
“Uncle, you’re really not simple. I only knew you were a Spirit-treasure Body before, but I didn’t expect you to be this resourceful.” When Yin Yuzhen saw Li Fan’s systematic arrangements, a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes. “Uncle, what did you do before?” Yin Yuzhen couldn’t resist asking.
“I was just a teacher.” Li Fan brushed her off.
Yin Yuzhen wore an expression of disbelief.
“Alright, the matter is handed over to you. I have to go cultivate. Don’t disturb me unless there’s a special situation. Ah right, also handle the matter I promised Xiao Heng.”
“Fortune, why is it always good fortune?” Yin Yuzhen stared at the direction where Li Fan left, looking puzzled.
Ever since she met Li Fan, every task Li Fan delegated showed signs of good fortune in her premonitions.
It almost made Yin Yuzhen think her ability to sense good and bad luck had malfunctioned.
You should know that before meeting Li Fan, she had never experienced any good fortune.
On the contrary, when she intended to swallow the Dust Escape Pill and embark on the path of cultivation, her premonition sensed extreme danger and definite death lying ahead, a sign of major disaster..
