Li Fan stood by, observing Liuli Island on the 9th year after the anchor point.
At this moment, Liuli Island was far from the prosperity Li Fan had seen in his previous life.
The population was less than a third of what it would be ten years later, lacking much vitality.
Traces of the devastation caused by the hurricane could still be faintly seen at the edge of the island, and the faces of mortals rarely showed smiles.
Liuli Island had not yet recovered its vitality from the massive hurricane five years ago.
"If the charging speed of [Truth] could be further increased, there might be a chance to witness it," Li Fan contemplated inwardly.
When he was still a mortal, he heard about the power of the hurricane, which could cut away two-thirds of Liuli Island. Li Fan deeply felt the terror of the power of nature.
However, Li Fan later witnessed scenes like the boiling of the sea and its transformation into mountains within a dozen years.
In comparison, this hurricane didn't seem as significant.
...
Li Fan was currently waiting for He Zhenghao to return from Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
According to He Zhenghao, cultivators with a cultivation level of Foundation Establishment or above would be autonomously attacked by the Ten Thousand Immortals Array if they went to Liuli Island without permission.
So He Zhenghao went ahead to arrange the passage permit for Li Fan.
However, he didn't make Li Fan wait for long.
Soon, He Zhenghao returned.
"Thank you for keeping your promise!" He handed a jade token with a "万" [1] character engraved on it to Li Fan.
"Fellow Daoist, leave your own aura on this passage token," He Zhenghao said.
Li Fan took the token and infused it with spiritual energy.
On the "万" character of the token, a light flashed and then disappeared.
Seeing this, He Zhenghao nodded, "That should be enough."
Then, he reminded, "After you officially join our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, remember to return this passage token. It must not be lost. Otherwise, you'll have to compensate with the corresponding contribution points."
He Zhenghao seemed to recall a very unpleasant event and twitched his face, saying, "Such a small token actually costs a hundred contribution points, it's really..."
He stopped halfway when he saw Li Fan looking at him with interest.
"Fellow Daoist, forgive me if you find it amusing!" He Zhenghao coughed lightly, and his expression returned to normal.
Leading Li Fan to the interior of the island protection array, He Zhenghao activated the teleportation array.
After a moment of dizziness, Li Fan finally returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
On the Transmission Square, the statue of an old man with a tall crown and long beard stood silently, overlooking Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Cultivators rushed back and forth, using various teleportation arrays to go to different places in the Cong Yun Sea.
...
At this moment, who among them could anticipate that everything here would turn into nothingness shortly?
Li Fan felt somewhat emotional.
He Zhenghao assumed he was astonished by the spectacular scenery of Ten Thousand Immortals Island and didn't pay much attention.
Just like in the previous life, he was introducing various things to Li Fan.
"This is Transmission Square, built to commemorate the Immortal Ancestor's teaching of the Dao..."
Li Fan nodded as he listened.
Following the path, the two arrived at the location of the Tianxuan Mirror.
"Fellow Daoist, you were previously an independent cultivator, so there are things you might not know. Members of my Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance can recommend independent cultivators from the outside to join. Depending on the recommended member's cultivation level and potential, we'll receive corresponding contribution rewards."
Before entering the Tianxuan Mirror, He Zhenghao seemed to have remembered something and turned back to Li Fan and said, "So, the fact that you came to ask for my help also benefits me."
"I see. I was worried that it might be difficult for fellow Daoist He, but I overthought it," Li Fan looked suddenly enlightened, then solemnly said, "Regardless, I won't forget fellow Daoist's assistance."
He Zhenghao smiled and nodded, quite satisfied with Li Fan's reaction.
Afterward, the two entered the Tianxuan Mirror.
"This person is the Qi Condensation cultivator I previously reported who wishes to join our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance," He Zhenghao said, looking at Li Fan in the space of the Tianxuan Mirror.
After a moment, a voice sounded within the space.
"Referring a late stage Qi Condensation cultivator, recorded as first-class merit, equates to 300 contribution points. Current total contribution points: 1340."
He Zhenghao was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, and then a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He stared at Li Fan for a while and asked, "May I ask, how old are you now?"
Li Fan thought for a moment and then replied, "Twenty-nine, I suppose."
He Zhenghao took in a sharp breath, looking shocked, "A twenty-nine-year-old late stage Qi Condensation independent cultivator..."
Then he was overjoyed, "Fellow Daoist, your talent is truly unprecedented."
He immediately took out a communication token shaped like a mountain peak and handed it to Li Fan, saying, "You've just arrived, and you'll encounter many problems. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions. I will tell you everything I know."
"If you run into any trouble that you can't solve, you can also ask for my assistance. Although my cultivation is only at mid-Foundation Establishment stage, I have quite a wide network. In the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, I have some influence."
Li Fan nodded gratefully.
After He Zhenghao gave a few more instructions and left with an excited expression, Li Fan regained his composure.
"The treatment this time is much better than the last life," Li Fan said, storing He Zhenghao's communication token.
"In the cultivation world, most cultivators are solitary. Someone like He Zhenghao is indeed quite rare. Besides, it's just that my cultivation talent is a bit better. He might be a bit too enthusiastic," Li Fan thought for a moment but couldn't find a clear reason.
He had a vague feeling that it might be related to the cultivation technique He Zhenghao was practicing. However, he could sense that He Zhenghao had no ill intentions, so he didn't dwell on it.
"Divine sense fluctuations recorded."
"Created an independent space."
"Cultivator Li Fan, welcome to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. As a benefit, you will be given 100 contribution points for free. You can use contribution points to exchange for spiritual stones, cultivation techniques, magical treasures, and more."
...
The Tianxuan Mirror began to explain relevant matters.
Although he was already very familiar with it, Li Fan still listened carefully while comparing the situation with his previous life.
Li Fan found that after advancing to the late stage of Qi Condensation, the contribution points required to activate the auxiliary cultivation mode increased from 10 points per day to 30 points per day.
"The higher the realm, the more resources needed. This is reasonable. It seems that I'll have to gather a large number of contribution points first."
Accumulating contribution points slowly by doing tasks wasn't something Li Fan was interested in.
In fact, he had a plan on how to earn a large number of contribution points quickly.
Spending 10 contribution points, he purchased a slightly larger storage ring. Afterward, Li Fan used the teleportation array to go outside for a trip.
In a deserted place, he stored all the gold, silver, and treasures he had scavenged from the Tai Yan Boat into the storage ring.
Then he quickly returned and requested the exchange.
"A batch of gold and silver: can be converted to 863 contribution points."
"Heavenly treasure: 'Stone Tablet of Prohibition'. Quality: flawed. Can be converted to 1968 contribution points."
After a moment, the notification from the Tianxuan Mirror popped up.
*****
[1] "万" means thousand, as in Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.