Sacred Land as Pawns

Luoming and Hong Xuan stared at the painting in shock!

Myriad Mountains Gather Dragon Diagram!

"This... is this the entire Cangli Mountain Range?!"

Luoming was stunned.

"At a glance, it brings the entire Cangli Mountain Range to life, displaying its full power. This painting alone is priceless... A certain quasi-Sacred Land sect once spent their entire sect trying to explore the map of the Cangli Mountain Range..."

Hong Xuan murmured!

To the entire Profound Heaven Realm, the Cangli Mountain Range was a forbidden existence.

It was filled with all sorts of legends, related to immortals, and also to death.

Only Supreme Beings with no other path forward, or quasi-immortals who had reached perfection and sought invincibility, dared to venture in.

It possessed a certain magic, attracting countless people to explore it.

But no one had ever known its full extent.

Great powers had once set out in full force, solely to ascertain the terrain of the Cangli Mountain Range, yet this endeavor led to the demise of a major sect.

This further cemented the fearsome reputation of the Cangli Mountain Range.

However, now, a painting depicting the entire terrain of the Cangli Mountain Range appeared before them...

"It seems this senior already knew we were coming,"

Luoming said. "So, he prepared this painting!"

Hong Xuan nodded deeply. "No one has ever emerged alive from the Cangli Mountain Range. Now, it seems this senior is truly unfathomable... He retreated from the Cangli Mountain Range unscathed!"

Seeing their expressions, Li Fan was quite pleased. It seemed they had taken a liking to the painting.

However, he didn't want to directly ask if they wanted to buy it, as it might seem too crass. He immediately asked, "Is this what you require?"

Hearing Li Fan's question, the two Supreme Beings understood. This senior had indeed anticipated their purpose for coming and prepared this painting for them!

They hurriedly nodded. "With this painting, many of our doubts will be resolved, and this painting can even help us stabilize a great crisis!"

A great crisis? Li Fan suddenly realized. Were these two running a bookstore and art shop?

It was highly likely!

It seemed their business was in danger, and they needed a true treasure to help them!

And his painting was perfect for the job.

That was why they spoke this way.

Li Fan nodded. "Since that is the case, then take it—"

Take it?

Luoming and Hong Xuan were surprised once again.

This invaluable map, and this senior was letting them take it?

"This senior prepared the painting for us long ago. It seems he intentionally gifted us this painting so we could do something with it?"

Luoming guessed.

"Since the senior has commanded it, there must be a reason. We shall accept it!"

Hong Xuan transmitted telepathically.

Luoming nodded, and the two then respectfully said, "Thank you, senior, for bestowing this Dao diagram upon us!"

They respectfully accepted it.

However, seeing them take the painting without paying or inquiring about the price, Li Fan grew confused.

Were these two so ignorant of the rules?

It seemed he would have to ask for payment himself.

He then smiled and said, "Payment upon delivery, no credit."

Luoming and Hong Xuan were both stunned.

This senior...

"This senior definitely doesn't want to get entangled in karma?!"

But, in just a moment, Luoming suddenly understood!

Hong Xuan immediately nodded. "Yes, the more terrifying the individual, the more they value karma! Regarding the Cangli Mountain Range, the karma is likely even more complex, which is why this senior is unwilling to get involved!"

"That's why he needs what he calls 'money,' so that karma is settled!"

However, having understood, they were troubled once more.

Payment upon delivery, but to this senior, what kind of thing would count as "money"?

--In the cultivation world, there is indeed a common currency, which is "spirit stones."

Spirit stones contain a large amount of spiritual energy and can help cultivators cultivate rapidly.

But, would that item be useful to this senior?

One must know, this senior is someone who can kill a Demon Venerable with a painting, and even immortals who try to enter their courtyard would be shaken to death.

"To this senior, we must show sincerity!"

Luoming gritted his teeth. Spiritual light flashed in his hand, and an ancient brocade box instantly appeared.

Holding the brocade box, he said respectfully, "Senior, this is all of my worldly possessions. Please accept it, senior!"

Upon seeing this, Hong Xuan immediately understood and hurriedly offered a brocade box as well, saying, "Senior, I also only have these. Please don't laugh."

The two handed them over, their hearts filled with unease.

They had taken out their most precious items, but could they be worth as much as Senior Li's painting?

Clearly not.

When Li Fan saw the two handing over the boxes, his eyes lit up.

Was this silver, or gold?

How generous!

He smiled, took the boxes, felt their heavy weight, and placed them on the table. "Payment settled, thank you both for your visit. If you need anything in the future, feel free to come by anytime."

Business, after all, should be a long-term affair.

Luoming and Hong Xuan were even more surprised. This senior seemed to have foreseen future events.

He was orchestrating this grand scheme!

And they, along with the Sacred Lands behind them, were merely pawns in this senior's game?

Thinking of this, both felt a sense of daze, but dared not say anything.

"Thank you, senior. We express our gratitude and will take our leave now. We will return to pay our respects another day."

Luoming spoke.

Now that they had obtained this map, it was incredibly important to their Sacred Land.

Li Fan said, "Alright, I won't keep you any longer."

Luoming and Hong Xuan respectfully left.

They walked out of Li Fan's small courtyard, and only then did they breathe a long sigh of relief.

"This senior is truly terrifying... My back is already soaked with sweat!"

Hong Xuan Supreme couldn't help but say.

"We underestimated this senior greatly at first. Looking back now, he is definitely an immortal, and perhaps even a high-ranking one among immortals..."

Luoming said, still shaken. "He even has Immortal Peaches... He might be a senior from the Immortal Realm!"

The Immortal Realm!

Hong Xuan was even more shocked. The Immortal Realm was an untouchable place. Throughout history, only a handful of prodigies had managed to enter it.

Now, with an expert from the Immortal Realm descending to the mortal world, he must have a grand plan.

"Are both our Sacred Lands merely pawns in his eyes..."

Hong Xuan said with a hint of self-mockery.

"And it's not just us? Didn't you notice that the two young girls who returned with Senior Li are from the Central Prefecture Three Absolute Sacred Land?"

Luoming sighed deeply. "Sacred Lands as pawns, this game... it's not just the Southern Region. It's hard to imagine how grand his scheme is!"

In the small courtyard.

"Senior, thank you for the treasures you bestowed upon us. We have now established a foothold in the Fire Kingdom and have come to report to you."

Huo Ling'er bowed deeply.

Established a foothold in the Fire Kingdom... It seemed they had used the painting I gave them to get a good price? Perhaps they even opened a small shop and found a place to stay...

"That's good. Work hard. As long as you strive, life will always get better."

Li Fan encouraged them.

However, to Huo Ling'er and the others, their hearts trembled. This was Senior Li's decree!

"Senior Li wants us to work hard for him, and our future will be boundless."

They all understood clearly in their hearts, and their spirits were ignited. They couldn't wait to find the information Senior Li needed.

"By the way, Senior, Luoming and Hong Xuan obtained the precious painting and will surely cause a stir in the Southern Region. At that time... should we go?"

Yu Qishui asked.

In the Cangli Mountain Range beyond, there would surely be turmoil, with both danger and opportunity!

Whether they went or not depended entirely on Senior Li's wishes.

Li Fan smiled. They meant that Luoming and the other would use the painting he gave them to stir up trouble?

Luoming and the others' business was in crisis. Once they got their hands on his paintings, they would surely show them off, perhaps even holding art exhibitions or auctions.

As for Huo Ling'er and the others, since they had also opened a small shop, they would definitely want to make an appearance at such events to expand their business.

This kind of thing definitely needed support.

When the other party asked, at most they wanted some support from him, and might need calligraphy and paintings to anchor the event later on.

"Go if you want. If you need anything, I'll help."

Li Fan spoke immediately.

Huo Ling'er and the others were overjoyed. With Senior Li's decree, what did they have to fear?!

"Thank you, senior!"

Having received Li Fan's command, they took their leave.

Only Nan Feng and Ziling remained in the small courtyard.

Li Fan looked at the two and smiled, "What are your plans?"

It was late, and if two great beauties stayed with him, it would be scandalous.

Ziling, however, blinked her big eyes and looked at Li Fan eagerly, saying nervously, "Senior... can I learn painting by your side?"