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Su Changyu ultimately couldn't make it through.
In just seven or eight days, Su Changyu couldn't hold on and died.
When his body was brought back, Li Fan took a look.
All that remained was a twisted mass of flesh and blood, completely unrecognizable, and it was quite horrifying.
The flesh would occasionally twitch for no reason, making one's scalp tingle.
These newcomers to Liji Boundary couldn't even afford to buy a plot of land for a grave.
They had planned to give him a sea burial, but Li Fan couldn't bear to see it and provided some money, ensuring that Su Changyu could be buried properly.
Everyone was very saddened by this.
Xiao Heng cried the hardest among them.
Li Fan didn't feel particularly emotional, just a bit melancholic.
Having lived through nearly three hundred years of the mortal world, Li Fan had developed his own method of discerning people.
To him, Su Changyu seemed to conduct himself properly, with a firm resolve. While he wasn't a once-in-a-century genius, he certainly wasn't an ordinary person.
Among the group from Liji Boundary, Li Fan had thought he was the most likely to make a name for himself.
And yet, such a person couldn't even pass the initial requirement of clearing the miasma and died silently.
The path of immortality is arduous!
Li Fan felt even more deeply about this.
During the subsequent cultivation of the Mystic Yellow Purifying Heart Spell, Li Fan's understanding of this grew even more profound.
It turned out that Li Fan wasn't a person of extraordinary talent either.
For nearly a month, Li Fan stayed at home, only going out to collect his work assignment to maintain appearances. The rest of the time, he cultivated the Clear Heart Spell.
Generally, after half a month of cultivation, ordinary people would experience noticeable improvements such as better mental state and faster thinking.
But after a month, Li Fan felt no changes at all.
Li Fan speculated that it might be because his mental strength, honed through numerous cycles and a century of refinement, far surpassed that of ordinary people, so the Clear Heart Spell had less effect on him.
Li Fan wasn't in a hurry and simply treated it as a daily cultivation practice.
Another half a month passed, and Li Fan finally met with someone from Tianbao Tower.
Li Fan followed the messenger to a courtyard in his own home at Tianbao Tower, where he met Manager Zhao.
"Manager Zhao, it's been a long time," Li Fan greeted with a bow.
Manager Zhao looked at Li Fan and got straight to the point: "I heard from Tianbao Tower that you want a spot on a ship for an expedition. Quite the ambition. What makes you think you deserve it?
"You should know that I only have two ships available. I don't even have enough for my own people, so why should I give one to you?"
"Going to sea is all about profit. Manager Zhao, what do you think of the profits from catching Luli Fish compared to directly salvaging treasures from sunken ships?" Li Fan smiled slightly.
Manager Zhao didn't seem to think Li Fan was exaggerating and thought seriously for a moment: "I've heard about the unexpected discovery of a dozen chests of jewels by a ship recently. The profits, after conversion, were equivalent to several regular fishing expeditions. But such good fortune can't happen every time. In my years on this island, I can only recall a few significant finds."
He paused and then asked, "From what you're saying, you..."
Li Fan nodded: "If I lead a ship, I can guarantee that each expedition will bring back a certain amount of treasure."
Manager Zhao's eyes gleamed with a strange light as he studied Li Fan closely. "You're not lying."
This time, it was Li Fan's turn to be surprised: "I'm indeed not exaggerating, but how did you know?"
Manager Zhao chuckled: "I was born with Unique Eyes that can discern capable people and distinguish truth from falsehood. When you spoke, I saw a gentle white light emanating from you, indicating that you were telling the truth and had no ill intentions. If it were black smoke, it would mean you had ulterior motives."
"Such a unique ability?" Li Fan was taken aback. "On the day I registered, you seemed to treat me differently. Did you see something then?"
"I could only get a general sense. I saw that you are very wealthy and have shed a lot of blood. Clearly, you are not an ordinary person. That's why I was a bit more polite to you," Manager Zhao explained with a wry smile. "The will of heaven is hard to fathom. Who knows what achievements a person like you might achieve in the future? It's better to make a good connection now."
Li Fan nodded, and then Manager Zhao sighed: "In recent years, disasters have been frequent. There are many people like you, who have fallen from great wealth and power to our Jade Island. Some lie low for a few years and then rise again, while others fade into obscurity and become bones."
Li Fan listened and suddenly thought of something: "So, on the day we registered, you could tell that Sun Zhang from Tianbao Tower was lying?"
"What does it matter if it's true or false? Sometimes being too serious isn't a good thing. My duty is to ensure there are no subversive elements on the island. As long as you behave, I won't make things difficult for you," Manager Zhao said indifferently. "With an Immortal Master overseeing the island, there's no fear of chaos."
"Moreover, gathering disaster victims is an order from the Immortal Master. Sun Zhang leading so many 'disaster victims' to our Jade Island, why would I make things difficult for him?"
Li Fan listened and gained a general understanding of Manager Zhao's principles.
Thus, the conversation returned to the topic of the expedition ship.
"Since you can see that I'm telling the truth, can you consider giving me a spot on the expedition?" Li Fan asked.
Manager Zhao tapped his fingers on the table a few times before saying, "You are a new arrival with no foundation. If I were to rashly give you a ship, it would cause a lot of dissatisfaction."
"How about this: on the next expedition, you join us. If you can indeed bring back treasure every time, it won't take long for the crew to respect you. Then you can take over the ship rightfully."
"Even more, if your gains are substantial enough, I can recommend to the Lord that we take another ship from Qian and give it to you. It's not impossible."
"Manager Zhao's consideration is thorough," Li Fan agreed.
Thus, the matter was settled smoothly.
Tianbao Tower didn't know the details of their conversation, but they were shocked to learn that Li Fan had easily convinced Manager Zhao and secured a spot on the next expedition.
"Could that uncle really have the confidence to take over a ship?" The Yellow-robed Woman, supporting her chin, her eyes flickering.
"I wonder what he's relying on," Sun Zhang was also very puzzled. No matter how he looked at Li Fan, he saw an ordinary middle-aged man.
"Send him the deed to the vacant small courtyard on East Street in the city," the Yellow-robed Woman suddenly said.
"Huh?" Sun Zhang was momentarily taken aback.
(End of Chapter)