Chapter 28 The Holy Land as a Pawn_1

Luo Ming and Hong Xuan were both shockingly looking at this painting!

Wan Shan Ju Long Tu!

"Is this... the entirety of the Cangli Mountain Range?!"

Luo Ming was shocked.

"At a glance, the whole Cangli Mountain Range is brought to life, its momentum fully displayed. Just for this painting alone, it can be called a priceless treasure... Once, a Quasi-Saint Grade sect spent their entire power for the sake of mapping the Cangli Mountain Range, only to end up sacrificing the whole sect..."

Hong Xuan muttered his comments!

To the entire Xuantian Realm, the Cangli Mountain Range is an existence that can be called forbidden.

There, filled with various legends, related to Immortals and also to death.

Only those Supreme Beings with no paths left to take or Almost Immortals who had reached perfection in their realms and sought invincibility dared to break into it.

That place had a kind of magic that attracted countless people to explore.

But the complete picture within it remained unknown to anyone.

Once, a great power set out in full force just to clarify the terrain of the Cangli Mountain Range, but even this act led to the burial of a great sect.

This further contributed to the fierce reputation of the Cangli Mountain Range.

However, now, a painting that fully depicted the terrain of the Cangli Mountain Range appeared before them...

"It seems that this senior had known we would come,"

Luo Ming spoke, "Therefore, he prepared this painting for us!"

Hong Xuan also nodded deeply, saying, "No one has ever come out of the Cangli Mountain Range alive; now it seems, this senior is truly unimaginable... for he emerged from the Cangli Mountain Range unharmed!"

Seeing the expressions of everyone, Li Fan was also quite satisfied; it seems that they were indeed interested in the painting.

However, it wasn't right for him to directly ask if they wanted to buy it, lest he come off too crass, so he immediately asked, "Is this what you seek?"

Hearing Li Fan's question, both Supremes instantly realized: indeed, this senior had anticipated their purpose here, and thus prepared this painting for them!

The two hurriedly nodded, saying, "With this painting, many of the doubts in our hearts are resolved, and moreover, it can help us stabilize a great crisis!"

A great crisis? Li Fan suddenly realized—could these two be running a painting and calligraphy shop?

It was highly possible!

It seemed their business faced danger, and they needed a truly valuable treasure to lend support!

And his painting was just the right fit.

Therefore, they spoke in such a manner.

Li Fan nodded and said, "In that case, take it with you—"

Take it with them?

Luo Ming and Hong Xuan were once again surprised.

To give away such a precious map, this senior was actually allowing them to take it?

"This senior surely had this painting ready for us; it seems he intends to present us with this painting, for us to do something, right?"

Luo Ming speculated.

"Since the senior has decreed, there must be a purpose to his actions. We shall accept it as is!"

Hong Xuan conveyed through a private message.

Luo Ming nodded, and the two of them respectfully said, "We thank the senior for bestowing upon us the Dao Map!"

The two accepted it respectfully.

But seeing that the two of them took the painting without offering payment or asking for a price, Li Fan was perplexed.

Were these two so ignorant of propriety?

It seemed he had no choice but to ask for payment himself.

He immediately smiled and said, "Cash on delivery, no credit allowed."

Luo Ming and Hong Xuan were both stunned.

This senior...

"This senior surely does not want to be involved in karma?!"

But in just a moment, Luo Ming suddenly had a realization!

Hong Xuan also nodded immediately, saying, "Yes, the more terrifying the person, the more they weigh karma! Given the complexity of karma around the Cangli Mountain Range, this senior must not wish to be entangled in it!"

"So, he needs what is called 'money' to clear the karma!"

However, now that they understood, the two again became anxious.

Cash on delivery, but what kind of 'money' would be considered suitable to such an ancient being?

—In the Cultivation World, there naturally existed a universal currency, which was the "Spirit Stone."

Spirit Stones contained a great amount of spiritual energy and could help cultivators practice swiftly.

But was that something useful to this senior?

Consider this: the senior was someone whose painting could suppress a Demon Venerable, and even Immortals who wanted to enter his courtyard would be shaken to death alive.

"What we need to show to this senior is our sincerity!"

Luo Ming clenched his teeth, and with a flash of spiritual light in his hand, an ancient embroidered box suddenly appeared.

He held the embroidered box respectfully and said, "Senior, this is all of my possessions. Please accept it with a smile!"

Seeing this, Hong Xuan also realized what was happening, and hurriedly presented an embroidered box as well, saying, "Senior, these are also all that I have. Please don't laugh at me."

The two handed them over, their hearts truly filled with anxiety.

They had already presented their most precious possessions, but, could their value compare to Senior Li's painting?

Clearly not.

Li Fan saw the two men pass the box over and his eyes instantly lit up.

Was it silver, or gold?

Quite generous!

He smiled, reached out to take it, felt the considerable weight, and placed it on the table, saying, "We're even now, thank you both for coming. If you need anything in the future, feel free to visit."

Business, after all, should keep flowing smoothly.

But Luo Ming and Hong Xuan were even more startled, it seemed that this senior had already anticipated the events to come.

He was arranging a grand scheme!

And was everyone, including their own Holy Lands, merely a pawn in this senior's game?

Thinking of this, both men felt a moment of daze but dared not speak a word.

"Thank you, Senior, we express our gratitude and will take our leave. We will return another day to pay our respects," Luo Ming spoke up.

Now that they had obtained this map, it was of tremendous importance to their Holy Land.

Li Fan said, "Good, then I won't keep you."

Luo Ming and Hong Xuan then respectfully took their leave.

Having left Li Fan's courtyard, the two men finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"This senior is truly terrifying... my back is soaked with sweat!" Hong Xuan Supreme could not help but say.

"We initially grossly underestimated this senior. Now it seems he is definitely an Immortal, and even among Immortals, his realm is certainly not low..." Luo Ming said, still shaken.

"He even has Pan Peaches... he could possibly be an elder from the Immortal Domain!"

Immortal Domain!

Hong Xuan was even more shaken, the Immortal Domain, that untouchable place, throughout history, the prodigies who had stepped into the Immortal Domain were few and far between.

A master from the Immortal Domain descending to the mortal world surely had major plans.

"Are our two Great Sanctuaries merely pawns in his eyes?" Hong Xuan said somewhat in self-mockery.

"It's not just us. Have you not realized, those two young women who came back with Senior Li, are they not from the Central State Three Absolute Sanctuaries?"

Luo Ming sighed deeply, saying, "Holy Lands as pawns, this game of chess... is not only about the Southern Territory. It's hard to imagine how grand his moves really are!"

...

Inside the courtyard.

"Senior, thank you for bestowing the treasure upon us. We've now secured a foothold in Fire Country and have come to report to you," Fire Spirit said, bowing deeply.

Secured a foothold in Fire Country... It seems they've sold the painting I gave them for a good price? Perhaps they've even opened a small shop of some sort, found a place where they belong...

"That's good to hear. Work hard, and life will always get better if you continue to strive."

Li Fan offered his encouragement.

But to Fire Spirit and the others, this was a tremendous shock; it was an edict from Senior Li.

"Senior Li is telling us to work well for him, and our future will be boundless," they thought, their hearts crystal clear, warming instantly, yearning to find the information Senior Li needed right away.

"By the way, Senior, Luo Ming and Hong Xuan have acquired the treasured painting and will surely set off a storm in the Southern Territory. When the time comes... should we go?" Yu Qishui asked.

Storms would undeniably brew in the Cangli Mountain Range, danger and opportunity coexisting!

And whether to go or not was entirely up to Senior Li's wishes.

Li Fan smiled, their meaning was that Luo Ming and the others would use the painting he gave them to cause trouble?

Luo Ming's business was in jeopardy, and having obtained his painting, they would surely want to make a show of it, perhaps even hold an exhibition or an auction.

And since Fire Spirit and the others had apparently also started a small shop, they certainly would want to make an appearance at such events to expand their business.

Such a thing must be supported.

And their question was, at most, hoping to receive some support from him, perhaps needing calligraphy or paintings to make the event grand.

"If you wish to go, go. Should you need anything, I will naturally assist," Li Fan then stated.

Fire Spirit and the others were immediately overjoyed; with Senior Li's words, what fear did they have left?!

"Thank you, Senior!"

With Li Fan's edict, they too took their leave.

Now only Nan Feng and Zi Ling remained in the courtyard.

Li Fan looked at the two, smiling, "What are your plans, you two?"

It was getting late, and having two beautiful women stay at his place would be improper.

Zi Ling's big eyes blinked up at Li Fan, and she said nervously, "Senior... May I, may I stay and learn to paint with you?"

...