**Chapter 69: The Difficulty of Repaying Favors**

Once the thought occurred to him, He Song acted immediately. 

Holding several Earth Talismans in his hand, he left the cave with a solemn expression. 

However, the moment he stepped out, his expression softened.

Not far away, a message-carrying paper crane was hovering at the edge of the Misty Traversal Formation, seemingly unable to locate its target. 

The paper crane glowed faintly with spiritual energy, yet it remained motionless, like a lifeless object. 

He Song quickly realized what was happening.

The Message Transmission Technique allowed cultivators to communicate over long distances by exchanging a trace of their spiritual aura with a friend.

Once the aura was exchanged, one could send a paper crane or bird to deliver a message. It was the preferred method of communication for Qi Refining cultivators. 

Of course, if the recipient was inside a defensive formation or had concealed their aura using a technique like the Aura Concealment Art, the paper crane would be unable to locate them and would instead hover at the last point where their aura was detected.

Exchanging a trace of spiritual aura with a friend was akin to adding them to a contact list—it allowed one to send messages to them using that trace of aura. 

There was no need to worry about the aura being tracked by others. 

However, if someone had a special technique to alter their aura, the Message Transmission Technique would fail. 

Additionally, if the message was intercepted, the information on the paper crane would self-destruct, and the sender would be notified.

He Song had indeed come from the direction where the paper crane was hovering. 

When he left the Immortal Market, he hadn't used the Aura Concealment Art. This wasn't due to carelessness—on the contrary, it was because he was being overly cautious. 

Having spent over a decade in the Immortal Market, He Song was well aware of its workings. 

In the market, there were always eyes watching those who left, waiting in the shadows. 

These people made a living through such means, and their methods were ruthless. 

If He Song had used the Aura Concealment Art, these watchers might have deemed him weak and targeted him after he left the market. 

By revealing his mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation, he deterred them from acting too boldly. 

However, if a cultivator at the early stage of Qi Refining left the market, these watchers would likely see them as easy prey.

This was why the paper crane had been able to track He Song's aura to this location and trigger the Misty Traversal Formation. 

The formation concealed He Song's aura, so the paper crane couldn't enter and instead hovered at the last point where his aura was detected. 

If He Song had used the Aura Concealment Art when leaving the market, the paper crane would have appeared near his residence rather than here.

Seeing this, He Song carefully observed his surroundings. After a moment of vigilance, he approached the paper crane. 

As he walked, he kept several Earth Talismans in hand, ready to activate them at a moment's notice to protect himself. 

When he reached the edge of the Misty Traversal Formation, he extended his hand toward the paper crane, releasing a trace of his aura. 

The paper crane immediately transformed into a thin sheet of paper and landed in his hand.

He Song quickly stored the paper in his storage bag and withdrew his hand, remaining alert to his surroundings. 

After a long while, when he saw no signs of danger, he finally relaxed and returned to the cave to read the message.

"Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist. As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator and a high-ranking member of the market, I don't need to worry about this. 

As for this matter, I had already heard about it, but I didn't intentionally keep it from you. I hope you can forgive me. 

I had originally planned to protect you when the time came, which is why I didn't inform you earlier. I didn't expect you to have already found a way out. 

However, if anything changes, feel free to send a message. I will come to your aid immediately. 

This matter is of great importance, so I hope you won't mention it to others. 

—Wei Fan."

As He Song read the lines of text on the paper, he felt a warmth in his heart. 

Wei Fan was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. 

Two years ago, he had successfully broken through from the seventh to the eighth layer of Qi Refining.

With such cultivation, he was considered quite powerful in the market, just below those at the ninth layer who were striving to reach Foundation Establishment.

Coupled with his position as a supervisor in the Spirit Construction Pavilion, Wei Fan was undoubtedly a high-ranking member of the market.

Wei Fan had learned of the situation early on but had kept it quiet, intending to protect He Song when the time came. 

Unfortunately, He Song had coincidentally learned of the situation from Zhao Lin and had already left the market, carving out a cave outside to hide for a while before returning. 

As a result, Wei Fan's plan to protect He Song had fallen through. 

Instead, He Song had informed Wei Fan of the situation and advised him to prepare early. 

Wei Fan's feelings must have been quite complicated at this moment. 

He had intended to protect his friend, only to find that his friend had already fled and even reminded him to do the same. 

This... 

Not only had he failed to extend a favor, but he now owed one instead.

It was easy to imagine how Wei Fan must be feeling. 

Although he had already known about the situation, He Song's act of informing him as soon as he learned of it still counted as a favor. 

If their relationship hadn't been so close, who would have bothered to send a warning? 

Initially, after learning of the situation, He Song had considered seeking Wei Fan's help. 

But after some thought, he had abandoned the idea. 

By leaving the market and hiding nearby under the protection of the Misty Traversal Formation, he could avoid danger. 

Even if danger arose, he could quickly escape back to the market. 

With his safety assured, he could also avoid the impending disaster. 

If he sought Wei Fan's help again, the debt of gratitude would only grow harder to repay.

Six years ago, during the last calamity, He Song had sought Wei Fan's help. 

Three years ago, during the Chen Zhou incident, he had done the same. 

If he sought Wei Fan's help again this time, what would he do in the future if an even greater disaster struck? 

In the end, one had to rely on oneself. 

Depending on others was risky—what if that person decided not to protect you anymore? 

Even though Wei Fan was a close friend and was willing to help He Song while his cultivation was still low, hoping to gain He Song's assistance in the future as his cultivation improved, He Song couldn't turn to him for every little problem. 

Favors were hard to repay. 

Now that He Song had some ability to protect himself, relying on his own strength became his first choice. 

As long as he could ensure his safety, he wouldn't seek help from friends.

If he could avoid disaster using his own abilities, why incur a debt of gratitude?

However, if he ever encountered a problem he couldn't solve on his own, He Song wouldn't stubbornly refuse to ask for help. 

When necessary, he would still turn to his friends.

After all, he only had one life, and preserving it was his top priority.

Storing the paper in his storage bag, He Song waved his hand lightly, and another sheet of paper appeared in his grasp.

(End of Chapter)