**Chapter 144: Wei Fan’s Request**

Five years had passed since Meng Guan joined the Earth Sect. 

As a Foundation Establishment elder, Meng Guan received an annual stipend of 3,000 spirit stones. Over five years, this amounted to 15,000 spirit stones. 

Foundation Establishment elders were different from outer disciples. 

Elders only received a stipend and didn't have access to resources specifically designed to boost their cultivation, such as pills or Jade Powder, which were exclusive to outer disciples. 

Therefore, if an elder wanted high-grade magical tools, spells, or pills, they had to spend their stipend to purchase them or complete external missions to earn contribution points for exchange. 

Over the past five years, Meng Guan had spent thousands of spirit stones on various expenses. 

Recently, he had also purchased a high-grade defensive magical tool, which cost him over 9,000 spirit stones. 

By his calculations, Meng Guan had already spent his entire five-year stipend. 

Now, faced with Wei Fan's impending second attempt at Foundation Establishment in two years and the lack of a Foundation Establishment Pill, Meng Guan found himself short on funds. 

Even if he took on external missions for two years and converted all his stipend into contribution points, he would only earn 80 contribution points—still 20 short of the 100 needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill. 

At an exchange rate of 150 spirit stones per contribution point, this left a gap of roughly 3,000 spirit stones. 

Meanwhile, unaware of these calculations, Wei Fan's face lit up with hope upon hearing Meng Guan's words. 

Despite his severe injuries, Wei Fan quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Meng Guan and He Song. 

Then, he made his request. 

"Although I don't have many spirit stones left, I still have two years of stipends, which should allow me to save up some. I'm just not sure if it will be enough. If it's not... I humbly ask for your help, my friends. I don't want to miss this last chance at Foundation Establishment." 

"If I succeed this time, I will never forget your kindness. Even if I fail, I will repay every spirit stone as quickly as possible." 

Wei Fan's expression was resolute as he bowed and made his plea. 

Today, he had already wasted one Foundation Establishment Pill and one attempt at breaking through. 

If he couldn't obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill within the next two years, his chances of success would become vanishingly small. 

Under these circumstances, asking his two close friends for help wasn't too difficult to accept. 

After all, five years ago, Meng Guan had made a similar request. 

Within their small circle, it was customary to help each other in times of need, as long as it didn't harm one's own interests. 

This was similar to how Wei Fan had once protected He Song, escorted Meng Guan, and lent spirit stones to help Meng Guan purchase a Meridian Protection Pill. 

However, in the past, Wei Fan had always been the one offering help. 

Now, as the one asking for assistance, he couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. 

"Brother Wei, there's no need for this. Let's first hear how much Old Meng is short, and then we can pool our resources. We should be able to make up the difference." 

Seeing Wei Fan's plea, He Song and Meng Guan exchanged a glance before stepping forward to help him up. He Song then offered words of reassurance. 

Both Meng Guan and He Song held Wei Fan in high regard. 

After all, they had both received significant help from him in the past. 

When He Song was in the early stages of Qi Refining, he had survived a major disaster in the immortal market thanks to Wei Fan's protection. 

Later, Wei Fan had even helped He Song eliminate a major threat by killing Chen Zhou. 

Similarly, when Meng Guan was in the middle stages of Qi Refining, Wei Fan had escorted him to Green Wall Immortal City to purchase a Breakthrough Pill, which allowed Meng Guan to advance to the late Qi Refining stage. 

Meng Guan had also borrowed spirit stones from Wei Fan and He Song to buy a Meridian Protection Pill. 

Given these circumstances, even if it was just to repay past favors, both Meng Guan and He Song were willing to help. 

Moreover, their small circle had always operated on the principle of mutual support. 

Now that Wei Fan had asked, they naturally felt obligated to assist. 

"You two might not know this, but outer disciples earn five contribution points and 500 spirit stones per year from external missions. Foundation Establishment elders, on the other hand, earn 20 contribution points and 3,000 spirit stones annually." 

"A Foundation Establishment Pill costs 100 contribution points in the sect's treasure vault." 

"Additionally, 150 spirit stones can be exchanged for one contribution point." 

"Based on this, if I take on external missions for two years and convert my stipend, I can earn 80 contribution points. That leaves a shortfall of 20 contribution points, or 3,000 spirit stones." 

After He Song calmed Wei Fan down and the three of them sat, Meng Guan explained the situation. 

The bulk of the cost for the Foundation Establishment Pill would naturally fall on him, the Foundation Establishment elder. 

Even if this meant his cultivation progress would slow and he wouldn't be able to do much else for two years, Meng Guan was willing to help. 

Wei Fan had already failed once and had gained valuable experience. 

If he succeeded next time, it would benefit Meng Guan as well. 

Two years was a small price to pay. 

"I've spent most of my stipend over the years on pills for cultivation. Now, I only have about 300 spirit stones left. However, I can set aside my stipend for the next two years, which would give me 1,300 spirit stones." 

Wei Fan also calculated his own resources and shared the results with the other two. 

With Wei Fan contributing 1,300 spirit stones, the remaining 1,700 would fall to He Song. 

If He Song could provide this amount, they would have enough to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill in two years. 

Under their expectant gazes, He Song smiled. 

"It's settled then. Over the past three years, I've used my stipend to buy gifts to express my gratitude to True Person Clear Moon and her two disciples. However, I haven't touched my stipend for the last two years." 

"Right now, I have a little over 1,000 spirit stones. With the next two years' stipends, I'll have another 1,000. That means I can contribute over 2,000 spirit stones." 

"Combined, we should have enough to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill." 

He Song's words were a mix of truth and lies. 

It was true that he had spent 1,500 spirit stones on gifts for True Person Clear Moon and her disciples. 

However, the lie was that he currently had over 10,000 spirit stones. 

The source of this wealth was a sensitive topic, which was why He Song chose to be vague. 

Rather than boasting about his riches, he decided to present himself as just capable enough to help. 

This way, he could maintain his secrecy while still assisting his friends. 

If Wei Fan succeeded in two years, he would undoubtedly feel grateful to He Song. 

All it took was lending a little over 1,000 spirit stones to gain such goodwill. 

It was a perfect arrangement. 

Hearing He Song's words, the other two visibly relaxed. 

Soon, the three of them exchanged smiles, their faces filled with relief. 

"Good, good! In that case, Brother Wei, focus on recovering. I'll go take on some external missions. We'll meet again in two years!" 

After sitting for a while longer, Meng Guan was the first to take his leave. 

He Song also bid farewell and left Wei Fan's courtyard. 

Returning to his own courtyard, He Song sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his thoughts wandering far and wide. 

"A Foundation Establishment Pill costs 15,000 spirit stones? If I expand my spirit fields, that amount shouldn't be a problem. Even six pills might be within reach." 

Recalling Meng Guan's earlier explanation about the cost of Foundation Establishment Pills in the sect's treasure vault, He Song's mind raced. 

Currently, He Song only had one spirit field, which yielded 3,000 spirit stones annually. 

To exchange 100 contribution points for a Foundation Establishment Pill, he would need 15,000 spirit stones. 

In other words, one pill would require five years of work. 

That seemed like a long time. 

But if He Song had multiple spirit fields... 

(End of Chapter)

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