Chapter 522: Immortal City as a Cave Residence

"You can't possibly expect me to buy the supplies you've embezzled, can you?" Li Fan's expression remained unchanged as he slowly sipped his tea, looking at Zhou Kebao. "Although I am quite wealthy, my contribution points don't just appear out of thin air. These supplies, apart from building the immortal city, don't seem to have any other use."

Zhou Kebao quickly shook his head, "How could we be so ungrateful?"

He cautiously glanced at Li Fan, bowing obsequiously, "Actually, I came to you with the principle of valuing harmony..."

Li Fan abruptly set down his teacup with a loud thud, startling Zhou Kebao into silence and making him straighten up.

Li Fan's face was stern, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. "Valuing harmony? That doesn't seem to be what you had in mind before."

"Embezzling so many supplies, especially after I signed a military pledge—are you trying to force me, Li Fan, to my death?"

Zhou Kebao waved his hands repeatedly, trembling as he explained, "Absolutely not! We had no such intention! From beginning to end, we were only trying to make some money..."

Li Fan gave a noncommittal nod, saying calmly, "Since things have come to this, I won't hold it against you anymore..."

Zhou Kebao looked utterly disbelieving at this.

However, before he could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Li Fan continue, "But once Congyun Immortal City is officially completed, everything that needs to be reported to the higher-ups will be reported, not a single detail omitted."

"After all, completing the construction of an immortal city without wasting even a tiny bit of material, doesn't that demonstrate my strong capabilities as Li Fan?"

"Indeed, it should be announced to the world, made known to everyone. If all city lords were like me, wouldn't the Myriad Immortals Alliance's annexation of the Five Elders Association be just around the corner?"

"What do you say, Fellow Daoist Zhou?" Li Fan said shamelessly.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist, you're joking," Zhou Kebao said, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. He had already grasped the veiled threat in Li Fan's words.

"Whatever demands you have, please state them. We will certainly meet them. Please don't let this matter escalate." Zhou Kebao patted his chest, assuring him.

"Don't focus on what I want; focus on what you have." Li Fan stepped forward and patted Zhou Kebao's shoulder.

"Contribution points? Do I lack those?"

Li Fan showed a look of arrogance. "My deduction techniques, Li Fan's techniques, are renowned throughout the land. Making money from money is an easy feat. So-called contribution points are nothing more than a string of numbers in my eyes."

Zhou Kebao's body trembled slightly upon hearing this.

"Furthermore, once Congyun Immortal City is completed, the corresponding rewards from above will certainly not be small. At that time, as a high-ranking official, my authority level will also skyrocket."

"With contribution points and authority, how many things in this world could I not acquire?"

"What, then, do you have to offer that can impress me?"

Li Fan's gaze was sharp and intense, fixed on Zhou Kebao.

Under Li Fan's piercing stare, Zhou Kebao felt that everything the other man said made perfect sense. His mind instantly became a jumble, and for a moment, he couldn't come up with a suitable answer.

"Come back to me once you've thought it through. I have official business to attend to. You may leave!" Li Fan said coldly, issuing an order for him to depart.

Zhou Kebao retreated, a worried expression on his face.

Li Fan's meaning was very clear.

Their interference in this matter could be forgiven.

But it required compensation of sufficient value.

"A demand without a specific demand is the most difficult to deal with," Zhou Kebao sighed softly.

He looked back at Li Fan's room.

In the short time since he had left, seven or eight different cultivators, looking constrained, had frequently entered and exited.

"His influence is already established; we cannot forcefully oppose him."

"Since that's the case, we might as well use this opportunity to turn an enemy into a friend. From what I observe, he's not the type to hold grudges. As long as we have enough leverage, we won't have trouble swaying him."

Zhou Kebao's thoughts raced, and in an instant, he had made up his mind.

He hurried back and began discussing with his associates.

Five days later, Zhou Kebao reappeared before Li Fan, full of confidence.

"Fellow Daoist, please look at this."

He pointed in mid-air, and a miniature image of a floating city appeared in the space.

"What is the meaning of this?" Li Fan stared for a moment, unable to discern its significance. He asked calmly.

Seeing Li Fan's reaction, Zhou Kebao's confidence grew, and he revealed a mysterious smile.

"A dwelling that is identical to, or even surpasses, the Myriad Immortals Alliance's floating immortal cities..."

"I wonder if you're interested, Fellow Daoist?" Zhou Kebao asked slowly in a low voice.

"Hm?" Li Fan's gaze sharpened, and he turned to scrutinize the miniature landscape in the air.

His thoughts raced, and he couldn't help but take a sharp intake of breath.

"The supplies you embezzled are more than double what you gave me? Aren't you being a bit too daring?"

Zhou Kebao quickly said, "Haha, Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand."

"Although we did hold back quite a bit this time in our scheme against you, it's far from enough to fully rebuild a floating city."

"In fact, these materials are surpluses we've accumulated from past repair and renovation projects in various immortal cities across the states."

"Fellow Daoist Li, you know well that the Myriad Immortals Alliance allocates ample budgets for projects, accounting for various unforeseen circumstances. And those of us who frequently work in this line of business become skilled through practice; actual losses are minimal."

"So, each time, there's a surplus of materials. This excess, naturally, couldn't be handed over, so it ended up in our pockets."

Zhou Kebao smiled slightly, then stopped speaking abruptly, leaving everything unsaid.

"Over the years, we've accumulated these materials. Instead of letting them gather dust in a warehouse, it's better to put them to good use and resolve this misunderstanding with you, Fellow Daoist."

"Using public resources for private gain, turning an immortal city into a private dwelling. Haha, I can assure you, even within our Myriad Immortals Alliance, such a thing is not common."

Li Fan stared intently at the continuously rotating image of the immortal city, clearly tempted.

Seeing this, Zhou Kebao began to promote it enthusiastically again.

"This immortal city dwelling, apart from not being able to connect with the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters, will have all its facilities identical to those of an ordinary immortal city."

"Of course, if you find it too ostentatious, we can also provide a concealment feature. Buildings like the Administrative Hall and Martial Arts Hall can remain hidden and only be summoned when needed."

"Within the immortal city dwelling, we will also leave ample space for future modifications."

"Later, if you wish to reinforce protective formations or enchantments, it will be no problem at all."

"Naturally, if you can provide some contribution points, we wouldn't mind doing the work for you."

"If you are generous enough, long-distance teleportation formations, or even virtual mustard seed miniaturization arrays—these can also be discussed."

"An immortal city dwelling that can be carried with you, has its own teleportation function, and is capable of both offense and defense..."

"Are you satisfied, Fellow Daoist?" Zhou Kebao asked enticingly.

Li Fan burst out laughing in response.