Chapter 531: Bestowing the Secret Character Envoy

“Fellow Daoist Li, if you please!”

The square-faced cultivator approached Li Fan and said in a deep voice. Li Fan had previously learned from Zhou Kebao that this person's surname was Long when he spied on their group discussing strategy. Among their group, this person subtly held a leadership position. On the commercial contract signed with Zhou Kebao, there was only one cultivator named Long. Thus, Li Fan was able to ascertain the identity of the cultivator before him: Long Yueyou.

The surname Long was rather uncommon. Back in Tianquan Province, when he was in the Celestial Polar Institute of the Heavenly Venerate Jicheng, Li Fan had heard of the Long Family of Tianquan. Although unlike the Tantai Family, they didn't have high-ranking Dao Integration elders in the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the Long Family was exceptionally united, with family members spread throughout the Immortal Alliance. Even though most of them held grassroots positions, when united, they definitely constituted a force not to be underestimated. Li Fan just wondered if this Long Yueyou had any connection to that Long Family.

With this thought flashing through his mind, Li Fan pretended not to recognize him, looked at Long Yueyou, and asked, “And who might this be?”

Long Yueyou smiled slightly, his face displaying a haughty expression, but he remained silent. His subordinates nearby eagerly vied to introduce him to Li Fan. It was indeed as Li Fan had guessed.

“I’ve long admired you! Long admired you!” Li Fan quickly cupped his hands, feigning surprise. However, inwardly, his estimation of Long Yueyou had already dropped a few notches.

Long Yueyou nodded in response. Li Fan didn't mind. The two, surrounded by cultivators, followed behind Zhou Kebao and flew into the floating city in the sky. The protective array was not activated, allowing for free and unobstructed flight within the city. This was Li Fan's first time overlooking an Immortal City of the Myriad Immortals Alliance. The different perspective offered a unique charm.

Zhou Kebao began introducing the various facilities and layouts within the city to Li Fan. In fact, even without his elaborate explanations, Li Fan could clearly see that this Immortal City and Abode was indeed identical to common Immortal Alliance cities. After specifically visiting various buildings within the city and inspecting each in detail, Li Fan nodded with satisfaction.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhou Kebao took out a token with a seven-colored glow and handed it over. “This is the control hub of this abode,” he explained. “As long as you refine it with your heart’s blood, you can control the various formations within the city at will. In addition to the basic functions all Immortal Cities possess, we have specifically added many wonderful applications according to your requirements, such as long-distance teleportation, illusory mirages, and Mustard Seed Sumeru. Of course, Fellow Daoist can also distribute certain control permissions of the abode to other cultivators.”

Zhou Kebao diligently showcased the power of this Immortal City and Abode to Li Fan and thoughtfully offered some reminders. “Long-distance teleportation consumes a large amount of energy. In addition to top-grade spirit stones, it also requires a certain amount of rare materials like Rift-Void Sand and Orbit-Stabilizing Profound Crystals, which are expensive on the market. If Fellow Daoist has any needs, you can come to us; we offer good prices,” Zhou Kebao whispered, drawing a burst of laughter from the surrounding cultivators.

“Oh, and there’s one more thing to note,” Zhou Kebao continued with a solemn expression. “This long-distance teleportation requires precise spatial coordinate information for the target location. Otherwise, a slight deviation in the teleportation location would be minor; accidentally entering the boundless void would be quite troublesome.”

Li Fan nodded, indicating he understood.

“Finally, there’s the self-destruct function that Fellow Daoist repeatedly emphasized,” Zhou Kebao’s tone suddenly became a little nervous. “We put a considerable amount of thought into meeting this request of yours, Fellow Daoist. When we built the city, we added special materials throughout that can trigger Annihilation Thunder of Nirvana. Furthermore, we constructed this Immortal City and Abode using artifact refining methods, and artifacts themselves possess the function of self-destruction to harm enemies.” Zhou Kebao paused. “According to our calculations, if this abode were to suddenly explode, even a Dao Integration cultivator would suffer severe injuries if caught unprepared.”

As soon as he spoke, the surroundings immediately fell silent. All the cultivators present, including Long Yueyou, scrutinized Li Fan with slightly strange glances. However, none of them pressed for details. Just as Li Fan himself had stated, he had been attacked by spies of the Five Elders Association before, and given his considerable wealth, carrying such a powerful weapon for self-defense was entirely reasonable, wasn't it?

Regardless of Li Fan's true intentions, as long as they sold this Immortal City and Abode and received the contribution points, that was all that mattered. At worst, they would just avoid provoking this person unnecessarily in the future and stay far away from him. Zhou Kebao and the others all shared this sentiment. Amidst slightly awkward laughter, the group of cultivators glossed over the matter.

After Li Fan transferred the remaining contribution points, he also refined the seven-colored control token for the abode, with everyone present as witnesses. Looking at the massive city below, a feeling of effortless command spontaneously arose within him. At the same time, methods for controlling various functions appeared in his mind. With a thought, the Immortal City and Abode instantly transformed into a tiny speck of light and vanished into Li Fan's Dantian.

“What a treasure!” Li Fan applauded and praised.

“If Fellow Daoist has any further needs in the future, you can still come back to us,” Zhou Kebao said with a beaming smile. “As long as you have enough contribution points, anything can be discussed.”

“Then I suppose I’ll be troubling you all quite often in the future!” Li Fan said with a smile, glancing around. This drew another round of laughter from those around him.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Fan excused himself, citing the impending completion of Congyun City and his busy schedule, and left this advance realm.

“This person is also exceedingly audacious. It is best not to make an enemy of him unless absolutely necessary,” Long Yueyou remarked, watching Li Fan's gradually fading figure.

“Indeed, what normal cultivator would carry such a terrifying behemoth with them? If he went mad and detonated it in some Immortal City...”

“Tsk tsk...”

“He’s an ancient cultivator, so it’s normal. It would be strange if he were genuinely loyal to our Myriad Immortals Alliance.”

“Heh heh, anyway, we've got the contribution points; it’s got nothing to do with us.” Everyone discussed with an air of indifference, smiling.

**Congyun Sea**

Li Fan examined the Immortal City and Abode silently slumbering in his Dantian, and his heart immediately felt much more at ease. With this destructive power for self-defense, coupled with the essence blood of ten thousand people that had always been bound within the ‘Returning to Truth’ space, Li Fan believed that even when facing a Dao Integration cultivator, he now possessed sufficient capital to deter them.

As for whether Zhou Kebao and the others would leave any secret passages in this abode, Li Fan couldn't care less. Its fate was already sealed, anyway. Before the identity of “Li Fan, the Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator” completely vanished, it too would erupt in its final brilliant light within the territory of the Myriad Immortals Alliance. Several possible future scenarios flashed through Li Fan’s mind, and he couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

With his thoughts settled, Li Fan went to the Dust-Crossing Boat again to request an audience with the First Jinglun, before the official groundbreaking ceremony for Congyun City.

“Young Master Jinglun, after several months of hard work, the Immortal Alliance's mission is complete. I have also carried out your instructions. So, you see…” Li Fan spoke very tactfully, but he believed that the First Jinglun was intelligent enough to understand his implied meaning.

The First Jinglun, who was currently looking down with furrowed brows at the constantly flickering and changing information in the documents on his desk, did not lift his head. “Rest assured, the Immortal Alliance never wrongs those who have performed meritorious service. The corresponding rewards have already been decided. I originally intended to have someone announce them at the groundbreaking ceremony. Since you are so eager, you may take a look now.”

The First Jinglun lightly tapped the desk, and a streak of light immediately flew towards Li Fan. Unable to dodge, as the stream of light entered his body, a piece of information instantly appeared in Li Fan’s mind:

“Be it known that Li Fan, acting island master of Congyun Island, has rendered meritorious service in overseeing the construction of Congyun City, working diligently day and night. He is hereby specially promoted to the position of Secret Emissary of the Political Affairs Hall of Congyun City, with full authority to act on all administrative matters when the island master is not within the provincial borders. Furthermore, he is awarded one hundred thousand contribution points and a Class A Superior Merit.”

“Hmph, ‘the Immortal Alliance never wrongs those who have performed meritorious service,’ that phrase sounds quite familiar,” Li Fan thought to himself. “However, the reward for this mission is quite commensurate with that saying.”

Carefully reading the order issued by the Political Affairs Hall headquarters, Li Fan discovered that the actual power of the Secret Emissary position he was about to assume was considerably great. In reality, during the actual operation of political affairs in various places, many matters were ultimately decided by the Secret Emissaries of the Political Affairs Hall. Only special events reaching a certain level required reporting to the Immortal City Lord for approval. After all, there were too many trivial matters within a province; if the City Lord had to personally handle every matter, regardless of its size, then even if they had several clones, they might not be able to manage. Moreover, most Immortal City Lords in various provinces were at the Soul Transformation cultivation stage. At this realm, who wouldn't want to advance further and achieve Dao Integration? It’s important to know that once one stepped into the Dao Integration Realm, their status would be vastly different from that of Soul Transformation. On a smaller scale, they would be the true ruler of a province. On a larger scale, they could be transferred from a local post to the heartland of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, entering the center of power in the foreseeable future. Therefore, they had to ensure they had ample time for cultivation. As assistants to the City Lord, Secret Emissaries also had to help bear the burden of managing administrative affairs.

Generally speaking, there were often three to five Secret Emissaries in a province. However, the situation in Congyun Sea was special. The top layer of leadership had been temporarily reassigned by a single order, no one knew where. And almost all the middle and lower-level cultivators had been rounded up by the Five Elders Association. To get the rebuilt Congyun City operating as quickly as possible, the Political Affairs Hall headquarters had temporarily assigned only one Secret Emissary for this time, and had also granted Li Fan ample authority. For the currently vacant positions, he had the power to internally recommend candidates for one-third of them. As for the remaining positions, cultivators from other provinces would be transferred in soon.

“With Immortal Monarchs Hongxi and Ziyun, both Soul Transformation cultivators, not returning, it can be said that I alone will be in charge of Congyun City,” Li Fan thought, his face showing excitement. “My busy months have not been in vain.”

“Thank you for your cultivation, Young Master! This subordinate will henceforth pledge allegiance to you to repay your kindness in recognizing my abilities!” Li Fan vowed.