Chapter 533: Disciples Spread Across the World

The cultivators' cheers gradually subsided only when Li Fan flew to Congyun City and personally opened the entrance to the protective formation.

“Everyone, from now on, this will be our new home,” Li Fan announced with a smile.

The cultivators repeatedly affirmed his words.

“All facilities on the island remain as they were, including the teleportation arrays, the Sky Profound Mirror, and more,” Li Fan stated clearly. “Fellow Daoists are welcome to explore them yourselves; I won’t go into further detail.”

Just as some cultivators were eagerly preparing to leave, Li Fan looked at them, smiled faintly, and then suddenly spoke again, “The following Daoists, please come with me to the Hall of Political Affairs.”

“He Zhenghao, Gao Yuan, Zhou Qing’ang…”

“Fang Weihou…”

“Jia Jun…”

As if reciting a menu, Li Fan rattled off the names of over a hundred people in one breath.

The cultivators who had been about to leave promptly stopped in their tracks. Realizing what was happening, they listened intently, their expressions tense.

Those whose names were called were naturally overjoyed. As for those whose names weren't called, they dared not show any unusual reactions, merely watching the others with envy. After aligning themselves with Li Fan, who was officially a Secret Emissary but effectively the acting Island Master, their future prospects would truly be limitless.

Once he finished speaking, Li Fan led about a hundred people in a grand procession towards the Hall of Political Affairs in the city center.

Only the cultivators' divine senses remained, constantly communicating in secret.

“What's there to be so smug about? Fortune and misfortune are unpredictable. Don't look at Li Fan's current influence; when Island Master Hongxi returns, everything will be for naught.”

“I don't think that's necessarily true. The Secret Emissary clearly has strong backing. Otherwise, how could such a good opportunity, like being parachuted in as a provincial governor, fall to him?”

“Isn't that obvious? Can an ordinary cultivator stomp a Spirit Transformation puppet underfoot? I think even if Island Masters Hongxi and Ziyun return, they would still treat the Secret Emissary respectfully. Fellow Daoist Zhu, I advise you to recognize the situation and avoid upsetting the Secret Emissary.”

“Hmph! You may fear him, but I, Zhu Yongshou, do not fear Li Fan!”

Conversations of this kind took place throughout Congyun City.

No one can be liked by everyone in the world, and Li Fan was naturally no exception. Li Fan didn't care in the slightest about the discussions among the cultivators of Congyun Sea.

At this moment, he was busy assigning the pre-determined vacant positions, appointing people to them. Afterwards, he submitted the personnel appointments to the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters, awaiting approval.

Li Fan, who had been busy all day, finally found some leisure. It was also thanks to the assistance of his capable aides, such as He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan; otherwise, managing the city's affairs would not have been so easy for him.

Sitting in a room specially prepared for him within the Hall of Political Affairs, Li Fan gently closed his eyes, feeling several streams of cultivation feedback, of varying strengths, surging into his dantian from all directions. A hint of surprise appeared on his face.

“I didn't expect that among my subordinates, someone would break through so quickly?” he mused. “Then again, it makes sense. Most of these people were originally poor cultivators from Congyun Sea. Now, after following me and working hard for half a year, they have finally achieved their desires, ascending to greatness in one step. Not only have they entered the Immortal Alliance system, but the positions they received are also not low-ranking.”

“With their emotions stirred, it's normal for their cultivation to break through.”

“As the saying goes, 'when one man attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.' They all advanced thanks to my promotion and received my favor.”

“Therefore, there is naturally cultivation feedback from the 'Mountain-Sitting Art'.”

“And the strength of this feedback…”

Li Fan sensed it carefully, growing increasingly delighted.

“Although it's not as profound as the grace of imparting cultivation methods, it's like a new creation.”

“Moreover, this path of cultivation is safer and more concealed than imparting methods. Furthermore, it's protected by the Myriad Immortals Alliance system, making it legitimate and open.”

“I'm still just a minor Secret Emissary who started halfway and has no foundation.”

“If I were a true provincial governor, with disciples and former subordinates spread throughout the Immortal Alliance…”

“The benefits would be unimaginable!”

Li Fan's eyes sparkled as he faintly discovered a brand new path of cultivation.

“As long as I hold onto the position of Secret Emissary, I can rapidly increase my cultivation using these hundreds of trusted subordinates.”

“I can now look forward to forming a Nascent Soul.”

“The Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven…”

Thinking of this original goal, Li Fan frowned slightly. The developments in this life far exceeded his expectations. The course of many events was vastly different from his previous life. The battle of Tianling Province, which originally led to the forced relocation of the Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven, might not happen again. But if there's no major war between the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Council, the difficulty for Li Fan to fish in troubled waters during peacetime would be too great.

“Prepare for a long time, use in a moment.”

“It's time to send you out again, Fellow Daoist Zhou Qing'ang.”

After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan smiled, and his attention instantly focused on Zhou Qing'ang.

At this moment, Zhou Qing'ang was surrounded by a circle of cultivators. Any discerning person could see that Zhou Qing'ang, who had a close relationship with He Zhenghao and was highly trusted by Li Fan, was destined for a swift rise in the future. If they didn't seize this last opportunity to build good relationships now, when would they? Consequently, a steady stream of cultivators came to visit and pay their respects.

“Zhou Qing'ang” took considerable effort to get away from the crowd. Late at night, he quietly slipped out of Congyun City. He headed directly for the rendezvous point.

“Hall of Political Affairs, Inspectorate Chief. Boss, what do you think of this position?”

“The authority is immense. I can patrol all corners of the territory and seriously deal with any illegal activities.”

“Compared to a mere island guard, it's far more prestigious!” “Zhou Qing'ang” said to the fractured stone human face triumphantly. “Furthermore, various secrets that were previously inaccessible can now be easily obtained. One could say I've truly infiltrated the enemy!”

“Boss?”

“Hmm? Boss, why aren't you speaking?” "Zhou Qing'ang" looked at the motionless figure opposite, asking with some surprise.

There was still a deathly silence.

A sudden premonition of uneasiness welled up in Li Fan's heart. So he also stopped speaking.

After a long time, the human face on the fractured stone finally spoke. The voice was stern and filled with killing intent.

“You are not Zhou Qing'ang. Who exactly are you?”

Li Fan's heart sank. However, he still pretended to be somewhat surprised: “Boss, what are you talking about? Look at my face, it's the real deal!”

“How can you suspect me? I've rendered great service to the organization!”

“Those top-secret bits of information: the Immortal Alliance entrance exam questions, the unification of Xuanhuang…” "Zhou Qing'ang" recounted his achievements, sounding very wronged.

“So, you switched places this early…”

“Impressive!” The fractured stone human face was not swayed by Li Fan's sophistry in the slightest, its voice as cold as ice.

The “Zhou Qing'ang” who had been extremely anxious instantly calmed down. As if he had become a different person, he asked calmly, “Oh? Where did I reveal a flaw?”

“Hmph!” The fractured stone human face sneered, “Your disguise is flawless. But for all your calculations, you overlooked one thing.”

“When Zhou Qing'ang first accepted the mission to infiltrate the Myriad Immortals Alliance, he had an ultimate mission. Once he truly secured an important position within the Myriad Immortals Alliance, he was to immediately abandon his previous identity as a hidden operative. He was to completely conceal himself and never contact us again, to avoid detection and prevent the mission from failing.”

“Until the organization activated him at a crucial moment…”

“Therefore, you, having just taken office and immediately rushing to contact me, could absolutely not be Zhou Qing'ang himself.” The human face said gravely.