The past comes back

As for Li Fan’s sworn loyalty, First Canon remained noncommittal.

“You may go now. Prepare well for the inauguration ceremony. There must be no mishaps,” he said indifferently, still concentrating on the information on his desk.

Li Fan then bowed and took his leave.

Returning to his temporary residence, he called Gao Yuan over.

“City Lord, do you need me for something?” Gao Yuan asked obsequiously, bowing and scraping.

“The Immortal Alliance Headquarters’ commendation has arrived. I will be appointed as a Secretary-character Envoy of Bu Zheng Hall. From now on, you must change how you address me and not make any mistakes with the title,” Li Fan said with the same indifferent tone as First Canon.

Gao Yuan was stunned for a moment, and before he could react, Li Fan continued, “The Immortal City is being rebuilt, and everything is in disarray. Immortal Lords Hongxi and Ziyun are still away on business. I will temporarily assume full authority over all administrative affairs of Congyun Sea.”

At this moment, Gao Yuan finally came to his senses, his eyes filled with unconcealed ecstasy, and he repeatedly said, “Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy! Everyone has witnessed your capabilities over the past six months. With Island Lord Hongxi and the others absent, it is the good fortune of all Cultivators in Congyun Sea to have you acting as proxy for the administrative affairs!”

“Perhaps Lord Secret Envoy is not entirely aware, but over the past six months, every Cultivator I have encountered has praised and been convinced by your methods.”

…

Li Fan smiled wryly.

Although he knew Gao Yuan was flattering him, who doesn’t like to hear good words?

Li Fan waved his hand, interrupting Gao Yuan’s effusive praise. He took a piece of paper from his怀中 and gently floated it over.

“This is a list of Cultivators roughly ranked by their contributions during the reconstruction of Congyun City.”

“With the new city’s reconstruction, there are vacant positions. I have one-third of the internal recommendation slots. Besides those Cultivators who had already pledged allegiance that day, there are still quite a few vacancies. Take a look and see if there are any other usable individuals here,” Li Fan asked, with his hands clasped behind his back.

Gao Yuan took the paper, which was covered with densely written names. Though the paper was as thin as a cicada’s wing, it felt as heavy as a mountain in his hand.

His hands trembled incessantly, and even his breathing became rapid.

Why did Gao Yuan pledge allegiance to Li Fan? Wasn’t it for this very day?

To decide and change others’ fates with a single word—this was the taste of power.

Knowing this was Li Fan’s final test for him, Gao Yuan took a deep breath and calmed himself.

His gaze swept across the list, and he quickly had a plan in mind.

“Among these Cultivators, I highly recommend Fang Weihou. Although this person is only a Golden Core cultivator, he is diligent in his work and meticulous in his thinking. Over the past six months, any task assigned to him has been completed ahead of schedule and without fail. More importantly, this person has no background and has relied on his own cultivation all these years.”

“There’s also this Cultivator named Jia Jun; his abilities are also outstanding…”

Gao Yuan spoke eloquently.

He hadn't been idle over the past six months.

Although he seemed to wander aimlessly every day, in reality, his eyes observed almost every Cultivator’s every move.

Li Fan, based on Gao Yuan’s evaluation of these Cultivators, quickly replayed the monitored and recorded footage from the past six months using his hua dao stone.

After comparing them one by one, he slowly nodded.

As expected of someone who had stood guard at the entrance of Bu Zheng Hall for almost half his life.

Gao Yuan’s ability to discern people was indeed extraordinary.

Even Li Fan felt that he might not have been able to do better.

“Very good.” He rarely praised him.

“I have an idea.” With a gentle指, Li Fan circled dozens of names on the paper in Gao Yuan’s hand.

“For these people, you should also give them a heads-up and tell them to be mentally prepared. There must be no mishaps during tomorrow’s inauguration ceremony,” Li Fan instructed.

Gao Yuan’s expression was solemn, and he bowed in acknowledgment before withdrawing.

The next day.

Congyun Immortal City hung high in the sky. From a distance, one could see the flickering lights of its activated protective grand formation.

Almost all the Cultivators from Congyun Sea gathered here.

They looked up at the new city from below, conversing with each other, filled with emotion.

Amidst this widespread attention, Li Fan, stepping on a Soul Transformation Puppet, appeared once again.

“Greetings, Island Lord!”

Suddenly, many Cultivators below shouted in unison.

Li Fan smiled and waved his hand: “Today, Congyun Immortal City is officially rebuilt, and my temporary position as Island Lord has come to an end.”

“Fellow Daoists, you must not address me as such anymore.”

He looked up at Congyun City in the sky and sighed, “It was truly not easy for you all to work together and rebuild this city within half a year. I am honored to have been a part of it!”

“Fellow Daoists, please accept my bow!”

With that, Li Fan actually bowed towards the Cultivators present.

The Cultivators of Congyun Sea immediately stirred.

Some Cultivators looked panicked and quickly returned the bow.

Others accepted it calmly, as if it were only natural.

Of course, most were simply watching the show, not particularly concerned about Li Fan’s performance.

And just as Li Fan straightened up and was about to speak again.

Suddenly, a streak of light shot forth from the distant horizon.

“Li Fan, acting Island Lord of Wanxian Island, heed this order!”

A slender Cultivator, dressed in the standard Immortal Alliance uniform, held a yellow decree scroll and spoke with a solemn expression.

His voice was not loud, but it resonated like thunder, clearly reaching the ears of all Cultivators present.

In an instant, the area around the Immortal City fell silent.

“It’s here!” Li Fan unhurriedly flew forward, bowing slightly.

“Hereby, Li Fan, acting Island Lord of Congyun Island, has worked diligently day and night and has contributed greatly to the supervision and construction of Congyun City.”

…

It was identical to what he had seen at First Canon’s place yesterday.

Only this time, after the representative from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s Bu Zheng Hall Headquarters officially announced it, the decree scroll transformed into a golden light and flew towards Li Fan.

Just as it was about to touch him, the golden light transformed into a rather form-fitting black Daoist robe, which automatically dressed him.

On the Daoist robe, numerous profound patterns were intricately drawn with golden threads.

An aura of nobility immediately enveloped him.

“Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy!”

As Li Fan put on the attire, a group of Cultivators in the crowd suddenly, as if they had planned it beforehand, shouted in unison.

Many quick-witted Cultivators already understood that this matter, like Li Fan’s previous appointment as acting Island Lord, had probably been decided long ago.

Only they had been kept in the dark.

Those Cultivators who had remained unmoved by Li Fan’s bow earlier now showed expressions of regret.

To make amends, after the crowd had been silent for a while, they also started shouting.

“Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy!”

After the second shout, they still didn’t stop.

Thus, those who had remained silent and unmoving were also forced to join the chorus of shouts.

The shouts of “Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy” were continuous, spreading throughout Congyun Sea.