The taste of power

Li Fan briefly explained to him the matter of rebuilding Congyun Immortal City and invited him for a meeting.

His tone was cordial, without any airs of an island master.

This flattered Gao Yuan a bit.

Having struggled for most of his life on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, Gao Yuan knew that those with titles like 'acting' or 'deputy' were often harder to deal with than those with formal appointments.

Although he didn't know how this well-known Celestial Mystery Sect Cultivator had chosen him.

But for now, he was his direct superior and couldn't be slighted.

Gao Yuan quickly tidied himself up and hurried to the agreed meeting place.

As for defecting…

That was just venting frustration.

Defection was impossible. Not to mention the high risk, he was still a member of the Myriad Immortals Alliance system.

If he really defected to the Five Elders Association, without any special skills, would he live better than now?

Probably after they drained all the valuable information from his mind, he would be cast aside and ignored.

He wasn't that stupid.

Pushing aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Gao Yuan pondered the reason the new acting island master wanted to see him as he traveled.

After a long time, he finally arrived at the meeting place.

Taian Island.

The island's protective formation opened, revealing a passage, and Gao Yuan flew in.

As far as the eye could see, Acting Island Master Li Fan sat ahead.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qingang, the Guardian of Taian Island, stood nervously to the side, sweating profusely, looking very tense.

The two seemed to be discussing some sensitive topic, but stopped abruptly when Gao Yuan arrived.

Seeing this, Gao Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

This Guardian of Taian Island was actually one rank higher than him in position.

If even he was so flustered before Li Fan, it seemed this ancient Celestial Mystery Cultivator was not easy to deal with.

Having dealt with many people, Gao Yuan immediately became cautious and stepped forward to bow.

"Greetings, Island Master!"

"You're here." Li Fan looked at Gao Yuan with a kind smile.

"Do you know why I called you here?" Li Fan asked.

Gao Yuan muttered inwardly but replied quickly, "I do not know."

"I heard you used to stand guard at the Government Affairs Hall?" After a moment of silence, just as Gao Yuan began to feel uneasy, Li Fan asked.

"Yes, Island Master, that is correct." Although he knew Li Fan was asking knowingly, Gao Yuan still replied respectfully.

"How long have you been in service?"

"Over ninety-eight years."

"A hundred years have passed swiftly. You've worked hard…"

"You've been in the same post for a hundred years without a transfer. Have you ever felt resentful?"

"I dare not." Gao Yuan's heart tightened, and he quickly shook his head to show his loyalty.

"Very good."

Li Fan nodded in approval, then turned to the main topic.

"Every time a Cultivator joins the system, they must undergo the trial of the White Jade Heart-Questioning Platform in the Government Affairs Hall. In daily affairs, they also need to visit the Government Affairs Hall frequently. I assume you have some understanding of the Cultivators within the Congyun Sea system?" Li Fan asked.

"To be honest, Island Master, I wouldn't dare to boast. But I do know the basics." Gao Yuan glanced up at Li Fan before adding, "At the very least, I can recognize people correctly. Moreover, I make sure to know who has a good temper, who has connections and shouldn't be offended—these ins and outs."

"In my line of work, I'm low in status. If I'm careless and offend someone I shouldn't, there's no good outcome."

"Good. Then help me look at these Cultivators and see which ones are useful!" Li Fan ignored Gao Yuan's complaints and waved his hand, causing a dense array of Cultivator portraits, like stars, to appear before Gao Yuan.

"Useful?" Gao Yuan was momentarily stunned.

But then he recalled the island master's earlier mention of the great undertaking to rebuild the immortal city, and his heart began to race.

"As you know, I just woke up not long ago and am not familiar with the personnel in Congyun Sea," Li Fan said quietly from the front.

"Suddenly taking on this great responsibility, I'm also quite uneasy, afraid of messing things up."

"To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools. To successfully complete this task, I need to build a capable team."

"Since you know them somewhat, why not help me assess them?"

"When the immortal city is founded, your contributions will not be forgotten!"

Hearing this, Gao Yuan felt his throat go dry.

Looking at the Cultivators he once had to carefully attend to, now before him, waiting to be chosen.

In the past, he could only look up to them, but now he could easily decide their fate.

With just a word from him, they would join the new island master's team to build achievements.

…

"Is this the taste of power?"

His heart began to beat uncontrollably.

His face flushed red, and Gao Yuan, overwhelmed with excitement, felt a bit lightheaded.

But he wasn't blinded by the false glory of the moment.

He clearly knew that the 'power' he now held was granted by Island Master Li Fan.

Until Congyun Immortal City was built, everything was a castle in the air—beautiful but fragile, ready to collapse at the slightest misstep.

But…

If the immortal city was successfully built, the power would have a chance to become real.

This feeling of being able to manipulate fate at will was too wonderful, and Gao Yuan, tasting it for the first time, couldn't resist.

So he secretly vowed to do his utmost to seize this rare opportunity and transform his career.

He then began to introduce the Cultivators one by one from the list, providing detailed information for Li Fan.

Time passed slowly.

Li Fan listened patiently to Gao Yuan's explanations, pleasantly surprised.

The ability of this gatekeeper Cultivator, whom he had happened to meet during his previous life's entry into the Myriad Immortals Alliance, far exceeded his expectations.

Not only did he know the basic information of every Cultivator, but he also had some insight into their temperaments and the complex relationships behind them.

"I've really struck gold."

As Gao Yuan's introduction deepened, Li Fan grew more satisfied with him.

"Small figures have their uses."

"This is exactly the breakthrough I need."

One by one, suitable Cultivators were selected by Li Fan and committed to memory.

…

Half a month later.

All surviving Cultivators within the Congyun Sea system received a message from the acting island master.

Seven days later, a ceremony to rebuild Congyun Immortal City would be held at the original site of Ten Thousand Immortals Island.

All personnel were required to attend punctually.