To Li Fan's pledge of die-hard loyalty, Diyi Jinglun remained noncommittal.
"Go, and prepare well for the completion ceremony. Allow no mishaps," he said impassively, his head still lowered, fully absorbed in the documents before him.
Li Fan bowed and took his leave.
Returning to his temporary residence, he summoned Gao Yuan.
"Lord City Master, did you need me for something?" Gao Yuan asked with a fawning expression, bowing and scraping.
"The rewards from Alliance headquarters have come down. I will be serving as Secret Script Emissary of the Administration Hall. From now on, you must adjust your address and make no more mistakes," Li Fan said indifferently, sounding just like Diyi Jinglun.
Gao Yuan froze for a moment. Before he could react, Li Fan continued, "The immortal city has been rebuilt, and a hundred tasks await. The two Soul Formation Immortal Lords, Hongxi and Ziyun, are still detained and cannot return, so I will temporarily serve as full proxy for all administrative affairs of the Congyun Sea."
Only then did Gao Yuan finally come back to his senses.
Unable to conceal the wild joy in his eyes, he repeatedly said, "Congratulations, Secret Emissary! Your abilities have been evident to all over these past six months. With Island Master Hongxi and the other away, having you oversee our affairs is truly a blessing for all cultivators of the Congyun Sea!"
"You might not know it, my lord, but over the past half year, every cultivator I have encountered has sung your praises and bowed before your methods."
...
Li Fan gave a faint smile.
Though well aware Gao Yuan was flattering him, who didn't enjoy pleasant words?
Li Fan waved a hand, cutting off Gao Yuan's ceaseless flattery. He took a sheet of paper from his robes and sent it drifting over.
"This is a list of cultivators roughly ranked by their contributions during the reconstruction of Congyun City."
"With the new city rebuilt, I have internal nomination quotas for a third of the vacant posts within it. Besides those cultivators who pledged allegiance back then, quite a few vacancies remain. Take a look and see who among these people is fit for use," Li Fan said with his hands clasped behind his back.
Gao Yuan took the paper densely covered in names. Though it was as thin as a cicada's wing, holding it in his hands felt as heavy as a mountain.
His hands trembled continuously, his breathing growing ragged.
Why had he, Gao Yuan, pledged loyalty to Li Fan? Was it not precisely for this day?
Deciding and altering others' destinies with a single word—this was the taste of power.
Knowing this was Li Fan's ultimate test for him, Gao Yuan took a deep breath to compose himself.
His gaze swept across the list, and a plan quickly formed in his mind.
"Among these cultivators, my top recommendation is Fang Weihou. Though merely a Golden Core cultivator, he is diligent and meticulous. Over the past half year, whatever task was assigned to him, he completed it ahead of schedule without cutting any corners. More importantly, he has no backing and has relied solely on himself all these years."
"And this cultivator named Jia Jun is also exceptionally capable..."
Gao Yuan spoke with eloquence and confidence.
Over the past half year, he had hardly been idle.
Though seemingly idling about with nothing to do every day, in truth his eyes had tracked the movements of nearly every cultivator.
As Gao Yuan evaluated each cultivator, Li Fan used the Dao Transformation Stone in his mind to swiftly replay the scenes monitored and recorded over the past six months.
After comparing them one by one, he gave a slow nod.
He was indeed worthy of someone who had stood guard at the doors of the Administration Hall for nearly half his life.
Gao Yuan's ability to judge people was indeed extraordinary.
Even Li Fan felt he might not have done any better himself.
"Very good," he offered rare praise.
"I have my judgment." Li Fan pointed gently, and dozens of names on the paper in Gao Yuan's hand were circled.
"Give these people a heads-up in advance so they are mentally prepared. Nothing must go awry during tomorrow's completion ceremony," Li Fan instructed.
With a solemn expression, Gao Yuan bowed to accept the order and retreated.
The next day.
Congyun Immortal City hung high in the sky. Looking from afar, one could see the defensive array flashing intermittently around it, already activated.
Cultivators from nearly the entirety of the Congyun Sea had gathered here.
Gazing up at this new city from below, they conversed among themselves, filled with endless emotion.
Amidst this watchful multitude, Li Fan stepped atop his Soul Formation puppet and made his entrance once again.
"Respectfully welcoming the Island Master!"
Among the cultivators below, quite a few suddenly shouted in unison.
Li Fan smiled and waved his hand. "Today, Congyun Immortal City has been formally rebuilt, and my tenure as Acting Island Master has come to an end."
"Fellow Daoists, you must not address me as such in the future."
Looking up at Congyun City in the sky, he sighed with feeling, "Working together as one, you rebuilt this city within half a year. It was truly no easy feat. I, too, share in this honor!"
"Fellow Daoists, please accept my bow!"
With that, Li Fan actually bowed deeply toward the assembled cultivators.
The cultivators of the Congyun Sea broke into a stir.
Some showed panicked expressions and hastily returned the bow.
Others accepted it calmly, looking as if it were only natural.
Of course, far more simply maintained the posture of watching a good show, not caring much about Li Fan's performance.
And just as Li Fan straightened up and was about to speak again—
Suddenly, from the far horizon, an escape light arrived in a flash.
"Acting Island Master of Wanxian Island, Li Fan, receive your orders!"
A slender cultivator wearing Alliance standard robes and holding a scroll of yellow decree called out with a grave expression.
His voice was not loud, yet like a clap of thunder, it rang clearly in the ears of every cultivator present.
In an instant, silence fell over the surroundings of the immortal city.
*Here it comes!* Li Fan flew forward unhurriedly and bowed slightly.
"Whereas Li Fan, Acting Island Master of Congyun Island, worked tirelessly day and night with dedication, meriting distinction in overseeing the reconstruction of Congyun City..."
...
It was virtually identical to what he had seen at Diyi Jinglun's the day before.
Only this time, after the representative from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' Administration Hall headquarters formally finished the proclamation, the decree scroll transformed into a ray of golden light and flew toward Li Fan.
Just before touching him, the golden light turned into a well-tailored black Daoist robe, draping itself over him automatically.
Upon the robe, golden tracery traced out numerous wondrous patterns.
An aura of dignified nobility washed over the crowd.
"Congratulations to the Secret Emissary!"
As soon as Li Fan donned the garments, a group of cultivators in the crowd suddenly shouted in unison, as if prearranged.
Many quick-witted cultivators had already caught on—this matter, much like Li Fan's appointment as Acting Island Master earlier, had likely been settled long ago.
Only their lot had been kept in the dark.
Those cultivators who had remained indifferent when Li Fan bowed to them earlier now showed remorseful expressions.
To make amends, after the crowd quieted for a moment, they joined in shouting.
"Congratulations to the Secret Emissary!"
After the second shout, it still did not subside.
Thus, those who had remained silent and kept their mouths shut were also forced to join the chanting crowd.
The cries of "Congratulations to the Secret Emissary!" echoed without pause, rolling outward in all directions across the Congyun Sea.
Chapter 539