He Zhenghao glanced briefly at Gao Yuan and hurried to pledge his own loyalty to Li Fan as well.
Li Fan offered neither praise nor rebuke, merely producing two small metal figurines from his storage ring that bore a slight resemblance to himself, handing one to each of them.
"These are Divided Spirit Jade Slips. They each contain a sliver of my divine sense, functioning akin to half an avatar."
"During my seclusion, I will sever all contact with the outside world. If you truly run into some emergency, you may use this method to contact me," Li Fan said indifferently.
Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao cautiously stowed away the metal figurines, instantly feeling a touch overwhelmed by the favor.
Neither of them was a stranger to Divided Spirit Jade Slips. Ordinarily, cultivators only bestowed them upon junior relatives or disciples who were exceedingly close and trusted, using them as tools for attentive, personal guidance.
For the Secret Emissary to hand them something so vital proved his absolute trust in them!
Emotions surged within Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao, and they bowed in gratitude once more.
"You may go," Li Fan said with an expressionless nod, gesturing for them to leave.
-----
Inside the Deliberation Hall of the Administration Hall, He Zhenghao was compiling a list of the relevant cultivators.
Ever since Li Fan had abruptly announced the temporary suspension of his contribution point fundraising drive last time, many cultivators who had hesitated and chosen to wait on the sidelines had been filled with immense regret.
After all, Li Fan's fundraising drive had already completed several phases. Each time, the contribution points were returned on schedule with principal and interest, sometimes even repaid ahead of time. The thing everyone had feared—that Li Fan might run off with the funds—had never occurred.
Consequently, those cultivators who had originally chosen to wait and see had gradually come to trust Li Fan.
They had eagerly counted on being included in the next fundraising phase.
Who could have predicted that Li Fan would simply pack it in whenever he felt like it?
"It seems we judged a gentleman by the standards of a scoundrel. Master Li is Master Li after all," they had sighed back then.
And once word spread that Li Fan had been appointed Acting Island Master of Wanxian Island, whatever lingering worries remained vanished without a trace.
They knew He Zhenghao was the one managing Li Fan's fundraising drives.
Thus, these cultivators used every means at their disposal to approach He Zhenghao.
They delivered tokens of goodwill as well, urging He Zhenghao to give them priority should Li Fan's fundraising program ever resume.
If mere bystanders were already like this, it was even truer for those who had tasted sweet profits during the previous phases.
They had already put in a word with He Zhenghao well in advance.
"Haha, and here I was worried we wouldn't have enough to go around for so many people. Now this is splendid—one hundred million contribution points, enough for everyone to have a share." Delighted, He Zhenghao listed out one name after another and began broadcasting mass transmissions.
"Fellow Daoist, the matter you previously asked me about is showing promise! I've obtained reliable word..."
Unlike He Zhenghao, whose face brimmed with excitement, Gao Yuan wore a look of doubt.
His fingers tapped lightly against the tabletop in a steady rhythm, his eyes slightly narrowed as if he were turning something over in his mind.
After a long time, having busied himself for a spell, He Zhenghao stretched his back to ease the fatigue in his body. Only then did he finally notice Gao Yuan's unusual demeanor.
He could not help asking in surprise, "Brother Gao, what has gotten into you?"
"I was thinking about the deeper meaning behind the two tasks the Secret Emissary entrusted to us this time," Gao Yuan said with a solemn expression.
"Deeper meaning? Didn't he explain it very clearly? Why..." He Zhenghao initially chuckled, paying it no mind, assuming Gao Yuan was overthinking.
Yet immediately afterward, he started slightly.
Glancing left and right, he leaned in and asked in a low voice, "What brilliant insight do you have, Brother Gao?"
Gao Yuan said in a deep tone, "The Secret Emissary always plans thoroughly before acting; he never does anything meaningless.
"Yet the two matters he entrusted to us this time are a bit peculiar."
He Zhenghao looked slightly puzzled. "Peculiar? How so?"
"Fellow Daoist, do you think one hundred million contribution points is a lot?" Gao Yuan asked instead of answering.
"A lot? Of course it is!" He Zhenghao replied as if it were obvious, feeling rather baffled.
Gao Yuan gave a soft chuckle. "One hundred million contribution points—I too consider that a sum one could hardly achieve in a lifetime.
"However..."
"Fellow Daoist He, think back carefully. When the Secret Emissary spoke that figure of 'one hundred million,' was there any fluctuation in his tone or expression?"
He Zhenghao froze momentarily.
He furrowed his brow, and after a short pause, shook his head.
Gao Yuan said in an unhurried tone, "Precisely. As if it were an ordinary matter no different from eating or drinking water, the Secret Emissary merely mentioned it in passing without giving extensive instructions.
"Instead, he repeatedly emphasized that he was entering deep seclusion and severing all contact with the outside world.
"Is a mere one hundred million contribution points truly worthy of such solemn treatment from the Secret Emissary?"
Hearing this, He Zhenghao was about to object. But pondering it carefully, he recalled his earlier interactions with Li Fan and the disdain for wealth that leaked through his words.
He Zhenghao's certainty wavered once more.
Chewing over the thought for another moment, He Zhenghao slowly nodded. "There really is something off. When the Secret Emissary first met me, he demonstrated his terrifying ability to accumulate wealth.
"In less than seven days, he doubled his contribution points. With such methods, I fear that in his eyes, one hundred million contribution points is just a slightly larger number."
Gao Yuan nodded heavily. "That is precisely it. Even when he was merely a solitary rogue cultivator, he might not have cared that much about one hundred million contribution points.
"To say nothing of now, when he is effectively the ruling sovereign of the Congyun Sea.
"I have never heard of the leader of an entire province entering deep seclusion purely for the sake of one hundred million contribution points.
"His claim that 'this matter is of great consequence and requires meticulous preparation' was purely an excuse!" Gao Yuan declared firmly, a sharp light flashing across his eyes.
He Zhenghao pondered for a while before finally nodding slowly in agreement.
"But what does the emissary truly intend? Congyun City has only just finished its rebuilding, and everything is waiting to be revived. Why would he choose this exact moment to enter seclusion?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
Gao Yuan, full of confidence, wore a proud expression. "In my view, this is a test from the Secret Emissary for us."
"A test?" He Zhenghao asked, looking rather lost.
"Indeed," Gao Yuan said with utter certainty.
"You know as well that I have always possessed a keen eye for people. What someone's character or temperament is like—I need only interact with them for a short time to understand it almost completely.
"As for the Secret Emissary...
"Though I wouldn't dare claim I see through him completely, one thing is beyond doubt."
Gao Yuan lowered his voice. "He is free by nature, and he will never willingly allow himself to be bound by the trivialities of administrative affairs."
Chapter 543