Somewhere in an undisclosed space.
A group of cultivators led by Long Yueyou, including Zhou Kebao, had gathered together.
They were discussing Li Fan's recent movements.
Ever since suffering a quiet loss at Li Fan's hands and being forced into cooperation with him, although no one brought it up on the surface, everyone harbored a knot of resentment in their hearts.
No matter what, they were all figures who commanded considerable influence in their own right.
Failing to plot against Li Fan and instead being put in check by him—losing money was a small matter, but losing face was an enormous blow!
Even if both sides had nominally reached a "friendly partnership," that did not stop them from secretly tripping up Li Fan, this "fat sheep," at a critical moment.
It would be a fine way to vent the foul breath stifling their chests.
Thus, they paid close attention to Li Fan's every move. Entrusting He Zhenghao to raise an enormous sum of contribution points and then going on a massive procurement spree naturally could not escape their eyes.
"What do you all think? Should we follow behind Li Fan and buy alongside him, or...?"
"Heh, you want to follow in his wake to make a fortune?" Someone in the room let out a scoff of disdain. "It is common knowledge that this man is insidious and cunning to the extreme. Think back on his past actions—which of his grand spectacles was not premeditated to trap someone?"
"Not much time has passed since everyone suffered heavy losses over the Puxian True Leaf. Have you all forgotten so soon?"
"Come now, Fellow Daoist Zhu, you cannot put it like that. Times have changed. Li Fan is now Congyun City's Secret Script Emissary, holding an official post. How could he act as recklessly as he did before? If he maliciously disrupts the market and undermines the stability of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals again, would headquarters let him off?" another cultivator countered.
As soon as these words were spoken, most of the cultivators present nodded quietly in agreement.
"Indeed! The way I see it, he must have foretold something to make such a grand move. You must understand, that fundraising scheme He Zhenghao runs has been established ever since Li Fan first appeared in public. Li Fan's early renown was closely tied to this very fundraising scheme. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it his personal hallmark! I don't believe he would do anything to tarnish his own reputation!"
"Let's follow suit! When it comes to deep pockets, could that motley rabble really compare to all of us combined?"
...
The room erupted in clamor. For a time, the majority of the cultivators actually favored following Li Fan and mimicking his trades.
Evidently, even though they did not particularly get along with Li Fan, they remained thoroughly convinced of his ability.
While the discussion grew heated, Zhou Kebao remained completely silent, his brow tightly furrowed.
Sitting in the center with a faint smile that did not diminish his commanding presence, Long Yueyou noticed Zhou Kebao's demeanor and spoke up. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, what is your view on this matter?"
To everyone's surprise, Zhou Kebao answered without the slightest hesitation: "Without question, we can reference Li Fan's procurement list and purchase the same supplies."
Seeing Zhou Kebao so decisive, Long Yueyou could not help showing a flicker of surprise. Still, he did not interrupt, patiently waiting for him to continue.
"The prices of these items should see a substantial surge before long."
Zhou Kebao's furrow deepened with bewilderment. "Yet that is precisely where my confusion lies. If all the materials on this list spike in price simultaneously..."
"If such a thing truly comes to pass, there is only one possibility."
"That is, a war of massive scale is about to break out."
Zhou Kebao flicked his finger, conjuring a light screen in midair before the room.
Numerous glyphs surged across the light screen, forming a list that matched the one Li Fan had given to He Zhenghao down to the last detail.
At Zhou Kebao's words, the crowd fell silent. Staring at the shifting characters on the screen, they were filled with shock and suspicion.
"War? Against the Five Elders Association? Surely not. It has been years since we clashed with real blades and spears. Although border tensions have indeed run high recently, no matter how one looks at it, things shouldn't deteriorate into open warfare, right?"
"Exactly! Not long ago, the Five Elders Association got right in our faces and carried off the entire Wanxian Island. Didn't we still swallow our pride and endure it? For war to genuinely break out, the heavens would practically have to collapse!" The immediate reaction of the vast majority of cultivators was disbelief.
"Have there been any whispers lately that something is amiss? If a war is truly on the horizon, the lower tiers couldn't be completely unprepared," Long Yueyou asked, his tone turning exceedingly grave.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then, one by one, the cultivators took out communication talismans and tapped into their respective channels to gather intelligence.
Without exception, however, they all ended up shaking their heads empty-handed.
"How strange..." Zhou Kebao grew even more perplexed.
Meanwhile, the assembled cultivators looked to Long Yueyou, awaiting his final decision.
Long Yueyou narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment. Recalling the scene of his previous dealings with Li Fan, he had always felt unable to see through the man.
With that, he made up his mind.
"Better to believe it than dismiss it. Li Fan truly possesses some real skill."
"He must have foreseen certain events in the future. This time, we simply follow suit!"
Noticing that some people in the crowd still looked hesitant, Long Yueyou chuckled faintly. "Rest assured and proceed with your purchases, everyone."
"I have looked over the materials on this list. While they are not commonly used, their prices are stable and they can be stored for long periods."
"Even if this is another trap laid by Li Fan, we won't lose much."
"Of course, if you are still worried..."
"Should any mishap occur, our Long family will buy back all the supplies in your hands at your original purchase prices."
"I guarantee that none of you will suffer a loss!" Long Yueyou said in a solemn voice.
Everyone was startled by his words.
For Long Yueyou had not spoken on his own behalf, but on behalf of the Long family.
This implied...
Seeing the realization dawn upon the cultivators, followed by their pleasant surprise, Long Yueyou declared with unmistakable pride, "Indeed, my elder brother recently had the fortune to break through to the Dao Integration realm."
"After some arrangements, he will soon be transferred to the Administration Hall headquarters."
"The official order will be issued shortly. Even if I did not mention it, you all would have learned of it very soon."
Having received Long Yueyou's personal confirmation, the cultivators present were overjoyed.
Over the years, their little clique had become deeply intertwined, long since functioning as a single body.
They prospered together and fell together, with Long Yueyou occupying the foremost leading position among them.
The Long family possessed immense influence and extensive connections spanning the various provinces of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
Their sole regret had been the lack of a true pillar of support.
Yet now, with Long Yueyou's brother ascending to Dao Integration and being transferred to the Alliance's headquarters, that single shortcoming was about to be remedied.
A Dao Integration cultivator in the Administration Hall headquarters sat at the absolute pinnacle of power in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
Heartfelt congratulations immediately poured out toward Long Yueyou.
"Brother Jiuyuan lay dormant for so long in the harsh and bitter lands of Tianling Province, and now he is finally soaring to the heavens. Truly worthy of celebration!"
Chapter 549