「 zǒng bù zhì yú ràng wǒ chū shǒu ， bǎ nǐ men kè kòu xià lái de nà xiē wù zī gěi mǎi le ba 。」 lǐ fán shén sè bù biàn ， huǎn huǎn hē le bēi chá ， kàn zhe zhōu kè bǎo 。「 wǒ suī rán bǐ jiào fù yù ， dàn shēn shàng de gòng xiàn dù yě bú shì dà fēng guā lái de 。 zhè xiē wù zī ， chú le jiàn zào xiān chéng ， hǎo xiàng yě méi shén me qí tā yòng chǔ 。」
「总不至于让我出手，把你们克扣下来的那些物资给买了吧。」李凡神色不变，缓缓喝了杯茶，看着周克宝。「我虽然比较富裕，但身上的贡献度也不是大风刮来的。这些物资，除了建造仙城，好像也没什么其他用处。」
"Isn't it too much to ask for me to use my resources and buy back the supplies you've been withholding?" Li Fan remained calm, sipping his tea slowly as he looked at Zhou Kebao. "Although I am relatively wealthy, the contribution points on my person aren't just blown in from a storm. These supplies seem to have no other use besides building the Immortal City."
zhōu kè bǎo lián máng yáo tóu ：「 nǎ néng zhè me bù zhī hǎo dǎi 。」
周克宝连忙摇头：「哪能这么不知好歹。」
Zhou Kebao hurriedly shook his head. "How could it be so impolite?"
tā xiǎo xīn yì yì dì kàn le lǐ fán yī kàn ， hā yāo tǎo hǎo dào ：「 shì shí shàng ， wǒ lái zhǎo dào yǒu ， shì běn zhe yǐ hé wèi guì ……」
他小心翼翼地看了李凡一看，哈腰讨好道：「事实上，我来找道友，是本着以和为贵……」
He carefully glanced at Li Fan and bowed apologetically. "In fact, I came seeking your company because we should prioritize harmony..."
lǐ fán měng dì jiāng chá bēi fàng xià ， fā chū pēng yī shēng jù xiǎng ， dùn shí bǎ zhōu kè bǎo xià dé huà yǔ zhǐ zhù ， zhí qǐ le shēn zi 。
李凡勐地将茶杯放下，发出砰一声巨响，顿时把周克宝吓得话语止住，直起了身子。
Li Fan abruptly set down his teacup with a loud thud, startling Zhou Kebao into silence as he straightened up. Li Fan's face turned stern, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. "Harmony seems to be what you've been aiming for before."
lǐ fán miàn sè lěng jùn ， yǎn zhōng shā yì shǎn guò ：「 yǐ hé wèi guì ， hǎo xiàng nǐ men zhī qián kě bú shì zhè me dǎ suàn de 。」
李凡面色冷峻，眼中杀意闪过：「以和为贵，好像你们之前可不是这么打算的。」
"By withholding so many supplies, especially under the condition that I sign an order of battle... You're trying to push me into a corner!"
「 kè kòu zhè me duō wù zī ， hái shì zài wǒ lì xià jūn lìng zhuàng de qián tí xià 。 shì yào bǎ wǒ lǐ fán wǎng sǐ lù shàng bī a 。」
「克扣这么多物资，还是在我立下军令状的前提下。是要把我李凡往死路上逼啊。」
Zhou Kebao waved his hands frantically as he explained, trembling. "Absolutely not! Absolutely not! From start to finish, we only sought wealth..."
zhōu kè bǎo lián lián bǎi shǒu ， chàn dǒu zhe jiě shì dào ：「 jué wú cǐ yì ！ jué wú cǐ yì ！ cóng tóu dào wěi ， wǒ men zuì duō yě zhǐ shì qiú cái ér yǐ ……」
周克宝连连摆手，颤抖着解释道：「绝无此意！绝无此意！从头到尾，我们最多也只是求财而已……」
Li Fan remained noncommittal and said calmly, "Now that it's come to this, I won't hold anything against you..."
lǐ fán bù zhì kě fǒu ， dàn dàn dào ：「 shì yǐ zhì cǐ ， wǒ yě bú huì gēn nǐ men zài jì jiào shén me ……」
李凡不置可否，澹澹道：「事已至此，我也不会跟你们再计较什么……」
Zhou Kebao's face showed disbelief at these words.
zhōu kè bǎo wén yán ， mǎn liǎn nán yǐ zhì xìn 。
周克宝闻言，满脸难以置信。
But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Li Fan continued. "However, once the Cloudy Sea Immortal City is officially completed, we must report everything as required."
rán ér hái méi děng tā sōng kǒu qì ， què yòu tīng lǐ fán dào ：「 bù guò děng cóng yún xiān chéng zhèng shì luò chéng zhī hòu ， gāi xiàng shàng miàn huì bào de ， què shì yì diǎn dōu bù néng shǎo 。」
然而还没等他松口气，却又听李凡道：「不过等丛云仙城正式落成之后，该向上面汇报的，却是一点都不能少。」
"After all, completing the city without wasting any supplies clearly shows my abilities, doesn't it?"
「 bì jìng néng zài wù zī dīng diǎn dōu méi yǒu làng fèi de qíng kuàng xià ， wán chéng xiān chéng jiàn shè ， bù zhèng shì shuō míng wǒ lǐ fán néng lì qiáng ma ？」
「毕竟能在物资丁点都没有浪费的情况下，完成仙城建设，不正是说明我李凡能力强吗？」
"It's better to make this known to everyone and let them know about it. If all city lords were like me, wouldn't the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance swallowing the Five Elders Association be just a matter of time?"
「 zhèng shì yào zhāo gào tiān xià ， nòng de rén jǐn jiē zhī cái hǎo 。 ruò shì tiān xià chéng zhǔ dōu xiàng wǒ zhè bān ， nà me wàn xiān méng tūn bìng wǔ lǎo huì ， qǐ bù shì zhǐ rì kě dài ？」
「正是要昭告天下，弄的人尽皆知才好。若是天下城主都像我这般，那么万仙盟吞并五老会，岂不是指日可待？」
"Doesn't that sound good, Zhou Daoist?" Li Fan boasted.
「 nǐ shuō ne ， zhōu dào yǒu ？」 lǐ fán dà yán bù cán dào 。
「你说呢，周道友？」李凡大言不惭道。
"Haha, you're joking," Zhou Kebao wiped his forehead with cold sweat, understanding the threat in Li Fan's words. "Daoist, what do you want? We will definitely comply and not make this a big deal."
「 hē hē ， dào yǒu shuō xiào le 。」 zhōu kè bǎo cā le cā é tóu de lěng hàn ， yǐ rán míng bái le lǐ fán huà zhōng wēi xié de yì si 。
「呵呵，道友说笑了。」周克宝擦了擦额头的冷汗，已然明白了李凡话中威胁的意思。
Zhou Kebao assured him by patting his chest.
「 dào yǒu yǒu shén me yāo qiú ， jǐn guǎn jiǎng 。 wǒ men yí dìng mǎn zú ， qiān wàn bú yào bǎ shì qíng nào dà 。」
「道友有什么要求，尽管讲。我们一定满足，千万不要把事情闹大。」
"Don't look at what I want; look at what you have." Li Fan stepped forward and patted Zhou Kebao on the shoulder. "Contribution points? Do I lack them?"
zhōu kè bǎo pāi zhe xiōng pú bǎo zhèng dào 。
周克宝拍着胸脯保证道。
Li Fan wore an air of pride. "My Derivation Techniques are renowned across the land, making wealth from wealth. Contribution points to me are just a string of numbers."
「 bú yào kàn wǒ yào shén me ， yào kàn nǐ men yǒu shén me 。」 lǐ fán shàng qián ， pāi le pāi zhōu kè bǎo de jiān bǎng 。
「不要看我要什么，要看你们有什么。」李凡上前，拍了拍周克宝的肩膀。
Zhou Kebao's body trembled at these words.
「 gòng xiàn dù ？ zhè wán yì wǒ quē ma ？」
「贡献度？这玩意我缺嘛？」
"Moreover, once the Cloudy Sea Immortal City is built, we will surely receive corresponding rewards. As an important official, my authority level will skyrocket."
lǐ fán miàn lù zì ào zhī sè ：「 wǒ lǐ fán tuī yǎn zhī shù tiān xià wén míng ， yǐ cái gǔn cái ， zhǐ yì shì ér 。 suǒ wèi gòng xiàn dù ， zài wǒ yǎn zhōng ， bù guò shì yī chuàn shù zì bà le 。」
李凡面露自傲之色：「我李凡推衍之术天下闻名，以财滚财，只易事而。所谓贡献度，在我眼中，不过是一串数字罢了。」
"With contribution points and authority, what can I not get in this world?"
zhōu kè bǎo wén yán ， shēn qū wēi zhèn 。
周克宝闻言，身躯微震。
"And how should you convince me to accept your terms?"
「 zài zhě ， děng cóng yún xiān chéng jiàn zào wán bì ， shàng miàn xiāng yìng de jiǎng shǎng yě dìng rán bú huì shǎo 。 dào shí hòu wǒ shēn wèi yī fāng dà yuán ， xiāng yìng de quán xiàn děng jí yě huì biāo shēng 。」
「再者，等丛云仙城建造完毕，上面相应的奖赏也定然不会少。到时候我身为一方大员，相应的权限等级也会飙升。」
Li Fan's gaze was intense as he stared at Zhou Kebao.
「 yǒu gòng xiàn dù ， yǒu quán xiàn 。 zhè shì shàng ， yòu yǒu duō shǎo dōng xī ， shì wǒ nòng bú dào shǒu ？」
「有贡献度，有权限。这世上，又有多少东西，是我弄不到手？」
Zhou Kebao felt pressured by Li Fan's stare. He found the logic compelling but his mind was a jumbled mess, unable to come up with an appropriate answer in that moment.
「 nǐ men ， yòu gāi ná shén me ， lái dǎ dòng wǒ ne ？」
「你们，又该拿什么，来打动我呢？」
"Come back when you've thought it through. I have official business to attend to and won't be able to accompany you." Li Fan said coldly, sending him away.
lǐ fán mù guāng zhuó zhuó ， jǐn jǐn dīng zhe zhōu kè bǎo 。
李凡目光灼灼，紧紧盯着周克宝。
Zhou Kebao left with a worried expression.
zhōu kè bǎo bèi lǐ fán de shì xiàn jǐn bī ， zhǐ jué duì fāng shuō de jí yǒu dào lǐ 。 nǎo hǎi zhōng shà shí yí piàn hùn luàn ， yī shí jiān jìng shì méi néng xiǎng chū gè hé shì de dá ān lái 。
周克宝被李凡的视线紧逼，只觉对方说的极有道理。脑海中霎时一片混乱，一时间竟是没能想出个合适的答桉来。
Li Fan's message was clear: they could overlook their interference but needed to compensate adequately.
「 xiǎng hǎo zhī hòu ， zài lái zhǎo wǒ ba 。 wǒ hái yǒu gōng shì yào máng ， shù bù fèng péi le ！」 lǐ fán lěng shēng ， xià le zhú kè lìng 。
「想好之后，再来找我吧。我还有公事要忙，恕不奉陪了！」李凡冷声，下了逐客令。
"Unspoken demands are the hardest," Zhou Kebao sighed. He turned back to Li Fan's room.
zhōu kè bǎo miàn dài chóu róng ， tuì le xià qù 。
周克宝面带愁容，退了下去。
In such a short time, several different cultivators had come and gone, their expressions tense.
lǐ fán de yì si hěn qīng chǔ le 。
李凡的意思很清楚了。
"The momentum is already established; it can't be forcefully opposed."
tā men cóng zhōng zuò gěng zhè jiàn shì ， kě yǐ jì wǎng bù jiù 。
他们从中作梗这件事，可以既往不咎。
"Given this, why not turn an enemy into a friend? This person doesn't seem the type to hold grudges. With enough leverage, I'm sure we can sway him."
dàn xū yào ná chū zú gòu jià zhí de péi cháng 。
但需要拿出足够价值的赔偿。
Zhou Kebao's thoughts raced and he quickly made up his mind.
「 méi yǒu yāo qiú de yāo qiú ， cái shì zuì nán bàn de a 。」 zhōu kè bǎo wēi wēi tàn le kǒu qì 。
「没有要求的要求，才是最难办的啊。」周克宝微微叹了口气。
He hurried back to discuss with his partners.
yòu huí wàng lǐ fán suǒ zài de fáng jiān 。
又回望李凡所在的房间。
Five days later, Zhou Kebao appeared before Li Fan again, confident.
zì tā lí kāi zhè me duǎn yī duàn shí jiān ， jiù xiān hòu yǒu qī bā míng bù tóng de xiū shì miàn róng jū jǐn 、 pín fán jìn chū 。
自他离开这么短一段时间，就先后有七八名不同的修士面容拘谨、频繁进出。
"Daoist, please look at this item."
「 shēng shì yǐ chéng ， bù kě qiáng yǔ zhī wèi dí 。」
「声势已成，不可强与之为敌。」
He pointed into the air, where a miniature image of an aerial city floated.
「 jì rú cǐ ， bù rú zhèng hǎo jiè cǐ jī huì huà dí wéi yǒu 。 wǒ guān cǐ rén ， yě bú shì nà zhǒng yá zì bì bào zhī rén 。 zhǐ yào yǒu zú gòu chóu mǎ ， bù chóu dǎ bù dòng tā 。」
「既如此，不如正好借此机会化敌为友。我观此人，也不是那种睚眦必报之人。只要有足够筹码，不愁打不动他。」
"What is it?" Li Fan looked for a moment but couldn't discern its meaning.
zhōu kè bǎo niàn tou jí zhuǎn ， qǐng kè jiān jiù yǐ jīng xià
周克宝念头急转，顷刻间就已经下
Silently, he asked.
dìng le jué xīn 。
定了决心。
Seeing Li Fan's reaction, Zhou Kebao felt more confident and revealed a mysterious smile. "It's identical to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Aerial City, even surpassing it in some aspects..."
yú shì cōng cōng fǎn huí ， hé tóng huǒ shāng yì qǐ lái 。
于是匆匆返回，和同伙商议起来。
"Do you have any interest?" Zhou Kebao whispered softly.
wǔ tiān hòu ， zhōu kè bǎo zài dù chū xiàn zài lǐ fán miàn qián ， xìn xīn mǎn mǎn 。
五天后，周克宝再度出现在李凡面前，信心满满。
"Hmm?" Li Fan's gaze sharpened as he turned to look at the miniature scene in the air.
「 dào yǒu qiě kàn cǐ wù 。」
「道友且看此物。」
His mind raced and he sucked in a breath of cool air.
tā líng kōng yī zhǐ ， zhǐ jiàn yī zuò xuán kōng chéng chí de wēi suō jǐng xiàng ， chū xiàn zài kōng zhōng 。
他凌空一指，只见一座悬空城池的微缩景象，出现在空中。
"You're giving me twice the supplies you withheld, plus more? That's quite bold."
「 zhè shì hé yì ？」 lǐ fán chǒu le piàn kè ， méi néng kàn chū qí zhōng de míng táng 。
「这是何意？」李凡瞅了片刻，没能看出其中的名堂。
Zhou Kebao hurriedly explained. "Daoist, I'm mistaken. Although we did cut back for your sake earlier, rebuilding an Aerial City isn't enough. In fact, these supplies are leftovers from various maintenance and renovation projects in our previous Immortal Cities."
bù dòng shēng sè ， chū shēng wèn dào 。
不动声色，出声问道。
"You know well that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's project allocations consider all possible contingencies, so they're generously budgeted. We've become adept at this over time, minimizing actual losses."
jiàn lǐ fán rú cǐ ， zhōu kè bǎo xīn zhōng xìn xīn gèng zú ， lù chū shén mì de xiào róng 。
见李凡如此，周克宝心中信心更足，露出神秘的笑容。
"So we always have surplus materials. This extra portion can't be handed in and thus ended up in our pockets."
「 hé wàn xiān méng xuán kōng xiān chéng yì bān wú èr ， shèn zhì hái gèng shèng zhī de dòng fǔ ……」
「和万仙盟悬空仙城一般无二，甚至还更胜之的洞府……」
...
「 bù zhī dào yǒu gǎn bù gǎn xìng qù ？」
「不知道友感不感兴趣？」
Zhou Kebao smiled slightly but stopped talking, leaving everything unsaid.
zhōu kè bǎo dī shēng huǎn huǎn wèn dào 。
周克宝低声缓缓问道。
"Over the years, we accumulated these resources. Instead of letting them gather dust in storage, let's put them to good use to resolve this misunderstanding with you."
「 ń ？」 lǐ fán mù guāng yī níng ， yòu zhuǎn tóu zǐ xì kàn xiàng kōng zhōng de wēi suō jǐng guān 。
「嗯？」李凡目光一凝，又转头仔细看向空中的微缩景观。
"Using public resources for private gain; turning an Immortal City into a cave dwelling. Haha, I can guarantee such practices are rare even within our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
nǎo hǎi zhōng sī xù jí zhuǎn ， bù jīn dào xī yī kǒu liáng qì 。
脑海中思绪急转，不禁倒吸一口凉气。
Li Fan stared intently at the rotating aerial city image and seemed intrigued.
「 nǐ men kè kòu de wù zī ， jìng rán shì jiāo gěi wǒ de yí bèi hái yǒu yú ？ dǎn zi yě tài dà le yì diǎn ba ？」
「你们克扣的物资，竟然是交给我的一倍还有余？胆子也太大了一点吧？」
Zhou Kebao continued to sell his idea. "Apart from not being able to connect with the main headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, all facilities in this Aerial City can match those of a regular Immortal City."
zhōu kè bǎo lián máng dào ：「 hē hē ， dào yǒu wù huì le 。」
周克宝连忙道：「呵呵，道友误会了。」
"Of course, if Daoist prefers something more discreet, we can provide hidden functions like the Administrative Hall and Training Hall. These structures can remain hidden until needed."
「 zhè cì xiān qián suī rán wèi le móu suàn dào yǒu ， dí què kè jiǎn le bù shǎo 。 dàn shì xiǎng yào wán zhěng zài jiàn yī zuò xuán kōng chéng ， què shì yuǎn yuǎn bù gòu de 。」
「这次先前虽然为了谋算道友，的确克减了不少。但是想要完整再建一座悬空城，却是远远不够的。」
"We will leave enough space for later renovations within the Aerial City."
「 shì shí shàng ， zhè xiē wù zī dōu shì wǒ men yǐ wǎng zài gè zhōu xiān chéng xiū shàn 、 gǎi zào gōng chéng zhōng ， jī zǎn xià lái de shèng yú 。」
「事实上，这些物资都是我们以往在各州仙城修缮、改造工程中，积攒下来的剩余。」
"In the future, reinforcing protective barriers or setting up restrictions won't be a problem."
「 lǐ dào yǒu nǐ yě qīng chǔ ， wàn xiān méng gōng chéng bō fù wù zī ， yào kǎo lǜ dào gè zhǒng yì wài qíng kuàng ， yù suàn dōu bǐ jiào chōng zú 。 ér wǒ men jīng cháng gàn zhè yī xíng de ， shú néng shēng qiǎo 。 shí jì sǔn hào jí xiǎo 。」
「李道友你也清楚，万仙盟工程拨付物资，要考虑到各种意外情况，预算都比较充足。而我们经常干这一行的，熟能生巧。实际损耗极小。」
"Of course, if Daoist wants to contribute some contribution points, we can handle it on your behalf."
「 suǒ yǐ měi cì wù zī dōu néng jié yú 。 zhè duō chū lái de bù fèn ， zì rán yě bù kě néng shàng jiāo ， yú shì jiù luò rù le wǒ men de kǒu dài zhōng 。」
「所以每次物资都能结余。这多出来的部分，自然也不可能上交，于是就落入了我们的口袋中。」
"If you're generous enough, long-range teleportation arrays and even virtual芥子microscopic arrays can also be considered."
……
……
"A portable Aerial City with built-in teleportation capabilities that can both attack and defend..."
zhōu kè bǎo wēi wēi yī xiào ， huà hū de zhǐ zhù ， yī qiè jǐn zài bù yán zhōng 。
周克宝微微一笑，话忽的止住，一切尽在不言中。
"Are you satisfied?" Zhou Kebao asked enticingly.
「 cháng nián lěi yuè ， wǒ men biàn jī zǎn xià le zhè xiē cái liào 。 yǔ qí jì xù liú zài cāng kù lǐ chī huī ， bù rú wù jìn qí yòng ， huà jiě hé dào yǒu nǐ de cǐ fān wù huì 。」
「长年累月，我们便积攒下了这些材料。与其继续留在仓库里吃灰，不如物尽其用，化解和道友你的此番误会。」
Li Fan laughed heartily in response.
"Isn't it too much to ask for me to use my resources and buy back the supplies you've been withholding?" Li Fan remained calm, sipping his tea slowly as he looked at Zhou Kebao. "Although I am relatively wealthy, the contribution points on my person aren't just blown in from a storm. These supplies seem to have no other use besides building the Immortal City."
Zhou Kebao hurriedly shook his head. "How could it be so impolite?"
He carefully glanced at Li Fan and bowed apologetically. "In fact, I came seeking your company because we should prioritize harmony..."
Li Fan abruptly set down his teacup with a loud thud, startling Zhou Kebao into silence as he straightened up. Li Fan's face turned stern, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. "Harmony seems to be what you've been aiming for before."
"By withholding so many supplies, especially under the condition that I sign an order of battle... You're trying to push me into a corner!"
Zhou Kebao waved his hands frantically as he explained, trembling. "Absolutely not! Absolutely not! From start to finish, we only sought wealth..."
Li Fan remained noncommittal and said calmly, "Now that it's come to this, I won't hold anything against you..."
Zhou Kebao's face showed disbelief at these words.
But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Li Fan continued. "However, once the Cloudy Sea Immortal City is officially completed, we must report everything as required."
"After all, completing the city without wasting any supplies clearly shows my abilities, doesn't it?"
"It's better to make this known to everyone and let them know about it. If all city lords were like me, wouldn't the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance swallowing the Five Elders Association be just a matter of time?"
"Doesn't that sound good, Zhou Daoist?" Li Fan boasted.
"Haha, you're joking," Zhou Kebao wiped his forehead with cold sweat, understanding the threat in Li Fan's words. "Daoist, what do you want? We will definitely comply and not make this a big deal."
Zhou Kebao assured him by patting his chest.
"Don't look at what I want; look at what you have." Li Fan stepped forward and patted Zhou Kebao on the shoulder. "Contribution points? Do I lack them?"
Li Fan wore an air of pride. "My Derivation Techniques are renowned across the land, making wealth from wealth. Contribution points to me are just a string of numbers."
Zhou Kebao's body trembled at these words.
"Moreover, once the Cloudy Sea Immortal City is built, we will surely receive corresponding rewards. As an important official, my authority level will skyrocket."
"With contribution points and authority, what can I not get in this world?"
"And how should you convince me to accept your terms?"
Li Fan's gaze was intense as he stared at Zhou Kebao.
Zhou Kebao felt pressured by Li Fan's stare. He found the logic compelling but his mind was a jumbled mess, unable to come up with an appropriate answer in that moment.
"Come back when you've thought it through. I have official business to attend to and won't be able to accompany you." Li Fan said coldly, sending him away.
Zhou Kebao left with a worried expression.
Li Fan's message was clear: they could overlook their interference but needed to compensate adequately.
"Unspoken demands are the hardest," Zhou Kebao sighed. He turned back to Li Fan's room.
In such a short time, several different cultivators had come and gone, their expressions tense.
"The momentum is already established; it can't be forcefully opposed."
"Given this, why not turn an enemy into a friend? This person doesn't seem the type to hold grudges. With enough leverage, I'm sure we can sway him."
Zhou Kebao's thoughts raced and he quickly made up his mind.
He hurried back to discuss with his partners.
Five days later, Zhou Kebao appeared before Li Fan again, confident.
"Daoist, please look at this item."
He pointed into the air, where a miniature image of an aerial city floated.
"What is it?" Li Fan looked for a moment but couldn't discern its meaning.
Silently, he asked.
Seeing Li Fan's reaction, Zhou Kebao felt more confident and revealed a mysterious smile. "It's identical to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Aerial City, even surpassing it in some aspects..."
"Do you have any interest?" Zhou Kebao whispered softly.
"Hmm?" Li Fan's gaze sharpened as he turned to look at the miniature scene in the air.
His mind raced and he sucked in a breath of cool air.
"You're giving me twice the supplies you withheld, plus more? That's quite bold."
Zhou Kebao hurriedly explained. "Daoist, I'm mistaken. Although we did cut back for your sake earlier, rebuilding an Aerial City isn't enough. In fact, these supplies are leftovers from various maintenance and renovation projects in our previous Immortal Cities."
"You know well that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's project allocations consider all possible contingencies, so they're generously budgeted. We've become adept at this over time, minimizing actual losses."
"So we always have surplus materials. This extra portion can't be handed in and thus ended up in our pockets."
...
Zhou Kebao smiled slightly but stopped talking, leaving everything unsaid.
"Over the years, we accumulated these resources. Instead of letting them gather dust in storage, let's put them to good use to resolve this misunderstanding with you."
"Using public resources for private gain; turning an Immortal City into a cave dwelling. Haha, I can guarantee such practices are rare even within our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
Li Fan stared intently at the rotating aerial city image and seemed intrigued.
Zhou Kebao continued to sell his idea. "Apart from not being able to connect with the main headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, all facilities in this Aerial City can match those of a regular Immortal City."
"Of course, if Daoist prefers something more discreet, we can provide hidden functions like the Administrative Hall and Training Hall. These structures can remain hidden until needed."
"We will leave enough space for later renovations within the Aerial City."
"In the future, reinforcing protective barriers or setting up restrictions won't be a problem."
"Of course, if Daoist wants to contribute some contribution points, we can handle it on your behalf."
"If you're generous enough, long-range teleportation arrays and even virtual芥子microscopic arrays can also be considered."
"A portable Aerial City with built-in teleportation capabilities that can both attack and defend..."
"Are you satisfied?" Zhou Kebao asked enticingly.
Li Fan laughed heartily in response.