duì yú lǐ fán de shì sǐ xiào zhōng ， dì yī jīng lún zé shì bù zhì kě fǒu 。
对于李凡的誓死效忠，第一经纶则是不置可否。
For Li Fan's pledge of loyalty to the death, First Essence did not comment.
“ nǐ qiě qù ba ， hǎo hǎo zhǔn bèi luò chéng yí shì 。 bù kě chū shén me pī lòu 。” tā dàn dàn dì shuō zhe ， yī jiù shì quán shén guàn zhù de dī tóu dīng zhe ān dú shàng de xìn xī 。
“你且去吧，好好准备落成仪式。不可出什么纰漏。”他澹澹地说着，依旧是全神贯注的低头盯着桉牍上的信息。
"Go now and prepare for the completion ceremony. Do not make any mistakes," he said calmly, still intently focused on the information on the tablet in front of him.
lǐ fán yú shì gōng shēn gào cí 。
李凡于是躬身告辞。
Li Fan then bowed and took his leave.
huí dào zì jǐ de lín shí zhù suǒ ， tā bǎ gāo yuǎn jiào le guò lái 。
回到自己的临时住所，他把高远叫了过来。
Returning to his temporary residence, he called Gao Yuan over.
“ chéng zhǔ dà rén ， nín zhǎo wǒ yǒu shì ？” gāo yuǎn yī liǎn chǎn mèi ， diǎn tóu hā yāo dào 。
“城主大人，您找我有事？”高远一脸谄媚，点头哈腰道。
"Lord City Master, do you have something for me?" Gao Yuan, with a sycophantic expression, knelt and bowed deeply.
“ xiān méng zǒng bù de fēng shǎng yǐ jīng xià lái le ， wǒ jiāng rèn zhí bù zhèng táng 【 mì zì shǐ 】， cóng jīn wǎng hòu ， nǐ kě jiù yào gǎi kǒu 、 bù kě zài hǎn cuò chēng hū le 。” lǐ fán gēn dì yī jīng lún yī mú yī yàng ， yǔ qì dàn rán dào 。
“仙盟总部的封赏已经下来了，我将任职布政堂【秘字使】，从今往后，你可就要改口、不可再喊错称呼了。”李凡跟第一经纶一模一样，语气澹然道。
"The Immortal Alliance headquarters has bestowed rewards. I will be serving as the Director of the Governance Hall [Secret Messenger], from now on, you must address me properly," Li Fan said in exactly the same tone as First Essence.
gāo yuǎn xiān shì yī lèng ， hái bù děng tā yǒu suǒ biǎo shì ， lǐ fán biàn jiē zhe shuō dào ：“ xiān chéng chóng jiàn ， bǎi fèi dài xīng 。 hóng xī 、 zǐ yún liǎng wèi huà shén xiān jūn yī rán yǒu shì bù guī ， wǒ jiāng zàn shí quán quán dài lǐ cóng yún hǎi yī yīng zhèng wù 。”
高远先是一愣，还不等他有所表示，李凡便接着说道：“仙城重建，百废待兴。鸿曦、紫云两位化神仙君依然有事不归，我将暂时全权代理丛云海一应政务。”
Gao Yuan was momentarily stunned but before he could react, Li Fan continued: "With the reconstruction of Immortal City and many things to be revived, Lord Hongxi and Lady Ziyun, two transformed Immortals, are still away. I will temporarily take full charge of all administrative matters in Cunyun Sea."
gāo yuǎn cǐ kè ， cái zhōng yú huí guò shén lái ，
高远此刻，才终于回过神来，
Only then did Gao Yuan finally snap out of his daze.
yǎn shén zhōng shì yǎn shì bú zhù de kuáng xǐ ， lián shēng dào ：“ gōng xǐ mì shǐ dà rén ！ dà rén zhī néng ， zhè bàn nián lái dà jiā yǒu mù gòng dǔ 。 hóng xī dǎo zhǔ tā men bù zài ， yǒu dà rén néng gòu dài lǐ zhèng wù ， yě shì wǒ men cóng yún hǎi zhòng xiū shì de fú qì a ！”
眼神中是掩饰不住的狂喜，连声道：“恭喜秘使大人！大人之能，这半年来大家有目共睹。鸿曦岛主他们不在，有大人能够代理政务，也是我们丛云海众修士的福气啊！”
His eyes gleamed with unrestrained joy as he repeatedly said, "Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord! Your abilities have been evident to everyone these past six months. With you taking over the administration when our leaders are away, it is a blessing for all cultivators in Cunyun Sea!"
“ dà rén huò xǔ bù tài qīng chǔ ， zhè bàn nián lái ， wǒ suǒ yù dào de xiū shì ， wú bù duì dà rén de shǒu duàn ， jiāo kǒu chēng zàn 、 xìn fú bù yǐ 。”
“大人或许不太清楚，这半年来，我所遇到的修士，无不对大人的手段，交口称赞、信服不已。”
"I believe you do not know that during this period, almost every cultivator I met praised and trusted your methods."
lǐ fán shěn rán yī xiào 。
李凡哂然一笑。
Li Fan chuckled.
suī rán míng zhī dào gāo yuǎn shì zài pāi mǎ pì ， dàn hǎo huà shuí yòu bù ài tīng ne ？
虽然明知道高远是在拍马屁，但好话谁又不爱听呢？
Although he knew Gao Yuan was flattering him, who could resist good words?
lǐ fán bǎi bǎi shǒu ， dǎ duàn le gāo yuǎn tāo tāo bù jué de chuī pěng 。 cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yī zhāng zhǐ ， qīng qīng fēi le guò qù 。
李凡摆摆手，打断了高远滔滔不绝的吹捧。从怀中取出一张纸，轻轻飞了过去。
Li Fan waved his hand to interrupt Gao Yuan's endless praise. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and gently threw it over.
“ zhè shì zài cóng yún chéng chóng jiàn guò chéng zhōng ， dà zhì àn zhào gòng xiàn gāo dī pái liè de xiū shì míng dān 。”
“这是在丛云城重建过程中，大致按照贡献高低排列的修士名单。”
"This is the list of cultivators ranked according to their contributions during the reconstruction of Cunyun City."
“ xīn chéng chóng jiàn ， chéng zhōng kòng quē de zhí wèi ， wǒ yǒu sān fēn zhī yī de nèi tuī míng é 。 chú le dāng rì jiù yǐ jīng tóu chéng de nà xiē xiū shì ， réng yǒu bù shǎo kòng yú 。 nǐ kàn kàn ， zhè lǐ miàn hái yǒu nǎ xiē kě yòng zhī rén 。” lǐ fán shuāng shǒu bèi fù ， wèn dào 。
“新城重建，城中空缺的职位，我有三分之一的内推名额。除了当日就已经投诚的那些修士，仍有不少空余。你看看，这里面还有哪些可用之人。”李凡双手背负，问道。
"I have a third of the internal promotion slots for the new city positions. Besides those who already surrendered, there are still many vacancies. Check this list and see which ones can be useful," Li Fan asked with his hands behind his back.
gāo yuǎn jiē guò zhè zhāng shàng miàn xiě mǎn le mì mì má má míng zì de zhǐ ， zhǐ zhāng suī báo rú chán yì ， dàn tā wò zài shǒu zhōng ， què fǎng fú rú shān yuè yì bān chén zhòng 。
高远接过这张上面写满了密密麻麻名字的纸，纸张虽薄如蝉翼，但他握在手中，却仿佛如山岳一般沉重。
Gao Yuan took the paper, which was thin as蝉翼, yet felt as heavy as a mountain in his hand. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and he even began to breathe heavily.
tā de shǒu bù duàn de chàn dǒu ， lián hū xī dōu biàn dé jí cù qǐ lái 。
他的手不断的颤抖，连呼吸都变得急促起来。
Why did Gao Yuan pledge loyalty to Li Fan? Wasn't it for this moment?
tā gāo yuǎn wèi shén me xiào zhōng lǐ fán ？ bù jiù shì wèi le zhè yī tiān ma ？
他高远为什么效忠李凡？不就是为了这一天吗？
A single word could change someone's fate. This was the taste of power.
yī yán jué dìng 、 gǎi biàn bié rén de mìng yùn ， zhè jiù shì quán lì de zī wèi 。
一言决定、改变别人的命运，这就是权力的滋味。
Knowing that this was Li Fan’s final test, Gao Yuan took a deep breath and calmed down.
zhī dào zhè shì lǐ fán duì zì jǐ de zuì zhōng kǎo yàn ， gāo yuǎn shēn xī le yì kǒu qì ， píng fù xià lái 。
知道这是李凡对自己的最终考验，高远深吸了一口气，平复下来。
He scanned through the list quickly and had his answer.
mù guāng zài míng dān shàng sǎo guò ， hěn kuài xīn lǐ jiù yǒu le jì jiào 。
目光在名单上扫过，很快心里就有了计较。
"Among these cultivators, I recommend Fang Weihou first. Although he is only a Golden Core cultivator, he works diligently and meticulously. Whatever tasks you give him are always completed ahead of schedule. More importantly, he has no background; he has relied solely on his own cultivation over the years."
“ zhè xiē xiū shì zhōng ， wǒ shǒu tuī fāng wèi hòu 。 cǐ rén suī rán bù guò jīn dān xiū shì ， dàn shì zuò shì qín kěn 、 xīn sī zhěn mì 。 zhè bàn nián lǐ zhǐ yào jiāo dài gěi tā de shì wù ， quán dōu bù zhé bù kòu de tí qián wán chéng 。 gèng guān jiàn de shì ， cǐ rén méi yǒu shén me bèi jǐng ， zhè xiē nián lái yì zhí dōu shì kào zì jǐ xiū xíng 。”
“这些修士中，我首推方为厚。此人虽然不过金丹修士，但是做事勤恳、心思缜密。这半年里只要交代给他的事务，全都不折不扣的提前完成。更关键的是，此人没有什么背景，这些年来一直都是靠自己修行。”
"There's also this cultivator named Jia Jun, who is exceptionally capable..."
“ hái yǒu zhè wèi jiào zuò jiǎ jùn de xiū shì ， néng lì yě shì shí fēn chū zhòng ……”
“还有这位叫做贾峻的修士，能力也是十分出众……”
Gao Yuan spoke confidently.
gāo yuǎn kǎn kǎn ér tán 。
高远侃侃而谈。
Over these six months, he wasn’t idle at all. While it seemed like he was aimlessly wandering each day, in reality, he kept a close eye on every cultivator’s actions.
zhè bàn nián lái ， tā kě bú shì xián zhe de 。
这半年来，他可不是闲着的。
Li Fan, based on Gao Yuan's evaluation of the cultivators, quickly replayed his surveillance and records from the past half year in his mind.
suī rán kàn shì měi tiān dōu wú suǒ shì shì de luàn guàng ， shí zé yī shuāng yǎn jīng ， jī hū jiāng měi wèi xiū shì de yī jǔ yī dòng ， dōu kàn zài yǎn zhōng 。
虽然看似每天都无所事事的乱逛，实则一双眼睛，几乎将每位修士的一举一动，都看在眼中。
After comparing them one by one, Li Fan nodded slowly.
lǐ fán zé shì gēn jù gāo yuǎn duì zhè xiē xiū shì de píng jià ， nǎo hǎi zhōng huà dào shí kuài sù huí fàng zhe zhè bàn nián lái jiān shì 、 jì lù de huà miàn 。
李凡则是根据高远对这些修士的评价，脑海中化道石快速回放着这半年来监视、记录的画面。
No wonder he had been standing guard at the Governance Hall for so long.
yī yī bǐ duì zhī hòu ， huǎn huǎn diǎn tóu 。
一一比对之后，缓缓点头。
Gao Yuan’s ability to discern people was indeed remarkable. Even Li Fan thought he couldn’t have done better.
bù kuì shì zài bù zhèng táng mén kǒu zhàn gǎng le xiǎo bàn bèi zi de rén 。
不愧是在布政堂门口站岗了小半辈子的人。
"Very good," he said with rare praise.
gāo yuǎn de shí rén néng lì ， dí què fēi tóng xiǎo kě 。
高远的识人能力，的确非同小可。
Li Fan pointed a finger, and dozens of names on Gao Yuan's paper were circled out.
nǎ pà shì lǐ fán ， yě jué de zì jǐ wèi bì néng zuò de gèng hǎo le 。
哪怕是李凡，也觉得自己未必能做的更好了。
"These people, you should inform them in advance so they can prepare themselves. There must be no mistakes during tomorrow’s completion ceremony," Li Fan instructed.
“ hěn hǎo 。” yú shì tā nán dé chēng zàn dào 。
“很好。”于是他难得称赞道。
Gao Yuan bowed solemnly and took his leave.
“ wǒ xīn lǐ yǒu shù le 。” lǐ fán qīng qīng yī zhǐ ， gāo yuǎn shǒu zhōng nà zhāng zhǐ shàng ， biàn yǒu shù shí gè míng zì bèi quān chū 。
“我心里有数了。”李凡轻轻一指，高远手中那张纸上，便有数十个名字被圈出。
The next day.
“ zhè xiē rén ， nǐ yě tí qián gēn tā men dǎ gè zhāo hū ， ràng tā men zuò hǎo xīn lǐ zhǔn bèi 。 míng rì de luò chéng diǎn lǐ shàng ， bù kě chū shén me pī lòu 。” lǐ fán fēn fù dào 。
“这些人，你也提前跟他们打个招呼，让他们做好心里准备。明日的落成典礼上，不可出什么纰漏。”李凡吩咐道。
Cunyun Immortal City hung high above the sky. From afar, one could see the flickering light of the activated protective array around it.
gāo yuǎn shén sè sù rán ， gōng shēn lǐng mìng ， tuì le xià qù 。
高远神色肃然，躬身领命，退了下去。
Almost all cultivators in Cunyun Sea had gathered here.
dì èr tiān 。
第二天。
They looked up at the new city, chatting and expressing their feelings.
cóng yún xiān chéng gāo xuán tiān jì 。 yuǎn yuǎn wàng qù ， kě yǐ kàn dào tā zhōu wéi bù shí shǎn shuò zhe ， yǐ rán kāi qǐ de fáng hù dà zhèn de guāng máng 。
丛云仙城高悬天际。远远望去，可以看到它周围不时闪烁着，已然开启的防护大阵的光芒。
Amidst this grand gathering, Li Fan stepped out on his divine puppet.
jìn hū zhěng gè cóng yún hǎi de xiū shì ， dōu huì jù yú cǐ 。
近乎整个丛云海的修士，都汇聚于此。
"Greetings, Island Master!"
zài xià fāng yǎng tóu níng shì zhe zhè zuò xīn chéng ， bǐ cǐ jiāo tán ， gǎn kǎi wàn qiān 。
在下方仰头凝视着这座新城，彼此交谈，感慨万千。
Several cultivators below suddenly shouted in unison.
jiù zài zhè wàn zhòng zhǔ mù zhōng ， lǐ fán jiǎo tà huà shén kuǐ lěi ， zài dù dēng cháng ér lái 。
就在这万众瞩目中，李凡脚踏化神傀儡，再度登场而来。
Li Fan smiled and waved. "Today marks the official completion of Cunyun Immortal City. My position as acting island master is coming to an end."
“ gōng yíng dǎo zhǔ ！”
“恭迎岛主！”
"Friends, you must no longer call me by that name," he said as he looked up at the city.
xià fāng de xiū shì zhōng ， hū de yǒu bù shǎo ， qí shēng gāo hū dào 。
下方的修士中，忽的有不少，齐声高呼道。
He sighed, saying, "With your collective effort, we rebuilt this city in just half a year. I am honored to be part of it!"
lǐ fán wēi xiào zhe bǎi bǎi shǒu ：“ jīn tiān cóng yún xiān chéng zhèng shì chóng jiàn wán bì ， wǒ dài lǐ dǎo zhǔ de zhí wèi yě dào le tóu 。”
李凡微笑着摆摆手：“今天丛云仙城正式重建完毕，我代理岛主的职位也到了头。”
"Please accept my bow, friends!"
“ zhū wèi dào yǒu ， jīn hòu bù kě zài rú cǐ chēng hū wǒ le 。”
“诸位道友，今后不可再如此称呼我了。”
After speaking, Li Fan actually bowed deeply towards all the cultivators present.
tā tái tóu kàn zhe kōng zhōng de cóng yún chéng ， gǎn tàn dào ：“ rǔ děng qí xīn xié lì ， bàn nián nèi chóng jiàn cǐ chéng ， shí nǎi bù yì 。 wǒ yě yǔ yǒu róng yān ！”
他抬头看着空中的丛云城，感叹道：“汝等齐心协力，半年内重建此城，实乃不易。我也与有荣焉！”
The Cunyun Sea cultivators immediately stirred.
“ zhū wèi dào yǒu ， hái qǐng shòu wǒ yī lǐ ！”
“诸位道友，还请受我一礼！”
Some looked alarmed and hurriedly returned his bow.
shuō bà ， lǐ fán jìng rán zhēn de cháo zhe zài chǎng de yī zhòng xiū shì gōng shēn ér bài 。
说罢，李凡竟然真的朝着在场的一众修士躬身而拜。
Others accepted it with a matter-of-fact attitude.
cóng yún hǎi xiū shì men dùn shí yī zhèn sāo dòng 。
丛云海修士们顿时一阵骚动。
Of course, most were just watching for entertainment. They weren't overly concerned about Li Fan's showmanship.
yǒu de xiū shì zé shì miàn lù jīng huāng zhī sè ， lián máng huán lǐ 。
有的修士则是面露惊慌之色，连忙还礼。
As Li Fan straightened up to speak again, a streak of light suddenly appeared from the distant horizon.
yǒu de zé shì tǎn rán shòu zhī ， yī fù lǐ suǒ dāng rán de yàng zi 。
有的则是坦然受之，一副理所当然的样子。
"Acting Island Master of Thousand Immortal Islands, Li Fan, receive your orders!"
dāng rán ， gèng duō de zé wán quán shì kàn hǎo xì de xīn tài 。 duì yú lǐ fán de zuò xiù bìng bù zěn me zài yì 。
当然，更多的则完全是看好戏的心态。对于李凡的作秀并不怎么在意。
A thin cultivator in Alliance uniform and holding a yellow edict said solemnly.
ér dāng lǐ fán zhí qǐ shēn zi ， zài yù shuō huà de shí hòu 。
而当李凡直起身子，再欲说话的时候。
His voice was not loud but thunderous, clearly heard by all present.
hū de cóng yuǎn chù tiān jì ， yī dào dùn guāng shū rán ér zhì 。
忽的从远处天际，一道遁光倏然而至。
Silence fell over the city.
“ wàn xiān dǎo dài dǎo zhǔ ， lǐ fán tīng lìng ！”
“万仙岛代岛主，李凡听令！”
"They're here!" Li Fan calmly flew forward and bowed slightly.
yī wèi shēn cái shòu xuē de xiū shì ， shēn chuān xiān méng zhì shì fú zhuāng ， shǒu chí yī juàn huáng sè zhào lìng ， mǎn liǎn yán sù dào 。
一位身材瘦削的修士，身穿仙盟制式服装，手持一卷黄色诏令，满脸严肃道。
"Acting Island Master of Cunyun Island, Li Fan, has been diligent day and night. He has made significant contributions to the construction of Cunyun City."
shēng yīn bù dà ， què rú jīng léi bān ， qīng chǔ de chuán dào zài chǎng suǒ yǒu xiū shì de ěr zhōng 。
声音不大，却如惊雷般，清楚的传到在场所有修士的耳中。
...
shà shí jiān ， xiān chéng zhōu wéi yī piàn jì jìng 。
霎时间，仙城周围一片寂静。
It was exactly as he had seen at First Essence's place yesterday.
“ lái le ！” lǐ fán bù jǐn bù màn dì fēi shēn shàng qián ， wēi wēi wān yāo 。
“来了！”李凡不紧不慢地飞身上前，微微弯腰。
This time, after the Thousand Immortal Islands Governance Hall representative officially announced it, a golden light from the edict transformed into a修身 black Daoist robe that automatically draped over Li Fan.
“ zī cóng yún dǎo dài dǎo zhǔ lǐ fán ， sù xīng yè mèi 、 jīng jīng yè yè ， dū jiàn cóng yún chéng yǒu gōng 。”
“兹丛云岛代岛主李凡，夙兴夜寐、兢兢业业，督建丛云城有功。”
The robe was adorned with intricate gold patterns, exuding an aura of nobility.
……
……
"Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord!"
hé zuó tiān zài dì yī jīng lún chù kàn dào de rú chū yī zhé 。
和昨天在第一经纶处看到的如出一辙。
Suddenly, a group of cultivators in the crowd, who had planned this together, shouted in unison.
zhǐ shì zhè cì dāng wàn xiān méng bù zhèng táng zǒng bù dài biǎo zhèng shì xuān gào zhī hòu ， nà juǎn zhào lìng ， biàn huà zuò yī dào jīn sè guāng huá ， fēi xiàng le lǐ fán 。
只是这次当万仙盟布政堂总部代表正式宣告之后，那卷诏令，便化作一道金色光华，飞向了李凡。
Many quick-witted cultivators realized that just like when Li Fan acted as acting island master, everything was already prearranged. Only they were still in the dark.
kuài yào chù pèng dào tā de shí hòu ， zhè jīn máng què shì biàn zuò le yī jiàn pǒ wèi xiū shēn de hēi sè dào páo ， zì dòng chuān zài le tā de shēn shàng 。
快要触碰到他的时候，这金芒却是变作了一件颇为修身的黑色道袍，自动穿在了他的身上。
Those who had remained indifferent to Li Fan's bows now looked regretful and joined in.
dào páo shàng ， yòng jīn sè wén lù huì zhì le zhū duō xuán miào de tú ān 。
道袍上，用金色纹路绘制了诸多玄妙的图桉。
"Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord!"
yī gǔ guì qì dùn shí pū miàn ér lái 。
一股贵气顿时扑面而来。
The second round of cheers continued unabated, forcing even those who had stayed silent to join in.
“ wèi mì shǐ dà rén hè ！”
“为秘使大人贺！”
"Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord!" echoed throughout Cunyun Sea.
For Li Fan's pledge of loyalty to the death, First Essence did not comment.
"Go now and prepare for the completion ceremony. Do not make any mistakes," he said calmly, still intently focused on the information on the tablet in front of him.
Li Fan then bowed and took his leave.
Returning to his temporary residence, he called Gao Yuan over.
"Lord City Master, do you have something for me?" Gao Yuan, with a sycophantic expression, knelt and bowed deeply.
"The Immortal Alliance headquarters has bestowed rewards. I will be serving as the Director of the Governance Hall [Secret Messenger], from now on, you must address me properly," Li Fan said in exactly the same tone as First Essence.
Gao Yuan was momentarily stunned but before he could react, Li Fan continued: "With the reconstruction of Immortal City and many things to be revived, Lord Hongxi and Lady Ziyun, two transformed Immortals, are still away. I will temporarily take full charge of all administrative matters in Cunyun Sea."
Only then did Gao Yuan finally snap out of his daze.
His eyes gleamed with unrestrained joy as he repeatedly said, "Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord! Your abilities have been evident to everyone these past six months. With you taking over the administration when our leaders are away, it is a blessing for all cultivators in Cunyun Sea!"
"I believe you do not know that during this period, almost every cultivator I met praised and trusted your methods."
...
Li Fan chuckled.
Although he knew Gao Yuan was flattering him, who could resist good words?
Li Fan waved his hand to interrupt Gao Yuan's endless praise. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and gently threw it over.
"This is the list of cultivators ranked according to their contributions during the reconstruction of Cunyun City."
"I have a third of the internal promotion slots for the new city positions. Besides those who already surrendered, there are still many vacancies. Check this list and see which ones can be useful," Li Fan asked with his hands behind his back.
Gao Yuan took the paper, which was thin as蝉翼, yet felt as heavy as a mountain in his hand. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and he even began to breathe heavily.
Why did Gao Yuan pledge loyalty to Li Fan? Wasn't it for this moment?
A single word could change someone's fate. This was the taste of power.
Knowing that this was Li Fan’s final test, Gao Yuan took a deep breath and calmed down.
He scanned through the list quickly and had his answer.
"Among these cultivators, I recommend Fang Weihou first. Although he is only a Golden Core cultivator, he works diligently and meticulously. Whatever tasks you give him are always completed ahead of schedule. More importantly, he has no background; he has relied solely on his own cultivation over the years."
"There's also this cultivator named Jia Jun, who is exceptionally capable..."
Gao Yuan spoke confidently.
Over these six months, he wasn’t idle at all. While it seemed like he was aimlessly wandering each day, in reality, he kept a close eye on every cultivator’s actions.
Li Fan, based on Gao Yuan's evaluation of the cultivators, quickly replayed his surveillance and records from the past half year in his mind.
After comparing them one by one, Li Fan nodded slowly.
No wonder he had been standing guard at the Governance Hall for so long.
Gao Yuan’s ability to discern people was indeed remarkable. Even Li Fan thought he couldn’t have done better.
"Very good," he said with rare praise.
Li Fan pointed a finger, and dozens of names on Gao Yuan's paper were circled out.
"These people, you should inform them in advance so they can prepare themselves. There must be no mistakes during tomorrow’s completion ceremony," Li Fan instructed.
Gao Yuan bowed solemnly and took his leave.
The next day.
Cunyun Immortal City hung high above the sky. From afar, one could see the flickering light of the activated protective array around it.
Almost all cultivators in Cunyun Sea had gathered here.
They looked up at the new city, chatting and expressing their feelings.
Amidst this grand gathering, Li Fan stepped out on his divine puppet.
"Greetings, Island Master!"
Several cultivators below suddenly shouted in unison.
Li Fan smiled and waved. "Today marks the official completion of Cunyun Immortal City. My position as acting island master is coming to an end."
"Friends, you must no longer call me by that name," he said as he looked up at the city.
He sighed, saying, "With your collective effort, we rebuilt this city in just half a year. I am honored to be part of it!"
"Please accept my bow, friends!"
After speaking, Li Fan actually bowed deeply towards all the cultivators present.
The Cunyun Sea cultivators immediately stirred.
Some looked alarmed and hurriedly returned his bow.
Others accepted it with a matter-of-fact attitude.
Of course, most were just watching for entertainment. They weren't overly concerned about Li Fan's showmanship.
As Li Fan straightened up to speak again, a streak of light suddenly appeared from the distant horizon.
"Acting Island Master of Thousand Immortal Islands, Li Fan, receive your orders!"
A thin cultivator in Alliance uniform and holding a yellow edict said solemnly.
His voice was not loud but thunderous, clearly heard by all present.
Silence fell over the city.
"They're here!" Li Fan calmly flew forward and bowed slightly.
"Acting Island Master of Cunyun Island, Li Fan, has been diligent day and night. He has made significant contributions to the construction of Cunyun City."
...
It was exactly as he had seen at First Essence's place yesterday.
This time, after the Thousand Immortal Islands Governance Hall representative officially announced it, a golden light from the edict transformed into a修身 black Daoist robe that automatically draped over Li Fan.
The robe was adorned with intricate gold patterns, exuding an aura of nobility.
"Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord!"
Suddenly, a group of cultivators in the crowd, who had planned this together, shouted in unison.
Many quick-witted cultivators realized that just like when Li Fan acted as acting island master, everything was already prearranged. Only they were still in the dark.
Those who had remained indifferent to Li Fan's bows now looked regretful and joined in.
"Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord!"
The second round of cheers continued unabated, forcing even those who had stayed silent to join in.
"Congratulations to the Secret Messenger Lord!" echoed throughout Cunyun Sea.