zhòng xiū shì de qìng hè shēng ， zhí dào lǐ fán fēi zhì cóng yún chéng 、 qīn zì kāi qǐ fáng hù dà zhèn rù kǒu ， cái zhú jiàn zhōng zhǐ 。
众修士的庆贺声，直到李凡飞至丛云城、亲自开启防护大阵入口，才逐渐终止。
The cheers of the cultivators gradually ceased as Li Fan flew to Congyun City and personally activated the entrance to the protective array.
“ zhū wèi ， cóng jīn wǎng hòu ， zhè lǐ jiù shì wǒ men de xīn jiā le 。”
“诸位，从今往后，这里就是我们的新家了。”
"From now on, this place will be our new home."
lǐ fán xiào zhe shuō dào 。
李凡笑着说道。
Li Fan said with a smile.
yī zhòng xiū shì lián lián chēng shì 。
一众修士连连称是。
The cultivators nodded in agreement.
“ dǎo shàng yī zhòng shè shī ， jiē rú jiù mào ， bāo kuò chuán sòng zhèn 、 tiān xuán jìng děng 。 zhū wèi dào yǒu kě yǐ zì xíng qù tǐ yàn ， wǒ jiù bù duō cǐ yī jǔ le 。” lǐ fán lǎng shēng shuō dào 。
“岛上一众设施，皆如旧貌，包括传送阵、天玄镜等。诸位道友可以自行去体验，我就不多此一举了。”李凡朗声说道。
"All facilities on the island remain intact, including teleportation arrays and the Heavens玄镜. You can go explore them yourselves; I won't waste your time," Li Fan announced clearly.
zhèng yǒu yī xiē xiū shì pò bù jí dài de lí qù de shí hòu 。
正有一些修士迫不及待的离去的时候。
Just as some cultivators were eager to leave, Li Fan looked at them with a slight smile before suddenly calling out, "These fellow daoists, please follow me to the Administration Hall."
lǐ fán kàn zhe tā men ， wēi wēi yī xiào ， hū de yòu chū shēng dào ：“ yǐ xià zhè xiē dào yǒu ， hái qǐng gēn wǒ lái bù zhèng táng yī tàng 。”
李凡看着他们，微微一笑，忽的又出声道：“以下这些道友，还请跟我来布政堂一趟。”
"Zheng Hao, Gao Yuan, Zhou Qingang..."
“ hé zhèng hào 、 gāo yuǎn 、 zhōu qīng áng ……”
“何正浩、高远、周青昂……”
"Fang Weihou..."
“ fāng wèi hòu ……”
“方为厚……”
"Jia Jun..."
……
……
Li Fan recited the names of over a hundred people like listing dishes. The cultivators who were about to leave stopped in their tracks, their faces tense as they listened intently.
rú bào cài míng yì bān ， lǐ fán yì kǒu qì niàn le shàng bǎi rén de míng zì 。
如报菜名一般，李凡一口气念了上百人的名字。
Those whose names were called were naturally thrilled. Those not called, however, did not dare show any signs of disappointment but instead looked on with envy.
nà xiē yuán běn zhèng yù lí qù de xiū shì ， fēn fēn zhǐ zhù jiǎo bù 。
那些原本正欲离去的修士，纷纷止住脚步。
By clinging to Li Fan, the secret envoy and acting island leader, their future prospects seemed limitless.
huǎng rán dà wù de tóng shí ， miàn sè jǐn zhāng 、 xī xīn líng tīng 。
恍然大悟的同时，面色紧张、悉心聆听。
With that said, Li Fan led a group of over a hundred people towards the Administration Hall in the city center. Meanwhile, the cultivators' minds continued to exchange thoughts telepathically.
nà xiē bèi hǎn dào míng zì de ， zì rán shì xīn xǐ ruò kuáng 。
那些被喊到名字的，自然是欣喜若狂。
"Who cares about his power? Fortune is fickle; when Lord Hongxi returns, all this will be for naught."
ér nà xiē méi bèi jiào dào de ， què yě bù gǎn lù chū yì yàng ， zhǐ shì mǎn huái xiàn mù de kàn zhe duì fāng 。
而那些没被叫到的，却也不敢露出异样，只是满怀羡慕的看着对方。
"I don't think so. Secret Envoy Sir clearly has some backing. This kind of opportunity wouldn't fall on him otherwise."
bào shàng le lǐ fán zhè wèi míng miàn shàng shì mì zì shǐ 、 shí zé shì dài lǐ dǎo zhǔ de dà tuǐ zhī hòu ， tā men jīn hòu kě zhēn shì qián tú wú liàng 。
抱上了李凡这位明面上是秘字使、实则是代理岛主的大腿之后，他们今后可真是前途无量。
"Of course, it's obvious. Ordinary cultivators can't step on divine puppets. Even if Lords Hongxi and Ziyun return, they'll still treat the secret envoy with respect. Friend Zhu, I advise you to recognize the situation and not anger the secret envoy."
huà yīn là xià le ， lǐ fán biàn dài zhe bǎi lái hào rén ， hào hào dàng dàng de cháo zhe chéng chí zhōng yāng de bù zhèng táng zǒu qù 。
话音落下了，李凡便带着百来号人，浩浩荡荡的朝着城池中央的布政堂走去。
"Humph! You may fear him, but I, Zhu Yongshou, am not afraid of Li Fan!"
zhǐ liú xià xiū shì men de shén shí zài bù duàn àn zhōng jiāo liú 。
只留下修士们的神识在不断暗中交流。
...
“ shén qì shén me ， suǒ wèi huò fú nán liào 。 bié kàn tā lǐ fán xiàn zài dé shì ， děng hóng xī dǎo zhǔ huí lái ， yī qiè dōu shì chǎng kōng 。”
“神气什么，所谓祸福难料。别看他李凡现在得势，等鸿曦岛主回来，一切都是场空。”
Similar conversations unfolded throughout Congyun City.
“ wǒ kàn dǎo shì wèi bì ， mì shǐ dà rén tā míng xiǎn yě shì yǒu hòu tái de 。 fǒu zé zhè zhǒng kōng jiàng yī zhōu zhǔ zǎi de hǎo shì ， nǎ lǐ néng lún dé dào tā 。”
“我看倒是未必，秘使大人他明显也是有后台的。否则这种空降一州主宰的好事，哪里能轮得到他。”
No one could please everyone, and Li Fan was no exception. He paid no mind to the gossip from the cultivators in Congyun Sea.
“ zhè bú shì fèi huà ma ， pǔ tōng xiū shì néng jiāng huà shén kuǐ lěi cǎi jiǎo xià ？ wǒ kàn jiù suàn shì hóng xī 、 zǐ yún liǎng wèi dǎo zhǔ huí lái ， yě huì duì mì shǐ dà rén kè kè qì qì de 。 zhū dào yǒu ， wǒ quàn nǐ hái shì rèn qīng xíng shì ， bú yào rě nǎo le mì shǐ dà rén cái hǎo 。”
“这不是废话嘛，普通修士能将化神傀儡踩脚下？我看就算是鸿曦、紫云两位岛主回来，也会对秘使大人客客气气的。朱道友，我劝你还是认清形势，不要惹恼了秘使大人才好。”
Now, he appointed various vacant positions to the people. Afterward, he reported these appointments to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for approval.
“ hēng ！ nǐ men pà tā ， wǒ zhū yǒng shòu què bù jù tā lǐ fán ！”
“哼！你们怕他，我朱永寿却不惧他李凡！”
After a busy day, Li Fan finally had some free time. Thanks to his trusted assistants like Zheng Hao and Gao Yuan, managing city affairs was much easier.
……
……
Sitting in a specially prepared room in the Administration Hall, Li Fan closed his eyes and felt the varying levels of cultivation feedback from his dantian.
zhū rú cǐ lèi de duì huà ， fā shēng le cóng yún chéng de gè gè dì fāng 。
诸如此类的对话，发生了丛云城的各个地方。
A surprised expression crossed his face.
méi yǒu shuí ， néng ràng shì shàng suǒ yǒu rén dōu xǐ huān 。 lǐ fán zì rán yě shì rú cǐ 。
没有谁，能让世上所有人都喜欢。李凡自然也是如此。
"I didn't expect anyone among my subordinates to break through so quickly?"
duì yú cóng yún hǎi xiū shì de yì lùn ， lǐ fán kě shì yì diǎn dōu bù zài hū 。
对于丛云海修士的议论，李凡可是一点都不在乎。
"Yes, most of them were originally poor cultivators in Congyun Sea. After following me for half a year, they finally achieved their dreams. Not only did they enter the alliance's system, but their positions aren't too low."
cǐ kè ， jiāng dìng hǎo de gè gè kòng quē zhí wèi ， rèn mìng gěi zhòng rén 。
此刻，将定好的各个空缺职位，任命给众人。
"Emotions running high, it makes sense that their cultivation would break through."
suí hòu yòu jiāng rén shì rèn mìng shàng bào gěi wàn xiān méng zǒng bù 、 děng dào pī zhǔn hòu 。
随后又将人事任命上报给万仙盟总部、等到批准后。
"A single person achieving enlightenment benefits everyone around them."
máng lù le yī zhěng tiān de lǐ fán ， zhōng yú xián xiá xià lái 。
忙碌了一整天的李凡，终于闲暇下来。
"So naturally, there should be feedback from The Sitting Mountain Technique."
yě shì duō kuī le yǒu hé zhèng hào 、 gāo yuǎn děng jǐ wèi dé yì zhù shǒu de bāng chèn ， fǒu zé tā chǔ lǐ qǐ chéng zhōng zhèng wù lái ， hái zhēn méi yǒu zhè me qīng sōng 。
也是多亏了有何正浩、高远等几位得意助手的帮衬，否则他处理起城中政务来，还真没有这么轻松。
"And this feedback..."
duān zuò zài bù zhèng táng zhōng 、 yī jiān zhuān mén wèi tā zhǔn bèi de wū zi lǐ ， lǐ fán wēi wēi bì mù ， gǎn shòu zhe dān tián nèi sì chù yǒng lái shù gǔ qiáng ruò bù yī de fǎn kuì xiū wèi 。
端坐在布政堂中、一间专门为他准备的屋子里，李凡微微闭目，感受着丹田内四处涌来数股强弱不一的反馈修为。
Li Fan sensed deeply and grew increasingly excited.
liǎn shàng lù chū wēi wēi yà yì de shén sè 。
脸上露出微微讶异的神色。
"While not as powerful as imparting techniques, it's like being reborn."
“ méi xiǎng dào wǒ shǒu xià zhè xiē rén lǐ ， zhè me kuài jiù yǒu rén tū pò le ？”
“没想到我手下这些人里，这么快就有人突破了？”
"Moreover, this path of cultivation is safer and more covert. With the protection of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they can advance openly."
“ yě shì ， zhè xiē rén dà duō yuán běn dōu shì cóng yún hǎi pín kǔ xiū shì ， rú jīn gēn zài wǒ hòu miàn 、 xīn kǔ le bàn nián ， zhōng yú dé cháng suǒ yuàn ， yī bù dēng tiān 。 bù jǐn jǐn jìn rù le xiān méng tǐ zhì nèi ， ér qiě dé dào de zhí wù dōu bù suàn dī 。”
“也是，这些人大多原本都是丛云海贫苦修士，如今跟在我后面、辛苦了半年，终于得偿所愿，一步登天。不仅仅进入了仙盟体制内，而且得到的职务都不算低。”
"I'm still a lowly secret envoy without any roots."
“ xīn qíng jī dàng zhī xià ， xiū wèi tū pò yě shì zhèng cháng zhī shì 。”
“心情激荡之下，修为突破也是正常之事。”
"But if I were a true state ruler with disciples scattered across the alliance..."
“ suǒ wèi yī rén dé dào ， jī quǎn shēng tiān 。 tā men quán dōu shì kào wǒ tí xié ， shòu wǒ ēn huì 。”
“所谓一人得道，鸡犬升天。他们全都是靠我提携，受我恩惠。”
"The benefits would be unimaginable!"
“ suǒ yǐ yě jiù zì rán huì yǒu 《 zuò shān jué 》 de fǎn kuì xiū wèi 。”
“所以也就自然会有《坐山诀》的反馈修为。”
Li Fan's eyes sparkled as he found a new path to cultivation.
“ bìng qiě ， zhè zhǒng fǎn kuì lì dù ……”
“并且，这种反馈力度……”
"By holding onto my position as a secret envoy, I can rapidly advance their cultivation with these loyal subordinates."
lǐ fán xì xì gǎn yìng ， xīn zhōng yuè lái yuè jīng xǐ 。
李凡细细感应，心中越来越惊喜。
"I can now look forward to forming an embryo."
“ suī rán bǐ bù shàng chuán fǎ zhī ēn ， dàn yě shì rú tóng zài zào le 。”
“虽然比不上传法之恩，但也是如同再造了。”
"Five Great Caverns..."
“ ér qiě cǐ zhǒng xiū xíng zhī lù ， bǐ qǐ chuán fǎ ， gèng jiā ān quán 、 yǐn bì 。 bìng qiě ， shòu dào wàn xiān méng tǐ zhì de bì yòu ， guāng míng zhèng dà 。”
“而且此种修行之路，比起传法，更加安全、隐蔽。并且，受到万仙盟体制的庇佑，光明正大。”
Thinking of his original goal, Li Fan frowned slightly.
“ wǒ zhè hái shì bàn lù chū jiā 、 méi yǒu gēn jī de xiǎo xiǎo mì shǐ 。”
“我这还是半路出家、没有根基的小小秘使。”
This world's development far exceeded his expectations. Many things had unfolded differently from the previous life.
“ ruò shì zhēn zhèng de yī zhōu zhǔ zǎi ， mén shēng gù lì biàn bù xiān méng gè chù ……”
“若是真正的一州主宰，门生故吏遍布仙盟各处……”
The conflict that forced the Five Elements Great Caverns to relocate might not even happen.
“ hǎo chù nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng ！”
“好处难以想象！”
But without a major war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Association, Li Fan would face significant challenges during peaceful times.
lǐ fán yǎn jīng fā liàng ， què shì yǐn yǐn zhǎo dào le yī tiáo zhǎn xīn de xiū xíng zhī dào 。
李凡眼睛发亮，却是隐隐找到了一条崭新的修行之道。
"Train soldiers for a thousand days; use them in one."
“ zhǐ yào wǒ zuò wěn mì zì shǐ guān zhí yī tiān ， jiù kě kào zhe zhè shù bǎi míng xīn fù fēi sù tí shēng xiū wèi 。”
“只要我坐稳秘字使官职一天，就可靠着这数百名心腹飞速提升修为。”
"It's time to send you out again, Fellow Daoist Zhou Qingang."
“ kě yǐ zhǎn wàng jié yīng yī shì le 。”
“可以展望结婴一事了。”
After some thought, Li Fan smiled and focused his attention on Zhou Qingang.
“ wǔ xíng dà dòng tiān ……”
“五行大洞天……”
Surrounded by cultivators, it was clear that Zhou Qingang had close ties with Zheng Hao and was highly favored by Li Fan.
xiǎng dào zhè yuán běn de mù biāo ， lǐ fán yòu wēi wēi zhòu méi 。
想到这原本的目标，李凡又微微皱眉。
Seizing this last opportunity to build a relationship, a stream of cultivators came to visit.
zhè yī shì de fā zhǎn ， yuǎn chāo tā suǒ liào 。 zhū duō shì qíng zǒu xiàng ， hé qián shì dà xiāng jìng tíng 。
这一世的发展，远超他所料。诸多事情走向，和前世大相径庭。
"Zhou Qingang," managed to break free after much effort.
yuán běn dǎo zhì wǔ xíng dà dòng tiān bèi pò qiān xǐ de tiān líng zhōu zhī zhàn ， kǒng pà wèi bì hái huì fā shēng 。
原本导致五行大洞天被迫迁徙的天灵州之战，恐怕未必还会发生。
Late at night, he quietly slipped out of Congyun City towards their meeting point.
kě rú guǒ méi yǒu wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì shuāng fāng dà zhàn de huà ， píng hé shí qī ， lǐ fán xiǎng yào hún shuǐ mō yú de nán dù ， kě jiù tài dà le 。
可如果没有万仙盟和五老会双方大战的话，平和时期，李凡想要浑水摸鱼的难度，可就太大了。
-----------------
“ yǎng bīng qiān rì ， yòng bīng yī shí 。”
“养兵千日，用兵一时。”
"Administration Hall, Director of Oversight. How does this position sound?"
“ shì shí hòu zài pài nǐ chū mǎ le ， zhōu qīng áng dào yǒu 。”
“是时候再派你出马了，周青昂道友。”
"The authority is immense; you can inspect the entire region and handle any unlawful actions."
chén yín piàn kè ， lǐ fán xiào le xiào ， zhù yì lì shà shí jiān jí zhōng zài le zhōu qīng áng shēn shàng 。
沉吟片刻，李凡笑了笑，注意力霎时间集中在了周青昂身上。
"Compared to guarding a small island, it's much more prestigious!"
cǐ kè zhōu qīng áng shēn biān ， kě shì wéi le yī quān xiū shì 。
此刻周青昂身边，可是围了一圈修士。
Zhou Qingang boasted to the Stone Face man.
míng yǎn rén dōu kě yǐ kàn chū ， hé hé zhèng hào guān xì fěi qiǎn 、 shēn shòu lǐ fán zhòng yòng de zhōu qīng áng ， wèi lái yào píng bù qīng yún le 。
明眼人都可以看出，和何正浩关系匪浅、深受李凡重用的周青昂，未来要平步青云了。
"And now I can easily access all kinds of secrets that I couldn't before. Truly infiltrating the enemy!"
cǐ shí bù zhuā zhù zuì hòu de shí jī dǎ hǎo guān xì ， gèng dài hé shí ？
此时不抓住最后的时机打好关系，更待何时？
"Director?"
yú shì qián lái chuàn mén 、 bǎi fàng de xiū shì luò yì bù jué 。
于是前来串门、摆放的修士络绎不绝。
"Hmm? Why aren't you speaking, Director?"
“ zhōu qīng áng ” fèi le hǎo yī fān gōng fu ， cái bǎi tuō le zhòng rén 。
“周青昂”废了好一番功夫，才摆脱了众人。
"Zhou Qingang," Zhou Qingang asked curiously when the Stone Face remained silent.
děng dào shēn yè ， qiāo qiāo liū chū le cóng yún chéng 。
等到深夜，悄悄熘出了丛云城。
Silence continued.
zhí bēn jiē tóu dì diǎn ér qù 。
直奔接头地点而去。
A bad feeling arose in Li Fan's heart.
-----------------
-----------------
He stopped talking too.
“ bù zhèng táng ， dōu sī jiū chá 。 tóu ， zhè ge zhí wèi zěn me yàng ？”
“布政堂，都司纠察。头，这个职位怎么样？”
After a long while, the Stone Face finally spoke.
“ quán xiàn kě dà zhe ne ， xún shì jìng nèi sì fāng 、 fán yǒu bù fǎ zhī jǔ ， jiē kě yán sù chǔ lǐ 。”
“权限可大着呢，巡视境内四方、凡有不法之举，皆可严肃处理。”
His voice was cold and full of malice.
“ bǐ qǐ xiǎo xiǎo de dǎo yǔ zhèn shǒu ， kě wēi fēng tài duō ！”
“比起小小的岛屿镇守，可威风太多！”
"You're not Zhou Qingang. Who are you?"
zhōu qīng áng duì zhe duàn shí rén liǎn ， dé yì yáng yáng de shuō dào 。
周青昂对着断石人脸，得意洋洋的说道。
Li Fan's heart sank but he feigned surprise: "Director, what are you saying? Look at my face; it's genuine!"
“ ér qiě yǐ wǎng jiē chù bú dào de gè zhǒng jī mì ， rú jīn dōu néng qīng yì huò qǔ 。 kě wèi shì zhēn de dǎ rù dí rén nèi bù la ！”
“而且以往接触不到的各种机密，如今都能轻易获取。可谓是真的打入敌人内部啦！”
"How could you doubt me? I've made significant contributions to the organization!"
“ tóu ？”
“头？”
"The secret test for Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance entry and the confidential information about unifying Heavens玄归一统..."
“ ń ？ tóu nǐ zěn me bù shuō huà a ？”
“嗯？头你怎么不说话啊？”
Zhou Qingang recounted his achievements with great indignation.
“ zhōu qīng áng ” kàn zhe duì miàn yì zhí méi yǒu dòng jìng ， yǒu xiē qí guài de wèn dào 。
“周青昂”看着对面一直没有动静，有些奇怪的问道。
"Ah, so you've already taken my place early on..."
yī rán shì sǐ yì bān de jì jìng 。
依然是死一般的寂静。
"Wonderful!"
lǐ fán xīn zhōng hū de yǒng qǐ yī sī bù hǎo de yù gǎn 。
李凡心中忽的涌起一丝不好的预感。
The Stone Face was not swayed by Li Fan's defense. His voice was as cold as ice.
yú shì yě tíng zhǐ le shuō huà 。
于是也停止了说话。
The anxious "Zhou Qingang" calmed down and asked calmly: "Oh? Where did I make a mistake?"
xǔ jiǔ zhī hòu ， duàn shí shàng de rén liǎn zhōng yú kāi kǒu le 。
许久之后，断石上的人脸终于开口了。
"Humph!"
shēng yīn lěng jùn ， chōng mǎn shā yì 。
声音冷峻，充满杀意。
The Stone Face sneered, "Your disguise is flawless. But you overlooked one thing."
“ nǐ bú shì zhōu qīng áng 。 nǐ dào dǐ shì shuí ？”
“你不是周青昂。你到底是谁？”
"When Zhou Qingang first accepted the mission to infiltrate the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, he had an ultimate task."
lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī chén 。
李凡心中一沉。
"As soon as he obtained a significant position within the alliance, he was to discard his spy identity and hide completely, lest he be discovered and fail."
bù guò yī rán hái shì zhuāng zuò yǒu xiē cuò è de yàng zi ：“ tóu ， nǐ zài shuō shén me a ？ qiáo qiáo wǒ zhè zhāng liǎn ， rú jiǎ bāo huàn ！”
不过依然还是装作有些错愕的样子：“头，你在说什么啊？瞧瞧我这张脸，如假包换！”
"Only when the organization calls for him at a critical moment..."
“ nǐ zěn me néng huái yí wǒ ne ， wǒ kě shì wèi zǔ zhī lì xià le hàn mǎ gōng láo ！”
“你怎么能怀疑我呢，我可是为组织立下了汗马功劳！”
"So, you came here so eagerly after just joining. You can't possibly be Zhou Qingang himself."
“ nà xiān méng rù zhí dà kǎo shì tí 、 xuán huáng guī yī tǒng de jué mì xìn xī ……”
“那仙盟入职大考试题、玄黄归一统的绝密信息……”
The Stone Face's voice was stern.
The cheers of the cultivators gradually ceased as Li Fan flew to Congyun City and personally activated the entrance to the protective array.
"From now on, this place will be our new home."
Li Fan said with a smile.
The cultivators nodded in agreement.
"All facilities on the island remain intact, including teleportation arrays and the Heavens玄镜. You can go explore them yourselves; I won't waste your time," Li Fan announced clearly.
Just as some cultivators were eager to leave, Li Fan looked at them with a slight smile before suddenly calling out, "These fellow daoists, please follow me to the Administration Hall."
"Zheng Hao, Gao Yuan, Zhou Qingang..."
"Fang Weihou..."
"Jia Jun..."
...
Li Fan recited the names of over a hundred people like listing dishes. The cultivators who were about to leave stopped in their tracks, their faces tense as they listened intently.
Those whose names were called were naturally thrilled. Those not called, however, did not dare show any signs of disappointment but instead looked on with envy.
By clinging to Li Fan, the secret envoy and acting island leader, their future prospects seemed limitless.
With that said, Li Fan led a group of over a hundred people towards the Administration Hall in the city center. Meanwhile, the cultivators' minds continued to exchange thoughts telepathically.
"Who cares about his power? Fortune is fickle; when Lord Hongxi returns, all this will be for naught."
"I don't think so. Secret Envoy Sir clearly has some backing. This kind of opportunity wouldn't fall on him otherwise."
"Of course, it's obvious. Ordinary cultivators can't step on divine puppets. Even if Lords Hongxi and Ziyun return, they'll still treat the secret envoy with respect. Friend Zhu, I advise you to recognize the situation and not anger the secret envoy."
"Humph! You may fear him, but I, Zhu Yongshou, am not afraid of Li Fan!"
...
Similar conversations unfolded throughout Congyun City.
No one could please everyone, and Li Fan was no exception. He paid no mind to the gossip from the cultivators in Congyun Sea.
Now, he appointed various vacant positions to the people. Afterward, he reported these appointments to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for approval.
After a busy day, Li Fan finally had some free time. Thanks to his trusted assistants like Zheng Hao and Gao Yuan, managing city affairs was much easier.
Sitting in a specially prepared room in the Administration Hall, Li Fan closed his eyes and felt the varying levels of cultivation feedback from his dantian.
A surprised expression crossed his face.
"I didn't expect anyone among my subordinates to break through so quickly?"
"Yes, most of them were originally poor cultivators in Congyun Sea. After following me for half a year, they finally achieved their dreams. Not only did they enter the alliance's system, but their positions aren't too low."
"Emotions running high, it makes sense that their cultivation would break through."
"A single person achieving enlightenment benefits everyone around them."
"So naturally, there should be feedback from The Sitting Mountain Technique."
"And this feedback..."
Li Fan sensed deeply and grew increasingly excited.
"While not as powerful as imparting techniques, it's like being reborn."
"Moreover, this path of cultivation is safer and more covert. With the protection of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they can advance openly."
"I'm still a lowly secret envoy without any roots."
"But if I were a true state ruler with disciples scattered across the alliance..."
"The benefits would be unimaginable!"
Li Fan's eyes sparkled as he found a new path to cultivation.
"By holding onto my position as a secret envoy, I can rapidly advance their cultivation with these loyal subordinates."
"I can now look forward to forming an embryo."
"Five Great Caverns..."
Thinking of his original goal, Li Fan frowned slightly.
This world's development far exceeded his expectations. Many things had unfolded differently from the previous life.
The conflict that forced the Five Elements Great Caverns to relocate might not even happen.
But without a major war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Association, Li Fan would face significant challenges during peaceful times.
"Train soldiers for a thousand days; use them in one."
"It's time to send you out again, Fellow Daoist Zhou Qingang."
After some thought, Li Fan smiled and focused his attention on Zhou Qingang.
Surrounded by cultivators, it was clear that Zhou Qingang had close ties with Zheng Hao and was highly favored by Li Fan.
Seizing this last opportunity to build a relationship, a stream of cultivators came to visit.
"Zhou Qingang," managed to break free after much effort.
Late at night, he quietly slipped out of Congyun City towards their meeting point.
-----------------
"Administration Hall, Director of Oversight. How does this position sound?"
"The authority is immense; you can inspect the entire region and handle any unlawful actions."
"Compared to guarding a small island, it's much more prestigious!"
Zhou Qingang boasted to the Stone Face man.
"And now I can easily access all kinds of secrets that I couldn't before. Truly infiltrating the enemy!"
"Director?"
"Hmm? Why aren't you speaking, Director?"
"Zhou Qingang," Zhou Qingang asked curiously when the Stone Face remained silent.
Silence continued.
A bad feeling arose in Li Fan's heart.
He stopped talking too.
After a long while, the Stone Face finally spoke.
His voice was cold and full of malice.
"You're not Zhou Qingang. Who are you?"
Li Fan's heart sank but he feigned surprise: "Director, what are you saying? Look at my face; it's genuine!"
"How could you doubt me? I've made significant contributions to the organization!"
"The secret test for Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance entry and the confidential information about unifying Heavens玄归一统..."
Zhou Qingang recounted his achievements with great indignation.
"Ah, so you've already taken my place early on..."
"Wonderful!"
The Stone Face was not swayed by Li Fan's defense. His voice was as cold as ice.
The anxious "Zhou Qingang" calmed down and asked calmly: "Oh? Where did I make a mistake?"
"Humph!"
The Stone Face sneered, "Your disguise is flawless. But you overlooked one thing."
"When Zhou Qingang first accepted the mission to infiltrate the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, he had an ultimate task."
"As soon as he obtained a significant position within the alliance, he was to discard his spy identity and hide completely, lest he be discovered and fail."
"Only when the organization calls for him at a critical moment..."
"So, you came here so eagerly after just joining. You can't possibly be Zhou Qingang himself."
The Stone Face's voice was stern.