liú lí dǎo 。
琉璃岛。
Lustrous Isle.
hé zhèng hào kàn zhuó yǎn qián zhè zuò zì jǐ zhèn shǒu jǐ shí nián de dǎo yǔ ， zài kàn zhe zhàn zài yī páng wéi wéi nuò nuò 、 hā yāo diǎn tóu de jì rèn zhèn shǒu ， xīn zhōng bù jīn yǒng qǐ yī gǔ háo qì 。
何正浩看着眼前这座自己镇守几十年的岛屿，再看着站在一旁唯唯诺诺、哈腰点头的继任镇守，心中不禁涌起一股豪气。
He Zhenghao looked at the island he had guarded for decades, and then at his successor who stood there meekly nodding. A surge of pride welled up in him.
céng jǐ hé shí ， zì jǐ yě shì xiàng tā zhè bān ， shàng miàn yǒu rén lái shì chá de shí hòu ， biàn jué xīn zhōng huáng kǒng 、 tǎn tè bù ān 。
曾几何时，自己也是像他这般，上面有人来视察的时候，便觉心中惶恐、忐忑不安。
Not long ago, he too was like this young man, feeling anxious when superiors came to inspect. He feared being blamed.
shēng pà lǐng dǎo guài zuì xià lái 。
生怕领导怪罪下来。
But now, just a few years later, He Zhenghao had become the kind of "big shot" that used to intimidate him.
kě xiàn zài ， bù guò shù zài shí guāng ， tā hé zhèng hào yǐ jīng biàn chéng guò wǎng zì jǐ yǎn zhōng de nà lèi “ dà rén wù ” le 。
可现在，不过数载时光，他何正浩已经变成过往自己眼中的那类“大人物”了。
He encouraged Zhao Changli, his junior, and then entered the [Mountain River Star Constellation Array]. The mountains hung overhead, blocking any potential prying eyes from outside.
miǎn lì le yī fān yǎn qián zhè wèi jiào zuò zhào zhǎng lí de wǎn bèi ， hé zhèng hào shú mén shú lù de jìn rù dào 【 shān chuān xīng dǒu zhèn 】 zhōng 。
勉励了一番眼前这位叫做赵长离的晚辈，何正浩熟门熟路的进入到【山川星斗阵】中。
The cultivators invited by He Zhenghao were already waiting there. "Friend Daoist He!" They greeted him enthusiastically. To them, Li Fan was like a god of wealth, while He Zhenghao was the typical dispenser of that wealth.
qún shān xuán yú tóu dǐng ， zhē bì wài jiè kě néng de kuī tàn 。
群山悬于头顶，遮蔽外界可能的窥探。
After some pleasantries, one cultivator asked impatiently: "Friend Daoist He, did the Secret Envoy predict an end to the war? There are no signs! The Immortal Alliance just declared they will fight until the bitter end today..."
shòu hé zhèng hào yāo qǐng ér lái de xiū shì men ， yǐ jīng zài cǐ děng hòu duō shí le 。
受何正浩邀请而来的修士们，已经在此等候多时了。
The others interrupted him. "The Secret Envoy's divination techniques are unparalleled; how could he be wrong? If you don't believe it, why come at all?"
“ hé dào yǒu ！”
“何道友！”
"Ha ha, Friend Daoist He, never mind that. Let's hear about this unlimited fundraising plan."
hé zhèng hào yī dēng cháng ， tā men biàn fēn fēn rè qíng de xiàng tā dǎ qǐ le zhāo hū 。 zài tā men yǎn zhōng ， rú guǒ shuō lǐ fán shì cái shén yé de huà ， nà me hé zhèng hào ， jiù shì biāo zhǔn de sàn cái tóng zi le 。
何正浩一登场，他们便纷纷热情的向他打起了招呼。在他们眼中，如果说李凡是财神爷的话，那么何正浩，就是标准的散财童子了。
...
yī fān hán xuān guò hòu ， yǒu xiū shì pò bù jí dài de fā wèn ：“ hé dào yǒu ， mì shǐ dà rén tuī yǎn chū lái ， zhàn zhēng yào jié shù le ？ wán quán méi yǒu jì xiàng a 。 jīn tiān hái tīng dào xiān méng biǎo tài ， yào xuè zhàn dào dǐ ne ……”
一番寒暄过后，有修士迫不及待的发问：“何道友，秘使大人推衍出来，战争要结束了？完全没有迹象啊。今天还听到仙盟表态，要血战到底呢……”
He Zhenghao waved his hands, and the room instantly fell silent.
cǐ rén huà hái wèi shuō wán ， biàn bèi qī zuǐ bā shé de zhòng rén dǎ duàn 。
此人话还未说完，便被七嘴八舌的众人打断。
Smiling, he began to explain the details.
“ mì shǐ dà rén tuī yǎn zhī shù tōng tiān chè dì ， qǐ huì chū cuò ？ nǐ zhè sī jì bù xìn ， jīn tiān yòu hé bì qián lái ？”
“秘使大人推衍之术通天彻地，岂会出错？你这厮既不信，今天又何必前来？”
The cultivators were thrilled when He Zhenghao confirmed it himself.
“ hēi hēi ， hé dào yǒu ， bié guǎn tā 。 hái shì gēn wǒ men zǐ xì jiǎng jiǎng ， zhè cì shàng bù fēng dǐng de mù zī jì huà ba 。”
“嘿嘿，何道友，别管他。还是跟我们仔细讲讲，这次上不封顶的募资计划吧。”
However, given the scale of this fundraising, just one person couldn't control the situation. Some still harbored doubts.
……
……
At that moment, Li Fan appeared.
hé zhèng hào shuāng shǒu xū àn ， chǎng zhōng shùn jiān wèi zhī yī jìng 。
何正浩双手虚按，场中瞬间为之一静。
A silver light descended from among the mountains in the sky.
miàn dài wēi xiào zhī sè ， tā wèi zhòng rén jiǎng shù qǐ qí zhōng xì jié qǐ lái 。
面带微笑之色，他为众人讲述起其中细节起来。
Wearing a white Daoist robe and treading on starlight, he arrived swiftly, landing in the center of attention.
xiū shì men dé dào hé zhèng hào qīn kǒu chéng rèn ， jiē shì jī dòng wàn fēn 。
修士们得到何正浩亲口承认，皆是激动万分。
The rhythmic波动 emanating from him caught everyone's notice.
zhǐ shì bì jìng zhè cì mù zī guī mó tài dà ， guāng píng tā yí gè hé zhèng hào ， hái yā bú zhù chǎng 。 yī xiē xiū shì xīn zhōng ， nán miǎn réng rán yǒu xiē yí lǜ 。
只是毕竟这次募资规模太大，光凭他一个何正浩，还压不住场。一些修士心中，难免仍然有些疑虑。
Despite being invited by He Zhenghao, all present were wealthy and well-traveled. But they were still stunned by the lingering aura around Li Fan.
】
】
It was like facing the boundless Dao of Heaven and Earth; just a hint brought forth countless insights in their minds.
jiù zài cǐ shí ， lǐ fán dēng cháng le 。
就在此时，李凡登场了。
One cultivator even closed his eyes with joy, as if enlightened, and began to practice right there.
yī dào yín sè guāng huī ， cóng tiān kōng zhōng de qún shān jiān sǎ xià 。
一道银色光辉，从天空中的群山间洒下。
"What kind of power is this? Even a Transcendent Immortal would be far less formidable!"
lǐ fán shēn zhe bái sè dào páo ， jiǎo tà xīng guāng ， kàn shì bù jí bù xú 、 shí zé shùn xī ér zhì ， jiàng lín chǎng zhōng 。
李凡身着白色道袍，脚踏星光，看似不疾不徐、实则瞬息而至，降临场中。
"Could it be that the Secret Envoy has regained his true realm?"
cóng lǐ fán de shēn shàng ， chuán lái zhèn zhèn yùn lǜ bō dòng 。
从李凡的身上，传来阵阵韵律波动。
The cultivators exchanged glances, clearly shaken.
qǐng kè jiān xī yǐn le quán tǐ xiū shì de zhù yì 。
顷刻间吸引了全体修士的注意。
"I have been in seclusion for some time and made a little progress. But I am still not fully adapted to it."
zài chǎng zhòng rén jì rán néng bèi hé zhèng hào yāo qǐng ér lái ， zì rán quán dōu shì shēn jiā bù fēi 、 jiàn guò shì miàn de 。
在场众人既然能被何正浩邀请而来，自然全都是身家不菲、见过世面的。
"I beg your forgiveness." Li Fan said calmly.
dàn miàn duì cǐ kè lǐ fán shēn shàng cán cún de qì xī ， yě quán dōu bèi zhèn hàn dào le 。
但面对此刻李凡身上残存的气息，也全都被震撼到了。
Their hearts trembled as they imagined what he might be capable of.
fǎng fú zhí miàn xuán ào wú qióng de tiān dì dà dào ， zhǐ shì shāo wēi zhān dé shǎo xǔ ， nǎo hǎi zhōng jiù bù yóu zì zhǔ dì fú xiàn chū zhǒng zhǒng gǎn wù 。
仿佛直面玄奥无穷的天地大道，只是稍微沾得少许，脑海中就不由自主地浮现出种种感悟。
Li Fan nodded slightly. After the room quieted down, he continued: "During this seclusion, my cultivation advanced further and I also repaired our sect's treasure, the [Heavenly Earth Dice]."
shèn zhì dāng chǎng jiù yǒu yī míng xiū shì ， miàn lù kuáng xǐ 、 ruò yǒu suǒ wù 。 yě bù guǎn chǎng hé ， zhí jiē bì mù xiū xíng qǐ lái 。
甚至当场就有一名修士，面露狂喜、若有所悟。也不管场合，直接闭目修行起来。
"This item was damaged during its trial in my martial arts hall. Although repairing it is a simple task, I had a premonition that the time was not right."
“ zhè shì shén me yàng de wēi shì ？ nǎ pà huà shén xiān jūn ， yě yuǎn bù rú cǐ ba ？”
“这是什么样的威势？哪怕化神仙君，也远不如此吧？”
In his palm appeared a clear twenty-sided die.
“ nán bù chéng ， mì shǐ dà rén huī fù běn lái jìng jiè le ？”
“难不成，秘使大人恢复本来境界了？”
It spun, and one could see countless flickering images on its facets.
zhòng rén fēn fēn duì shì ， nán yǎn xīn zhōng de zhèn hài 。
众人纷纷对视，难掩心中的震骇。
"In recent days, I achieved some success and felt it was time to restore it completely."
“ bǐ rén bì guān liáng jiǔ ， yǒu le xiē xǔ wēi bù zú dào de shōu huò ， shàng qiě hái bù néng shì yìng 、 jìn shù shōu liǎn 。”
“鄙人闭关良久，有了些许微不足道的收获，尚且还不能适应、尽数收敛。”
"Indeed, this process revealed glimpses of the future."
“ dǎo shì ràng zhū wèi jiàn xiào le 。” lǐ fán dàn dàn dì shuō dào 。
“倒是让诸位见笑了。”李凡澹澹地说道。
The cultivators listened intently.
zhòng rén xīn zhōng jù zhèn ， fú xiǎng lián piān ， lián dào bù gǎn 。
众人心中剧震，浮想联翩，连道不敢。
"I will soon return the governance of Cunyun Sea to Hongxi and Ziyun Transcendent Immortals. As you know, while I currently oversee its administration, they are temporarily absent."
lǐ fán wēi wēi diǎn tóu ， děng piàn kè zhī hòu 、 ān jìng xià lái ， fāng cái huǎn huǎn shuō dào ：“ cǐ cì bì guān ， wǒ xiū wèi gèng jìn yí bù de tóng shí ， yě shùn dào xiū fù le wǒ tiān jī zōng zhì bǎo 【 tiān dì qián kūn tóu 】。”
李凡微微点头，等片刻之后、安静下来，方才缓缓说道：“此次闭关，我修为更进一步的同时，也顺道修复了我天机宗至宝【天地乾坤骰】。”
Li Fan's face remained unchanged as if discussing something unconnected to him.
“ cǐ wù yuán xiān zài wǒ yǎn wǔ táng shòu shěn shí ， qiáng xíng tuī yǎn tiān jī zhōng sǔn huài 。 suī rán xiū fù tā bù guò jǔ shǒu zhī láo ， kě wǒ què xīn zhōng yǐn yǐn yǒu suǒ yù gǎn ， shí hòu wèi dào 。 gù yì zhí méi yǒu dòng shǒu 。”
“此物原先在我演武堂受审时，强行推衍天机中损坏。虽然修复它不过举手之劳，可我却心中隐隐有所预感，时候未到。故一直没有动手。”
"Once they return, for both reasons, I must relinquish my power."
lǐ fán shuō zhe ， yī méi jīng yíng tī tòu de zhèng èr shí miàn tǐ tóu zi ， zài tā zhǎng zhōng fú xiàn 。
李凡说着，一枚晶莹剔透的正二十面体骰子，在他掌中浮现。
"I am an ancient cultivator, used to a carefree life. I do not wish to be constrained by others. Perhaps from now on, I will resign the Secret Envoy position and leave Cunyun Sea to explore the Immortal Alliance's heartland."
bù tíng xuán zhuǎn ， cóng líng lóng de tóu miàn zhōng ， yī xī kě yǐ kàn jiàn wú shù fēi kuài shǎn shuò de huà miàn 。
不停旋转，从玲珑的骰面中，依稀可以看见无数飞快闪烁的画面。
"Having governed this region, I owe you all a debt of gratitude. My success in rebuilding the city was due to your support."
“ qián duàn shí jiān ， wǒ xiū xíng yǒu chéng 。 yòu fú lín xīn zhì ， zhī dào shì shí hòu gù jiāng qí jǐn fù le 。”
“前段时间，我修行有成。又福临心至，知道是时候故将其尽复了。”
"Therefore, before leaving, I will assist you one last time."
“ zài zhè ge guò chéng zhōng ， guǒ rán ràng wǒ kàn dào le wèi lái de yī sī kě néng 。”
“在这个过程中，果然让我看到了未来的一丝可能。”
Li Fan swept his gaze over them: "After this, our paths diverge and we may never meet again."
zhòng rén xīn zhōng yī lǐn ， quán dōu dǎ qǐ jīng shén 、 zǐ xì líng tīng 。
众人心中一凛，全都打起精神、仔细聆听。
His words caused a commotion.
“ hóng xī 、 zǐ yún liǎng wèi huà shén xiān jūn ， bù rì huò jiāng zhòng guī cóng yún xiān chéng 。 nǐ men yě zhī dào ， wǒ rú jīn suī rán tǒng lǐng cóng yún hǎi zhèng wù ， què yě bù guò shì zhè liǎng wèi bù zài ， zàn wèi jiē guǎn bà le 。”
“鸿曦、紫云两位化神仙君，不日或将重归丛云仙城。你们也知道，我如今虽然统领丛云海政务，却也不过是这两位不在，暂为接管罢了。”
These were not simple-minded people. While Li Fan claimed he did not wish for power and wanted to retreat, why go through the trouble of such a grand fundraising campaign if he had no intention of staying?
lǐ fán miàn sè méi yǒu sī háo bō dòng ， fǎng fú zài shù shuō zhe yī jiàn gēn zì jǐ wú guān de shì qíng 。
李凡面色没有丝毫波动，仿佛在述说着一件跟自己无关的事情。
"Ah, so this is his way of seeking our support for his bid for power!"
“ yí dàn tā men guī lái ， yú qíng yú lǐ ， wǒ dōu shì yào jiāng quán lì jiāo huán de 。”
“一旦他们归来，于情于理，我都是要将权力交还的。”
"Indeed, as the highest official in a region, it's not easy to just step down."
“ wǒ nǎi shàng gǔ xiū shì ， xián yún yě hè 、 sǎn màn guàn le ， bù yuàn shòu rén xié zhì 。 huò xǔ zì cǐ zhī hòu ， wǒ jiāng cí qù mì zì shǐ yī zhí ， yùn dùn lí kāi cóng yún hǎi ， qù xiān méng fù dì guàng yī guàng 。”
“我乃上古修士，闲云野鹤、散漫惯了，不愿受人挟制。或许自此之后，我将辞去秘字使一职，运遁离开丛云海，去仙盟腹地逛一逛。”
Many cultivators suddenly understood. They recalled how He Zhenghao and others were promoted after supporting Li Fan.
“ wǒ rù shì zhǔ zhèng yī fāng ， yǔ nǐ men bì jìng yǒu yī cháng yuán fǎ 。 wǒ néng chéng gōng wán chéng chóng jiàn xiān chéng de rèn wù ， yě shào bù liǎo zhū wèi de dà lì zhī chí 。”
“我入世主政一方，与你们毕竟有一场缘法。我能成功完成重建仙城的任务，也少不了诸位的大力支持。”
They felt an opportunity had come.
“ gù ， wǒ jué dìng zài cí zhí zhī qián ， zài bāng nǐ men yī bǎ 。”
“故，我决定在辞职之前，再帮你们一把。”
"The Secret Envoy does not need to worry. We will follow your lead!"
lǐ fán shuāng mù sǎo guò zhòng rén ：“ cǐ shì zhī hòu ， wǒ men zhī jiān yuán fēn jiāng jǐn ， kǒng zài wú guā gé le 。”
李凡双目扫过众人：“此事之后，我们之间缘分将尽，恐再无瓜葛了。”
"Right, Transcendent Immortals Hongxi and Ziyun are respected figures. But they were aloof when in office. They can't match the wealth and support you bring us."
cǐ yán jì chū ， chǎng zhōng yī piàn huá rán 。
此言既出，场中一片哗然。
"I have participated in these fundraising plans before. With my own efforts, I've more than doubled my assets over just a few years!"
zài chǎng dōu bú shì yú dùn zhī bèi ， suī rán lǐ fán míng miàn shàng shì shuō ， zì jǐ bù yuàn zhēng quán 、 gù yù yuǎn dùn 。
在场都不是愚钝之辈，虽然李凡明面上是说，自己不愿争权、故欲远遁。
"Even though it took me some time to realize this, I still gained a lot!"
dàn rú guǒ tā zhēn de méi yǒu zhè bān dǎ suàn ， zhí jiē bà guān lí qù jiù shì 。 yòu hé bì zài gǎo zhè me yī chū shēng shì hào dà de mù zī ， lǒng luò rén xīn ne ？
但如果他真的没有这般打算，直接罢官离去就是。又何必再搞这么一出声势浩大的募资，笼络人心呢？
"Support the Secret Envoy!"
“ yuán lái rú cǐ ！ tā zhè shì yào wèi zì jǐ duó quán ， xún qiú wǒ men zhī chí de ！”
“原来如此！他这是要为自己夺权，寻求我们支持的！”
"With the Secret Envoy, we can make fortunes and achieve great Dao!"
“ yě shì ， zài zěn me shuō ， yě shì yī zhōu zhī dì zuì gāo zhí zhèng 。 yě bú shì zhè me róng yì ， shuō fàng xià 、 jiù fàng xià de 。”
“也是，再怎么说，也是一州之地最高执政。也不是这么容易，说放下、就放下的。”
...
zài chǎng bù shǎo xiū shì ， dùn gǎn huǎng rán dà wù 。
在场不少修士，顿感恍然大悟。
With one person leading the way, the other cultivators responded in unison. "Support the Secret Envoy!"
lián xiǎng dào zhī qián fán shì duì lǐ fán zhōng xīn gěng gěng de zhī chí zhě men ， rú hé zhèng hào 、 gāo yuǎn děng rén ， zài tā dòu zhēng shèng lì zhī hòu ， quán dōu dé dào zhòng yòng 、 shēn jū guān jiàn zhí wèi 。
联想到之前凡是对李凡忠心耿耿的支持者们，如何正浩、高远等人，在他斗争胜利之后，全都得到重用、身居关键职位。
Li Fan glanced at He Zhenghao. He quickly took out the contract and list from his storage ring.
tā men de xīn zhōng ， jué de jī huì lái le 。
他们的心中，觉得机会来了。
They began to fundraise on the spot.
“ mì shǐ dà rén wú xū yōu lǜ 。 wǒ děng dìng rán wèi dà rén mǎ shǒu shì zhān ！”
“秘使大人无需忧虑。我等定然为大人马首是瞻！”
The enthusiastic atmosphere and Li Fan's watchful gaze compelled even those who were reluctant to contribute some of their own resources.
“ bù cuò ， hóng xī yǔ zǐ yún liǎng wèi xiān jūn ， suī rán míng shēng bù cuò 。 dàn tā men zài wèi shí ， dà duō gāo gāo zài shàng 、 bù jiǎ yán sè 。 nǎ huì xiàng dà rén zhè bān ， dài lǐng dào yǒu men yì qǐ fā cái ？”
“不错，鸿曦与紫云两位仙君，虽然名声不错。但他们在位时，大多高高在上、不假颜色。哪会像大人这般，带领道友们一起发财？”
"To create a grand impression, I used up a piece of [Humanity Star Dust] and several Enlightenment Pills when I appeared."
“ bù mán zhū wèi ， mì shǐ dà rén de mù zī jì huà ， wǒ měi cì dōu yǒu xìng cān yù 。 zài jiā shàng zì wǒ yùn zuò ， bù guò jǐ nián guāng jǐng ， bǐ qǐ zuì chū wǒ shēn jiā yǐ jīng zú zú bào zhǎng le liù bèi yǒu yú ！”
“不瞒诸位，秘使大人的募资计划，我每次都有幸参与。再加上自我运作，不过几年光景，比起最初我身家已经足足暴涨了六倍有余！”
"Please don't take back what is due from you," he thought.
Lustrous Isle.
He Zhenghao looked at the island he had guarded for decades, and then at his successor who stood there meekly nodding. A surge of pride welled up in him.
Not long ago, he too was like this young man, feeling anxious when superiors came to inspect. He feared being blamed.
But now, just a few years later, He Zhenghao had become the kind of "big shot" that used to intimidate him.
He encouraged Zhao Changli, his junior, and then entered the [Mountain River Star Constellation Array]. The mountains hung overhead, blocking any potential prying eyes from outside.
The cultivators invited by He Zhenghao were already waiting there. "Friend Daoist He!" They greeted him enthusiastically. To them, Li Fan was like a god of wealth, while He Zhenghao was the typical dispenser of that wealth.
After some pleasantries, one cultivator asked impatiently: "Friend Daoist He, did the Secret Envoy predict an end to the war? There are no signs! The Immortal Alliance just declared they will fight until the bitter end today..."
The others interrupted him. "The Secret Envoy's divination techniques are unparalleled; how could he be wrong? If you don't believe it, why come at all?"
"Ha ha, Friend Daoist He, never mind that. Let's hear about this unlimited fundraising plan."
...
He Zhenghao waved his hands, and the room instantly fell silent.
Smiling, he began to explain the details.
The cultivators were thrilled when He Zhenghao confirmed it himself.
However, given the scale of this fundraising, just one person couldn't control the situation. Some still harbored doubts.
At that moment, Li Fan appeared.
A silver light descended from among the mountains in the sky.
Wearing a white Daoist robe and treading on starlight, he arrived swiftly, landing in the center of attention.
The rhythmic波动 emanating from him caught everyone's notice.
Despite being invited by He Zhenghao, all present were wealthy and well-traveled. But they were still stunned by the lingering aura around Li Fan.
It was like facing the boundless Dao of Heaven and Earth; just a hint brought forth countless insights in their minds.
One cultivator even closed his eyes with joy, as if enlightened, and began to practice right there.
"What kind of power is this? Even a Transcendent Immortal would be far less formidable!"
"Could it be that the Secret Envoy has regained his true realm?"
The cultivators exchanged glances, clearly shaken.
"I have been in seclusion for some time and made a little progress. But I am still not fully adapted to it."
"I beg your forgiveness." Li Fan said calmly.
Their hearts trembled as they imagined what he might be capable of.
Li Fan nodded slightly. After the room quieted down, he continued: "During this seclusion, my cultivation advanced further and I also repaired our sect's treasure, the [Heavenly Earth Dice]."
"This item was damaged during its trial in my martial arts hall. Although repairing it is a simple task, I had a premonition that the time was not right."
In his palm appeared a clear twenty-sided die.
It spun, and one could see countless flickering images on its facets.
"In recent days, I achieved some success and felt it was time to restore it completely."
"Indeed, this process revealed glimpses of the future."
The cultivators listened intently.
"I will soon return the governance of Cunyun Sea to Hongxi and Ziyun Transcendent Immortals. As you know, while I currently oversee its administration, they are temporarily absent."
Li Fan's face remained unchanged as if discussing something unconnected to him.
"Once they return, for both reasons, I must relinquish my power."
"I am an ancient cultivator, used to a carefree life. I do not wish to be constrained by others. Perhaps from now on, I will resign the Secret Envoy position and leave Cunyun Sea to explore the Immortal Alliance's heartland."
"Having governed this region, I owe you all a debt of gratitude. My success in rebuilding the city was due to your support."
"Therefore, before leaving, I will assist you one last time."
Li Fan swept his gaze over them: "After this, our paths diverge and we may never meet again."
His words caused a commotion.
These were not simple-minded people. While Li Fan claimed he did not wish for power and wanted to retreat, why go through the trouble of such a grand fundraising campaign if he had no intention of staying?
"Ah, so this is his way of seeking our support for his bid for power!"
"Indeed, as the highest official in a region, it's not easy to just step down."
Many cultivators suddenly understood. They recalled how He Zhenghao and others were promoted after supporting Li Fan.
They felt an opportunity had come.
"The Secret Envoy does not need to worry. We will follow your lead!"
"Right, Transcendent Immortals Hongxi and Ziyun are respected figures. But they were aloof when in office. They can't match the wealth and support you bring us."
"I have participated in these fundraising plans before. With my own efforts, I've more than doubled my assets over just a few years!"
"Even though it took me some time to realize this, I still gained a lot!"
"Support the Secret Envoy!"
"With the Secret Envoy, we can make fortunes and achieve great Dao!"
...
With one person leading the way, the other cultivators responded in unison. "Support the Secret Envoy!"
Li Fan glanced at He Zhenghao. He quickly took out the contract and list from his storage ring.
They began to fundraise on the spot.
The enthusiastic atmosphere and Li Fan's watchful gaze compelled even those who were reluctant to contribute some of their own resources.
"To create a grand impression, I used up a piece of [Humanity Star Dust] and several Enlightenment Pills when I appeared."
"Please don't take back what is due from you," he thought.