He Zhenghao glanced at Gao Yuan briefly, then quickly expressed his loyalty to Li Fan.
Li Fan was noncommittal. He simply took out two small metallic figurines, somewhat resembling himself, from his storage ring and handed one to each of them.
“These are Divine Spirit Jade Slip. Each contains a fragment of my divine consciousness, similar to a partial clone.”
“While I am in seclusion, I will sever all contact with the outside world. If there’s ever an urgent situation, you may use this to reach me.”
Li Fan’s tone was calm as he spoke.
Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao carefully put the metallic figurines away, feeling both honored and slightly overwhelmed.
The Divine Spirit Jade Slip was not unfamiliar to them. Cultivators usually entrusted such artifacts only to the closest and most trusted of disciples, using it as a personal tool for teaching and guidance.
For Lord Envoy to entrust us with something so significant—it truly shows his complete trust in us!
Feeling deeply moved, Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao bowed in gratitude once again.
—
In the Bureau of Administration’s council chamber, He Zhenghao was organizing the list of relevant cultivators.
Since Li Fan suddenly announced the temporary suspension of the contribution-gathering initiative, many cultivators who had hesitated and chosen to wait on the sidelines were filled with regret.
After all, Li Fan’s funding initiative had already run for several phases. Each time, the contributions were returned with interest as scheduled, and sometimes even early. The feared scenario of Li Fan taking the funds and disappearing had never occurred.
These previously doubtful cultivators had gradually started to trust Li Fan, especially now that they had heard he’d been appointed Acting Island Lord of the Immortal Alliance.
The responsibility for handling the contributions rested with He Zhenghao, which led cultivators of all types to approach him with small tokens of goodwill, requesting that if Li Fan resumed the initiative, he would prioritize them.
If even the observers were acting this way, then it was no surprise that those who had reaped benefits in the earlier rounds had long since spoken to He Zhenghao.
“Initially, I was worried that there’d be too many people and I wouldn’t be able to manage it all. But now, with a billion contribution points, there’s plenty for everyone.” He Zhenghao grinned as he listed names and began sending out messages.
“Fellow Daoist, the matter you asked about has come to fruition! I’ve received reliable information…”
While He Zhenghao was full of excitement, Gao Yuan, on the other hand, appeared somewhat perplexed.
He tapped his fingers on the table, eyes half-closed, seemingly lost in thought.
After a while, as He Zhenghao finished his task and stretched to relieve his fatigue, he finally noticed Gao Yuan’s odd demeanor.
“Brother Gao, is something on your mind?” he asked, slightly puzzled.
“I’m pondering the significance behind the two tasks the Lord Envoy assigned us,” Gao Yuan said, his expression serious.
“Significance? Wasn’t it all quite clear…” He Zhenghao initially laughed, dismissing it as Gao Yuan overthinking. But then, he paused.
Looking around, he leaned in and whispered, “Brother, what’s your insight?”
Gao Yuan’s tone grew thoughtful. “The Lord Envoy always plans thoroughly before acting and does nothing without purpose.”
“Yet these two tasks he gave us feel a bit peculiar.”
He Zhenghao was baffled. “Peculiar? How so?”
“Fellow Daoist, would you say that a billion contribution points is a lot?” Gao Yuan didn’t answer directly but asked in return.
“Of course, it’s a fortune,” He Zhenghao replied, taken aback by the seemingly obvious question.
Gao Yuan chuckled. “A billion contribution points is indeed an astronomical amount for most.”
“But…”
“Do you recall, when the Lord Envoy mentioned the sum of ‘a billion,’ did his tone or expression show any reaction?”
He Zhenghao was momentarily stunned.
After frowning in contemplation, he eventually shook his head.
Gao Yuan continued, his voice calm and deliberate. “Exactly. He spoke of it as if it were no more than a routine matter, like eating or drinking. He merely mentioned it in passing without much emphasis.”
“Yet he repeatedly reminded us of his upcoming seclusion and how he would sever all contact with the outside world.”
“Would a mere billion contribution points warrant such solemnity from him?”
He Zhenghao was about to refute, but after some thought and recollecting Li Fan’s dismissive attitude toward wealth, he began to waver.
Upon further reflection, He Zhenghao nodded slowly, “It does seem odd. During my first meeting with him, he demonstrated his incredible ability to amass wealth.”
“In less than seven days, he’d doubled the contributions. With such skill, I doubt a billion contribution points would be of much significance to him.”
Gao Yuan nodded heavily. “Exactly. Even back when he was just an independent cultivator, he probably didn’t value a billion points all that highly.”
“Not to mention that now he is essentially the ruler of the Congyun Sea territory.”
“I’ve never heard of a regional leader going into deep seclusion over a mere billion contribution points.”
“So his claim that ‘the matter is critical and requires meticulous preparation’ is nothing but an excuse!”
Gao Yuan’s eyes flashed, his tone resolute.
He Zhenghao pondered this for a moment before nodding in agreement.
“But then, what is his true purpose? The city has just been restored, and much needs to be done. Why would he choose this moment to go into seclusion?” he asked in confusion.
Gao Yuan, brimming with confidence, replied, “In my view, this is the Lord Envoy’s way of testing us.”
“Testing us?” He Zhenghao was baffled.
“Precisely,” Gao Yuan said with certainty.
“You know I’m known for my ability to read people. I can understand someone’s character and temperament after only a brief interaction.”
“As for the Lord Envoy…”
“I wouldn’t claim to fully understand him, but one thing is beyond doubt.”
Lowering his voice, Gao Yuan continued, “He is inherently free-spirited and would never submit to the constraints of mundane affairs.”
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