“Unlike us ordinary folks, the lord surely has far grander ambitions,” Gao Yuan said slowly, his tone pensive.
“What we crave—those official positions in the Immortal Alliance—he may not even care about,” he continued. “Even though he hides it well, you can tell when someone is truly enamored with power.”
He Zhenghao listened intently, his expression serious as he nodded in agreement.
“From what I know, Lord Envoy was actually forced to accept the position as acting lord of Ten Thousand Immortal Island. His mission to rebuild the Immortal City was, in fact, a task thrust upon him,” Gao Yuan unexpectedly revealed.
He Zhenghao looked stunned, his eyes wide with surprise. “Is that really the case?”
Gao Yuan nodded. “I’m not sure of the underlying complexities, but thankfully, Lord Envoy managed to complete the task.”
“He even changed the fates of many of us along the way.”
“Currently, he serves as the ‘Secret Envoy,’ governing the affairs of the Congyun Sea region. But I suspect he has little interest in directly managing things,” Gao Yuan speculated.
“I also believe that, given his remarkable talent, it would be a true waste for him to spend time on mundane tasks.”
“What he needs,” Gao Yuan analyzed carefully, “are people who can keep things running smoothly in his absence, without him having to worry.”
“The two tasks he assigned us this time—these are tests,” he continued. “And that ‘Divine Spirit jade Slip’—that’s a trap.”
“If we lose control of the situation and need to consult him…”
“Perhaps our positions wouldn’t change, but in his heart, we’d certainly be branded as incompetent,” Gao Yuan said gravely.
He Zhenghao was startled. “Is it really that bad?”
Gao Yuan gave a cold hum. “Haven’t you ever noticed the way he looks at us?”
“His gaze? What about it?” He Zhenghao asked, puzzled, eagerly seeking clarification.
“Though he appears friendly, sometimes even humble… beneath the surface…” Gao Yuan’s eyes showed a hint of fear.
“Deep down in his eyes, the way he looks at all of us is the same.”
“It’s like how we cultivators view ordinary mortals… no, that’s not quite right,” Gao Yuan shook his head, frowning as he searched for the right words.
After a pause, he pointed to the tables and chairs in the council chamber and spoke in a low tone. “That’s it. In his eyes, all of us are like these—mere tools.”
“It’s as if we’re not even on the same level of existence. To him, we are likely nothing but tools.”
“Back when I was on guard duty outside the Provincial Affairs Hall, I had the chance to see a Dao Integration cultivator. But even that Dao Integration Immortal Sage didn’t look at me with such detachment.” 𝘳
“I’ve heard that the lord hails from the ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect and was forced into deep slumber due to certain events, causing his cultivation to fall to the Golden Core stage.”
“There are even rumors of him slaying several Nascent Soul cultivators at the Golden Core stage,” Gao Yuan murmured, his voice growing softer, a glimmer of fear flickering in his eyes.
He Zhenghao shuddered slightly, sensing the underlying implication in Gao Yuan’s words.
Gao Yuan suspected that in ancient times, Li Fan might have been a cultivator at the Longevity stage.
It’s well known that reaching the Longevity stage marks a genuine transcendence. The very essence of life changes, setting these cultivators apart from those at the Dao Integration, Soul Transformation, or Nascent Soul stages.
Only those at the Longevity stage could view all beings with such detachment.
When combining this notion with Li Fan’s countless legendary feats, everything suddenly seemed to make sense.
Many cultivators are adept at the art of divination, but none have used it like Li Fan, turning it into a tool for fortune-building, effortlessly doubling his wealth.
If the art of divination were truly so miraculous, every cultivator would be clamoring to learn it.
For thousands of years, the art of divination has remained tepid, for a reason.
Only a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign, one who has mastered divination to its pinnacle, could so easily see through the future.
Rumors in the Congyun Sea whispered that the sudden lockdown of Ten Thousand Immortal Island and the Five Elders’ assault to seize the entire island was all due to a prophecy.
Although everyone credited this prophecy to the famed Gong Sun Qixuan, some privately believed that he was, in fact, influenced by Li Fan’s divination.
If Li Fan were indeed a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign, then his feats—slaying Nascent Souls at the Golden Core stage, and even possessing a Soul Transformation puppet as his mount—would all be unremarkable.
If he couldn’t achieve such things, could he truly be called a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign?
…
Within the council chamber of the Administration Hall, an eerie silence fell.
An odd tension brewed between He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan.
The more they thought about it, the more they felt their speculation was reasonable and well-founded.
Their bodies began to tremble slightly.
Firstly, from their natural awe of a Longevity-stage powerhouse.
Secondly, because…
Being considered a close confidant by a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign, even if only temporarily and in appearance… is a tremendous honor.
As their minds swirled with thoughts, they both silently pondered for a long time.
Finally, He Zhenghao broke the silence.
Clearing his throat, he spoke softly, “Brother Gao, this matter is all just your speculation.”
“It’s best not to mention it to outsiders lightly.”
“Let it be known only to you and me.”
Gao Yuan glanced at He Zhenghao, nodding slightly. “Of course, I am well aware.”
They exchanged a meaningful smile, everything understood without a word.
There was an unspoken thought between them.
If Li Fan truly were a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign, then serving him now…
Once he fully recovers his strength…
Their stage would no longer be confined to the small realm of Congyun Sea.
He Zhenghao also recalled his former wife, and a long-extinguished flame of ambition subtly reignited in his eyes.
—
Deep within the Administration Hall, Li Fan refocused his attention and summoned a water mirror.
Stroking his chin, he examined his reflection in the mirror.
“An indifferent gaze…”
He stared blankly into his own eyes.
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