The events and results of this battle, though deliberately downplayed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, can still be discerned through the series of actions taken afterward.
Newly issued offensive orders were hastily rescinded; directives were sent to all states, commanding them to fortify their defenses against infiltration by Five Elders Association cultivators. States were strictly prohibited from initiating conflict, with current missions focused primarily on defense.
Deployment orders to the frontlines also became increasingly frequent.
“Changing orders on a whim—what a slapdash operation!”
Almost overnight, the strategy underwent a complete 180-degree turn, prompting widespread complaints among the alliance cultivators. However, out of fear of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s overwhelming authority, no one dared voice their grievances openly. Such frustrations were only vented in private gatherings.
The progress of war was not subject to the will of cultivators.
What once seemed an overwhelming advantage quickly transformed into a stalemate between the two sides.
As the external war faltered, internal chaos also erupted.
At the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters, it was rumored that many high-ranking cultivators were dismissed and placed under investigation. Even long-serving, influential Dao Integration cultivators were not spared.
Even when these cultivators were released—visibly weakened and clearly tortured—they remained tight-lipped, refusing to discuss the matter regardless of the questions posed.
This only served to spread suspicion and panic, as no one wanted to be the next person dragged off for mysterious interrogations.
Li Fan, however, knew the truth. The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was searching for a mole who didn’t exist.
No matter how hard they tried, they would never suspect that the one responsible for leaking the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation was a minor Golden Core cultivator in a remote area on the alliance’s outskirts—none other than Li Fan himself.
Thus, this investigation was destined to lead nowhere.
In the end, it would likely conclude with a few unfortunate scapegoats tortured into confessing crimes they never committed, just to wrap things up.
And on Li Fan’s growing list of the injured, there would once again be the names of innocents.
After roughly understanding the course of the past year’s events, Li Fan turned his attention to the many messages that He Zhenghao had sent to “Zhou Qingang.”
Most of them were inquiries and reminders about when he would emerge from seclusion.
At the start, the messages were frequent, but as time passed, they gradually dwindled—perhaps due to resignation or some other reason.
“The Lord Envoy is deeply secluded, and now you’re doing the same.”
“I can’t even reach anyone.”
“Now look, everyone’s following the trend. One by one, they’ve destroyed their communication talismans and claimed to have gone into seclusion.”
“At this rate, we won’t even be able to gather ten administrative staff in Congyun City’s Administration Hall! How am I supposed to explain this to the lord envoy when he returns?!”
He Zhenghao lamented bitterly, but Li Fan merely sneered.
“Do you even acknowledge me as the Lord Secret Envoy anymore?”
Unconcerned with the ramblings of someone soon to die, Li Fan swiftly erased the messages in his communication talisman and left his secluded chamber, quietly appearing in the main hall of the Administration Hall.
—
In the hall, a conversation was underway:
“Brother Gao, the position of Pill Hall Quality Inspector has recently opened up. Someone offered me 50,000 contribution points for it. What do you think?”
“I think it’s too low—at least 80,000.”
“After all, just recently, the position of Drill Sergeant in the Martial Arts Hall went for a full 130,000 contributions. This time…”
The discussion abruptly stopped when they noticed another person in the room.
Awkwardly, He Zhenghao turned to look at “Zhou Qingang,” his face flushed with embarrassment. Gao Yuan, however, narrowed his eyes slightly, showing no signs of panic at being caught in the act of trading positions for personal gain. Instead, he smiled warmly and greeted “Zhou Qingang” naturally:
“Daoist Zhou, long time no see! Perfect timing—you can help us decide!”
He then candidly recounted their scheme of selling vacant positions in Congyun City, eagerly awaiting “Zhou Qingang’s” opinion.
The move not only dissolved the initial awkwardness but also subtly drew Zhou Qingang into their circle. Even Li Fan, who had spent centuries navigating the bureaucratic intricacies of the immortal world, couldn’t help but silently commend the tactic.
Smiling faintly, he looked at the two but didn’t act like a righteous whistleblower intent on exposing them. Instead, after a moment of mock deliberation, he slammed the table:
“80,000 contribution points?”
“Too low! One price—160,000 contribution points! Take it or leave it!”
The sudden doubling of the price left He Zhenghao dumbfounded.
After a brief pause, he recovered and chuckled wryly, trying to reason: “Fellow Daoist Zhou, you might not be aware of the current market conditions after your seclusion.”
“The position of [Pill Hall] Quality Inspector can only fetch, at most, 80,000. After all, we’re not the only ones in Congyun Sea selling positions. Buyers come to us because it’s cheaper here and can serve as a stepping stone.”
“But if we double the price like this…”
He Zhenghao shook his head. “Why would anyone pay so much when they could go to Luoyan Prefecture or some other more prosperous region?”
Gao Yuan also nodded in agreement.
Li Fan sneered at the two, his eyes brimming with disdain. “I’m out of touch? Or are you two the ones who don’t understand the current situation?”
The change in “Zhou Qingang’s” demeanor was stark—completely unlike his usual measured and steady self.
Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao exchanged glances, their expressions filled with doubt. Something didn’t add up.
Cautiously, He Zhenghao leaned forward and asked, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, what do you mean?”
Ignoring him, “Zhou Qingang” directed his gaze coldly at Gao Yuan, who briefly flashed a look of anger before suppressing it and putting on a polite smile.
Finally, Li Fan spoke, his tone deliberate:
“The war in Tianling Prefecture is nearing its end, and hostilities are about to cease. Your little scheme of buying and selling official positions under the cover of wartime chaos is almost over!”
—
This revelation left Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao truly stunned.
Their shock was no longer feigned.
In the brief silence that followed, disbelief flashed in their eyes.
“But Fellow Daoist Zhou,” He Zhenghao quickly asked, “there’s been no news of this. How could you know?”
Gao Yuan chimed in, “Indeed, such matters concern the entire alliance, and Fellow Daoist Zhou mustn’t speak lightly.”
Li Fan’s cold gaze swept over them.
“How do I know?” he sneered. “Naturally, Lord Secret Envoy himself informed me!”
………………………………………………………………
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