“Zhou Qingang” explained his reasoning methodically. Upon hearing this, Gao Yuan couldn’t help but slap the table in admiration, exclaiming, “If this plan succeeds, nearly all the cultivators of the Congyun Sea will owe a debt of gratitude to the esteemed Lord Envoy.”
“Even if the two Soul Transformation Immortal Monarchs, Hongxi and Ziyun, return, they will have to carefully consider the consequences of opposing the Lord Envoy.”
“Our lord’s foresight is truly unparalleled, strategizing not just one step ahead, but a hundred steps. It’s beyond the comprehension of ordinary minds.”
The seemingly simple wealth accumulation plan turned out to have so many intricate layers that He Zhenghao couldn’t help but marvel at its brilliance.
Both men were deeply impressed.
However, they failed to notice a critical flaw in the seemingly flawless plan.
The key issue was whether Li Fan could genuinely achieve the promised “200% returns within five years” after absorbing an astronomical amount of contributions.
Perhaps it was because of Li Fan’s prior demonstrations of incredible, seemingly impossible abilities, which had subtly brainwashed them.
Or perhaps they had filled in the gaps of their imagination, believing Li Fan to be a fallen Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign. Their trust in his abilities had reached a point where they no longer doubted him.
After all, what’s a mere threefold return in five years?
How could such a thing stump the revered Lord Secret Envoy?
But in reality…
Even if Li Fan had reincarnated countless times in the Congyun Sea, possessing unparalleled foresight, this time, it was truly beyond his capabilities.
It wasn’t a question of his ability but a practical limitation. Once an asset base grows to a certain scale, doubling it becomes exponentially harder.
To put it bluntly, Li Fan was merely a speculator, profiting from buying low and selling high.
He was not a creator of wealth.
Unlike the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, he couldn’t generate contribution points infinitely and without restriction.
While he might manage to double a few million contribution points through skillful maneuvering, if the amount reached several billion or more…
Unless another unprecedented war broke out between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association—one he could anticipate in advance—it would be impossible. ɽ�
But it didn’t matter that he couldn’t deliver.
After all, from the beginning, he had never intended to fulfill the promised returns.
That’s why the fundraising plan was set to be closed for five years.
By the time five years passed, the Crimson Flame would engulf the Congyun Sea, reducing it to a wasteland.
With everyone dead, there would be no need to repay the debts.
Instead of letting the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance reclaim the contribution points, it was better to let Li Fan make use of them.
Thus, Li Fan carried no psychological burden.
As for the return of Lan Cang, Hao Xuan, and a group of Nascent Soul cultivators, while true, it was merely rhetoric to deceive He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan.
Whether they returned or not, Li Fan genuinely didn’t care.
If they dared return to the Congyun Sea, they would not escape the fate of death.
However, Li Fan did hope that some of the formation masters he was more familiar with, such as Zhang Zhiliang, could survive a little longer in this world.
These thoughts flashed through his mind. At this moment, “Zhou Qingang” turned to He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan and said, “You two have already disappointed the Lord Envoy once. Don’t waste this final chance to redeem yourselves!”
“You must ensure that the Lord Envoy’s plan is executed flawlessly.”
Both men nodded in agreement.
They were fully aware that if the two Soul Transformation Immortal Monarchs returned and Li Fan lost power, their fate, as members of Li Fan’s inner circle, would be dire.
Setting aside loyalty, even for their own survival, they had to give it their all this time.
However, Gao Yuan, being more cautious, hesitated for a moment. Before leaving, he cautiously asked Zhou Qingang, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you have the Lord Envoy’s token?”
“It’s not that we distrust you, but the stakes are simply too high…”
Zhou Qingang chuckled, about to reply, when two peculiar fluctuations suddenly emanated from the storage rings of He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan.
Both men’s faces changed as they recalled something.
They quickly retrieved the source of the anomaly: two ‘Divine Spirit Jade Slip’ that Li Fan had entrusted to them before entering seclusion.
The two jade slips merged in midair, forming a faint humanoid figure.
Li Fan’s voice echoed, “What you’ve said is not unreasonable. This matter is indeed significant enough to warrant my personal involvement.”
Seeing Li Fan suddenly appear, He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan panicked, immediately falling to their knees and exclaiming, “Greetings, Lord Secret Envoy!”
Their hearts raced with fear.
Li Fan’s words implied that their entire conversation with Zhou Qingang had been observed by the Lord Envoy from beginning to end!
In fact, it seemed every move they made since Li Fan had entered seclusion was under his control.
Terrified, the two prostrated themselves, heads touching the ground, not daring to move until Li Fan gave them permission.
“He Zhenghao!”
“Present!” He Zhenghao quickly responded.
“Select some representatives from the cultivators who participated in the previous fundraising plan. Arrange a meeting in ten days so I can personally explain the details of the five-year plan and reassure everyone.” Li Fan’s voice was steady and commanding.
Receiving this order, He Zhenghao felt a glimmer of relief and promptly agreed.
“Gao Yuan!”
“Present!” Gao Yuan’s voice trembled.
“Compile a list of the Congyun Sea cultivators who perished in the recent war in Tianling Prefecture. Submit it to me in ten days.”
Gao Yuan quickly agreed as well.
The light from the Divine Spirit Jade Slip grew dim, eventually fading away entirely.
The jade slip fell to the ground with a soft thud, accompanied by Li Fan’s final words:
“Remember, in my absence, Zhou Qingang has full authority to act on my behalf.”
“His words are my orders!”
Zhou Qingang bowed slightly, expressing gratitude to the Lord Envoy, a faint smirk betraying his sense of triumph.
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan felt a pang of regret and jealousy.
“The trust of the Lord Envoy was supposed to belong to us!”
Yet they dared not complain, obediently carrying out their orders.
With Li Fan personally confirming the plan, He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan diligently executed his will, terrified of failure.
Years of careful management had given the two better control over Congyun Sea City than Li Fan himself.
Under their direction, news of the imminent conclusion of the great war and the new fundraising plan spread throughout the cultivators of the Congyun Sea within a single day.
The revelations caused a great stir, leaving many unsettled.
Countless messages were sent to He Zhenghao, inquiring about the truth of the situation.
He Zhenghao naturally embellished the story further.
Thus, ten days later, a gathering of cultivators eagerly awaited Li Fan’s arrival.
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