Chapter 502

Chapter 502

"Even Jiao Xiuyuan said so. It seems that obtaining these strategic resources from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance through regular means is truly impossible," Li Fan thought to himself.

He was well aware that rebuilding an entire floating immortal city was an immense project, and it was impossible to achieve without any losses. The city itself was like a massive, intricate machine, where missing a few key components might prevent the whole thing from functioning properly. Even if he could find a way to cover it up, those lurking in the shadows would likely report him.

So...

"Only the one who tied the bell can untie it," Li Fan's eyes narrowed.

Those behind this plot had targeted him for either revenge or profit. However, they surely didn’t want the situation to escalate to the point where it attracted the attention of higher authorities. The reconstruction of the Congyun Immortal City was a top priority for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and no one could defy that order.

However, who handled the actual work was a matter that concerned Li Fan and his followers’ future prospects.

"The missing materials from the resource list must still be with Zhou Kebao and his group. Now, I need to figure out a way to make them cough it up," Li Fan thought, activating his hidden killing intent as he fixed his gaze on Zhou Kebao.

---

In a dim room aboard the Dust-Crossing Boat.

Zhou Kebao was pacing anxiously back and forth. In front of him, a shimmering light flickered, its shape unclear. Soon after, the light stopped moving, and a few figures appeared.

"So, what did Tantai Can say?" Zhou Kebao asked urgently.

"The message was sent, but there was no response."

"No reply at all."

"It was outright rejected!"

Different voices spoke up immediately.

Zhou Kebao's face flushed deep red with anger, almost as if he were about to explode. However, after trembling slightly, he managed to hold his tongue.

After a moment of silence, one of the figures across from him couldn't help but ask, "What is Tantai Can up to?"

"Yeah, he was the one who incited us to act earlier. Why has he suddenly changed his mind and sided with Li Fan?"

"Enough! Stop arguing!" A deep, commanding voice suddenly interrupted the bickering.

The speaker seemed to hold considerable authority, as the other cultivators immediately fell silent when he spoke.

"Don't worry, Daoist Long, I understand," Zhou Kebao promised.

The light gradually dissipated, and Li Fan withdrew his gaze.

"So, just a disorganized rabble," he chuckled to himself.

He began contemplating how to peel another layer off these people.

---

Zhou Kebao's patience exceeded Li Fan's expectations.

As the reconstruction of Congyun Immortal City proceeded in full force, and more than ten supporting cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters had arrived, Zhou Kebao still hadn't tested Li Fan.

He merely went about his daily routine, greeting Li Fan as if nothing were amiss.

If it weren’t for the clear records in the Dao Stone in his mind, Li Fan might have thought it was all an illusion.

But Li Fan’s patience was equally unyielding.

"No rush. I'll play along for now," he thought.

With over four months left before the deadline for the city’s completion, Li Fan could afford to wait.

Through Jiao Xiuyuan, he replenished the necessary materials, so the basic construction of the city proceeded without delay.

The primary buildings, such as the long-distance teleportation formation, the Tianxuan Mirror, and the Hall of Administration, would be constructed last.

And there was still enough material for at least one trial-and-error attempt.

So, Li Fan was in no hurry.

At the same time, he hadn't forgotten the task given to him by Lord Jinglun: to build the Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation into the foundation of the city.

Li Fan's skills in array formations had improved considerably, and he had even participated in the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, giving him far greater insight than the average cultivator.

In the formation diagram of the 'Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation', he could clearly see traces of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation's design.