Chapter 557: Chapter 529: Using the Immortal City as a Cave Mansion

“You’re not seriously expecting me to go and buy back the materials you’ve seized.” Li Fan remained unfazed, calmly sipped his tea, eyeing Zhou Kebao. “Although I’m quite wealthy, my contributions didn’t just come to me by the wind. These materials, apart from building the Immortal City, seem to have no other use.”

Zhou Kebao quickly shook his head: “We wouldn’t be so ungrateful.”

He cautiously glanced at Li Fan and hunched over pleasingly: “In truth, I came to find you in the spirit of peace and mutual benefit…”

Li Fan abruptly set down his teacup, causing a loud clang, instantly silencing Zhou Kebao and causing him to stand upright.

Li Fan’s expression became grim, a flash of murderous intent present in his eyes: “Peace and mutual benefit, doesn’t seem to have been your plan earlier.”

“Seizing so many materials, even after I established my military orders. Are you trying to force me, Li Fan, into a corner?”

Zhou Kebao frantically waved his hands, trembling as he explained: “No such intention! No such intention! From the beginning to end, at most, it was only for financial gain…”

Li Fan offered neither agreement nor disagreement, he merely stated indifferently: “At this point, I won’t fuss with you anymore…”

Zhou Kebao hearing this, with a look of disbelief on his face.

However, before he could relax, he heard Li Fan continue: “Yet, after the completion of Misthaven Elysian City, all reports to higher-ups shouldn’t be less than a bit.”

“After all, the completion of the Immortal City construction without wasting a single bit of material, doesn’t it demonstrate my capability?”

“Isn’t it better to announce to the world, making everyone know? If all city masters are like me, wouldn’t the Alliances of Thousands of Immortals swallowing the Five Elders Organization be soon at hand?”

“What do you say, fellow Taoist Zhou?” Li Fan brazenly stated.

“Haha, you jest.” Zhou Kebao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, finally understanding the threat in Li Fan’s words.

“We will meet whatever demands you have. We need not cause a ruckus over this matter.”

Zhou Kebao pat his chest in assurance.

“It’s not about what I want, but about what you have.” Stepping forward, Li Fan patted Zhou Kebao’s shoulder.

“Contribution points? Do I lack them?”

Li Fan’s face showed his pride: “My Art of Deduction is renowned throughout the world, with wealth I can multiply wealth, and I only deal in easy affairs. In my eyes, these so-called contribution points are just a string of numbers.”

Zhou Kebao shuddered slightly at his words.

“Besides, once Misthaven Elysian City is completed, the corresponding rewards certainly won’t be meager. By that time, my authority level, as an officer, would surely rise.”

“With contribution points and authority, what in this world can’t fall into my hands?”

“What can you offer to move me?”

Li Fan’s gaze was burning, focused intently on Zhou Kebao.

The pressure of Li Fan’s gaze left Zhou Kebao feeling that the man’s words were extremely reasonable. His mind suddenly plunged into chaos, leaving him unable to come up with a suitable answer.

“You can come to find me again when you’ve thought it over. I have official duties to attend to and can’t entertain you.” Li Fan coldly issued the eviction order.

Zhou Kebao, wearing a distressed expression, backed down.

Li Fan made his intentions very clear.

This matter of them scheming could be considered water under the bridge.

But they needed to provide sufficient compensatory value.

“An undefined demand is the most troublesome.” Zhou Kebao sighed slightly.

He looked back at the room where Li Fan situated.

Since he left such a short while ago, seven or eight monks with rigid expressions had come and gone frequently.

“His momentum is established, and he cannot be forcibly opposed.”

“If so, then we should seize this opportunity to make an enemy into a friend. This man doesn’t seem to be one to hold grudges. As long as we have enough bargaining chips, we won’t worry about not moving him.”

Zhou Kebao’s thoughts raced, and he quickly made a decision.

So he hurried back to discuss with his accomplices.

Five days later, Zhou Kebao reappeared before Li Fan, full of confidence.

“Take a look at this.

With a wave of his hand, a miniature view of a floating city appeared in mid-air.

“What is the meaning of this?” Li Fan glanced at it for a moment, unable to understand its significance.

Without changing his demeanor, he asked.

Seeing Li Fan’s reaction, Zhou Kebao’s confidence increased and he unveiled a mysterious smile.

“A Cave Mansion that is identical, and even superior, to the Alliances of Thousands of Immortals’ Suspended Immortal City…”

“Are you interested?”

Zhou Kebao softly asked.

“Hmm?” Li Fan’s gaze focused and he turned to carefully examine the miniature view in the air once more.

A sudden realization hit him and he couldn’t help but gasp.

“The materials you’ve seized are more than what you’re supposed to give me? You’re being a bit brazen, aren’t you?”

Zhou Kebao quickly said, “Haha, you misunderstood.”

“It’s true that we did reduce a lot at first for the sake of scheming against you, but it’s far from enough to fully rebuild a Suspended City.”

“In fact, these materials are the remaining ones we saved during repairs and renovations in various states of the Immortal Cities.”

“You’re aware too, Li Fan, that the Alliances of Thousands of Immortals’ construction fund takes into account all sorts of unexpected situations, so the budget is abundant. And we, who are always doing this kind of work, are skilled at saving. The actual wastage is minimal.”

“So there are always leftovers each time. Naturally, we can’t hand over the extra, so it ended up falling into our pockets.”

…

Zhou Kebao gave a slight smile, ending his speech, leaving everything unspoken.

“Over years, we’ve accumulated these materials. Instead of letting them collect dust in the warehouse, we might as well put them to good use and dissolve this misunderstanding between you and us.”

“Public resources for private use, turning the Immortal City into a Cave Mansion. Haha, I can assure you, even within our Alliance of Thousands of Immortals, this is not a common occurrence.”

Li Fan stared intently at the rotating illusion of the Immortal City, clearly stirred.

Seeing this, Zhou Kebao seized the opportunity to enhance his sales pitch.

“This Immortal City Cave Mansion, apart from being unable to connect with the Immortal Alliance Headquarters, we can make all the facilities identical to a typical Immortal City.”

“Of course, if you think it’s too high-profile, we also provide a concealed function. Buildings such as the Governance Hall and the Martial Arts Battle Hall can usually be hidden from sight, and only summoned when needed.”

“Within the Immortal City Cave Mansion, we would also leave plenty of room for later renovations.”

“In the future, you might want to strengthen the Protection Matrix and the ban, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Of course, if you’re willing to offer some contribution points, it wouldn’t be a problem for us to do it for you.”

“If you are generous enough, even the Long-distance Transfer Array, and even the Virtual Mustard Seed Shrinkage Array, these can also be discussed.”

“An Immortal City Cave Mansion that can be carried with you, comes with a built-in transfer function, and can be used for offense or defense…”

“Are you satisfied?” Zhou Kebao tempting asked.

Li Fan burst into hearty laughter in response.`