Chapter 553: Fortune And Misfortune Are Truly Hard To Predict
Somewhere in an unknown space, a group of cultivators, led by Long Yueyou and including Zhou Kebao, had gathered to discuss Li Fan's recent actions.
Ever since they had suffered losses at Li Fan's hands and were subsequently forced into cooperation with him, none of them spoke of it openly, but a knot of resentment had formed in each of their hearts.
No matter what, they were all figures of significant standing in their own right.
Their scheme against Li Fan had not only failed but backfired spectacularly. The financial loss was one thing, but the blow to their pride cut far deeper.
They had since established the outward appearance of a cordial partnership. But that hadn't stopped any of them from quietly contemplating ways to trip Li Fan up at a critical moment, to make this fat sheep stumble when it mattered most. It would be a small satisfaction at least, a way to vent the anger and humiliation festering in their chests.
So they watched his every move with particular care. When He Zhenghao was entrusted with raising a massive sum of contribution points, and when his large-scale procurement of materials followed, it did not go unnoticed.
"What are your thoughts, everyone? Should we follow Li Fan's lead and purchase the same materials, or..."
"Heh, hoping to profit by trailing after him?" A voice in the room curled with contempt. "Everyone here knows this man is utterly sinister and cunning. Look at his past. Has there ever been a single instance of him making such a grand, public spectacle that wasn't part of some premeditated scheme to ensnare others?
"The Samantabhadra True Leaf incident wasn’t that far in the past. Surely none of you have forgotten the heavy losses?"
"Now, now, Fellow Daoist Zhu, that's not entirely fair." Another voice rose to play devil's advocate. "Times have changed. Li Fan now holds the official position of Secretary-Envoy of Congyun City. He can hardly afford to act as recklessly as he once did. If he were to maliciously disrupt the markets and destabilize the Alliance again, does anyone believe headquarters would simply let it pass?"
Subtle nods moved through the group.
"Exactly! In my view, he must have foreseen something, hence the scale of these movements. And that fundraising plan He Zhenghao manages has been in place since Li Fan first appeared. His initial rise to prominence is inextricably linked to it. One could even call it his trademark. I refuse to believe he'd do anything to tarnish his own name."
"Then let's follow his lead! In terms of financial resources, can that rabble possibly match the combined resources of our group?"
The room broke into argument. For the moment, the majority leaned toward mirroring Li Fan's operations.
Whatever personal feelings they harbored toward the man, their respect for his ability was evident.
Through all of it, Zhou Kebao said nothing. His brow was deeply furrowed.
Long Yueyou sat at the head of the gathering with a faint smile on his lips, exuding an air of easy authority. He noted Zhou Kebao's expression and spoke. "What is your view on this, Fellow Daoist Zhou?"
The answer came without the slightest hesitation. "Without question, we should reference Li Fan's procurement list and purchase the same materials."
A flicker of surprise crossed Long Yueyou's face. He held his tongue and waited.
"The prices of these items will likely see a significant increase before long."
Zhou Kebao's expression grew more troubled, not less. "But that is precisely what confuses me. If the prices of everything on that list were to rise simultaneously..."
He paused. When he spoke again, his tone had turned grave. "There is only one explanation for that.
"A large-scale conflict is about to erupt."
Zhou Kebao flicked a finger, and a light screen bloomed in the air before him. Text filled its surface. It was a list identical to the one Li Fan had given He Zhenghao, down to the last entry.
Silence fell over the room. The cultivators stared at the floating characters, their faces caught between shock and disbelief.
"War? With the Five Elders Council? That can't be right. We haven't crossed blades for real in years. The border's been tense lately, yes, but surely it hasn't deteriorated to the point of open war?"
"Exactly! Not long ago, the Five Elders Council rode right up to our doorstep and seized the entire Myriad Immortals Island, and we swallowed that insult. For a real war to break out now, the heavens would have to crack first!" The immediate reaction from nearly everyone present was flat disbelief.
"Has anyone caught wind of anything lately? Anything out of place?" Long Yueyou's expression had turned serious. "If war were truly imminent, it's impossible that nothing would be stirring in the lower echelons."
Silence.
Then, one by one, the cultivators drew out their communication spirit talismans and reached through their personal channels, casting for information.
Without exception, they all eventually shook their heads.
"Strange..." Zhou Kebao's puzzlement only deepened.
The assembled cultivators turned their eyes to Long Yueyou, waiting for his decision.
Long Yueyou narrowed his eyes. He thought back over his past dealings with Li Fan, always that same sensation of looking at a surface he couldn't quite see through.
He came to a decision.
"Better to assume there's something to it than to dismiss it outright. Li Fan has genuine skill. He must have foreseen something. This time, we follow his lead."
Seeing the reluctance still lingering on some faces, Long Yueyou gave a short, dismissive laugh. "Go ahead and make the purchases.
"I've examined this list. These items aren't commonly used, but their prices are stable and they can be stored for long periods.
"Even if this turns out to be another of Li Fan's traps, our losses will be minimal.
"And if you're still uneasy... should the unexpected truly occur, the Long Family will buy all the materials from you at your purchase price. I guarantee none of you walk away worse off." Long Yueyou spoke with calm finality.
That drew a jolt from the crowd. He had not spoken of himself, but of the Long Family.
Which meant...
He watched comprehension and barely concealed delight spread across the faces around him, and his own expression settled into unmistakable pride. "That's right. My elder brother recently had the fortune of breaking through to the Dao Unity realm.
"After some maneuvering, he is to be transferred to the Administration Hall headquarters.
"The official orders will be issued soon. Even if I'd said nothing, you would all have heard within days."
With Long Yueyou's personal confirmation, elation swept through the room.
They all understood that their little faction, with its deeply intertwined interests over the years, had long since become a single entity. Their fortunes rose and fell together.
And within this group, Long Yueyou held the dominant position.
The Long Family's influence was vast, its connections threaded throughout the provinces of the Immortal Alliance.
Their one persistent regret had been the absence of a true pillar, a figure of supreme standing to support their structure.
Now, with Long Yueyou's brother having broken through to Dao Unity and secured a post at the Immortal Alliance headquarters, that gap would be filled.
A Dao Unity cultivator in the Administration Hall headquarters stood at the pinnacle of the Immortal Alliance's power structure.
And so, they offered their heartfelt congratulations to Long Yueyou.
"Brother Jiuyuan endured the harsh lands of Tianling Province for so long, biding his time in silence. Now he is poised to soar. This is truly a joyous occasion!"