Maneuvering into the Alliance

"Trading posts so openly and legitimately? Is nobody going to step in?" Li Fan replied, feigning shock. "Step in? Who would? The Soul Formation Immortal Lords?" He Zhenghao countered. "Those two on Wanxian Island are far more blatant when doing this sort of thing than anyone beneath them." "Ahem..." He Zhenghao paused, then began explaining further to Li Fan. "The Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals is highly autonomous in every province. So long as one doesn't break the Alliance's rules or alarm the people in Protector Hall, headquarters couldn't care less about what goes on in the branch offices below. "In any case, all trading and distribution of resources within the Alliance must go through the Heavenly Profound Mirror. Everything is kept under control, so no major turmoil can break out." "If that's the case, does Protector Hall hold the highest status? Does Fellow Daoist know how one might join it? Even if it costs a bit more contribution points, I would be willing." Remembering Protector Wan, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had hunted him down in his eleventh life, Li Fan inquired. "The personnel of each province's Protector Hall are dispatched and appointed directly by headquarters. For Fellow Daoist to join Protector Hall would truly be somewhat difficult," He Zhenghao answered diplomatically. "Far too many cultivators wish to become protectors. The competition is fierce, and the queue stretches on endlessly," He Zhenghao sighed. "The only reliable way is through the assessment held once every ten years. Back in the day, I once aspired to become a protector myself, but the standards were far too strict, and I failed to make the cut. In the end, I had to settle for second best and chose to serve as an island garrison. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be fretting over cultivation techniques today. You should know that protectors of Protector Hall can choose and cultivate techniques free of charge," He Zhenghao said with immense envy. "There's actually such a good deal?" Li Fan was somewhat surprised. "Naturally. Protectors must face all manner of vicious and atrocious Dharma thieves every day, so the risk of perishing is hardly small. It's only normal that the benefits are decent," He Zhenghao said as if it were obvious. "Actually, being an array repairer isn't bad either. There's no need for Fellow Daoist to fixate solely on the protector post. You receive a fixed stipend each year, and you can study array Dao knowledge for free under an array master. All you need to do is help maintain and repair the Island-Protecting Grand Formations across the various islands of the Congyun Sea. "Would Fellow Daoist care to consider it? With just ten thousand contribution points, I can go pull some strings and lobby on your behalf," He Zhenghao asked in an enticing tone. Yet Li Fan asked instead, "Does Fellow Daoist happen to be familiar with Master Zhang Zhiliang? I hear he treats people magnanimously and has supreme mastery over the array Dao, practically unmatched in the Congyun Sea. If I become an array repairer, following him would presumably be even better." He Zhenghao was somewhat astonished. "Treats people magnanimously? Where did Fellow Daoist hear that? His temper is rather eccentric. "However, his skill in arrays is indeed formidable. Following him might truly bring greater rewards. "I can't make any guarantees on this matter; I can only do my best to give it a try," He Zhenghao said candidly. "Fellow Daoist, please go ahead and do what you can. Whether it succeeds or not, I will remember the favor," Li Fan assured him. "Nor do you need to worry about contribution points. After borrowing contribution points from Qingfeng Hall and adding to my position in Spirit Mist Grass, I still have some left over. It should be plenty to handle this." Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao said, "Since Fellow Daoist has put it that way, I will certainly spare no effort. Await my good news!" After another round of thanks, Li Fan ended the transmission, thinking with appreciation that Fellow Daoist He truly was a wonderful comrade. "Free cultivation techniques, assessments every ten years..." Li Fan pondered, then searched for relevant information in the Heavenly Mystery Realm. The entrance assessments for the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals took place once every ten years. The last assessment had been roughly over half a year ago. Depending on the intended post, the content of the assessment varied. The tests were conducted directly within the Heavenly Profound Mirror, which eliminated any possibility of favoritism or malpractice. Results were released immediately upon the conclusion of the test, requiring no long wait. Furthermore, upon leaving the Heavenly Profound Mirror, candidates would lose their memories regarding the assessment's contents, preventing anyone from profiting from the experience. ... "How remarkably rigorous!" Li Fan remarked in admiration. "When the next assessment opens, I can go see the world for myself." He searched further for general impressions of the assessment among Alliance cultivators and found that "difficult," "outrageous," and "rigged" formed the consensus of the vast majority. "You have a new video transmission. Please check it promptly." Just as Li Fan was reading with keen interest, the Heavenly Profound Mirror's notification suddenly chimed. "Oh?" Somewhat curious, Li Fan opened the projection, and a man clad in green robes abruptly appeared. "Greetings... young friend. I am Chen Ying of the Medicine Hall. "Might I ask where you discovered the two stalks of blue-blood coral you provided last time? "After successfully concocting pills this time, I found that the batch of Heart-Severing Ice Intent Pills had far stronger medicinal potency than those I crafted in the past. "Nothing else in the process had changed. Pondering back and forth, the only variable lies in those two stalks of blue-blood coral. "I then attempted another batch using different blue-blood coral, and as expected, the enhanced potency vanished. "The two stalks you provided were of significantly higher quality than standard specimens. "I wish to visit the place where they grew to investigate firsthand; perhaps there is more to be discovered. "Regardless of the outcome, if young friend speaks the truth, I will certainly reward you handsomely." ... The projection faded. Li Fan did not reply immediately, falling into deep contemplation instead. Recalling the process of harvesting the blue-blood coral, Li Fan had not noticed anything unusual about either location at the time. "Could it be that I overlooked something?" Li Fan considered the matter and decided to make another trip to find out. To prevent being trailed by this Elder Chen Ying of the Medicine Hall, Li Fan specially purchased a Trace-Extinguishing Talisman in the Heavenly Mystery Realm. It was an upgraded version of the Form-Concealing Talisman, capable of shielding against the prying senses of cultivators up to the Nascent Soul realm. After activating the Trace-Extinguishing Talisman, Li Fan returned to the vicinity of Mist Crow Island, reaching the undersea ruins where he had found the first stalk of blue-blood coral. With the coral harvested by Li Fan, the place had long since lost its former vibrant vitality. Only a fish or two occasionally swam past the cracks between the collapsed boulders of the ruins. "There really is nothing special here." After thoroughly searching, Li Fan was still unable to detect anything out of the ordinary. Li Fan even used his Formless Killing Intent to lock onto a fish in the ruins, observing it carefully through the perspective of heaven and earth. The result remained the same. Next, Li Fan visited the undersea chasm where he had discovered the second stalk of blue-blood coral. It was no different. "A dignified Nascent Soul cultivator and an elder of the Medicine Hall would hardly bother trifling with me. "So, is it because my cultivation is insufficient, rendering me unable to detect it?" For now, that seemed to be the only plausible explanation. Li Fan therefore returned to the Heavenly Profound Mirror and contacted Chen Ying.