Pei Tuo's words sent a shockwave of astonishment through the others present.
At the same time, realization dawned upon them.
No wonder Pei Tuo had lost his composure like that earlier—the prize Ji Shaoli had promised him was an unowned Nascent Soul grotto-heaven!
An unowned grotto-heaven was an indispensable necessity for any Golden Core cultivator seeking to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.
Virtually every unclaimed grotto-heaven heralded the rise of a new Nascent Soul cultivator.
Its value was beyond measure.
Aside from swearing fealty to the Alliance's prominent clans, one had to rely entirely on sheer luck to find one.
Difficult, difficult, difficult!
In the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators were as numerous as crops in the field, harvested and replaced season after season.
A Nascent Soul cultivator, on the other hand, had truly entered the upper echelons, holding key posts across various provinces.
They were, through and through, the backbone of the Alliance.
The difference of a single realm was like the divide between heaven and earth.
Only...
Ji Shaoli was merely in the Golden Core realm himself. How could he offer information on an unowned grotto-heaven to members of the Mutual Aid Association?
Was that even possible?
A flicker of doubt crossed the minds of everyone in the room.
It wasn't that they were overly suspicious.
It was just that the whole thing was simply too bizarre.
Setting aside the fact that Ji Shaoli was a lone cultivator with no powerful faction backing him—even if he were a member of some mysterious organization, someone holding an unowned grotto-heaven would have countless cultivators across the world flocking to his banner.
Why would he ever need to come to the Congyun Sea to recruit subordinates?
Could it be... the Five Elders Association?
The moment that thought occurred to them, the crowd—having cooled down from their initial exhilaration—was struck with alarm. The more they thought about it, the more panicked they grew.
Ji Shaoli naturally saw right through their thoughts.
He gave a quiet scoff and smiled. "There is no need to overthink it. I am by no means a spy for the Five Elders Association.
"The unowned grotto-heaven prepared for Brother Pei is right within the territory of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals."
Hearing this, the crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Mutual Aid Association has just been founded, so it is only natural for you to have doubts," Ji Shaoli said with utter confidence. "However, facts speak louder than words. Once Pei Tuo achieves the Nascent Soul realm, all skepticism will collapse on its own.
"Before we get to that, though, let us settle your matters first."
Ji Shaoli lightly clapped his hands. A moment later, the projection of a faceless stone statue suddenly materialized in the cave abode's banquet hall.
"This is the True Immortal 'Reliever of Suffering, Compassion of the Mortal Realm.' All you need to do is offer a sincere prayer to him and silently recite the pledge of joining. That will complete the induction ceremony.
"Afterward, I will transfer the contribution points to you," Ji Shaoli explained with a smile.
"That simple?" Xiang Xin asked, somewhat suspicious.
"That simple. Our Mutual Aid Association doesn't bother with pointless pretenses," Ji Shaoli replied firmly.
At his words, everyone turned their eyes toward the faceless stone statue in midair.
It did not seem to possess any profound mysteries, yet a subtle, indefinable aura emanated from it, hinting at the statue's extraordinary nature.
Lured by the promise of an unowned grotto-heaven, Pei Tuo naturally had nothing to fear. He was the first to step forward and silently recite the pledge in his heart.
A moment later, he looked up. "Is that all?"
Nothing seemed to have happened.
"That's all. Welcome to the Mutual Aid Association," Ji Shaoli said, his smile warm and welcoming.
Seeing this, the others followed suit.
Before long, all six members of the Mutual Aid Association's first cohort had completed their induction.
True to his word, Ji Shaoli immediately transferred one hundred thousand contribution points to each of them on the spot.
When they checked the island's Lesser Heavenly Profound Mirror and verified that this enormous sum of points had genuinely arrived in their accounts, their expressions turned dazed, as if they were living in a dream.
"For our Mutual Aid Association, quality matters more than quantity. Please do not spread word of this intentionally. Of course, if you have exceptionally talented friends or kin, you may take the initiative to recommend them for membership."
Ji Shaoli gave this final reminder before seeing them off.
Once the others had departed, Ji Shaoli turned back toward Pei Tuo, who was practically bursting with impatience.
"Brother Pei, might I ask what Foundation Establishment wonder and Golden Core arts you cultivated? And which Nascent Soul technique do you plan to practice?" Ji Shaoli suddenly asked.
Pei Tuo hesitated for only a second before laying it all out.
"I formed my Dao Foundation with the Firm Rock Barrier, and attained my Golden Core through the three arts of protection, vitality, and earth.
"As for a Nascent Soul technique, I have my eye on the Eight Directions Immovable Earth-Suppressing Art."
Ji Shaoli first praised him: "Your Foundation Establishment wonder and Golden Core arts complement each other perfectly. You truly are extraordinary, Brother Pei."
Without waiting for a reply, he immediately followed up: "As it happens, I know of a Thousand Rocks Grotto-Heaven that matches your path exceedingly well.
"What do you think?"
"Thousand Rocks Grotto-Heaven? That would be fantastic!" Pei Tuo was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, his body froze stiff.
He stared at Ji Shaoli not far away, his inner shock far beyond words.
To cultivate all the way to the peak of the Golden Core realm relying solely on himself, Pei Tuo was certainly no fool.
He keenly sensed that something was amiss.
Knowing just the right Thousand Rocks Grotto-Heaven that happened to fit him so exquisitely...
How could there be so many convenient coincidences in the world?
Most Nascent Soul cultivators in the world could never find a grotto-heaven that truly matched their Foundation Establishment and Golden Core arts when swallowing one.
After all, being able to find any grotto-heaven to reach the Nascent Soul realm was already a stroke of immense fortune.
Apart from core scions of the prominent clans, who had the luxury to pick and choose?
Yet the one Ji Shaoli offered was virtually tailor-made for him...
Either it was a staggering coincidence, or...
It meant Ji Shaoli knew of more than one—perhaps many different grotto-heavens.
The moment he learned Pei Tuo's cultivation path, he had instantly selected the most suitable one.
What did that imply?
Only the most powerful factions at the very pinnacle of the Alliance could possibly accomplish such a feat.
A chill crept through Pei Tuo's heart.
In his mind, the image of that faceless stone statue surfaced once more.
The True Immortal "Reliever of Suffering, Compassion of the Mortal Realm"...
Just what kind of entity was that?
While Pei Tuo was lost in uneasy speculation, Ji Shaoli spoke again: "Brother Pei, what do you say?
"If you have no objections, let us set off at once."
Pei Tuo hastily agreed.
Next, the two utilized teleportation arrays, first transferring through Wanxian Island.
From there, they traveled all the way toward the heartlands of the Alliance.
This eased Pei Tuo's worries considerably.
At the very least, he really isn't from the Five Elders Association, he thought to himself.
Upon arriving in Gufeng Province, they stepped out of the floating celestial city.
Ji Shaoli cast a secret technique to mask their traces.
Then, traveling at high speed, they arrived at a desolate stretch of barren desert.
After scanning the surroundings to ensure no other cultivators were nearby, Ji Shaoli pointed into the empty air and transmitted his voice quietly: "The Thousand Rocks Grotto-Heaven is right here."
Pei Tuo blinked in surprise, then flew over to the spot Ji Shaoli had indicated and concentrated his senses.
Moments later, when he indeed detected the presence of an unowned grotto-heaven, ecstasy washed over him.
At the same time, he could hardly conceal the profound shock in his heart.
"Go ahead and make your breakthrough here," Ji Shaoli said calmly. "I will stand guard for you."
Chapter 821