The Mind Ape and Will Horse were existences starkly divergent from the laws of the Xuanhuang Realm.
They were suspected to be remnants of the Heavenly Dao's power left behind when the Xuanhuang Realm devoured and assimilated other pocket worlds.
"No wonder they can still exert their influence even within the domain of Longevity Heavenly Venerable's inverted logic."
"The power of anomalies..."
Li Fan recalled that in his 114th lifetime, during the struggle against the Profound Net, the Heaven-Overturning Society had forged a devastating weapon known as the Heaven-Rousing Arrow.
The exact method of its creation remained unknown, but its materials had been sourced precisely from the increasingly frequent anomalies of that era.
The Profound Net had supplanted Heaven, wielding might no different from the Heavenly Dao of the present Xuanhuang Realm.
Since the Heaven-Rousing Arrow could damage the Profound Net, that meant it could inflict harm upon the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao as well!
"It seems that while the power of anomalies differs from the laws of the Xuanhuang Realm, it is ultimately a force that can be mastered and applied—not something devoid of logic or entirely beyond reason."
Li Fan scrutinized the radiant orb in his hand. "Still, I never expected the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' research into anomalies to have progressed to such an extent. Truly, unless you push them to the brink, you never know how many cards they have hidden up their sleeves."
"Then again, this is only natural." Li Fan suddenly recalled a massive map he had once seen when meeting Gongsun Qixuan at the Heavenly Secret Hall in the Congyun Sea.
The locations marked on that map appeared to be sites within the Congyun Sea where anomalous events had occurred.
"The Alliance has always kept strict surveillance over anomalies. That they can make preliminary use of them now is only to be expected."
The Mind Ape and Will Horse were terrifying anomalies tied to spiritual power, capable of directly transforming cultivators into alien creatures.
Being transformed into a Mind Ape enhanced divine sense.
Being transformed into a Will Horse directly nourished the soul!
"Back when I consumed the Will Horse, I experienced firsthand that power hovering between extreme illusion and reality. If you believe yourself dead within the illusion, you truly perish in reality! Consciousness can alter matter..."
"Judging by how cheaply and broadly these radiant orbs are being deployed, the Alliance must have thoroughly mastered the application of this extramundane law."
After pondering for a long time, Li Fan could not find any method to counter it.
He could hardly claim mastery over the laws of the Xuanhuang Realm, let alone this extramundane power.
Li Fan could well understand the headache the Five Elders Association was facing at this moment.
As the ancient sage once said: *Therefore, in the governing of the sage, he empties their hearts, fills their bellies, weakens their ambition, and strengthens their bones, constantly keeping the people without knowledge and without desire.*
Now, the cultivators affected by the radiant orbs all fancied themselves "Children of Destiny."
The potential disruption they posed was simply incomparable to that of ordinary cultivators.
Before transmigrating, Li Fan had read several web novels.
Nine times out of ten, the protagonists of those books were transmigrators.
Why?
Beyond fostering immersion for the reader, it provided anticipation.
The destiny of a transmigrator was fundamentally different from that of a so-called native.
Having witnessed another world and recognized their own "extraordinariness," they could never drift along aimlessly like the natives.
They were bound to make a name for themselves.
Regardless of the outcome, there would inevitably be a process of striving.
The radiant orbs deployed by the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals achieved a strikingly similar effect.
They led the affected cultivators to consider themselves extraordinary, their ambitions reaching for the heavens.
Furthermore, the tempering of ninety-nine reincarnations was indeed a tremendous opportunity for any cultivator. It was more than enough to let some among them shed their common skins and transform like serpents ascending into dragons!
"It is tantamount to thousands upon thousands of diluted transmigrators emerging across the territory of the Five Elders Association."
"And brainwashed into permanent hostility, no less."
"Tsk, tsk..."
"The Alliance very likely planted cultivation arts and methods viable in the Xuanhuang Realm inside the illusory cycles of the radiant orbs, helping these 'Children of Destiny' advance rapidly."
A gloating look surfaced on Li Fan's face.
"Let's see how they deal with this."
"Lin Ling, if any further inquiries arrive from the Five Elders Association, ignore them for now," Li Fan instructed.
Lin Ling nodded, only half-understanding.
"Striking back boldly to sow internal chaos within the Five Elders Association, leaving them no leisure to focus on the Alliance."
"It seems the Alliance truly attaches immense importance to this grand examination."
Li Fan rubbed his chin.
***
Amid widespread anticipation, the month-long grand examination finally came to an end.
Cultivators returned from the Heavenly Profound Mirror one after another, each wearing expressions of joy or sorrow.
On Haixuan Island.
"Judging by your expression, Daoist He, you must be holding victory in your grasp this time, eh?"
The six cultivators of the Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Association who had registered for the grand examination gathered together.
Originally, only four cultivators, including He Zhenghao, had entered the examination. But after the Alliance announced the selection of the thirty-three Immortal Chosen, two others had been stirred by ambition.
They had decided to take the gamble.
Although their preparation time was far inferior to that of He Zhenghao and the other three, the expressions on their faces indicated quite delightful results.
"Last-minute cramming really works," one of the two, a cultivator named Wei Qizheng, said with some excitement.
"The question bank Daoist Ji provided was simply immense. I couldn't finish reviewing it all and merely skimmed through, memorizing what I could. But my luck was truly phenomenal—the vast majority of the examination questions were ones I had committed to memory!"
"As for the ones outside the question bank, I feel I performed quite decently as well," Wei Qizheng shared his joy with the rest.
He Zhenghao stroked his beard, a smile gracing his face as well. "Then should we not offer our early congratulations to Brother Wei?"
The others chimed in with cheerful banter.
Every one of them appeared fully confident.
Right then, Ji Shaoli cleared his throat with a soft cough, cutting short their lively chatter.
Yet perhaps because the outbreak of the immortal-mortal miasma had not been long past, the cultivators present still harbored lingering trauma regarding the sound of coughing.
Before Ji Shaoli could speak, their expressions changed drastically, and they all looked over in unison.
Meeting their probing gazes, Ji Shaoli was left somewhat speechless.
"I am fine."
He waved his hand and turned to the main topic. "Once the examination scores are released, you will inevitably face an investigation from the Alliance. If your advance knowledge of the exam questions is discovered, the consequences will be dire."
Hearing this, everyone was seized by alarm.
"However..." Ji Shaoli smiled faintly.
"Our Mutual Aid Association possesses a secret art known as 'Covering the Sky with One Hand.' I shall impart it to you shortly."
"With the aid of this secret art, you will have nothing to worry about!"
He Zhenghao and the others beamed with delight.
Ji Shaoli lightly tapped his finger toward each of their foreheads. A moment later, everyone present closed their eyes, immersing themselves in comprehending and practicing the technique.
Ji Shaoli took the opportunity to observe them in secret.
The first to awaken was none other than the cultivator named Wei Qizheng.
In his previous lifetimes, while associating with He Zhenghao, Li Fan had occasionally heard him mention this exceptionally talented young fellow.
Later, however, as Li Fan's horizons broadened and the peerless talents he encountered became countless, he had not paid this person much further attention.
Chapter 848