To Each Their Own Fate

"Let's go." Ji Shaoli patted Wei Qizheng on the shoulder, an encouraging look in his eyes. When they stepped out of the secluded chamber, the others could not help but marvel inwardly at the sight of Wei Qizheng, who looked like an entirely transformed person. No one knew what secret art Ji Shaoli had used on him, but his previous dread and nervousness were completely gone, replaced by overflowing confidence. Neither Ji Shaoli nor Wei Qizheng offered an explanation. "Everyone, the City Master is waiting, so I must take my leave," Wei Qizheng said with a bow. "Then let us congratulate you in advance on your success, Brother Wei!" "Brother Wei, when you rise to greatness, don't forget us!" The crowd's attitude toward Wei Qizheng had turned completely around, and they returned his salute with eager warmth. Wei Qizheng nodded slightly and departed Haixuan Island via the teleportation array. Watching his figure fade into the distance, He Zhenghao sighed with a touch of pride. "I knew long ago that little brother Wei was no ordinary man and that his day to rise would come. I just never expected it so soon! It makes all the care I showed him before well worth it." "Comparing oneself to others really does breed frustration. We spent over a year preparing for the examination, yet we couldn't match his last-minute cramming! Sigh..." "Hiss. If Fellow Daoist Wei truly is selected among the Thirty-Three Immortal Chosen and ascends straight to Dao Integration, wouldn't that mean I can call a Dao Integration Immortal Venerable my brother? He won't turn his back on us then, will he?" ... The crowd had varied reactions, but nearly all of them struggled to conceal their envy and jealousy. Only Ji Shaoli's eyes flickered with deeper thoughts. The Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals had organized the selection for the Thirty-Three Immortal Chosen with such fanfare that they clearly attached immense importance to it. To be safe, he had not tried to be overly clever by planting Formless Killing Intent on Wei Qizheng. Even the sliver of the Terminal Dissociation Disc he had split off was merely an isolated fragment, bearing no connection to the mother unit in his own Sea of Consciousness. It would silently record everything it sensed in its surroundings and transmit its collected information only at the instant of its complete destruction. Such extreme caution was taken solely to prevent anyone from discovering any anomalies in Wei Qizheng. For some reason, Ji Shaoli harbored a faint premonition. Wei Qizheng was very likely to succeed in being selected among the Thirty-Three Immortal Chosen on this trip. Yet by the same token, seeing him again would probably not happen for a very long time. Few cultivators in the Congyun Sea knew that Wei Qizheng had been summoned to the Alliance headquarters. He departed without a sound. On the third day after his departure—ten days after the grand examination concluded—the results were published. Some celebrated while others grieved. Haixuan Island, however, was filled with cheers and laughter. "Six took the test, and all six passed! If word gets out, it will cause an absolute sensation!" "Hahaha! Those who refused to join our Mutual Aid Association earlier are going to regret it to death!" Amid the jubilation, He Zhenghao suddenly frowned and voiced his worry: "What if people grow jealous and report us? What should we do then?" The hall fell silent in an instant. "Surely... they wouldn't?" A flicker of worry crossed everyone's eyes. "Heh, what is there to fear? As the saying goes, an upright body does not fear a crooked shadow," Ji Shaoli said in a low, steady voice. "We merely predicted the exam questions correctly! Countless organizations across the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals study the grand examination and specialize in spotting questions. What difference does one more make?" Ji Shaoli spoke with absolute conviction. He Zhenghao and the others were taken aback. Ji Shaoli then gave a cold snort. "Besides, what could they report us for? Leaking exam questions is a capital crime! Without solid evidence, who would dare spout such nonsense? "If some blind fool truly tries anything... "Who knows who will end up dead first!" His words were delivered with unyielding firmness, giving everyone food for thought and gradually dispelling their worries. "Enough, let us not dwell on such bad luck. Now that you have all passed the grand examination, what are your thoughts on where you would like to be posted?" When registering for the examination, candidates submitted preliminary preferences for regions and posts. However, specific assignments were ultimately determined and allocated by Alliance headquarters, factoring in a cultivator's region of origin, cultivation realm, potential, and many other variables. In principle, most were assigned locally, while elites were drawn to Alliance headquarters. Occasionally, special cases arose. Just as He Zhenghao had once been fully qualified to secure a post in Tianyu Province, yet had been dispatched to a remote place like the Congyun Sea due to the Heng family's suppression behind the scenes. Most cultivators could only resign themselves to whatever post they were given. For those with backing and connections, however, it was a chance to maximize their personal interests. Passing the grand examination had already satisfied them, but hearing Ji Shaoli's words hinted that there was still room for maneuver. Eager anticipation stirred in their hearts. One by one, they sent quiet divine sense transmissions to Ji Shaoli. Only He Zhenghao remained hesitant. "Fellow Daoist He, what about you?" Ji Shaoli asked with a smile. After hesitating for a long time, He Zhenghao finally answered, "If possible, I would like to go to Tianyun Province. Tianquan Province would be fine as well." Neither was Tianyu Province, yet both were very close to it. Ji Shaoli instantly grasped He Zhenghao's intentions. After a moment of contemplation, he looked at the group. "This examination is unique. I cannot guarantee what the final outcome will be; I can only do my best. "Whether it succeeds or not will depend entirely on your own fortune!" Everyone understood completely and thanked Ji Shaoli once more. "Before the final assignments are announced, use this time to focus on your cultivation. If your realm can advance another step, things will be different yet again." He Zhenghao and the others nodded in agreement. With hope before them, their subsequent cultivation became more diligent than ever. Meanwhile, Ji Shaoli launched a campaign of heavy spending, seeing if he could plant as many footholds as possible across the Alliance's inland territories. The Congyun Sea was doomed to destruction; staying here offered no future. His avatar's efforts to grease the wheels through Jingxuan, Shenyuzi, Huangfu Song, and others will be passed over for now. As the grand examination drew to a close, the attention of cultivators across the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals focused entirely on the greatest winners of this exam: the cultivators who had cleared the preliminary screening and traveled to Alliance headquarters to participate in the final selection for the Thirty-Three Immortal Chosen. After all, attaining the rank of a Dao Integration Immortal Venerable carried influence far beyond what any ordinary Alliance post could compare to. Well-informed busybodies soon compiled a list of these three hundred-odd lucky individuals, and detailed information about them quickly surfaced before the public. Yet after thorough study, people found almost nothing they had in common. The cultivation levels of the three hundred-odd selected cultivators varied widely, spanning every realm from Foundation Establishment to Soul Formation. They ranged from solitary, destitute cultivators without any background to core disciples of prominent clans. The Alliance's selection criteria left everyone thoroughly bewildered. At that moment, Li Fan held this list in his hands, studying it closely. "Huh, Shuo Feng isn't on it. "Nor are the names of the scions of the true Alliance leadership I saw in my previous lifetimes. "..."