Chapter 172 Operation into the Immortal Alliance

“Such blatant buying and selling of positions? Is no one managing it?” Li Fan feigned shock as he replied.

“Managing? Who would manage it? The Immortal Lord?” He Zhenghao countered. “Those two on Wanxian Island are much more blatant about it than the people below them.”

“Ahem…” He Zhenghao paused, then explained to Li Fan.

“The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is highly autonomous in every state. As long as they don't break the rules within the Alliance and don't alarm the Guardian Hall, the headquarters couldn't care less about the affairs of the various branches below.”

“Anyway, all transactions and distributions of resources within the Alliance must go through the tianxuan mirror. Everything is under control, so no major chaos can arise.”

“In that case, the Guardian Hall has the highest status? Fellow Daoist, do you know how one can join it? Even if it costs more contribution points, I am willing.” Li Fan asked, recalling the Protector Wan, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had pursued him in his eleventh life.

“The personnel of the Guardian Hall in each state are directly dispatched and appointed by the headquarters. It is truly difficult for Fellow Daoist to join the Guardian Hall,” He Zhenghao replied tactfully.

“There are too many Cultivators who want to become Protectors; the competition is fierce, and the queues are endless,” He Zhenghao lamented. “The only reliable method is the assessment held once every ten years. I, too, once aspired to be a Protector, but the requirements were too strict, and I wasn't selected. In the end, I could only settle for being an Island Town Guardian.”

“Otherwise, I wouldn't be worrying about Cultivation Techniques now. You know, Protectors of the Guardian Hall can freely choose and cultivate Cultivation Techniques,” He Zhenghao said with immense envy.

“There’s actually such a good thing?” Li Fan was somewhat surprised.

“Naturally. Protectors have to face all sorts of vicious Thieves of Law every day, and the risk of falling is not small. It’s normal for the benefits to be good,” He Zhenghao said as a matter of course.

“Actually, a Formation Repairman isn’t bad either. Fellow Daoist doesn’t need to fixate on the Protector position. There’s a fixed annual remuneration, and you can also learn Formation Dao knowledge for free by following a Formation Great Master. All you need to do is help repair the island-protecting Formations on the various islands of Congyun Sea.”

“Would Fellow Daoist like to consider it? For just ten thousand contribution points, I can help you lobby and arrange it.”

He Zhenghao asked in a tempting tone.

Li Fan, however, asked again, “I wonder if Fellow Daoist is familiar with Great Master Zhang Zhiliang? I heard that he is generous to others and his Formation Dao level is exceptionally high, making him the best in Congyun Sea. If I were a Formation Repairman, following him would probably be better.”

He Zhenghao was a little surprised, “Generous to others? Where did Fellow Daoist hear that? This person has a rather strange temper.”

“However, his Formation Dao level is indeed formidable. Following him might indeed yield greater rewards.”

“I can’t guarantee this matter, I can only try my best,” He Zhenghao said honestly.

“Fellow Daoist, just go ahead and do it. Whether it succeeds or not, I will remember your kindness,” Li Fan boasted. “And don’t worry about the contribution points. I borrowed contribution points from Qingfeng Hall, and after adding to my lingwu grass, I still have some left. It should be enough for this matter.”

He Zhenghao heard this and said, “Since Fellow Daoist has said so, I will certainly do my best. Fellow Daoist, please wait for my good news!”

After another round of thanks, Li Fan ended the communication with the sentiment, “Fellow Daoist He is truly a good comrade.”

“Free Cultivation Techniques, ten-year assessment…” Li Fan thought for a moment and searched for relevant information in the tianxuan mirror.

The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's entry assessment is held once every ten years.

The last assessment was about half a year ago.

The content of the assessment varied depending on the intended position.

The assessment was conducted within the tianxuan mirror, which also eliminated the possibility of favoritism.

The results were released immediately after the assessment, so there was no long wait.

And those who participated in the assessment would lose memories related to the assessment content after leaving the tianxuan mirror.

This prevented anyone from profiting from it.

“It really is rigorous!” Li Fan exclaimed in admiration. “When the next assessment opens, I can go and experience it.”

He then searched for the impressions of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Cultivators regarding the assessment and found that “difficult,” “outrageous,” and “there’s a hidden agenda” became the consensus of the vast majority of Cultivators.

“You have a new image message, please check it promptly.”

Just as Li Fan was engrossed in reading, the tianxuan mirror's prompt suddenly sounded.

“Oh?”

Li Fan was a little surprised. He opened the image, and a man in a green robe suddenly appeared.

“This… young friend. I am Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall.”

“May I know where you found those two blue blood corals you provided last time?”

“After my Alchemy success this time, I found that the ice intent absolute emotion pill I refined was significantly more potent than those refined before.”

“Nothing else changed. After much thought, the only unexpected factor came from these two blue blood corals.”

“So I re-refined it with other blue blood corals and found that the effect of enhanced potency indeed disappeared.”

“These two blue blood corals you provided are of much higher quality than regular varieties.”

“I want to visit their growing place to see what I can find.”

“Regardless of the outcome, if you tell me truthfully, I will definitely reward you greatly.”

The image disappeared. Without immediately replying, Li Fan fell into deep thought.

Recalling the process of collecting blue blood corals before, Li Fan did not notice anything special about those two locations at the time.

“Could it be that I overlooked something?” Li Fan thought for a moment and decided to make another trip to investigate.

To prevent being tracked by Chen Ying of the Medicine Hall, Li Fan specifically bought a “Trace Eradicating Talisman” in the tianxuan mirror.

It was an upgraded version of the Hiding Talisman, capable of shielding against the prying of Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators at its highest level.

After activating the Trace Eradicating Talisman, Li Fan returned to the underwater ruins near Wuya Island where he had discovered the blue blood coral.

With the coral taken by Li Fan, the place had long lost its former vitality.

Only one or two fish occasionally swam through the cracks of the collapsed ruins and boulders.

“There’s nothing special here.” After investigating, Li Fan still couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

Li Fan even used Formless Killing Intent to lock onto a fish in the ruins and observed it carefully from a heavenly perspective.

The result was still the same.

Li Fan then went to the deep underwater valley where the second blue blood coral was found.

It was still the same.

“A dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, and an Elder of the Medicine Hall no less. He shouldn't be toying with me.”

“So, is it because my cultivation is insufficient, and I can’t perceive it?”

Currently, this was the only plausible explanation.

Li Fan then returned to the tianxuan mirror and contacted Chen Ying.