“So, these positions are openly traded? Isn’t there anyone regulating this?” Li Fan replied, feigning astonishment.
“Regulate? Who would regulate it? The Soul Transformation True Monarchs, perhaps?” He Zhenghao counter-questioned.
“Those two on Ten Thousand Immortals Island seem much more honorable in handling such matters than the people below.”
“Cough…” He Zhenghao paused and then explained to Li Fan.
“Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is highly autonomous in each state. As long as you don’t violate the rules of the alliance and don’t disturb the Law Enforcement Hall, the headquarters won’t bother with the affairs of the various branches.”
“In any case, the trade and distribution of resources within the alliance have to go through the Tianxuan Mirror. Everything is under control, and there won’t be any major chaos.”
“In that case, is the Law Enforcement Hall the most influential? Do you know how one can join it? Even if it requires more contribution points, I am willing.” Li Fan inquired, recalling the Foundation Establishment Law Enforcer Wan who chased him in the eleventh lifetime.
“The personnel of the Law Enforcement Hall in each state are directly appointed by the headquarters. It’s quite difficult for fellow Daoist to join the Law Enforcement Hall.” He Zhenghao tactfully replied.
“Many cultivators aspire to become law enforcers, and the competition is fierce. It’s hard to even apply.” He Zhenghao sighed. “The only reliable way is the ten year assessment. Back then, I also aspired to become a law enforcer, but the requirements were too strict, and I wasn’t selected. In the end, I could only settle for becoming an island guardian.”
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t be worrying about techniques now. You know, law enforcers can freely select and cultivate techniques.” He Zhenghao enviously said.
“Such a good deal?” Li Fan was somewhat surprised.
“Of course. Law enforcers face various ruthless thieves every day, and the risk of dying is not small. It’s normal to have better benefits.” He Zhenghao said matter-of-factly.
“In fact, being a formation maintenance personnel is not bad either. Fellow Daoist doesn’t have to fixate on becoming a law enforcer. There’s a fixed reward every year, and you can also learn formation knowledge for free under the guidance of the Formation Master. All you need to do is help repair the island guardian formations of the Cong Yun Sea.”
“Do you want to consider it? For just ten thousand contribution points, I can help lobby for you.” He Zhenghao asked with a tempting tone.
Li Fan, however, asked again, “I wonder if you’re familiar with Master Zhang Zhiliang? I heard that this person is generous and has exceptional proficiency in formations, being considered the number one in the Cong Yun Sea. If I become a formation maintenance personnel, it might be better to follow him.”
He Zhenghao looked a bit surprised, “Generous? Fellow Daoist, where did you hear that? This person’s temperament is a bit peculiar.”
“But, his proficiency in formations is indeed remarkable. Following him might indeed yield greater gains.”
“I can’t guarantee this matter, but I can try my best.” He Zhenghao honestly said.
“Fellow Daoist, just go ahead with it. Whether it succeeds or not, I will remember the favor.” Li Fan boasted, “You don’t need to worry about contribution points. After borrowing contribution points from the Clear Wind Hall and stocking up on Spirit Mist Grass, I still have some leftovers. It should be enough for this matter.”
He Zhenghao said upon hearing this, “Since fellow Daoist says so, then I will do my best. Fellow Daoist, wait for my good news!”
After expressing his gratitude, Li Fan ended the communication with the sentiment, “Fellow Daoist He is truly a good comrade.”
“Free techniques, ten year assessment…” Li Fan pondered for a moment and began searching for relevant information in the Tianxuan Mirror.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance entry assessment was held every ten years, and the last assessment was about half a year ago.
Depending on the desired position, the assessment content varied.
The assessment took place in the Tianxuan Mirror, eliminating the possibility of favoritism or cheating.
The results were immediately released after the assessment, and participants would lose their memory of the assessment content upon leaving the Tianxuan Mirror.
This prevented anyone from taking advantage of the situation to profit.
…
“It’s really rigorous!” Li Fan marveled, “Next time the assessment opens, I should go and broaden my horizons.”
Li Fan continued searching for the impressions of Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators regarding the assessment and found that “difficult,” “unreasonable,” and “corrupt” had become the consensus among the majority of cultivators.
“You have a new image transmission, please check it promptly.”
While Li Fan was engrossed in his search, the prompt from the Tianxuan Mirror suddenly sounded.
“Huh?”
Li Fan was a bit puzzled, so he opened the image, and a man in a green robe suddenly appeared.
“Hello, young friend. I am Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall.”
“I wonder, where did you discover those two Blue Blood Corals you provided last time?”
“After successfully refining the Ice Intent Heartless Pill this time, I found that the efficacy of the pill was unexpectedly stronger than the ones I previously refined.”
“There were no other changes. After much thought, the only unexpected factor was these two Blue Blood Corals you provided.”
“So, I refined another batch with different Blue Blood Corals, and indeed, the effect of enhanced efficacy disappeared.”
“The quality of the Blue Blood Corals you provided is much higher than the conventional varieties.”
“I want to go to their growth place to investigate. Perhaps I can discover something.”
“Regardless of the result, if you truthfully tell me, I will certainly reward you.”
…
After the image disappeared and without an immediate reply, Li Fan fell into contemplation.
Recalling the process of harvesting the Blue Blood Corals before, Li Fan did not perceive anything special about those two locations at the time.
“Could it be that I was negligent?” Li Fan thought for a moment and decided to make another trip to see what was going on.
To prevent this Medicine Hall Chen Ying from tracking him, Li Fan specifically bought a “Disappearance Talisman” in the Tianxuan Mirror.
It was an upgraded version of the “Concealing Form Talisman” and could shield against the prying eyes of Nascent Soul realm cultivators.
After activating the Disappearance Talisman, Li Fan returned to the vicinity of Mist Crow Island, where the underwater ruins containing the Blue Blood Coral were.
With Li Fan having taken away the corals, the once vibrant place had lost its former vitality.
However, in the crevices of the collapsed ruins, one or two fish swam by occasionally.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything special.” Li Fan explored the area but still couldn’t find anything unusual.
Even when Li Fan used the Formless Killing Intent to lock onto a fish in the ruins and observed it closely through the Vision of Heaven and Earth, the result remained the same.
Next, Li Fan went to the underwater deep valley where he found the second Blue Blood Coral.
Still, nothing out of the ordinary.
“As a Nascent Soul cultivator and an elder of the Medicine Hall, he shouldn’t be joking with me.”
“So, is it because my cultivation is not high enough to perceive it?”
At present, it seemed to be the only explanation.
Li Fan then returned to the Tianxuan Mirror and contacted Chen Ying.