Chapter 840: A Secret and a New Post
Chapter 840: A Secret and a New Post
Although they had already left Qiling Prefecture swiftly with the aid of the earth veins' power, they could still feel the tremendous roar and vibration coursing through the surging currents of the earth.
It felt like a colossal wave crashing down from behind. Even Lin Ling, sheltered by the power of the ancient earth vein tree, was forced to stumble, veering them off their original course.
One could only imagine how terrifying the disturbance within Qiling Prefecture itself must have been.
It wasn't just the adjacent prefectures;
even the distant Congyun Sea felt a faint tremor.
On Haixuan Island.
The Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Association, now eighteen members strong, had been in the midst of a heated discussion about the organization's future plans.
Now, however, an abrupt silence fell over them all.
"Hm? That wasn't just my imagination, was it?" He Zhenghao asked, his face clouded with doubt.
He Zhenghao was truly a man who knew which way the wind blew.
Though he had missed the initial opportunity to join, the moment he confirmed that Pei Tuo had indeed advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, he immediately paid another visit to Ji Shaoli.
Even after being turned away at the door for seven straight days, he refused to give up.
Instead, he persisted relentlessly, sending message after message to express his fervent desire to join.
In the end, Ji Shaoli was moved by his sincerity.
He Zhenghao thus became one of the eleven cultivators in the second group to join the Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Association.
Ji Shaoli stroked his beard, saying nothing.
Pei Tuo, who had the highest cultivation level among them, gazed toward Qiling Prefecture, his expression grave. "It wasn't an illusion. Even all the way out here, we could feel the earth tremble faintly. Something major must have happened."
"How dreadful. I can't imagine how many cultivators must have perished in a catastrophe of that scale."
"Could it be... that war has broken out again?"
...
A flurry of speculation erupted among the members.
Finally, it was Ji Shaoli, ever vigilant of the Immortal Alliance's movements, who read the official announcement as soon as it was released.
"An earthquake has occurred in Qiling Prefecture. Dao Integration cultivators have been dispatched to the scene immediately."
"The tremors are gradually subsiding. There have been no reported cultivator casualties at this time."
"Preliminary investigations have ruled out the possibility of further disasters."
"There is no need for alarm..."
After slowly reading the announcement, Ji Shaoli looked at the others. "Well, what do you all make of it?"
Xiang Xin snorted. "A disaster of that magnitude, and they claim no cultivators died? Who would believe such a thing?"
Another cultivator immediately agreed. "Exactly. If you ask me, it's just the Immortal Alliance papering over the cracks again."
"They're getting more and more audacious. Can't they even be bothered to invent a believable lie?"
...
Their reactions were exactly what Ji Shaoli had expected.
If his original self and his companions hadn't been the very culprits behind the incident in Qiling Prefecture, he too would have found it impossible to believe that a catastrophe of such terrifying scale could result in zero casualties. It was utterly absurd.
However, he had no intention of correcting them.
Ji Shaoli smiled faintly. "Alright, let's end our discussion on this matter here. It's fine to speak freely amongst ourselves, but once you step outside, it's best to keep such thoughts to yourselves. Otherwise, you risk attracting unnecessary trouble."
No one present was a reckless fool; they all nodded in immediate agreement.
Ji Shaoli then steered the conversation back to the main topic.
"It's not that the organization doesn't trust you," he began, his tone serious. "But this matter is of the utmost gravity. If even the slightest hint of it were to leak, I'm afraid none of you here would escape with your lives."
"Therefore, I need each of you to swear an oath before the statue of the Savior from Suffering, the Red Dust Compassionate Immortal."
Ji Shaoli placed a crimson contract, which emanated a strange, almost demonic aura, on the table before them.
Without the slightest hesitation, Pei Tuo was the first to make a solemn vow and carve his name onto the contract.
The remaining members quickly followed suit.
Ji Shaoli nodded, satisfied, and put the crimson contract away.
He then asked, "What are your thoughts on the upcoming Immortal Alliance Grand Examination?"
The members were taken aback, momentarily unsure of what Ji Shaoli was implying.
After all, everyone present already held a position within the Immortal Alliance.
Although this examination was a massive affair, with recruitment being expanded by half, it had nothing to do with them.
Unless...
...they resigned from their current posts and reapplied as unaffiliated candidates.
It wasn't unheard of.
Only cultivators who were deeply dissatisfied with their current roles, saw no hope of promotion in the foreseeable future, and harbored great ambitions would consider such a drastic step.
After all, the examination was notoriously difficult. Who could guarantee that after resigning from their post, they would be able to pass it again?
Moreover, such an act would inevitably offend one's former superiors.
If they failed, they would likely have to consider fleeing to a distant land to avoid repercussions.
Without absolute confidence, almost no one would choose such a path—it was akin to a warrior cutting off their own arm to save their life.
Seeing the room fall silent, Ji Shaoli offered no immediate explanation.
Instead, he distributed a jade slip to each person.
After examining the slips, they all furrowed their brows.
They could clearly see that the contents of the jade slips matched the format of the Grand Examination questions.
"Could it be..."
Thinking back on Ji Shaoli's secretive behavior...
...and the Mutual Aid Association's terrifying, hidden backing...
...a startling conjecture began to form in their minds.
"Is it possible?"
But they quickly shook their heads, dismissing the thought themselves.
The questions for the Immortal Alliance's recruitment examination were a top secret.
Even though they often complained among themselves about the Alliance's corruption, they had never, in all their years, heard of the examination questions being leaked.
While the Mutual Aid Association clearly had the backing of a major power...
...but...
The room was deathly silent for a moment.
It was Ji Shaoli who finally broke the silence, confirming the very conjecture they hadn't dared to entertain.
"If all goes according to plan," he said, "the questions for this year's Grand Examination should all be in these jade slips."
His voice was quiet.
But to the ears of those present, it was like a clap of thunder.
Several cultivators shot to their feet, staring at Ji Shaoli, utterly dumbfounded.
"Daoist Ji, is this true?"
"When have I ever deceived you?" Ji Shaoli replied, his tone resolute.
He paused, giving them a moment to absorb the immense shock.
Observing the varied expressions on the faces of He Zhenghao and the others, Ji Shaoli spoke again. "With the organization's support, your strength will undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds in a short time. However, securing a promotion based on that alone will still be difficult."
"After all, those willing to join our Mutual Aid Association are not likely to have powerful backgrounds."
"Furthermore, the Congyun Sea is a remote place. It can't compare to the prosperous central prefectures of the Immortal Alliance."
...
After explaining his rationale for helping them...
he asked, "The authentic examination questions are right here. Now, I wonder, which of you are willing to take this leap of faith?"
As his words fell, the room was plunged into a deathly silence.
The inner conflict of each member was plain to see on their faces.
"This is merely an offer of assistance," Ji Shaoli added with a smile. "The decision is entirely up to you. There is absolutely no pressure."
(End of Chapter)
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