Chapter 880: Freely Altering Destiny
Chapter 880: Freely Altering Destiny
"This isn't some miracle cure at all. It's just a weakened version of the Heart Ascension Pill, which also accelerates the eruption of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma inside a cultivator's body..."
"So you're saying... even without this so-called 'miracle cure,' we could have survived on our own?"
Compared to Kou Hong, Dao Xuanzi seemed much calmer.
Still, his fists were clenched tight, and his expression was grim.
"No wonder I've been feeling so dazed lately. I'd want to do something, but then I'd just feel lost and confused. So it was all because of that damn Heart Ascension Pill!" Kou Hong snarled, the realization hitting him like a physical blow.
"And to think, we were so grateful that we rushed to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance overnight..."
Feeling utterly deceived and deeply insulted, Kou Hong shot to his feet.
"The more I think about it, the angrier I get."
With his explosive temper, Kou Hong made his decision on the spot.
"Hold on!" Ji Shaoli said, raising a hand to stop him.
"Heh, I know you're indignant, Brother Kou. But..."
"Have you considered the consequences of leaving the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?"
Ji Shaoli's tone was heavy with meaning. "I've never heard of anyone who left the Alliance and lived to tell the tale."
Kou Hong's eyebrows shot up. "So what?" he roared. "I, Kou Hong, am not afraid of death."
"At worst, I'll expose the secret of this 'miracle cure'! We'll all go down in flames together!"
"Whatever happens, I refuse to stay in this disgusting Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance any longer! The very thought of it sickens me!"
Dao Xuanzi also rose, having clearly made the same decision as Kou Hong.
"You two are men of true character, true heroes!"
"I knew I wasn't mistaken about you!" Ji Shaoli exclaimed, clapping his hands in admiration.
"What do you mean by that, fellow Daoist?" Dao Xuanzi asked, his eyes glinting.
"I, too, believe the Alliance has lost its way. Cultivators like us must unite, overthrow it, and restore justice and clarity to the Xuanhuang Realm!" Ji Shaoli declared, his expression solemn.
Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi were taken aback. They exchanged a look and their demeanor toward Ji Shaoli instantly became much more guarded.
But just because they despised the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance didn't mean they were fools.
They were only at the Golden Core stage, while the Alliance boasted countless Soul Transformation and Dao Integration experts...
Overthrow the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?
What a joke.
Both of them pretended not to have heard Ji Shaoli's words and made to take their leave.
But how could Ji Shaoli let them go so easily?
There in the small, secret chamber, he forcefully enlightened them about the existence of the [Federation of All Worlds].
The various methods used in this persuasion need not be detailed.
Suffice it to say that by the time he finished speaking, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi had gone from wanting to flee at all costs to feeling their hearts pound with excitement.
"It is said that the strongest fortresses are often breached from within."
"Our Congyun Mutual Aid Association is a nail driven deep into the heart of the Alliance! We lie in wait, hidden, until the time is right to bury the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for good!" Ji Shaoli's voice was firm and resolute.
"Gentlemen, what do you say?"
Staring into Ji Shaoli's eager and fervent gaze, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi still hesitated.
This wasn't like their days as rogue cultivators, speaking without restraint. This was the kind of thing that could get them executed.
But things had come to this. Now that they knew the secrets of the Federation of All Worlds, if they refused to join, they likely wouldn't be walking out of this chamber alive.
As the two brothers wavered, Ji Shaoli raised the stakes again.
"Do you know why our Congyun Mutual Aid Association, in just a few short years, has managed to attract countless cultivators who flock to join us?"
"Beyond the so-called mutual aid and resource sharing, the fundamental reason is that the [Federation of All Worlds] selects core members from our ranks and nurtures their growth."
"All manner of cultivation resources are made readily available."
"For example..."
"Nascent Soul Grotto-Heavens, the secrets of Soul Transformation, and even the Spirits of Heaven and Earth!"
Ji Shaoli's voice was soft, but to Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi, his words struck like a clap of thunder.
Kou Hong couldn't help but swallow hard. "Daoist Ji, are you serious?"
Ji Shaoli smiled faintly and nodded in confirmation.
"You two were rogue cultivators before, so you must know the hardships of cultivation. Forget the Spirits of Heaven and Earth or the World Birthing Change. Just think about the Nascent Soul Grotto-Heavens—do you have the confidence to find one on your own, relying on luck alone?"
"Without a path to the Nascent Soul stage, are you truly content to have your cultivation locked at the Golden Core realm for the rest of your lives?"
Ji Shaoli's voice grew louder, echoing relentlessly in the minds of Kou Hong and his companion.
The look in their eyes slowly changed until, at last, they made up their minds.
"A man is born between heaven and earth—how can he live a life of mediocrity!" Kou Hong vowed fiercely to himself.
"A heaven-sent opportunity like this cannot be missed," Dao Xuanzi added, his expression grave.
"Good! Excellent! Then let us conduct the initiation ceremony once more. The *real* initiation ceremony," Ji Shaoli boomed with laughter.
With that, the mysterious, unfathomable faceless stone statue appeared once again above them in the secret chamber.
Under Ji Shaoli's guidance, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi recited the oath again.
After they finished reciting the slightly altered text, they felt as if an invisible shackle had been clamped around their very souls.
The two exchanged a glance, their hearts secretly pounding with alarm.
"Now that we're all family, I'll speak frankly." Ji Shaoli cordially pulled the two men over to the stone table in the chamber and had them sit.
"If I'm not mistaken, your Foundation Establishment Wonders are the Dao Xuan Sword and the Gnarled Dragon Branch, correct?" Ji Shaoli asked.
How could he possibly know that?
The two brothers were so shocked they nearly jumped to their feet.
Motioning for them not to be alarmed, Ji Shaoli continued bluntly, "I can see that you two are men of exceptional, heaven-sent talent. However, you've been held back by the quality of your Foundation Establishment Wonders."
"Forget Heavenly or Earthly Treasures; even if you just switched to a high-grade Human Treasure, your future potential would be limitless."
Even as proud as the two brothers were, they couldn't help but be affected by such high praise.
Their faces flushed, and they were about to offer a few humble words.
But Ji Shaoli's next words instantly captivated them.
"When our Mutual Aid Association selects its core members, we don't look at aptitude or talent. We look at character!"
"As long as your character meets our requirements, we will help you..."
"...rewrite your destiny!"
Kou Hong's breath caught. "Rewrite our destiny? But we've already..."
"Precisely. Have you two ever heard of the method of [Establishing the Dao Anew]?" Ji Shaoli asked, his voice laced with temptation.
"The method of Establishing the Dao Anew allows a cultivator to build a new foundation without any loss to their current cultivation level or magical power. Even better, the new foundation will slowly devour and replace the old one, allowing you to undergo a silent transformation and mend all past imperfections..."
As Ji Shaoli explained, the two brothers' breathing grew increasingly ragged.
"Such a heaven-defying technique actually exists in this world?"
"Indeed. Although you two are already at the Golden Core stage, you only broke through recently. The cost of shattering your cores to recultivate wouldn't be too great," Ji Shaoli nodded.
(End of this chapter)
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