Chapter 913: Service in Action |
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Meng Zhang carefully considered if there was anything special produced within the Taiyi Sect's territory that could be sold in the Heavenly Palace. After much contemplation, he couldn't find any clues, so he decided to put the matter aside for now.
While strolling through the market, he made his first purchase: a stack of teleportation talismans. These were specially made by the Heavenly Palace for cultivators at the Primordial Spirit stage. By activating the talisman after entering the Nine Heavens, one could be instantly teleported into the Heavenly Palace. Similarly, when leaving, activating the talisman would transport them back to their original location.
Unlike the Taiyi Sect token that Meng Zhang possessed, which could be used multiple times, these talismans had limitations and would become useless after a few uses. Additionally, due to Meng Zhang's possession of the Taiyi Sect token, he would be easily recognized and allowed to move freely within the Heavenly Palace.
For cultivators using these talismans to travel to the Heavenly Palace, each entry and exit would require a specialized inspection. In fact, the specific location of the Heavenly Palace on the Middle-Earth Continent was not much of a secret, as it was widely known in many places. However, even if cultivators knew its location, traveling to the Heavenly Palace on foot from the Nine Heavens could take one to two years and might not guarantee a smooth arrival at their destination. Using the teleportation talismans would save them a lot of effort.
These teleportation talismans were not readily available for purchase; there were many restrictions on buying them. Cultivators who wished to buy these talismans had limited quantities and needed to register their purchase. Each talisman was recorded in the files.
If Meng Zhang were not the Taiyi Sect Sect Master, he wouldn't have been able to purchase such a large stack at once. These teleportation talismans were not for his personal use; instead, he planned to give them to Primordial Spirit cultivators with whom he had established good relationships, providing them with the opportunity to enter the Heavenly Palace.
Next, Meng Zhang's primary focus was on how he could serve the Heavenly Palace. He entered the General Affairs Hall, where the walls displayed ever-changing images. These images represented the tasks that external cultivators could undertake. Only those at the Return to Emptiness stage had the privilege of obtaining formal positions within the Heavenly Palace.
Primordial Spirit cultivators who could establish connections with these Return to Emptiness stage experts might have the chance to acquire temporary work. Currently, most of the affairs in the Heavenly Palace were managed by these temporary Primordial Spirit cultivators.Without their presence, the entire Heavenly Palace might not be able to function. Other cultivators who wish to serve the Heavenly Palace must come to the General Affairs Hall to receive tasks. By completing these tasks, they can earn varying amounts of merit points.
In reality, exchanging items is just one basic function of merit points. Merit points have diverse and crucial roles. They can elevate one's privileges within the Heavenly Palace, granting many special rights. Those Primordial Spirit cultivators with a substantial amount of merit points are nearly on par with the general Return to Emptiness stage great powers.
Within the Heavenly Palace, privileges are a very crucial aspect. The higher the privileges, the higher the level and quantity of tasks one can accept. Possessing sufficient privileges allows one to move freely in many areas of the Heavenly Palace, with minimal restrictions.
Thanks to the legacy left behind by Taiyi Sect's ancestors, Meng Zhang obtained high privileges upon entering the Heavenly Palace. During its prime, the Taiyi Sect paid a considerable price to obtain such high privileges.
Back when Meng Zhang was still a junior cultivator, he didn't fully grasp the significance of this. Now, at a higher level himself, he realizes that there were powerful ancestors who, even in their absence, left behind many benefits for future generations.
With his current privileges, Meng Zhang qualifies for most of the tasks displayed in the General Affairs Hall. However, accepting tasks is not a simple matter. Failure to complete tasks will gradually lower his privileges, and repeated failures could even lead to the loss of his right to accept tasks.
Thus, Meng Zhang dares not be careless and certainly does not accept tasks haphazardly. After observing for a while, he divides these tasks into several levels. The highest level includes tasks reserved for the Return to Emptiness stage great powers, such as attacking certain major worlds, ambushing Fifth Rank great powers in the void, and resisting invasions from Fifth Rank great powers in the Grand Dust World. Meng Zhang quickly disregards such tasks.Lower-level tasks are more suitable for sects that have multiple Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, preferably with experts at the Primordial Spirit late stage. These tasks involve collaborating with Return to Emptiness stage great powers, exploring the void, and collecting resources, among other things. If Taiyi Sect develops smoothly and thrives for a few hundred years, they might become eligible to participate in these tasks.
The lowest-level tasks involve reconnaissance, infiltration, and attacks on small worlds. These small worlds are too low in level, and cultivators at a higher stage cannot directly enter them. Instead, a large number of lower-level cultivators must be mobilized to infiltrate these worlds. Although the resources of these small worlds are limited, conquering them and bringing them under the control of the Grand Dust World can enhance the Grand Dust World's strength and gain heavenly merit.
The higher-ups in the Heavenly Palace are well aware of the benefits of heavenly merit. They are willing to pay any price to obtain it. In reality, these small worlds are indeed weak and of low level. However, forcibly suppressing their inherent power and sending a large number of lower-level cultivators to conquer them requires a significant price.
Not to mention the difficulty of finding valuable small worlds in the vast void and firmly locking them down, something that only extraordinary Return to Emptiness stage great powers can achieve.
Essentially, these tasks involve great powers hiring lower-level cultivators to work for them. Sects or families with numerous disciples are best suited to undertake such tasks. Meng Zhang is also preparing to take on this type of mission. However, thorough preparation is essential, and reckless actions must be avoided.
If the disciples of Taiyi Sect fail in their actions and ruin the plans of these great powers, the consequences would be severe. These great powers have the means to bring disaster upon Taiyi Sect or even wipe it out.
Another crucial point to consider is that these haughty great powers do not value the lives of lower-level cultivators. They are willing to sacrifice as many lower-level cultivators as needed to achieve their goals without batting an eye. On the other hand, Meng Zhang highly values the lives of Taiyi Sect disciples. Even for cultivators affiliated with Taiyi Sect, he is reluctant to sacrifice them casually.
Therefore, Meng Zhang must carefully select and consider such tasks.
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