Chapter 427: Seven-Day Probation Test

The image on the broken stone suddenly went silent. Li Fan didn't rush, waiting patiently.

After a long while, the human face responded, "Found it! There's something perfect for you!"

"Oh, what is it?" Li Fan feigned excitement.

"'The Great Devouring Heaven and Earth Technique!' the human face said, rather triumphantly."

"'Devouring Heaven and Earth?'" Li Fan narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment, but found no information about it in his memory.

Fortunately, the human face didn't intend to test Li Fan and explained directly: "It's a technique left by an infamous ancient cultivator. This individual forged a unique path, cultivating not by absorbing spiritual energy from the heavens and earth, but by directly devouring spiritual and earth veins. While his progress was incredibly rapid, he lacked restraint and acted recklessly, causing spiritual energy depletion and geographic shifts across several states in a short period. He was eventually discovered and met a terrible end, flayed, dismembered, and with his soul scattered. However, this secret technique of his was preserved after his interrogation."

Li Fan pondered for a moment, then thoughtfully asked, "Boss, are you suggesting I use the Great Devouring Heaven and Earth Technique to secretly absorb the spirit and earth veins of the Myriad Immortals Alliance?"

The human face nodded, a look of approval on its features. "Most of the Myriad Immortals Alliance's strongholds are built upon earth veins. As the guardian of Tai'an Island, if you're careful and only absorb a small amount each time, you'll surely remain undetected. Even that small amount from an earth vein will be a great boost for a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you. With this, you should quickly reach the Golden Core realm."

Li Fan was overjoyed. "Boss, you are truly wise and formidable!"

The human face, however, was unimpressed by Li Fan's flattery and snorted coldly. "Go get the first day's exam questions from He Zhenghao first. Once the results are confirmed, we'll complete the transaction that very night. When the time comes, I'll send someone specifically. Your only responsibility is the handover. I'll also have him bring you the Great Devouring Heaven and Earth Technique." Li Fan wasn't surprised by the human face's decision. After all, five million contribution points was no small sum. It was unlikely they would let a seemingly mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him take the lead.

He nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"You may go now," the human face instructed. "Our recent meetings have been frequent, so be careful on your way. At a crucial moment, you must not reveal any hint of suspicion."

"Boss, you can rest assured," Li Fan promised, patting his chest.

After agreeing on their next meeting location, the broken stone gradually lost its luster and crumbled into dust.

"Cultivating by devouring earth vein power..." Li Fan suddenly recalled something. "If he could utilize this, his cultivation speed in this lifetime might be even faster than he had anticipated."

Using Zhou Qing'ang's appearance, Li Fan quietly flew back to Tai'an Island. His clone was deeply hidden within Tai'an Island's protective array, so there was no fear of being discovered. However, to be absolutely safe, Li Fan set up another layer of formation within his secluded cultivation chamber. He then cast the secret technique 'Covering the Sky with One Hand' for additional concealment.

Only after completing all these preparations did he retrieve a blank jade slip from his storage ring. As the blue light of the Dao Transformation Stone flowed within Li Fan's mind, he meticulously engraved all the exam questions from his previous life into the jade slip. The Myriad Immortals Alliance's entrance examination was comprehensive, covering numerous subjects such as politics, law, economics, martial arts, artifact forging, formation arrays, alchemy, and talismans. It was hosted by local Administration Halls, with assistance from the Martial Arts Halls. All applicants were required to take examinations in every subject.

Following a comprehensive assessment, a select group would be chosen and transferred to the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters or other crucial, confidential areas. Positions were then allocated based on the cultivators' overall scores and their individual career preferences. The assessment format was not limited to simple question-and-answer sessions, such as those conducted via spirit sense orbs. For instance, in the politics assessment, candidates would be immersed in realistic illusions, akin to experiencing different historical eras. Through various evolving scenarios, their awareness and loyalty would be tested. Similarly, for practical skills like artifact forging, formation arrays, alchemy, and talismans, candidates were required to demonstrate practical, on-site execution in addition to theoretical examinations.

Numerous cultivators participated in the entrance examination each time, though the vast majority were merely there for the experience. Nevertheless, completing this entire process was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Yet, cultivators remained enthusiastic, and the number of applicants only increased with each successive examination. In summary, for those invested in it, the decennial entrance examination was considered a grand event.

After engraving the first day's questions into one jade slip and the remaining questions into another, Li Fan let out a soft breath. Li Fan himself had no intention of participating in the examination. After all, he could easily enter the Myriad Immortals Alliance system through far more convenient means. Moreover, his primary objective in this lifetime, above all else, was to cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm using the Five Elements Grotto-Heaven. Joining the Myriad Immortals Alliance would only add an extra layer of constraint, impeding his freedom of action. He still had a month and a half; all he needed to do was wait patiently.

While cultivating, Li Fan meticulously considered any potential variables that might arise in the future. Time slowly passed.

During this period, to avoid any slip-ups, Li Fan invited He Zhenghao to Tai'an Island as a guest on multiple occasions. He would seal the formation and they would talk late into the night. Li Fan, who understood He Zhenghao's temperament well, naturally enjoyed their conversations. After several such meetings, He Zhenghao came to increasingly regard "Zhou Qing'ang" as a trusted confidant. During their casual conversations, He Zhenghao repeatedly boasted about having received guidance from an "ancient Celestial Mechanism Sect cultivator." He claimed that a single investment had completely turned his life around, altering his destiny forever. Having cultivated a Nascent Soul technique, he was now on the verge of reaching the Golden Core realm.

Li Fan outwardly displayed an air of extreme envy. He lavished praise on He Zhenghao, repeatedly entreating him to remember him if another opportunity for wealth ever arose. Unable to resist Li Fan's persistent entreaties, He Zhenghao readily agreed. Li Fan then revealed a satisfied smile.

Apart from these interactions, the Congyun Sea remained calm, with no other unusual incidents occurring. Soon, only three days remained until the official commencement of the entrance examination.

After yet another lengthy discussion with He Zhenghao, and after his departure, Li Fan abruptly stood up. "It's time," he thought. He quietly flew towards the location agreed upon with the human face on the broken stone. Following the previous procedure, he located the meeting point for this encounter. After successful verification, the human face abruptly materialized.

"How is it? Did you get the exam questions?" A rare hint of tension and anticipation was discernible in the human face's voice. Li Fan, too, found it hard to conceal his excitement.

He nodded, retrieved the jade slip containing the first day's exam questions, and placed it upon the broken stone. Yellow light enveloped the jade slip, and the image of the human face blurred.

Moments later, "Excellent! Wait here. The outcome will be clear in three days."

Without waiting for Li Fan's reply, the human face impatiently vanished. The yellow light faded, but this time the broken stone did not shatter. Li Fan gazed at the broken stone, his eyes filled with profound meaning.