Chapter 838: The Chosen Immortal Saves the World

"Human energy is finite. When attention is focused on one thing, it inevitably reduces focus on others."

"Moreover, the genuine, high-quality picture books imbued with Senior Sister Zhao's power have been submerged amidst countless crudely made imitations from the Myriad Immortals Alliance. As a result, the influence of the One-Hearted Heavenly Venerate has been restricted to the greatest extent."

"This move is brilliant! I've learned something," Ji Shaoli exclaimed, having seen through the Myriad Immortals Alliance's various maneuvers.

A moment later, he slightly furrowed his brow. "However, this can only mitigate the harm. It can't completely end Senior Sister Zhao's influence..."

"The Myriad Immortals Alliance must have another trick up its sleeve."

It was just as Ji Shaoli had predicted.

While the vast majority of the Alliance's cultivators were engrossed in the deliberately manufactured discussion,

A small group of individuals, unsatisfied with the imitations, continued to relentlessly pursue more exquisite picture books.

Unbeknownst to them, everything circulating in the market was already being secretly and closely monitored by the Myriad Immortals Alliance. They simply hadn't cast their net yet.

When, after much effort, they finally found a seller willing to part with the books,

They were all rounded up the moment the transaction was completed.

They were arrested on charges of attempting to subvert the Immortal Alliance.

All of this unfolded quietly, overshadowed by the bustling wave of public discussion. Had Ji Shaoli not been observing these cultivators beforehand, he likely wouldn't have noticed their sudden disappearance.

Confusing the public while engaging in sting operations.

Through this two-pronged approach, it took over three months for the Myriad Immortals Alliance to finally neutralize the impact of Senior Sister Zhao's initial probe.

"Although the Myriad Immortals Alliance appeared to win this engagement, in reality, they lost," Ji Shaoli mused, shaking his head. "What did the Council of Five Elders pay for this disturbance? Merely some mass-producible picture books. But the Myriad Immortals Alliance had to spend a vast amount of time and energy, forced to quell the matter."

"They suppressed it this time, but the Council of Five Elders can return at any moment, and at little cost. The Myriad Immortals Alliance, however, must remain constantly vigilant. This is the overwhelming power of a Heavenly Venerate."

"The Myriad Immortals Alliance's decline is fully apparent..."

"Still, I hope it can bring me some surprises in the future."

There are no eternally popular topics in the world.

As time passed, the cultivators' attention to the released secret texts gradually waned.

Instead, the highly anticipated Immortal Alliance entrance examination was finally about to begin.

The immense attention this grand examination garnered was not only due to its unprecedented scale but also a result of an explosive announcement recently made by the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

To counter the formidable Council of Five Elders, the Alliance would select thirty-three "Immortal Chosen" through this examination.

Entrusted with the hope of resisting the Council of Five Elders, Immortal Chosen would receive training from the Myriad Immortals Alliance without regard for cost.

Everything required for advancement—elixirs, cultivation techniques, grotto-heavens, transformations of rebirth, and even the very essence of heaven and earth...

The Myriad Immortals Alliance would provide it all free of charge!

Regardless of their previous cultivation level, they were guaranteed to achieve the Dao Integration Realm within ten years!

In this selection of Immortal Chosen, family background and even cultivation talent were not the primary focus.

The only thing valued was the cultivator's individual ability: whether they could play a unique role in the upcoming confrontation with the Council of Five Elders!

When the news spread, the cultivators of the Myriad Immortals Alliance immediately fell into a frenzy.

Cultivators generally tend to be a bit arrogant.

Even if their cultivation realm temporarily stagnated, they would not blame themselves.

They would instead attribute the stagnation to external factors such as cultivation techniques or resources.

"If I reached Dao Integration, wouldn't I be far stronger than those who ascended purely through family patronage? And we wouldn't be constantly losing ground under the Council of Five Elders' attacks..."

Countless cultivators had such thoughts surge through their minds the moment they heard the announcement.

With a sudden rush of enthusiasm, they flocked to the examination registration points without hesitation.

Even Ji Shaoli was momentarily tempted.

But it was only a fleeting inclination.

Everything comes with a price. The cost of being artificially boosted and quickly achieving Dao Integration might be something he couldn't bear.

His clone was linked to the secrets of his true self, so he certainly wouldn't take such a risk.

However, on the other hand, even if he wanted to, he might not be chosen.

How many cultivators were under the Myriad Immortals Alliance's rule? To select only thirty-three from them...

Even if some might not fit the traditional definition of a prodigy, it was believed that each of them possessed their own unique advantages.

Some who were merely unlucky were no weaker than others; they simply lacked an opportunity.

Once they seized the wind, they could soar proudly through the heavens!

Ji Shaoli had no doubt that among these thirty-three, some previously unknown individuals would emerge, shining brightly and astonishing the world during this selection.

Yet, a question lingered in his mind.

Placing the hope of resisting the Council of Five Elders on these Immortal Chosen—didn't that imply the current leadership was incapable of handling such a monumental task?

Why would the Myriad Immortals Alliance do something so self-defeating?

Not to mention the mysterious Dharma Transmitters, even the prodigy souls chosen from various eras hadn't yet entered the fray.

The Myriad Immortals Alliance shouldn't be incompetent to such an extent.

"Unless these thirty-three Dao Integration cultivators, these so-called 'Stars of Hope'..."

"...are merely a facade."

"They have another purpose."

Ji Shaoli's eyes flickered.

Under the watchful eyes of countless cultivators, the Immortal Alliance Grand Examination officially commenced.

Its scale far surpassed any previous examinations.

Lasting a full month, all participating cultivators would travel to the examination venues via the Profound Heaven Sub-Mirrors located in various states.

Until the examination concluded, the venues would remain completely sealed off from the outside world.

The sheer number of cultivators participating in the examination directly led to the states throughout the Myriad Immortals Alliance becoming somewhat deserted.

During this month, the Myriad Immortals Alliance's interior was vulnerable.

To prevent a sneak attack from the Council of Five Elders, the Immortal Alliance not only deployed heavy troops along its borders, strengthening defenses,

But also, imperceptibly, launched a counterattack.

Within the Spiritwood Realm.

Li Fan, who had temporarily paused the process of devouring the Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven, looked with a grave expression at a diamond-like spherical object handed to him by Lin Ling.

This object had been sent by the Council of Five Elders.

As "partners" with whom he had successfully traded several times, it was quite unexpected for the Council of Five Elders to proactively approach him for help this time.

It truly surprised Li Fan.

Apparently, this gleaming sphere had caused the Council of Five Elders significant trouble.

And they hadn't yet found a way to resolve it.

Therefore, out of desperation, they decided to try their luck and see if the Myriad Immortals United Association had any information about this object.