Chapter 848: Clever Words to Earn Divine Power

Ji Shaoli spoke fluently, "If I'm not mistaken, the treasures each person obtains from this fishing pond are relatively independent and don't affect each other. In other words, you and I aren't in a life-or-death competition. That's the first point."

"Furthermore, we both have a common goal: the fewer cultivators who know the secret of this fishing pond, the better. Fellow Daoist Zhong, do you believe you can guard this secret alone?"

"I discovered the anomaly here today. One day, other cultivators will also find it. Can you stop them?" Ji Shaoli stared intently at Zhong Shentong, asking unceremoniously.

Zhong Shentong remained silent.

"However, with our help, the risk of other cultivators discovering it would be greatly reduced. It might even be possible to monopolize this supreme treasure forever!" Ji Shaoli said with a smile.

"Us?" Zhong Shentong's expression finally changed.

After a long hesitation, he reluctantly put away the Violet-Gold Gourd in his hand and said somewhat helplessly, "Fellow Daoist, please come down and talk."

At this moment, the prickling sense of crisis that had lingered in Ji Shaoli's heart completely vanished.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, was this Violet-Gold Gourd also fished out of the pond?" Ji Shaoli asked, his eyes glinting. He did not, however, approach.

Zhong Shentong gave a wry smile, "I've been guarding this fishing platform for most of my life, and this is the only treasure I've ever fished out."

"It's the Primordial Violet-Gold Gourd, purple quality. I don't know which cultivation world it originates from, but it contains two primordial energies. In an instant, these energies can transform into flying blades to fend off enemies. It's said that even Spirit Transformation cultivators can be instantly slain by it. Unfortunately..." Zhong Shentong shook his head slightly, "That's only true in other cultivation worlds. In our Profound Yellow Realm, cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage merge with heaven and earth. As long as heaven and earth don't perish, cultivators won't fall. So, this Primordial Violet-Gold Gourd isn't quite as formidable here."

His words revealed why he hadn't easily chosen to attack. Under the formidable aura of numerous protective treasures, Ji Shaoli's revealed presence had already far exceeded the realm of Golden Core cultivators. Zhong Shentong couldn't ascertain his true cultivation level and lacked the confidence to kill him in one blow. Hearing that Ji Shaoli might also have an organization behind him, he could only give up.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, how many years have passed since you discovered the secrets of this fishing pond?" Ji Shaoli finally descended from the clouds.

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Zhong Shentong's eyes, "I can't quite remember. It was when I was still young, time flies so fast..."

Ji Shaoli, meanwhile, subtly observed Liuli, the Daoist child who had been protected behind Zhong Shentong. Like a porcelain doll, her features were delicate. Dressed in a loose Daoist robe, it was impossible to discern her gender at a glance.

Liuli poked her head out at this moment, showing little fear in her eyes. She merely puffed out her cheeks and glared fiercely at Ji Shaoli.

"This little one..." Zhong Shentong said with a forced smile, "Just an ordinary orphan I adopted..."

Just then, Liuli's eyes widened, and she looked up at Zhong Shentong with a shocked expression, "Master, didn't you say I was also fished out of this pond...?"

"Mmmph..." Before she could finish her sentence, Zhong Shentong, filled with regret, clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Hahahaha!" Ji Shaoli burst into laughter, then abruptly stopped. With a stern expression, he looked at Zhong Shentong, "Fellow Daoist Zhong, if you insist on this, then don't blame me for being merciless."

"Lin Ling!"

Liuli also realized she had caused trouble and immediately stopped struggling. Zhong Shentong, however, did not reprimand her. He simply stroked the little Daoist child's head, continuously comforting the tearful Liuli.

The two parties faced off for a period.

As a figure appeared in the sky, the oppressive aura of a Dao Integration cultivator descended, enveloping them. Zhong Shentong's face turned extremely pale. He let out a long sigh and finally conceded.

"Little Liuli was indeed something I fished out of the pond," Zhong Shentong, having given up resistance, sat down on the ground and slowly recounted his tale. "In the beginning, she was just a transparent fruit, much like glass. I was about to eat it when I faintly heard a baby's cry from within."

Lin Ling, meanwhile, was very curious about this pretty little Daoist child and continuously swept her divine sense over the girl. The little girl actually sensed this and glared back at Lin Ling, unwilling to show weakness. The two stared at each other, neither willing to back down. This scene made Zhong Shentong chuckle wryly, and his nervousness dissipated. He had felt despair when the other party revealed their Dao Integration cultivation. However, judging by the actions of this Dao Integration Immortal Venerable, the situation didn't seem as bad as he had imagined.

At this point, Ji Shaoli also walked over to the fishing pond. With his back to Zhong Shentong, he slowly said, "I am not a bloodthirsty person. I wouldn't wish to create needless carnage unless absolutely necessary. However, the secret of this fishing pond must never be revealed."

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, you now have two choices."

"First, you can sacrifice your life. If so, I promise you that this child will live the rest of her life without worry."

"And second..." Zhong Shentong narrowed his eyes, listening as Ji Shaoli deliberately paused.

"That is to join our Myriad Realms Alliance. As long as we're all one family, there will be no need to worry about any secrets being leaked."

"Myriad Realms... Alliance?" Hearing this completely unfamiliar name, Zhong Shentong was momentarily stunned. However, with a Dao Integration cultivator present, it was certainly not simple. With no real choice, Zhong Shentong quickly and readily agreed.

"I am willing to join you."

"Good! Fellow Daoist Zhong truly knows how to adapt to circumstances!" Ji Shaoli applauded and praised him. "Lin Ling!" he called out again.

Lin Ling looked at Ji Shaoli, then gently pointed a finger towards the sky. Subsequently, a blurred image of a faceless stone statue appeared above Zhong Shentong's head. Although the statue's features were unclear, a chilling sensation suddenly arose in Zhong Shentong's heart. Having faced countless starlike light clusters in the fishing pond every day, he had developed an almost intuitive ability to appraise the grade of items. Zhong Shentong could tell at a glance that this statue was definitely of immense significance!

Sure enough, he heard Ji Shaoli say with a respectful tone, "This is the True Immortal Statue of Mortal Compassion. All who join the alliance must recite an oath before this statue." As he spoke, an oath more than two hundred characters long was transmitted into Zhong Shentong's mind through a spiritual message.

"True Immortal..." Zhong Shentong's heart jolted. "Could it be that behind this Myriad Realms Alliance..." Zhong Shentong dared not think further. He had seen too many items from various cultivation worlds from the fishing platform. He was utterly convinced of the true existence of the Immortal Realm, which surpassed all cultivation worlds.

With an exceedingly solemn expression, Zhong Shentong recited the alliance oath in front of everyone. The process seemed incredibly long, and the oath appeared to contain mysterious and profound energy.