Chapter 871: Recklessly Changing Destiny

"It's not a special medicine at all. It's just a weakened version of the Heart's Desire Ascension Pill, which also accelerates the outbreak of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma within the cultivator's body..."

"So, you're saying, even without this so-called special medicine, we could have survived on our own?"

Compared to Kou Hong, Dao Xuanzi appeared much calmer. However, he still clenched his fists, his expression grim.

"No wonder I've been feeling disoriented lately, periodically confused and unsure what to do. So it was all because of this Heart's Desire Ascension Pill!" Kou Hong gritted his teeth, suddenly enlightened. "And to think, we two brothers were so grateful, joining the Myriad Immortals Alliance overnight..."

Feeling utterly deceived and deeply insulted, Kou Hong rose abruptly. "No, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. I can't stay in this Myriad Immortals Alliance for another moment!"

Hot-tempered Kou Hong immediately made his decision.

"Wait!" Ji Shaoli reached out and stopped him. "Haha, I know you're indignant, Brother Kou. But... have you considered the consequences of leaving the Myriad Immortals Alliance?" Ji Shaoli said meaningfully, "I've never heard of anyone who left the Myriad Immortals Alliance and still lived to tell the tale."

Kou Hong's eyebrows shot up, and he retorted angrily, "What of it? I, Kou Hong, am not someone who fears death. At worst, I'll expose the secret of this special medicine! I'll take them down with me! Anyway, no matter what, I absolutely refuse to stay in this so-called Myriad Immortals Alliance any longer! It makes me sick!"

Dao Xuanzi also stood up, evidently having made the same decision as Kou Hong.

"You two are truly men of conviction, true heroes!" Ji Shaoli clapped his hands in admiration. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

"What do you mean by that, fellow Daoist?" Dao Xuanzi asked, his eyes flickering.

"I also believe the Immortal Alliance is unjust. Cultivators like us should unite to overthrow it and restore peace and order to the Xuanhuang Realm!" Ji Shaoli's expression was solemn.

Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi were startled. They exchanged glances and immediately became much more polite towards Ji Shaoli. But while they had issues with the Myriad Immortals Alliance, they weren't fools. They were merely Golden Core cultivators, whereas the Myriad Immortals Alliance had countless Spirit Transformation and Dao Integration powerhouses... Overthrow the Myriad Immortals Alliance? What a joke.

Both of them pretended not to have heard Ji Shaoli's words and prepared to take their leave. But how could Ji Shaoli let them go so easily? In this small secret chamber, he forcibly enlightened them about the existence of the Myriad Realms Alliance. The various methods involved need no further explanation. In short, after his speech, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi, who had previously wished to avoid him, were now utterly captivated.

"The strongest fortresses, as they say, are often breached from within." Ji Shaoli's tone was extremely resolute. "Our Congyun Mutual Aid Society is a nail hammered into the Immortal Alliance from within! We lie dormant until the time is ripe to completely bury the Myriad Immortals Alliance! Gentlemen, what do you say?"

Faced with Ji Shaoli's earnest and enthusiastic gaze, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi still hesitated. They knew this wasn't like their days as rogue cultivators, speaking without consequence. This was a matter of life and death! But things had come to this. Having learned the secret of the Myriad Realms Alliance, if they didn't agree, they likely wouldn't leave this secret chamber alive today.

As the two brothers wavered, Ji Shaoli raised the stakes again. "Do you two know why our Congyun Mutual Aid Society, established just a few years ago, attracts countless cultivators who come seeking us out? Besides the so-called mutual assistance and resource sharing, the fundamental reason is that the Myriad Realms Alliance selects key individuals from us and cultivates them. All cultivation resources are readily accessible. For instance... Nascent Soul Caves, Spirit Transformation breakthroughs, and even Heavenly and Earthly Souls!"

Although Ji Shaoli's tone was light, his words struck Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi like thunder. Kou Hong couldn't help but swallow. "Fellow Daoist Ji, is what you say true?"

Ji Shaoli smiled faintly and nodded in confirmation. "Both of you were rogue cultivators before, so you must know the difficulty of cultivation. Let alone Heavenly and Earthly Souls or breakthroughs to life. Just consider these Nascent Soul Caves—do you have the confidence to find them merely by luck? If there's no hope of advancing to Nascent Soul, are you content to have your cultivation stuck at the Golden Core stage for your entire lives?"

Ji Shaoli's voice grew louder, echoing repeatedly in Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi's minds. Their eyes slowly changed, and finally, they made up their minds.

"How can a man born between heaven and earth live a life of mediocrity!" Kou Hong thought fiercely.

"This is a heaven-sent opportunity not to be missed," Dao Xuanzi said with a serious expression.

"Good! Very good! Then let's hold an initiation ceremony again. The *true* initiation ceremony." Ji Shaoli laughed heartily.

Subsequently, the mysterious faceless stone statue reappeared above the secret chamber. Led by Ji Shaoli, Kou Hong and the other brother repeated the oath once more. After reciting the slightly altered oath, they felt as if their minds had been bound by an invisible shackles. The two brothers exchanged glances, secretly startled.

"Since we're all family now, I'll speak plainly," Ji Shaoli said, cordially leading them to sit at the stone table in the secret chamber. "If I'm not mistaken, your two Foundation-Building marvelous objects are the Profound Dao Sword and the Coiled Dragon Branch, correct?" Ji Shaoli asked.

How did he know that? The two brothers were so surprised they almost stood up on the spot.

Gesturing for them not to be surprised, Ji Shaoli then spoke bluntly, "I observe that both of you brothers possess extraordinary talent. However, you've been held back by the quality of your Foundation-Building marvelous objects. Leaving aside Heaven-tier or Earth-tier marvels, even if you were to switch to a top-tier Human-tier marvel, your future prospects would be limitless."

Though the two brothers were quite proud, they couldn't help but be swayed by Ji Shaoli's praise. Their old faces flushed, and they were about to offer a few humble words. But Ji Shaoli's next words instantly captured their attention.

"Our mutual aid society selects core members not based on aptitude or talent, but solely on character! As long as their character meets our requirements, we will naturally help them... defy fate and change destiny!"

Kou Hong's breath hitched. "Defy fate and change destiny? But we are already..."

"Precisely. Have you two ever heard of the method of re-establishing one's Dao?" Ji Shaoli asked, his voice full of allure. "The method of re-establishing one's Dao allows a cultivator, after establishing a new Dao Foundation, to not only keep their cultivation and magical power completely unaffected but also to gradually use the new Dao Foundation to devour and replace the original one. This allows for a silent transformation, perfecting all past imperfections..."

Ji Shaoli narrated eloquently, and Kou Hong and the other brother's breathing grew more rapid.

"Such a heaven-defying technique actually exists in this world?"

"Indeed. Although both of you are already Golden Core cultivators, you've only recently broken through. The cost of shattering your core and re-cultivating wouldn't be particularly high." Ji Shaoli nodded.