Carrying the jade token Zhang Zhiliang had given him, the radiance of the Seven-Colored Immortal-Felling Array swept over him harmlessly.
The Administration Hall and Council Hall were the two most prominent structures in the core district of Myriad Immortals Island.
Following the path, Li Fan soon arrived outside the Administration Hall.
A Qi Refinement cultivator dressed in black and yellow Daoist robes stood at the entrance.
Seeing Li Fan approach, the man glanced over and inquired politely, "Fellow Daoist, have you come to register for a position with the Strategy Array Hall?"
Li Fan nodded.
"Very well, follow me."
The man led Li Fan deep into the Administration Hall until they reached a small chamber.
Upon entering, Li Fan discovered it held a realm of its own.
His guide departed, leaving Li Fan alone to observe the space.
Countless rows of tall crimson wooden cabinets stretched into the distance without end.
An elderly man with hair as white as snow stood silently before these crimson cabinets.
As Li Fan watched him, he couldn't shake off a peculiar sensation.
To him, it appeared as though the elder was not stationary, but instead existed as countless avatars at once, all busily moving before the cabinets.
Li Fan lifted his gaze to scrutinize the space more carefully.
The surroundings were a blank, white expanse, devoid of any adornments and people, save for the crimson cabinets and the white-haired elder.
The stark monotony was almost unsettling.
Is this place a shared space present in every branch of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, just like the Tianxuan Mirror? Li Fan wondered silently.
Nevertheless, he did not delay, promptly handing the jade token to the elder.
The elder accepted the token and glanced at Li Fan.
Clearing his throat softly, he spoke in an unhurried tone, "Although you're here on Zhang Zhiliang's recommendation, the standard procedures for formally joining the Myriad Immortals Alliance must still be followed."
The elder pointed to an empty area ahead, and instantly, a white square platform rose from the ground. Crafted entirely from white jade, it emitted a soft, lustrous glow.
"This is the Heart-Questioning Platform. To prevent spies from the Five Elders Council from infiltrating the Alliance, all applicants must pass its test before employment.
"Step onto it," the elder commanded, offering no opportunity for refusal.
A chill ran down Li Fan's spine. He steeled himself, ready to activate Return to Truth and flee at the first sign of danger.
As he landed on the White Jade Heart-Questioning Platform, miniature projections of himself materialized around him, accompanied by some of his basic information within the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
"Aside from the Myriad Immortals Alliance, have you ever joined any other cultivation organization?" the white-haired elder asked after glancing at Li Fan's information.
"No," Li Fan replied swiftly.
The white jade platform remained unchanged, showing no abnormalities.
The white-haired elder nodded and continued, "Do you have any connection to the Five Elders Council?"
"No."
"Do you harbor any ill intention toward the Myriad Immortals Alliance?"
"No."
"Do you have any living relatives?"
"They are all mortals. I have no attachments to them."
The white-haired elder continued to ask a series of questions, and Li Fan gave his answers.
Fortunately, they were all basic inquiries regarding his stance, without delving into private matters such as the techniques or divine abilities he cultivated.
Li Fan answered each one calmly and composedly.
"One final question," the elder said with a light cough. "Why do you wish to join the Myriad Immortals Alliance?"
Li Fan paused briefly before answering slowly, "Eternal life."
A faint glimmer flickered in the white-haired elder's eyes.
The Heart-Questioning Platform vanished without a trace.
"You have successfully passed the Heart-Questioning Trial. From this day forward, you are an official member of the Myriad Immortals Alliance."
The old man clapped his hands, and a miniature projection of Li Fan materialized before him.
Beside the image were text and video recordings of Li Fan while he was taking the Heart-Questioning Trial.
Then, from the distance, a crimson wooden cabinet phased through rows of other cabinets like an apparition, coming to rest before the white-haired elder.
One of its drawers slid open on its own.
The elder pressed his hands together. In the air, the visual records were also compressed into a single glowing white slip of paper.
He gently placed the slip into the drawer.
The drawer closed, and the wooden cabinet instantly returned to its original position, disappearing from Li Fan's view.
"You may go now!" The white-haired elder addressed Li Fan, then resumed his previous motionless state.
Li Fan bowed respectfully before quietly taking his leave.
Upon exiting the white space, Li Fan encountered the same guide at the entrance of the Administration Hall.
The man glanced at Li Fan and cupped his hands in greeting. "Congratulations on your official appointment, Fellow Daoist!"
"Oh? How could you tell, Fellow Daoist?" Li Fan inquired politely as he returned the gesture.
"Heh, because after standing on the Heart-Questioning Platform, one either joins successfully or meets their end. There are no other outcomes. Since you are still alive, the conclusion speaks for itself." The guiding cultivator smiled as he explained.
"I see. I am Li Fan." With that, Li Fan handed over a communication spirit talisman.
"I am Gao Yuan." Accepting the talisman, Gao Yuan's demeanor grew even more courteous.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Fan finally returned to the Tianxuan Mirror. The moment he entered, notifications greeted him.
"Cultivator Li Fan, congratulations on your official appointment with the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
"Your current position: Congyun Sea Array Maintenance Technician.
"Responsibilities: Assist Zhang Zhiliang of the Myriad Immortals Island Array Hall in maintaining the island protection arrays throughout the Congyun Sea region.
"Fixed compensation: 1500 contribution points annually. Additional 200-2000 contribution points per maintenance task based on participation level.
"Minimum duty requirement: Participate in at least three major array maintenance tasks per decade.
"Warning: First failure to meet minimum requirements will result in a formal warning. Second offense will lead to forcible removal from your position and a 100-year ban from reappointment.
"Take your duties seriously.
"You may now raise your permission level within the Myriad Immortals Alliance by accumulating merit.
"Higher permission levels grant access to more items and techniques for viewing and redemption.
"Your current permission level: Yan 1.
"Merit can be obtained by completing tasks.
"Merit tasks are categorized into six grades from highest to lowest: Grade SS, S, A, B, C, and D.
"Each grade is further divided into three sub-grades."
Alongside these new notifications, Li Fan also received several items.
One was the standard black-and-yellow Daoist robes used within the Myriad Immortals Alliance system.
The robes provided basic protection and were capable of effectively withstanding attacks from mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
For Li Fan, this was naturally better than nothing.
Should the robes get damaged, he would need to acquire a replacement, which had to be purchased with contribution points through the Tianxuan Mirror.
The other item was the identity jade tablet.
With this, he was truly different from those who simply took on missions from the Myriad Immortals Alliance. If those who were not part of the system were killed in the world outside, the Alliance wouldn’t lift a finger.
But if someone with this identity jade tablet were to meet an unexpected death, the Heavenly Mechanism Hall would be responsible for investigating the incident.
Then, based on the specific findings of their investigation, they would decide whether to pursue retaliatory measures.