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A constant, low hum reverberated in his ears. The world spun before his eyes in a dizzying, indistinct blur.
It took Li Fan a long time to recover from the strange sensation.
“It’s always like this the first time someone takes a teleportation array. You’ll get used to it,” He Zhenghao explained casually.
Li Fan grunted in acknowledgment, taking the opportunity to observe his surroundings. They seemed to be in a massive plaza.
At the far end stood an enormous statue of a long-bearded elder wearing a tall headpiece.
Beneath this central figure, the plaza itself was filled with thousands of other stone statues of all sizes and varied designs.
Without exception, every one of these thousands of statues was looking up, gazing in reverence at the long-bearded elder.
The teleportation array Li Fan had just exited from was situated directly in front of one of these smaller statues.
“This is the Dao Transmission Plaza. It was built to commemorate the Immortal Venerable’s original act of imparting the Dao. Every branch of the Myriad Immortals Alliance has one,” He Zhenghao introduced.
Li Fan remembered the scene described in the Five Spirits Qi Sensing Method , where the Immortal Venerable manifested his Dharma Body to teach all living beings. He stared at the elder’s statue for a long moment before nodding silently.
“Flight is permitted on Myriad Immortals Island,” He Zhenghao continued, his expression turning serious, “but never fly higher than the Immortal Venerable’s statue. To do so will provoke an attack from the Myriad Immortals Array. It’s powerful enough to annihilate a Nascent Soul cultivator in an instant.”
A chill ran down Li Fan’s spine. He committed that warning to memory.
“While flying isn’t forbidden, I’d advise you not to do it frivolously,” He Zhenghao added, leading Li Fan away from the array.
He kept his voice low as he imparted crucial advice for navigating the island. “The cultivators of the entire Congyun Sea gather here, and among them are powerhouses at the Golden Core and even Nascent Soul realms. If you fly over their heads and offend them, they might just take note of you.
“Then, if they follow you after you leave the shelter of Myriad Immortals Island and kill you on a whim, you’ll have nowhere to seek justice.”
These matters concerned life and death, so Li Fan carefully memorized each piece of advice.
After walking for a while, the two passed through a corridor naturally woven from vines and entered a verdant grove that led to a clearing.
A massive, ancient-looking mirror stood here.
Cultivators frequently hurried past, stepping through its surface and disappearing to who-knew-where. Others emerged from the mirror and left without a backward glance.
“This mirror is our Myriad Immortals Alliance’s Tianxuan Mirror,” He Zhenghao said.
“Legend says that before the Immortal Venerable propagated the Dao, this mirror was just an ordinary object. But when the Immortal Venerable spread his teachings, the mirror reflected his Dharma Body and developed a sliver of its own consciousness. It began to learn and cultivate like a cultivator, slowly evolving from a mundane object into the spirit treasure of heaven and earth it is today.
“Most of our affairs within the Myriad Immortals Alliance are handled through the Tianxuan Mirror. I’ve heard the thing holds a grudge, so be careful. Watch what you say around it,” He Zhenghao warned Li Fan in a hushed tone.
Then, He Zhenghao led Li Fan through the mirror’s surface.
What met his eyes was a solitary space, devoid of any other cultivators.
It was as if they were suspended in a void, surrounded on all sides by nothingness.
“This person is a new cultivator,” He Zhenghao said, pointing to Li Fan. “He has come to Myriad Immortals Island to join our Myriad Immortals Alliance.”
A voice echoed through the space. “Recommendation of one early-stage Qi Refinement cultivator. Recorded as a Middle Fourth Grade merit, converted to fifty contribution points. Current total contribution points: 920.”
He Zhenghao’s expression remained unchanged.
Li Fan seemed lost in thought.
As He Zhenghao received his contribution points, a hint of delight colored his features.
“Young friend, since you’ve arrived here safely, I can set my mind at ease. You may direct any questions you have to the Tianxuan Mirror. Generally, it will provide you with detailed answers. I still have my island guardian duties to attend to, so I must take my leave.”
With that, He Zhenghao departed in a hurry, leaving Li Fan alone within the Tianxuan Mirror.
A speck of light flickered in the surrounding darkness, then vanished.
“Divine sense fluctuations recorded.
“Independent space generated.
“Cultivator, please state your name.”
A somewhat peculiar voice spoke.
“Li Fan,” Li Fan replied.
“Cultivator Li Fan, welcome to the Myriad Immortals Alliance. As a benefit, you will receive twenty complimentary contribution points. You may use contribution points to redeem spirit stones, techniques, artifacts, and more.
“You can acquire contribution points by submitting resources, completing tasks, or engaging in trades with others.
“Similarly, if you encounter problems you cannot solve yourself, you may spend contribution points to post bounties.
“Your current total contribution points: 20.”
“As a newly joined cultivator of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, you may reside within the Tianxuan Mirror free of charge for thirty days. After thirty days, you must pay contribution points to continue residing here.
“The cost of residence is: 10 contribution points per thirty days.
“Of course, you may also choose to spend contribution points to purchase your own cave dwelling on Myriad Immortals Island.”
The Tianxuan Mirror took its time explaining to Li Fan the fundamentals of living as a member of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
After listening for a long while, Li Fan suddenly asked, “If I find myself unable to continue as a member of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, can I choose to leave and join the Five Elders Council instead?”
The Tianxuan Mirror fell silent mid-sentence, as if suddenly choked off.
After a moment, the Tianxuan Mirror continued, “Those who have joined the Myriad Immortals Alliance cannot subsequently join the Five Elders Council. The reverse is also true. Violators will be jointly hunted down by both factions.”
Now it was Li Fan’s turn to fall silent.
“It seems I haven’t actually agreed to join your Myriad Immortals Alliance yet, have I?”
“Once you enter the Tianxuan Mirror and your divine sense is recorded, you are considered to have voluntarily joined the Myriad Immortals Alliance.”
“Can I leave the Myriad Immortals Alliance and become a rogue cultivator?” Li Fan asked again.
The Tianxuan Mirror fell silent once more.
After a while, it responded.
“You may. However, if you choose to leave, all items obtained during your time in the Myriad Immortals Alliance will be forcibly reclaimed. Please choose carefully.”
“Can things like gold and silver be converted to contribution points?”
“They can. Specific conversion rates can be found in the conversion list.”
Li Fan patiently asked the Tianxuan Mirror question after question.
A long time later, he finally stopped.
“I have no further questions for now.”
“Very well, cultivator. If you have new questions, you may ask me at any time. You may also use your divine sense to research matters independently.”
The space grew quiet once more.
As Li Fan manipulated the space with his divine sense, it transformed from a dark void into an elegant room.
Its decorations were identical to those in Li Fan’s chambers within the Grand Preceptor’s estate in Great Xuan.
Li Fan reached out and touched the room’s decorations and objects. They felt almost entirely real.
The Tianxuan Mirror truly is an astonishing treasure. Li Fan mused silently.
Through their earlier exchange, he’d gained a rough understanding of this Myriad Immortals Alliance.
With his divine sense, he opened the technique redemption catalog. The simplest Qi Refinement realm technique cost one thousand contribution points.
He then navigated to the mission task board, filtering for tasks suitable for early-stage Qi Refinement cultivators. What met his eyes was a disappointing sight: rewards of a paltry five or ten contribution points.
Cultivating immortality, yet toiling like cattle. A strange emotion began to brew within Li Fan’s heart.
“You have a new video message. Please check it promptly.” Right at that moment, the voice of the Tianxuan Mirror rang out once again.