Chapter 172: Operations in the Wanxian Union

"Such straightforward trading of positions? Isn't anyone overseeing this?" Li Fan replied, feigning surprise.

"Oversee? Who oversees? The Immortal Monarchs?" He Zhenghao countered. "The two on Wanxian Island are much more open about this than the ones below."

"Cough..." He Zhenghao paused and continued to explain to Li Fan.

"The Wanxian Union is highly autonomous in each state. As long as you don't break the rules inside the union and don't disturb the enforcers, the headquarters won't bother with the affairs of the branches."

"Besides, the trading and distribution of resources within the union all go through the Heavenly Mirror. Everything is under control, and there won't be major chaos."

"So, does that mean the enforcer hall has the highest status? Do you know how to join them? Even if it costs more contribution points, I'm willing," Li Fan asked, recalling the Foundation Establishment cultivator, Wan Enforcer, who chased him in his eleventh life.

"The personnel of the enforcer hall in each state are directly appointed by the headquarters. It's quite difficult for you to join the enforcer hall," He Zhenghao diplomatically replied.

"There are too many cultivators aspiring to become enforcers, and the competition is fierce. It's hard to get in line," He Zhenghao sighed. "The only reliable method is the assessment that happens once every ten years. Back then, I also aspired to be an enforcer, but the requirements were too strict, and I couldn't make it. In the end, I had to settle for being an island guardian."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be worrying about cultivation techniques now. You know, enforcers can freely choose and cultivate techniques," He Zhenghao said, enviously.

"Free techniques? Ten-year assessments..." Li Fan was somewhat surprised.

"Of course. Enforcers face various wicked lawbreakers every day, and the risk of falling is not small. Better benefits are only normal," He Zhenghao said matter-of-factly.

"Actually, being a formation repairman is not bad either. You don't have to focus only on the enforcer position. You receive fixed rewards every year, and you can also learn formation knowledge for free following a formation grandmaster. All you need to do is help repair the protective formations on various islands in the Misty Cloud Sea," He Zhenghao suggested enticingly.

"Do you want to consider it? It only requires ten thousand contribution points, and I can help persuade and operate for you," He Zhenghao asked in a tempting tone.

Li Fan then asked, "Do you know Master Zhang Zhiliang? I heard that he is generous, highly skilled in formations, and considered the best in the Misty Cloud Sea. If you become a formation repairman, it might be better to follow him."

He Zhenghao was somewhat surprised, "Generous? Where did you hear that? His temper is a bit strange."

"But, his skill in formations is indeed impressive. Following him might yield better results."

"I can't guarantee this, but I'll do my best." He Zhenghao honestly replied.

"Feel free to do your best. Whether it succeeds or not, I'll remember your kindness," Li Fan boasted. "And don't worry about contribution points. I borrowed some from the Clear Wind Hall, invested in Spirit Mist Grass, and still have some left. It should be enough for this matter."

He Zhenghao said, "Since you're so sure, I'll definitely do my best. You can wait for my good news, friend!"

After expressing gratitude, Li Fan, in the midst of praising He Zhenghao as a good comrade, ended the communication.

"Free cultivation techniques, ten-year assessments..." Li Fan thought for a moment and started searching for relevant information in the Heavenly Mirror.

The Wanxian Union's entry assessment took place every ten years.

The last assessment occurred about half a year ago.

Depending on the desired position, the content of the assessment varied.

The assessment took place within the Heavenly Mirror, eliminating the possibility of favoritism or cheating.

The results were immediately available after the assessment, without much waiting.

Participants lost their memory of the assessment details upon leaving the Heavenly Mirror, preventing any exploitation.

...

"How rigorous!" Li Fan marveled. "Next time the assessment opens, I should go and see the world."

He continued searching for information, and he found that "difficult," "unreasonable," and "there's something fishy going on" were the consensus among the majority of cultivators regarding the Wanxian Union's assessment.

"You have a new image transmission; please check it promptly."

While Li Fan was immersed in the information, the Heavenly Mirror suddenly issued a prompt.

"Huh?"

Li Fan was somewhat curious, opened the image, and a man in a green robe suddenly appeared.

"This... young friend. I am Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall."

"May I inquire about the origin of the two blue blood corals you provided last time?"

"After successfully refining the Frozen Emotion Pill this time, I found that the efficacy of the pill was unexpectedly stronger than the one I previously refined."

"There were no other changes. After much contemplation, the only unexpected factor seemed to be related to these two blue blood corals."

"So, I refined another batch using different blue blood corals, and the enhancement effect disappeared."

"The quality of the two blue blood corals you provided is significantly higher than the usual varieties."

"I want to go to their growth place to see if I can discover anything."

"No matter the outcome, if the young friend truthfully discloses the information, I will certainly express my gratitude."

...

The image disappeared, and there was no immediate response. Li Fan fell into contemplation.

Recalling the process of harvesting the blue blood corals earlier, Li Fan did not notice anything special about the two locations.

"Could it be that I was negligent?" Li Fan thought and decided to make another trip to see what he could find.

To prevent being tracked by Chen Ying, Li Fan even specially purchased a "Vanishing Symbol" in the Heavenly Mirror.

It was an upgraded version of the "Concealment Symbol" that could shield against the prying eyes of Nascent Soul realm cultivators.

After activating the Vanishing Symbol, Li Fan returned to the vicinity of Mist Crow Island, to the underwater ruins where he had found the blue blood corals.

With the corals taken by Li Fan, the once vibrant place had lost its former vitality.

Only a few fish swam by in the crevices of the collapsed ruins.

"There doesn't seem to be anything special." After a thorough investigation, Li Fan still couldn't find anything distinctive.

Li Fan even used the non-aggressive killing intent to lock onto a fish in the ruins and observed it carefully from the perspective of heaven and earth.

The result was the same.

Next, Li Fan went to the underwater deep valley where he had found the second blue blood coral.

Still, nothing stood out.

"As a Nascent Soul cultivator and an elder of the Medicine Hall, he shouldn't be bothering with me."

"So, is it because my cultivation is insufficient, and I couldn't perceive it?"

At the moment, it seemed that this was the only plausible explanation.

Li Fan then returned to the Heavenly Mirror and contacted Chen Ying.

(End of this chapter)