Recruitment, Taboo Order (1)

As soon as he heard the word 'Saint Shadow', Di Tian had a bad feeling.

"What's a Saint Shadow?" he shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh, you don't have to worry. It's not anything bad," Fang Ao noticed the expression on Di Tian's face. "As a matter of fact, it's actually a privilege. You're extremely lucky to join the Order as a Saint Shadow instead of starting from scratch, you know."

Di Tian wasn't buying it but he continued listening.

"I might as well explain the hierarchical structure of the organization," Fang Ao began. "The Taboo Order is a secret organization. At the very bottom of the hierarchy pyramid are the common members. These are the low stage cultivators that become official members after passing the assessment tests and making it out of the trial zones alive.

Then, we have the Reserve Elders. They're basically common members with higher cultivation bases. Thus, they possess an unofficial authority to mobilize lower ranked members.

Reserve Elders that are qualified enough can apply to become Platinum Elders. The position comes with official authority and massive perks.

But the main deal are the True Elders. The Order has one hundred and seventy eight of them, and any of them can stand head to head with any powerhouse in the Human Domains. They're the true pillars of the Order. 

However, the central authority in the Order lies in the hands of the True Saint and the True Saintess. 

For each reign, there is only one True Saint and one True Saintess. When they abdicate the post, they become True Elders while the next ones are chosen from the next generation. I'm a Saint candidate, so you should understand the significance of being my Saint Shadow now." Fang Ao finished.

Di Tian fell into silence for a while, then asked, "I still don't understand. Is Saint Shadow an unofficial status or something?"

"Every Saint has a Shadow, basically someone who cultivates the same power system as them. This is a fixed precaution as the competition among the Saint candidates is brutal," Fang Ao explained. "The Order has three hundred and sixty cultivation systems, so it has three hundred and sixty pairs of Saint and Saintess candidates from each generation, each cultivating a different system. The rest will submit to the final pair that become the True Saint and True Saintess of the Order.

If a Saint candidate loses their life during the competition, their Shadow takes over and becomes the Saint Candidate of that system."

"So Saint Shadows are backups?" Di Tian asked.

"Basically," Fang Ao nodded. "The relationship between them and the Saint candidate they're under is unique."

Fang Ao went on to explain the dynamics. Saint candidates and their Shadows worked hand in hand to outshine the other competitors, but there was also a bit of internal competition between them too. If a Saint Shadow became more powerful than the Saint candidate, they could actually challenge them and reverse the status quo."

Di Tian finally understood. He had one more question to ask though.

"Wouldn't it take too long to cultivate me to a power level strong enough to help you in the race to become True Saint? Also, why me of all people? "

"Well, the Order rules make it compulsory for a Saint candidate to cultivate their Shadow from scratch, so there's nothing I can do about the first bit," Fang Ao replied. "As for the reason I picked you to be my Shadow? Well, we Saint candidates don't personally choose our Shadows.....the right person simply resonates with our Taboo Sigils and we know."

"What are Taboo Sigils?" Di Tian felt he had asked more questions in this conversation than in the past weeks combined.

"You'll know in due time," Fang Ao seemed to be tired of the conversation already. "Just know that you resonated with mine, so you're now my Saint Shadow. All that's left is for you to return with me to the Order to accept the Baptism."

Alarm bells rang in Di Tian's mind. Instinctively, he had a feeling that this Baptism was not a good thing. But it was pointless to ask as Fang Ao had no interest in explaining further.

"But you have to complete Body Tempering first," Fang Ao continued. "Luckily, this planet is perfect for your training."

Di Tian was confused, "How?"

"Body Tempering typically takes a hundred days, but danger zones like this can accelerate your progress through the levels," Fang Ao's Divine Sense swept across the entire Mount Wuling as he spoke. "I will now give you your first mission; to clear out all the Demon Beasts in this area in two days."

Di Tian was about to mention that there were no creatures at all on the mountain when he recalled a minor detail, prompting a speculation.

Could it be that the reason Mount Wuling was seemingly devoid of animal life was because they were actually evolving into Demon Beasts deep within it?

"For now, the combat strength of the strongest Demon Beast in this region can rival a level-2 Body Tempering cultivator, so you have to put in some work," Fang Ao smirked. "It's a good thing that there are plenty spirit plants and grasses you can make use of to temper your body as you venture deeper into the mountain. Still, you better make haste; the Demon Beasts are presently in a state of explosive strength increase, so it becomes less advantageous for you if you waste time."

Di Tian figured his options were limited in the present situation. He could either obediently follow Fang Ao's instructions for now or get killed indiscriminately by the cultivator.

Di Tian sighed. Deep down, he was already simulating escape plans. He wasn't willing to become a Saint Shadow or whatever it was called.

As glorious as Fang Ao made it out to be, he had no interest in having his cultivation journey fixed being a backup heir to an organization that felt suspiciously like a cult. 

"Alright then," Di Tian said resignedly. "When do I start?"