Chapter 1366: Core Permissions

Frowning, Lin Dong and Wu Zhen approached the Immortal Boat. Soon, their expressions changed.

"This is... the standard Immortal Boat used only by the core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace, the Black Dragon?"

The other immortals nearby also began converging toward the Immortal Boat.

No one below Loose Immortality dared to approach the Immortal Boat, sensibly knowing their place. They were content to watch from afar.

If Fang Chen were present, he would have recognized a familiar face standing upon the Black Dragon.

It was Li Shanzi of the Enlightenment God Palace, the same third-transformation Immortal who had once stood in support of the Immortal Taixu at the Immortal Exchange on Daotai Mountain.

Now, within such a short span, Li Shanzi's aura far surpassed what it once had. He had clearly advanced to the fourth transformation.

Lin Dong led the assembled Immortals before the Black Dragon and bowed respectfully. "Guardian of Expedition Star No.432, Lin Dong. Greetings, Lord!"

Upon the vessel stood Li Shanzi, surrounded by a large retinue of immortals, the weakest among them a first-transformation Loose Immortal.

Lin Dong's heart tightened. Most of those present were undoubtedly cultivators from the Enlightenment God Palace as well, likely recruited into Li Shanzi's personal expedition team because of their outstanding talents.

"Enlightenment God Palace, Li Shanzi," the man said coolly. "Lin Dong, I will be temporarily requisitioning you and your subordinates."

Lin Dong was startled. "Requisitioning?"

Wu Zhen and the others exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions turning grave.

Core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace operated on a completely different level. Their sights were set far higher. If even someone like Li Shanzi was borrowing local forces, something significant was about to happen.

"May I ask, honored superior," Lin Dong ventured carefully, "are we going to war with another faction?"

"Not necessarily," Li Shanzi replied evenly. "But this time, something extraordinary has appeared within Ancient Forbidden Zone No.157.

"I'm not the only one here. There are probably 200 or 300 other core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace, and many of the top powers you're familiar with from the Fangcun Realm will be involved as well.

"Taiyi Immortal Sect, Ten Thousand Star Palace, Spirit God Sect, the Killing Spiritual Division... All of them are present."

Gasps spread among the gathered experts. What in the world had appeared within the 157th Ancient Forbidden Zone to draw such an overwhelming response?

The Enlightenment God Palace had even dispatched hundreds of core disciples!

"Await further orders," Li Shanzi said flatly. "I still have other Expedition Stars to visit."

With that, the Black Dragon turned into a streak of black light and vanished beyond the horizon.

"A major event is definitely coming," Wu Zhen murmured.

"Which also means there'll be great opportunities for merit," Lin Dong said thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming not with fear but with excitement.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

He didn't dread danger. What he dreaded was missing out on monumental events. Being requisitioned by a core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace was, for him, undoubtedly a good thing.

"Pass the word," Lin Dong ordered. "No one is to act privately for the time being. Everyone is to await orders."

"What about the Immortal Boats that have already departed?"

Lin Dong waved his hand dismissively. "No need to recall them. It won't affect the larger picture."

Just then, Wang Xuan broke through the air and appeared before him. "Master."

Lin Dong's lips curved faintly upward. "Your Immortal Boat was damaged last time, wasn't it? I'll have them expedite the repairs and reinforcements. We may soon have a real battle ahead of us."

Wang Xuan's face lit up with excitement. "Yes, but the Ascension Realm cultivators under me... they are fighting over the Mysterious Ice Cicada Grass. They happen to be out right now..."

Lin Dong waved his hand again, unconcerned. "That's fine. It won't affect the situation."

***

"Although I've already grown somewhat accustomed to this feeling of solitude, spending more than 10 years like this would still be worse than 100 years in secluded cultivation," Yu Wuxia said wistfully as he gazed at the endless dark void of the heavens.

At times, he thought cultivators' means were already vast and mighty, yet when placed within the boundless Qingming, he still felt as insignificant as an ant.

"This round trip should take about half a year," Fang Chen said while studying the map he had memorized.

Under his full control, the Essence Long speed nearly matched that of the old flood dragon's vessel back when it had carried them to the Nanqing Constellation. It was proof that the craft was built precisely for roaming Qingming.

"The Enlightenment God Palace and others like it have already turned their gaze to the wider cosmos," he said quietly. "The resources of a single world can no longer sustain such colossal powers.

"Their struggle now transcends anything ordinary cultivators can imagine. The greater their advantage in this realm, the stronger they become, but the stronger they grow, the weaker the human race becomes.

"After all... There may not be many true humans left anymore."

His gaze swept over Little Immortal Honglian and the others, his mood inexplicably heavy.

Yu Wuxia merely felt that the silence of the Qingming was oppressive and lonely.

Fang Chen, too, perceived this loneliness, but his burden was deeper. He could no longer tell how many true humans still existed. If not for the memories of his previous life, he might have doubted whether he himself was still human or something else entirely.

He thought, The only consolation is that even Demons here can live only one life. They cannot reincarnate after death.

"If one can determine what one was in a past life, then it's possible to tell whether one is a Demon or a human. And that key... likely lies in Wang Chongsong's hands."

"Fellow Daoist Honglian," Fang Chen said aloud, turning toward Little Immortal Honglian with a smile, "you seem to know a bit about the Enlightenment God Palace's merit system. Why not explain it to us while we have the time?"

She smiled softly. "It's quite simple, actually. Merit measures the contributions you've made to the Enlightenment God Palace. What sets it apart from spirit stones or immortal crystals is that merit can be exchanged for things you couldn't normally buy, no matter how wealthy you are."

She explained, "For example, this Immortal Boat we're standing on isn't in circulation outside. Likewise, the immortal herbs required for immortal advancement, outside the Palace, even with immortal crystals, you couldn't buy them without the right connections. But within the Enlightenment God Palace, merit can be used to trade for those treasures."

"If that's true, then merit is far more valuable than spirit stones, especially for us," Lin Yuan said, eyes shining. "No wonder everyone wants to become an Enlightenment God Palace cultivator! No wonder those who pass the assessments advance so much faster than others."

"If I reach the Ascension Realm and my merit happens to be enough to exchange for an immortal herb, wouldn't that mean..." Meng Qingling's voice trailed off, her face full of anticipation.

Fang Chen thought to himself,

So it's actually pretty useful. We might even be able to shear a bit of wool off the Enlightenment God Palace's back.

"In addition," Little Immortal Honglian went on, "merit can also be used to advance one's rank. In a sense, with enough merit, becoming a core disciple isn't impossible."

She smiled. "That, in fact, is one of my goals."

"Core disciples... that's far too difficult," the others murmured.

"Only by becoming a core disciple can one truly stand at the summit of the Nine Mortal Realms and gaze down upon all creation," Little Immortal Honglian said softly. "Each core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace will one day hold real authority, touching the very heart of power itself.

"Without that status, even a seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal would serve only as an honorary guest here."