"A person's energy is limited. When attention is focused on one thing, it inevitably reduces awareness of everything else."
"Moreover, the high-quality illustrated books imbued with Senior Sister Zhao’s true power have already been drowned in the countless crude imitations mass-produced by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. As a result, the influence of [One-Heart Heavenly Sovereign] has been minimized to the greatest extent possible."
"What a brilliant move! I’ve learned something from this."
Ji Shaoli, who saw through all the tactics of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
After a brief moment, however, he frowned slightly. "But this approach only mitigates the damage. It does not completely eliminate Senior Sister Zhao’s influence..."
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance must have a follow-up plan."
As expected, Ji Shaoli’s prediction was accurate.
While the majority of the alliance's cultivators were engrossed in the deliberately manufactured controversy, there remained a small group unsatisfied with the imitation books. They tirelessly sought out the real, more exquisite editions.
But what they didn't know was that every copy circulating in the market had already been secretly monitored by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. It was merely a matter of time before the net was cast.
When these seekers, after much effort, finally found sellers willing to make a deal…The moment the transaction was completed, they were all captured in one fell swoop.
Arrested under the charge of attempting to overthrow the Immortal Alliance.
All of this happened so quietly beneath the waves of heated discussions that, had Ji Shaoli not been paying close attention to these cultivators, he might never have noticed their sudden disappearance.
Misdirection and entrapment—two strategies combined.
After more than three months, the initial ripple effect caused by Senior Sister Zhao’s test run had finally been neutralized by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
"Although it seems like the alliance has won this round, in truth, they have lost."
Ji Shaoli shook his head in secret. "What did the Five Elders Association sacrifice for this disturbance? Nothing more than some mass-produced illustrated books. But the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had to invest immense time and effort just to suppress the matter."
"They may have contained the situation this time, but the Five Elders Association can strike again at any moment, at little cost. Meanwhile, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance must always remain on high alert. This is the overwhelming advantage of a Heavenly Sovereign's power."
"The decline of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is becoming increasingly apparent…"
"Still, I hope that moving forward, it can bring me some surprises."
...
No topic remains hot forever.
As time passed, the cultivators' attention toward the leaked secret books gradually waned.
Replacing it was the upcoming entrance examination for the Immortal Alliance, which was finally about to begin.
The reason for the unprecedented level of interest in this examination was not only its massive scale but also due to a bombshell announcement made by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance not long ago.
To counter the ever-watchful Five Elders Association, the alliance planned to select thirty-three [Chosen Immortals] through this examination.
These individuals would carry the hope of resisting the Five Elders Association.
Once selected as a [Chosen Immortal], they would receive unlimited support from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Everything required for cultivation—elixirs, techniques, cave-heaven, transformation blessings, and even the very spirit of heaven and earth itself—
The Alliance would provide it all, free of charge!
Regardless of their previous cultivation level, within ten years, they would undoubtedly reach the Dao Integration realm!
For this selection of [Chosen Immortals], neither family background nor innate talent in cultivation mattered.
The only criterion was an individual's capability—
Could they play a unique role in the coming battle against the Five Elders Association?
The announcement sent the Alliance’s cultivators into a frenzy.
After all, most cultivators considered themselves extraordinary.
Even if they were temporarily stuck at a bottleneck in their cultivation, they rarely blamed themselves—
Instead, they attributed their stagnation to external factors such as lack of superior techniques or insufficient resources.
"If I were to achieve Dao Integration, wouldn't I be far stronger than those who rely on family protection to ascend? At the very least, I wouldn't be retreating step by step under the assault of the Five Elders Association..."
The moment this announcement was heard, countless cultivators had the same thought flash through their minds.
Their blood ran hot, and without hesitation, they rushed toward the examination registration site.
Even Ji Shaoli felt a momentary temptation.
But it was only for a brief instant.
Everything comes at a price. The cost of being forcibly accelerated into Dao Integration was something he might not be able to bear.
His clone was deeply tied to his original self’s secrets, so he would never take such a risk.
However, thinking about it another way—even if he wanted to, it was unlikely he would be chosen.
Under the rule of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the number of cultivators was vast. Yet only thirty-three individuals would be selected...
Some of them might not fit the traditional definition of a genius, but each would undoubtedly have their own unique advantages.
There were those who had simply been unlucky but were not weaker than others—they just lacked an opportunity.
If they could seize the right moment, they could rise with the wind and laugh proudly above the Nine Heavens!
Ji Shaoli had no doubt that among these thirty-three, some unknown figures would emerge in this selection, shining brightly and astonishing the entire Xuanhuang realm.
But he still had lingering doubts in his heart.
Placing hope in these "Chosen Immortals" to resist the Five Elders Association—did that not imply that the current rulers were unfit for leadership?
Why would the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance make such a self-contradictory move?
Not to mention the mysterious Immortal Ancestors—even the powerful souls of past geniuses chosen across generations had not taken action.
Could the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance truly be so incompetent?
"Unless... these thirty-three so-called stars of hope..."
"Are just a cover."
"They serve another purpose."
Ji Shaoli's gaze flickered with thought.
Under the attention of all, the grand examination of the Immortal Alliance officially began.
Its scale far surpassed that of previous years.
Lasting a full month, all participating cultivators would enter the examination grounds through the Tianxuan Mirror Portals of each region.
Until the exam ended, the testing grounds would be completely sealed off and isolated from the outside world.
Due to the sheer number of cultivators taking part, many regions of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance became eerily empty.
For an entire month, the alliance’s internal defenses were weak.
To prevent a sneak attack from the Five Elders Association, the Immortal Alliance not only deployed heavy troops along the borders for strict defense...
But also silently launched a counterattack.
Inside the Spiritwood Realm.
Li Fan, who had temporarily halted the process of devouring the Five Elements Grand Cave-Heaven, looked at the diamond-like glowing orb that Lin Ling handed him with a solemn expression.
This item had been sent by the Five Elders Association.
As a "business partner" who had successfully traded with them multiple times, Li Fan was surprised that they had taken the initiative to seek help this time.
It was said that this glowing orb had caused considerable trouble for the Five Elders Association.
And they had yet to find a solution.
Out of desperation, they had reached out, hoping that the Federation of All Worlds might have some information on it.