Chapter 65 - 27: Inside the Headquarters

Wang Qi's team didn't look like they were headed for a quest-based trial; Mao Zimiao and Wu Shiqin, before overcoming their very natures, were typically a hindrance in these sorts of trials, maybe fairing a bit better in combat-oriented ones. But then... Su Junyu's gaze shifted to Wu Fan. This young man not only had weak mana but also seemed too frail to handle any turmoil. Even with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like himself looking after him, it was doubtful that he could survive a combat trial alive. Thinking this, Su Junyu couldn't help but ask, "Do you guys really know what Wang Qi brought you here for?" "I don't know meow. But Xiao Qi said he needed help, so I came over meow!" Believe in the Yangshen Pavilion, believe in the Great Dao, believe... Damn, I'm beginning to doubt the intelligence of half-demons! Or is it that they're harmless only where I can't see them? Little half-demon sister, you're going to be sold and help count the money without even realizing it! "Trial, how intriguing." Intriguing my ass! You don't look like someone who's exceptionally passionate about calculations! You've totally misinterpreted the meaning of "trial"! "I'm just a Loose Cultivator's child, lacking the talents compared to everyone else. I barely got into the Immortal Institute by luck and keeping up with everyone has been tremendously hard. Having the opportunity to earn Merit is more than I could ask for. Moreover, I barely speak with any Senior Brothers or Sisters at the Foundation Establishment Stage, so I can't miss out on this opportunity." Unexpectedly, Wu Fan's response was uncharacteristically normal. Su Junyu couldn't help but take another look at this inconspicuous young man, wondering if he had been fooled by an illusion technique. After confirming the new disciples' willingness, Su Junyu took them to the Immortal Institute to report. The missed theory lessons due to the trial would be covered by Foundation Establishment Stage Teaching Assistants afterward. However, since there were limited numbers of Assistants, the Immortal Institute had set a rule that at least four people needed to group together to partake in a trial. Once they completed the necessary procedures, Su Junyu led the team using his movement technique towards Xin Mountain Peak. After bypassing the statues of the three Palace Masters of the Heavenly Sword Palace, they could see the Immortal Alliance Main Temple in the distance. Contrary to Wang Qi's imagination, the Immortal Alliance Main Temple wasn't a series of ostentatious golden palaces—it wasn't even splendid. The main body of the temple was just one building, roughly as wide as it was tall, appearing like a short tower from afar. Yet, as they drew closer, the temple's extraordinary features gradually became evident. This building, divided into several dozens of stories, each nearly thirty feet high, seemed ordinary brick by brick and tile by tile but emanated an imposing majesty as a whole. Seeing Wang Qi gazing intently at the temple with a playful look, Mao Zimiao couldn't help asking, "Xiao Qi, is this your first time seeing the Main Temple meow?" Wang Qi nodded. "Yes. I actually thought it might be one of those nouveau riche golden palaces where even the toilet is golden." "So, is the yellow on that toilet gold or... something else?" Su Junyu shook his head. "That kind of decor is all about flaunting nouveau riche vibes. But if it's a metallic style, some avant-garde Cultivators might like it. Among the nine main branches, the Leiyang Branch is made up of buildings with a metallic sheen. Leiyang, located in Zenan Prefecture, also follows this style primarily." Suddenly, Wang Qi found this intriguing. Su Junyu's description of the Leiyang Branch sounded quite like the modern architectural styles Wang Qi was familiar with in his past life, giving him a sense of nostalgia. At that moment, Wu Fan's breathless voice reached them: "Everyone... wait... up for me! I need... to rest." Turning around, they saw Wu Fan, who had quite shallow foundations in cultivation, lagging behind by several meters. Although Mao Zimiao had broken through to Heavenly Communication merely a few days before Wu Fan, these few days had allowed her to accumulate several times more mana than Wu Fan. Moreover, being a half-demon, her physical body was naturally stronger than ordinary humans, which let her easily keep up with Wang Qi and the others. In terms of physical strength, mana, and innate divine abilities, the Demon Clan and half-demons were stronger than the Human Clan at the same stage. However, this advantage was gradually offset as humans increased their cultivation and deepened their mastery of spells. For example, in the current era, this advantage was most evident at the Qi Cultivation Stage, where strong members of the Dragon Clan could only contend with Core Formation Modern Cultivators. Once a Modern Cultivator developed their Primordial Spirit, they could easily overcome any Cultivator of the same level. Seeing the sorry state Wu Fan was in, Su Junyu internally muttered an apology and extended a hand to cast a Divine Movement Technique on him. To Su Junyu, such a spell was trivially easy, but it was enough for Wu Fan to catch up with the rest. As they were about to reach the peak, Su Junyu suddenly changed direction and leaped onto another path. Noticing the puzzled looks from his junior brothers and sisters behind him, Su Junyu explained with a smile, "Do you see the top layer of the Main Temple?" Wang Qi and the others strained their eyes and noticed that the top layer of the temple wasn't just bricks and tiles but looked like an additional structure built on top of the roof. "A violation construction?" Wang Qi laughed. "Is the Immortal Alliance having a hard time financially?" Su Junyu shook his head. "That's the Carefree Great Cultivator, Grandmasters' main hall for discussions, and the rear hall where they reside. Between the main hall and the rear hall is the Heavenly Communication Dao Hall, where we pay respects to the great sages of the past. This main door leads directly to the main hall, but as a sign of respect, we usually use the side door." After entering through the side door of the temple, Wang Qi felt a jolt, almost thinking he had transgressed in time again! This floor of the Immortal Alliance Main Temple was an office space. The decor here was consistent with Shenzhou's aesthetics, with white marble floors, walls in dark hues, and intricately beautiful carvings on the ceiling. In the center of the hall was a circular counter, where a number of Immortal Alliance staff were engaged in task handovers with many Cultivators. If this scene seemed typical of Immortal Hero aesthetics, then what encircled the hall would truly shatter that image. Around the hall were layers upon layers of semi-transparent screens, filled with countless moving texts that changed intermittently. Among the layers, many Cultivators moved about, pointing at the screens and occasionally grabbing a bundle of light from them to take to the central counter. This was too damn much like the "Cyber Space" seen in sci-fi movies of the past! Could it be that Shenzhou had developed the ability to immerse the physical body in the virtual world? But such a technique, from reality to virtual, should at least be a True Immortal's maneuver! How could it be so simply implemented in an office! Wang Qi cried out in his mind.