Chapter 742: Wan Xian Division

The cultivators didn't have much in the way of personal belongings, but there was a significant amount of gold and silver from the mortal world, tens of thousands of taels in total.

"Oh, what's this...?" Wang Tianwen picked up a cyan folding fan, a strange expression on his face. It was a low-grade spirit artifact. The fan depicted a landscape painting, alongside a poem signed by Lu Xi. Wang Tianwen carefully read the poem, an appreciative look on his face. However, he couldn't recall ever hearing of this Lu Xi. He organized and stored these items, then began to meditate and cultivate.

The next day, the county office sent a large number of constables. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators led the group; Sun Jiawen was not among them.

"I am Liu Feng. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Wang, for your assistance yesterday. Otherwise, Fellow Daoist Zhao would not have made it back," a polite, green-robed elder in his early fifties said, possessing a cultivation of Foundation Establishment Layer Six.

Wang Tianwen smiled faintly and humbly replied, "Fellow Daoist Zhao's disciple is my classmate; it was merely a small favor."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, are you interested in joining our Myriad Immortals Division? Most rogue cultivators in the Great Yan Dynasty have joined the Myriad Immortals Division. You'd receive a monthly stipend, and there are additional rewards for significant contributions."

"I'm a student of Yingtian Academy. Can I still join the Myriad Immortals Division?" Wang Tianwen asked, slightly surprised and puzzled.

"Of course. Many disciples from Yingtian Academy hold positions in the Myriad Immortals Division. If Fellow Daoist Wang wishes to hold a minor official post and govern a region, you could remain at Yingtian Academy to study and participate in the imperial examinations. However, that would consume a lot of time with little benefit. Working for the Myriad Immortals Division won't impede your cultivation, and you'll receive a monthly stipend. The Myriad Immortals Division is similar to a cultivation sect: you accumulate contribution points that can be exchanged for cultivation resources like cultivation techniques, elixirs, and spirit artifacts. High-level cultivators also give lectures periodically. Simply put, the Myriad Immortals Division is an organization established by the imperial court, while Yingtian Academy is a school run by the royal family."

Upon hearing this, a thoughtful expression appeared on Wang Tianwen's face. His primary goal for this trip was to acquire cultivation techniques.

Wang Tianwen pondered for a moment and said, "How about this, Fellow Daoist Liu? Please allow me a few days to consider. Once I've made up my mind, I'll come to the county office to find you."

"Very well. We must attend to our duties now. Fellow Daoist Wang, I hope you'll consider joining the Myriad Immortals Division. It's easier to distinguish yourself there. Becoming an official is not so simple; the waters run deep in that path!" After saying this, Liu Feng departed with his people.

Liu Xian's face was filled with envy as he said, "Brother Tianwen, I heard the Myriad Immortals Division is full of powerful immortals. If you join them, you'll surely make a name for yourself."

"Things aren't as simple as you imagine. By the way, take this silver and pay off your debts. I hope you'll become a good official in the future and benefit the people of this region." He took out all the valuables found in the evil cultivator's storage pouch and gave them to Liu Xian.

Liu Xian's face showed deep gratitude. He bowed to Wang Tianwen and said, "Brother Tianwen, thank you so much. I will repay your kindness if I ever get the chance." Wang Tianwen simply smiled without saying anything.

Three days later, Wang Tianwen left Liujia Village and headed for the county office, having ultimately decided to join the Myriad Immortals Division. Yingtian Academy was merely an institution established by Prince Luyang to attract scholars. In terms of both scale and prestige, Yingtian Academy was far inferior to the Myriad Immortals Division.

Arriving at the county office, Wang Tianwen found guards at the entrance. Just as he was about to enter, Sun Jiawen walked out.

"Brother Tianwen, what brings you here?" Sun Jiawen was delighted to see Wang Tianwen; without him, he might have perished.

"I intend to join the Myriad Immortals Division and was planning to consult Fellow Daoist Liu for information."

Sun Jiawen smiled faintly and said, "If you want to know about the Myriad Immortals Division, I can tell you more than my master can."

"Why?"

Sun Jiawen gave a proud smile and said, "The Prefect is my great-grandfather. If you wish to join the Myriad Immortals Division, you must go to the Prefect's mansion and undergo an examination by a Core Formation cultivator. Only after passing a thorough review can you join."

Wang Tianwen suddenly understood. He had wondered why Zhao Feng had brought Sun Jiawen along during their escape. It turned out Sun Jiawen was the Prefect's great-grandson.

"Let's go inside and talk." Sun Jiawen led Wang Tianwen into the county office, where they easily met Zhao Feng.

They explained the origins, development, and responsibilities of the Myriad Immortals Division to Wang Tianwen. The Myriad Immortals Division was a force directly controlled by the Great Yan Imperial Family, serving as a powerful tool for them to govern the Great Yan Dynasty. To hold a position in the Myriad Immortals Division, one's background had to be impeccable, and they must never have committed any acts detrimental to the Great Yan Dynasty's interests. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, if Wang Tianwen wanted to join the Myriad Immortals Division, he would need to report to the Prefect's mansion and undergo an examination by a Core Formation cultivator. Sun Jiawen was a concubine-born son of the Sun family, with ordinary talent, and had not been able to become a disciple of a Core Formation cultivator.

"Brother Tianwen, I'm heading home anyway. Why don't you come with us?"

"That would be very helpful." The next day, Zhao Feng, Wang Tianwen, and Sun Jiawen departed from the county office and set off for the Prefect's mansion.

Half a month later, they arrived at the entrance of the Prefect's mansion. The mansion occupied a vast area, its vermilion gates appearing grand. Two stone lions, each about ten feet tall, flanked the entrance, and a burly guard stood on either side. With Sun Jiawen leading the way, the guards naturally did not obstruct them.

After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, Wang Tianwen found himself outside a secluded courtyard. Zhao Feng entered to report their arrival. Soon after, Zhao Feng emerged and said to Wang Tianwen, "Fellow Daoist Wang, please follow me."

The courtyard was not large. Inside a stone pavilion, a middle-aged Daoist in his early thirties and a beautiful middle-aged woman with fair skin were leisurely sipping tea and conversing. Both were Core Formation cultivators.

"Seniors Song and Liu, this is Fellow Daoist Wang."

"This junior, Wang Tianwen, greets both seniors."

The middle-aged Daoist thoroughly scrutinized Wang Tianwen, then asked in a deep voice, "I hear you possess quite a few puppet beasts, young friend Wang. You're not a rogue cultivator, are you? If you wish to join the Myriad Immortals Division, you must cooperate with our examination. If you're unwilling, I'm afraid you won't be able to join."

"This junior will certainly cooperate."

The beautiful middle-aged woman took out a small silver mirror and pointed it at Wang Tianwen. With a flash of silver light, a vast expanse of silver radiance flew out, enveloping Wang Tianwen. The middle-aged Daoist raised a hand, and a pale silver talisman flew out, adhering to Wang Tianwen.

"Young friend Wang, you're not a rogue cultivator, are you? Where are you from? Why do you wish to join the Myriad Immortals Division?"

"This junior hails from a cultivation family in the Eastern Wilderness. I am currently traveling through the Central Plains cultivation world, and my reason for joining the Myriad Immortals Division is to find a good cultivation technique." Before two Core Formation cultivators, Wang Tianwen dared not lie, nor was there any need to.

"The Eastern Wilderness? Which country in the Eastern Wilderness are you from? Where is your family located?"

"The State of Wei, the Wang family of Qinglian."

The middle-aged man nodded, then asked, "How long have you been in the Central Plains cultivation world, and when... Wait, did you say you're from the Wang family of Qinglian? Is there someone named Wang Qingshan in your clan?"

"The Wang Qingshan you mentioned, Senior, is this junior's Seventh Patriarch. Does Senior know Seventh Patriarch?"