Chapter 161 – Qingzhou Shanhai Division, Little Penglai in the Clouds

After Lu Chen’s trial concluded, none of the remaining candidates managed to pass this third stage of the Agent trial.

Among the seven candidates in the third stage, only Zuo Qiuzi, Mu Xiaoye, and Lu Chen ultimately passed the trial, becoming probationary Agents of the Shanhai Bureau.

Three out of seven passing might seem like a high ratio, but in previous years’ Agent trials, typically only one or two candidates would pass at a time. There were even instances when no one succeeded.

Therefore, having three candidates pass in a single trial was the highest number the Linjiang Shanhai Bureau had seen in nearly a decade.

In the past, many who failed at the final stage would voice various complaints, but this year’s candidates harbored no resentment over their failures.

After all, they had witnessed firsthand the caliber of the three who passed. None could match the strength displayed by Lu Chen and the others.

Failing the assessment was entirely justified!

Being weak meant being weak—no excuses needed.

Inside the Scripture Master’s office at the Linjiang Shanhai Bureau.

“Here, these are your Shanhai Bureau Traveling Licenses. Keep them safe.”

Lu Chen took the so-called ‘Traveling License’ from Zhong Yaojun and examined it curiously. Previously, he had assumed it would be something like an ID card, but the actual license turned out to be an eerie small parchment scroll—or rather, a special object resembling a parchment scroll.

Perhaps sensing Lu Chen and the others’ confusion, Zhong Yaojun in the room promptly explained, “Actually, the so-called Traveling License is just a blank Mountains and Seas Scroll. Once you obtain your own Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts in the future, your contracted mythical beasts will temporarily reside within this scroll, ready to be summoned at any time.”

“Additionally, this Mountains and Seas Scroll possesses abilities similar to a minor pocket dimension, allowing you to draw enemies into a subspace. This way, you can not only restrain foes but also ensure ordinary people aren’t affected during missions.”

“However, pulling enemies into the subspace isn’t easy. It requires you to have at least Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, master the use of divine sense, and be capable of performing Divine Soul locking before you can execute it. That’s why the vast majority of Mountain and Sea Walkers are at the Foundation Establishment Stage.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen finally understood the function of the ‘Traveling License.’ In principle, the relationship between the Mountains and Seas Scroll and the Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts was similar to that between Poké Balls and Pokémon in his previous life.

Beyond that, the current Mountains and Seas Scroll could also serve as a special spatial Magic Treasure. Lu Chen had previously suffered at the hands of Bailing due to this very scroll. Back then, he was only at the Qi Condensation Stage and completely unaware of the Divine Soul techniques used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Thus, he was pulled into the scroll’s subspace by Bailing without any warning.

If Lu Chen were to face Bailing in battle again now, he was one hundred percent confident he could make her experience what defeat truly felt like.After explaining the function of the ‘Traveling License’ to Lu Chen and the others, Zhong Yaojun immediately began discussing the benefits of becoming Mountain and Sea Walkers.

“Student Zuo, as a student of Shangqing Dao Academy, your mentors should have already informed you about the privileges that come with being a Mountain and Sea Walker, so I won’t elaborate further for you.”

“But students Lu and Mu are only high school seniors in Luocheng, so they likely aren’t aware of the special benefits one gains after becoming a Mountain and Sea Walker. Therefore, I’ll take some time to explain it to them.”

Upon hearing Zhong Yaojun’s words, Zuo Qiuzi glanced at Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye in surprise.

Although she had previously thought Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye were exceptionally young, she never imagined they were merely high school seniors.

After all, the cultivation resources accessible during high school were completely different from those available within a Dao Academy.

One year of cultivation in a Dao Academy was equivalent to ten years of cultivation elsewhere.

For Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye to achieve their current strength before even entering a Dao Academy—once they did enroll, how terrifying would their progress become? Zuo Qiuzi didn’t dare to imagine.

Are high school students these days really this formidable?

Compared to them, I, a junior at Shangqing Dao Academy, feel almost useless…

Zhong Yaojun paid no attention to Zuo Qiuzi’s despondent expression and proceeded to explain to Lu Chen the conveniences that came with being a Mountain and Sea Walker.

“Generally speaking, the benefits of becoming a Mountain and Sea Walker fall into two categories. The first applies to adult Cultivators like Yangyang and Xiao Lei, who have already graduated from the Dao Academy.”

“They not only receive a fixed monthly salary in Immortal Alliance spirit coins but can also exchange contribution points for various rare natural treasures, usage time in special blessed lands, or Magic Treasures and Magical Artifacts from our organization.”These natural treasures, Magic Treasures, and Magical Artifacts are not only exceptionally rare on the market but are typically priced about thirty percent lower than market value.””

“In addition, our Agents have the authority to command local Immortal Alliance Cultivators to assist with missions wherever they go. They also have free access to certain areas under Immortal Alliance control, such as Secret Realms managed by the Alliance or the four major Forbidden Lands outside the Alliance.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen asked curiously, “Director Zhong, what are these four major Forbidden Lands?”

Zhong Yaojun was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Lu Chen hadn’t entered a Dao Academy yet and therefore wasn’t aware of the four major Forbidden Lands.

Considering this, Zhong Yaojun promptly explained, “The so-called four major Forbidden Lands are essentially four locations where non-Cultivators are prohibited from entering.”

“These places not only host numerous foreign races, Spirit Beasts, Vicious Beasts, Demons and Monsters, but also possess unique geographical environments that make them extremely dangerous even for Cultivators.”

“Take the southern Forbidden Land of Great Black Heaven for example. It’s inhabited by a foreign race called the Nine Hells, whose members vary wildly in form, including some with strength comparable to Golden Core Stage Cultivators.”

“When the Four Great Academies of the Immortal Alliance selected their locations, one of their purposes was to suppress these Forbidden Lands.”

“After all, in a certain sense, the Dao Academies represent the Immortal Alliance’s most powerful Cultivator forces, aside from our organization and other Sects.””If not for the Dao Academies suppressing them, these Forbidden Lands might have long since spread into the interior of the Nine Provinces, affecting the normal lives of the Immortal Alliance’s common people.”

“However, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Although these Forbidden Lands are dangerous, they also contain many treasures.”

“Some special natural treasures can only be found in these Forbidden Lands.”

“The Four Great Academies’ current transcendent status is certainly due to their powerful Legacies, but it’s also related to the Forbidden Lands located beyond their territories.”

“After all, some special cultivation resources are exclusively brought out from the Forbidden Lands by the Four Great Academies, making them their unique treasures.”

“Otherwise, why do you think so many Sects are willing to send their Disciples to the Four Great Academies?”

“What they value are these special cultivation resources within the academies.”

“Shangqing Dao Academy’s Sword Mountain, Lihuo Dao Academy’s Nine Hells Karmic Fire, Profound Water Academy’s Sun and Moon Forest, and Barren Wilderness Academy’s Great Wilderness Pagoda – these are what distinguish the Four Great Academies from other Dao Academies.”

“And all these special cultivation resources are related to the four major Forbidden Lands outside the Immortal Alliance.”

“However, even for students of the Four Great Academies, entering the Forbidden Lands is no easy matter.”

“Basically, unless accompanied by an academy instructor or having obtained the Shanhai Bureau’s Agent qualification.”

“Otherwise, ordinary Dao Academy students are not permitted to enter the four major Forbidden Lands privately.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen roughly understood.

He looked at Zhong Yaojun and said, “So the Traveling License is essentially a pass to the Forbidden Lands?”

Zhong Yaojun nodded and said, “Well, that understanding isn’t wrong.”

“Having explained so much about the Shanhai Bureau’s benefits, I should now talk about the obligations of becoming a Mountain and Sea Walker.”

“Since the three of you include one Dao Academy student and two prospective Dao Academy students, some regular obligations that normal Mountain and Sea Walkers need to undertake don’t apply to you for now.”

“Normally, after obtaining their Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts, each Mountain and Sea Walker needs to report to their designated Shanhai Bureau post within the specified time and complete assigned Shanhai Bureau tasks annually.”

“But for students who become Mountain and Sea Walkers during their academy period, you don’t have these requirements temporarily.”

“Because Mountain and Sea Walkers at this stage only take orders from their academies, and all tasks will be assigned to you in the form of academic credit assessments.”

“Taking classmate Zuo as an example, being a Shangqing Dao Academy student, she will only receive tasks from Shangqing Dao Academy. After completing tasks, besides normally receiving our Bureau’s contribution points as rewards, she can also obtain internal academy credits as rewards.”

“And how important academic credits are to Dao Academy students, classmate Zuo should know best.”

Zuo Qiuzi, standing nearby, nodded and said, “In our academy, credits can not only be used for cultivation, but they’re also tied to whether we can successfully advance to higher grades. If one accumulates three instances of being held back due to insufficient credits, they will be expelled by the academy.”

“It’s precisely because my current credits are insufficient that I considered taking the Mountain and Sea Walker examination.””After all, if you only complete the regular academic tasks within the academy, the credits you can obtain are actually quite limited—barely enough to cover daily cultivation needs, making it difficult to progress further.”

“Therefore, students from any Dao Academy will try their best to become Mountain and Sea Walkers before their senior year.”

“Because only in this way can we be confident of earning sufficient credits to graduate from the Dao Academy.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen asked, “So if you don’t become a Mountain and Sea Walker, is it easy to fall short of the graduation credits?”

Zuo Qiuzi thought for a moment and said, “It’s not exactly like that. If you just want basic cultivation resources and a smooth graduation, completing the academy’s fundamental learning tasks should be sufficient.”

“But the credits obtained this way are quite tight. You must budget carefully, setting aside enough credits for advancement before cautiously using any extra.”

“However, becoming a Mountain and Sea Walker is different. Even if we only complete one task for the Shanhai Bureau per year, the credit rewards are enough to support our cultivation within the Dao Academy while saving up the credits needed for advancement.”

“Thus, any student with certain expectations for their future will definitely strive to pass the Shanhai Bureau’s Agent assessment, not to mention that becoming a Walker also grants special powers like the Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen finally understood why so many students from the Four Great Academies wanted to become Agents of the Shanhai Bureau.

In a way, the Dao Academy and the Shanhai Bureau were using this method to encourage academy students to contribute their strength to the Immortal Alliance.

But Lu Chen seemed to recall something and asked doubtfully, “Since Dao Academy students place such importance on becoming Mountain and Sea Walkers, why didn’t I see many Shangqing Dao Academy students in this trial?”

At this, Zuo Qiuzi immediately looked embarrassed.

Zhong Yaojun, standing nearby, burst into laughter and explained, “That’s because the Dao Academy actually has its own internal Agent trials!”

“Miss Zuo probably didn’t pass the academy’s internal assessment, so she’s taking advantage of the winter break to try her luck at our Linjiang Shanhai Bureau.”

“Actually, situations like hers aren’t uncommon. After all, besides our Linjiang City, there are two other cities in Qingzhou that also have the qualification to hold Agent trials.”

“The city where Shangqing Dao Academy is located… Qiulong City… is where most Dao Academy students go.”

Zuo Qiuzi nodded and said, “Yes, most of my classmates actually choose to attempt a second Agent trial in Qiulong City during the winter break. I’m only participating in the trial here in Linjiang because my family is in this area.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen finally understood.

Seeing that matters had been sufficiently explained, Zhong Yaojun immediately brought up the final topic.

“Alright, I’ve covered most of the benefits and responsibilities of the Shanhai Bureau.”

“After Lu and your classmates go to the Dao Academy, the academy mentors will naturally assign some Shanhai Bureau tasks based on your circumstances.”

“Right now, the last thing I need to discuss with you is the most important aspect of becoming a Mountain and Sea Walker… the selection of Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen and the others immediately became serious.

This was a significant reason why they had chosen to become Mountain and Sea Walkers.”You should already be aware of our bureau’s relationship with the Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts through other channels, so I won’t waste time elaborating on that.”

“Right now, I mainly want to explain the situation regarding obtaining these Mythical Beasts.”

“Our bureau classifies the Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts into Four Guardians, Five Elders, Six Divisions, Seven Origins, Eight Extremes, Nine Luminaries, and Ten Capitals based on their destiny Rank.”

“The highest destiny Rank of Mythical Beast you can obtain for the first time is at the Six Divisions level.”

“And this destiny Rank represents the lower limit, not the upper limit.”

“Theoretically speaking, even a Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast with a destiny Rank of ‘Ten Capitals’ has the opportunity to advance its destiny Rank to the ‘Four Guardians’ level.”

“However, improving a Mythical Beast’s destiny Rank is no easy task.”

“This requires you to help them overcome their corresponding destinies according to each Mythical Beast’s characteristics.”

“Regardless of which Mythical Beast it is, they all start from the ‘Ten Capitals’ level after completing the initial contract.”

“Our bureau measures a Mythical Beast’s destiny Rank solely based on the highest destiny Rank that particular Mythical Beast has historically achieved.”

“So even if you obtain a Mythical Beast at the ‘Six Divisions’ level, this doesn’t mean you’ll immediately gain the power of a ‘Six Divisions’ level beast.”Rather, it means that by following the experiences of predecessors, you can relatively easily help your Mythical Beast advance all the way to the ‘Six Divisions’ level.”

“But whether you can help your Mythical Beast reach higher Ranks in the future will depend entirely on yourselves.”

“As for obtaining Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts, our Linjiang Shanhai Bureau doesn’t have that capability.”

“Therefore, you’ll need to visit our headquarters in Qingzhou – the Qingzhou Shanhai Division.”

“Or more precisely, the Xiaopenglai within the Qingzhou Shanhai Division.”

“Because only within Xiaopenglai can you truly come into contact with those Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts and have the opportunity to contract with a suitable beast.”

(End of Chapter)