Vol 5 Chapter 90: This Immortal Palace Isn't Proper
Everyone had assumed the Immortal Palace's trial would test talent, comprehension, or combat skills. At the very least, something abstract like fate or immortal affinity would've been within normal expectations.
Yet the first trial demanded lower realm cultivators to "offer gifts" upward, leaving Lin Jing utterly baffled.
Back in his previous life's homeland, such practices were indeed commonplace. Even if small sects employed such methods, Lin Jing wouldn't have found it strange.
But for a major immortal realm power selecting core disciples? Something felt fundamentally wrong about this approach.
"How greedy," murmured the Alliance Envoy. The Immortal Palace wasn't some minor faction in the immortal realm—those designing the Ascension Secret Realm must at least be Immortal Lord-level elders.
While gifts from lower realm Dao Inquiry cultivators might impress ordinary True Immortals, catching an Immortal Lord's attention seemed nearly impossible.
Unless...the Immortal Palace cultivators designing this stage expected participants to offer those rare, heaven-defying treasures occasionally obtained by lower realm prodigies—artifacts that would be considered exceptional even in the immortal realm.
Only fools would actually hand over such treasures!
Moreover, with the connection between realms severed, any offerings likely wouldn't reach the upper realm anyway. Might as well toss in something token."Tianmingzi, you try first," the Alliance Envoy said, having the Tianming Palace Lord demonstrate sincerity first before turning his gaze to Lin Jing and the Demon Emperor.
"Might I inquire how you two should be addressed?"
"I am an envoy of the Cultivation Alliance, subordinate to Deputy Leader Sword Taixu. You two hail from the Tianyuan Realm, correct?"
Meanwhile, Lin Jing had already deduced the Tianming Realm's situation from observing Tianming's representatives.
Tianming Realm hadn't fallen yet!
The Cultivation Alliance had intervened. However, none of the major alliance leaders had entered the secret realm, suggesting the mighty alliance experts who halted Demon Emperor Tianchou were absent. The situation here was better than expected—aside from the trial's bizarre nature.
"Lin Aotian," Lin Jing introduced himself.
"Ruler of Tianyuan's Demon Court," the Demon Emperor stated coolly.
"Fellow Daoist, your resemblance to the renowned prodigy Lin Jing from your home realm is striking. Could it be..." The Alliance Envoy voiced the same suspicion as the Tianming Palace Lord, having seen portraits of Lin Jing.
"Lin Jing is my son, hahaha! It seems my boy's fame has spread across myriad realms." Lin Jing wore a gratified smile.
"Lin Jing is my Demon Court's Holy Son, hahaha!" The Demon Emperor parroted Lin Jing's words and mannerisms.
Damn!
These two from Tianyuan Realm seemed...not quite right. The Alliance Envoy and Tianming Palace Lord developed metaphorical black lines on their foreheads.
"This old man is the Tianming Realm's Immortal Palace Lord. Since fate has brought us together, why not explore this Ascension Secret Realm as a group? What are your thoughts on this first trial?"
Tianmingzi hadn't yet offered his "sincerity," ignoring the Alliance Envoy's directive. Though the envoy held high status as Sword Taixu's follower, Tianmingzi wasn't intimidated strength-wise.
With the Immortal Palace Lord's potential rewards at stake, he had his own agenda.
The Demon Emperor glanced at Lin Jing, indicating she'd follow his lead.
"That barrel..." The palace lord narrowed his eyes. "If the realms were still connected, offering treasures might indeed gain upper realm attention. But currently, I suggest modest offerings to avoid wasting valuables without guarantee of recognition or return."
"While true, wouldn't casual offerings show disrespect?" countered the Tianming Palace Lord.
"Let each judge for themselves," Lin Jing transmitted to the Demon Emperor: "We'll offer things that appear valuable but hold little actual worth to us."
"What, supreme-grade immortal energy?" The Demon Emperor asked. Though incredibly precious with limited reserves, sacrificing a few wisps wouldn't hurt.
"Your Majesty, while supreme-grade immortal energy is rare in the lower realm, in the immortal realm even stray cats breathe it daily. It's practically worthless there."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Your Majesty seems disinterested in cultivating the 'Nine Celestial Dances' I previously offered? Created jointly by an Immortal King and several music-specialized Immortal Lords, it's exceptional even in the immortal realm. If you won't practice it, we could offer it here."
"Ah." The Demon Emperor's expression twisted. The technique was indeed remarkable, but she had no interest in musical cultivation. Her current method, inherited from the Divine Tiger ancestors, held sentimental value. Rather than switching, she preferred enhancing her ancestral technique—challenging but meaningful.
However, being an Immortal Lord-level technique, it couldn't be replicated by non-immortals. Offering their sole copy would be irrevocable—a genuine extravagance.
"Let's try it." Lin Jing showed no hesitation, then pondered his own offering.
He possessed many valuables—by lower realm standards. But truly rare immortal realm items? Nothing came to mind. Perhaps some Glazed Immortal Eye byproducts?
However you viewed it, the immortal eye was an Immortal King-level divine ability. Its creations should be rare even in the immortal realm, if not particularly valuable.
"More offerings increase our chances," Lin Jing muttered.
The four made their offerings, each with hidden agendas. Shortly after, their items vanished, followed by a mechanical voice:
As expected! Though realm connections were severed, the secret realm contained construct guardians overseeing trials.
The Alliance Envoy's barrel lit first. The emotionless voice declared: "One damaged immortal artifact. Are you offering charity? Zero sincerity."
"Damn it!" The envoy clenched his fists. Any offering should've been appreciated—how dare it complain!
Next, the Demon Emperor's barrel illuminated: "One advanced cultivation method. Adequate sincerity."
"That's it?!" The Demon Emperor gaped. Her Immortal Lord-level technique only warranted "adequate"?
Then Tianming Palace Lord's barrel activated: "Returning upper realm gifts? What mockery is this?"
The palace lord's face turned green. Tianming Realm's most valuable items were precisely those bestowed by the immortal realm's Immortal Palace!
If they're trash, why bestow them in the first place?
Finally, Lin Jing's turn came. The mechanical voice fell silent.