jì shào lí kǎn kǎn ér tán dào ：“ rú guǒ wǒ cāi de bù cuò ， měi gè rén cóng zhè diào yú chí zhōng néng gòu huò qǔ de bǎo wù ， shì xiāng duì dú lì 、 hù bù yǐng xiǎng de 。 yě jiù shì shuō ， nǐ wǒ èr rén ， bìng méi yǒu nǐ sǐ wǒ huó de jìng zhēng guān xì 。 cǐ wèi qí yī 。”
季绍离侃侃而谈道：“如果我猜的不错，每个人从这钓鱼池中能够获取的宝物，是相对独立、互不影响的。也就是说，你我二人，并没有你死我活的竞争关系。此为其一。”
Ji Shaoli spoke confidently, "If my guess is correct, the treasures each person can obtain from this fishing pool are relatively independent and do not affect one another. In other words, you and I don't have a life-or-death competition. That's point one."
“ zài zhě shuō ， wǒ men dōu yǒu gè gòng tóng de sù qiú 。 nà jiù shì zhī dào zhè diào yú chí mì mì de xiū shì ， yuè shǎo yuè hǎo 。 zhōng dào yǒu nǐ jué de ， guāng píng nǐ de shí lì ， néng gòu shǒu zhù zhè ge mì mì ma ？”
“再者说，我们都有个共同的诉求。那就是知道这钓鱼池秘密的修士，越少越好。钟道友你觉得，光凭伱的实力，能够守住这个秘密吗？”
"Furthermore, we share a common goal: knowing the secret of this fishing pool should be kept to as few people as possible. Fellow Daoist Zhong, what do you think? Can your strength alone keep this secret?"
“ jīn tiān wǒ néng fā xiàn zhè lǐ de yì cháng 。 zǒng yǒu yī tiān ， yě huì yǒu qí tā xiū shì tóng yàng néng fā xiàn 。 nǐ dǎng dé zhù ma ！”
“今天我能发现这里的异常。总有一天，也会有其他修士同样能发现。你挡得住吗！”
"I was able to discover something unusual here today. There will surely come a day when other cultivators can also find it. Can you stop them from discovering it!"
jì shào lí jǐn jǐn dīng zhe zhōng shén tōng ， háo bú kè qì de wèn dào 。
季绍离紧紧盯着钟神通，毫不客气的问道。
Ji Shaoli stared intently at Zhong Shentong and asked without hesitation.
zhōng shén tōng zhǐ néng mò rán bù yǔ 。
钟神通只能默然不语。
Zhong Shentong could only remain silent.
“ bù guò ruò shì yǒu wǒ men de bāng zhù ， jiù néng dà dà jiǎn xiǎo bèi qí tā xiū shì fā xiàn de fēng xiǎn 。 shèn zhì yǒng yuǎn zhàn jù zhè ge zhì bǎo ， yě bú shì bù kě néng ！” jì shào lí xiào zhe shuō dào 。
“不过若是有我们的帮助，就能大大减小被其他修士发现的风险。甚至永远占据这个至宝，也不是不可能！”季绍离笑着说道。
"But if we have your help, the risk of being discovered by other cultivators will be greatly reduced. Even permanently keeping this treasure is not impossible!" Ji Shaoli said with a smile.
“ wǒ men ？” zhōng shén tōng zhōng yú sè biàn 。
“我们？”钟神通终于色变。
"Us?" Zhong Shentong finally changed color.
yóu yù le xǔ jiǔ ， zhè cái tuí rán jiāng shǒu zhōng de zǐ jīn hú lú shōu qǐ ， yǒu xiē wú nài de shuō dào ：“ dào yǒu xià lái jiǎng huà ba 。”
犹豫了许久，这才颓然将手中的紫金葫芦收起，有些无奈的说道：“道友下来讲话吧。”
After much hesitation, he reluctantly put away his purple gold gourd and said somewhat helplessly, "Fellow Daoist, let's speak down here."
zhè shí hòu ， yíng rào zài jì shào lí xīn tóu ， nà rú máng zài bèi de wēi jī gǎn cái chè dǐ xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
这时候，萦绕在季绍离心头，那如芒在背的危机感才彻底消失不见。
At that moment, the sense of crisis that had been nagging at Ji Shaoli's mind completely vanished.
“ zhōng dào yǒu zhè zǐ jīn hú lú ， yě shì cóng diào yú chí zhōng diào chū lái de ？” jì shào lí mù guāng shǎn dòng ， wèn dào 。
“钟道友这紫金葫芦，也是从钓鱼池中钓出来的？”季绍离目光闪动，问道。
"Fellow Daoist Zhong, is this purple gold gourd also from the fishing pool?" Ji Shaoli asked with a flash in his eyes without approaching closer.
què bìng wèi kào jìn 。
却并未靠近。
Zhong Shentong chuckled, "I've guarded this fishing platform for half my life and only managed to catch such a treasure."
zhōng shén tōng shěn rán yī xiào ：“ lǎo dào wǒ shǒu zhe zhè diào yú tái dà bàn bèi zi ， yě jiù diào chū lái zhè me gè bǎo bèi le 。”
钟神通哂然一笑：“老道我守着这钓鱼台大半辈子，也就钓出来这么个宝贝了。”
"The Omnia Purple Gold Gourd, purple grade. I have no idea which cultivation world created it. Inside are the Omnia dual qi. In an instant of thought, you can transform the Omnia dual qi into flying knives to defend yourself. It's said that even a spirit transformation cultivator could be instantly cut down by it. Alas..."
“ hùn yuán zǐ jīn hú lú ， zǐ sè pǐn zhì 。 bù zhī dào shì nǎ ge xiū xiān jiè de zào wù ， nèi yǒu hùn yuán èr qì 。 yí niàn zhī jiān ， kě jiāng hùn yuán èr qì huà zuò fēi dāo yù dí 。 jù shuō suī huà shén xiū shì ， yě kě shùn jiān zhǎn zhī 。 zhǐ kě xī ……”
“混元紫金葫芦，紫色品质。不知道是哪个修仙界的造物，内有混元二气。一念之间，可将混元二气化作飞刀御敌。据说虽化神修士，也可瞬间斩之。只可惜……”
Zhong Shentong shook his head slightly, "This only applies in other cultivation worlds. In our Xuanhuang world, above Foundation Establishment realm cultivators are bound to the heavens and earth. As long as the heavens don't perish, the cultivators won't die. This Omnia Purple Gold Gourd isn't so powerful."
zhōng shén tōng wēi wēi yáo tóu ：“ zhè zhǐ shì zài qí tā xiū xiān jiè 。 wǒ men xuán huáng jiè ， zì yuán yīng yǐ shàng xiū shì ， biàn jì shēn tiān dì 。 tiān dì bù miè ， xiū shì bù yǔn 。 zhè hùn yuán zǐ jīn hú lú ， jiù méi nà me lì hài le 。”
钟神通微微摇头：“这只是在其他修仙界。我们玄黄界，自元婴以上修士，便寄身天地。天地不灭，修士不陨。这混元紫金葫芦，就没那么厉害了。”
These words revealed why he didn't easily choose to attack.
yī fān huà ， què shì dào chū le tā méi yǒu qīng yì xuǎn zé dòng shǒu de yuán yīn 。
一番话，却是道出了他没有轻易选择动手的原因。
With the added power from various protective treasures, Ji Shaoli's aura had already far exceeded that of a Golden Core cultivator.
zài zhū duō hù shēn bǎo wù wēi shì de jiā chí xià ， jì shào lí suǒ liú lù chū de qì xī ， yǐ jīng yuǎn chāo le jīn dān xiū shì de fàn chóu 。
在诸多护身宝物威势的加持下，季绍离所流露出的气息，已经远超了金丹修士的范畴。
Zhong Shentong was unsure about his true cultivation level and lacked confidence in a one-hit kill.
zhōng shén tōng chī bù zhǔn tā de zhēn shí xiū wèi ， méi yǒu yī jī bì shā de xìn xīn 。
钟神通吃不准他的真实修为，没有一击必杀的信心。
Hearing that there might be an organization behind Ji Shaoli, he could only give up.
yòu tīng dào jì shào lí bèi hòu kě néng hái yǒu zǔ zhī de cún zài ， suǒ yǐ zhǐ néng fàng qì le 。
又听到季绍离背后可能还有组织的存在，所以只能放弃了。
"How long have you discovered the secrets of this fishing pool?" Ji Shaoli finally descended from the clouds.
“ zhōng dào yǒu fā xiàn zhè diào yú chí de ào miào ， yǒu duō shǎo nián le ？” jì shào lí zhè shí hòu zhōng yú cóng yún duān fēi shēn jiàng xià 。
“钟道友发现这钓鱼池的奥妙，有多少年了？”季绍离这时候终于从云端飞身降下。
Zhong Shentong's eyes flashed with a hint of reminiscence, "I can't quite remember. It was when I was young. Time flies..."
zhōng shén tōng yǎn jīng zhōng shǎn guò yī sī huí yì ：“ wǒ yě jì bù tài qīng 。 nà hái shì wǒ zhèng nián qīng de shí hòu ， shí guāng rěn rǎn a ……”
钟神通眼睛中闪过一丝回忆：“我也记不太清。那还是我正年轻的时候，时光荏苒啊……”
Ji Shaoli silently sized up the Taoist child Ruli who Zhong Shentong had been protecting.
jì shào lí zé shì bù dòng shēng sè de dǎ liàng zhe ， yì zhí bèi zhōng shén tōng hù zài shēn hòu de dào tóng liú lí 。
季绍离则是不动声色的打量着，一直被钟神通护在身后的道童琉璃。
She looked like a porcelain doll, her appearance exquisite.
wǎn rú cí wá wá bān ， róng mào jīng zhì 。
宛如瓷娃娃般，容貌精致。
Wearing loose robes, she appeared gender-neutral at first glance.
chuān zhe kuān dà de dào páo ， měng rán yī yǎn kàn guò qù ， jìng rán fēn bù qīng xìng bié 。
穿着宽大的道袍，猛然一眼看过去，竟然分不清性别。
Ruli peeked out from behind, not showing much fear but glaring fiercely at Ji Shaoli.
liú lí cǐ kè tàn chū yí gè nǎo dài ， yǎn zhōng bìng méi yǒu duō shǎo hài pà 。
琉璃此刻探出一个脑袋，眼中并没有多少害怕。
"This little kid..."
zhǐ shì qì gǔ gǔ dì hěn hěn dèng zhe jì shào lí 。
只是气鼓鼓地狠狠瞪着季绍离。
Zhong Shentong smiled sarcastically, "Just an orphan I adopted..."
“ zhè xiǎo wá wá ……”
“这小娃娃……”
At that moment, Ruli's eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Zhong Shentong. "Master, didn't you say I was also caught from this pond?"
zhōng shén tōng pí xiào ròu bù xiào dì shuō dào :“ bù guò shì shōu yǎng de fán rén gū ér ……”
钟神通皮笑肉不笑地说道:“不过是收养的凡人孤儿……”
"Ugh..."
jiù zài zhè shí ， liú lí dèng dà le yǎn jīng ， yī liǎn zhèn jīng de tái tóu kàn zhe zhōng shén tōng ：“ shī fù ， nǐ bú shì shuō ， wǒ yě shì cóng zhè chí táng lǐ diào chū lái ……”
就在这时，琉璃瞪大了眼睛，一脸震惊的抬头看着钟神通：“师父，你不是说，我也是从这池塘里钓出来……”
Before she could finish speaking, Zhong Shentong regretfully covered her mouth.
“ wū wū ……”
“呜呜……”
"Hahaha." Ji Shaoli laughed loudly and suddenly stopped.
huà hái méi yǒu shuō wán ， biàn bèi zhōng shén tōng huǐ zhī bù jí de wǔ zhù le zuǐ 。
话还没有说完，便被钟神通悔之不及的捂住了嘴。
He sized up Zhong Shentong with a look of grim resolve: "Fellow Daoist Zhong, if you insist on this, don't blame me for going all out."
“ hā hā hā hā 。” jì shào lí yǎng tiān zhǎng xiào ， ér hòu zhòu rán zhǐ zhù 。
“哈哈哈哈。”季绍离仰天长笑，而后骤然止住。
"Lin Ling!"
yī liǎn shā qì de dǎ liàng zhe zhōng shén tōng ：“ zhōng dào yǒu rú guǒ zhí yì rú cǐ de huà ， nà jiù bié guài wǒ bù liú qíng miàn le 。”
一脸煞气的打量着钟神通：“钟道友如果执意如此的话，那就别怪我不留情面了。”
Ruli knew she had caused trouble and stopped struggling immediately.
“ lín líng ！”
“林灵！”
Zhong Shentong didn't reprimand her but comforted Ruli as he stroked her head.
liú lí yě zhī dào zì jǐ chuǎng le huò ， dùn shí bù zài zhēng zhá 。
琉璃也知道自己闯了祸，顿时不再挣扎。
After a while of confrontation, with the figure of a union leader appearing in the sky, the pressure of merging realms descended.
zhōng shén tōng què bìng wèi zé bèi 。 zhǐ shì mō zhe xiǎo dào tóng de nǎo dài bù duàn ān fǔ zhe xuàn rán yù qì de liú lí 。
钟神通却并未责备。只是摸着小道童的脑袋不断安抚着泫然欲泣的琉璃。
Zhong Shentong's face turned pale, sighed deeply, and finally submitted.
shuāng fāng duì zhì le yī duàn shí jiān 。
双方对峙了一段时间。
"Little Ruli, I indeed fell from this fishing pool."
suí zhe yī dào shēn yǐng fú xiàn zài tiān kōng zhōng ， hé dào de wēi yā lǒng zhào jiàng xià 。
随着一道身影浮现在天空中，合道的威压笼罩降下。
"At first, it was just a transparent fruit like Ruli. I was about to eat her when I faintly heard an infant crying."
zhōng shén tōng miàn sè wú bǐ cāng bái ， cháng tàn yì kǒu qì ， zhōng yú lǎo shí xià lái 。
钟神通面色无比苍白，长叹一口气，终于老实下来。
...
“ xiǎo liú lí ， dí què shì wǒ cóng diào yú chí zhōng diào chū lái de 。”
“小琉璃，的确是我从钓鱼池中掉出来的。”
Giving up his resistance, Zhong Shentong sat down and began narrating.
“ yī kāi shǐ de shí hòu ， zhǐ shì gēn liú lí yì bān de tòu míng guǒ shí 。 wǒ zhèng zhǔn bèi bǎ tā chī le ， què yǐn yǐn cóng zhōng tīng dào le yīng ér de kū shēng 。”
“一开始的时候，只是跟琉璃一般的透明果实。我正准备把她吃了，却隐隐从中听到了婴儿的哭声。”
Lin Ling was very curious about the pretty Taoist child and scanned him with his divine sense.
……
……
The little girl returned his gaze defiantly, neither backing down nor showing fear.
fàng qì le dǐ dǎng de zhōng shén tōng yī pì gǔ zuò zài dì shàng ， huǎn huǎn jiǎng shù dào 。
放弃了抵挡的钟神通一屁股坐在地上，缓缓讲述道。
They stared at each other, neither giving in to the other.
lín líng zé shì duì zhè piào liàng de xiǎo dào tóng shí fēn hào qí ， shén shí bù duàn zài duì fāng de shēn shàng sǎo guò 。
林灵则是对这漂亮的小道童十分好奇，神识不断在对方的身上扫过。
This scene made Zhong Shentong laugh and cry. His unease vanished.
ér zhè xiǎo gū niáng jū rán duì cǐ yǒu suǒ gǎn jué ， bù gān shì ruò de huí dèng zhe lín líng 。
而这小姑娘居然对此有所感觉，不甘示弱的回瞪着林灵。
When he saw Lin Ling's display of merging realm power, he felt despair.
èr zhě dà yǎn dèng xiǎo yǎn shuí yě bù ràng shuí 。
二者大眼瞪小眼谁也不让谁。
However, from this union leader's actions, it seemed things weren't as bad as he imagined.
zhè yí mù ràng zhōng shén tōng dùn shí tí xiào jiē fēi ， xīn zhōng de tǎn tè bù ān yě suí zhī xiāo shī 。
这一幕让钟神通顿时啼笑皆非，心中的忐忑不安也随之消失。
Ji Shaoli also walked up to the fishing pool.
zài duì fāng xiǎn chū hé dào shí lì de shí hòu ， tā shì gǎn dào jué wàng de 。
在对方显出合道实力的时候，他是感到绝望的。
Facing Zhong Shentong, he said slowly, "I am not a killer. I won't create unnecessary bloodshed unless absolutely necessary. But the secret of the fishing pool must never be revealed."
bù guò cóng zhè hé dào xiān zūn de jǔ dòng lái kàn ， sì hū qíng kuàng yě bù xiàng xiǎng xiàng zhōng de nà me zāo gāo 。
不过从这合道仙尊的举动来看，似乎情况也不像想象中的那么糟糕。
"Fellow Daoist Zhong, you have two choices now."
zhè shí hòu ， jì shào lí yě zǒu dào diào yú chí páng biān 。
这时候，季绍离也走到钓鱼池旁边。
"One is to sacrifice yourself and die. If that's your choice, I promise this little girl will live happily for the rest of her life."
bèi duì zhe zhōng shén tōng ， huǎn huǎn shuō dào ：“ wǒ bìng fēi shì shā zhī rén 。 bú dào wàn bù dé yǐ wǒ yě bù yuàn wǎng zào shā niè 。 bù guò diào yú chí de mì mì ， jué duì bù néng xiè lòu 。”
背对着钟神通，缓缓说道：“我并非弑杀之人。不到万不得已我也不愿枉造杀孽。不过钓鱼池的秘密，绝对不能泄露。”
"Or..."
“ zhōng dào yǒu nǐ xiàn zài yǒu liǎng gè xuǎn zé 。”
“钟道友你现在有两个选择。”
Zhong Shentong narrowed his eyes, waiting for Ji Shaoli to continue.
“ yī shì shě shēng zì jìn 。 ruò shì rú cǐ ， wǒ dā yìng nǐ ， bǎo zhèng zhè xiǎo wá wá hòu bàn shēng wú yōu 。”
“一是舍生自尽。若是如此，我答应你，保证这小娃娃后半生无忧。”
"That means joining our Interdimensional Alliance. As long as we're family, there's no need to worry about secrets being revealed."
“ èr lái ma ……”
“二来嘛……”
"Interdimensional... Alliance?" Zhong Shentong was momentarily stunned by the unfamiliar name.
zhōng shén tōng yǎn jīng mī qǐ ， tīng zhe jì shào lí de huà gù yì dùn zhù 。
钟神通眼睛眯起，听着季绍离的话故意顿住。
But with a merging realm cultivator present, it couldn't be simple.
“ nà jiù shì jiā rù wǒ men wàn jiè lián hé huì 。 zhǐ yào tóng shì yī jiā rén ， nà yě bù yòng dān xīn shén me mì mì xiè lòu le 。”
“那就是加入我们万界联合会。只要同是一家人，那也不用担心什么秘密泄露了。”
Zhong Shentong, without choice, readily agreed.
“ wàn jiè …… lián hé huì ？” tīng zhe zhè wán quán mò shēng de míng zì ， zhōng shén tōng yī shí yǒu xiē lèng zhù 。
“万界……联合会？”听着这完全陌生的名字，钟神通一时有些愣住。
"I am willing to join you."
bù guò yǒu hé dào xiū shì zuò zhèn ， xiǎng lái yě jué duì bù jiǎn dān 。
不过有合道修士坐镇，想来也绝对不简单。
"Good! Fellow Daoist Zhong, indeed recognizing the times!" Ji Shaoli clapped and praised.
gēn běn méi yǒu xuǎn zé de zhōng shén tōng ， hěn kuài jiù shuǎng kuài de dā yìng xià lái 。
根本没有选择的钟神通，很快就爽快的答应下来。
"Lin Ling!"
“ wǒ yuàn yì jiā rù nǐ men 。”
“我愿意加入你们。”
He called out again. Lin Ling looked at Ji Shaoli before pointing up lightly.
“ hǎo ！ zhōng dào yǒu guǒ rán shí shí wù ！” jì shào lí gǔ zhǎng ér zàn yuē 。
“好！钟道友果然识时务！”季绍离鼓掌而赞曰。
Then, a vague image of a faceless stone statue appeared above Zhong Shentong's head.
“ lín líng ！” tā yòu hǎn dào 。
“林灵！”他又喊道。
Though he couldn't see the statue clearly, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
lín líng kàn xiàng jì shào lí ， ér hòu cháo zhe kōng zhōng qīng qīng yī zhǐ 。
林灵看向季绍离，而后朝着空中轻轻一指。
In the fishing pool, he faced countless light orbs like stars every day.
suí hòu ， yī zūn wú miàn shí xiàng de mó hú yǐng xiàng ， jiù chū xiàn zài zhōng shén tōng tóu dǐng 。
随后，一尊无面石像的模糊影像，就出现在钟神通头顶。
He had developed an almost instinctive ability to appraise item grades due to this experience.
suī rán kàn bù qīng shí xiàng xiàng mào ， dàn zhōng shén tōng xīn zhōng què dǒu rán shēng chū yī gǔ máo gǔ sǒng rán zhī gǎn 。
虽然看不清石像相貌，但钟神通心中却陡然生出一股毛骨悚然之感。
Zhong Shentong could nearly tell that this stone statue must be of great significance!
zài diào yú chí zhōng ， tiān tiān miàn duì hào rú xīng chén bān de guāng tuán 。
在钓鱼池中，天天面对浩如星辰般的光团。
Sure enough, Ji Shaoli said respectfully, "This is the statue of [True Immortal of Red Dust's Compassion]. All who join must recite their oath in front of it."
duì yú wù pǐn de děng jí ， yǐ rán xíng chéng le wǎn ruò zhí jué de jiàn dìng néng lì 。
对于物品的等级，已然形成了宛若直觉的鉴定能力。
As he spoke, a lengthy oath over two hundred words was transmitted to Zhong Shentong's mind.
zhōng shén tōng jī hū yī yǎn jiù kàn chū ， zhè zūn shí xiàng ， dìng rán dà yǒu lái tou ！
钟神通几乎一眼就看出，这尊石像，定然大有来头！
"True Immortal..." Zhong Shentong's heart tightened.
guǒ bù qí rán ， tā tīng jì shào lí yǔ qì gōng jìng de shuō dào ：“ cǐ nǎi 【 hóng chén cí bēi zhēn xiān 】 xiàng 。 fán rù huì zhě ， jiē xū zài shí xiàng qián ， kǒu sòng shì yán 。”
果不其然，他听季绍离语气恭敬的说道：“此乃【红尘慈悲真仙】像。凡入会者，皆需在石像前，口诵誓言。”
"Could this Interdimensional Alliance..."
shuō zhe ， yī duàn zhǎng dá liǎng bǎi duō zì de shì cí ， biàn bèi chuán yīn dào zhōng shén tōng nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
说着，一段长达两百多字的誓词，便被传音到钟神通脑海中。
Zhong Shentong didn't dare think further.
“ zhēn xiān ……” zhōng shén tōng xīn zhōng yī lǐn 。
“真仙……”钟神通心中一凛。
He had seen too many items from different cultivation worlds in the fishing platform.
“ nán bù chéng ， zhè wàn jiè lián hé huì bèi hòu ……”
“难不成，这万界联合会背后……”
For the existence of a realm above all cultivation worlds, he was utterly convinced.
zhōng shén tōng bù gǎn xì xiǎng 。
钟神通不敢细想。
With an extremely serious expression, Zhong Shentong recited the oath in front of everyone.
cóng diào yú tái zhōng ， kàn guò tài duō lái zì bù tóng xiū xiān jiè de wù pǐn 。
从钓鱼台中，看过太多来自不同修仙界的物品。
The process seemed incredibly long. The oath seemed to contain extraordinary energy.
duì yú nà líng jià yú suǒ yǒu xiū xiān jiè zhī shàng de xiān jiè de zhēn shí cún zài ， tā shì wàn fēn què xìn de 。
对于那凌驾于所有修仙界之上的仙界的真实存在，他是万分确信的。
(End of Chapter)
Ji Shaoli spoke confidently, "If my guess is correct, the treasures each person can obtain from this fishing pool are relatively independent and do not affect one another. In other words, you and I don't have a life-or-death competition. That's point one."
"Furthermore, we share a common goal: knowing the secret of this fishing pool should be kept to as few people as possible. Fellow Daoist Zhong, what do you think? Can your strength alone keep this secret?"
"I was able to discover something unusual here today. There will surely come a day when other cultivators can also find it. Can you stop them from discovering it!"
Ji Shaoli stared intently at Zhong Shentong and asked without hesitation.
Zhong Shentong could only remain silent.
"But if we have your help, the risk of being discovered by other cultivators will be greatly reduced. Even permanently keeping this treasure is not impossible!" Ji Shaoli said with a smile.
"Us?" Zhong Shentong finally changed color.
After much hesitation, he reluctantly put away his purple gold gourd and said somewhat helplessly, "Fellow Daoist, let's speak down here."
At that moment, the sense of crisis that had been nagging at Ji Shaoli's mind completely vanished.
"Fellow Daoist Zhong, is this purple gold gourd also from the fishing pool?" Ji Shaoli asked with a flash in his eyes without approaching closer.
Zhong Shentong chuckled, "I've guarded this fishing platform for half my life and only managed to catch such a treasure."
"The Omnia Purple Gold Gourd, purple grade. I have no idea which cultivation world created it. Inside are the Omnia dual qi. In an instant of thought, you can transform the Omnia dual qi into flying knives to defend yourself. It's said that even a spirit transformation cultivator could be instantly cut down by it. Alas..."
Zhong Shentong shook his head slightly, "This only applies in other cultivation worlds. In our Xuanhuang world, above Foundation Establishment realm cultivators are bound to the heavens and earth. As long as the heavens don't perish, the cultivators won't die. This Omnia Purple Gold Gourd isn't so powerful."
These words revealed why he didn't easily choose to attack.
With the added power from various protective treasures, Ji Shaoli's aura had already far exceeded that of a Golden Core cultivator.
Zhong Shentong was unsure about his true cultivation level and lacked confidence in a one-hit kill.
Hearing that there might be an organization behind Ji Shaoli, he could only give up.
"How long have you discovered the secrets of this fishing pool?" Ji Shaoli finally descended from the clouds.
Zhong Shentong's eyes flashed with a hint of reminiscence, "I can't quite remember. It was when I was young. Time flies..."
Ji Shaoli silently sized up the Taoist child Ruli who Zhong Shentong had been protecting.
She looked like a porcelain doll, her appearance exquisite.
Wearing loose robes, she appeared gender-neutral at first glance.
Ruli peeked out from behind, not showing much fear but glaring fiercely at Ji Shaoli.
"This little kid..."
Zhong Shentong smiled sarcastically, "Just an orphan I adopted..."
At that moment, Ruli's eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Zhong Shentong. "Master, didn't you say I was also caught from this pond?"
"Ugh..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhong Shentong regretfully covered her mouth.
"Hahaha." Ji Shaoli laughed loudly and suddenly stopped.
He sized up Zhong Shentong with a look of grim resolve: "Fellow Daoist Zhong, if you insist on this, don't blame me for going all out."
"Lin Ling!"
Ruli knew she had caused trouble and stopped struggling immediately.
Zhong Shentong didn't reprimand her but comforted Ruli as he stroked her head.
After a while of confrontation, with the figure of a union leader appearing in the sky, the pressure of merging realms descended.
Zhong Shentong's face turned pale, sighed deeply, and finally submitted.
"Little Ruli, I indeed fell from this fishing pool."
"At first, it was just a transparent fruit like Ruli. I was about to eat her when I faintly heard an infant crying."
...
Giving up his resistance, Zhong Shentong sat down and began narrating.
Lin Ling was very curious about the pretty Taoist child and scanned him with his divine sense.
The little girl returned his gaze defiantly, neither backing down nor showing fear.
They stared at each other, neither giving in to the other.
This scene made Zhong Shentong laugh and cry. His unease vanished.
When he saw Lin Ling's display of merging realm power, he felt despair.
However, from this union leader's actions, it seemed things weren't as bad as he imagined.
Ji Shaoli also walked up to the fishing pool.
Facing Zhong Shentong, he said slowly, "I am not a killer. I won't create unnecessary bloodshed unless absolutely necessary. But the secret of the fishing pool must never be revealed."
"Fellow Daoist Zhong, you have two choices now."
"One is to sacrifice yourself and die. If that's your choice, I promise this little girl will live happily for the rest of her life."
"Or..."
Zhong Shentong narrowed his eyes, waiting for Ji Shaoli to continue.
"That means joining our Interdimensional Alliance. As long as we're family, there's no need to worry about secrets being revealed."
"Interdimensional... Alliance?" Zhong Shentong was momentarily stunned by the unfamiliar name.
But with a merging realm cultivator present, it couldn't be simple.
Zhong Shentong, without choice, readily agreed.
"I am willing to join you."
"Good! Fellow Daoist Zhong, indeed recognizing the times!" Ji Shaoli clapped and praised.
"Lin Ling!"
He called out again. Lin Ling looked at Ji Shaoli before pointing up lightly.
Then, a vague image of a faceless stone statue appeared above Zhong Shentong's head.
Though he couldn't see the statue clearly, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
In the fishing pool, he faced countless light orbs like stars every day.
He had developed an almost instinctive ability to appraise item grades due to this experience.
Zhong Shentong could nearly tell that this stone statue must be of great significance!
Sure enough, Ji Shaoli said respectfully, "This is the statue of [True Immortal of Red Dust's Compassion]. All who join must recite their oath in front of it."
As he spoke, a lengthy oath over two hundred words was transmitted to Zhong Shentong's mind.
"True Immortal..." Zhong Shentong's heart tightened.
"Could this Interdimensional Alliance..."
Zhong Shentong didn't dare think further.
He had seen too many items from different cultivation worlds in the fishing platform.
For the existence of a realm above all cultivation worlds, he was utterly convinced.
With an extremely serious expression, Zhong Shentong recited the oath in front of everyone.
The process seemed incredibly long. The oath seemed to contain extraordinary energy.
(End of Chapter)