"Brother, you're a sensible man…"
Leading Leon to a secluded spot, Green Hibiscus first cautiously scanned the surroundings before lowering their voice.
"Before gaining absolute power, you must long to live forever, right?"
"Unfortunately, the Xianzhou Alliance doesn't care about the well-being of short-lived species. They stubbornly forbid the glorious path to immortality."
"Hah, how laughable and selfish. As long-lived species, they prevent others from achieving immortality. Truly shameful…"
Leon crossed his arms. "So?"
"My name is Green Hibiscus. I've come to Exalting Sanctum hoping to meet someone like you, a destined individual, to join me in ascending the immortal path."
"How do I know you're not trying to scam or deceive me? Just because I'm an outsider doesn't mean I'm easy to fool."
Leon appeared wary on the surface but was suppressing a laugh internally.
At the same time, his thoughts involuntarily drifted to the distant past.
Among the myriad long-lived species in the galaxy, the Abundance lineage of the Xianzhou Alliance was considered among the lower tiers.
Though their lifespan was theoretically infinite, most didn't survive past a thousand years before facing the Mara-Struck calamity.
Compared to the immortality granted by the Abundance, the Compassion of Yaoshi was undoubtedly on a far superior level.
Yet, through the long passage of time until their fall, the Aeon of Compassion had only bestowed the prayer of immortality upon the Sky Haven Clan.
According to Their philosophy, those who sought immortality were essentially pursuing their heart's desires.
They had clear goals and motivations, requiring no pity.
The Sky Haven Clan was different.
Born to walk a path of burning themselves to fulfill others' destinies.
Ever since their abilities were exposed, countless factions and forces set their sights on the Sky Haven Clan.
In just a few decades, they were nearly wiped out.
No… to be precise, they were extinguished once.
It was the divine radiance of Qi that, before the karmic sequence of the Sky Haven Clan completely dissipated, traced it back and restarted it entirely.
And Leon was one of the seven embryos remaining in that karmic sequence.
Later, these seven embryos became the Sky Haven Saints, bearing the power of Emanators to carry out Qi's will.
From that moment, the Sky Haven Clan gained eternal life.
Under Qi's protection, as long as they did not burn their body and mind, they could achieve true immortality, existing forever.
The price was singular—
The Sky Haven Clan could no longer increase its population.
Leon speculated this was likely the result of a negotiation with the Aeon of Equilibrium, HooH.
It wasn't a loss of reproductive ability, but rather, to birth a new life, someone had to step into the eternal slumber of the long night.
Not all members of the Sky Haven Clan desired an immortal life.
Quite the contrary.
People were grateful for Qi's blessings and were willing to use the Sky Haven Clan's innate ability to sacrifice for others, assisting Yaoshi in bestowing compassion on those in need.
Most, if they hadn't reached the limit of burning their body and mind by around 500 years of age, would voluntarily step into eternal slumber, ending their lives.
The seven Sky Haven Saints were the exception.
After Qi's fall, there were no more exceptions.
Even Leon, who personally experienced the era of his clan's extinction, had to enter the cycle of reincarnation.
—His karmic sequence looped infinitely.
It was on the day of Qi's fall that the Sky Haven Clan finally understood why the God of Compassion had chosen them.
Seeing Leon lost in thought for a long while, Green Hibiscus assumed he was still cautious and hesitant.
"I swear to you, on the name of the Merciful Medicine King, I have no intention of harming you."
"We're all honest, upstanding five-star citizens. We're just more loyal to our inner desires than other Xianzhou residents."
Leon snapped out of his reverie, his face showing a final trace of caution and suspicion.
"Strangers with no ties, and you're being this kind?"
Green Hibiscus: "Oh, brother, do you know of the Abundance Aeon, the Merciful Medicine King we revere?"
"They answer all prayers, caring for the universe's beings suffering in hardship, unwilling to let them perish or languish in pain!"
"We follow Their philosophy, so how could we not be kind?"
"I see." Leon seemed convinced, nodding. "Then I'll trouble Brother Hibiscus to lead the way."
Green Hibiscus was secretly delighted.
"Come with me. There are too many eyes and ears around here; someone could show up any moment. We shouldn't linger."
Leon followed Green Hibiscus, weaving left and right, until they entered a courtyard.
In the courtyard, there were a few others.
Most were unremarkable, except for one person clad in Cloud Knight armor, weapon still at their side.
At first glance, Leon didn't think much of it, assuming they were a Xianzhou traitor.
But pretending not to notice clearly didn't fit the demeanor of an outsider.
After all, no outsider would fail to recognize the Cloud Knights responsible for inspections at the border.
"Why's there a Cloud Knight here?"
He asked deliberately.
Green Hibiscus waved a hand.
"Don't worry, brother. He's like you, someone undergoing the test."
"Test? You didn't mention anything about a test earlier."
Noticing the hidden glint in Green Hibiscus's eyes, Leon feigned confusion while inwardly scoffing.
What a classic routine!
First, lure someone in, then keep up the act as long as possible. If the act fails, resort to sticks and carrots.
Little guy, did you really think I'm some big idiot who'd fall for a pyramid scheme?
I'm just playing along to mess with you.
"All prayers are answered, and the Merciful Medicine King is broad-minded, never rejecting anyone's wishes."
"So, the entry test for our Medicine King's Secret Transmission isn't too harsh."
"Oh, I forgot to formally introduce—our organization is called the Medicine King's Secret Transmission, and I am a Sower of it."
"To gain the method of immortality, you must first pass a small test to become a Sower."
"As the Medicine King's Secret Transmission grows, it inevitably attracts the attention of those Skybow devotees."
"We're just being cautious. Otherwise, the consequences would be dire. Please understand, Brother Leon."
Leon nodded, rolling up his sleeves, looking eager.
"What's the test? I'm in a hurry. Power… I need more power!"
"Hahaha…"
Green Hibiscus laughed heartily, pulling out a small booklet.
"Simple. Just copy this Merciful Medicine King's Salvation Scripture seven hundred times to prove your sincerity to your brothers and sisters."
"Once you finish, you'll soon become a Sower."
Leon: "Pen."
"It's all prepared for you—traditional Xianzhou brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Smooth writing, ergonomic…"
Green Hibiscus's lips curled up.
"Not to mention seven hundred times, even seventy thousand times wouldn't tire you out. Don't look skeptical—I copied seventy thousand times myself back then."
"Ask this Cloud Knight who finished seven hundred times if he was tired."
At that, Leon turned his gaze.
Cloud Knight: "…Not tired at all…"
Fine.
Leon sat at the desk.
Don't get it wrong.
There was no way he'd actually copy this nonsense Merciful Medicine King's Salvation Scripture.
A bit of hallucinogenic drug would work better on these guys than anything else.
And so, in the eyes of Green Hibiscus and the others, Leon was diligently copying the Medicine King's Secret Transmission scripture.
They didn't notice that, unbeknownst to them, they'd already been poisoned.
Seeing Leon "copy" roughly two times, Green Hibiscus and the others quietly left the courtyard, locking the gate behind them.
The Cloud Knight, noticing this, hesitated for a moment before subtly signaling to Leon.
"Stop copying, brother… come here… quick!"