Under the close watch of Master Diviner Fu Xuan and numerous Luofu players, Guinaifen continued to push forward with the Trailblaze Mission, [Venom Brews, Immortality Looms].
"I recently received a tip," Qingzu said on screen. "Taking advantage of the current chaos, someone in the vicinity of the Exalting Sanctum seems to be inciting outworlders. Perhaps you could start your investigation there?
"In fact, I sent an investigator to scout the area a few months ago and made some headway. However, the other side seems to have grown suspicious… our undercover agent has lost contact. I fear his identity was compromised.
Since you are a fresh face on the Luofu and an outworlder to boot, I would feel much more at ease leaving this matter in your hands."
Inside the live stream room, Guinaifen nodded thoughtfully. She turned around and shouted toward the back, "Sushang! Come here, quick! We're going undercover to infiltrate the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus]! It's time to test your mettle as a Cloud Knight. Get over here and give me some advice!"
Sushang stepped before the camera. Hearing that this involved the potential threat of the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] on the Luofu, her expression turned solemn. She gripped the game controller as if she were brandishing her Edge of Taixuan,
her eyes filled with a determination so fierce it looked like she was fighting her way back to the land of the living!
Soon, they found a strange man acting suspiciously on the outskirts of the Exalting Sanctum.
"Honored guest from afar, please stay your step. Do you crave immortality?" the weirdo asked.
> [ I do not. ]
> [ I do. ]
> [ I crave power! ]
Three options appeared. Sushang deliberated for a moment before choosing the third.
Then, she explained to the camera, "Usually in a situation like this, saying you crave it directly makes them suspicious. We have to play the part of a… uh… reckless hothead who has no guard up!"
The weirdo fell silent at the answer. After a moment, he suddenly spoke up. "I understand! You mean you crave immortality, right? After all, living forever is a form of power in itself!"
> [ No, I just crave pure power! ]
"Uh…"
"Sister, you're really throwing me for a loop here." The man laughed. "You're an interesting one. To be frank, I can only offer outworlders the chance at immortality, but perhaps you're better suited for the Antimatter Legion. Still, surely you must wish to live forever before you can obtain absolute power?"
The weirdo grew more excited as he spoke. "The Xianzhou Alliance cares nothing for the welfare of short-life species! They stubbornly forbid the glorious path to immortality. My name is Green Hibiscus.
I came to the Exalting Sanctum today in hopes of meeting someone destined for greatness like you, so that we might ascend to the celestial path of longevity together. How about it? Why don't we go somewhere more suitable to discuss these matters?"
The first step of the undercover operationsuccess!
Sushang flashed a peace sign to the side, and Guinaifen responded with a "nice job" gesture. Following Green Hibiscus's lead, they arrived at a courtyard that was actually quite elegantly decorated. Aside from Green Hibiscus, there were other members presentincluding a Cloud Knight!
Green Hibiscus spoke. "Allow me to introduce myself again. I am a [Disciple] of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. It was inconvenient to reveal my identity in the Exalting Sanctum, but we can speak freely here.
The [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] is an organization that follows the Merciful Medicus as the true path. [Disciple] is how we followers refer to ourselves. To obtain the method of long life, one must become a Disciple. But to become a Disciple, one must first undergo a few small trials.
"Please forgive us… as the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus grow in strength, we have drawn the attention of the followers of that Reignbow Arbiter. If we did not act with such caution, the consequences would be dire."
As a member of the Cloud Knights herself, Sushang immediately asked what was going on with the soldier standing there.
"Do not worry about this Cloud Knight. He is undergoing the trial just like you. 'All that is sought shall be obtained.' The Merciful Medicus is broad-minded and never lightly rejects the prayers of anyone.
Thus, our entry trial is not meant to be overly difficult. Simply copy this volume of 'The Thousand-Handed Merciful Medicus' Salvation' five hundred times. Once you have proven your sincerity to your brothers and sisters, you shall become a Disciple."
…
"Huh?"
"This is the trial to join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?"
"LMAO."
"That's so simple. Does that mean I can seek immortality too?"
"Upstairs, your comment is dangerous!"
"My friend, please follow me to the Realm-Keeping Commission for a chat."
…
"What?!" Sushang's eyes widened. She hadn't expected this undercover mission to be so difficult. And what was with the content of this scripture?
[Once, the Thousand-Handed Merciful Medicus traveled through various realms, accompanied by ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine Disciples, dwelling beneath Rahu to preach the dharma.]
She recognized most of the words, but when put together, she couldn't understand a single bit of it!
"Good thing this is a game. If I had to do this in real life, I'd never finish…"
> [ Your index finger is starting to hurt, and your shoulder feels stiff… and this is only the first copy. Four hundred and ninety-nine more await you. ]
The internal monologue was a perfect reflection of Sushang's current state of mind! This game's immersion was just too strong! She was determined to see if she could actually achieve the feat of copying it five hundred times in-game.
> [ You lower your head, turning a deaf ear to everything around you as you write in silence. Your arm begins to ache more, but you finally finish the second copy. ]
> [ '[The Merciful Medicus's grace allows the Ambrosial Arbor to flourish. Disciples of one heart shall ascend to Bliss together.]' As you begin the third copy, these words start to echo in your mind. ]
> [ Your arm and fingers no longer hurt. Perhaps you have grown accustomed to it, or perhaps you are simply numb. You successfully finish the fourth copy. ]
> [ While you are writing the fifth copy, the Cloud Knight beside you finally loses his patience and quietly edges closer to you. ]
"Stop writing! Stop writing! Are you addicted to copying this stuff? Let me finish the rest for you; you just keep a lookout for me!"
The moment those words were spoken, Sushang keenly realized that this Cloud Knight was no simple soldier! He wasn't a traitor; he was an undercover agent just like her!
"Alright, finally finished… I recognize you. You're the Trailblazer! General Jing Yuan's honored guest!" the soldier whispered. "I'm a Cloud Knight from the Exalting Sanctum garrison. I saw that [Green Hibiscus] fellow acting sneaky and preaching deviant ideologies, so I followed him to go undercover.
I didn't expect to be suspected the moment I arrived… it took a lot of effort just to make them believe I actually wanted to join. Look, I've helped you finish the scripture. You have to cover for me while I go to the Seat of Divine Foresight to report in…"
By now, the exit was already blocked by Green Hibiscus. Sushang knew that being undercover was risky and that they had to see this through to the end, so she had no intention of letting him leave yet. She handed the finished scriptures to Green Hibiscus.
And that was only the first step of the initiation.
"Do not worry. the second step is very simple and will be over quickly," Green Hibiscus said. "Our Disciples of Sanctus Medicus operate on a principle: do not use those you doubt, and do not doubt those you use. Therefore… I ask you two to duel here. The one who survives shall officially become a Disciple."
The atmosphere changed instantly!
…
"I was actually starting to waver for a second, but these damn Disciples really are monsters!"
"That Cloud Knight bro is so unlucky."
"Holy crap! This courtyard looks so familiar! Isn't this right downstairs from my house? Let me pull the curtains back and show you guys!"
"Wait, we have someone on the scene?"
"How is it? Do you see the cultists? Remember to take a photo."
About half a minute later, that viewer actually uploaded a photo. It was an exact match for the courtyard in the game! However, the gates were tightly shut, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.
[Does Bailu's Little Foot Stink] commented again: "I can't see into the courtyard, but I see a lot of Cloud Knights ambushing behind the Starskiffs parked downstairs!"
"It's getting intense!"
"Scout more! Report back!"
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