The top forces of the immortal realms often abide by distinct laws and traditions, which set them apart from one another. Some sects emphasize purity and exclusivity, refusing to accept outsiders into their ranks. Others are more lenient, welcoming adult disciples and even guest elders under certain conditions. Among these prominent forces, Immortal Jade Hall, Infinite Dao Sect, and Radiant Soul Palace are renowned for their openness to outsiders. However, Radiant Soul Palace imposes unique conditions that Wu Jian finds unacceptable, such as marking one's soul and implanting a soul token for control. As a result, Wu Jian is left with only two viable options: Immortal Jade Hall and Infinite Dao Sect.
Immortal Jade Hall stands as one of the mid-tier forces within the vast Golden Immortal World. A branch of this influential sect operates within the Crystal Expanse World, boasting five True Immortal Supreme Elders. However, four of these elders were recalled to the sect's headquarters long ago and have yet to return. For immortals, the passage of millions of years is often insignificant, and a single trip to the sect's central hub can take several million years. Such is the nature of their timeless existence.
What sets Immortal Jade Hall apart is its legendary economic prowess. Among the mid-tier forces in the Golden Immortal World, it is universally acknowledged as the wealthiest. Its trade connections span countless immortal worlds, and even numerous lower worlds. The sect’s greatest source of wealth lies in its Immortal Jades, which contain rank 10 immortal energy. These invaluable resources have diverse applications, including casting powerful immortal spells, enhancing formations, and refining pills. Immortal Jade Hall's mastery over commerce has made it a significant player in the cultivation world's overall economy.
Branches of Immortal Jade Hall are scattered across nearly all immortal worlds and even in many lower worlds, making it a highly accessible sect. Unlike many other forces, its recruitment process is relatively straightforward. As long as one swears an oath to never intentionally harm the sect and to comply with fair and reasonable orders issued by its leadership, they may join without any other trouble. This policy has attracted countless cultivators, making it a hub for those seeking resources, guidance, or a place to advance their cultivation.
Upon joining, members are categorized into different roles based on their cultivation rank. These ranks include Guest Outer Disciple, Guest Inner Disciple, Guest Core Disciple, Guest Elder, Guest Great Elder, and Guest Supreme Elder. While this openness is remarkable, the sect is not entirely devoid of restrictions. Specific sensitive locations, secret techniques, and classified information are off-limits to guest members. This ensures that the sect's core assets remain protected.
For those seeking full membership, the path is far more arduous. To become a genuine member of Immortal Jade Hall, one must undergo an extensive background investigation, a detailed soul examination, and a memory inspection. Furthermore, they must swear a significantly more restrictive oath and dedicate several thousand years to proving their loyalty and earning trust. This rigorous process deters most individuals, as the benefits of being a guest member are often sufficient to meet their needs.
Even as a guest member, the opportunities within Immortal Jade Hall are unparalleled. Members can earn contribution points, which act as a form of currency within the sect. These points can be used to access rare and forbidden knowledge about the True Immortality Realm, obtain extinct weapons, acquire unique pills and elixirs, and much more. While true disciples enjoy additional perks, such as annual allotments of resources, exclusive gifts, and significant discounts, Wu Jian sees no reason to pursue this path. The restrictions and obligations of full membership do not appeal to her. As a guest elder, she retains her freedom while still enjoying the benefits of the sect’s vast resources.
For Wu Jian, this balance of freedom and opportunity is more than enough. Immortal Jade Hall’s open policies and extensive resources make it an ideal choice for cultivators like her, who prioritize independence and personal growth over rigid allegiance. In this vast, competitive immortal world, the flexibility offered by the hall is a rare and valuable asset.
Ultimate Convergence cultivators are considered qualified to hold the title of Guest Elder within Immortal Jade Hall. Cultivators at the Transcendent Being stage are elevated to the rank of Guest Great Elder, while those who have achieved the status of True Immortal are granted the prestigious title of Guest Supreme Elder. As for cultivators ranked higher than True Immortal, they are revered as Ancestors. However, the sect does not offer a "Guest Ancestor" rank; even if such high-ranking cultivators join the sect, the title of Supreme Elder is the highest designation they can receive.
Being an elder comes with significant advantages compared to being a disciple—the primary distinction between the two lies in their responsibilities. Disciples often struggle to secure administrative tasks, which are considered relatively easy and provide a steady flow of contribution points. Elders, on the other hand, are commonly entrusted with these responsibilities, making it more convenient for them to earn points and cultivate without unnecessary hindrance.
When Wu Jian joins Immortal Jade Hall, she plans to apply for the position of managing the Taiqing Sect, her current sect. If her application is approved, she could continue her role as the leader of the Taiqing Sect while simultaneously earning a substantial amount of contribution points. These points would greatly ease her path to achieving True Immortality. However, there remains a small possibility that her request might be denied, and she could be assigned to another role. Such a scenario would be disastrous, as she would lose control of the Taiqing Sect, jeopardizing her plans.
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Alternatively, Wu Jian is also considering the Infinite Dao Sect, a top-tier force within the Golden Immortal World. This sect is renowned for its decentralized structure, which makes it a unique and appealing choice for cultivators who value autonomy. Infinite Dao Sect is particularly famous for its inclusivity, as it frequently absorbs smaller forces as subordinate members.
Infinite Dao Sect’s recruitment policy is even more relaxed than that of Immortal Jade Hall. To join, one only needs to swear a simple oath to assist the sect during a crisis. Upon making this promise, one is granted membership and can begin enjoying the sect’s vast benefits.
In the immortal realms, however, swearing an oath is a serious matter. Breaking an oath invites the wrath of the world itself, a punishment so severe that few would dare to risk it. All immortal worlds are interconnected through a cosmic network of communication. Thus, a violation of one's oath would quickly become known across all. The consequences are dire: the violator would be forced to flee the immortal worlds and hide in the lower or inferior worlds. Even if one manages to escape the world's wrath and survive, life in the lesser realms would spell the end of their cultivation journey, as those worlds lack the necessary resources and energy to sustain further advancement. For this reason, breaking an oath is almost unheard of among immortals.
Both Immortal Jade Hall and Infinite Dao Sect offer unique advantages, and each holds appeal for different types of cultivators. While Immortal Jade Hall provides economic stability, strategic opportunities, and structured ranks, Infinite Dao Sect stands out for its unparalleled flexibility and decentralized operations. Wu Jian must carefully weigh these options to decide which path will best serve her ultimate goal of achieving immortality and maintaining her autonomy.
The Infinite Dao Sect, like many other top-tier sects, employs oaths as a mechanism to bind its members to the organization. However, the seemingly straightforward phrase, "I swear to assist Infinite Dao Sect in a time of crisis," is riddled with ambiguities.
First, consider the word "I." In a mortal context, its meaning is usually straightforward. However, in the immortal realms, this raises questions. Would it suffice for a cultivator to send an incarnation as their representative, or is the presence of the main body required to fulfill the oath? This lack of clarity creates room for varied interpretations.
Second, the term "assist" is incredibly broad. Would sending a batch of immortal jades to aid the sect qualify as sufficient assistance? Or does the oath demand a cultivator's direct involvement in battles, providing their personal strength to the cause? The vagueness of the term leaves much to interpretation.
Third, we must ask, "What constitutes the Infinite Dao Sect?" The sect spans many worlds and is divided into numerous branches. Are members bound to assist any branch in need? Given that branches often face crises independently, this could imply an almost constant state of obligation.
Fourth, there’s the critical phrase "a time of crisis." This can be interpreted in several ways. At its strictest, it could refer to an existential threat to the sect’s survival. However, a more liberal interpretation might include any situation that endangers the sect's core interests, such as a significant trade dispute or the loss of territory. Furthermore, the wording "a time of crisis" might suggest that the obligation ends after a single crisis, but this is not explicitly stated. Another layer of ambiguity arises regarding who determines the crisis. Does the oath activate only when the sect master officially declares a crisis? Or is the judgment left to individual members?
This single line, "I swear to assist Infinite Dao Sect in a time of crisis," exemplifies how even simple contracts can become mired in ambiguity. It is little wonder that many struggle with understanding the precise implications of such oaths or contracts. Over the years, demons have earned a notorious reputation for their contracts, often being criticized as deceptive. Yet, ironically, demonic contracts are arguably the most thorough. They are meticulously detailed, attempting to account for every possible situation and leaving minimal room for misinterpretation.
In the case of oaths, however, the ultimate arbiter is Heaven’s Will. This neutral, impartial, and emotionless force serves as the judge of all oaths sworn in the immortal worlds. It observes both parties for good faith compliance. If the Infinite Dao Sect were to misuse the oath—for instance, by exploiting its members beyond the agreement—Heaven’s Will would recognize this and invalidate the oath. Conversely, if Wu Jian, or any cultivator who has sworn such an oath, violates its spirit or intent, they would incur punishment from Heaven’s Will. Such punishments include bad karma and red luck, both of which can drastically hinder one’s cultivation journey.
In the cultivation world, balance governs everything. For instance, if the sect faces an existential crisis, the level of assistance expected from oath-takers would naturally be much greater. In such cases, merely sending a few immortal jades would fall far short of fulfilling the oath. Similarly, sending an incarnation instead of the main body would be deemed insufficient unless the incarnation embodied a significant portion of the main body’s combat power. Heaven’s Will ensures that obligations are proportional to the severity of the situation, creating a framework that cultivators can trust.
Over millions of years, Heaven’s Will has established itself as a fair and predictable judge. Cultivators across the realms have come to rely on its judgments without issue. Despite the inherent ambiguities of contracts and oaths, the presence of Heaven’s Will brings a level of assurance, ensuring that justice and fairness are upheld in even the most complex situations.