"Ascension as an official can lead to becoming an immortal?" a flood dragon asked, puzzled.
Many listeners shared the same confusion.
Guanyin revealed a gentle smile, "Wielding the Golden Whip to patrol the world, donning the Golden Armor to manifest divine might, in an instant visiting God above the three skies, and in a moment saving the living beings beneath the nine earths—I'm speaking not of the earthly officials mired in the mortal world, but of Heavenly Officials."
"Heavenly Officials?"
"Officials of the Heavenly Court?"
"Officials of the Heavenly Court are indeed Heavenly Officials, equivalent to those who become immortals without their Golden Cores shattering, but they are the lowest tier, ignorant of the Heavenly Dao, merely possessing an Immortal Position without merit," said The Bodhisattva Guanyin.
Golden Cores unbroken leading to immortality?
Li Changzhou recalled, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, when he assisted Zheng Chenggong in reclaiming Treasure Island, he met that sword immortal with a technique called "Nine Heavens Sword Control," through which one could become an immortal with just a Golden Core.
No wonder the system rated it as A-level, Golden Core immortality. He feared one might remain a Human Immortal their whole life, a third-level Human Immortal.
"What exactly is a true Heavenly Official?" a white jade toad asked.
"In ancient times, there was the Investiture of the Gods. Those whose names appeared on the list were true Heavenly Officials, and furthermore, there was a method of ascension. By following the prescribed law and earning recognition from heaven and earth, one is deemed a Heavenly Official. This method does not require one to undergo the Human Crossing Tribulation."
"Please, Bodhisattva, teach us the method of ascension!" the crowd shouted in unison.
Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing also pricked up their ears, especially Xiaoqing. Her sister was about to attain immortality, while she had only been practicing cultivation for five hundred years.
Monsters have long lifespans, which, in turn, means their speed of cultivation is slow. Who knows how long it would take for her to become an immortal.
If history were to follow its normal course, she indeed would not become immortal. Once Liu Bowen slays the dragon and the Great Ming is established, most of Earth's spiritual opportunities would belong to the game of Value.
Come the Jiajing Period, when the emperor who sought immortality with every step that involved the life of his subjects, the remaining Dragon Veins would fluctuate, with the entire world vying for those five positions.
If the method of ascension is truly effective, it indeed represents a shortcut.
But the Bodhisattva shook her head, "Nowadays, the grand Dao is closed off, the immortals of the Heavenly Court have gone far from home, the official path is blocked. Even with the method of ascension, heaven and earth will not bestow official titles."
Nature was about to reclaim all spiritual opportunities. How could it, especially at this critical juncture, waste resources by granting life official positions?—Li Changzhou and the players of later generations knew the reason with just a bit of thought.
Yet the people below were unwilling to give up.
"Bodhisattva, please teach us, whether we succeed or fail is our own destiny!"
Ascension to office wasn't an overnight affair; the first step was submitting a petition, akin to an application.
If you don't even submit your name, how will heaven and earth know you wish to become an official?
Once the petition is submitted, subsequent deeds will be recorded. Those who comply with the heavenly order can expect promotions and honors.
Ordinary compliance with heaven is useless; accomplishments not enough. And it's not just about reaching a certain level of merit, but being the best among the many candidates.
Such a recruitment approach inevitably leads to inner strain.
The grandeur of heaven, this grand bureaucrat, and big capital, it turns out, also endorses the crush of internal competition—apart from becoming an official, winners are also products of such internal strife.
Of course, whether it's truly internal competition or striving varies among individuals, as does each person's life pursuit. A diligent life is not necessarily a happy life, but working hard and striving aren't mistakes, nor should they be criticized.
Li Changzhou decided he would outdo all the other players.
Living a life 'unconstrained by anyone, able to achieve what he says', that was his pursuit, and for that, he must strive.
After submitting the petition, if one incurs incredible merit, an official position will be granted.
Upon obtaining an official position, several features manifest: firstly, the 'Golden Whip'.
The Golden Whip punishes all who defy the heavens, patrolling the earth on behalf of heaven, which is what Guanyin referred to as 'Wielding the Golden Whip to patrol the world.'
Next is the 'Golden Armor', which grants Human Immortal Level mana when worn. This is the 'donning the Golden Armor to manifest divine might.'
Then there is the 'Green Shoes Wind Belt', which can protect one's form.
Depending on the specifics of the ascension method, the divine skills granted may vary, but the 'Golden Whip', 'Golden Armor', and 'Green Shoes Wind Belt' are foundational.
The "Heaven and Earth Golden Body Spell" transmitted by The Bodhisattva Guanyin would, in addition to the 'Golden Whip', 'Golden Armor', and 'Green Shoes Wind Belt', also grant 'Eyes of Golden Flame that dazzle heaven and earth', wielding fire and wind, able to pierce mountains and break stones, Praying for Rain, healing illnesses, exorcising evil, collecting plagues, capturing poisons, Flying Cloud Mist, commanding thunder, among others.
"Dare I ask the Bodhisattva, how does one truly become a Heavenly Official?" asked a mermaid, whose upper half was human.
The Bodhisattva Guanyin looked towards the horizon, then drew back her gaze, smiling, "When the grand demons of the Three Realms bow in salute, and outsiders from all directions come with congratulations, that is to be a 'Heavenly Official.'"
Everyone learned the "Heaven and Earth Golden Body Spell" and expressed their desire to submit petitions; after all, they were already acting in accordance with the heavenly order. What if one day cultivation doesn't result in immortality, but submitting a petition turns out lucky, and you become a Heavenly Official?