My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1072: How Can Oaths Change So Lightly?

"Long ago, I was a homeless orphan, starving and dressed in rags. I spent every day teetering on the edge of survival, consumed by constant terror."

"My destiny shifted the moment I was fortunate enough to join the Dharma-Transmitters. From that day on, the true purpose of existence became clear to me."

The voice of Dharma-Transmitter Feng resonated throughout the circular meeting hall, his features softening with nostalgia.

Feng proceeded to give a vivid account of the savage conflicts against the Ten Great Immortal Sects of the past, followed by the period of wary concealment during the great disaster. He recounted the sheer thrill felt when the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor returned after millennia to raise the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance from the wreckage of the cultivation world.

His narrative was so powerful it seemed to pull every Dharma-Transmitter in the room back into that chaotic age.

In a final, firm proclamation, Dharma-Transmitter Feng stated: "I, Feng Rui, swear eternal fealty to the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor and shall remain forever devoted to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."

"Lifetime after lifetime, without hesitation!"

"Just as it has always been!"

Feng spoke with blunt honesty, avoiding any deceptive wordplay.

Above the circular hall, the countless spectral images of ancient heroes began to glow softly, casting their light upon Feng Rui.

Standing tall with his chin raised, Feng Rui welcomed the collective gaze of the assembly as if it were a supreme accolade.

The gathered Dharma-Transmitters, Jiang included, were moved by a sudden, inexplicable wave of emotion.

It was clear to everyone that Feng Rui had successfully endured the trial of the Dharma-Transmitter's Oath.

Zhou, Wei, and Huang cast subtle looks toward Li Fan, whose face remained a mask of gravity.

Thunderous applause broke out among the Dharma-Transmitters as Feng Rui stepped back from the center of the hall, marking a moment of celebration and respect.

Following him, the other Dharma-Transmitters identified by the Xuantian Sect techniques took turns addressing the assembly.

Each one, without fail, completed the review of the Dharma-Transmitter's Oath with absolute perfection.

"Fellow Daoist, what is the meaning of this?"

"Have you been spinning a web of lies to trick us this entire time?" Wei’s expression soured; he shouted his accusation loudly so all the Dharma-Transmitters could hear.

While his words sounded like the angry outburst of someone who had been fooled, his true intent was to deflect conflict and distance himself from the situation.

The immortal puppet Li Fan did not react.

The turn of events in the circular hall was entirely unforeseen and beyond his current capacity to manage. He waited for his primary self to make a choice.

From the Spiritwood Realm, Li Fan controlled the puppet remotely. After a moment of deliberation, he decided against showing the recording of Mo Rubin possessing Feng Rui's body.

The opposition could easily dismiss it by claiming the footage was fabricated, which would only reverse the pressure onto him.

Since Feng Rui had passed the Dharma-Transmitter's Oath, his status was now validated by the very laws of their order.

"This Feng Rui truly harbors genuine devotion to the Immortal Ancestor in his heart..."

"There are only two ways this could be possible."

"Either the Immortal Ancestor and the Xuantian King are one and the same—meaning the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the old Xuantian Sect are essentially the same entity, allowing Mo Rubin to speak freely."

"Or..."

"Mo Rubin has already vacated Feng Rui’s body, leaving behind a version of Feng Rui who is indeed a loyal Dharma-Transmitter."

"Which one is the reality?" Li Fan’s true body contemplated the problem rapidly.

He recalled his previous interactions with Mo Rubin.

Even though those encounters were mostly performances, certain underlying motives in those conversations were nearly impossible to fake or mask.

Li Fan reached a swift conclusion.

"Even if I am mistaken, it only costs me a single immortal puppet."

With no hesitation, Li Fan sent out the command.

Inside the ring-shaped conference hall.

The immortal puppet Li Fan ignored the skeptical stares of the Dharma-Transmitters and offered no public defense.

Instead, he looked directly at Dharma-Transmitter Jiang and said: "I have things to say that must be kept private."

This request immediately sparked grumbling among the attendees.

They were all supposed to be brothers; what secrets could be shared only with Dharma-Transmitter Jiang?

The atmosphere in the hall became restless.

However, Jiang noticed the earnestness in Li Fan's eyes. After a brief pause, he nodded and granted the request.

With a casual gesture from Jiang, a circular barrier formed in the middle of the hall.

Phantoms of heroes manifested around the enclosure, cutting off all outside observation.

Li Fan’s form was pulled inside by an irresistible force.

"What is it you wish to say? Speak now. No one but me can hear you here," Dharma-Transmitter Jiang said in a neutral tone.

"How well do you actually know Feng Rui and the other three?" Li Fan asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"The movements of every Dharma-Transmitter in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are known to me. I oversee every action and every resource they draw from the Alliance. I simply choose not to interfere, a fact they are well aware of."

Li Fan pressed on: "In that case, how many of the twenty-seven people here today—excluding yourself—do you believe could actually pass the Dharma-Transmitter's Oath?"

"Doesn't it strike you as odd that Feng Rui and his companions passed it so flawlessly?"

Dharma-Transmitter Jiang fell silent immediately.

He had witnessed the conduct of various Dharma-Transmitters over the years.

He was fully aware that some had become incredibly reckless and self-serving.

Because it didn't threaten the Alliance's stability and because they were brothers-in-arms who had survived the same horrors, he had looked the other way.

But the idea that these individuals still held the same pure convictions after all this time...

He found that hard to believe.

A few might have remained true, but certainly not many.

The moment Feng Rui and the others passed the oath with such noble perfection, Jiang knew something was wrong.

Still, having it pointed out by a stranger made him let out a quiet sigh.

After thinking it over, Dharma-Transmitter Jiang answered: "Regardless of the circumstances, they passed the public verification. This means they are still entitled to their ranks as Dharma-Transmitters. Only the Immortal Ancestor has the power to remove them."

"As for the ones pulling the strings from the shadows..."

"I will deal with them myself and tear them out by the roots."

Li Fan gave a quick nod. "I am willing to help you."

Dharma-Transmitter Jiang gave no clear answer.

The private compartment dissolved, and only Jiang was visible again in the center of the hall.

"The doubts surrounding Feng Rui and the others have been dispelled. They remain the most steadfast Dharma-Transmitters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance!"

"Just like the rest of you!"

"As for the lying criminal who spread these rumors, I have dealt with him."

Jiang's loud announcement brought a definitive end to the matter.

The crowd responded with a round of applause.

He followed up with a few standard formalities before declaring the assembly over.

The Dharma-Transmitters began to file out of the hall.

However, Jiang used a voice transmission to hold back Feng Rui and his three companions, claiming he needed to ask about specific details.

Feng Rui and the others answered his questions without holding anything back.

Once Jiang had heard the full account of their recent activities from their own mouths.

He gave a small nod and permitted them to leave.

Now, the ring-shaped conference hall was empty, save for him.

Only then did the figure of Li Fan slowly begin to reappear.