Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 995 - 484: Lord of the Immortal Prison, Prison Elder (Part 2)

"Luckily, young friend, you've stepped up as the new prison guard, easing a fair amount of the burden on this old man."

A smile spread over the Prison Elder's features, looking rather content.

"Senior, I noticed my Immortal Prison Order shows me as a Ninth Grade Prison Guard—what exactly does that signify?"

Jiang Fan didn't hesitate and voiced his questions one after another.

"Ah, the Ninth Grade Prison Guard is the entry-level rank among prison guards, granting only the most basic authority within the Immortal Prison Hall."

"Yet, by steadily finishing missions from the Immortal Prison Hall and accumulating the matching Contribution Points,"

"your rank as a prison guard can keep rising."

"Ultimately, you could ascend to the new Lord of the Immortal Prison, reaping the utmost rewards from this domain."

The Prison Elder clarified.

Lord of the Immortal Prison?!

Jiang Fan narrowed his eyes; this was undoubtedly a massive allure.

Though merely a fragment of the Immortal Prison, it remained a Secret Realm World originating from the Immortal Realm.

Precisely how many Immortal Realm treasures lay hidden within was anyone's guess.

Should someone fully seize control of this Immortal Prison, the gains would be beyond comprehension.

Leaving aside other matters, the Immortal Stones distributed by the Immortal Prison Hall alone could exceed the wildest dreams of myriad cultivators.

Without question, it represented a vast fortune, one that might even tempt an Immortal.

Still, claiming the title of Lord of the Immortal Prison was surely far more challenging than it seemed.

"I imagine becoming the Lord of the Immortal Prison is far from straightforward, isn't it?"

Jiang Fan drew in a steady breath and remarked.

"Of course, it's anything but straightforward."

"Forget about reaching Lord of the Immortal Prison; even advancing a single prison guard rank demands a substantial haul of Contribution Points."

"The Contribution Points required to become the Lord of the Immortal Prison are staggeringly enormous, demanding eons to gather."

"That said, with you being the only presence in the entire Immortal Prison Hall at present, facing zero rivals,"

"attaining the Lord of the Immortal Prison remains within reach to some extent."

"And should you fail to claim the true Lord of the Immortal Prison position but merely serve as a prison guard,"

"there'd still be considerable advantages for your cultivation path."

"Might you be interested in taking on the next prison guard mission?"

The Prison Elder gave a subtle smile.

Evidently, he saw that the youthful cultivator in front of him wasn't one to be easily fooled, though that hardly signified anything.

For the Immortal Prison Hall housed a wealth of treasures from the Immortal Realm.

Pulling out even a single piece would ignite fierce passion among Mortal Cultivators.

To lay hands on such treasures from the Immortal Prison Hall, the recipient might well throw everything into the effort.

"Mission? What kind of mission?"

Jiang Fan inquired with interest.

"Given your cultivation at merely the Seventh-Layer Divinity Transformation, numerous missions lie beyond your capabilities."

"Thus, I'm limited to handing you minor ones."

"As it happens, Gouwu Mountain is facing a slight issue."

"Over the years, the seal there has degraded, leading to fissures in the mountain's barrier."

"Should this persist, the Demons within could break free."

"Therefore, carry this prison bead to the site."

"Your mission boils down to this: journey to Gouwu Mountain and embed this bead."

"Success will trigger the seal's automatic restoration."

"Straightforward enough, wouldn't you say?"

"Finishing this mission successfully grants you Contribution Points and the chance to pick treasures from the vault."

The Prison Elder stated with a knowing half-smile, proceeding to assign the mission to Jiang Fan.

Boom~~

In a flash, a stream of data surged into the core of Jiang Fan's mind.

"The marvel of destiny rests in this very uncertainty; you can never tell if the figure before you bears goodwill or ill intent. As the proverb goes, 'the heart's depths remain veiled,' and deceit permeates every nook of existence."

What remains unknown to you is that the Prison Elder you face isn't the genuine Artifact Spirit of the Immortal Prison Hall, but a sly impostor that has seized the nest, consuming the original Artifact Spirit and merging with it."

Yet, he too is confined by the Immortal Prison Hall, barred from departure, and restrained by its might from attacking you, the Ninth Grade prison guard. Had that not been the case, death would have claimed you upon entering the Immortal Prison Hall."

"Destiny offers you guidance."

"Destiny Hint One: The mission he proposes is a snare, appearing easy yet spelling certain doom. For Gouwu Mountain seals a Fallen Demon Taotie of boundless might. Venturing near Gouwu Mountain means instant consumption by the Fallen Taotie, as countless prior prison guards have fallen to it."

In the past, the Immortal Prison Hall has produced several prison guards, but alas, each was slain by the Prison Elder via diverse missions, leaving you as the lone Ninth Grade prison guard."

Nevertheless, as a Ninth Grade prison guard, refusal of missions is your prerogative, since the impostor is shackled by regulations and powerless to injure you."

"Destiny Hint Two: Rejecting this mission isn't the optimal path, for a Ninth Grade prison guard may decline only thrice; on the fourth, acceptance is mandatory, or the Immortal Prison Hall will eradicate you."

Thus, even rejecting the Gouwu Mountain mission invites the impostor to devise even deadlier ones, ensuring your demise in the process and preventing fresh prison guards from arising in the Immortal Prison Hall."

"Therefore, your wisest choice is to embrace the Gouwu Mountain mission, since acceptance doesn't demand immediate action. This mission endures for a full century."

Execution can occur at any point within that century, allowing you to procrastinate fully, postponing until a hundred years have passed."

By doing so, the impostor loses grounds to assign graver missions against you, given your existing perilous commitment."

"Destiny Hint Three: Deeper mysteries lurk within the Immortal Prison Hall, such as the Quiet Chamber for prison guards' cultivation—perhaps exploring it could swiftly boost your cultivation, propelling you toward Refining Void. Upon reaching Refining Void, fulfilling this mission grows far more feasible."

As this data flooded in, Jiang Fan's pupils shrank while shockwaves rocked his heart."

Truth be told, he'd long sensed something off about the Prison Elder, never anticipating it to be an impostor that had hijacked the Immortal Prison Hall, aiming to claim it outright."

Thankfully, the Immortal Prison Hall's power was overwhelmingly formidable. Despite the impostor's integration as Artifact Spirit, unrestrained actions were impossible; otherwise, he'd have perished instantly upon arrival."

It explained why he stood as the sole Ninth Grade prison guard in the entire Immortal Prison now."

Across countless eons, cultivators bearing the Immortal Prison Order must have emerged as Ninth Grade prison guards.

Regrettably, these individuals failed to pierce the Prison Elder's facade and met their end at his hands.

This stagnation had plunged the Immortal Prison into total disarray."

Should the trend persist, the domain risked complete consumption by the impostor."

"Young friend, is something amiss? Are you reluctant to undertake this mission?"

"If so, I can provide additional missions for your selection?"

The Prison Elder pressed, displaying a touch of impatience.

"Senior, with how basic this mission appears, naturally I'm eager to take it."

Jiang Fan replied.

"Haha, I was certain I hadn't misjudged you, young friend."

"So, I'll leave this matter in your hands, and I trust you'll make your way to Gouwu Mountain shortly to wrap it up."

At these words, a pleased grin lit up the Prison Elder's countenance.

Boom~~

Right away, the Immortal Prison Order in Jiang Fan's possession vibrated, relaying a segment of data—the mission details: "Task: Journey to Gouwu Mountain and restore the Gouwu Mountain seal (Incomplete)"

Evidently, acceptance alone prompts the Immortal Prison Hall to formalize a mission.

Refusal keeps it unassigned, granting a Ninth Grade prison guard some measure of autonomy.

"My thanks, Senior."

"That said, rushing off to Gouwu Mountain isn't necessary just yet."

"After all, it's only a minor mission."

"My cultivation feels rather inadequate right now, and it could use a boost."

"I'm curious if the Immortal Prison Hall offers spots to aid in strengthening my cultivation?"

Jiang Fan blinked, putting on an utterly earnest expression.

Taken by surprise at this, the Prison Elder hadn't foreseen the human cultivator's abrupt request, but he masked any true feelings, replying amiably instead: "Oh, yes, such a spot does exist—it's the Quiet Chamber for prison guards' cultivation; enter it to train, where efficiency rivals at least fivefold that of the outer world, one of the perks for a Ninth Grade prison guard."