The uproarious cheers were shut out by the heavy stone doors.
This was a quiet chamber deep within the Daoist School. Its four walls were carved with Arrays designed to calm the spirit and focus the mind, and the air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
At this moment, however, the room was almost too quiet.
The ten winners, led by Chu Bai, stood respectfully. They had just endured a series of brutal battles, and though their auras were slightly faint, the Spirit, Essence, and Qi forged in blood and Evil Qi was like a drawn blade—impossible to conceal.
Judge Li sat in the seat of honor, flanked by Lu Hex and two other vice-deans.
His gaze swept over the ten young faces before him, lingering for a moment on Chu Bai’s pale yet serene expression before he gave a slight nod.
"Have a seat."
Judge Li gestured with his hand, pressing down lightly in the air. His voice was unhurried, yet it carried an undeniable authority. "Now that you’ve all secured a place in the top ten, it’s time we spoke plainly about your futures."
They sat down as instructed. Even the habitually arrogant Ji Li reined in his pride, his expression solemn.
"With the White Talismans now in your bodies, you should be able to feel the difference, correct?"
Chu Bai performed an Introspection. Within his Sea of Consciousness, the White Talisman glowed brightly, pulsing with a gentle warmth as it faintly resonated with the Law Net between heaven and earth.
Seeing them nod, Judge Li continued:
"In the Great Zhou, the White Talisman is your Official Status. It is a key. Only by possessing it can one be considered to have truly stepped across the threshold of cultivation.
"Though both paths involve Receiving a Talisman, the positions you’ve earned through the Immortal Official Examination are different in one key aspect from those obtained through the ordinary Celestial Examination, even if there’s no fundamental difference between them."
Judge Li paused, his tone growing more serious.
"Ordinary students take the Celestial Examination after three years of study. If the top performers Receive a Talisman, their office is typically tied to a specific post. For example, those who go to the Water Department become River Patrol Warriors or Assistant River Gods. Those who go to the Agricultural Department become Spiritual Farmer Officials who nurture Spirit Plants.
"This path is stable, but it’s a case of one-peg-one-hole. Once you’re assigned, you’re often stuck in that small world for the rest of your life."
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise appeared in the eyes of many present.
Although they knew the positions from the Immortal Official Examination were precious, they had never imagined the systemic differences were so vast.
"But you are different."
A sharp glint flashed in Judge Li’s eyes as he said gravely, "The title ’Immortal Official’ is not a specific post, but a qualification. It doesn’t belong to any of the thirty-six departments of the Celestial Court, yet it allows one to be appointed to *any* of them!"
"If the Great Zhou Official System were a vast net, then officials from the regular Celestial Examination would be the fixed knots, meant primarily for stability. You, however, are the moving pieces upon that net."
"An Immortal Official’s rank may be low and their authority light, but their true value lies in their potential.
"Your starting point may be the Junior Ninth Grade, but your future potential is limitless. Whether you wish to govern a region one day or enter a core institution like the Observatory or the Demon-slaying Department, your background as an Immortal Official is the best possible stepping stone."
As his words fell, the breathing of everyone in the room grew slightly heavier.
Greater freedom and a higher ceiling—for the ambitious prodigies of the Daoist School, this was undoubtedly the greatest temptation.
Seeing the time was ripe, Judge Li leaned forward slightly and extended an olive branch:
"The Court has granted you a privilege: the opportunity to choose your own post. If you already have ambitions of your own, you are free to register and select your desired placement. But if you have no destination in mind for now..."
His gaze deepened as he continued:
"The Merit Department oversees the evaluation of merits and demerits for all Cultivators in the realm, determining their grades and approving promotions. Its power and responsibility are comparable to the Ministry of Personnel in the mortal Imperial Court.
"Join my Merit Department, and you will be the ones holding the scales. Here, you will be the first to witness the core workings of the Great Zhou Law Net. Whether it’s to build connections or obtain cultivation resources, you will have a distinct advantage."
Judging Merit, similar to the Ministry of Personnel... This meant the Merit Department held the very lifeline of official promotions. It was a true center of power!
At these words, many of them felt a chill run down their spines.
The Merit Department was notoriously difficult to enter, but it was also undeniably the most solid brand among the truly powerful departments.
At that moment, Vice-Dean Lu Hex, who had been silent until now, chimed in, his tone much gentler:
"Of course, if you feel you need more time to consolidate your foundations, or if you simply have a quieter disposition, the Daoist School has also reserved positions for you."
Lu Hex smiled at Chu Bai and the others. "You can choose to remain at the Daoist School and start directly as Stewards.
"You would enjoy the salary that comes with your Official Status while using the Daoist School’s library and resources to further your studies. You could also teach new students. The primary advantages are stability and the opportunity to build seniority."
"Whether you brave the stormy seas, immerse yourselves in scholarship, or seek your fortunes elsewhere..."
Judge Li stood up, and with a flourish of his wide sleeves, he concluded the conversation.
"The choice is in your own hands. We will neither force you to stay nor rush your decision. In three days, bring your White Talismans and give us your answer."
Stepping out of the quiet chamber, they found the sunlight outside glaring, but it failed to dispel the gravity weighing on their minds.
The group didn’t disperse immediately, but gathered in twos and threes under the covered walkway.
Though they had won the coveted Immortal Official positions, this sudden choice was like a new test placed before every one of them.
One wrong step could lead to two completely different immortal paths.
Chu Bai stood at the edge of the steps, his brow slightly furrowed.
He rubbed his fingers together out of habit, weighing the pros and cons. For the moment, he couldn’t make up his mind.
"Brother Lü Qing." Chu Bai turned to the tower-like figure beside him. "Have you decided on your next step?"
Lü Qing was leaning against a stone pillar, fiddling with the long halberd he had retrieved. Hearing Chu Bai’s question, he scratched his head and replied in a simple, honest tone:

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