Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 562 - 557 Seventh-Order Li Bird, Head of the Imperial Demon Management Bureau_1
The Prefecture City and the governor’s city weren’t bad; it was just that their starting point was too low.
After learning about the Imperial Demon Management Bureau, Jia Ren made specific inquiries. He discovered that the branch of the Imperial Demon Management Bureau responsible for raising birds of the Phoenix Bloodline was located only in Gan Capital.
As the heart of the Daqian Kingdom, Gan Capital devoured resources from all directions and possessed a wealth of treasures.
Whether for the Divine Bird Phoenix or the resources of this realm, entering Gan Capital was the best choice.
Gan Capital was extremely far from Wuhu County, a full two hundred thousand li.
Major governor’s cities and Prefecture Cities had Teleportation Arrays for travel between them, which could save time.
Jia Ren worried that using a Teleportation Array would leave a trace, allowing Daqian to pinpoint his origin to Black Bull Town in Wuhu City and attract trouble.
Empowered by both the Bewildering Spirit Bead and the Mirror Flower Divine Moon, he was already invisible and sped towards Gan Capital.
「After three days of travel, Gan Capital was finally within sight.」
As the capital of the Daqian Kingdom, Gan Capital covered an extensive area. Its Spiritual Energy density was over ten times greater than that of Wuhu City, a level reminiscent of the ancient era in the Mysterious Realm.
Only the ancient era of the Mysterious Realm could compare to this realm.
Above the Daqian Capital, an unprecedentedly majestic power coiled in the sky, where the faint, ethereal form of a Golden Dragon could be vaguely discerned.
This was not a True Dragon, but a draconic projection—a Dragon Shadow—conjured by the Daqian Kingdom through some unknown means to guard the capital.
With this Dragon Shadow safeguarding the city, no demons or malevolent entities dared to enter.
Deep within Gan Capital, Jia Ren could faintly sense dozens of powerful auras far surpassing his own. There were many Body Integration Realm Cultivators and three Mahayana Stage Cultivators.
Truly the heart of this world, teeming with experts.
Despite this astonishing density of nature’s spiritual energy, the number of experts was still over a hundred times less than in the Mysterious Realm.
The Mysterious Realm possessed a vast population of Cultivators, leading to a constant emergence of talent, and was currently experiencing an unprecedented golden age.
While the Daqian Kingdom’s individual strength far surpassed that of top-tier Sects, its control over the channels of advancement meant its Cultivator population was thousands, even tens of thousands, of times smaller than that of the Mysterious Realm.
Low-level Cultivators form the bedrock for High-Order Cultivators; thus, the quantity of powerful experts was inevitably impacted.
The Daqian Kingdom meticulously controlled the scale of its Cultivator population, keeping it entirely within its grasp.
The advantage was a stable imperial court, free from fears of being overthrown by successors, allowing them to rule securely, a reign that had remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years.
This was crucial for the Daqian Kingdom.
Jia Ren lingered outside the city before slipping inside, silent and unnoticed.
The Guards at the city gates remained completely oblivious, allowing him to stroll right in.
Gan Capital was unlike ordinary prefectures. Those coming and going were Cultivators bearing Official Seals or Daoist Tablets. A quick glance revealed that, aside from numerous attending servants, nearly everyone was a Cultivator.
Jia Ren carefully concealed his tracks, ensuring no one discovered him.
First, the Imperial Demon Management Bureau!
Compared to the uncertain rewards from the Zhenyuan Office, the benefits from the Imperial Demon Management Bureau were tangible and readily apparent—undoubtedly the priority.
Keeping his senses sharp—eyes observing everything, ears attuned to every sound—he refrained from releasing his Spiritual Sense, which could be more easily detected. Instead, he used Heart-Mind Sensing, like a radar, to gather intelligence.
Soon, Jia Ren picked up on conversations related to the Imperial Demon Management Bureau and headed in that direction.
Just halfway there, he caught sight of a reward poster on the wall.
"Seeking talented individuals skilled in breeding avian creatures! Those who can develop Ancestral Return Elixirs and successfully cause a bird to undergo atavism into a Phoenix will be handsomely rewarded, granted a marquisate, and receive all elixir resources needed to reach the Body Integration Realm, supplied by Daqian."
The bounty notice had clearly been posted for some time; the special material it was printed on had yellowed from exposure to the elements.
Most Cultivators passing by paid it no attention; even those who glanced twice quickly withdrew their gaze.
They were accustomed to such things.
To induce atavism to create a Divine Beast Phoenix? Easier said than done.
If True Spirit Divine Beasts could be so easily created, they would be commonplace, not driven to extinction.
Jia Ren glanced at the bounty twice, then quickly looked away.
He possessed such an ability, but had no intention of revealing it.
If a Cultivator mastered such a method and reported it, they’d likely be silenced—killed by someone else who would then claim the achievement as their own.
Even if there were benefits, one wouldn’t live to enjoy them.
Jia Ren moved past the bounty board, and soon, he saw the Imperial Demon Management Bureau.
The Imperial Demon Management Bureau wasn’t large, occupying an area the size of a single courtyard residence. Two stone lion statues flanked the entrance.
His gaze swept over the Imperial Demon Management Bureau’s premises. He saw no Magical Beasts or avian creatures, certainly none with Phoenix Bloodline or descended from it.
From time to time, various individuals could be seen entering and exiting.
This place must have a Cave Heaven!
I must enter this ’lair’ and investigate thoroughly.
Jia Ren pushed the powers of the Bewildering Spirit Bead and the Mirror Flower Divine Moon to their utmost limit before cautiously approaching.
The two stone lions at the entrance came to life, their eyes moving and scanning around. They didn’t notice anything and returned to their original form.
Passing through an intangible screen of light—a Formation—a world brimming with birdsong and fragrant blossoms unfolded before him.
In the distance were neatly arranged houses, with Cultivators coming and going.
Further on, birds of myriad colors congregated: Separation Birds, Qing Feng Birds, Honghu, Peacocks, Peng Birds, Zhu Birds...
Their numbers and variety were immense, a dazzling, kaleidoscopic display of colors.
Each avian creature was meticulously cared for by a Cultivator who stood guard nearby.
Found them!
Jia Ren’s eyes lit up, sweeping across the avian creatures as he assessed their respective bloodlines.
There were Magical Beasts of Phoenix, Azure Luan, Great Roc, and Vermilion Bird bloodlines...
His excitement only lasted for a moment before he withdrew his gaze.
Their demonic bird bloodlines are too diluted. Even with Ancestral Return Elixirs specifically tailored for them, there’s no guarantee of successfully reverting them into true divine avians.
This was only the outer area; inside, there were even more Magical Beasts with powerful auras.
Jia Ren moved past this place and saw many more rare and exotic Beasts.
Flood Dragons, Earth Dragons, Thunder Tigers, White Cranes... a multitude of Magical Beasts in diverse forms.
The variety of Magical Beasts in this world far surpassed that of the Mysterious Realm. Many species extinct in the Mysterious Realm could be found here, alongside numerous unidentified ones.
Unfortunately, their bloodline purity is far too low; they don’t meet my requirements.
He proceeded to the deepest area, towards the locations emanating the most powerful auras.
Confined within a Formation, a Separation Bird wreathed in crimson flames appeared listless and dispirited.
Attendants regularly checked the Formation to prevent any mishaps or unforeseen issues.
A Seventh-order Demon Beast?!
"Guard it well and find a way for it to produce offspring! This creature holds the greatest potential for siring descendants with Phoenix Bloodline. There must be no mistakes!" a Void Refinement Late Stage Cultivator commanded. He was clad in purple official robes adorned with a distinctive bird-and-beast insignia and gazed intently at the large Separation Bird.
"Three hundred years have passed, and no elixir has been of any use..."
"This bird has a fierce temperament and is determined to starve itself to death. Despite all our efforts, the most we can do is keep it barely alive..."
Three hundred years ago, the Daqian Kingdom captured this Seventh-order Li Bird. Emperor Gan placed immense importance on it, believing it to be an auspicious omen foretelling the birth of a Phoenix.
Her every need was catered to, and all conditions were met with utmost effort. Periodically, Emperor Gan himself would visit to inspect its progress and learn of any developments.
The previous Director of the Imperial Demon Management Bureau had exhausted every resource, desperately hoping the Separation Bird would produce offspring—a true Divine Bird Phoenix.
He even issued a bounty, offering substantial rewards to recruit gifted individuals and experts to research methods that could induce atavism in the Seventh-order Li Bird or its offspring’s bloodline.
Though the idea was good, it remained stuck at the first hurdle.
The Separation Bird, possessing considerable intelligence, had absolutely no intention of producing offspring. Any Male Phoenix Birds that attempted to mate with her were promptly killed.
She resorted to hunger strikes and other self-destructive behaviors.
The Imperial Demon Management Bureau, despite exhausting all its methods, could only manage to keep the Separation Bird alive.
Even when they rendered the Separation Bird unconscious to facilitate breeding, any success was undone upon her awakening.
They tried keeping the Separation Bird in a prolonged stupor and using aphrodisiacs to induce mating, but these attempts also ended in failure.
Since the Imperial Demon Management Bureau had long failed to produce results satisfactory to Emperor Gan, the previous Director was stripped of his position.
Unable to absorb nature’s spiritual energy to replenish himself, his cultivation level gradually declined. Within a few years, Shen Siyuan’s predecessor had died of old age.
With such a vivid example before him, the newly appointed Director of the Imperial Demon Management Bureau, Shen Siyuan, was terrified, constantly fearing that the same misfortune would befall him.
Every so often, he would attempt a new method.
The outcome was invariably the same.
Shen Siyuan rubbed his balding forehead, feeling a surge of annoyance. There wasn’t much hair left.
He had previously used a secret technique to stimulate hair growth, but it couldn’t withstand the daily onslaught of worries and anxieties. Within a few years, his hair always reverted to its current sparse state.
Before long, he couldn’t be bothered with it.
"Being the Director of the Imperial Demon Management Bureau is truly a thankless task! Alas, the Emperor’s command cannot be defied!" Shen Siyuan lamented internally, his heart heavy as he recalled his predecessor’s tragic fate.
He felt none of the joy one might expect from a deputy being promoted to a permanent position.
As usual, he made a quick tour of the Separation Bird’s enclosure and then hurriedly departed. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Shen Siyuan remained oblivious to a pair of shadowed, profound eyes watching him intently, their gaze burning with an ill-concealed eagerness.
The identity of Gan Capital’s Director of the Imperial Demon Management Bureau is just too convenient for my plans!
I can get close to the Seventh-order Li Bird without attracting attention.
I wonder if this bird has any offspring?
But even if she has no offspring, it’s no matter. I have the Holy Infant Breath Pill; even without existing offspring, I can make her produce one with exceptional talent.
Then, by combining it with the Ancestral Return Holy Pill, how could I possibly fail to produce a Divine Bird Phoenix?
And not just a Phoenix; this method could be tested on other avian creatures too.
Perhaps Divine Beasts like the Azure Luan, Great Roc, Vermilion Bird, and even the White Tiger could be reverted to their ancestral forms!
Is there any better position in this entire world?
His cultivation is at the Late Stage of Void Refinement, a step higher than mine. Still, I’m confident in my abilities; I can definitely handle him.
Unaware that he was being targeted, Shen Siyuan returned to his residence. He picked up a petition requesting a transfer but hesitated, unable to bring himself to submit it.
Emperor Gan is paying extremely close attention to this matter. If I handle it well, His Majesty will be greatly pleased, and my future will be smooth sailing.
But if I fail, a transfer will be out of the question, and I’ll be stripped of my official post.
With no intake of nature’s spiritual energy, only depletion, how long can I last?
Once my Realm drops, that will be the day I die of old age.
All I can do is try to maintain this state, living one day at a time.
"I truly do not wish to hold this official position!"
A fragrant scent entered his nose, and he felt his consciousness grow heavy.
Poison?!
Who’s trying to poison me?!
At that moment, a faint sigh echoed from within the room.
"If you find it laborious and vexing, would you let me take over?"
Shen Siyuan suspected he was having auditory hallucinations. He would have been overjoyed to hand over this burden.
He looked around but couldn’t locate the source of the voice.
Before he could respond, something heavy struck the back of his head, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Jia Ren collected the unconscious Shen Siyuan, fed him a sleeping Potion—a type of poison—then restricted his cultivation level with a binding spell before tossing him into the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl.
His features shifted and transformed until he looked exactly like the unconscious Shen Siyuan.
After a moment’s hesitation, I’ll take out the purple Official Seal and test it by leaving Gan Capital.
An Eighth-order Official Seal is quite high-ranking. If my deception fails, I can still make a clean getaway.
