Post-Mythical Era: I don't want to die in the third reincarnation-Chapter 552 - 545 Still Applying for Daoist Position

"I also plan to join a Daoist Skill Academy. However, it's tough to make a name for oneself in a top-tier academy, and it's equally tough in a subpar one. I can only join a middling Daoist Skill Academy..."

Ding Huan agreed with Ji Luo's perspective.

Ji Luo chuckled, "Stop bragging. With your current cultivation at the peak of Da Yi Immortal, it's nearly impossible to join even the worst Daoist Skill Academy."

Ding Huan understood Ji Luo's point. Joining a Daoist Skill Academy wasn't as simple as one might think; it was even more challenging than joining various major forces.

"I'll advance to Daluo Immortal first, then join the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy," Ding Huan selected an academy.

Although its name suggests a focus on divine skills, the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy is actually a comprehensive Daoist Skill Academy.

The academy is particularly renowned for its teachings in divine skills. With so many Daoist Skill Academies around, it chose a distinctive name to stand out.

The name "Divine Power Academy" has its limitations in attracting new students, and it certainly doesn't match the appeal of a comprehensive Daoist Skill Academy.

But compared to some Water Element Academies or Fire Element Academies, the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy is quite decent.

Another point is that the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy is affiliated with the Star Realm Daoist Alliance, a mid-tier entity within the Great Dao Corridor.

Here lies an opportunity for advancement to Immortal Sovereign status.

On the surface, the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy is part of the Star Realm Daoist Alliance, but its entry requirements are much higher than those of the alliance itself.

This is partly because the academy's Daoist teachers transcend ordinary cultivators, and partly because the academy offers the rare chance for advancement to Immortal Emperor status.

Of course, the academy's method of earning an Immortal Emperor promotion slot differs from that of the various major forces within the Great Dao Corridor.

The set number of promotion slots for each major force within the Great Dao Corridor is well-documented and fixed.

However, the promotion slots to Immortal King, Immortal Sovereign, or Immortal Emperor within any academy are earned through competitions, assessments, and duels.

Even the top-ranked Daoist Skill Academy in the Great Dao Corridor, the Western Ruins Daoist Skill Academy, must achieve enough rankings in these assessments to secure an Immortal Emperor slot.

Conversely, even the lowest-ranked Daoist Skill Academy can obtain an Immortal Emperor slot by achieving outstanding rankings in inter-academy assessments.

This is the fundamental difference between Daoist Skill Academies and major forces.

"Brother, you must help me keep an eye out for treasures like the Nine-Colored Void Lotus and Misty Jade Immortal Fruit. I'm counting on you," Ji Luo pleaded pitifully.

"Don't worry, I will keep a lookout for you." Ding Huan had already intended to help Ji Luo find materials to restore his body.

Ji Luo was a decent person and had left him with the 'Great Dao Three Thousand' to study. Naturally, Ding Huan would try his best to help Ji Luo restore his body.

...

Two days later, Ding Huan simulated a tribulation crossing scene in the wilderness, advanced to Daluo Immortal, and then headed straight for the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy.

The Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy was located within the jurisdiction of the Star Realm Daoist Alliance, so Ding Huan dared not use his Cosmic Pot.

He took a high-grade Flying Immortal Device and spent five days traveling to Nanyi Immortal City, then used a Teleportation Array there to reach Yongzhou Immortal City.

The Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy was situated within Yongzhou Immortal City itself.

In truth, upon arriving at Yongzhou Immortal City, Ding Huan realized that the city was actually part of the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy.

Within Yongzhou Immortal City, symbols of the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy were everywhere.

Even the Immortal Towers, Trading Buildings, rest lodges, and streets bore the academy's insignia.

It seemed that in Yongzhou Immortal City, anything not related to the academy was considered out of place.

The orderly streets of Yongzhou Immortal City contrasted sharply with the chaotic atmosphere of Tianyuan Workshop, making the place appear harmonious and tranquil.

Scanning with his Divine Will, Ding Huan found that Yongzhou Immortal City had few restrictions that blocked Divine Will.

Numerous Immortal Clans and small sects were stationed within Yongzhou Immortal City.

All these were attracted by the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy.

Ding Huan didn't even need to ask for directions to find the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy.

The outside of the academy was protected by a ninth-level Immortal Array, sealing the entire academy and preventing Divine Will from scanning inside under normal circumstances.

The streets outside the academy were several times wider than those elsewhere, with four guards stationed at the entrance.

Even outside the academy, the concentration of Primordial Energy was much higher than in other areas.

Ding Huan sighed inwardly at the grandeur of the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy, considering that it was only a mid-sized academy.

What would it be like at the top-ranked Western Ruins Daoist Skill Academy? The atmosphere there would likely be even more imposing.

"Non-students are not allowed near the academy." As Ding Huan approached the entrance, a guard blocked his path, speaking sternly.

Ding Huan clasped his hands in respect, "Greetings, senior brother. I have long admired the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy and wish to apply as a Daoist. Could you instruct me on how to apply?"

The four guards were stunned by Ding Huan's words.

It wasn't that no one applied to be a Daoist at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy; in fact, it received many applications daily.

The key issue was that Ding Huan's cultivation and age seemed inadequate.

Ding Huan clearly hadn't reached Luo Tian Immortal status, and he didn't appear very old.

The minimum requirement for a Daoist at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy was Daluo Immortal. In reality, all applicants were late-stage or peak Luo Tian Immortals.

What qualifications did a lowly Daluo Immortal like Ding Huan have to apply as a Daoist at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy?

Some students in the academy even surpassed the Daluo Immortal level.

After a long pause, the guard who blocked Ding Huan finally asked, "You want to apply as a Daoist at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy?"

"Yes," Ding Huan confirmed with a nod.

The guard stifled a laugh and tried to keep a straight face, "Go to the Recruitment Immortal Tower at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy in Yongzhou Immortal City. They have the specific details."

"Thank you." Ding Huan expressed his gratitude and turned to leave.

From the guards' expressions, he could tell that applying to the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy was quite difficult.

This difficulty wasn't due to a shortage of Daoists at the academy; in fact, every Daoist Skill Academy was short on Daoists.

They lacked capable Daoists, not ordinary ones.

Because of this shortage, the Recruitment Immortal Tower existed in Yongzhou Immortal City.

When Ding Huan arrived at the Recruitment Immortal Tower in Yongzhou Immortal City, he found it teeming with people.

Clearly, many were trying their luck.

The vast majority, like Ding Huan, were not looking for a job but for an opportunity to advance.

It took Ding Huan an entire hour in line to pay ten thousand high-grade Immortal Crystals for an application slot and receive a small Array Token.

He received a Jade Scroll detailing the application process.

The process was straightforward: the first written exam would be held ten days later at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy. Those who passed would proceed to the Daoist Skill Exam.

After passing the Daoist Skill Exam, candidates would rest for three days before taking the Magic Exam.

Only after passing all these exams would candidates proceed to the interview stage.

Passing the interview would make one a probationary Daoist at the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy, with a probation period of one year. Failure to meet the standards after one year would result in unconditional dismissal.

Seeing this process, it was evident that such recruitment was frequent, indicating the scarcity of qualified Daoists.

The lodges near the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy were fully booked.

Ding Huan finally found a lodge, Xianlu Lodge, which was located some distance from the academy.

There were few lodges not affiliated with the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy.

Though a small lodge, its prices were not cheap either.

One night cost ten thousand high-grade Immortal Crystals, and staying for twenty days totaled two hundred thousand high-grade Immortal Crystals.

Again, this was a lodge far from the academy; those closer would be even pricier.

Clearly, the Eternal Desolation Divine Power Academy brought substantial economic benefits to Yongzhou Immortal City. Many came, like Ding Huan, to stay twenty days for the assessments.

Failing the assessments meant leaving in disgrace.

In reality, 99.99% of the applicants wouldn't pass the assessments.

Once inside the lodge, Ding Huan had no intention of leaving.

In the lodge, he could feel the diminishing Dao Rhythm fragrance of the Bone Devouring Poison from Zuo Shanyi's body.

At this moment, Ding Huan could only sigh inwardly. Lacking sufficient power, he could only watch helplessly as Shi Keling detoxified himself.

After setting up a prohibition in his room, Ding Huan decided to research the 'Great Dao Three Thousand.'

The only thing missing from the Heavenly Thunder Daoist Skill was cultivation, so he prepared to study new Divine Skills.

First, naturally, was the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill.

To his surprise, the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill was still present in the Great Dao Three Thousand, but the Earth Evil Illusion Technique had vanished.

The Earth Evil Illusion Technique was likely also part of the Great Dao Three Thousand and had been torn away.

"Brother, I have a question," Ding Huan transmitted to Ji Luo while focusing on the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill.

"What is it?" Ji Luo was now relying on Ding Huan.

In this dangerous place, Ji Luo dared not show himself.

The area was full of powerful beings, and any mistake could lead to his discovery.

"I previously cultivated the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill but felt there were issues with it. I need to recultivate it; will that be a problem?"

Ji Luo, an experienced individual, immediately understood Ding Huan's situation. "Did you learn it from a residual soul?"

Ji Luo's insight came from knowing that the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill, as an advanced Daoist Skill, was inaccessible to ordinary people.

Ding Huan answered truthfully, "Yes, I later discovered that the technique given to me had traps."

After a long pause, Ji Luo spoke, "The Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill passed down are copies of one of the Great Dao Three Thousand. The first copy may still be a Great Divine Power, but subsequent copies become lesser Divine Skills and eventually mere pseudo-Divine Skills after many replicas.

What you had learned was not only a lesser Divine Skill but also tampered with, making it a pseudo-Divine Skill. I suggest you forget everything you previously learned and start anew."

Forget it? Ding Huan was stunned. How could he forget?

With no better solution, Ji Luo remained silent.

After pondering for a whole day, Ding Huan reluctantly gave up on cultivating the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill.

When he had first memorized the Heavenly Gang Daoist Skill from the leather scroll, he had been thrilled.

Unexpectedly, it turned into a burden now.

Ah, who can foresee the interplay of fortune and disaster?

Once again, Ding Huan searched through the Great Dao Three Thousand and soon focused his Divine Will on a new Divine Skill, the Great Heavenly Eye Technique.

Possessing the Eye of the Great Wilderness, which advanced passively with his cultivation, he could now actively cultivate with the Great Heavenly Eye Technique to align perfectly with it.