Chapter 440: How Rumors Are Formed
“This edition of the Tianji Report will definitely be a bestseller.” After returning from the Nine Provinces Assembly, Tianming Daoist’s first task was organizing materials to feature the assembly’s contents on the front page.
“No, not just the front page—this entire issue will exclusively cover the Nine Provinces Assembly!”
A Tianji Tower disciple cautiously reminded the Tower Master: “But we originally planned to run advertisements in the margins. Should we cancel those?”
The astronomical cost of placing ads in the Tianji Report was well known.
“Compared to the Nine Provinces Assembly, ads mean nothing. We’ll run them next issue. If advertisers complain, let them take it up with the Human Sovereign Hall.” Tianming Daoist always prioritized what mattered most.
He vaguely sensed this assembly held even greater significance than the last.
The Nine Provinces had established cooperative agreements with six worlds—an unprecedented event.
Not even during the Celestial Ladder’s existence had such things occurred.
When the Celestial Ladder still stood, only the celestial realm served as the core connecting all worlds.
Now the Nine Provinces were fulfilling that same role. Tianming Daoist wondered whether the Human Sovereign’s actions were intentional or coincidental, suspecting deeper implications beyond surface appearances.
Still, these thoughts remained private.
“Tower Master! Major news!” Another disciple rushed in breathlessly, hands trembling.
“What could possibly warrant such panic?” Tianming Daoist frowned. Even news of Outer Realm Demons invading would have to wait for the next issue.
“There’s a Human Sovereign candidate…”
“What?” Tianming Daoist thought he’d misheard.
“Someone’s forehead mark transformed—they’ve become a Human Sovereign candidate!”
Tianming Daoist leaped up, overturning his desk: “Where? Take me there! Contact all branch managers immediately—verify whether candidates have emerged elsewhere!”
……
“Extra! Extra! Fresh Tianji Report! Human Sovereign candidate appears!”
The newsboy’s shout drew an instant crowd. When they dispersed, he clutched a pile of spirit stones—every paper sold out.
Front page headline: Earth Vein Selects Human Sovereign Candidates.
Tianming Daoist had wanted “Human Sovereign Candidate Spotted on Streets” as the title, but divination warned of calamity, forcing him to choose differently.
The Nine Provinces Assembly coverage was relegated to page two without hesitation.
The Tianji Tower’s expensive printing presses from Mingzhong World ensured unlimited supply now.
As predicted, public interest in the candidates far exceeded that for the assembly.
“Dao Sect Envoy, Dharmakaya Sect Envoy, and Buddha Lord become Human Sovereign candidates.”
“Who are these Qin Luan and Yuan Wuxing? Names sound familiar.”
“Recently prominent cultivators. Qin Luan’s at Nascent Soul stage, Yuan Wuxing at Spirit Transformation—both undefeated among peers.”
“Ah, them! Saw them at an auction recently—snagged an overlooked item cheaply. When someone tried stealing it afterward, Yuan Wuxing killed the thief.”
“Why are candidates from other worlds included?” some questioned.
“Read the whole paper! Next page explains: six worlds formally allied with Nine Provinces at the assembly. The Earth Vein recognizes qualified candidates regardless of origin.”
“Trust the Earth Vein’s judgment—has it erred once in nine millennia?”
“True. If selected, their character must be exemplary—impartial toward all seven worlds.”
“Wait, you’re all missing the real question!”
“Which is?”
“Why appoint successors now? The Human Sovereign’s in his prime—peerless! Why designate replacements?”
“The report quotes Tianming Daoist interviewing the Human Sovereign: selecting candidates aims to motivate youth cultivation by setting exemplary models.”
“Fair point. These candidates are my age yet already Nascent Soul stage—puts my dual spiritual roots to shame.”
“My single root feels worse.”
“More importantly—how long until a successor actually replaces the current Human Sovereign?”
“Probably never in our lifetimes.”
“Or next.”
“My granduncle at Human Sovereign Hall says the Sovereign wants retirement.”
“Nonsense! My uncle there says it’s just for amusement.”
“Ridiculous! The Sovereign’s integrity is beyond question.”
“Can’t be sure. As they say—’near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black.’ Spending time with Sect Master Bai Hongtu might’ve influenced him.”
“Now that you mention it… Blame Sect Master Bai for corrupting him!”
“The Dao Sect’s vile! I’ll boycott—never join them!”
“Weren’t you rejected from their disciple selection?”
“I withdrew voluntarily—they didn’t reject me!”
……
“Did you hear? The Human Sovereign wants to retire, so he’s picking successors for fun.”
……
“Did you hear? The Human Sovereign wants the Earth Vein to replace him. When it refused, he chose human candidates instead.”
……
“Did you hear? Because the Human Sovereign’s always absent, Commander Liu wants to retire. Guilt made him pick a successor to guard the Hall.”
……
“Hall Master, rumors claim the Earth Vein gained sentience, wants me retired. You disagreed, so now we’re selecting successors to guard the Hall.” Commander Liu reported with a strange expression.
“What nonsense is this?” Jiang Li found these tales completely divorced from his official statements.
Commander Liu traced the rumor’s evolution.
“So my legendary ‘One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques’ fame started similarly? Whatever. More importantly—time to teach these young candidates about the cultivation world’s harsh realities.” Jiang Li’s cold chuckle recalled the trials his own predecessor had arranged.
Producing a Communication Talisman, he contacted old friends: “Bai Hongtu, Yu Yin—come join the Human Sovereign candidate trials!”