I created the Bureau of Anomaly Control

Eastern Federation, government land.

Several shadows slowly seeped out of the shade of the trees, twisting and spiraling upwards to gradually take on human form, eventually solidifying into the appearance of the Shadow.

This was the territory that Daoist Xiaoyao had demanded from the Federation, claiming he would build his own immortal cave here. In reality, however, he didn't excavate any caves. Instead, he personally constructed several buildings in this beautiful forest that somewhat resembled the ancient style of the Eastern Federation. Yet, much like their phrasing, these buildings always gave the Shadow, who was born in the Eastern Federation, a sense of something being almost, but not quite, right.

Moreover, neither in language nor architecture did Xiaoyao Daoist display clumsy imitation. It was merely through the slight hints he revealed that one could glimpse the colossal entity behind him. If it weren't for this, the Federation would have long regarded him as a fraud.

The Shadow took a few steps in the direction he remembered, and a faint mist began to rise around him. He could also feel his telepathic abilities being somewhat hindered, but this couldn't truly stop a Rank V ability user like him.

But this was precisely where Xiaoyao's strength lay—he was a composite ability user with a high level of proficiency in various fields. One should know that mental ability users below Rank V couldn't have such an effect on him.

He walked dozens of meters in the direction he sensed, and then he heard Xiaoyao's voice coming from all directions:

"So it's Daoist Shadow. I thought some ignorant fool had stumbled into my array."

Although Xiaoyao had learned their way of speaking, he still occasionally used words that surprised them.

The Shadow replied to the air:

"I have some matters I wish to discuss with the Daoist. I wonder if you are available now?"

Xiaoyao's tone was quite enthusiastic as he said:

"Of course, I'll lead the way for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the mist began to dissipate to both sides, directly revealing a path in front of the Shadow. A beautiful wooden building appeared a few dozen meters in front of him, obviously involving the use of spatial power.

The Shadow pushed open the wooden door and walked in. The interior was decorated in a style similar to that of ancient Eastern Federation, but still with many differences. Daoist Xiaoyao was sitting on a cushion, looking at him, and the room, like the outside, was filled with a faint white mist.

"How have you been lately, Daoist friend?" Xiaoyao said with a smile, gesturing for the Shadow to sit opposite him.

Although invisible to the naked eye, the Shadow still noticed that some mist escaped from Xiaoyao's mouth and nose as he spoke, slowly revealing a faint white color after leaving his body by a few meters.

In other words, the mist in this room was all emanating from his breath.

The Shadow went straight to the point:

"Recently, we've been dealing with the affairs of Atlantis, and everyone is quite troubled."

"However, I heard that the Federation has mentioned this matter to the Daoist."

Daoist Xiaoyao said with a composed expression:

"Your officials came to me to talk about the Sea People's affairs."

"It so happens that my eldest disciple has been stuck in a bottleneck in recent years. I estimate that he lacks some sharpness, so I plan to send him to fight with the strong here, seeking the Dao in the midst of life and death."

The Shadow continued:

"That's why I'm here."

"Actually, we have a new candidate, so your disciple may not be able to participate in the duel. However, the reward we promised when we made the request will not be reduced in the slightest."

Hearing this, Xiaoyao revealed a troubled expression, no longer putting on airs:

"My disciple doesn't have much lifespan left, and he's determined to seize this opportunity. As his master, I naturally don't want to see him stop at the Core Formation stage, nor do I want to hinder Jin'er's opportunity. Moreover, Jin'er has never met a match since he formed his Core, and he has developed an arrogant temperament."

"Therefore, he will inevitably be unwilling, and he also has the skills to match his ambition."

"If you let him take action, he will surely be able to resolve the schemes of those sea demons for you."

The Shadow simply replied:

"I'm sorry, but the Federation has already decided on this matter."

If it were other low-level ability users, he wouldn't need to say anything, but Xiaoyao Daoist's disciple was a special case, not only because this Daoist himself was a Rank V ability user, but also because he possessed something the Federation coveted.

Before extracting his secret, they couldn't afford to offend this guy, and Xiaoyao didn't seem like other ability users who could be reasoned with. In their eyes, his temperament could be said to be quite eccentric.

Sensing the Shadow's determination, Xiaoyao showed a hint of hesitation, then began to calculate with his fingers:

"Let me calculate."

Then his expression became serious:

"Daoist friend, you are cutting off someone's path. This was originally my disciple's opportunity, but you want to forcibly seize it. If you didn't lack knowledge of arithmetic, I would have thought you were deliberately trying to make an enemy of me. How about this…"

"If Daoist friend is willing to back down, I can owe you a favor."

If other Federation members were here at this time, they would definitely be quite surprised and want to use this opportunity to peek into the secrets of this Xiaoyao Daoist.

But the Shadow still shook his head:

"I'm sorry, I've already made up my mind."

Xiaoyao narrowed his eyes slightly:

"Daoist friend is determined not to give me this face?"

The Shadow said:

"No, it's just that this matter is very important to us, concerning the life and death of countless living beings, and we have found a better candidate than your disciple, so we can only apologize to you."

At this moment, a man who looked to be about twenty years old walked into the room, standing respectfully behind Xiaoyao:

"Master, you were looking for me?"

Xiaoyao looked at the Shadow and said:

"If I hadn't calculated that this was Jin'er's opportunity, I wouldn't have argued with you about anything, but this concerns whether he can step into the Nascent Soul stage, and I can't let my disciple suffer in vain. How about this…"

"Let my Jin'er meet the person who stole his opportunity. If he can convince Jin'er, then it will be considered that Jin'er has no chance this time."

The Shadow questioned expressionlessly:

"Then if your disciple is unwilling to back down, what do you plan to do?"

Faced with his threat, Xiaoyao simply smiled:

"Nothing, it's just that then you will have no chance with the path to immortality."

The Shadow glanced at the young man behind him and then asked:

"If Ma En can defeat your disciple head-on, will that count as your disciple being convinced?"

Xiaoyao nodded slightly:

"Naturally, that would be fate."

The Shadow nodded:

"Okay, I agree."

Xiaoyao looked at his face and suddenly said:

"Why do you want to fight for opportunities for others?"

The Shadow said calmly:

"I have my own reasons."

Now he only had one small problem—that was to persuade Ma En himself.

Everything was proceeding according to his master's will.