Invitation from the Longevity Society, Three Paths to Immortality!
This single ban caused an uproar.
"What's going on? Who isn't offering incense to their ancestors?"
"That's right. Even in Western companies, many people still use incense to express their condolences."
"Yes, it's simply incomprehensible that they're not allowing the production of incense and candles."
The internet was in an uproar.
The reasons given by various companies are all to prevent wildfires, and many experts have also provided numerous videos showing wildfires caused by people burning incense in the wild.
That's true.
But more often than not, people smoke outdoors or have irregular picnics.
Of course, Gao Linzhi understood very well that this ban was absolutely necessary.
Incense sticks are the kind of things that most easily attract strange attention.
Because when this thing is burned, it must be a way for people to express their grief and various emotions and thoughts.
And these are the very thoughts that many eccentrics love most.
They will swarm in.
The company's decision to take a drastic, one-size-fits-all approach is clearly aimed at mitigating the strange intrusion as much as possible.
After all, it's obvious which is more likely to attract the enemy's attention: a barren land or a rich land.
A passage now exists between the Skyfall World and the real world.
In the real world, where there was no such thing as idealism or superstition, in many places, incense burning year-round was extremely prosperous.
To the strange beings of the Skyfall World, this was undoubtedly a large, delicious piece of fatty meat.
Gao Linzhi believes that the company did not do anything wrong in this regard.
Despite the many shortcomings in the company's system, the methods used to deal with this anomaly were still feasible.
However, Gao Linzhi quickly discovered the problem.
The ban has been issued, but its implementation varies from city to city.
Companies come in all sizes.
Security departments vary in strength.
The powerful can easily control the movement within a city, just like Liang City and Xu City in the past. Although the company was not very large, it had very strict control over its subordinate cities.
This is why they can bully Rogue Players in the Skyfall Game.
However, some companies also have lax management.
This is mainly related to the family style and personal character of the company's managers.
Even within the same system, there can be two styles: strict and loose.
In companies with loose management, eccentricities are easier to hide and more likely to grow.
It's important to understand that the strange phenomena in the Skyfall World, like natural disasters, often exhibit a tendency to evolve.
Just like an earthquake, as time goes by, the internal pressure will increase, and the magnitude of the possible earthquake will become higher and higher.
It starts as a small tremor, but often develops into a violent earthquake.
If this can be observed in advance, it can be avoided in time.
However, this is common knowledge in the Skyfall World.
There is another great advantage to Skyfall World.
That is the vast ocean, which blocked the spread and growth of many strange phenomena.
Because these strange phenomena often develop through human emotions and thoughts.
This is a product of idealism.
The sea separated the people.
This means that even an unusual growth pattern will have its limits.
Its cap is locked when it destroys everyone on an island.
Furthermore, in the deep sea, there are many giant monsters that have blocked human passage and, in doing so, also prevented their own kind from growing.
Those in the same industry are the real enemies.
Gao Linzhi carefully observed the current situation and found that it had some impact on him, but not a significant one.
It might even benefit him.
Because of the bizarre and immense pressure, the threats from the company were greatly reduced.
Unless they are fools like the Southern Ming dynasty, it is easy to tell who the real enemy is.
And that is indeed the case.
Many companies have expressed their goodwill and sought help from Gao Linzhi through various channels.
In fact, this is one of the advantages of a corporate system.
Companies of all sizes have different attitudes toward suddenly emerging powerhouses like Gao Linzhi. These attitudes fall into three categories: one is to severely suppress them, another is to advocate for winning them over and building goodwill, and the last is to bury their heads in the sand and pretend they didn't see them.
The United Association is merely a joint organization and lacks real power.
It may have a budget and manpower, which is huge compared to the average person, but for a large company, it's just a platform for arguments.
Those who know, know.
As Gao Linzhi was browsing the Archipelago Forum, he suddenly saw a pinned post that really caught his attention.
Someone posted a recruitment ad on it.
"Extra number, extra number."
"The Longevity Society has been newly established, and many bigwigs have joined."
We're hiring!
"We sincerely invite all those who aspire to Immortality."
"What is the greatest benefit we can gain from the arrival of this new era?"
"It's not fame, it's not power, it's not territory; the greatest benefit is, of course, Immortality!"
"In the past, people fought tooth and nail for the throne, even to the point of death and extermination of their clans. But what does that matter compared to Immortality?"
"Previously, our technological means were limited, making it difficult to achieve rapid breakthroughs and realize technological Immortality."
"But now the Skyfall Game has appeared."
"There are many extraordinary methods inside; we are sure we can research a reliable way to Immortality before our own lives end."
"Moreover, this is not unfounded speculation or wishful thinking, as there are already various precedents."
"We have seen many powerful individuals in the Skyfall World."
"They all have very long lifespans, and as for those strange creatures, their lifespans are even more unbelievably long, almost equal to that of heaven and earth."
"It's a bit strange; it looks almost like a human."
"Everyone should know this."
At this point, someone immediately asked, "So, do you have any case studies?"
"Of course, we've met an old woman who is the head of the Daoist Academy and belongs to the Rebel Army Faction."
"She is 1800 years old; this is documented."
Someone scoffed, "1800? Anyone who believes in that has already made it in their lifetime."
"Yes, isn't this just something made up?"
"Yes, by having many people use the same title, people can think that he is still alive."
"Hehehe, we've had the same idea as you, but we've consulted a lot of information and asked several fortune tellers. The person in question has indeed lived to be 1800 years old."
"Moreover, this person has always been the target of pursuit by various dynasties, because their royal families, no matter how hard they try, can only live to be 300 to 400 years old, unable to break the 500-year curse."
"Besides, if you think this case is somewhat untrue, you can also see from various historical books in Skyfall that many emperors lived for a very long time."
"They lived for three or four hundred years, and in the end, they all chose to abdicate and continue their search for Immortality."
"Why do emperors abdicate in order to Immortality? Because those who do not abdicate in time often die young."
"This is because they are the easiest targets for curses."
"To be a king often means bearing the infamy of the world."
"Therefore, emperors who wanted to live a few more years would choose to abdicate in time to save their lives."
"Some emperors desired Immortality and power, but as a result, they died within a hundred years due to various curses, their bodies were damaged, and they lost their chance at Immortality."
Therefore, the emperors of the Skyfall World typically reign for a maximum of fifty years, and rarely exceed one hundred years.
"Throughout history, emperors have abdicated prematurely in this way."
"This is to prevent the accumulation of too much hatred."
"This is different from our society. Here, no matter how much you curse, it's useless, which is why there are emperors who can live to be 89 years old."
"He had supreme power and lived longer than most people."
"And the emperors of the Skyfall World, between Immortality and power, still seek Immortality."
Gao Linzhi nodded upon seeing this.
That's absolutely right.
He immediately became very interested.
Of course, he also knew that this might be some kind of bait; no one would share the secret to Immortality for nothing.
Unless it's for exchange and sharing, or to break through the limits of Immortality as quickly as possible within a short lifespan.
But he didn't care about that.
He was interested in all news related to Immortality.
Even if it involves some risks, it's worth it.
Moreover, he has many ways to mitigate the risks.
And at this time...
Many people began seeking contact information and ways to join.
Someone asked, "How do I join?"
"Was your invitation sincere?"
"Could this be a phishing post?"
And at this time...
The original poster replied again:
"Everyone, please rest assured, we are an organization jointly established by many geniuses who aspire to Immortality but do not wish to fight."
"Our relationship is based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual recognition."
"We will not try to control or force anyone; everything is based on harmonious coexistence."
"The path to Immortality requires the participation and research of many geniuses."
"It's like technology; it requires a large number of geniuses to accumulate. There won't be a situation where Newton had to kill off other competitors to demonstrate his brilliance."
"Only feudal dynasties could have such a thing happen."
"However, our requirements are very strict. If you want to join, you must list your achievements in the game or answer our questions."
"Just send us a private message, and we won't disclose any of your information."
"If you can answer a few of our questions, we will allow you to join."
But then someone asked, "How are you going to prove your abilities?"
"Yes, even Fortune 500 companies need to use their rankings to prove themselves."
"Do you even have any substantial content?"
"Of course we have valuable information."
"We now possess at least three pathways to Immortality."
"These are the Petrification Path, the Evergreen Path, and the Incense Path."
"Simply put, the Petrification Path is about transforming oneself into a reptile, Immortality in reptilian form, and allowing one's consciousness and soul to detach from the original physical body."
"But his body was still alive and could return at any time."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
They had heard of this knowledge occasionally, but didn't know the details.
The fact that the other party can produce it means they are not an ordinary scammer.
There are requirements for this.
Knowing how to do this is quite impressive.
"The other two?"
"Hehe, you'll only know once you join us."
They immediately understood.
The other party does indeed have a lot of valuable information; they are not a scammer.
Meanwhile, Gao Linzhi is studying the path to Immortality through Petrification Path.
It can be said that the other party accurately grasped his interests.
The Petrification Technique he learned happened to be within the opponent's path to Immortality.
However, Gao Linzhi had some understanding of the other two methods, unlike others.
The Evergreen Path should be like the evergreen tree, Immortality.
They're following the route of evergreen pine trees.
Why are some pine trees able to live for thousands of years?
Witnessing the rise and fall of dozens of dynasties directly?
Don't say that pine trees have a low level of life form; even if they do, they are still an organic system.
It has a seemingly simple yet complete life system.
It is also capable of making various biological responses.
Moreover, whether an organism is advanced or primitive is not a key factor in determining its lifespan.
Mosquitoes and ants are also very primitive; their lifespans are just as short, as are those bacteria and cells.
Humans, in fact, have become much longer-lived than many other mammals, thanks to their intelligence.
For example, dogs and cows only live to be around twenty years old.
Therefore, the secrets to Immortality of certain pine trees are worth learning and studying.
After thinking about this, Gao Linzhi also decided to join in.
After all, he won't put all his eggs in one basket.
The Petrification Technique can be the primary method, while the method of eternal spring can be used as a supplementary method.
He wants them all.
Gao Linzhi then began sending private messages to the other party through the Corpse Vine.
Can you list any of your gaming achievements?
"For individuals with significant achievements in gaming, we don't need to ask questions; approval is granted directly."
"You should ask your question."
The other party asked him three questions.
"First, of the three paths we mentioned before, which path should you take if you wish to achieve Immortality?"
"I want to exclude the Incense Path."
"Incense offerings may seem like a good thing, but they are actually highly poisonous and have too many drawbacks."
"Okay, the second question is, what price are you willing to pay for Immortality?"
"Any price can be paid except Immortality."
"Very good. The third question: Do you possess any means to achieve Immortality?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Linzhi immediately realized that the other party was using this question to filter candidates.
The first two questions are actually false; they are all fabricated.
Only the third one is real.
The other party will use this question to determine whether he has any value.
If it has no value, no one will want it.
"Of course, I'm studying the Petrification Technique, and I've already mastered it."
"The Petrification Method has three steps: transforming the mind into spirit, Spirit Transforms into Stone, and transforming the body into stone."
"Very good, you have passed our screening. Please join this group."
Soon, Gao Linzhi joined a group for Immortality.
The group admin is making a call in the group.
"Welcome to our Immortality Group."
"We fully understand the various needs of all the Longevity Being."
"Please download the software in the group first; it can block almost all online tracking."
"Of course, it's okay if we don't play. Our group of Longevity Being will only conduct exchanges and research activities within the game."
We will not seek out your real location or identity.
Please feel free to play the game.
"Before each online gathering, we give everyone a Revival Stone as a guarantee."
Upon seeing this, the group members were in an uproar.
"Wow, that's amazing."
"The boss is generous."
Gao Linzhi may not care about the Revival Stone, but the others do.
He expressed his understanding of this.
It seems the other party is very sincere.
After all, the Revival Stone allows you to return to places you've been before.
This will prevent you from being caught by the other party.