The myth begins with the Lotus Lantern

Chapter 258 Choosing the Immortal Division

In the Heavenly Court, officials below the fifth rank are appointed by the Selection Hall of Immortals, which is directly under the Great Heavenly Venerable. The Performance Evaluation Office under the same office reviews performance every ten years, promoting the capable and demoting the incompetent. Only at this time will a position become available to arrange for these newly promoted immortals; it is not something that will be implemented immediately.

Don't think that becoming an immortal is anything special. This is the Heavenly Court, full of people with great supernatural powers. Immortals are just insignificant in the eyes of those in power and can be counted in batches. Everything still needs to follow the proper procedures.

According to the procedure, newly promoted immortals can stay temporarily in these white jade residences to stabilize their cultivation level while waiting for the ten-year term to expire. After the term expires, they will be led to the Selection Hall by the Golden Immortals guarding the Ascension Platform.

"Good, I didn't expect to see a celestial being emerge during my shift." Outside the two groups of people, the Golden Immortal on duty clapped his hands and laughed. He took a step forward and, without any visible movement, appeared in front of Ding Lin.

"Greetings, sir." Ding Lin quickly bowed. He noticed that behind this Golden Immortal was a young boy in green robes. After sensing him, he realized that the boy was also in the Immortal Realm, though he didn't know what rank he was.

“Young friend, no need for formalities. I am Wang E, in charge of the Thunder Department. To be honest, I, Wang E, owe a debt to you. Originally, this mission was supposed to last another hundred years, but now it can be completed ahead of schedule,” Wang E said. But judging from his cheerful appearance, besides the early completion of the mission, there might be some other benefits. “Let’s go then. I will lead you to your official appointment.”

"Get ready to leave."

Wang E said something to the boy in blue behind him, then looked up, preparing to continue informing the newly promoted immortals in front of the hermitage.

"Grandfather, isn't it a year from now, and the ten-year term is still up? Can we select officials now?" the boy in blue asked, somewhat puzzled.

"You think you're any different from other second-rate immortals? I went through so much trouble hoping you could become an immortal too, but you almost fell down to the level of a mere earth immortal," Wang cursed. Although he spoke harshly, Ding Lin could tell from his expression that he was extremely satisfied.

The boy in blue shrank back.

“Celestial beings are indeed different,” Wang E said, looking at Ding Lin. “I, Wang, have gone through so many hardships to get my soul listed on the Investiture of the Gods and finally managed to wear this crimson robe. You, who have just ascended to immortality, can wear it right away.” He then looked at the boy in green and explained, “The Great Heavenly Venerable once decreed that anyone who achieves the status of a celestial being on the Ascension Platform can be immediately selected into the Immortal Bureau, granted the fifth rank, and wear the crimson robe, regardless of when they are selected. You are lucky; you have benefited from this and have to wait a year less.”

Ding Lin listened quietly. These seven fairies had never told him about this, perhaps because they thought it was unimportant.

"set off!"

Wang E finally looked at the group of newly promoted immortals and said in a majestic voice that his explanation was only for Ding Lin and his own grandson, not for the group in the distance. Then he waved his hand and threw out a cloud of white clouds, which caught dozens of newly promoted immortals in a twirl. With another wave of his hand, the white cloud swept over and landed in front of Ding Lin, indicating that he should ascend the cloud.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir." Ding Lin thanked him and leaped up.

Wang E flicked his sleeve again, landing beside Ding Lin with his grandson. His magical power flowed, ignoring the whispers of the group of newly promoted immortals behind him, and he headed towards a higher heaven.

……

The white clouds flew low, barely passing the vermilion gates of the palaces along the way; more accurately, they skimmed the ground, occasionally stopping to make way for the carriages and entourages of nobles.

Above the thirtieth heaven, it is the absolute core of the Heavenly Court. Even Wang E, a dignified fourth-rank Thunder Department official, can barely be considered a figure here. As for Ding Lin, a celestial being, and the group of newly promoted minor immortals in the clouds, they are not even worth mentioning.

The white clouds drifted over the thirty-first heaven, entered the thirty-second heaven, and finally stopped. Above them were the Lingxiao Palace and the Jade Pool. The clouds avoided the central palaces and stopped in a secluded corner in front of a palace that was not very conspicuous.

A gilded plaque hangs high, bearing three large characters: "Hall of Selecting Immortals." Official appointments are made based on merit; those below the fifth rank are appointed, and their decisions are made in this hall!
While they hold high positions and wield great power, they can only influence minor officials, at most reaching the level of immortals. Placed in the thirty-second heaven, they naturally become inconspicuous.

"Wang Lingguan, why have you arrived ahead of schedule?" A slender, scarlet-robed golden immortal emerged from the hall. He reacted quickly, "Could it be..."

“Not bad.” Wang E dispersed the clouds, and Ding Lin stepped onto the white jade floor tiles. “This time, another celestial being has appeared, and it is this young friend.”

"You're so lucky!" the gaunt golden immortal said enviously.

“I will personally lead him to see the Emperor,” Wang E said, pulling the young boy in blue behind him. “You’ve met this little brat before. It took me a lot of effort to get him to become a mere Earth Immortal. In a little while, you’ll have to look after him and find him a good place.”

As he spoke, Wang E casually lowered his left arm. Ding Lin was right next to Wang E. He didn't sense any magical fluctuations, but from this special angle, he saw a blue jade bottle slide down and be caught in Wang E's palm. Wang E put his right arm around the thin golden immortal's shoulder, turned slightly to the side, and slapped the thin golden immortal. It was like an old acquaintance catching up. The jade bottle in his palm naturally changed hands.

Ding Lin also moved slightly, turning his body to the side to block the last gap between Wang E and the thin Golden Immortal.

"Don't worry," the gaunt Golden Immortal said to Wang E, "they're all children I've watched grow up."

Wang E was indeed relieved.

"Young friend, I will now take you to see the Emperor." Wang E looked at Ding Lin again, and perhaps because of his earlier actions, he became a little more amiable towards Ding Lin.

Meanwhile, the gaunt Golden Immortal had already led a group of newly promoted minor immortals into the nearby Examination and Assessment Department.

"After ascending to immortality, one will be officially appointed to the sixth rank. However, even within the same rank, the duties can vary drastically. The first appointment will be based on past merits," Wang E explained to Ding Lin.

"I still don't know your name, young friend," Wang E asked, revealing that the previous politeness was merely superficial.

"Your humble servant is Jin Lin," Ding Lin replied respectfully.

"A golden carp is no ordinary fish; it transforms into a dragon when it encounters wind and clouds. And now it has indeed risen with the wind!"

Wang E showed appreciation on his face, and Ding Lin also appropriately showed a joyful expression, but his heart remained calm. Through his observation over this period of time, he had come to understand that Wang E's polite praise was just a reflection of his personality, revealed on the surface.

Although celestial beings can wear scarlet robes, there is still a high chance that they will not become golden immortals in the end.

Golden Immortals live as long as heaven and earth, which is a different kind of life compared to immortals.

One who has not yet become a Golden Immortal is no longer on the same path.

“You are a celestial being, and naturally different from these mediocre people. Merit and achievements are secondary; how you are granted an official position depends on the will of the emperor,” Wang E said.

(End of this chapter)