The crowd gasped in astonishment. As expected of the competition’s top winner, being personally promised the status of a direct descendant by the head of one of the three great families—equivalent to Chen Yan’s standing—was an immense privilege. Countless people would leap at the chance to join such a prestigious family.
It was easy to imagine that as a direct descendant of the Chen family, backed by their resources, Lin Xiao would never have to worry about finding herbs in his lifetime.
“Moreover, we’ll gift you a set of Earth-tier elementary martial techniques. Though your primary talent lies outside vitality, having an Earth-tier technique offers an extra means of self-preservation,” Chen Wendao added.
“Earth-tier elementary martial technique!” The crowd sucked in sharp breaths. Earth-tier techniques were the highest-grade martial skills held by the great families!
They were also the pinnacle of martial techniques in the Lanlan Empire!
“Earth-tier techniques are kept strictly within the family, never taught to outsiders. To think the Chen family head would offer one just to recruit Lin Xiao!”
“That’s the Chen family’s real trump card!”
The crowd sighed in awe. Even Ye Fenghua and the other seated faction leaders furrowed their brows.
“That old fox, pulling out all the stops!” Zhou Moyi cursed inwardly, “But with the Chen and Feng families making such bold moves lately, we can’t let Heimu join the Chen family, no matter what.”
“Of course, I also hope you, along with Yan’er and Qing’er, can elevate the Chen family to greater heights in the future,” Chen Wendao concluded.
The crowd gasped again. Chen Wendao was subtly implying that the Chen family intended to marry Chen Qing’er to Lin Xiao and eventually pass the leadership to Chen Yan, letting Lin Xiao join the siblings in ruling the family.
Becoming one of the Chen family’s powerholders was a temptation that left countless onlookers green with envy.
Chen Wendao looked at Lin Xiao with hopeful eyes, having offered the greatest stakes the Chen family could muster.
Yet unbeknownst to all, Lin Xiao’s heart burned with fury. Had he not encountered the Heaven-Devouring Spirit Emperor, he’d have died at Chen Yan’s hands long ago. Join the Chen family?
Impossible!
And an Earth-tier elementary martial technique, while a massive lure for others, held little appeal for him.
“Heh!” Suppressing his rage, Lin Xiao let out a cold laugh, about to refuse, when Zhou Moyi abruptly stood from the other side of the platform, cutting in, “Young friend, no need to decide just yet. My Zhou family is also willing to offer terms no less than the Chen family’s to ally with you.”
Chen Wendao’s brows furrowed. Interrupted at this critical moment, he couldn’t help but snort, “Hmph, I’d like to see what the Zhou family can possibly offer!”
Ignoring Chen Wendao’s reaction, Zhou Moyi continued, “The Zhou family and you have already crossed paths in a way that’s brought us closer. We don’t require you to join us, only to serve as a guest spirit controller. The Zhou family will provide you with a steady supply of herbs as long as you don’t work for our rival factions. In return, we’ll grant you the core of our family’s martial techniques—the first two levels of the Earth-tier elementary Zhou Heaven Fist.”
Zhou Moyi glanced at Chen Wendao, a flicker of smugness crossing his face.
Chen Wendao’s frown deepened. Everyone could tell the rival faction Zhou Moyi meant was the Chen family.
Zhou Moyi’s offer was a direct counter to the Chen family’s. Without needing Lin Xiao to join, as long as he didn’t side with the Chen family, the Zhou family would match nearly the same benefits.
Becoming a guest elder, free from serving rival factions, and receiving the first two levels of the Zhou Heaven Fist—an Earth-tier elementary technique only the family head could master fully—was an allure arguably greater than the Chen family’s offer. A guest elder’s obligations were far lighter than joining the Chen family outright.
Joining versus serving as a guest elder carried entirely different implications.
“The Chen family’s waters run deep. With almost the same rewards, I’d definitely pick the Zhou family. Being a direct descendant can’t compare to the freedom of a guest elder!”
“Who says that? Joining the Chen family gets you Chen Qing’er, one of the four great beauties, and a shot at co-ruling with Chen Yan. I’d choose the Chen family hands down!”
“A brother-in-law will always be an outsider. The Chen family wouldn’t give him real power. With Heimu’s talent, does he lack for beauties? The Zhou family has Zhou Ruoyi too!”
The crowd buzzed with debate. The offers from both family heads were so enticing that everyone wished they were in Lin Xiao’s shoes.
“Young Brother Heimu!” At that moment, a white-haired elder with sharp, hawk-like eyes rose, speaking slowly, “I am Yan Yitian, Grand Elder of the Tianxuan Sect. While our sect’s benefits may not match the great families’, there’s one place in Tianxuan that might interest you.”
Curious gazes turned toward Yan Yitian, the Grand Elder of the Tianxuan Sect.
They all knew that since the sect leader vanished over a decade ago, Yan Yitian had effectively taken charge.
The Tianxuan Sect’s power rivaled the great families, and for a prodigy like Lin Xiao, every faction present was eager to recruit him. The question was what the sect could offer.
“Hm?” Lin Xiao’s expression cooled. He hadn’t expected Chen Yan’s master to join the bidding.
But Yan Yitian’s words piqued his curiosity. Having spent little time in the Tianxuan Sect a year ago, he was unaware of any particularly special place within it.
“The Tianxuan Sect has an ancestral tomb, a highly mysterious site. Only past sect leaders were permitted entry, and even they couldn’t fully grasp its contents.”
“Yet every sect leader who entered saw their strength surge dramatically, eventually ascending to Martial Venerable rank. The Tianxuan Sect’s enduring prominence owes much to this tomb.”
“If you’re willing to join the Tianxuan Sect, I’ll act on behalf of the sect leader to grant you a single chance to enter the ancestral tomb.”
The crowd gasped, especially the older figures present. The Tianxuan Sect’s ancestral tomb was a mystery that even they coveted.
But it was guarded by an inexplicable force. At their level, without a sect leader’s token, entry was impossible—they couldn’t force their way in.
Otherwise, these Martial Venerables would have stormed it long ago.
Even those below Martial Venerable rank required the sect to activate a special formation to enter. Many had sent youths to infiltrate the sect over the years, yet none uncovered the tomb’s secrets.
“Every sect leader who entered the tomb eventually broke through to Martial Venerable?” Lin Xiao’s heart jolted. The promise of reaching Martial Venerable rank just by entering was a mystery that stirred even him, a temptation too great to ignore.
The Tianxuan Sect’s offer outstripped the previous two by a wide margin.
The crowd’s eyes blazed with fervor, some even harboring darker thoughts in secret.
