Of course, the elders from Yaochi Holy Land and Tianji Holy Land remained silent.
Firstly, they were not martial saints and lacked the authority to make such offers.
Secondly, they had no face to speak up.
Especially for Yaochi Holy Land, which consisted entirely of female disciples. Inviting Mu Haoran to become son-in-law, free to choose three wives and four concubines? That would be unthinkable.
However, many female disciples present hoped their elders would speak, but they were left disappointed.
The crowd at the scene was stunned. They wished they could be Mu Haoran at that moment.
Aside from the Ji family, the seven great families all courting him as son-in-law was unprecedented in history.
“Truly amusing. If you all knew whose son Lin Xiao is, who knows what you would think?”
Long Tutian sighed inwardly.
When Lin Xiao eventually attacked the Tianji Demon Suppression Tower, the expressions on these old fellows’ faces would surely be spectacular.
Thinking of this, Long Tutian nearly laughed out loud.
Of course, in the current situation, the friendlier these people were towards Lin Xiao, the better it was for him.
However, he worried that after Lin Xiao’s refusals, some might harbour extreme intentions.
If that happened, Lin Xiao’s position would become far more complicated.
Hearing the elders from various forces speak, Lin Xiao was also stunned, his face full of disbelief.
These people were actually all trying to recruit him as son-in-law?
Of course, he would definitely refuse such things.
Romance already gave him a headache. He had no idea how to handle it, let alone become someone else’s son-in-law.
As for the position of guest elder, he would not accept that either.
They claimed benefits without duties, but there was no free lunch in this world. If he truly accepted, who knew what might happen.
Regarding the Xiao family, Lin Xiao still harboured deep resentment and anger.
However, at this moment, he naturally showed none of it.
“Thank you, seniors, for your kind regard. This junior has no such considerations at present. I do not intend to join any force.”
Lin Xiao cupped his hands and politely declined the group.
“No matter. If young friend wishes to come in future, our Tantai family will await you at any time.”
Tantai Shuo said with a smile.
In truth, he was inwardly cursing. If the others had not chimed in, would it have come to this?
They simply wanted to drag him down with them.
Of course, this was only to leave a good impression on Mu Haoran. Future matters required patience. A spirit controller genius possessing spirit energy? He would not easily give up.
The benefits the Tantai family could offer, aside from Spirit Pool Island, remained unmatched by other forces.
Tantai Shuo was very confident of this.
“Our Wang family will also await Young Friend Mu at any time.”
Wang Xizhi said with a look of satisfaction, smiling.
“Ahem. Our Chu family feels the same.”
“Our Hong family awaits young friend at any time.”
“Our Ying family awaits young friend at any time.”
“Our Xiao family likewise looks forward to young friend’s visit.”
“Our Jiang family hopes young friend will come.”
… The group of old men spoke up, their attitudes extremely courteous.
This left the crowd speechless. The only youth who could make these martial saints speak so politely was probably the champion of the Spirit Pool Island grand competition.
At this point, Ximen Haoyue spoke sternly and righteously. “Obeying your master’s commands with loyalty is commendable. It is regrettable that you cannot join Spirit Pool Island, but surely you will not refuse to become a guest elder of our Spirit Pool Island?”
“Thank you, Elder Ximen. This junior is most willing!”
Lin Xiao cupped his hands.
A guest elder was merely a nominal title. It would not affect anything. Refusing again would show no face to Spirit Pool Island at all.
Ximen Haoyue nodded at this, then turned to the other spirit controllers joining Spirit Pool Island. “We also welcome all of you to join.”
Those who had stepped aside with intent to join numbered twenty or thirty.
These were young talents from the top one hundred, along with older spirit controllers from the top thirty.
Aside from those cultivated exclusively by families like the Tantai or major forces, most participants in the grand competition who qualified chose to join Spirit Pool Island.
Even a figure like Hou Zixiao from the top ten had chosen to join.
One could say Spirit Pool Island had reaped enormous gains. After all, these were the most talented and powerful spirit controllers of this generation across the entire continent.
This was doubtless one reason Spirit Pool Island remained so dominant. In fifty years, to what level would these people grow?
Of course, Yan Huashu from the top ten had not chosen to join Spirit Pool Island.
At this, Ximen Haoyue said no more. He rose, his gaze sweeping the entire crowd, and announced loudly. “Everyone, this session of the continental spirit controller grand competition hereby concludes. Please return.”
Noise filled the venue once more. Countless people stood, though many lingered reluctantly, unwilling to leave.
Several spirit controllers from Spirit Pool Island prepared to guide and escort the guests away.
“Wait a moment!”
Just then, a loud voice rang out, causing those about to depart to halt involuntarily.
All eyes turned towards the source. The speaker was none other than the grand elder of the Yangzhou Ji family, Ji Zhen.
At this moment, Ji Zhen’s gaze fixed on Lin Xiao. “Lin Xiao, there is one matter that requires explanation to our Ji family and Holy Heaven Gate.”
Ximen Haoyue’s brows furrowed slightly. Others were also taken aback.
At this juncture, the Ji family intended to challenge Mu Haoran?
“After our Ji family and Holy Heaven Gate’s martial saint elders chased you into the void rift, where did they go?
Why have only you emerged, and they have not appeared?”
Ji Zhen asked directly.
The Ji family had monitored the area around that void rift for a full year, finding no clues whatsoever. They could not fathom how Lin Xiao had escaped, suddenly appearing in Shengzhou.
They could find no trace of the two martial saints, nor any further signs of the void rift.
Moreover, from that void rift, all ten great anomalies had emerged severely injured. Even if the Ji family rediscovered it, they likely could not monopolise it. Letting other forces know was no issue.
Since it was located in Yangzhou, even if other forces went in future, the greatest benefits would still fall to the Ji family.
Thus, he had no fear of speaking openly.
Other martial saints were slightly surprised. Yangzhou? Had some ancient relic appeared?
What they found somewhat unbelievable was that this Mu Haoran fellow had once been pursued by two martial saints?
Two martial saints in pursuit, yet they failed to kill him?
Others were even more shocked. Two martial saints failed to kill him. Unless someone else had helped, they struggled to believe it, even from the mouth of the Ji family grand elder.
The faces of the Canglong Gate group and others grew grave.
Wu Meng’s rather cold eyes also fixed on Lin Xiao. He too wished to know where their Holy Heaven Gate’s Elder Zhan Meng had gone.
Under everyone’s gaze, Lin Xiao smiled relaxedly. “Since the Ji family grand elder wishes to know so much, I may as well tell you.”
“The two martial saint elders from your Ji family and Holy Heaven Gate have already been killed by me!”
A playful smile spread across Lin Xiao’s face.
The meaning was clear. I killed both of them. What can you do about it?
Lin Xiao had no fear of revealing the truth. The enmity was already profound. Speaking out would instead deal a blow to the two major forces.
