Bullying the small with the big!
Ye Xuan’s expression turned a bit peculiar.
To think that he, too, would one day be the big one picking on the small!
What a strange feeling!
A moment later, A Dao Ling left with Yan Banshan.
And now, the Dao Ling Kingdom was under Ye Xuan’s command.
Ye Xuan stepped into a grand hall—the main administrative hall of the Dao Ling Palace. Inside, all the elders of the palace were already gathered.
As he entered, every elder’s gaze fell upon him.
Ye Xuan glanced around. “Sister Ling told me that from now on, I’m in charge of running everything in the Dao Ling Palace!”
The crowd watched him in silence.
Ye Xuan smiled. “Can anyone fill me in on this recruitment business?”
At that, a black-robed elder stepped forward, offering a slight bow. “Elder Ye, this recruitment—it’s really more like snatching people!”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Snatching people?”
The elder nodded. “Every ten years, our Dao Ling Palace, along with Fangcun Pavilion and Wandao Sect, holds a recruitment at the same time. We target those who’ve fought their way up from the lower worlds. Anyone who can make it up here has talent and combat prowess that puts them at the top of their world. But those who manage it are few and far between—which is exactly why we end up fighting over them!”
Ye Xuan asked, “Does it ever come to blows?”
The elder glanced at him. “Depends on the situation!”
Ye Xuan pondered for a moment, then said, “Got it!”
He turned to the elder. “What’s your name?”
“Li Jing!” the elder replied.
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. “Elder Li Jing, has Sister Ling mentioned anything about me to you lot?”
Li Jing hesitated, then said, “No! The Palace Master only told us to follow your orders as if they were hers. That’s all she said!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Fair enough!”
Li Jing added, “Elder Ye, if there’s nothing else, we can set off for Wanfeng Mountain!”
Ye Xuan stood. “Let’s go!”
Shortly after, Ye Xuan led a dozen or so Dao Ling Palace elders out of the palace.
Wanfeng Mountain!
Wanfeng Mountain was a unique spot. Every year, those climbing up from the lower worlds appeared here—it was the only passage the otherworld opened for them!
To ascend, this was the only way!
Unless you’d reached the No-Boundary Realm!
Take Ye Xuan and Yan Banshan, for instance—they’d ripped through space-time to get here directly!
Led by Li Jing, Ye Xuan and his group reached a mountain peak. From this vantage point, the view stretched across countless smaller peaks below.
Already, a few groups had gathered atop the summit.
Li Jing glanced to the right, where a dozen or so people stood. At their head was an old man with white hair, his gaze sharp as a blade, exuding an intimidating aura!
Half-step No-Boundary!
Ye Xuan suddenly spoke up. “That’s Wan Xinghan from Wandao Sect—a cranky old sod with a fiery temper. Watch yourself, Elder Ye!”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. “Cheers!”
He then looked to the other side, where another dozen stood, led by a woman!
He recognised her!
It was An Lianyun!
Sensing Ye Xuan’s stare, An Lianyun glanced his way but quickly looked elsewhere.
Beside Ye Xuan, Li Jing said gravely, “That’s Miss An—hailed as the top sword cultivator below No-Boundary in the otherworld, and the young mistress of Fangcun Pavilion. Her father, An Beishen, is a No-Boundary powerhouse. Even without him, she’s a force to be reckoned with—don’t underestimate her!”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly and turned his gaze to the mountains below. “Tell me about the recruitment process!”
Li Jing explained, “If you spot someone you fancy, Elder Ye, you can offer them tempting perks to lure them into joining us willingly!”
Ye Xuan chuckled. “So it’s not just us picking them—they’re picking us too, right?”
Li Jing nodded. “Anyone who makes it up has the chops to choose!”
Ye Xuan nodded again. Cultivation down there was tougher than up here, and those who broke through were the cream of their worlds!
Just then, the space not far from the group began to ripple.
Wan Xinghan from Wandao Sect suddenly spoke up. “Since Dao Ling Palace is here, let’s open the passage!”
He glanced at An Lianyun in the distance. “Miss An, any objections?”
An Lianyun shook her head. “None!”
Wan Xinghan nodded slightly. “Then let’s get started!”
He didn’t even bother asking Ye Xuan!
Completely ignored him!
Ye Xuan turned to Li Jing. “Are we on bad terms with Wandao Sect or what?”
Li Jing nodded. “A bit, yeah! Last time, we nabbed some of their targets—not just one, but five. They only got two—the fewest they’ve ever managed!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Got it!”
With that, he stood and strolled over to An Lianyun.
Everyone froze at the sight.
What’s this bloke up to?
Ye Xuan stopped in front of An Lianyun and flashed a smile. “Miss An, fancy seeing you again!”
An Lianyun looked at him. “You’re with Dao Ling Palace?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “The Palace Master’s my sister!”
An Lianyun opened her mouth to reply, but Wan Xinghan cut in with a sneer. “Oh, so it’s all nepotism…”
He glanced at Li Jing in the distance. “Li Jing, I feel for you, mate. A half-step No-Boundary powerhouse like you, bowing to some greenhorn kid? What a waste! You’d be better off at Wandao Sect—at least you wouldn’t be sidelined!”
Li Jing smiled faintly. “Wan, old boy, what’s the point of stirring the pot like that?”
Wan Xinghan smirked and said no more.
Ye Xuan ignored him, grabbed his chair, plonked it next to An Lianyun, and sat down. The move left everyone on the scene gobsmacked!
What the hell was this?
Li Jing and the Dao Ling Palace crew were just as baffled. What’s he playing at?
An Lianyun stared at Ye Xuan. “What are you doing?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Nothing much—just fancied a chat with you, Miss An!”
An Lianyun: “…”
An elder from Fangcun Pavilion beside her spoke up sternly. “Sir, you’re with Dao Ling Palace! Your spot’s over there!”
He pointed emphatically toward Li Jing and the others.
Ye Xuan smiled. “Miss An and I are mates!”
The elder glanced at An Lianyun, who looked utterly exasperated.
Ye Xuan suddenly chuckled. “Miss An, I’ve got a sword here—take a gander!”
He pulled out the Qingxuan Sword and handed it to her.
The moment An Lianyun saw it, her pupils shrank. “This… what sword is this?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “It’s called Qingxuan—my personal blade!”
An Lianyun looked at him. “You’re a sword cultivator?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Yep!”
An Lianyun hesitated, then asked, “Can I take a closer look?”
Ye Xuan smiled. “Of course!”
An Lianyun nodded slightly. “Thanks!”
She took the Qingxuan Sword, and as she examined it, her expression grew increasingly serious—she could feel its extraordinary quality!
Off to the side, Wan Xinghan shot Ye Xuan a cold, unfriendly glance.
After a moment, An Lianyun looked at Ye Xuan, her face dead serious. “Young Master Ye, who forged this sword?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “My little sister!”
An Lianyun blinked. “Your sister?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Yeah!”
An Lianyun studied him, then said, “This sword’s special. You’d be hard-pressed to find another like it in the whole otherworld!”
Ye Xuan chuckled. “Lianyun, I’ve got some sword techniques too. How about we have a private chat about swordsmanship after this recruitment’s done?”
An Lianyun hesitated, then said, “Alright!”
Hearing her agree, the Fangcun Pavilion elder beside her frowned, casting a wary glance at Ye Xuan.
Bloody hell!
What’s this flashy kid up to?
Ye Xuan suddenly asked, “Lianyun, how many talents are coming up this time?”
An Lianyun glanced at him. “Young Master Ye, just call me Miss An, please!”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Sure thing, Lianyun!”
An Lianyun’s face froze…
The Fangcun elder beside her gaped. Blimey, this lad’s got some thick skin!
She’d just asked him to call her Miss An, and he’s still at it with “Lianyun”! What, are you two best mates or something?
Ye Xuan pressed on. “Lianyun, how many talents are coming up this time?”
An Lianyun shot him a look. “Twenty!”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Great! Fangcun Pavilion gets ten, Dao Ling Palace gets ten—perfect split!”
An Lianyun: “…”
Wan Xinghan burst out laughing. “Hilarious! What, Dao Ling Palace planning to leave my Wandao Sect with nothing this time?”
Ye Xuan glanced at him and smiled. “Got a problem with that?”
Wan Xinghan stared back. “No problem at all—none whatsoever! You’re Ye Xuan, right? Fine, I’ll watch. Let’s see how you make sure Wandao Sect doesn’t get a single one!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “How’s this: we let Miss An pick first. Once she’s got her ten, we’ll start. Sound good?”
Wan Xinghan’s brow furrowed.
An Lianyun glanced at Ye Xuan, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
The Fangcun elder beside her blinked too, caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Ye Xuan to suggest letting Fangcun Pavilion go first… wasn’t that handing them a freebie? If Dao Ling Palace and Wandao Sect didn’t compete for the top ten, Fangcun Pavilion would clean up!
The elder looked at Ye Xuan again, suddenly finding him a bit more likeable.
Across from them, Wan Xinghan’s face darkened.
If he agreed, Fangcun Pavilion would get a windfall. If he didn’t, he’d be pissing them off!
Realising he’d been cornered, Wan Xinghan’s eyes narrowed. Then, with a sudden grin, he said, “Young Master Ye, can I ask you something?”
Before Ye Xuan could reply, Wan Xinghan cut in, “Are you here to recruit—or to flirt?”
Everyone: “…”
