Here to recruit, or here to flirt?
The moment those words dropped, the atmosphere on the scene turned downright weird.
An Lianyun’s expression shifted, looking a bit off.
Li Jing and the others nearby also wore odd looks. They didn’t know Ye Xuan from Adam, but because of A Dao Ling, they respected him.
They trusted A Dao Ling implicitly!
What they hadn’t expected was Ye Xuan straight-up offering ten geniuses to Fangcun Pavilion!
If they gave ten slots to Fangcun, that left Dao Ling Palace scrapping with Wandao Sect for the remaining ten. In other words, Dao Ling might end up with just five—or even fewer.
Like Wan Xinghan said, was this bloke here to recruit or to chase skirts?
Just then, Ye Xuan chuckled. “I’m happy to let Lianyun have ten slots. Whether you Wandao Sect do the same? That’s your call!”
Hearing this, Wan Xinghan’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flickering deep within.
Ye Xuan had kicked the ball back into his court. Same dilemma: refuse, and he’d piss off Fangcun Pavilion; agree, and Wandao Sect would be stuck fighting Dao Ling Palace for scraps. Either way, it was a raw deal!
What now?
Wan Xinghan found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.
Beside Ye Xuan, An Lianyun said gravely, “Doing this… how are you going to explain it to your sister, Palace Master A Dao Ling?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Are you worried about me?”
An Lianyun’s face froze.
At that moment, the space in the distant sky cracked open, and a man stepped through!
The instant he appeared, every eye in the place locked onto him.
Peak No-Path Realm!
His aura was thick and solid—no fluff here. And he was young, which meant big potential ahead!
In a flash, everyone’s expressions turned hungry!
Even Li Jing and the Dao Ling crew behind Ye Xuan!
In this otherworld, what mattered most?
No-Boundary powerhouses!
And short of that?
Freaks and geniuses—talent, plain and simple!
Every major faction needed fresh blood to stay on top!
The man scanned the crowd, a wary edge in his eyes.
An old man appeared before him, whispering a few words. Moments later, the man’s gaze settled on Ye Xuan and the others.
Ye Xuan turned to An Lianyun with a smile. “Not gonna grab him?”
An Lianyun hesitated, then looked to the elder beside her. “Uncle An!”
Uncle An glanced at Ye Xuan, then zipped over to the man, chatting him up quietly.
Seeing this, Wan Xinghan twitched like he was about to move. But Uncle An shot him a look—just a look, no words.
Wan Xinghan’s face soured instantly!
The message was loud and clear!
Dao Ling Palace had already given them face. If Wandao Sect didn’t follow suit, it’d mean open bad blood!
Wan Xinghan wavered.
An elder beside him growled, “Great Elder, Dao Ling Palace is trying to cosy up to Fangcun Pavilion!”
Wan Xinghan glared at Ye Xuan, his eyes icing over. In the end, he didn’t make a move!
And so, Fangcun Pavilion nabbed the man without a hitch!
Uncle An beamed, clasping his fists toward Ye Xuan and Wan Xinghan. “Thanks, thanks!”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. “All family here—no need for thanks!”
Uncle An glanced at Ye Xuan, still smiling, but a flicker of caution crept into his heart!
This kid might be after An Lianyun!
Meanwhile, Wan Xinghan’s face hit rock bottom. His stare bored into Ye Xuan, sharp as a blade, like he wanted to shred him!
Ye Xuan didn’t even give him a glance!
Li Jing beside him said gravely, “Elder Ye… are you really letting Fangcun have ten?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
Li Jing gave a bitter smile. “Elder Ye, these people are tied to Dao Ling Palace’s future strength. We…”
Ye Xuan grinned. “If anything goes wrong, I’ll take the heat!”
Li Jing opened his mouth, then stopped. An elder behind him spoke up. “Elder Ye, I’m worried you can’t handle that heat!”
Ye Xuan turned to the speaker. “Got a problem?”
The elder said solemnly, “Elder Ye, these are bona fide genius freaks. With enough resources, they could hit half-step No-Boundary. And when No-Boundary folks don’t step in, half-step decides a faction’s fate! Giving away ten means we might end up short several half-steps down the line. That’s a massive loss for Dao Ling Palace!”
He clasped his fists. “No disrespect meant—just calling it as I see it!”
Ye Xuan nodded, smiling. “What’s your name, Elder?”
The elder glanced at him. “Mo Shan!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Elder Mo Shan, do you trust Sister Ling?”
Mo Shan said firmly, “Of course!”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. “She trusts me!”
Mo Shan blinked, then clasped his fists. “Understood!”
Ye Xuan nodded and looked to the horizon, where space split again. Another figure stepped out, and Uncle An from Fangcun darted over!
Wan Xinghan’s face darkened even more!
Ye Xuan just smiled, saying nothing!
Soon, Uncle An nabbed that one too. More genius freaks followed, and—gotta hand it to them—they were top-notch!
The weakest were No-Path Realm!
And their No-Path was the real deal—no shortcuts. For the three big factions, these were prime seedlings—give them resources, and they’d deliver miracles!
As Fangcun Pavilion scooped up one genius after another, Wandao Sect and Dao Ling Palace folks watched with red-eyed envy.
But Ye Xuan stayed cool as a cucumber. Every time Fangcun nabbed one, he’d stand, congratulate them, and flash a grin so genuine you’d think he was one of them!
Wan Xinghan calmed down too, eventually joining Ye Xuan in congratulating Fangcun…
Before long, Fangcun Pavilion had ten super-geniuses in the bag!
The air on the scene turned tense in a heartbeat!
Everyone knew the real show was about to start!
Then, another man stepped out from the distant sky.
Another super-genius!
Like the others, No-Path Realm!
Uncle An’s eyes narrowed, lost in thought.
An Lianyun suddenly said flatly, “That’s enough!”
Enough!
Uncle An hesitated, then gave a wry smile. “Got it!”
He knew Fangcun had already struck gold! Getting greedy now could backfire—Wandao Sect and Dao Ling Palace weren’t idiots!
Wan Xinghan zipped over to the man, smiling. “I’m an elder of Wandao Sect. Care to join us?”
The man opened his mouth, but Ye Xuan flicked a finger. A storage ring landed in front of the man. “A little something—hope you’ll accept it!”
The man glanced inside, and his face shifted—ten billion Divine Extreme Crystals!
Ten billion!
Sure, Divine Extreme Crystals were peanuts to No-Boundary powerhouses, but for those below? Priceless!
Wan Xinghan smirked. “What, a money contest?”
He waved a hand, and another ring appeared before the man—twenty billion Divine Extreme Crystals inside!
For Wandao Sect, Infinite Divine Crystals were rare, but Divine Extreme Crystals? They had buckets!
Then Ye Xuan smiled faintly, flicked a finger, and a white light shot into the man’s forehead.
Boom!
The man shuddered. Moments later, his eyes snapped open, body trembling.
Wan Xinghan frowned, about to speak, when the man strode straight to Ye Xuan, bowed deeply, and said, “I’d like to join your sect!”
Everyone froze!
What had Ye Xuan given him?
Ye Xuan smiled. “What’s your name?”
“Ge Yunqing!” the man replied.
Ye Xuan nodded. “Stand behind me!”
Ge Yunqing scurried over respectfully.
The crowd gawked.
Wan Xinghan stared daggers at Ye Xuan, like he could see right through him!
Everyone wondered what Ye Xuan had offered Ge Yunqing to make him jump ship so eagerly!
Ye Xuan glanced around, shaking his head with a smile.
He knew what these No-Path folks craved. Resources? Sure, they cared. But reaching No-Boundary? That was the real prize!
He’d given Ge Yunqing half of A Dao Ling’s No-Boundary inheritance—just half, but it was enough!
A No-Boundary inheritance!
No-Path cultivators would lose their minds over it!
Wandao Sect had No-Boundary powerhouses too, but their inheritance? No way they’d hand it out lightly—A Dao Ling had only shared hers with him and Yan Banshan!
Just then, the sky split again, and a black-robed man stepped out. Ye Xuan flicked a finger, sending a white light into his forehead. Moments later, the man’s pupils shrank, and he started toward Ye Xuan. Wan Xinghan darted over, palm open, a ring with thirty billion Heavenly Extreme Crystals in front of the man!
“Join Wandao Sect, and this is yours!” Wan Xinghan said.
The black-robed man looked at him like he was an idiot, then kept walking to Ye Xuan.
Wan Xinghan’s face twisted ugly. He spun to Ye Xuan. “You’re cheating!”
Ye Xuan blinked, then laughed. “What, can’t handle losing?”
Wan Xinghan glared. “I challenge you!”
Ye Xuan said gravely, “I’m just No-Path Realm! A half-step No-Boundary challenging a No-Path? Have you no shame?”
To outsiders, his aura read No-Path—he’d hidden his true level!
Wan Xinghan sneered. “Don’t worry, I won’t bully you. I’ll drop my realm to fight you fair! You up for it?”
…
