C12 Recruitment

"Bluestone!"

Lee Qingyun's hands surged with green spiritual energy as he unleashed a furious roar. The six Heaven and Earth Bridges resonated with a thunderous rumble, releasing all the power he wielded!

In that moment, nearly everyone in the tavern shielded their eyes. The patriarchs on the eighth floor, fearing the repercussions, hastily retreated to a safer distance.

"Boom!"

A sound echoed, not with deafening force, but as if it originated from the distant horizon, ringing in their ears and causing their spirits to quiver...

"What kind of move is that..."

"It feels like he's going to level the entire tavern..."

The patriarchs on the eighth floor clearly recognized the might of Lee Qingyun's technique, staring in stunned silence. "This is... a true secret art..."

Lee Qingyun panted heavily, steadying his turbulent energy. Had he not already mastered the release of spiritual energy, achieved minor success with the Rain Seal, and been bolstered by a medium-grade Dao Foundation, just one use of the secret technique today might have drained him completely.

His gaze fell on Zhang Tiankui, sprawled on the eighth floor, his face etched with terror. In the nick of time, Wang Ruhai had come to his rescue, flinging him to safety.

Zhang Tiankui was a mess, his once-fine clothes torn, revealing bruises and cuts across his body, his complexion ashen with shock.

"You... How did you acquire an entry-level cultivation method?!"

Lee Qingyun drew a deep breath, his voice carrying throughout the tavern:

"An entry-level cultivation method? Ha, ever heard of the spirit gathering formation?

Our Twin Rage Sect possesses it as well."

Zhang Tiankui clambered up, his eyes fixed on the triumphant Lee Qingyun, and through clenched teeth, he warned, "Lee Qingyun... don't get cocky. The Great Elder will not let this slide!"

Lee Qingyun stroked his chin, musing, 'As if I would let him off the hook.'

Just then, Zhang Tiankui's eyes caught sight of Ye Xiaoyu descending from the ninth floor.

He consoled himself, 'So what if I've lost? At least the goddess Xiaoyu witnessed me standing up for her. Hearing her words of comfort is all I need to be content. She even offered her aid... All of it was worth it...'

As the thought crossed his mind, Zhang Tiankui felt an even greater sense of exhaustion wash over him, nearly collapsing to the ground once more. His gaze, filled with a mix of tragic desolation and steadfast resolve, followed the goddess descending from the ninth floor, silently conveying, "Goddess, I am ready to lay down my life for you. This is my choice; please, do not carry the burden of guilt. It would pain me to know you felt responsible..."

To his surprise, Ye Xiaoyu hurried past him without so much as a glance, her voice—the one he had longed to hear—tinged with urgency as she asked, "Qingyun, are you okay? What happened to you?"

Zhang Tiankui's head began to spin, and with a lurch, he succumbed to unconsciousness.

Ye Xiaoyu was determined to support Lee Qingyun, but he, mindful of the many onlookers, thought it improper for a young lady to be so close. He kept a respectful distance, walking shoulder to shoulder with her instead.

Upon reaching the ninth floor, they found the white-robed youth who had been seated there was nowhere to be seen, presumably having departed.

Wang Ruhai greeted them with enthusiasm, "Qingyun, well done! I always knew you wouldn't stay quiet for long. You're destined to make a splash! True heroes are often the youngest among us..."

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind. At best, Qingyun's abilities have only reached half the level of your esteemed self in your earlier days..."

Wang Ruhai's laughter boomed as he and Lee Qingyun exchanged pleasantries and compliments.

Then Qingyun got to the heart of the matter, "Frankly, my visit isn't solely for your birthday celebration. I also have a small favor to ask..."

"Haha, it's about the ascension of the Twin Rage Sect, isn't it? Xiaoyu has filled me in. We can certainly discuss this..."

Ye Xiaoyu retrieved a red gift box from the table and presented it to Lee Qingyun, saying, "Sect Master Lee, you should secure this Spirit Gathering Stone now before Mr. Wang changes his mind."

Wang Ruhai shot Ye Xiaoyu a stern look, "Hmph, young lady, when have I ever gone back on my word? Take the spirit stone without worry."

Quickly, Ye Xiaoyu pushed the spirit stone into Lee Qingyun's embrace, sharing with him a triumphant glance.

Lee Qingyun flashed a smile and addressed the pair, "The banquet must go on, so Qingyun will return to his seat."

Wang Ruhai grumbled, "Hey! You're just going to sit here and then head back to the first floor? Are you deliberately trying to cross me?"

Lee Qingyun offered a cryptic smile. "I could stay here... unless..."

...

Fong Yong was utterly flabbergasted. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine ascending to Fate Pavilion's ninth layer, not as a menial servant attending to guests, but as an esteemed guest himself, seated in the upper echelon.

He gulped nervously before addressing Lee Qingyun, "Sect Master Lee, Fong Yong was blind to your greatness earlier."

"Stop it."

"Blind? If you were, how could you have let me in? Relax, take a seat and enjoy the show."

Confused by Lee Qingyun's intentions, Fong Yong could only meekly reply, "Yes, Sect Master."

"How much do you make working here at Fate Pavilion?"

Fong Yong responded, "Sect Master Lee, as a servant here, I earn ten low-grade spirit stones annually."

"You earn just ten spirit stones a year, yet entrance for guests costs five. And you managed to bring me along?" Lee Qingyun quirked an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Er... Well..." Fong Yong glanced at Wang Ruhai, his face etched with difficulty. Despite his discomfort, he finally admitted, "As a servant, it wasn't hard to sneak you in..."

Lee Qingyun burst into laughter. "No need to worry. Once the banquet is over, you can leave your job at Fate Pavilion and follow me."

"What?"

"I'm inviting you to join me at Twin Rage."

"Ah, yes! I'll... I'll go pack my things right away!"

With that, he dashed downstairs as if smoke were at his heels, intent on packing his belongings immediately.

"Ding! Hidden mission complete. Host's completion rating: B+.

Reward: 200 Genius Points

Reward: 1000 Hidden Attribute Points

"Ding! By acquiring a special talent during the mission, the reward has increased by 50%."

[Actual Reward: 300 Genius Points]

[Hidden Attribute Points: 1500]

Lee Qingyun's lips quirked into a knowing smile. No matter how many people in the tavern envied him, he knew such admiration was superficial. True security lay in strengthening his own abilities.

Otherwise, there was no assurance that past tragedies wouldn't repeat themselves.

Take Wang Ruhai, for example. His demeanor had shifted from aloof to friendly, but who's to say it couldn't shift back just as easily?

Today had been a windfall, and upon returning to his sect, he'd need to sort through his gains meticulously to avoid any metaphorical indigestion.

Moreover, by injuring Zhang Tiankui, he had metaphorically slapped the Soul Capturing Sect across the face. This would undoubtedly escalate tensions with them, and he was under no illusion that they would simply let bygones be bygones.