Chapter 401: Special Recruitment

"Golden Core Great Senior Brother, Li Xia." The booming voice echoed within the arena, heard by countless Golden Core cultivators watching the fight.

This title did not grant any tangible benefits. Instead, it was a badge of honor. It meant that one was the strongest among tens of millions of Golden Core disciples within the Dragon Star Immortal Sect, an indisputable honor earned through countless battles.

Master is the best! Golden Core Great Senior Brother.

Qiong Sea King squirmed with excitement, his eyes sparkling with admiration and awe.

Even in the Dragon Star Immortal Sect, filled with countless mighty powerhouses and millions of Golden Core cultivators, Master is still undoubtedly the best!

Qiong Sea King grinned.

And Wu Yuan also had a powerful body refiner self in the distant Middle Land.

I need to work harder to keep up with the Master's pace. Even if Master decides to annul our contract in the future, I must strive to delay it for as long as possible.

The thought flashed across Qiong Sea King's mind.

It was an issue he had considered long ago. When he first signed the master-servant contract, he was rather reluctant. But now? He felt the contract duration was too short.

Just fifty years? It should have been five hundred years at least!

Master is extraordinarily talented and might become an immortal in the future. Only with Master's assistance can I hope to reach the Shambhala phase.

Qiong Sea King had a clear understanding of his own abilities.

Could he reach Shambhala on his own? The chances were slim. He had to continue following Wu Yuan.

"First place! The Heir indeed secured first place. Haha, this is wonderful!" Lu Zhu and the group of Golden Core followers were equally thrilled.

"Senior Brother Li Xia really became the Golden Core Great Senior Brother." Shi Yun, Qing Guang, and others sighed with admiration.

Truth be told, when Hao Shanjing unleashed his full power, most of them didn't hold much hope for Wu Yuan. But in the end, Wu Yuan defeated Hao Shanjing.

"Golden Core Great Senior Brother."

"Li Xia."

"How many years has it been since Senior Brother Li Xia joined the sect? Thirteen years. He's only fifty years old."

"Unbelievable."

"Among the hundreds of Dragon Star Tournaments in the last tens of thousands of years, Senior Brother Li Xia might just be the youngest Golden Core Great Senior Brother." The countless Golden Core and Amethyst Cradle disciples discussed.

Most of them did not particularly like or dislike Li Xia. After all, most hadn't even met Wu Yuan. However, people always enjoyed witnessing the rise of young heroes.

Moreover, on his road to first place, Wu Yuan successively defeated Xing Luo, Chen Jing, and Hao Shanjing. He battled his way to the top, no shortcuts taken.

With his strength, he had conquered the hearts of all disciples. Even some sect disciples who didn't care for Wu Yuan, like Bei Hua and Gong Ling, had to admit that Wu Yuan certainly deserved the title of Golden Core Great Senior Brother.

After the intense battle between Wu Yuan and Hao Shanjing, the upcoming Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciple ranking battle didn’t seem nearly as exciting.

...

Inside the Hereditary Disciple Tower of Heavenly Dragon City in the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm.

"Both are terrifyingly strong. That Hao Shanjing must have comprehended the legendary Longevity Dao, which is an Intermediate Law."

"Two Golden Core cultivators comprehended Intermediate Laws?"

"Among our hundreds of Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciples, only our Great Senior Brother has grasped an Intermediate Law. But it took him over eight hundred years to achieve it." The group of Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciples remained in shock, filled with awe and regret.

"If they both possessed the mana of the ninth-stage Amethyst Cradle phase or ninth-stage Shambhala phase, they could probably make it into the top thirty of the Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciple ranking battle."

"I seriously wonder how they cultivate." These Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciples were deeply shaken.

If they faced off against Wu Yuan or Hao Shanjing in a voidrealm battle, most of them would not be a match for either of the two.

...

Inside a spacious meditation chamber in the rest area of the arena.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The burly Hao Shanjing and Wu Yuan appeared one after the other in two small teleportation arrays.

Following that, countless rain-like droplets landed on their bodies.

So comfortable.

Wu Yuan’s soul was so exhausted it felt on the verge of falling apart.

As the droplets seeped into his skin, his fatigue rapidly eased. His soul power also quickly recovered. Even the mana in his qi sea was quickly replenished.

What a miraculous treasure.

Wu Yuan thought to himself, automatically circulating his mana internally to absorb the energy from the liquid.

I've won first place.

Wu Yuan smiled as he received the notification.

At the same time, the rewards of ten million dragon crystals and thirty million catties of ethercrystal were deposited into his account. This was the sect's reward for the first-place winner of the Dragon Star Tournament.

I suppose I'll have to personally ask Master for his reward.

Wu Yuan chuckled inwardly, delighted with his newfound wealth.

Lifting his head, the first thing he saw was Hao Shanjing sitting in lotus position within the teleportation array across him.

"Li Xia," Hao Shanjing also lifted his head.

Their gazes met.

A trace of unwillingness lingered in Hao Shanjing’s eyes.

"Li Xia, had I unleashed Life Burn from the beginning and conserved some of my strength, you wouldn’t have been able to defeat me," Hao Shanjing stated in a low voice.

"Unfortunately, there are no what-ifs," Wu Yuan chuckled. "Moreover, even if I didn’t invoke Star Explosion, are you so sure you could have broken through the defense of the Three Talents Sword Array?"

Hao Shanjing fell silent.

Was he sure? Of course not! After all, the defense formed by the three Thousand Swords Arrays was immensely sturdy. The arrays were subtly connected as one and imbued with the profundities of the Celestial Body Dao.

"I will defeat you at the Moonsilver Tournament," Hao Shanjing growled.

"There's no rush, we still have plenty of time," Wu Yuan laughed. "I've only been in the sect for thirteen years. Ten years later, my power will have reached new heights."

"Furthermore, my mana would have increased by then. Do you still think you can defeat me?" Wu Yuan smirked. "Don't let me down."

Hao Shanjing's pupils contracted.

Indeed, the most frightening aspect of Wu Yuan was his extremely short period of cultivation. Even though Hao Shanjing was also gifted, he had cultivated for over a hundred years.

"Hao Shanjing, there’s something that’s been on my mind for a while," Wu Yuan suddenly spoke.

"What is it?" Hao Shanjing asked in a low voice.

A hint of a smile appeared on Wu Yuan's face. "Shouldn't you start addressing me as Great Senior Brother?"

...

Above the spherical training ground, the spectators in the special observation space continued to discuss the recent battle.

"Li Xia's soul can actually support three Thousand Swords Arrays?"

"Could he be close to reaching the peak of the Yang Soul level?"

"Hao Shanjing is truly powerful, practicing multiple ether arts and grasping the Longevity Dao. Going back thousands of years, our Dragon Star Immortal Sect never witnessed such a Spiritual Body cultivator."

"But Li Xia is stronger."

"Li Xia has nine lifebound flying swords. Coupled with his powerful soul, he can just barely sustain three Thousand Swords Arrays with his Golden Core mana."

"There's a reason why Li Xia was taken as a disciple by the founding ancestor."

"In the future, once Li Xia becomes a High Immortal, I fear he will be another Sword Immortal Dong Yang." The immortals were deeply shocked by this battle.

"It's hard to say. Both Li Xia and Hao Shanjing are still young. They will have to go through many hardships to become Earth Immortals, let alone Archimmortals."

"They are still only Golden Core cultivators. When they reach the Amethyst Cradle phase, they will have to take on trial assignments and truly fight with their lives on the line." The immortals sighed.

It wasn’t that they were not optimistic about Li Xia and Hao Shanjing’s futures. But in their long lives, they have seen numerous shining talents perish in one disaster after another.

The path to immortality was tough. If one secluded themselves from the world, forget becoming an Archimmortal, they might not even reach the Earth Immortal or High Immortal level at all.

"Abbot Wu, there's something I would like to discuss with you in advance." Mountain Master Xu suddenly started with a smile, "I hope you won't be upset."

Immediately, the immortals turned to him.

"Mountain Master Xu, feel free to speak." Abbot Wu responded with a smile.

"Just now, the eight Mountain Masters of my Moonsilver World passed a resolution," Mountain Master Xu spoke with an apologetic expression. “We decided on the special recruitment of Hao Shanjing into the Moonsilver World. The application has been submitted."

Abbot Wu smiled without saying a word.

The faces of the twenty-odd immortals of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect showed varying degrees of dissatisfaction.

They were accustomed to similar events, but to poach so brazenly? How could they be comfortable with this?

"Abbot Wu, a compensation of thirty divine crystals has been delivered to the Dragon Star Immortal Sect's treasury in the immortal hall,” Mountain Master Xu said in a low voice. “The purpose of my Moonsilver World has always been to unearth top-tier geniuses for the immortal hall. That's my duty, I hope for your kind understanding."

Thirty divine crystals? Displeasure spread across many of the sect immortals’ faces.

Those in the know were aware that the sect paid a price of three hundred divine crystals to ensure Wu Yuan's permanent membership in the Dragon Star Immortal Sect.

"Haha," Abbot Wu suddenly burst into laughter. "Mountain Master Xu, what are you saying? We are all members of the immortal hall, why distinguish between ‘us’ and ‘them’?"

"The best geniuses need to be raised under the best conditions to truly fulfill their potential.”

“Hao Shanjing is indeed extraordinarily talented. With his comprehension of the Longevity Dao, our Dragon Star Immortal Sect would only hold him back if he remained here. The Moonsilver World is far more suitable for him," Abbot Wu said with a smile.

There was no trace of anger in his expression, as if he very much approved of this matter.

"Abbot Wu is right, we are all members of the immortal hall, there is no distinction between us." Mountain Master Xu laughed. "So, I have a rather bold request: would the Dragon Star Immortal Sect be willing to transfer Xing Luo to the Moonsilver World?"

Silence fell.

This time, the immortals of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect immortals could no longer conceal their anger. This was too much.

No sect could refuse a special recruitment request. But the Moonsilver World only opened ten special recruitment slots every ten thousand years.

However, an additional rule of the Redmoon Immortal Hall stated that a sect may voluntarily transfer its disciples to the Moonsilver World as long as they met the minimum requirements for standard entry.

"Mountain Master Xu, is this your request, or the World Master's?" Abbot Wu had a wry smile on his face.

"Abbot Wu jests. Why would the World Master concern himself with such trivial matters?" Mountain Master Xu said with a chuckle.

"Since this isn't a request from Fang Rong, then get lost!" A cold voice suddenly rang out.

The smile on Mountain Master Xu's face froze, revealing a trace of displeasure. Yet a second later, fear flashed through his eyes.

Silently, a gallant young man in white robes, with straight eyebrows and shining eyes, appeared in the sky.

Standing there, he was like a divine sword piercing the heavens and earth. He radiated a sharpness that caused every immortal present to avert their eyes, not daring to look at him directly.

Silence enveloped the space.

"Sword Immortal Dong Yang?" Mountain Master Xu's face stiffened. He swallowed subconsciously as fear gripped his heart.

He never expected to provoke this deity of death.

"Xu Feng, I’ll give you five breaths. Take your men and leave my Dragon Star Immortal Sect," the young man in white robes said coldly, "Otherwise, I don't mind taking your head off your neck and bringing it to Fang Rong."

Mountain Master Xu stood up, but under Sword Immortal Dong Yang’s pressure, he couldn’t stand straight, forced to crouch slightly.

"Dong Yang, I am a High Immortal from the Moonsilver World." Mountain Master Xu gritted his teeth, "My visit here is in accordance with the immortal hall's..."

"One breath!", spat the young man in white robes, his eyes several degrees colder.

Mountain Master Xu’s pupils contracted.

"Abbot Wu, I shall take my leave." Mountain Master Xu bowed slightly. With a wave of his hand, an invisible force wrapped around the Earth Immortals that accompanied him here.

In a flash, they disappeared from the space.

"Senior Brother Dong Yang, why offend him unnecessarily?" The red-robed Abbot Wu stood up. Smiling bitterly, he continued, "We can handle these minor sect affairs by ourselves. Senior Brother, you should focus on your secluded cultivation and prepare for the Immortal Tribulation."

"If I was unaware, then that’s one thing. But since I was aware, I can't turn a blind eye," said the white-robed youth coldly. "Relying on Fang Rong’s backing is one thing. But he dares strut about in my Dragon Star Immortal Sect?"

"The death of Junior Sister Heng Qiu years ago was related to him." A hint of murderous intent flashed through the eyes of the white-robed youth.

"Senior Brother Dong Yang, we can't make baseless accusations," said Abbot Wu with a bitter smile.

He knew Sword Immortal Dong Yang’s temperament well.

"Evidence? When have I, Dong Yang, ever needed evidence to act?" the white-robed youth shook his head and sneered, "Once I successfully overcome the Tribulation, he will be the first one I kill!"

"I would like to see if Fang Rong dares to fight me then."

Swish!

The white-robed youth disappeared into the sky, leaving behind a helpless Abbot Wu and a group of Earth Immortals who had their mouths agape.

Most of these Earth Immortals had only ever heard of the name of Ancestor Dong Yang, with very few having met him.

"No one is to leak word of today's incident," said Abbot Wu in a low voice.

"Understood." The numerous Earth Immortals of the sect respectfully replied.