Qingyun Sect disciple!
These words shocked all the martial artists present.
Gu Zuo understood in a split second.
Why the Prince Beside the Emperor was emotionally moved, and why he could previously show that kind of joy. As it turned out, it was all because of this reason. The Prince Beside the Emperor already knew that the people who got the top ten spots could have the opportunity to join the sect!
However, the aristocratic families weren't aware. Otherwise, his big brother's grandfather Gongyi Zhuoyue would have certainly told his big brother in secret…
Gu Zuo's heart welled with apprehension.
Since he understood his big brother when it came to this sort of thing, Tianheng certainly wouldn't refuse. But, if his big brother joined the sect, what was he supposed to do?
Follow after him? Could Gu Zuo follow him? If he really could, did he want to go? He only wanted a peaceful place to upgrade his strength. Once he reached the realm that satisfied the system's requirements, he'd return to find his dad… Wouldn't it be more dangerous to travel to more places? Wouldn't it be easier to die?
What was even scarier was that if they changed to another location, could his big brother still be able to protect him there?
Also, if he couldn't follow Tianheng, what was going to be done about his big brother's body… Even though the beginning was for the purpose of business, through the interactions afterwards, he sincerely considered this person as his big brother already. Could he really abandon this big brother, whom never treated him unfairly, just because it might be dangerous?
He was anxious. He was really anxious.
But, Gu Zuo could only lower his head. He couldn't think of anything, nor say anything.
At this time, he couldn't selfishly transmit his voice to convince Tianheng. More than that, Gu Zuo couldn't compel his big brother to destroy his own future prospects just because he needed to return home!
Not only would that make him feel guilty, it would affect the current harmonious relationship between them. It could even lead to many harmful consequences — So many thoughts pa.s.sed by in a flash that it almost made his head explode!
At this moment, a transmitted voice suddenly echoed: Ah Zuo, don't worry.
Gu Zuo's muddleheaded brain immediately sobered up.
That voice continued: With me around, I'll certainly find a place for you.
Gu Zuo heaved a deep sigh, and slowly recovered his breathing.
Right… Everything still wasn't set in stone.
He was overthinking it.
It went without saying that his own IQ wasn't so meticulous. Since he believed in his big brother, he was confident that Tianheng would have a plan. Everything would turn out for the best. There wasn't any reason to get upset over nothing, right?
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Anyway, those martial artists didn't react at first. Then they didn't dare believe what was said. Yet, in the end, they were in ecstasy.
Indeed, that sect! The Qingyun Sect!
Previously, quite a few people among them were just frogs at the bottom of a well. They thought that their own small domains were enough to run roughshod over others, but during the Hundred Countries Tournament, they discovered that the world wasn't so simple. They definitely weren't stupid. They vaguely knew that the Qingyun Sect was above their own continents. They were even above the greatest powers of the numerous neighboring continents and empires surrounding them. Those selected by the Qingyun Sect would truly find instant success!
Martial artists fought against heaven and fought against oneself, placing great effort in all respects. How could they be unwilling to take one step further?
They wanted to join the instant the female martial artist Zou Qingyue spoke. They had to join the sect and experience a journey along an even wider martial path there!
Subconsciously, these martial artists all held a trace of zealotry in their eyes.
As for those martial artists who didn't enter the top ten, although they were beyond shocked, no matter how vast their aspirations, their eyes couldn't help carry a feeling of envy.
Because the sect was only receiving the top ten.
They realized that this information was without any opportunities. This was truly…too painful.
At this moment, the three previously mentioned Immortal realm martial artists were very pleased by the reactions triggered from their words.
In response, Zou Qingyue asked again: “Whom among you are unwilling?”
She naturally understood their excitement at this time.
The martial artists reacted, and they all opened their mouths one after another: “I'm willing!”
No one was stupid enough to be unwilling.
Even if their hearts had some doubt, it was impossible to expose their own misgivings here.
For example, Gongyi Tianheng.
His gaze flashed slightly as he cycled through many considerations over and over again.
Of course, Tianheng definitely didn't think that this matter of disciple recruitment was a plot of the Qingyun Sect. Because a sect that huge could casually dispatch three Immortal realms for merely a single Hundred Countries Tournament. If they wanted to do something, the trouble was basically not worthwhile.
If there was an empire that wasn't tactful, it would be normal for the sect to conquer that country without much difficulty.
Tianheng's hesitation laid with how the Qingyun Sect was too distant. He didn't even know how that sect formed, what the rules were, and how many experts they had.
The Qingyun Sect was too mysterious. The information he had was too spa.r.s.e. He didn't yet have comprehensive control over the general situation in the Cangyun Empire, let alone this Hundred Countries Tournament.
Gongyi Tianheng would never place his own destiny in the hands of others. Unfortunately, the allure of this opportunity given to him was too great. He could only gamble on it… He was resolved to bet on it.
And since he could go to the Qingyun Sect, he would have to settle the disputes in the Cangyun Empire's social circles as soon as possible. He couldn't delay or plan slowly.
With this line of thought, Tianheng laid in wait.
Since they all agreed, the envoys of the Qingyun Sect should tell them a few things.
Sure enough, this wasn't beyond his expectations. On the platform, a male martial artist — Liu Wuyuan spoke: “Since everyone agreed, you all shall be our Qingyun Sect's disciples. However, if you all think that entering the sect will grant you exceptionally good treatment, you're gravely mistaken!”
Luo Yanfang sneered as he said: “The treatment between the sect disciples of the outer sect, inner sect, the core, and those who're personally handed-down techniques are like heaven and earth. The majority of you all coming from this trifling Hundred Countries Tournament are so-called geniuses. After entering the sect, you'll only be able to become outer sect disciples! If you want to join the inner sect, not only will you need to advance to Xiantian, you'll also need to go through numerous a.s.sessments. Or, there's the sliver of a chance of you meeting an extremely low probability fortuitous encounter!”
Liu Wuyuan seemed to dislike holding back as he continued to intimidate them: “Once you arrive at the sect, don't think about acting like young masters from aristocratic families, royalty, n.o.bility, or otherwise. Martial strength is respected in everything. It's strength that does the talking! The sect naturally has rules. It's stipulated that disciples of higher positions aren't allowed to personally provoke disciples of lower positions, but if a lower disciple dares provoke or disrespect a higher disciple, the sect won't restrict them.
“All of you, listen up. If an outer sect disciple dares to make things difficult for an inner sect disciple, it's possible for the inner sect disciple to mobilize dozens of the hundreds of outer sect disciples to a.s.sist him in engaging the troublemaker in a battle of exhaustion [1]. If that troublemaker endures it, then it'll naturally turn from hostility to friendship. But if he can't, then only the road to ruin awaits him! You all should understand that while inner sect disciples can't act on their own, there are one thousand ways, ten thousand ways to easily make outer sect disciples lose their puny lives!”
When he talked about this, the complexions of numerous martial artists repeatedly changed.
But there still wasn't a single person who shrunk back.
At this time, Luo Yanfang coaxed them with sweetened words [2]: “But you all don't need to look at the sect with too much fear. If you understand the rules, then naturally you can use the rules to protect yourselves. Moreover, while the treatment of outer sect disciples can't compare to inner sect disciples, so long as you can get stronger, you can get lots of additional prizes. There'd be enough to cultivate or squander. One could even give themselves a hired thug. If you had enough grunts, even if it was a person carelessly insulted, how could they endanger your life?”
Hearing this, the people finally sighed in relief.
However, Tianheng's gaze deepened.
At first, Gu Zuo was also shocked by the statements about the sect. He always kept a furtive eye on Tianheng, so when he found a difference in Tianheng, he couldn't help transmitting a question: Big brother, are you okay?
Tianheng's expression didn't change, but he said this to Gu Zuo: Ah Zuo, those sweetened words contain lots of traps.
Gu Zuo's heart clenched: What traps?
Tianheng said: For example… To what degree of power must one's capabilities reach in order to get a prize? Before obtaining the prizes, will there be enough resources to use? When one's capabilities are truly strong enough to get a prize, would one still need those prizes at that time? It's feasible to use the prize to raise one's grunts, but if we use the grunts as a precedent, would they rely on us completely to grow stronger? After raising enough grunts, if we had instead used the resources expended on them for ourselves, would our strengths have already reached the point where we don't need to use grunts?
Tianheng continued: If it's for late-stage returns, it's possible to raise grunts to deal with small matters and provocations. However, what's with the matter of “a person carelessly insulted”? How is it judged who offended who? Between the conflicting views of two people, it's basically impossible to judge lightly. Human nature is just this complex. The possible outcomes it can bring about are endless…
Gu Zuo kept listening and discovered that there really were very many traps within.
In this, it seemed to deal with testing interpersonal relationships and the disciple's management of time and financial resources. Then, there were strategies and controlling one's capabilities… Very many things.
Thinking about it was complicated enough to give one a headache.
Tianheng's transmission only lasted an instant before he discovered that Gu Zuo was already dizzied by his words. He laughed in his head: Ah Zuo doesn't need to worry. These sweetened words shouldn't be over just yet.
Gu Zuo stared blankly before hastily listening in earnest.
The truth was indeed not outside of Tianheng's expectations. After the first batch of sugar was cast, that Liu Wuyuan who constantly threatened people threw out the second batch: “Everyone doesn't have to worry. You all are the descendants of aristocrats. When it comes time to leave for the sect, you can bring along your own wealth. Regardless of which continent or bank's circulated banknotes, the sect will accept them all. The sect will convert the acc.u.mulated currencies at that time.
He continued: “Additionally, you all can bring your own personnel, but the most you can bring is only ten people. They can naturally be your helpers in the outer sect and become official disciples. Merely, the sect won't provide for their resources. Their safety also won't be covered by the sect.”
These sweetened words were spoken and the minds of many martial artists immediately schemed.
Similarly present were many ecstatic elders among the aristocratic families of those martial artists who didn't enter the top ten.
If they could get those placements for the official disciples…
At this moment, Zou Qingyue announced one last bit of information: “Within the top ten, only He Chengfeng who placed first will directly become an inner sect disciple. The remaining nine will each be outer sect disciples. So, each of you go back and prepare! After one month, we'll be leaving for the sect!”
In a split second, many regretful gazes within the Cangyun Empire group fell upon Gongyi Tianheng… Of course, there were also those who rejoiced in his misfortune.
But in Tianheng's heart, it was actually a confirmation.
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[1] 车轮战 - Che lun zhan, a tactic where a group of people take turns fighting a single person until that person is exhausted and loses.
[2] 甜枣 - Tian zao, sweet jujube or date, a metaphor for mollification or enticement.
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