Shang Yanfei wished to recruit Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing, but after Wei Yang’s subtle hints and indirect questioning, the two showed not the slightest interest.
This was only natural.
Young people, after all, are full of vigor and ambition. They harbor ideals, dislike serving under others, and believe that as long as they work hard enough in this world, they can achieve anything.
So naive, truly naive.
Wei Yang could understand. Wasn’t he exactly like that back in the day?
Therefore, he had not directly invited Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing.
Once the offer was made clear and refused, there would be no room to maneuver. Wei Yang was a seasoned operator; he had already formulated a plan to gradually lead the two into the trap.
He had not devised any sinister schemes. Recruitment was a matter of mutual willingness. Forcing the issue would only backfire.
Especially since, after spending these past few days with Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing, Wei Yang knew their personalities would absolutely not yield to compromise.
So Wei Yang intended to win through subtle influence, employing an open and honorable strategy.
He was supremely confident about this.
"What do Gu Masters rely on for their cultivation? Resources! Righteous Path Gu Masters manage well enough, but Demonic Path Gu Masters… heh."
Wei Yang had once been a Demonic Path Gu Master himself, forged in the fighting arenas.
He knew all too well the hardships Demonic Path Gu Masters endured.
A Gu Master's cultivation depended on Yuan Stones, Gu Insects, and all manner of feed. The higher their cultivation, the greater their demand for these things.
In the beginning, a Gu Master could sustain these needs through their own abilities.
But as they progressed, they would find that demand only grew, competition only intensified, and sometimes they could no longer even provide for their own basic livelihood!
Wei Yang had stepped into the fighting arenas when he was still at First Transformation. From First Transformation to Second Transformation, and then to Third Transformation. He grew ever stronger, yet felt ever more powerless.
It was like a scholar who, the more he learned, the more he understood his own ignorance.
The stronger Wei Yang became, the more clearly he understood his own weakness.
Individuals were so feeble. Only by relying on one another, by anchoring themselves to a clan, could they survive more effectively.
Once he had grasped this truth, he accepted the olive branch that Shang Yanfei extended to him.
That was how he had made his way through life.
"When the day comes that Fang and Bai can both perceive their own weakness, the Shang clan's recruitment will fall into place naturally. Until then, however, I cannot simply stand by and watch Fang Zheng go down the wrong path — that would waste his youth, his energy, and his exceptional aptitude!"
In Wei Yang's eyes, Fang Yuan's choice of the strength path was entirely a mistake.
It was the impetuosity of youth, the blindness of ignorance.
The strength path?
Among all the Demonic Path Gu Masters who had emerged from the fighting arenas of Shang Clan City, which one had ever risen to prominence through the strength path? Not a single one.
The strength path was a school of Gu cultivation destined for the bottom tier, destined never to rise above the level of obscurity.
Make a name for yourself through the strength path? Not a chance!
However, things did not unfold according to his wishes.
Over the past few days, Wei Yang had taken the initiative to seek out Fang Yuan, persuading him several times. But each time, Fang Yuan refused him, and his attitude remained unshakably firm.
Wei Yang had come to fully appreciate the stubbornness in Fang Yuan's character. After failing time and again, he returned each time to calm down and think it over, deciding to try a different approach to persuasion.
Today, he came knocking once more.
"Brother Wei, you're suggesting I enter the arena and participate in the fighting matches?" A faint look of puzzlement appeared on Fang Yuan's face.
"That's right. Brother Wei built himself up step by step through the arena. Good experience ought to be shared." Wei Yang's expression was one of complete sincerity.
Immediately after, he held up three fingers. "There are three great benefits to you joining the fights."
"First, you can earn money. Every time you enter the arena, as long as you win, there are Yuan Stones to be had. The more spectators there are, the more Yuan Stones you receive."
"Second, you can obtain Gu Insects. One of the arena's rules is that the victor may select one Gu Insect from the loser's collection to take as their own."
"Third, participating in the martial matches can hone your combat skills, while also testing the combined power of the Gu Insects you possess in actual combat. This allows you to make necessary adjustments."
Upon hearing Wei Yang's final words, Fang Yuan immediately understood.
For the past few days, Wei Yang had been persistently trying to convince him to abandon the Strength Path and switch to another cultivation style. After failing, he decided to try indirect means. By using the practical combat of the arena, he hoped to make Fang Yuan fully realize the shortcomings of the Strength Path, thereby persuading him to give up its cultivation.
"The Strength Path is my choice after careful consideration; it will be greatly beneficial to the future. How could I possibly change it? However, the arena does align with my next plan..."
Thinking this, Fang Yuan nodded and agreed.
Wei Yang was overjoyed in his heart: "When you fought me before, you only used the arena grounds. The matches in Merchant City have formed a complete system. If you wish to officially participate, you must register first. Follow me!"
Thus, the two arrived at the martial district of the Fifth Inner City.
It was far more lively here than in the Third Inner City. Crowds surged back and forth, and the bustling noise filled Fang Yuan's ears as a thick, vibrant atmosphere enveloped him.
"Did you hear? Li Hao won again! That's his thirteenth victory. It looks like he'll be able to move up to the Fourth Inner City soon."