Though Jiang Chen's name already carried considerable weight in the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance, outside of the Tiangui Kingdom, most people who knew of his reputation had only heard it through the grapevine.
Since it was secondhand information, many harbored a quiet resistance deep down, even a measure of disbelief. They all figured the rumors had blown this Jiang Chen out of proportion.
Yet here and now, before the eyes of thousands, the sect masters and vice sect masters of three major sects were openly extending invitations to Jiang Chen—casting aside all pretense of dignity to do so.
The most critical part was that, technically speaking, nothing they were doing violated the rules.
The rules stated that once the preliminary selection began, no cheating was permitted.
They said nothing about poaching talent before the selection had even started. At this stage, showing sharp eyes and offering generous terms to recruit promising individuals was simply the way things worked.
Xie Tianshu felt somewhat embarrassed, but he was a sect master after all.
After being cornered by Wang Tuo and Jiang Rou, he managed a thin smile. "A fine sword is forged through tempering, and plum blossoms gain their fragrance from bitter cold. Jiang Chen may have encountered some setbacks in my Tiangui Kingdom, but that was the Treasure Tree Sect conducting a thorough, well-rounded assessment of the young man. And the facts have proven that Jiang Chen is indeed suited for the Treasure Tree Sect—worth every ounce of effort we are willing to expend to bring him into our ranks."
Every ounce of effort.
Those four words carried tremendous weight.
Wang Tuo and Jiang Rou exchanged a glance, each reading a flicker of concern in the other's eyes.
If the Treasure Tree Sect was willing to pay any price to recruit Jiang Chen, then neither of them stood a chance in a bidding war.
After all, Jiang Chen's roots were in the Tiangui Kingdom, his connections were in the Tiangui Kingdom—if the Treasure Tree Sect spared no cost, their advantage was simply overwhelming.
Wang Tuo grew anxious. "Jiang Chen, your talent in beast taming is outstanding—practically a once-in-a-millennium prodigy. The Ten Thousand Spirit Sect is the only sect truly suited for you! The Treasure Tree Sect let a bright pearl gather dust—not only did they fail to elevate you, they suppressed you at every turn! How is that how you treat a genius?"
Jiang Rou refused to yield an inch. "Jiang Chen, your talent may well extend far beyond beast taming alone. The Flowing Cloud Sect specializes in unearthing hidden potential. Perhaps you harbor other great powers, other vast reserves of energy within you. In the entire Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance, only the Flowing Cloud Sect can draw out your potential to its fullest."
Each made a compelling case, each spoke from a position of strength.
They each emphasized their own advantages, painting pictures of heavenly possibility.
However, Jiang Chen's original target had always been the Treasure Tree Sect. He had entered the examination specifically for their Spiritual Medicine resources.
As for beast taming, the Ten Thousand Spirit Sect was indeed formidable, but Jiang Chen did not believe he would learn much there.
The Flowing Cloud Sect's gift for uncovering talent—that was true enough. But Jiang Chen knew perfectly well where his talents lay, and he knew precisely what his advantages were.
His problem was never how to discover his gifts. The problem was that he had too many of them.
As for the Purple Sun Sect, Jiang Chen had not considered it from any angle. Not once.
His sole objective was the Treasure Tree Sect—its reputation as the foremost authority on Spiritual Medicine. That was precisely what Jiang Chen needed most right now.
Though he had long since set his sights on the Treasure Tree Sect, he was in no mood to declare his preference at this moment.
Making his choice now would only let the Treasure Tree Sect look down on him, thinking that Jiang Chen was nothing special—that a single word from them and he'd come running with his tail between his legs.
That was not in Jiang Chen's nature.
If he was going to enter the Treasure Tree Sect, then it would be on his terms—they would have to beg, to fight each other for the right to invite him in.
A sect master showing up in person?
Jiang Chen was thoroughly unimpressed. Xie Tianshu, you may be a sect master, but showing your sincerity only now—isn't that a little late?
Where were you when the Iron clan provoked me again and again?
And now you think you can simply appear, flash a smile, and have me rush into your arms with gratitude?
Not so easy.
Since the Treasure Tree Sect ultimately answered to Patriarch Qianye, then Patriarch Qianye himself would have to make the approach.
Moreover, Jiang Chen had no desire to give anyone the impression he had slipped in through the back door at the last moment.
If he was going to join a sect, he, Jiang Chen, would do so openly and with his own strength. What need did he have for Xie Tianshu to play the generous benefactor?
……
Over with the four Grand Ancestors, all except Zhuiyang Sovereign of the Purple Sun Sect shared a remarkable, silent consensus about the proceedings—none stepped forward to object.
It would have been far too conspicuous if all three Grand Ancestors had rushed to compete over a single secular disciple. Though Jiang Chen had certainly carved out a place in their minds.
But the preliminary selection had not even begun. They had not yet reached the final stage of contention. For Grand Ancestors at the Yuan Realm to intervene and seize a candidate at this point—that was simply inconceivable.
After all, though Jiang Chen had displayed monstrous talent and performed some astonishing feats, possessed some startling abilities—a Grand Ancestors who had walked the martial path all the way to the Yuan Realm had long since grown indifferent to many things.
They had seen more than their share of gifted geniuses.
But how many among them had actually made it to become Sovereigns of the Yuan Realm?