Zhuiyang Old Monster's mind raced, but he quickly composed himself and let out a cold laugh. "Your own Dao heart is unstable, and you blame others? A coward like you who fears competition—we of the Purple Sun Sect have no use for you. Long Juxue alone is worth a hundred thousand of you cowards. Next!"
Zhuiyang Old Monster swept the matter aside with the decisiveness of a general cutting off his own arm.
Jiang Chen watched the splendid scene unfold, thoroughly enjoying it. So people as conceited as Zhuiyang Old Monster and Grandmaster Shuiyue could have their faces slapped after all.
And when they did, they were just as embarrassed.
This was truly an unexpected show, and Jiang Chen felt utterly satisfied.
Fortunately, the next genius to step forward helped smooth over the awkwardness of Zeng Shi's betrayal.
It was Xie Yufan, a prodigy from the Xie family of the Treasure Tree Sect. With such deep roots in the sect, he naturally wouldn't choose any other.
After Xie Yufan, it was Jiang Chen's turn.
Up to this point, the most enigmatic worldly prodigy in everyone's eyes was finally about to make his decision.
The recruitment pitches from the four great sects had been more impressive than the last.
Ice Blue Venerable of the Flowing Cloud Sect, emboldened by Zeng Shi's defection, had grown confident and made Jiang Chen numerous promises—including one to tailor a personalized cultivation plan to help him break through to the Spirit Realm as quickly as possible.
"Young man, your mental cultivation realm may well be the highest among all the geniuses here. The path of our Flowing Cloud Sect places the greatest emphasis on tempering the mind. Moreover, as everyone knows, our sect has an excellent tradition stretching back through the generations: male and female disciples may cultivate in dual pairs. In particular, male disciples of extraordinary talent are treasured in our sect. Know this—sixteen hundred years ago, a male genius of unparalleled talent joined our sect, and nine of our finest junior sisters all cultivated dual pairs with him. It remains one of the most celebrated legends in our history."
Dual cultivation!
For male disciples, this was forever the most persuasive temptation.
To have nine stunningly beautiful female disciples of the same generation—all cultivating together with a single man—what an extravagant privilege that was. One dragon, nine phoenixes!
This temptation was absolutely irresistible for young male cultivators. Moreover, the Flowing Cloud Sect revered dual cultivation; it would not hinder one's progress through indulgence. Instead, the mutual exchange of essence would actually enhance one's power.
It was practically a paradise for male cultivators.
Unfortunately, the Flowing Cloud Sect's threshold for accepting male disciples was extraordinarily high. Without being a super-genius, one could hardly catch the sect's eye.
Take Tang Hong for example—with such outstanding talent, Grandmaster Binglan had shown little interest in recruiting him simply because of his rough appearance.
Grandmaster Jiushi of the Myriad Spirits Sect had admired this worldly prodigy from the very beginning. It was also Grandmaster Jiushi who had opposed the Purple Sun Sect when they tried to suppress Jiang Chen.
"Good lad, I, Old Monster Jiushi, think highly of you. Though I know my Myriad Spirits Sect may not suit you, that doesn't stop me from admiring you. I want to add one thing here—you were suppressed in both the Earth Spirit Zone and the Heavenly Spirit Zone, and it was I who backed you behind the scenes. I'm not saying this to ask for any repayment. I'm simply telling you that the gates of the Myriad Spirits Sect are always open to you. I should also thank you—because of you, I discovered a genius named Liu Wencai!"
The fact that Liu Wencai had dealings with Jiang Chen was known to all four great sects.
Zhuiyang Old Monster stepped forward, his tone flat. "Young man, there is no irreconcilable hatred between you and our Purple Sun Sect. I can see that your aspirations ultimately lie on the martial path. The Purple Sun Sect can provide you with every martial inheritance you could ever want. Neither I nor the entire Purple Sun Sect lack the magnanimity to embrace talent. As long as you are willing to take up residence under our sect, I will treat you no differently from anyone else."
Even as Zhuiyang Old Monster spoke these words, he felt they rang hollow—let alone how they sounded to Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen knew that the Purple Sun Sect had long guessed his true identity. Given the grudge between him and Long Juxue, there was no way the sect would ever give him any real future.
Zhuiyang Old Monster's words were nothing more than an attempt to lure him in and trap him within the Purple Sun Sect.
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile and said nothing.
Then it was Patriarch Qianye's turn. The old man, who had never been much of a speaker, wore a bitter smile. He realized that all the good points and bad had already been covered by the others. By the time it came to him, he had no real advantage to offer.
"Fine, young man—under our Treasure Tree Sect, the one thing we possess in abundance is resources. Your talents are high in every area, and what you lack most should be resources. Come to our Treasure Tree Sect, and you may use them as you please."
After racking his brain, Patriarch Qianye finally hit upon the key point.
All four sects had made their pitches. Now it was time for Jiang Chen to speak.
Jiang Chen smiled gently. "I already made a promise to a brother of mine long ago. Therefore, I choose the Treasure Tree Sect."
The words "Treasure Tree Sect" left Jiang Chen's lips, and a wave of disappointment washed over the other three patriarchs. Grandmaster Jiushi in particular let out a soft sigh.
Ice Blue Venerable of the Flowing Cloud Sect seemed somewhat surprised as well. She had offered such a generous incentive—the condition of dual cultivation with the sect's talented female disciples—and she had been certain this young man would choose the Flowing Cloud Sect.
Zhuiyang Old Monster had known all along that Jiang Chen would never choose the Purple Sun Sect, but he hadn't expected him to pick the Treasure Tree Sect.
"This kid actually passed up the Flowing Cloud Sect where he could dual cultivate? Such iron will—truly not someone to be underestimated." Zhuiyang Old Monster felt a chill of wariness. He finally realized that this nemesis of Long Juxue was far more complicated than they had imagined.
Before this, even Patriarch Qianye's own words had lacked confidence. He figured that however this worldly prodigy chose, he probably wouldn't pick their Treasure Tree Sect.
But then, without warning, a massive pie fell from the sky and landed squarely on Patriarch Qianye's head, leaving even this easygoing old man unable to contain his elation.
Though it was called a selection, the truth was that everyone's sole target was this worldly prodigy. As for the others, very few would truly betray the sect they had come from.