Chapter 173: Conditions for Recruitment

173. Chapter 173: Recruiting Conditions

Just as Xiao Zhangqing's nerves were taut, ready for a life‑or‑death gamble.

The uninvited guest, seated leisurely in the reception hall sipping tea, naturally sensed him and smiled, saying, "Young friend Xiao Zhangqing, no need to be so tense. I won't personally intrude; later I'll make amends. Why not come in for a cup of tea first? This tea is my own blend, and only a few in Character: Liyang Celestial City can taste it."

The other's demeanor seemed rather friendly, not malicious.

But Xiao Zhangqing did not relax at all.

Silently, while he was absent, they slipped into his cave without any prior notice—surely they had ulterior motives? Moreover, the moment this person spoke, they revealed his true identity, calling him by his real name Xiao Zhangqing rather than the alias Bai Wuji.

It shows that before this person arrived, they had investigated his background thoroughly, crystal clear! At present in Character: Liyang Celestial City, only a handful can know his true identity.

Xiao Zhangqing's gaze shifted, but he kept a cold expression and ordered his third‑tier puppet to follow behind him inside.

He hadn't considered turning and fleeing immediately.

First, the Lin sisters are still in the other's hands; if the visitor is hostile, their escape would spell disaster for the sisters. Second, since the visitor arrived abruptly and has already uncovered his true identity, fleeing might not be effective.

He entered the reception hall.

The Lin sisters immediately rushed to his side, but they no longer displayed their usual composure.

In the past, regardless of the situation, the Lin sisters had absolute confidence in their lord Xiao Zhangqing, as if even a sky‑high danger could be settled by him.

Today, the two sisters clearly realized the problem was not simple.

Even their lord might not be able to resolve it easily.

"Sir, you did not come in person; what do you wish to inquire?" Xiao Zhangqing looked at the Lin sisters arriving smoothly by his side, uncoerced, his vigilance unchanged yet a little relaxed.

At least, if he were to act later, he wouldn't be restrained.

"Young friend Xiao Zhangqing, no need to be so tense," the elder in a fiery red robe said with interest, scanning Xiao Zhangqing and, upon looking at the puppet beside him, letting out an "Eh" of surprise. "Everyone knows you excel at Soul Transformation secret arts, your greatest killing move, capable of slaying a typical Golden Core cultivator. I didn't expect you to have a third‑tier puppet like this! It truly surprised me. That puppet, self‑proclaimed as the Da Yu Cultivation World's number one puppet master, looks downright laughable compared to you, Xiao."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Zhangqing's expression grew even more icy; the old fellow possessed such poisonous insight and powerful perception!

His cloaked humanoid puppet, before taking action, would likely not be easily judged by ordinary Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core cultivators as either a concealed cultivator or a puppet.

Let alone discerning the puppet's grade directly!

"However, if you, young friend Xiao, wish to try, you may let this third‑tier puppet attack me to see if it can wound me. Or you could unleash your strongest Soul Transformation secret art to test whether it can shake my Soul Transformation," the red‑robed man said with a smiling, confident gaze at Xiao Zhangqing.

Huh— Xiao Zhangqing inhaled deeply, not getting angry or resentful at the other's words.

"The illustrious Character: Liyang, honored guest, graces my humble abode, bringing brilliance to this modest dwelling. My modest strength and means could never dare to contend with the number one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World. I'm a hundred and eighty thousand li away, and I still possess this self‑awareness," Xiao Zhangqing said, then immediately withdrew the third‑tier puppet.

He had never seen Character: Liyang in person nor dealt with him, but he had long gathered the rumors, appearance, and traits about Character: Liyang.

Moreover, given the other's profound foundation and confidence, Character: Liyang better met the requirements than the masters of the Dan Dao Alliance or the Seven Star Sword Sect.

As for withdrawing the puppet, it wasn't because Xiao Zhangqing was intimidated by the other's identity and power, losing the courage to act.

Rather, Character: Liyang's visit was unlikely to be driven by malice; he probably came to discuss other matters.

If the other truly harbored ill intent and wanted to strike, there would have been many opportunities before now; no need to wait until today.

Moreover, Xiao Zhangqing is not an enemy of Character: Liyang Celestial City; on the contrary, when Character: Liyang was absent, he helped Gu Zongyuan slay Blood Crow Real Person, effectively saving Gu Zongyuan's life.

Logically and emotionally, Character: Liyang's visit today could not be to cause Xiao Zhangqing trouble.

"Young friend Xiao, you are exceptionally clever; even before I revealed my lineage, you saw through me," Character: Liyang said with a lingering smile, then continued, "Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. My bold visit today is simply because I have a matter to ask you to help with."

Xiao Zhangqing replied amiably, "Senior Character: Liyang, whatever your command, speak plainly. If it lies within my capability, I certainly won't frown."

He said that, but whether it truly falls within his capability is for Xiao Zhangqing to decide. For example, when Wei Wufeng and others besieged the main peak of Character: Liyang Mountain a few days ago, Xiao Zhangqing deemed it beyond his reach, which was reasonable.

Character: Liyang did not answer directly but said earnestly, "I wish for young Xiao to stay in Character: Liyang Celestial City long‑term, serving as the commander of the Character: Liyang Guard!"

After speaking, he immediately added, "I mean a genuine appointment, responsible for all affairs of the Character: Liyang Guard, safeguarding Character: Liyang Celestial City. Not like before, merely a nominal deputy commander."

"You should know, my disciple Gu Zongyuan has now taken the city lord position, so the commander post of the Character: Liyang Guard is now vacant."

At this point, Xiao Zhangqing could no longer be vague or dodge.

"I am indeed aware of Brother Gu's assumption of the city lord role. However…" Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand, "I believe Character: Liyang also knows I am accustomed to a leisurely life and have no intention of joining any faction. I could accept a nominal post in the Character: Liyang Guard, but to devote myself fully to the Guard, even the city, I must respectfully decline."

Character: Liyang nodded, "First, I am convinced that young Xiao truly dislikes constraints and cherishes freedom; I have no doubt about that. Second, I respect that disposition and choice. In fact, when I was young I was much like you. After I first emerged, countless sects and families offered me olive branches, trying to win me over with extremely generous terms, yet I declined them all. By a twist of fate and personal interest, I founded Character: Liyang Celestial City, expanding it into a haven for countless Scattered Cultivators. However…"

"In my view, if the offered conditions are good enough, they can move people, even cause them to slightly alter their principles and ways of acting."

Xiao Zhangqing listened, a bit speechless, and asked, "If that's so, why didn't you, Character: Liyang, get swayed by those generous conditions back then and change your choice?"

Character: Liyang spread his hands and said, "Because, although their terms were generous, they weren't generous enough to move me! For instance, if a sect had offered to fully support me in obtaining a Nascent Soul opportunity with a high chance of success, I would have joined without hesitation, needing no extra conditions!"

Xiao Zhangqing: …

Nascent Soul opportunity?

You really dare to imagine that! Across the entire Da Yu Cultivation World, even over centuries, there are probably only a few Nascent Soul opportunities. Even though Character: Liyang had already shown great talent back then, possessing a complete Nascent Soul opportunity would still only give a relatively high chance of success.

No sect would be willing to place the gamble on him.

The reason is simple.

Nascent Soul opportunities, regarded as the most precious in the Cultivation World, whether from Xingyue Palace, the Seven Star Sword Sect, or those top‑tier Golden Core sects with millennia of heritage, spend decades or even centuries to assemble one; they must first satisfy the Golden Core cultivators they have cultivated themselves.

Even if a talent is slightly inferior, they would never hand it to an outsider.

Thus the conditions Character: Liyang proposed could never materialize.

"Do you mean, Character: Liyang, that you intend to lure me with a Nascent Soul opportunity?" Xiao Zhangqing retorted.

"…" Character: Liyang was silent for a moment, then said, "Young Xiao, you are still in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Though your talent is extraordinary and you likely have your own fortunes, perhaps you may reach the Nascent Soul stage in the future, but contemplating a Nascent Soul opportunity now is premature. At least it's a matter to consider after a hundred years."

Xiao Zhangqing said solemnly, "A hundred years passes in the blink of an eye; we can already prepare in advance now."

"…" Character: Liyang fell silent again.

From his gaze, one could clearly see the sentiment that each generation surpasses the previous.

He is the kind of person who would boldly speak up, yet back then when he sought Nascent Soul opportunities from the major sects, he had already been at the Golden Core stage for over a decade, nearing mid‑Golden Core cultivation.

He didn't expect Xiao Zhangqing, still in the Foundation Establishment Realm, to dare ask for a Nascent Soul opportunity!

"To be frank, I certainly cannot provide a Nascent Soul opportunity for you, Xiao. At present I have no means to do so. If I manage to breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm this time and become the third true Nascent Soul sovereign of the Da Yu Cultivation World, perhaps a hundred years later when you reach that stage, I will have that capability. As of now I dare not speak such words; I don't wish to brag," Character: Liyang said.

Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

That remark is sincere.

If the other party really just casually promises to prepare a Nascent Soul opportunity for him, he would instead directly "blacklist" them, completely ignoring them.

"Nascent Soul opportunity I currently cannot give. But, Golden Core opportunity, I can prepare a perfect one for Young Fellow Xiao! As long as Young Fellow Xiao agrees to my request just now, truly taking up the position of Character: Liyang Guard Commander, and together with my disciple Gu Zongyuan, guarding the safety of Character: Liyang Immortal City. Then when Young Fellow Xiao prepares to breakthrough to Golden Core, I guarantee a complete Golden Core opportunity will be presented!" Character: Liyang Zhenren said, his words full of temptation. (End of chapter)