Chapter 914: The Condescending Recruitment! Fury!

In the sky outside Floating Island No. 3, a man clad in crimson armor stood tall, his frame imposing.

His face bore solemn authority, radiating power without even raising his voice, with sporadic crimson flames dancing across his body.

With his arrival, the surrounding temperature surged rapidly, as if space itself was warping and distorting.

Lei Ding!

A warrior who emerged from the Second Civilization Era, he achieved breakthrough in the Ember World and became an Ultimate Power.

He possesses an Element Fire SS-class ability and is revered as the Flame Divine Sovereign.

"Is it truly the Divine Sovereign himself who has descended?"

"He's here for that Blue Star man, isn't he?"

"That's right—rare Aurora-class prodigies always receive special treatment."

"If Xu Jingming accepts, the Lei Ding family will have two Aurora-class members."

"......"

Strongholds across dozens of kilometers of floating islands all sensed the disturbance.

They turned their attention, whispering among themselves.

Xu Jingming's rating certification, completed over ten minutes ago, had already spread throughout the entire Ember Temple.

Everyone knew a new Aurora-class had emerged; no one was surprised by the Flame Divine Sovereign's arrival.

What they awaited was Xu Jingming's final choice.

"Divine Sovereign."

Xu Jingming stepped out of the villa and bowed respectfully; Su Qingli and Hearing Ling Shuang, who followed him, did the same.

On Blue Star, few beings ever required them to bow.

But in the Ember World, everyone they encountered was either a Rank Nine peak or an Ultimate Power.

For such experts, even they must show sufficient respect.

"Xu Jingming, you are excellent, and you are strong. I came here specifically for you."

Lei Ding's furnace-like eyes fixed on him, cutting straight to the point:

"Join my Lei Ding family, and you will receive the same treatment as Allen.

Unlimited supply of resources, equipment, and combat technique manuals.

The strongest Lightning-element Law Saint in the Ember World is within my Lei Ding family.

With him, you need not worry about lacking guidance."

His voice echoed like thunder, making the entire sky hum.

Upon hearing this, the strongholds around him were filled with envy.

"No wonder Lei Ding is Lei Ding—this recruitment offer is luxurious."

"Who can deny it? Without Lei Ding family backing, Allen could never have become a Rank Eight Upper Master Zongshi at just twenty-eight."

"Too bad I'm not Aurora-class—if I were, serving under Lei Ding would be an excellent choice."

"......"

An offer from an Ultimate Power is a deadly temptation for the vast majority.

Especially so for Rank Nine Ability Users.

After all, only Ultimate Powers possess the experience to break through to that realm.

"Unlike the Ember Temple's laxity, joining my Lei Ding family requires obedience to family orders.

You must complete ten missions annually; success brings rewards, failure brings corresponding penalties."

Lei Ding's voice continued—he did not land on the ground.

He merely stood high in the sky, looking down upon Xu Jingming:

"I offer you only this one chance: join, or decline.

Join us, and you become our ally, enjoying all the family provides.

If you decline, my Lei Ding family will grant you no conveniences whatsoever.

Not even the strongest Lightning-element Law Saint I mentioned—or the attitude of any other Lightning-element Law Saint toward you.

Everything hinges on your next answer. Consider carefully."

Authoritative!

Utterly authoritarian!

After speaking, Xu Jingming felt an overwhelmingly forceful attitude bearing down on him.

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord, but I have no intention of joining your family."

Xu Jingming's expression darkened as he replied loudly.

With the System, he needed no external resources.

As for combat techniques, the Ember Temple had them too—he had no need to join a family with such strict constraints.

"A pity. You have forfeited the best opportunity since entering the Ember World."

Lei Ding shook his head, withdrawing his gaze without a trace of hesitation.

Crimson flames surged upward, and he vanished instantly from his spot.

"He actually refused."

"Tsk tsk—Lei Ding remains as authoritarian as ever."

"Without guidance from a Lightning-element Law Saint, Xu Jingming's cultivation will likely grow difficult."

"Not necessarily—if the High Priest or Lord Ues appear, there may still be a turn of events."

"......"

Lei Ding left, and the powerful figures on the surrounding floating islands likewise withdrew their gazes.

Among the three supreme experts of the Firewood World, Lei Ding possessed the greatest combat power.

Xu Jingming rejected Lei Ding—undoubtedly turning down a splendid future.

"What an attitude this guy has!"

Eva emerged from her smart armband, indignant:

"Back in the Jin Kingdom, he was merely a lackey beside a supreme expert."

"Now, lucky enough to reach the supreme expert realm, he won't even land to speak with us!"

"Jingming, this supreme expert's attitude doesn't seem good—could he have some grievance against us?"

Ling Shuang looked at Xu Jingming with concern.

On Blue Star, whether ninth-rank peak or supreme expert, all had been gentle toward Xu Jingming.

But this supreme expert's tone was full of arrogance, his demeanor harsh, even faintly threatening.

"It's not that he has a grievance against us—he's just used to being domineering."

Xu Jingming stared at the flames still lingering in midair, radiating terrifying energy:

"In his eyes, we are probably no more than ants."

"To ants, there is no need for concealment—treat them as one pleases."

Lei Ding is a supreme expert with an SS-class ability.

I, merely an eighth-rank lower-tier Master Zongshi, am indeed like an ant—even with an SSS-class ability.

"Lei Ding truly lives up to the reports of his domineering nature," Su Qingli murmured in agreement.

"Domineering is one thing, but to block me from seeking instruction from other Lightning System Law Saints just because I won't join his family—that's excessive."

Xu Jingming's voice turned icy, a flicker of savagery barely visible in his eyes.

He had a system—he could learn combat arts whether or not anyone taught him.

But others didn't know this.

That meant Lei Ding's action was a deliberate threat against him.

All because I refused to compromise.

Thinking of this, Xu Jingming's anger swelled, yet quickly subsided.

A weakling's rage serves no purpose but self-deception.

"Once I achieve the supreme expert realm, I will sweep away all obstacles."

Xu Jingming exhaled softly, his eyes regaining their firm, resolute gleam.

With the system's aid, the supreme expert realm is merely a goal he will inevitably reach.