Chapter 096: Recruitment

After finishing his words, Anlan fixed his gaze on Shendu with an air of absolute confidence. He had thrown out such a tempting offer; he simply did not believe that the cold, aloof girl before him could remain unmoved. Feng Jun, mentioned by name, still managed to maintain his poker face, unmoving as a mountain.

To say she was not tempted would be a lie. Shendu had long sensed the limitations in her cultivation—she possessed no proper techniques and relied entirely on her innate talent and her previous life’s understanding of martial arts. The cultivation method given by the elder from another plane no longer suited her current situation. To advance and become stronger, she needed to learn effective techniques in a systematic and thorough manner.

Moreover, she was also quite interested in beast taming and alchemy. To receive proper guidance in these fields, the most direct and effective way was to attend an academy.

Back in Lochetown, Lina had spoken to her about Will Academy, and Shendu had come here specifically for Joslin Academy.

There was, however, one matter that required careful consideration: the man before her, Zhou Anlan, was clearly unaware of her true identity.

The open and secret rivalry among the continent’s four great families was common knowledge. If she accepted Zhou Anlan’s invitation, it would be tantamount to placing herself under the wing of the Zhou family, one of the four. Perhaps, to ordinary people, her strength already seemed formidable, but among the top direct descendants of the four great families, her current abilities were nothing remarkable.

According to her memories, just outside the main city of the Shen family, there were four or five elders of the Phantom Sect level stationed. Whether a phantasmist or a swordsman, the higher one progressed, the harder it became to advance. For example, advancing from a one-star Sky Phantasmist to a two-star required as much spirit phantasm energy as moving from a Spirit Phantasmist to a Sky Phantasmist. The same held true for swordsmen.

Some people spent over a century advancing from Sky Phantasmist to Phantom Sect. This was considered normal.

Zhou Anlan watched the girl before him, her eyes slightly narrowed as though deep in thought. He did not interrupt, merely sipped his drink and patiently awaited her reply.

If he could recruit this girl, with her talent and the Zhou family’s resources, he was certain that within twenty years, she would reach the level of Sword Sect. In that case, the Zhou family would have another expert among the new generation within the next century, increasing their odds in the four families’ martial tournament twenty years hence.

Thinking of this, Zhou Anlan clenched his fist in frustration. The smile he usually wore on his face revealed a hint of unwillingness.

He had participated in the four families’ martial tournament three times. Held every twenty years, the tournament determined the distribution of power among the four families across the entire Saint Radiance Continent. Yet, the ancestors had set a rule: participants could not be over a hundred years old. There was a test stone cup to verify this on the spot, making it impossible for anyone to cheat.

Among the young generation of the Zhou family’s collateral branches, he was one of the outstanding ones. Just as he broke through the barrier from Spirit Phantasmist to Sky Phantasmist, preparing to join the tournament, it was delayed by a month for some unknown reason. In that one month, he celebrated his hundredth birthday and lost eligibility to participate… a lifelong regret.

“Lord Anlan, aren’t you afraid I might have connections to another family? I bear the surname Shen, after all.” Shendu’s words pulled Zhou Anlan out of his memories.

He hadn’t expected her to say that, and after a moment, he burst out laughing. “What a joke! How could there be a swordsman among the direct descendants of the Shen family? Shendu, you really have a sense of humor.”

Shendu’s casual remark was taken as a jest by Zhou Anlan. The four great families revered the ancient phantasmists; their direct descendants possessed exceptional talent and the best resources. He had never heard of a direct descendant unable to absorb spirit phantasm energy. Even among collateral branches, those with a trace of bloodline often had far superior talent to ordinary folk.

Zhou Anlan himself was born to a collateral branch of the Zhou family. He had just passed his hundredth year and was already an eight-star Sky Phantasmist. His two young nieces, in their twenties, were already nine-star Spirit Phantasmists—extraordinary, indeed. Their talent rivaled that of the direct descendants, which was why they were sheltered under the family’s wing. His elder brother had made it clear they would definitely participate in the next tournament, so nothing could be allowed to go wrong.

“Well, what do you think? Opportunities like this don’t come twice.”

Shendu glanced at Feng Jun. His eyes reflected her image—calm, yet she could sense his intention. He was telling her to make her own decision. She understood that whatever she chose, he would stand by her.

She smiled gently at Zhou Anlan. “Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Anlan, but this is a matter that will shape my entire life. I must discuss it carefully with my brother. May I keep the invitation? If I decide, I will bring it to Professor Zhou at Joslin Academy.”

Anlan’s smile faltered slightly, but in a moment he returned to his former demeanor. “Of course! This concerns your future, so it’s right to think it over. Keep the invitation with you.”

“Thank you, Lord Anlan. May we take our leave now?”

“Go ahead. I’ll cover the compensation for the market. Don’t worry.” Anlan said, “considerate” as ever.

Shendu placed the invitation into her storage pouch, and the three turned and left the small building.

As they turned, Shendu raised her delicate brows. She had decided upon receiving the invitation that she would not use it. She had no intention of entangling herself in the four families’ struggles so soon. Zhou Anlan was clearly trying to recruit her, to forge her into a weapon. She had no desire to let him succeed. Yet, this dock belonged to him; now was not the time to provoke him. He was an eight-star Sky Phantasmist and a member of the Zhou family. Even with Lou Jingbai’s help, killing him would bring her trouble.

She could not yet reveal her true identity to everyone.

She accepted the invitation, but had neither promised to use it nor not to. Later, even if she didn’t use it, with such distance between them, Zhou Anlan could hardly interfere.

Zhou Anlan stood before the giant window, watching the three figures on the dock street, completely unaware of Shendu’s intentions.

In his mind, a swordsman with no background would surely use such a recommendation. He had found a promising young talent for his family, and with his elder brother’s help, a few words to Professor Zhou, he would no longer have to guard this insignificant dock.

Perhaps he might even have the chance to return to the family’s main city!

A young man in a blue phantasmist robe entered and reported.

Zhou Anlan turned, “What news have you found?”

“Reporting, Lord Anlan, your subordinate has discovered something very strange.”

Zhou Anlan frowned at him, prompting the young man to continue. “The girl who just left, Shendu, is also a beast tamer.”

“What?!” Even Zhou Anlan was shocked by this news. The smile he wore for years vanished, replaced entirely by astonishment.