As Ying Xuanzi's voice faded, the entire plaza fell silent instantly. Everyone's gaze landed on Lin Xuan, waiting for his answer.
Would he agree, or would he choose to refuse, just as he had faced the Yuan Gate before?
Hidden in the shadows, the Sect Leaders of the Ten Thousand Puppets Gate, the God Sect, and the other five super sects were also watching Lin Xuan intently, awaiting his response. Although they felt that Lin Xuan probably wouldn't refuse again, they couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation, hoping that Lin Xuan would continue to refuse.
Previously, because they had chosen to stand by and watch due to the Yuan Gate's power and other considerations, they had lost the initiative when inviting Lin Xuan.
Although they didn't know why the Dao Sect had spoken first, while the Nine Heavens Great Purity Palace, which had a close relationship with the Sword Saint, remained silent, it didn't stop them from simply waiting for the result, hoping that the Sword Saint would continue to refuse the Dao Sect and the Nine Heavens Great Purity Palace.
Even though, according to this trend, the Sword Saint might not join any super sect in the end, such a result was better than the Dao Sect or the Nine Heavens Great Purity Palace gaining a significant boost in strength due to the Sword Saint's joining.
Upon receiving Ying Xuanzi's invitation, Lin Xuan subconsciously turned his head to look at Ying Huanhuan, who was standing beside Lin Dong and Wu Dao Old Man. Ying Huanhuan, who had been chatting with Lin Dong about Lin Xuan, couldn't help but blush and lower her head slightly when she saw Lin Xuan's gaze, a strange feeling welling up in her heart.
Standing beside her, Wu Dao Old Man revealed a kind and amiable smile, his old eyes squinting with amusement.
In the air, Ying Xuanzi, looking down from above, noticed Lin Xuan's actions and Ying Huanhuan's reaction. A feeling of discomfort flashed through his heart, but the next moment, he seemed to remember something. After carefully examining Lin Xuan, he nodded almost imperceptibly.
The Taiqing Palace Master, on the other hand, had a slightly strange expression. After noticing Lin Xuan's gaze, she carefully scrutinized Ying Huanhuan. Her scrutinizing gaze, somewhat different from Ying Xuanzi's, swept over her a few times, but she didn't find anything unusual.
As for Tian Yuanzi and the others, their expressions darkened slightly. Ren Yuanzi, in particular, stared intently at Ying Huanhuan with a hint of coldness. Suddenly, Ren Yuanzi's gaze shifted, his pupils contracting involuntarily. Then, as if changing faces, a sinister smile reappeared on his old face, and he looked at Ying Xuanzi and Lin Xuan with eyes like a lurking poisonous snake.
Lin Xuan didn't know that his subconscious glance at the Ice Master, to confirm her identity, had caused so many misunderstandings.
After withdrawing his gaze from the Ice Master, or rather, Ying Huanhuan, Lin Xuan cupped his fist and said, "Lin Xuan greets Sect Leader Ying!"
"Hahaha, the Sword Saint is too polite!"
Ying Xuanzi's face broke into a smile upon hearing this. Although Lin Xuan had relied on the Ancient Battlefield to possess the strength to defeat a Revolving Wheel Realm expert, he did indeed have the combat power of the Revolving Wheel Realm to some extent, and should be given this respect.
Moreover, this white-robed youth was so young, yet he already possessed the strength of the Life Profound Realm and was an Immortal Symbol Master. Coupled with his unparalleled talent and unmatched combat power in the same realm, breaking through to the Revolving Wheel Realm would be a natural progression, and perhaps even the Reincarnation Realm could be easily reached.
Lin Xuan's answer made the Sect Leaders of the five super sects hidden in the shadows sigh slightly. Although they had anticipated it, they still felt a pang of regret and a hint of disappointment when Lin Xuan agreed. If they had been able to help Lin Xuan earlier, would they have had a chance...?
Tian Yuanzi and Di Yuanzi's hearts sank slightly. Judging from today's signs, the Dao Sect was very likely to form an alliance with the Nine Heavens Great Purity Palace. Now, with the unparalleled Sword Saint joining, things would probably become even more troublesome.
In the future, if the Sword Saint grew stronger, even if the Dao Sect didn't hold them accountable for Zhou Tong's debt, that guy with the stubborn and unpleasant temper would definitely become an enemy of the Yuan Gate. At that time, it would be difficult to keep the secret.
It seemed that they had to find an opportunity to deal with this trouble, otherwise, it would definitely bring great trouble to their Yuan Gate in the future!
Tian Yuanzi's gaze darkened slightly. However, Tian Yuanzi had no choice but to carry out the task assigned by the Seven Kings Hall. He had prepared sufficiently, but unexpectedly, a Darkness Ancestor Symbol controller had intervened, and they could only choose to give up temporarily.
Just then, Tian Yuanzi and Di Yuanzi's eyes flickered. After receiving Ren Yuanzi's secret message, they glanced slightly, their eyes revealing a hint of a smile.
In the sky, Ying Xuanzi, who was very happy, personally presided over the Hundred Dynasty War. At this time, there was no need to continue with any more competitions or battles. The champion had already been decided, and there was no need to waste any more time on the others.
"According to the rules, the sect to which the champion of the Hundred Dynasty War belongs has the priority to choose. Therefore, if any of you are willing to join my Dao Sect, release your aura, and I will personally guide you into the sect!"
As Ying Xuanzi's voice spread across the plaza, many geniuses from various dynasties below released their auras.
Not to mention the Sword Saint's reputation, which attracted the admiration of countless geniuses, the Yuan Gate's previous actions had made many geniuses from humble backgrounds feel quite uncomfortable. In comparison, the Dao Sect was much more comfortable.
Among Lin Dong's group, led by Lin Dong, all released their auras. However, Huangfu Jing, who had been adventuring with Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue and had even obtained some inheritances, did not choose the Dao Sect.
"Ke'er, Xue'er, I'm sorry, I came to participate in the Hundred Dynasty War because of the Palace Master's reward, so..."
"It's okay, we can keep in touch in the future. I heard that the Young Palace Master of your Taiqing Palace and the Young Clan Leader have a rather special relationship."
Lin Ke'er smiled and shook her head, even jokingly saying that, in fact, many elders within the Lin Clan were worried about the Young Clan Leader's marriage. The more outstanding a genius, the more important it was to leave behind offspring.
Standing beside her, the lively girl who had been smiling also changed her expression slightly upon hearing Lin Ke'er's words, but quickly returned to her smile, though her eyes held a different look.
Ying Xuanzi looked at the number of disciples below, more than double that of previous years, and the smile on his face deepened. With the Sword Saint's addition, the Dao Sect had a more prosperous appearance. Indeed, this large sum of money was well spent!
The Taiqing Palace Master, standing beside Ying Xuanzi, suddenly felt a stirring in her heart. After glancing at Lin Xuan, she turned her head and scanned below, her gaze settling on Su Rou, who was standing behind Lin Dong and the others.
Just as she was about to speak to Ying Xuanzi, the Taiqing Palace Master's expression suddenly changed, but the next moment, she quickly recovered and said to Ying Xuanzi, pretending nothing had happened.
"Sect Leader Ying, this Palace Master wishes to ask you for someone. That woman is not suitable for cultivation in your Dao Sect, and this was also recommended to this Palace Master by the Sword Saint. I wonder if Sect Leader Ying would be willing to concede?"
However, while speaking, the Taiqing Palace Master's attention fell on the three Sect Leaders of the Yuan Gate. Seeing the unfathomable expressions on Tian Yuanzi and the other two's faces, the Taiqing Palace Master's heart sank slightly.
"Oh? Since the Sword Saint has spoken, then naturally she belongs to the Palace Master. However, as Sect Leader, I cannot refuse, so I will have to trouble the Palace Master to use some persuasion."
Ying Xuanzi was originally speaking with a smile, but after noticing the Taiqing Palace Master's gaze signaling towards the Yuan Gate, the smile on Ying Xuanzi's face faded slightly.
His gaze swept over, and after noticing that special aura, Ying Xuanzi's pupils constricted slightly. Then, he directly transmitted his voice to the Wu Dao Old Man.
"What's the situation with that Sky Demon Marten? Has his identity been exposed?"
"What?"
Hearing Ying Xuanzi's voice transmission, the Wu Dao Old Man's expression changed drastically. He couldn't help but turn his head to look at Little Marten and Lin Dong, and this glance made Little Marten and Lin Dong, who had been intentionally hiding themselves, feel a sinking in their hearts.
After hesitating for a moment, the Wu Dao Old Man gritted his teeth and quickly transmitted his voice to Ying Xuanzi.
"Sect Leader, please protect Lin Dong. He is the controller of the Devouring Ancestor Symbol and has also obtained the inheritance of a living Reincarnation Realm expert."
After hearing the Wu Dao Old Man's words, Ying Xuanzi's face also showed a hint of solemnity. He couldn't help but look at Lin Xuan, who was standing there with his expression as usual, and hesitated in his heart.
At this moment, the Taiqing Palace Master suddenly spoke, reminding Ying Xuanzi.
"Sect Leader Ying, your esteemed sect should have already selected its disciples, right?"
Awakened, Ying Xuanzi glanced at the Taiqing Palace Master's eyes, which contained a hint of apology, but he did not blame her in his heart.
The Sky Demon Marten Clan had appeared in the Eastern Xuan Region. At this time, it was already good enough that the Taiqing Palace was not putting pressure on the Dao Sect. Even Ying Xuanzi himself, deep down, did not care about the life or death of that Sky Demon Marten.
The relationship between the Demon Region and the Four Great Xuan Regions of the human race was very tense. Although other super sects were not mortal enemies like the Yuan Gate, they were definitely considered hostile.
Ying Xuanzi waved his hand, and a vast amount of energy guided the newly joined disciples to land on the large open space behind Lin Xuan.
Many people were first amazed by Ying Xuanzi's astonishing spatial teleportation skills, and then they looked with admiration at the back of the white-clothed youth.
Life Profound Realm, defeating a Revolving Wheel Realm expert, what a passionate and earth-shattering feat!
Standing in front of the disciples, Ying Huanhuan was also blinking her pair of bright eyes, staring intently at this out-of-place guy.
Seeing that this guy didn't even turn his head, just stood there like a stone, motionless, with a four-horned spirit deer running out of nowhere, carrying a little monkey lying at his feet, the girl couldn't help but curl her lips, muttering words like 'ice block'.
After the Dao Sect, the Taiqing Palace Master also took the initiative to recruit a group of extremely talented disciples, followed by the Yuan Gate. However, what made the three Sect Leaders of the Tian Yuanzi somewhat embarrassed was that, apart from their own direct dynasties, there were hardly any geniuses willing to join the Yuan Gate.
After that, the Primordial Hall, Ten Thousand Puppets Gate, God Sect, Symbol Valley, Sword Sect, and then other super sects.
"Palace Master, Bo Xuan, feel free to visit my Dao Sect when you have time. Ying Xuanzi will take his leave first!"
However, after the eight super sects had finished recruiting disciples, Ying Xuanzi politely cupped his fist towards the Taiqing Palace Master and Bo Xuan, preparing to leave directly with the Sky Demon Marten. When the time came, he would just throw the Sky Demon Marten in a random place. The Yuan Gate couldn't possibly search the entire Eastern Xuan Region, right?
But just as Ying Xuanzi was about to tear through space and prepare to leave, a voice suddenly rang out, causing the uneasy hearts of Lin Dong and Little Marten to sink instantly.
"Hehe, Sect Leader Ying, please wait a moment. This old one seems to have seen an old acquaintance."
Ren Yuanzi suddenly spoke, instantly attracting everyone's attention. Just when it seemed the matter was about to end, a new twist appeared.
Hearing Ren Yuanzi's words, Little Marten's face completely turned ugly, and Lin Dong frantically questioned Yan in his heart, seeking some means.
"Yan, is there any way to help conceal the aura on Little Marten, or is there any way to help Little Marten leave here?"
"Useless. Doing so will only expose that you possess the Ancestral Stone for no reason. Now, we can only pray to the Sword Saint!"
Yan's voice was also somewhat helpless. It had not expected that this matter would be directly predicted by Lin Xuan. However, it was not Lin Dong who was exposed, but Little Marten who had his identity exposed.
But what difference did this outcome make? Both were facing the pursuit of the Yuan Gate's three Sect Leaders. Unless Lin Dong directly abandoned Little Marten, allowing that gossipy guy to be killed by the Yuan Gate!
Lin Dong clenched his palms. At this moment, he felt an unparalleled desire for power for the first time. He had always heard Little Marten say that when the sky fell, there would be taller people to hold it up, and the Young Clan Leader was the tallest one. He only needed to cultivate in peace and slowly become stronger.
But when the sky really fell, Lin Dong realized that only when he became the tallest one, only when he became the one who held up the sky, could he grasp his own destiny in his own hands.
Turning his head to look at Little Marten, before Little Marten could speak, Lin Dong slightly shook his head. He knew what Little Marten wanted to say, but they were brothers. They were brothers in life, and they would be brothers in death!
Little Flame, standing behind him like an iron tower, did not speak, but took two steps forward slightly, as if silently narrating something.
Lin Xuan, like a block of ice, lowered his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the long sword in his hand. Faintly, there seemed to be a faint Devouring Power surging on the sword's body.