Of course, with a genius like Xu Yi, the odds that he would offer himself as someone's servant were tiny. But the imperial examinations were just around the corner, and it was possible that Xu might be looking for a shortcut.
If he really advanced to the Yin Venerable realm, it was something Zhou Zongshi absolutely did not want to see.
After watching for several days, Zhou Zongshi could no longer sit still when Xu Yi remained inactive at Cold Sun Peak. He suspected that Xu Yi was probably figuring out which faction to join. Otherwise, the man should have been frantically searching everywhere for an Earth Soul Talisman. How could he be so calm?
Zhou Zongshi had come thinking that it was better to channel the situation than to try to block it. If Xu Yi really intended to offer himself to someone, Zhou might as well take him in himself. That would eliminate a competitor and recruit a powerful attack dog.
There was another point: with the imperial examinations approaching, if he recruited a powerful ally like Xu Yi, a high ranking was all but assured. For that reason, he believed it might not be difficult to persuade the lineage to give up an Earth Soul Talisman.
"To be frank, Brother Zhou, I'm doing everything I can to gather Earth Soul Talismans too. I've already made some progress, and I don't think I'll delay our fellow candidates' formation."
Xu Yi gave that answer, but his thoughts were gradually coming into focus. The man had come to press him, just as he'd expected.
Zhou Zongshi said, "I wonder if Brother Xu will be able to make it to the formation in seven days?"
"That soon?"
Xu Yi feigned alarm, hoping to draw out Zhou Zongshi's true intentions.
"Seven days