Salas's Luring, Shi Jian's Conditions

In front of Yunman Inn.

Seeing Ye Zhou happily accept Shi Jian's invitation and agree to join his sect called "Maoshan," everyone waiting in line revealed envious expressions.

To be invited into a sect by a Titled Douluo—what an incredible opportunity!

Still, this child was a Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power, so it was not surprising that he received such an honor.

But...

"Why don't I have Innate Full Soul Power?" everyone cried inwardly in unison, cursing the heavens for being unfair and their parents for not being good enough.

"Platinum Bishop Salas of the Martial Soul Holy Hall has arrived!"

Just then, a resounding shout rang out from behind the crowd. Looking back, they saw an elderly man in a golden robe, his hair streaked with white, striding toward them with dozens of Temple Knights from the Martial Soul Holy Hall following behind him.

Salas?

Everyone hurriedly bent at the waist in salute.

"Greetings, Bishop Salas!" Salas had served as the master of the Martial Soul Holy Hall in Heaven Dou City for over a decade. Though he might not have held much prestige, he was quite famous in Heaven Dou City. Although he was not an imperial noble, no noble dared refuse to show him respect.

"No need for such courtesy." Salas casually waved his hand at the crowd, then walked straight past the line with the Temple Knights and came before Shi Jian.

"Salas of the Martial Soul Holy Hall greets Your Excellency Shi Jian." Salas placed his right hand over his left breast and gave Shi Jian a slight nod in salute.

Though he did not yet know what Shi Jian's martial soul was, Shi Jian had publicly suppressed Dugu Bo. That alone proved beyond doubt that he was a Titled Douluo.

Even as a Platinum Bishop, Salas had to be courteous toward someone like that.

"What do you want?" Shi Jian had also read the Douluo Continent novel and knew what kind of force Spirit Hall was. He also knew a little about Salas. He held no favorable impression of either. Remaining seated, he looked at Salas and asked blandly.

Salas lowered his arm, straightened up, and smiled. "Your Excellency, Spirit Hall is responsible for cataloguing the information of all Soul Masters across the continent, especially Titled Douluo. Whenever a Soul Master reaches this level, Spirit Hall determines an appropriate title based on the characteristics of their martial soul, after deliberation by His Holiness the Pope and the Elder Hall. I have come to invite Your Excellency to Spirit City to meet His Holiness the Pope and settle the matter of your title."

"No need. This old man's martial soul is called the Thunder Fiend Corpse King. Report that back, and let them decide what title to give me." Shi Jian said.

He had no intention of going to Spirit City. If he went and refused to join them, he might not be allowed to return.

He was different from Yan Chixia. Yan Chixia wanted to join the Douluo Worship Hall, but Shi Jian did not want to join any hall. He only wanted to make money, enjoy himself, and establish his own Maoshan Sect in this world!

Yes, just like Tang San.

No, he was still different from Tang San. Tang San had used the Tang Sect skills he had secretly learned to establish a sect here, proclaimed himself sect master, and even claimed all the Tang Sect's ultimate arts as his own creations.

I, Shi Jian, am the legitimate Maoshan Senior Brother. Establishing a Maoshan branch here and inheriting the position of sect master would be perfectly justified.

After all, in my world, Master had already died. Although a new sect leader had yet to be chosen, if one were to be chosen, it could only be me, the senior brother!

Master taught me my skills, and I taught the other junior brothers theirs. Who among them would dare fight me for it?

Lin Fengjiao?

Pah!

Hearing Shi Jian's answer, Salas's heart sank.

He refused so directly. It seemed... he had no favorable impression of Spirit Hall and had never considered joining it at all.

If that was the case...

No, I'll try again.

Salas did not want to give up so easily. If he could recruit a Titled Douluo for Spirit Hall, he would have rendered great merit. Then, surpassing the Platinum Bishop in Star Luo City and becoming Spirit Hall's foremost bishop would be much easier.

With that thought, a humble smile appeared on his face as he said to Shi Jian, "Your Excellency, it is not only the title. According to the rules, after Soul Masters above level ninety formally receive a title bestowed by His Holiness the Pope in Spirit City, they may also become Honorary Elders of Spirit Hall and receive an Elder Token granted by Spirit Hall.

"With the Elder Token, you will receive Spirit Hall's support. Servants, wealth, status—everything will be yours. Forgive my bluntness, but for a dignified Titled Douluo like yourself to be setting up... setting up a stall here to make money is somewhat beneath you. If you become an elder of Spirit Hall, you will be able to have whatever you want. Would that not be wonderful?"

They understood. The people waiting in line for fortunes all understood.

So Salas had come today to recruit Shi Jian, a Titled Douluo, for Spirit Hall.

They wondered whether this lord would accept...

"Whatever I want?" Shi Jian raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed," Salas answered confidently.

Spirit Hall was the continent's strongest power, while Titled Douluo were the continent's foremost Soul Masters. If they joined Spirit Hall, Spirit Hall would naturally provide them with abundant resources. Would that not mean having whatever they wanted?

"This old man wishes to restore his sect and lacks money, land, and manpower. Can your Spirit Hall provide all of that?" Shi Jian asked expressionlessly.

Shi Jian naturally knew that Spirit Hall was powerful, but would they truly give so much to a Titled Douluo who had only just joined them, directly helping him build a sect from scratch?

Shi Jian did not think so.

"Restore your sect?" Salas froze. He had arrived late and had not seen Shi Jian and Ye Zhou's act, so he did not understand what Shi Jian meant.

"This old man is Maoshan's senior disciple, but for certain reasons, Maoshan now has only one member left on the continent—this old man. Oh, and this little brother whom I have just accepted into the sect." Shi Jian pointed at Ye Zhou beside him, and Salas immediately looked over.

The child who had awakened Innate Full Soul Power this year.

Salas had seen Ye Zhou's records and portrait, so he recognized him. Had this boy joined Shi Jian's sect?

"This old man intends to restore Maoshan's former glory. If Spirit Hall can help me resolve the matters of money, land, and manpower, then having this old man join Spirit Hall can be discussed." Shi Jian said.

"This... may I ask to what extent Senior wishes Spirit Hall to provide support?" Salas hesitated before asking.

Money, land, and manpower—those were the same things he had mentioned, but judging by Shi Jian's tone, he likely wanted a great deal.

"To help me restore Maoshan to the level of the Top Three Sects would be enough," Shi Jian replied.

Salas: "..."

The surrounding spectators: "..."

Ye Zhou lowered his head and pressed his lips together, stifling a laugh.

What Shi Jian meant was that Spirit Hall had to grant him wealth comparable to the Top Three Sects, a grand headquarters on par with the Top Three Sects, and a disciple base of the same scale as the Top Three Sects—all of them with at least some talent.

Not to mention a newly joined Elder, even a consecrated elder who had served Spirit Hall for decades could not possibly make such demands.

After all, Spirit Hall had over twenty Titled Douluo. If every Titled Douluo made such demands, even dividing up all of Spirit Hall would not be enough.

"Your Excellency, your demands are rather excessive!" Salas said with a dark expression.

"Can't do it? Then leave. Don't disturb my business." Shi Jian waved him away.

"You..."

"Hmm? Is there anything else?" A flash of lightning glinted in Shi Jian's eyes as a powerful pressure descended upon Salas, instantly changing his expression.

So... so strong!

Salas bent over, his forehead covered in sweat, disbelief flashing through his eyes.

Without even summoning his martial soul, he could release such pressure. This man... was absolutely no ordinary Titled Douluo. No wonder he could so easily suppress that old monster, the Poison Douluo!

"I will relay Your Excellency's request back to Spirit City. I shall take my leave!" Salas gritted his teeth. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but in the end, he raised his head and spoke to Shi Jian.

"Mm, withdraw." Shi Jian spoke blandly, and the pressure that had been focused solely on Salas quietly vanished.