Sixth Ancestor, Boundless Saint Emperor—Lavish Terms of Recruitment

Martial Saint Peak!

A tempestuous sea surged in Sixth Ancestor's heart.

He had cultivated for over thirteen hundred years and had seen no small number of Martial Saints.

Though the Great Yu Dynasty had more than a dozen Ninth-Rank Martial Saints, both openly and in secret, the overwhelming majority were only at the Early Martial Saint Stage.

Including himself, there were only four who had reached the Mid Martial Saint Stage, while the entire Great Yu Dynasty possessed merely two Late Martial Saint Stage experts.

As for Martial Saint Peak... there was only the Supreme Ancestor!

That Supreme Ancestor was the true pillar that steadied the seas of the Great Yu Dynasty.

He was the ultimate deterrent that kept the surrounding dynasties and Demons from acting rashly!

And now, a Martial Saint Peak stood before him!

If he could recruit this man into the Great Yu Dynasty, Great Yu's peak combat strength would immediately double.

With two Martial Saint Peak experts standing guard, even if one remained in secluded cultivation all year round, the other would not need to do anything but stay within the dynasty's borders to pose an immense deterrent to Demons and other dynasties!

Those forces that had originally been restless would have to weigh things carefully before making a move.

Could they bear the wrath of two Martial Saint Peak experts?

What was more, the Demon seal was now on the verge of collapse, and the pressure on the front lines grew heavier by the day.

The Supreme Ancestor and the other Ninth-Rank Martial Saints had to guard the seal formation's core all year round and could not move lightly.

If an expert of the same level joined them, whether to share the burden or fight in coordination, it would be an enormous boon to the Great Yu Dynasty!

Sixth Ancestor was filled with regret.

Had he known that Evergreen Saint Venerable was a Martial Saint Peak expert, he should have brought at least three times as many gifts this time.

The contents of those ten chests were truly too shabby to present before a Martial Saint Peak expert.

But it was already too late to return and fetch more.

Sixth Ancestor suppressed the shock in his heart, and his gaze toward Lin Changqing became incomparably fervent.

As though he had spotted a peerless treasure.

No matter what, he had to recruit Evergreen Saint Venerable today.

He would spare no expense, no matter how great the terms he had to offer.

Even if the recruitment ultimately failed, he absolutely could not offend the other party.

At the very least, he had to forge a good bond!

Sixth Ancestor took a deep breath and concealed the surprise on his face.

His figure emerged from the void, his white robes fluttering gently in the night breeze.

A genial smile hung on his face as he clasped his hands toward Lin Changqing from afar.

"This must be the Evergreen Saint Venerable who has recently left behind such a resounding reputation in Green Province. This old man is Su Tianheng, Sixth Ancestor of the Su Clan of the Great Yu Dynasty, bearing the honorific Boundless Saint Emperor. I have come unannounced today; I hope Saint Venerable will not take offense."

His voice was mild, his attitude respectful.

He had lowered his stance immensely.

Lin Changqing assessed the white-haired elder before him.

He possessed Mid Martial Saint Stage cultivation among the Ninth-Rank Martial Saints, with an aura that was steady and restrained.

Sixth Ancestor of the Su Clan, one of the Great Yu Dynasty's ancestors who guarded the clan.

As expected, the other party had come from afar to recruit him. It was eight or nine parts out of ten just as he had anticipated.

Lin Changqing nodded slightly, and a thought crossed his mind.

The terrifying saintly pressure around him instantly withdrew, and the night sky returned to tranquility.

"So it is Boundless Saint Emperor. A guest who comes from afar is a guest indeed; how could I possibly take offense?"

He made a welcoming gesture.

"If Boundless Saint Emperor does not mind, how about following me into the residence for a talk?"

Seeing Lin Changqing's calm attitude, Sixth Ancestor breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face grew brighter.

"Since Saint Venerable has invited me, how could this old man dare refuse?"

The two descended from the sky and entered the rear courtyard of the Prefectural Governor's Mansion, one after the other.

Lin Changqing chose a secluded pavilion, its stone table still retaining the lingering warmth of the day.

Bamboo groves surrounded them, and moonlight spilled across the bluestone ground, making the place seem especially serene.

"Please, sit."

"Please."

The two Martial Saints sat facing one another, and for a moment, the scene was quiet.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from the covered corridor.

Without even putting his hat on properly, Ma Yuanzhong stumbled over in a rush.

The collision of those two Martial Saint auras above Green Province City had made the roofs of the entire Prefectural Governor's Mansion tremble.

He had thought some great disaster had occurred.

Yet when he ran to the rear courtyard, he found two people seated in the pavilion.

One was Evergreen Saint Venerable, and the other was...

Ma Yuanzhong suddenly stopped short, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

He recognized that white-haired elder.

Sixth Ancestor of the Su Clan of the Great Yu Dynasty, bearing the honorific Boundless Saint Emperor!

When he had gone to the capital to report on his duties years ago, he had seen this man from afar once.

This was one of the ancestors of their Great Yu Dynasty!

An existence that had lived for over a thousand years!

"B-Boundless Saint Ancestor?!"

Ma Yuanzhong's lips trembled violently, and his legs went weak, nearly dropping him to his knees.

He had guessed that the court would send someone after receiving the news, but even if beaten to death, he would never have imagined that Sixth Ancestor himself would come.

A Ninth-Rank Martial Saint had come to the door in person! And a dynasty ancestor had personally come to extend an invitation!

This display... was simply beyond measure.

Ma Yuanzhong's heart pounded uncontrollably in his chest, while his mind buzzed.

One was a dynasty ancestor, and the other a reclusive Saint Venerable. Two Martial Saints meeting here in the dead of night surely had something major to discuss.

As the Inspector of Green Province, he was not even qualified to pour them tea in such a setting.

No.

Pouring tea was the only thing he could do.

Ma Yuanzhong instantly understood and hurriedly turned around, jogging off to prepare tea.

Very soon.

He returned to the pavilion carrying two steaming cups of the finest Spirit Tea in the residence.

"Please have some tea, honored Saint Venerables."

Ma Yuanzhong respectfully set down the cups, then tactfully retreated to a spot a hundred paces outside the pavilion.

He made sure he could not hear their conversation, while still being able to observe the movements of the two Saint Venerables at any time.

Ready to refill their tea at any moment.

Sixth Ancestor raised his teacup and took a sip. After setting it down, a smile appeared on his face.

"Evergreen Saint Venerable has emerged into the world this time and, in but a few days, swept away several Demon scourges in Green Province, slaying countless Demons that wrought havoc and saving the people from fire and water."

"Such a spirit of holding the common people in one's heart is something this old man admires beyond measure. Back when I was young, I too was high-spirited and traveled everywhere slaying Demons, but compared to Saint Venerable... I am truly ashamed of my own inadequacy."

He spoke with utmost sincerity and kept his stance low, completely devoid of a dynasty ancestor's airs.

Lin Changqing listened while holding his teacup, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

Then he set down the cup and directly interrupted him.

"Boundless Saint Emperor, there is no need for such pleasantries. You came from afar in the middle of the night; surely you did not come specifically to praise me?"

"If you have something to say, speak plainly."

Sixth Ancestor was not angered at having his thoughts seen through.

Instead, his smile became several degrees more genuine.

"Very well. Evergreen Saint Venerable is forthright, so this old man shall not beat around the bush either."

He set down his teacup, and his expression turned solemn.

"This old man has come to invite Evergreen Saint Venerable to join the Great Yu Dynasty and serve as a State-Protecting Venerable."

After speaking, he swept his wide sleeve.

Ten large chests covered in talismans of spiritual patterns appeared out of thin air in the open space outside the pavilion, lined up in a row.

Each chest stood half a man tall, their wood ancient and unadorned. The spiritual patterns on their seals flowed with a faint radiance beneath the moonlight.

Sixth Ancestor rose and opened the chests one by one.

The instant each chest opened, dazzling light burst forth.

The first chest was packed to the brim with Top-grade Spirit Crystals.

There were at least five hundred thousand of them.

The second chest contained several hundred millennium-old spirit herbs, arranged in neat rows.

Every one of them exuded a rich medicinal fragrance...

Once all ten chests had been opened, the spiritual energy density throughout the rear courtyard instantly soared severalfold.

Ma Yuanzhong, standing at a distance, was dumbstruck.

Any random item from one of those chests was worth more than his entire fortune.

"Evergreen Saint Venerable, these are merely gifts for our first meeting."

Sixth Ancestor sat back down, his tone as sincere as could be.

"If Saint Venerable is willing to join the Great Yu Dynasty, this old man can make the decision to offer the following terms."

He raised one finger.

"First, Saint Venerable will be bestowed the title of State-Protecting Venerable of the Great Yu Dynasty, equal in standing to the Su Clan ancestors, honored above all, and exempt from bowing before the sovereign."

He raised a second finger.

"Second, should Saint Venerable wish to enter the court and oversee government affairs, any position in court may be chosen freely, including the posts of the Three Excellencies. If Saint Venerable does not wish to govern, that is entirely acceptable as well; holding the title in name will suffice."

He raised a third finger.

"Third, Saint Venerable will be granted the title of king of a different surname, with the noble title passed down hereditarily without replacement."

"Among Great Yu's Fourteen Provinces and one hundred twenty-six commanderies, Saint Venerable may choose any one province as a fief. Within that fief, its military, administration, and taxes will all be under Saint Venerable's sole authority, and the imperial court will never interfere."

He raised a fourth finger.

"Fourth, an annual offering of one million five hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Crystals. This figure remains open to negotiation."

He raised a fifth finger.

"Fifth, every cultivation method and martial skill within the Imperial Scripture Pavilion will be open to Saint Venerable, save for the secret arts that are not passed beyond the Su Clan. Saint Venerable may study and cultivate them at will, provided they are not freely transmitted to others."

He raised a sixth finger.

"Sixth, Saint Venerable will enjoy absolute personal freedom and will not be subject to anyone's command."

"If Saint Venerable wishes to involve himself in court affairs, then do so; if not, no one may force it. Only when the dynasty faces a crisis of survival need Evergreen Saint Venerable be willing to lend a hand."

After Sixth Ancestor finished, he fixed his bright eyes upon Lin Changqing.

"Evergreen Saint Venerable, these six terms are the utmost conditions this old man can decide upon. Beyond these, whatever else you desire, feel free to name it. So long as the Great Yu Dynasty can produce it, this old man will never bargain."

His eyes were filled with expectation.

There was even a trace of pleading within them.

So long as Lin Changqing was willing to join the Great Yu Dynasty, all of this would be worth it!

The value of a Martial Saint Peak expert could not be measured by such worldly possessions at all!

Lin Changqing held his teacup, his face revealing no expression.

Yet inwardly, he clicked his tongue in amazement.

The Great Yu Dynasty truly was willing to spend lavishly.

Leaving aside the first five terms, the sixth alone was brimming with sincerity.

Absolute personal freedom, subject to no one's command.

Put bluntly, they were raising an ancestor within their own dynasty who answered summons but not imperial decrees.

On top of that, he could choose any province as his fief, with complete control over its military, administration, and taxes.

That was no different from carving out a domain and becoming a local emperor.

The Great Yu Dynasty was truly willing to go all out to recruit him. This was the respect brought by strength.

As for the secret arts of the Su imperial clan, they might be priceless treasures to other martial artists, but he did not care for them at all. No matter how strong they were, could they surpass the cultivation methods granted by the system?

Moreover, he would have to painstakingly comprehend them himself, unlike the system, which directly granted him perfect comprehension.

Just then.

A system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.

["Ding! Random mission triggered: Join a native power on the Heavenly Martial Continent, or establish your own power within one week. Its membership must not be fewer than one hundred thousand (0/1). Reward: Perfect comprehension of the Ninth-tier Supreme Grade defensive cultivation method Primordial Indestructible Golden Body."]

["Primordial Indestructible Golden Body: A Ninth-tier Supreme Grade defensive cultivation method. Once cultivated to great mastery, it greatly enhances the defenses of both body and soul. The body becomes as hard as divine iron, able to withstand the full-force blow of a Martial Saint of the same rank without damage. Soul defense transforms into a Golden Bell Shield, granting immunity to soul attacks from those of the same rank, while even soul attacks one rank higher will be greatly weakened."]

Lin Changqing's heart stirred.

Another mission had been triggered.

A Ninth-tier Supreme Grade defensive cultivation method would work perfectly with the Heavenly Gang Saint Armor.

One was equipment, while the other was a cultivation method. With both layered together, his defensive power would likely become heaven-defying.

As for the mission requirements... join a native power or establish one of his own.

He had previously considered joining the Great Yu Dynasty.

It was mainly to use the court's power to swiftly spread his fame and claim the Heavenly Gang Saint Armor mission reward.

Now that another mission reward had been delivered to his doorstep, he had even more reason to join the Great Yu Dynasty.

As for building his own force.

It wasn't impossible to gather a force of over a hundred thousand within a week.

It was mainly too troublesome.

Joining an established dynasty was far more convenient than anything else.

But... he couldn't agree too readily.

What came too easily would never be treasured by others.

Lin Changqing held his teacup, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. His brows furrowed slightly, as though he was dissatisfied with the terms, yet also seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing this, Sixth Ancestor's heart tightened.

Could it be that the conditions still weren't enough?

He was just about to speak and raise the stakes.

Lin Changqing set down his teacup and slowly said, "The terms offered by the Boundless Saint Emperor are indeed generous, fully demonstrating the Great Yu Dynasty's sincerity. However, I emerged into this world to slay Demons and eradicate evil, to protect the common people—not for power or status..."

Sixth Ancestor hurriedly replied, "Saint Venerable, your heart encompasses all under heaven. This old man admires you precisely for that!"

"Though the Great Yu Dynasty does not dare claim to rule all people, it commands Fourteen Provinces and one hundred twenty-six prefectures, with countless millions of citizens. If the Saint Venerable joins Great Yu, how could the people you protect be limited to one corner of Green Province?"

His tone was incomparably sincere, even carrying a trace of pleading.

"Saint Venerable, the Demon seal is on the verge of collapse, and the battles at the front are dire."

"Our Great Yu Grand Profound Saint Ancestor has remained stationed at the seal's core for years and cannot move freely. If the Saint Venerable is willing to join Great Yu, with two Martial Saint Peak experts joining forces, what Demon under heaven would dare run wild? This would be a great merit!"

Lin Changqing remained silent.

His brows were still knit together.

Sixth Ancestor continued persuading him for quite a while, recounting the Great Yu Dynasty's predicament, the suffering of the people, and the sacrifices of the soldiers at the front.

Only then did Lin Changqing let out a long sigh.

His brows finally relaxed.

"Very well."

He looked at Sixth Ancestor, his tone carrying a touch of helplessness.

"Since the Boundless Saint Emperor is so sincere, if I continue to refuse, I would instead seem cold and unreasonable."

Upon hearing this, Sixth Ancestor shot to his feet.

"Saint Venerable, do you truly mean it?!"

Lin Changqing nodded.

"The conditions already offered are enough to demonstrate the Great Yu Dynasty's sincerity. There is no need to add anything more."

Sixth Ancestor was so excited that even his white beard trembled.

"Saint Venerable, such righteousness! This old man thanks Evergreen Saint Venerable on behalf of the Great Yu Dynasty's hundreds of millions of people!"

A bookshelf grouping feature has been added. Multiple books can be placed into groups for categorization. If you have any suggestions after using it, please let us know so we can make further improvements.