Inside the Clear Sky Sect's main hall, Tang Xiao listened to the message Tang Qingqing had brought back, his brows knitted tightly.
Spirit Hall really was recruiting attendants. But they were all senior members of the Clear Sky Sect. How could they go sweep the streets and clean toilets?
If they left it to ordinary disciples, they feared their resolve might waver. They might not last long before being exposed, or simply quit halfway through.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy.
"Let's join them."
After a long silence, Tang Ming finally spoke in a low voice.
His aged face was filled with determination.
"Taking a trip into the tiger's den is still better than seeing our sect destroyed."
At those words, Tang Lie could no longer sit still.
He shot to his feet, his face flushed red and the veins in his neck bulging.
"I object! First Elder, you're already an old man, and we're elders of the Clear Sky Sect! If we go do that kind of filthy, backbreaking work, aren't we admitting that we're Spirit Hall's servants?"
Watching Tang Lie seethe, Tang Ming shook his head helplessly. A trace of weariness and resignation showed in his eyes as he patiently explained, "Seventh Brother, I know you can't swallow your pride, but this isn't child's play. To ensure the Clear Sky Sect survives, we have to make this small sacrifice. Once we've recovered, we can always settle the score."
After a long and patient persuasion, Tang Lie finally began to calm down. He sank heavily back into his chair, though his chest still heaved.
Just as things settled down, Third Elder Tang Shuming suddenly flicked open his folding fan. Pointing at his remarkably youthful-looking face, he gave a bitter smile.
"Big Brother, if I go, would that count as hiring a child laborer?"
In the end, they reached an agreement.
Tang Shuming and Sect Master Tang Xiao would stay behind to guard the sect, while the other six elders would head to Heaven Dou City together.
This trip was for the sake of the Clear Sky Sect!
The area outside Heaven Dou City's job market was packed with people and filled with noise.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and Qian Daoliu stepped down from a splendid carriage. Both looked relaxed, without a trace of the majesty one would expect from members of the imperial family.
Passersby cast curious glances at them. They were clearly from the Spirit Hall Empire, so why weren't they putting on airs? They had neither troops clearing the way nor cannons firing a salute. It was downright bizarre.
What could they know? These two devout followers of the Angel God had devoted their entire lives to their faith. They had long since stopped caring about worldly pomp.
The six Clear Sky Sect elders had already blended into the crowd ahead of time. They stood tall, eyes shining, nearly wearing the words "Pick me!" on their faces.
To avoid being recognized, they had smeared mud on their faces and put on worn-out straw hats, disguising themselves as ordinary job seekers.
Golden Crocodile Douluo walked inside with his hands behind his back. Looking at the rows of young, able-bodied men before him, he nodded in satisfaction.
When he reached an old man with grizzled hair and a long beard, he visibly paused. Were old men really this competitive now?
Tang Ming pushed up the pair of battered glasses on his face, lowering his head slightly. His voice was old but steady.
"This old man is called Lei Ming."
"Lei Ming... What a fine name!" Golden Crocodile Douluo praised inwardly. He had no idea what made it a fine name, but it just sounded pleasing to the ear.
"Mr. Lei Ming, would you be willing to guard the palace gates?"
Tang Ming's eyes lit up, and he immediately felt relieved. No street sweeping or toilet cleaning; all he had to do was sit at the palace entrance as a guard and read the newspaper. This job couldn't be more secure!
"This old servant is willing!"
He hurriedly bowed, forcing a deferential smile onto his face.
Beside Golden Crocodile Douluo, Qian Daoliu suddenly noticed a somewhat petite man. It was the Second Elder, Tang Qingqing, in male disguise.
"Hey, big sis, why are you dressed like that? Are you worried we won't hire women?"
Tang Qingqing awkwardly pulled off her fake beard. A flush of embarrassment crossed her face, and she let out a couple of awkward laughs.
"I just heard... men were more likely to get hired."
Qian Daoliu smiled, his tone gentle.
"Big sis, what does it matter whether you're a man or a woman? If you're willing, you can come work at the palace doing cleaning and tidying. How about it?"
Tang Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief, her expression easing.
Meanwhile, Tang Lie pushed his way to the front, a scowl on his face.
He curled his lip and glared at Golden Crocodile Douluo with a ferocious look, acting like he couldn't care less.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes lit up. He had seen all sorts of people at the job market, but someone with this kind of "take me or leave me" attitude was truly a rarity.
"What's your name?"
"What's it to you?"
Tang Lie turned his head away, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
Golden Crocodile Douluo wasn't angry. If anything, the more he looked at Tang Lie, the more pleased he became. He had already picked out the perfect position for him: head of the toilet department!
Toilets were most prone to clogging, and with Tang Lie's fiery temper, he would surely get so furious at the sight of a blockage that he'd curse and clear it with all his might. His efficiency would be second to none.
"You're hired! From now on, you're in charge of the toilets. Every toilet in the palace will be under your care!"
Tang Lie instantly erupted. His face turned bright red, his eyes widened like copper bells, and he pointed at Golden Crocodile Douluo's nose as he cursed him out.
"You dead crocodile, are you asking to die? You actually want me to clean toilets? Believe me, I'll throw you into a cesspit and use you as a scrub brush!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's shoulders shook as he was berated, but he wasn't the slightest bit angry. Instead, he patted Tang Lie's trembling shoulder and said earnestly, "Work hard, kid. You'll get a generous year-end bonus."
Tang Lie's face flushed crimson. His teeth ground together so hard they clacked, and he wanted nothing more than to tear Golden Crocodile Douluo limb from limb.
In the end, Golden Crocodile Douluo and Qian Daoliu selected eighteen people to work as palace attendants.
Those who hadn't been chosen looked on with envy. This was a chance to work for the emperor! They'd never have to worry about food or clothing again, and might even rise to great heights!
Qian Daoliu looked at Tang Ming and the others in the crowd, feeling that they seemed familiar, as though he had seen them somewhere before. But he couldn't remember where, so he shook his head and stopped thinking about it.
In the new little villa that Qian Renxue and Chen Qi had built at Spirit Hall.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows and spilled into the living room. Qian Renxue lounged lazily in a soft beanbag chair, sinking into it as if she might disappear inside. She was so comfortable she could hardly bring herself to move.
A large, twenty-four-inch television in front of her was playing a movie, its colors vivid and its sound clear.
She picked up the milk tea on the table and took a long, satisfying sip. Squinting contentedly, she looked toward Chen Qi and drawled, "Chen Qi, is your world really this amazing? You've got black panels that light up and play movies, and all kinds of weird but comfortable furniture... I really regret not being born there."
Lying on the sofa, Chen Qi munched crisps, each bite crunching loudly, and nodded lazily.
"Yeah. Rich people really do have it good. They can get whatever they want."
Qian Renxue suddenly sat bolt upright, excitement shining in her beautiful eyes.
"Chen Qi, I've made up my mind! I'm going to become a god as soon as possible, break through the barriers between worlds, and go to Blue Star!"
She clenched her little fist, practically buzzing with anticipation. She was completely fed up with this place, the Douluo Continent.
"So what are you planning to do?"
"Find Sword Douluo and have him help me hunt for a Soul Ring!"
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