Familiar

Inside the Great Hall of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao's brows furrowed tightly after hearing the news brought back by Tang Qingqing.

The Spirit Hall Empire was actually recruiting janitorial staff, but they were all high-ranking members of the Clear Sky Sect; how could they possibly go sweep streets or clean toilets?

If they sent ordinary disciples, he feared their resolve would be too weak, leading them to either expose themselves or simply quit in frustration before long.

The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy for a moment.

"We shall join."

After a long period of contemplation, Tang Ming finally spoke in a deep voice.

His aged face was filled with determination.

"Venturing into the tiger's den is far more worthwhile than the destruction of our sect."

Upon hearing this, Tang Lie could no longer sit still.

He stood up abruptly, his face flushed red and the veins on his neck bulging.

"I object! Great Elder, you are already at such an advanced age, and we are elders of the Clear Sky Sect! To perform such menial, dirty labor—wouldn't that be an admission that we are willing to be servants of the Spirit Hall Empire?"

Tang Ming looked at the fuming Tang Lie, shook his head helplessly, and explained with a weary, earnest gaze.

"Seventh, I know you cannot swallow this humiliation, but this is no child's play. For the sake of the Clear Sky Sect's survival, this sacrifice must be made. Once we have regained our strength, we can simply settle the score later."

After some patient persuasion, Tang Lie slowly deflated and sat heavily back into his chair, though his chest continued to heave violently.

Just as things settled down, the Third Elder, Tang Shuming, suddenly flicked his folding fan, pointed at his own exceptionally youthful-looking face, and gave a bitter smile.

"Big Brother, if I go, will that count as hiring child labor?"

In the end, everyone reached a consensus.

Tang Shuming and the Sect Master Tang Xiao would remain to oversee the sect, while the other six elders would head to Heaven Dou City together.

This journey was for the sake of the Clear Sky Sect!

In front of the Heaven Dou City job market, the crowd surged and the noise was deafening.

Golden Crocodile Douluo and Qian Daoliu stepped slowly from a luxurious carriage, their expressions relaxed, completely lacking the majesty one would expect from royalty.

Passersby cast suspicious glances their way; they were clearly people from the Spirit Hall Empire, so why were they so devoid of airs? There was no army clearing the path, nor were there any ceremonial salutes—it was simply too abnormal.

Little did they know, these two devout believers of the Angel God had poured their entire lives into their faith, long ago becoming indifferent to worldly displays.

The six elders of the Clear Sky Sect had already mingled into the crowd, standing tall with bright eyes, practically wearing signs that read "Pick me."

To avoid being recognized, they had smeared mud on their faces and donned tattered straw hats, disguising themselves as the most ordinary of job seekers.

Golden Crocodile Douluo walked inside with his hands behind his back, nodding with satisfaction as he looked at the rows of young, sturdy men before him.

When he reached an elderly man with white hair and a long beard, he paused in surprise—were old men really this competitive now?

Tang Ming adjusted the cracked spectacles on his face, lowered his head slightly, and spoke in a voice that was aged yet steady.

"This old one is called Lei Ming."

"Lei Ming... a fine name!" Golden Crocodile Douluo praised inwardly. Though he didn't know what made it fine, it simply sounded pleasant to his ears.

"Mr. Lei Ming, are you willing to guard the gate of the Imperial Palace?"

Tang Ming's eyes lit up, and he felt an immediate sense of relief. He wouldn't have to sweep streets or clean toilets; he only needed to sit at the palace gate as a guard and read newspapers. This job was incredibly stable!

"This old servant is willing!"

He hurriedly bowed, forcing a respectful smile onto his face.

Beside Golden Crocodile Douluo, Qian Daoliu suddenly noticed a somewhat petite figure—it was the Second Elder, Tang Qingqing, disguised as a man.

"Tell me, big sister, why are you dressed like this? Are you afraid we won't hire women?"

Tang Qingqing awkwardly tore off her fake beard, a flush of embarrassment crossing her face as she gave a dry laugh.

"I... I heard that male workers were easier to get hired?"

Qian Daoliu smiled, his tone gentle.

"Big sister, what does it matter if you are a man or a woman? As long as you are willing, you can come to the palace to do cleaning and maintenance work from now on, how about that?"

Tang Qingqing let out a breath, a look of immense relief washing over her face.

Over here, Tang Lie also squeezed to the front, his face full of hostility.

He curled his lip, eyeing Golden Crocodile Douluo with a fierce, indifferent gaze, acting as if he couldn't care less.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes, however, lit up—he had seen all sorts of people at the job market, but this "take it or leave it" attitude was truly rare.

"What is your name?"

"Is that any of your business?"

Tang Lie turned his head away, making no effort to hide his displeasure.

Far from being angry, Golden Crocodile Douluo was only more satisfied the more he looked at him. In his heart, he had already assigned Tang Lie the most suitable position: Chief of the Latrines!

Because toilets are most afraid of clogging, and Tang Lie had such a volatile temper that he would surely be grinding his teeth in rage the moment he saw a blockage, cursing and swearing while clearing it with all his might, his efficiency was absolutely top-tier.

"You're hired! From now on, you are the Director of Toilets; every toilet in the entire imperial palace is under your care!"

Tang Lie instantly flew into a rage, his face flushing a deep red, his eyes widening like copper bells as he pointed at Golden Crocodile Douluo's nose and cursed him out.

"You dead crocodile, are you looking for death! How dare you make me unclog toilets? Do you believe I'll throw you into the pit to use as a brush!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo's shoulders shook from the scolding, yet he didn't show a hint of anger. Instead, he patted Tang Lie's trembling shoulder and said in a grave, earnest tone.

"Kid, keep up the good work; there will be no shortage of year-end bonuses for you."

Tang Lie was so furious his face turned beet red, his teeth grinding together with a clacking sound; he wished he could swallow Golden Crocodile Douluo whole.

In the end, Golden Crocodile Douluo and Qian Daoliu selected a total of eighteen people to serve as palace caretakers.

Those who weren't chosen looked on with envy; this was working for the Emperor, after all. Their future livelihood would be secure, and they might even rise to great heights!

Qian Daoliu looked at Tang Ming and the others in the crowd, feeling they looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before. Unable to place them, he shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.

In Martial Soul Hall, inside the small villa newly built by Qian Renxue and Chen Qi.

The afternoon sun spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the living room. Qian Renxue lounged lazily on the soft beanbag chair, her entire body seemingly sinking into it, so comfortable she barely wanted to move.

A twenty-four-inch television in front of her was playing a movie, the images vivid and the sound clear.

She picked up the milk tea on the table, took a long, delightful sip, and narrowed her eyes in satisfaction before looking at Chen Qi beside her, speaking in a slow, leisurely tone.

"Chen Qi, is the world you come from really this amazing? There are glowing black boards that can play movies, and all sorts of strange yet comfortable furniture... I regret not being born there."

Chen Qi lay on the sofa, crunching on potato chips, and nodded lazily.

"Yeah, life for the wealthy is indeed great; you can have whatever you want."

Qian Renxue suddenly sat bolt upright, her beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Chen Qi, I've decided! I will become a god as soon as possible, then break through the world barrier and go to Blue Star!"

She clenched her small fist, her entire being radiating a sense of eagerness; she had grown thoroughly tired of this place, the Douluo Continent.

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"I'll find Sword Douluo and have him help me hunt for soul rings!"