The Battle to Recruit Talent

But at this moment, everyone looked at Han Li with burning enthusiasm.

Yu Zhen's eyes brimmed with unconcealed delight and satisfaction, the corners of his mouth lifted high as though he had stumbled upon some priceless treasure.

Though Elder Chen was not as openly expressive, his sharp eyes shone with equal fervor, as if he were examining an uncarved piece of peerless jade.

Yu Zhen spoke first, politely cupping his hands toward Elder Chen.

"Elder Chen, I'll take the students back first."

"Thank you for your trouble today."

Though he said he was taking them away, his feet did not move in the slightest. Clearly, it was merely a polite remark.

Elder Chen smiled at that, the wrinkles on his face relaxing as he waved a hand.

"Little Zhen, no rush."

His tone was casual and warm.

However, the address "Little Zhen" made Yu Zhen's mouth twitch. Still, with so many people present, he could not say anything and could only stand to one side with a forced smile.

As he spoke, Elder Chen's gaze passed over Yu Zhen and settled on Han Li. Beaming, he said,

"Student Han, I saw your heroic display of protecting your companions and killing the Phantom Crystal Butterfly just now."

"You truly are a young hero."

His voice carried the sincere admiration and affection of an elder for a junior, without the slightest hint of pretense.

He had truly seen Han Li's performance in the Spirit Ascension Platform.

Blocking the mental attack of a ten-thousand-year Phantom Crystal Butterfly, then killing that precious spiritual-attribute Soul Beast with one punch.

Everything had been displayed clearly on the screen.

Hearing this, Han Li nodded slightly in response.

He neither beamed with delight at the praise nor deliberately tried to ingratiate himself because of Elder Chen's status.

He merely nodded calmly. Yet in Elder Chen's eyes, that bearing made him think even more highly of Han Li.

Elder Chen did not mind either, silently nodding to himself.

A genius having a bit of personality was perfectly normal.

If Han Li had become overwhelmed with gratitude and nervous from a few words of praise...

Then he would not have been worthy of the talent and strength he had displayed.

Elder Chen continued.

"Our Spirit Pagoda has always welcomed geniuses."

"Student Han, you may consider it as well."

"After all, once you graduate, you'll have to think about work sooner or later."

He made it sound casual, as if it were merely an offhand suggestion, yet everyone present could hear the sincerity and weight behind his words.

As one of the Federation's four major powers, the Spirit Pagoda was spread across every city on the continent and controlled the core technology of Soul Spirits. Whether in resources or status, it was far beyond ordinary academies and organizations.

For many people, being able to join the Spirit Pagoda was the kind of fortune that would make their ancestors' graves smoke.

And the invitation the Spirit Pagoda extended to Han Li was no ordinary job offer. It came personally from the tower's upper ranks, a special cultivation program intended for top-tier geniuses.

Though Elder Chen did not say so outright.

His attitude had already made everything clear.

Seeing this, Han Li bowed slightly and saluted Elder Chen.

"Greetings, Elder Chen."

Elder Chen immediately burst into hearty laughter, his voice echoing through the room.

"Good!"

"Very good!"

His beard trembled as he laughed, and he nodded repeatedly, his gaze upon Han Li filled with satisfaction and delight.

Though that simple greeting was brief, to him, it was an excellent beginning.

As long as Han Li was willing to learn more, the Spirit Pagoda had plenty of ways to firmly keep a genius like him within the tower.

Yet just as Elder Chen laughed heartily, Wu Changkong's expression changed instantly.

A clear shift finally appeared on his normally expressionless face.

His cold eyes narrowed slightly, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his brows unconsciously furrowed.

He had intended to bring Han Li to Shrek Academy.

Because, in his heart...

Only Shrek Academy was worthy of a genius like Han Li.

Shrek was the continent's foremost Soul Master Academy, with twenty thousand years of heritage, the foundations of the Sea God Pavilion, and countless powerful figures nurtured there...

That was where Han Li belonged.

With Han Li's talent, he would surely become a Sea God Pavilion Elder in the future. He might even have a chance at becoming the pavilion master. That was the true broad road ahead of him.

And even taking a step back.

If Han Li did not wish to go to Shrek, joining the Tang Sect, the sect Wu Changkong belonged to, would also be an excellent choice.

The Tang Sect was likewise a great sect with twenty thousand years of heritage. The Mysterious Heaven Skill, the Purple Demon Eye...

They were all top-tier inheritances on the continent.

If a genius like Han Li entered the Tang Sect, he would certainly receive the sect's full support.

So no matter what, it should not be the Spirit Pagoda.

He took a deep breath. In the end, he could not hold himself back and spoke.

"Han Li, there's no need to rush certain decisions. You can take your time."

His voice was flat and did not deliberately emphasize anything, but his unquestionable tone carried an obvious intent to dissuade him.

In his view, Han Li was still young and did not understand the various forces of the continent. If he came into contact with the Spirit Pagoda so rashly, he might very well be blinded by the conditions it offered.

As his teacher, Wu Changkong should remind Han Li not to act impulsively.

The instant those words fell, the entire room fell silent.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Ye Yingluo's expression stiffened. Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged looks. Yu Zhen's eyelids twitched, while the staff wished they had never grown ears.

Everyone's gazes shifted back and forth between Wu Changkong and Elder Chen. No one dared to speak first.

Elder Chen's expression darkened as well.

The smile on his face slowly faded, and his kindly eyes became sharp.

He slowly turned toward Wu Changkong, examined him for a moment, and only then spoke.

"This is...?"

His tone was even, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Elder Chen had served as the head of a Spirit Pagoda branch for decades. What sort of situation had he not seen?

Wu Changkong's words had been polite, but Elder Chen understood their meaning perfectly.

Someone was trying to steal his talent.

Yu Zhen inwardly groaned, never expecting things to turn out this way.

He was only an academy president.

Though he was the top figure at Eastsea Academy.

He could not afford to offend either Elder Chen of the Spirit Pagoda or Wu Changkong, a Six-Ring Soul Emperor.

Caught between the two sides at this moment...

He only felt his scalp go numb.

But since Elder Chen had asked him directly, he could only force himself to answer.

"Elder Chen, this is a teacher from our academy, Wu Changkong."

Yu Zhen's voice was somewhat dry.

When Elder Chen heard this, a trace of surprise flashed across his face, and another layer of change appeared in his already darkened expression.

Wu Changkong!

Of course he had heard that name.

As the head of the Spirit Pagoda in Eastsea City, he knew quite a lot.

Prominent figures across the continent, developments among the major powers, and the movements of every genius all fell within his attention.

Especially since Wu Changkong was the disciple of Zhuo Shi, a Sea God Pavilion Elder of Shrek Academy. From the moment he arrived in Eastsea City, Elder Chen had already learned this information.

However, Elder Chen was not overly flustered.

Wu Changkong had indeed once belonged to Shrek.

But that was already in the past.