All Recruitment Is Recruitment—Who You Recruit Makes No Difference, Right?

Those were Destruction and Life!

One brought endings, the other creation. They complemented each other, and the power produced by their fusion was far more than a simple one plus one.

When the time came, that newly ascended Dual God King would surpass him in both strength and authority.

What standing would he, the Sea God, still have in the God Realm?

How would he set his sights on Douluo Star?

How would he carry out his plan?

At that thought, Tang San's fury surged even higher. He struck out with another palm, blasting the remaining half of the stone pillar into fragments.

He paced back and forth through the hall, his chest heaving violently.

Only after a long while did he barely suppress the anger in his heart and force himself to calm down.

No, he could not act forcefully.

If he forcibly interfered with Destruction and Life's inheritances, he would not only thoroughly offend those two ancient God Kings, but also provoke dissatisfaction from the other God Kings.

His position in the God Realm would become even more passive then.

He had to think of another way.

One that would neither affect Destruction and Life's inheritances nor harm his own interests.

Tang San stopped, narrowing his eyes as countless thoughts raced through his mind.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through his head.

Since force would not work, he could take a softer approach.

A cold smile slowly curled across his lips.

As it happened, Tang Wutong was currently in the lower realm.

His original plan had been to have Tang Wutong approach the child of destiny of this era.

Then, through marriage, he would bind the child of destiny to his side and thereby ensure his influence over the Douluo Continent.

But now, it seemed that plan needed some adjustments.

Since Destruction and Life had passed down their divine positions, he would start with the inheritor.

As long as Tang Wutong approached that inheritor and won his trust and affection—better yet, made him fall in love with her—wouldn't everything be resolved?

At that point, that Dual God King would become Tang San's son-in-law.

Not only would he retain his authority, but through that connection, he could control Douluo Star and the entire God Realm at the same time.

It was killing two birds with one stone.

Tang San sat back down in the seat of honor, the anger on his face completely gone.

In its place was the calm confidence of a man who had everything under control.

He extended a finger and lightly tapped the armrest, calculation gleaming in his eyes.

"Recruitment is recruitment. Who I recruit makes no difference, right?"

"Wutong has looks, temperament, and talent that are all first-rate. With a little guidance, there's no way that mortal won't take the bait."

Tang San leaned against the back of his chair, gazing at the enormous mural on the ceiling depicting the Sea God descending upon the world as all people worshipped him. The smile on his lips deepened further and further.

"Just wait... this game isn't over yet."

After returning to Shrek City, Li Changqing did not bother at all with Huo Yuhao's injuries. Instead, he asked Bei Bei for Jiang Nannan's home address.

Once he learned the exact location, he did not linger. He hired a carriage and left Shrek City once more, heading toward Heaven Dou City.

Not long after Li Changqing left, the unconscious youth slowly opened his eyes.

Meanwhile, within Heaven Dou City.

Deep within a secluded alley in the western part of the city stood a dilapidated little courtyard.

The courtyard walls were mottled, and the wooden gate was rotting. Most of the paint on it had peeled away, exposing the grayish-white wood beneath.

A pile of miscellaneous items lay scattered in the yard, while moss covered the corners of the walls. It was clear that the place had not been repaired in a long time.

This was Jiang Nannan's home.

At that moment, Ye Guyi was squatting before a small stove in the courtyard, carefully fanning the fire with a palm-leaf fan.

A clay pot sat atop the stove, medicinal herbs bubbling inside it. The bitter scent of medicine filled the entire courtyard.

As she fanned the flames, she wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve and muttered, "Brewing medicine really is a skill... it's more tiring than fighting."

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Ye Guyi looked up and saw Jiang Nannan walk in from outside.

However, when she clearly saw Jiang Nannan's appearance, the smile on her face instantly froze.

Jiang Nannan's face was pale, her eyes red, and her entire person looked utterly lost, as though her soul had left her body.

She mechanically walked into the courtyard. The moment she saw Ye Guyi, the tears in her eyes could no longer be held back and spilled over.

"Nannan? What's wrong?"

Ye Guyi quickly set down the fan, rose to her feet, and hurried over. She pulled Jiang Nannan into an embrace. "Don't cry, don't cry. What happened? Tell me."

Jiang Nannan clung to Ye Guyi's shoulder, trembling as she sobbed. Her voice was so choked that she could barely speak. "Sister Guyi... the doctor said... my mother's illness can't be cured..."

Ye Guyi's heart tightened. Gently patting her back, she comforted her softly, "Don't panic. Take your time. There'll be a way."

Jiang Nannan sobbed for quite a while before she barely managed to calm herself. Then she said in broken fragments, "The doctor said... unless we can get a Black Tortoise Divine Pill... otherwise... my mother won't last through this month..."

"A Black Tortoise Divine Pill?"

Ye Guyi frowned slightly. It was the first time she had heard that name. "What is that?"

Jiang Nannan wiped away her tears and explained in a low voice, "It's a treasured medicinal pill of the Netherworld Sect... supposedly, it has extremely powerful healing and life-preserving effects. Even if someone has only one breath left, it can keep them alive..."

Hearing that, Ye Guyi relaxed slightly. "That's easy, then. How much does it cost? Isn't the card Li Changqing gave us enough? If not, we can go back and borrow more from him. That guy may have a sharp tongue, but when something really happens, he won't stand by and do nothing."

Jiang Nannan shook her head, her eyes filled with despair. "It's useless... Sister Guyi, it isn't a matter of money. The Black Tortoise Divine Pill is the Netherworld Sect's sect-protecting treasure. They produce very few each year and never sell them outside the sect. No amount of money can buy one."

Ye Guyi froze.

Money could not buy it?

Then this was troublesome.

She frowned and thought for a moment before asking, "Then what do we do? Is there... no other way?"

Jiang Nannan remained silent for a long time, so long that Ye Guyi thought she would not answer.

Then she heard an answer she could scarcely believe.

"They said... I can trade my virginity... for one Black Tortoise Divine Pill."

Those words exploded beside Ye Guyi's ears like a thunderclap.

She froze on the spot, her mind completely blank. It took several seconds before she finally reacted.

Then she abruptly grabbed Jiang Nannan by the shoulders, her voice changing pitch. "Did you agree?"

Jiang Nannan winced from the pain of her grip but did not pull away. She merely lowered her head and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, "No... I said... I'd think about it..."

"Think about it?"

Ye Guyi's voice suddenly rose several octaves. Her expression turned utterly ugly as she demanded, "What, are you really considering trading your body for that pill?"

She stared fixedly into Jiang Nannan's eyes and said, word by word, "Jiang Nannan, have you lost your mind?"