Child of Destiny and the Desire to Recruit

Dongyue Ling was stopped by Li Xuansheng. Though confused, he saw Li Xuansheng's suddenly grave and sharp gaze and knew there had to be a reason, so he held himself back and watched. Everyone's eyes followed Li Xuansheng, focusing on that inconspicuous black-clad youth.

Li Xuansheng silently invoked the system and once again confirmed the status panel that made his heart pound:

· Name: Ye Qi

· Age: 10

· Soul Power: Level 30

· Soul Rings: Yellow, Yellow

· Martial Soul: Five-Element Elf (Five-Element Elf Emperor awakening)

· Bloodline: Elf Emperor Bloodline (not fully awakened)

· Talent: Fortune's Blessing (Passive)

"A ten-year-old Level 30 Great Soul Master... a Five-Element Elf Emperor... Elf Emperor Bloodline... Fortune's Blessing..." Even though Li Xuansheng had lived two lives and possessed an unwavering will, he could not help drawing a cold breath in his heart. He even felt a trace of envy he was unwilling to admit. This status panel was simply absurdly magnificent!

That "Fortune's Blessing" BUFF in particular immediately reminded Li Xuansheng of the "Children of Destiny" from the novels of his previous life—people who could not be killed, only grew stronger with every setback, while those who opposed them often met terrible ends! He vaguely remembered that around ten years ago, there had indeed been an Elf Emperor ranked sixteenth on the Ferocious Beast Ranking, with a cultivation of as much as six hundred and seventy thousand years. Rumor had it that the Central Daliang Dynasty had gathered powerful experts to hunt it down... Why had its bloodline appeared in this seemingly ordinary boy? There had to be a shocking secret behind this.

In that instant, Li Xuansheng's thoughts raced. Becoming enemies with someone blessed by such immense fortune was truly unwise; it might even bring disaster upon his family. Since he had encountered him, it would be better to befriend him than oppose him! If he could recruit him into the family, then in the future...

At that thought, the solemn look on Li Xuansheng's face instantly turned into a warm smile. He signaled for the two elders not to act rashly, then slowly stepped forward alone. He cupped his hands toward the anxious old man and the youths behind him, speaking calmly. "Sir, there is no need to panic. We are not the sort to bully others with our strength. I see you have also come for this Jade Spirit?"

Seeing Li Xuansheng's friendly attitude, the Soul Ancestor elder relaxed slightly and hurriedly returned the salute. "I would not dare hide it from you, Young Master. This old man is the headmaster of the nearby Bluestone Soul Master Academy. My surname is Mu. I brought our academy's most talented disciple, Ye Qi, here to obtain his third soul ring. This child is quite gifted and is the hope of our academy..." There was pride in his voice, but also a hint of pleading, as though afraid the other party would seize it by force.

Li Xuansheng's gaze naturally fell upon the youth named Ye Qi, and his smile grew gentler. "Little Brother Ye Qi, you possess Level 30 soul power at such a young age. Your talent is extraordinary, and your future is limitless."

Ye Qi seemed unaccustomed to receiving so much attention. His thin body shrank back slightly before he raised his head, revealing a youthful, somewhat pale yet delicate face. His clear eyes held a trace of shyness as he softly replied, "Y-You flatter me." His voice was crisp, carrying the unique tone of a young boy.

Li Xuansheng became even more certain. A youth with such a simple mind would be easier to move with sincerity and generous terms. He stopped beating around the bush and said directly to Headmaster Mu and Ye Qi, "Headmaster Mu, Little Brother Ye Qi, to be honest, this Millennium Jade Spirit was originally needed by my cousin. However, since Little Brother Ye Qi is in urgent need of it as well, and I can see that his talent is exceptional, it would be a pity for him to be buried in a small academy..."

He changed the subject, his eyes burning as he looked at Ye Qi and launched the prepared "sugar-coated cannonball." "I am Li Xuansheng, young master of the Li Family of Heavenly Phoenix City. I sincerely invite Little Brother Ye Qi to study at Heavenly Phoenix Academy, the finest academy in Heavenly Phoenix City! As long as you are willing, I will grant you the highest-level treatment reserved for a Heavenly Phoenix Heir!"

Without waiting for their reaction, Li Xuansheng began listing the outrageous benefits.

"First, a monthly allowance of five hundred gold soul coins, until graduation!"

Headmaster Mu and the group of youths' eyes instantly widened. Five hundred gold soul coins was simply an astronomical sum to them.

"Second, once every half month, you may cultivate in the core area of the academy's Soul-Gathering Formation for three hours!"

Headmaster Mu's breathing quickened. He had heard of the Soul-Gathering Formation; it was a cultivation resource only major powers possessed!

"Third, you will have priority access to the Simulated Cultivation Grounds, with at least one full day of exclusive cultivation time guaranteed every seven days!"

"Fourth, the academy promises to hunt all soul rings below the Titled Douluo level for you free of charge, ensuring the best possible quality!"

"Fifth, the academy... well, it will also concern itself with your personal matters. In the future, it can... arrange a marriage partner for you, certainly a woman of excellent character, beauty, and talent!" Li Xuansheng himself found this condition somewhat amusing, but he still said it in order to add to the "bargaining chips."

Sure enough, Ye Qi's little face instantly turned red. Flustered, he lowered his head, as if he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Sixth, the Li Family can bring your parents to Heavenly Phoenix City and settle them properly, allowing them to enjoy their old age. We will never let them suffer the hardships of labor again!"

After Li Xuansheng finished, he smiled at the utterly petrified Headmaster Mu and the dumbfounded Ye Qi. "Headmaster Mu, Little Brother Ye Qi, what do you think?"

Headmaster Mu opened his mouth but could not speak for a long time. Resist? With those two unfathomable old men on the other side, either one could erase him with a flick of a finger. Besides, these conditions... were so good that he could not possibly refuse on Ye Qi's behalf! This was not just a pie falling from the sky—it was a mountain of gold! He swallowed with difficulty and looked at Ye Qi, his voice dry. "Little Qi... these... these conditions... This headmaster cannot teach you any more. Your future... truly belongs beneath a broader sky..."

Although Ye Qi was simple and shy, he was not foolish. As he listened to those conditions he had never even dared dream of, especially the promises concerning his parents' retirement and his future prospects, his heart was moved and confused. He looked at Headmaster Mu, who had treated him like a grandson, then at Li Xuansheng, whose gaze appeared sincere—at least on the surface. Finally, he thought of his parents laboring bitterly at home. He nodded firmly, his voice soft but resolute. "I... I'm willing to go. Thank you... Thank you, Young Master Li."

"Good!" Li Xuansheng was overjoyed, though he maintained a calm expression. "Then it is settled. This Millennium Jade Spirit will go to Little Brother Ye Qi as a gift from me. After you absorb the soul ring and return home to reunite with your parents for a few days, I will send someone to your home to fetch you in five days. How does that sound?"

"Mm!" Ye Qi nodded gratefully.

"As for Headmaster Mu, how about a compensation of five thousand gold coins and a level-six defensive weapon?"

Headmaster Mu hurriedly expressed his thanks as well. His heart was filled with mixed emotions. He was reluctant to see his disciple depart, yet he was even happier that Ye Qi had received such an opportunity.

With the matter resolved perfectly, the atmosphere immediately became harmonious. Under the secret protection of the two Titled Douluo, Ye Qi smoothly killed the Millennium Jade Spirit and sat cross-legged to absorb its soul ring. Li Xuansheng watched Ye Qi enter his cultivation state, and a trace of anticipation flashed through his eyes. Was it truly the right move to tie this "Child of Destiny" to the Li Family's chariot in advance? No matter what, the turbulence of the future seemed to have become even harder to predict because of it.