Dai Weisi's Recruitment

Gengjin Spirit Arena, top-floor VIP room.

A thick beast-hide carpet stretched from the doorway all the way to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Bronze lampstands stood on either side, their warm yellow flames brightly illuminating the entire room.

A broad redwood chair stood by the window, with a luxurious outer robe embroidered in golden thread draped over its back.

Dai Weisi sat in the chair with his legs crossed, holding an exquisite glass cup. The amber liquor within gleamed softly beneath the lamplight.

He was twenty-one this year, tall and well-proportioned, with handsome features and the sharp, imposing air unique to the Star Luo Empire's imperial family between his brows.

As the Star Luo Empire's eldest prince and the foremost heir to the crown prince position, he had spent recent years traveling throughout the land, cultivating connections, recruiting talent, and building strength in preparation for his eventual ascension.

He had come to Gengjin City today to inspect a mine under the imperial family's name. Having heard that the Gengjin Spirit Arena was renowned for its brutality and bloodshed, he had stopped by to watch the excitement.

But he had not expected to witness such a crushing kill.

Before the VIP room's floor-to-ceiling windows, the scene from earlier kept replaying in his mind.

That Soul King called Butcher had been powerfully built and ferocious in his attacks, acting arrogantly on the arena stage. Yet the slender, masked figure opposite him had pierced straight through his skull in a single exchange, leaving him no time to react.

A single fatal strike—clean, decisive, and so precise that it made one's scalp tingle.

A level fifty-seven Soul King, killed by one punch to the head.

Dai Weisi set down his glass cup and lightly tapped the armrest twice with his slender fingers.

"Old Xu."

A middle-aged man in a short gray robe hurried over from the corner and bowed. "Your Highness."

"Could you tell anything about that masked person on the stage just now?"

Old Xu was one of Dai Weisi's most capable attendants. In his early years, he had also been a Soul Master who traveled far and wide, with a keen eye and vast experience.

After pondering for a moment, he answered in a low voice, "In reply to Your Highness, that person moved too quickly. This subordinate could only tell that his martial soul should be a lightning-attribute agility attack type. He was incredibly fast and possessed extraordinary explosive power. During the final fatal blow, he seemed to be wearing some sort of device on his hand. There was a flash of golden light, but this subordinate could not make out what it was."

"What about his level?"

"At least Soul King level. It is difficult to determine his exact level, but since he could instantly kill the level fifty-seven Butcher, he must be at least above level sixty. He may have concealed his Soul Power."

Dai Weisi nodded, his fingers continuing to tap against the armrest.

After several breaths of silence, he spoke. "Old Xu, go over there. On my behalf, invite this friend to come up for a chat. Be polite. Tell him that I, Dai Weisi, wish to befriend him."

"Yes."

Old Xu bowed and withdrew, quickly heading downstairs.

Dai Weisi then turned to another attendant. "A-Fu, investigate that person. Find out where he came from, when he arrived in Gengjin City, where he is staying, and whether he has contacted anyone. The more detailed, the better."

"This subordinate will go at once." The other lean man swiftly disappeared through the doorway as well.

Dai Weisi picked up his glass cup again and looked through the floor-to-ceiling window at the crowd gradually dispersing below. A meaningful smile hung on his lips.

A twelve- or thirteen-year-old lightning-attribute agility attack Soul King with terrifying strength, who wore a mask and refused to show his true face.

There were only two possible origins for someone with such characteristics: either a death warrior secretly trained by some major faction, or a lone independent powerhouse.

If it was the latter, then he was worth personally making a move for.

Old Xu went downstairs, passed through the crowded hall, and entered the competitor passageway. He happened to see Huang Yun walking out from within.

He quickly stepped forward, stopping three paces away from Huang Yun. He cupped his hands in greeting, his manner respectful. "Please wait, sir."

Huang Yun paused and glanced at him.

Although Old Xu wore an unremarkable gray robe, Huang Yun's Lightning Falcon Eyes instantly swept over his entire body. He sensed the steady, restrained fluctuations of Soul Power within him. Soul Emperor level, with a solid foundation—at least level sixty-five or above.

A Soul Emperor had come looking for him, and he was dressed in ordinary clothes to run errands.

Huang Yun did not move. His tone was calm. "Is there something you need? We don't seem to know each other."

Old Xu smiled. "My master wishes to invite you upstairs for a conversation. He is in the VIP room upstairs, and he will not take up too much of your time."

"Who is your master?"

Old Xu lowered his voice. "His Highness Dai Weisi, eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire."

Huang Yun's brows rose slightly.

Dai Weisi?

The first in line to the Star Luo Empire's crown prince position, Dai Mubai's elder brother, the ambitious and ruthless eldest prince from the original story who ultimately lost his advantage in the succession after being defeated by Dai Mubai in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

If he remembered correctly, Dai Weisi should currently be focused on recruiting talent and building his own power.

Several thoughts flashed through Huang Yun's mind, but his expression did not change. "What does he want with me?"

"His Highness said he wishes to befriend you." Old Xu's smile remained unchanged. "I hope you will honor him with your presence."

Huang Yun considered it and did not refuse.

There was no harm in going. He could see what Dai Weisi wanted.

At any rate, with his speed, he could leave whenever he wanted. Even if Dai Weisi turned hostile, he would not be able to keep him.

"Lead the way."

Old Xu breathed a sigh of relief. Turning sideways, he made an inviting gesture and led Huang Yun through a small door at the end of the hall, then up the stairs to the top floor.

The corridor was covered in thick carpeting, with oil paintings and bronze candleholders on both walls. It was far more refined than the crude environment of the Spirit Arena below.

Old Xu pushed open the innermost carved wooden door and stepped aside.

Huang Yun walked inside.

The VIP room was spacious, lavishly decorated without being ostentatious.

A young man in a dark purple brocade robe rose from the redwood chair. He wore a smile as he sized Huang Yun up, his gaze gentle yet sharp.

Dai Weisi.

Twenty-one years old, a level forty-one Soul Ancestor.

For his age and status as a prince, that level was not particularly high, but it was certainly not low either. At the very least, it showed that he had not neglected his cultivation.

Huang Yun stood where he was with his hands in his pockets. He neither bowed nor removed his mask, simply meeting Dai Weisi's gaze.

Dai Weisi clearly did not care about such formalities. Smiling, he raised a hand in invitation. "Please sit, sir. No need for ceremony."

Huang Yun sat in a nearby chair without speaking, waiting for the other party to speak first.

Dai Weisi personally poured a cup of wine and offered it to him. "This is Icefire Wine brewed locally in Gengjin City. The flavor is fairly rich. You may give it a try."

Huang Yun waved his hand. "I don't drink. Just say what you want."

Dai Weisi set down the wine cup. The smile on his face remained, but his gaze grew more serious. "I happened to see your strike in the arena just now. Instantly killing a level fifty-seven Soul King in one blow—there are not many people with such strength in all of Gengjin City. I, Dai Weisi, have always admired people with genuine ability, so I took the liberty of inviting you up for a conversation."

He paused, took a sip from his own cup, and continued, "I happen to be lacking a powerhouse like you. If you are willing, I can provide the best cultivation resources and the most generous treatment. Soul Tools, pills, Soul Power guidance methods, Spirit Ring hunting—anything I, Dai Weisi, can provide will be given priority to you. Wealth and glory, power and status, countless beauties—so long as you ask, I will not disappoint you."

Huang Yun leaned back in his chair and quietly listened until he finished.

Dai Weisi looked into his eyes and added, "Besides that, I have connections and channels within the Star Luo Empire that can help you resolve many problems you may encounter during your travels. I have only one request: when I need you, you will lend me your aid."

The room fell silent for several breaths.

Huang Yun stood up.

Dai Weisi was slightly taken aback and rose to his feet as well.

Huang Yun said, "I appreciate your goodwill, but I am used to traveling alone. I am not accustomed to serving under someone."

The smile on Dai Weisi's face stiffened slightly, but it quickly returned to normal. His tone remained gentle. "There is no need to refuse so quickly, sir. You may consider it further."

"There is nothing to consider."

Huang Yun turned and headed for the door without pausing.

Dai Weisi watched his back disappear through the doorway, the smile on his face slowly fading.

He sat back down, picked up the glass of wine again, and his gaze darkened.

Old Xu entered through the doorway and said quietly, "Your Highness, he did not agree."

"I know." Dai Weisi placed the wine cup on the table and lightly tapped the tabletop twice. "Have you found out his background?"

Old Xu shook his head. "There is still no news from A-Fu, but that person appeared rather suddenly. He does not look like someone trained by a major faction either. Someone his age with that kind of strength would be treasured by any major faction. They would not let him come alone to the Gengjin Spirit Arena to fight a deathmatch."

Dai Weisi said nothing, his gaze falling on the sky outside as it gradually darkened.

Several breaths later, he spoke. "Continue investigating. If we truly cannot uncover his origins, then that means he really is just an independent cultivator. Failing to recruit him once does not mean we can never recruit him. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Old Xu nodded. "This subordinate understands."

The room's flames flickered slightly. Dai Weisi picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp, the calm faint smile returning to his face.