Tang Wulin froze. "Ah?"
"As long as you join the War God Temple," Chen Xinjie said in a serious tone, "I guarantee that you can use all the resources of the War God Temple as you please, and I promise... after I step down, you will be the next Master of the War God Temple."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.
"Chen Xinjie!" Leng Yaozhu was the first to blow her top. "What do you mean? Poaching talent right in front of us?"
Yun Ming also furrowed his brows. "Brother Chen, Tang Wulin is a student jointly cultivated by our Shrek Academy and the Spirit Pagoda. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to do this?"
Zhen Hua, acting as a Divine Craftsman, wore an enigmatic smile, though he didn't speak directly.
Mu Ye merely felt a mild headache; having a disciple this exceptional wasn't necessarily a good thing either, as far too many people had their eyes on him, didn't they?
Zhuo Shi let out a cold hum and said nothing, but the crimson Soul Power surrounding his body was already faintly churning.
Chen Xinjie, however, remained unmoved, simply looking at Tang Wulin. "Child, you say it yourself. Are you willing or not?"
Tang Wulin scratched his head, glanced at Leng Yaozhu, then looked at Yun Ming, and finally checked out Zhen Hua... He chuckled foolishly. "Grandpa Chen, I'm the kind of person who is rather attached to home. My teachers are all very good to me, and I haven't thought about changing places for the time being."
Chen Xinjie's face darkened. "You didn't say that when you accepted my Dragon Tendon Vine just now."
Tang Wulin blinked. "That's different. The Dragon Tendon Vine was a greeting gift, and accepting it was giving Grandpa Chen face. But joining the War God Temple... I have to listen to my teachers."
Chen Xinjie: "..."
He suddenly felt as if he had been played by this little slickster.
Chen Xinjie looked at him and fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. He pulled a token from his bosom; it was pitch-black overall, with a golden character for "War" carved upon it, its edges radiating a faint halo.
He handed the token to Tang Wulin. "This is the token of my War God Temple. Take it, and whenever you change your mind, you can come find me at any time."
"Furthermore, for ordinary matters, as long as it doesn't involve principles, you can request help from the War God Temple..."
Tang Wulin took the token and was stunned for a moment. "Grandpa Chen, this..."
"Accept it. This is not just because of your strength, but even more so because of your Star Emblem; a hero is worthy of this treatment from me."
Chen Xinjie waved a hand. "I genuinely like a little fellow like you; being able to push me back half a step at eight years old, you can't find a second one across the entire continent. If you ever figure it out one day, the doors of the War God Temple will always be open to you."
Having said that, without waiting for Tang Wulin to reply, he turned and strode away. When he reached the door, he suddenly paused, looked back at Tang Wulin, and said, "Right, make sure to use that Dragon Tendon Vine well. Don't waste it."
Tang Wulin gripped the token and watched Chen Xinjie's retreating figure, a wave of warmth welling up in his heart. Although he had turned down the other party's invitation, he kept this goodwill in his heart.
Yun Ming watched Chen Xinjie leave, smiled faintly, and also stood up. "Alright, the matter is resolved, everyone disperse."
He walked up to Tang Wulin, looked down at the little fellow with a hint of approval in his eyes. "Kid, you put on a good act."
Tang Wulin chuckled foolishly. "Principal Yun Ming, you flatter me."
"Still, you certainly did a brilliant job this time." Yun Ming patted his shoulder.
"I've long found that bunch from the Federation displeasing to the eye. Using your pretext this time to make them bleed heavily can also be considered venting a foul breath for our major factions. Besides, it was all grounded in reason and evidence, so even if they wanted to refute it, they couldn't find an excuse."
Tang Wulin blinked. "So... this operation wasn't just for me?"
"Of course it wasn't just for you." Yun Ming smiled. "In recent years, the Federation has increasingly stopped taking factions like us seriously, so we might as well use this opportunity to give them a warning. Still, you certainly make a fine pretext."
After saying that, he took a jade bottle from his bosom and handed it to Tang Wulin. "This is a bottle of Ten Thousand Year Ginseng King Dew, which is beneficial for your Blood Essence cultivation. Take it."
Tang Wulin took the jade bottle, and before he even had time to express his thanks, Zhen Hua strode over, speaking in a booming voice:
"Kid, you did a bang-up job this time! Old me didn't misjudge you! This is a gift for you... a piece of Deep Sea Heavy Silver Mother, a top-tier material for forging Battle Armor. When you need to forge Battle Armor in the future, come find me, and I'll craft it for you personally!"
Zhuo Shi also walked over, revealing a rare trace of a smile:
"Not bad, you didn't lose face for Shrek Academy." He handed over a crimson jade pendant. "This is a piece of warm jade I obtained in my early years. Wearing it on your body can accelerate Soul Power recovery. Take it."
Mu Ye also walked over and patted Tang Wulin on the head. "Kid, you've got backbone. In the future, if anyone bullies you, drop my name. Anyone you can't beat, I'll beat for you."
Tang Wulin held a pile of gifts in his arms, his eye sockets growing somewhat warm. He hadn't expected that these powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of the continent would be so good to him.
Some of them were his teachers, while others had only come to help out for the sake of Yun Ming, but at this moment, they all regarded him as one of their own.
He took a deep breath and solemnly bowed to everyone. "Thank you, teachers. I will definitely cultivate diligently and not live up to your expectations."
He thought silently to himself: I must grow strong quickly, and absolutely must not let the tragedy from the original timeline repeat itself. Those people he cherished, he had to protect them well.
After everyone dispersed, Leng Yaozhu grabbed Tang Wulin by the ear. "Let's go, little ancestor. Come back to the Spirit Pagoda with me."
"Ow, ow, ow, Teacher, a bit lighter, a bit lighter!" Tang Wulin grimaced. "My ear is going to fall off!"
"You still know how to pain hurts?" Leng Yaozhu let out a cold hum. "You've got some nerve, daring to go toe-to-toe with the Federation all by yourself? If we hadn't arrived in time, you'd still be squatting in that dark little room right now!"
"Teacher, aren't I fine..." Tang Wulin smiled ingratiatingly. "Besides, didn't I know you guys would come?"
"You sure are confident." Leng Yaozhu released his ear and gave him an eye roll. "Let's go, we'll talk back at the base."
The two of them exited the Federation headquarters and boarded a Soul Guidance Vehicle. Leng Yaozhu leaned back against the seat and suddenly spoke: "What did you make of today's affair?"
Tang Wulin thought for a moment. "Teacher, are you saying... this joint operation wasn't just to rescue me?"
Leng Yaozhu nodded. "You're smart enough. In recent years, the Federation has become increasingly aggressive, secretly suppressing factions like our Spirit Pagoda, Shrek Academy, and the Tang Sect. Using your pretext this time, our major factions united to give the Federation a preemptive shock. On one hand, it was to save you, and on the other hand, it was also to let the Federation know we aren't to be trifled with."
Tang Wulin grew pensive. "So... I stumbled into doing things right this time and helped you all out in a big way?"
"You could say that." The corners of Leng Yaozhu's mouth curved up slightly. "Still, you certainly let us see your potential as well. Being able to push Chen Xinjie back half a step at eight and a half years old, you couldn't find a second one across the entire continent. Your future achievements will be limitless."
Tang Wulin chuckled foolishly, though in his heart he was calculating another matter.
The Federation had compensated him with five hundred million in mental damages. These five hundred million had been extortion through borrowing the mighty influence of various teachers while riding on the tiger's back. Although the process was slightly lacking in glory, the result... was extremely sweet.
Five hundred million! That was enough for him to purchase a massive amount of cultivation resources. The sixth seal of the Golden Dragon King should be able to break very soon. Even the seventh seal had hope.
This reverse utilization of his was simply ingenious!
Tang Wulin leaned back against the seat, the corners of his mouth unable to stop curling upward. He already seemed to see the scene of himself breaking through the seals and his strength skyrocketing.
Watching his silly, grinning appearance, Leng Yaozhu couldn't help but shake her head. "What are you thinking about? Smiling so wretchedly."
"Nothing, nothing." Tang Wulin hurriedly put away his smile. "Teacher, let's head back to the Spirit Pagoda. I'm missing the food from the cafeteria a bit."
Leng Yaozhu: "..."
This child really had a heart of stone.
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