"Elder Long, you know me. This sort of thing really puts me in a difficult position!"
Fang Qianyuan loved freedom by nature and did not wish to be bound by sect assignments. His first instinct was to refuse.
But Elder Long said, "Qianyuan, not to criticize you, but others might never get an opportunity this good even if they begged for it, yet you're pushing it away. What sense does that make?"
Fang Qianyuan paused in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Elder Long said, "You must understand that the sect's arrangements always have a deeper purpose. Those Eight Geniuses are the outstanding young men and women of their generation. Countless senior experts would gladly associate with them, or even bestow favors upon them!"
"Having the Eight Geniuses in your grasp means having the sect's future in your grasp. The Sect Master is paving the way for you!"
Though Fang Qianyuan had the temperament of an idle cloud or a wandering crane, he was no rogue cultivator, after all. With that reminder, he understood.
The sect's arrangement truly did carry something of an intention to pave his way.
His strength had already reached the peak of Earth Rank, leaving little room for further gains in power. For his future development, cultivating subordinates, building up his reserves, and expanding his influence were more important instead. This chance to deal with the Azure Cloud Eight Elites was an ideal opening.
Whether the Eight Geniuses liked it or not, once they received his protection, they would owe him a favor.
"Even leaving all that aside, sending the Eight Geniuses into battle is a sign that the sect intends to open a new battlefield and escalate the war on all fronts. If you go with them, you'll have ample opportunities to hunt down enemy experts