Duan Qing and Luo Yan spoke in unison, their words ringing with conviction. It was as though they wanted to drive their flying spittle into the ground like nails to show how determined they were to take Yang Zhen in.
The others were just as interested in Yang Zhen, but now that two major sects, Elixir Valley Lake and the Martial Mountain Sect, had spoken up, they naturally went along with them as a favor.
The short old man beside them was livid, his face ashen. But although the Tonglin Sect was one of the five great sects of Youyang Kingdom, just like Elixir Valley Lake and the Martial Mountain Sect, it could not possibly fall out with both major sects at once.
Moreover, the Tonglin Sect was already locked in a bitter dispute with Turtle-Snake Island over the Three Kingdoms Trial a month away. If he offended both Elixir Valley Lake and the Martial Mountain Sect over Zhang Zongjin at a time like this, he would be punished when he returned to the sect, even if he killed Yang Zhen and vented his anger.
At that, the short old man's expression grew uglier and uglier. A trace of gloom flashed deep in his eyes as he shot Yang Zhen a hard stare.
An old woman beside the three slowly said, "Gentlemen, Yang Zhen must decide for himself which sect he wishes to join. Rather than fighting over him here, you might as well wait for him to come up and ask him."
Hearing this, Duan Qing and Luo Yan glanced at the old woman and asked, "Is Elder Gu interested in Yang Zhen as well?"
The old woman smiled and said, "It's not I who am interested in him. Turtle-Snake Island is interested in him."
"Turtle-Snake Island specializes in esoteric formations. Not many young people these days are interested in those. Are you sure you want to compete with us?" Duan Qing said with a smile.
Luo Yan likewise said unhurriedly, "That's right. The boy Yang Zhen is extraordinarily gifted. He might turn out to be another Lin Tianqi. Are you sure Turtle-Snake Island can keep someone like that under control?"
At the name Lin Tianqi, Elder Gu's expression grew slightly awkward. He gave a cold laugh and said, "Lin Tianqi was a heaven-gifted genius, with great talent in both cultivation and formations. Since that existence took a liking to him and accepted him as a disciple, Turtle-Snake Island naturally would not stand in the way."
Duan Qing and Luo Yan exchanged a glance. Seeing that Elder Gu had brought up even that existence, they fell silent at once.
That existence stood above the five kingdoms and was not someone they could afford to provoke lightly.
Each person had their own thoughts, and the looks they gave Yang Zhen grew strange.
"Hmph! I saw that boy making eyes at Qingyu. Something good might come of it. What do you have to compete with me, you old thing?"
Duan Qing cried out and jumped to his feet, pointing at Luo Yan. "You shameless old man, you've even brought up that girl Su Qingyu! Is that all Elixir Valley Lake can do? How pathetic! Didn't you see that boy fawning over that girl Changyang too? What do I have to compete with you? How about a princess?"
"You old thing, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"You old fool, what if I am?"
Everyone: "..."
The Tonglin Sect elder's face was filled with outrage at the absurdity, yet he had no way to vent it.
"Next, the five great sects may select some outstanding disciples during this Youzhou Grand Assembly trial. Young Master Yang, have you... decided which sect you want to join?" Su Qingyu asked gently, looking at Yang Zhen with curiosity.
At her words, Princess Changyang and the others all turned their gazes to Yang Zhen.
Even Fang Shenhe looked at Yang Zhen hopefully and said, "Brother Yang, why not come to Turtle-Snake Island? With your skill in formations... uh..."
Halfway through his sentence, Fang Shenhe suddenly felt two icy gazes fall on him. He shuddered and glanced awkwardly at Princess Changyang and Su Qingyu.
The two women merely gave Fang Shenhe an indifferent glance before turning their attention back to Yang Zhen.
The others' gazes toward Yang Zhen grew fervent, mingled with deep envy, jealousy, and resentment.
From the looks of it, Princess Changyang and Su Qingyu were competing over him.
To have two peerless beauties and heaven's chosen competing over him, Yang Zhen must have earned this blessing over eight lifetimes. But that also left everyone taking some pleasure in his predicament. Whether Yang Zhen joined the Martial Mountain Sect or Elixir Valley Lake, he was bound to offend the other woman.
What would happen to someone who offended a renowned beauty? Everyone was a little excited to see Yang Zhen's miserable fate.
"Why should I join a major sect?" Yang Zhen asked, looking puzzled.
What?
Why should he join a major sect?
Everyone stared at Yang Zhen in bewilderment, seemingly wondering whether they had misheard.
Did he even need to ask why he should join a major sect? There were better cultivation conditions, more Cultivation Resources, more powerful Cultivation Methods and martial techniques, and a stronger master. Most importantly, he would have a powerful backer behind him who could resolve whatever trouble arose.
With all that on offer, who wouldn't cultivate desperately in hopes of being accepted as a disciple by a major sect?
Yang Zhen had actually asked such an idiotic question?
Princess Changyang and Su Qingyu also looked at Yang Zhen strangely. Princess Changyang in particular watched him with great interest. "There are some things one person cannot accomplish alone. You can obtain Cultivation Methods and martial techniques through fortuitous encounters, but the cultivation insights you gain from a master are priceless. And if someone comes after your life, a major sect can provide you with the strongest possible backing."
Su Qingyu nodded and added with a smile, "To qualify for the Three Kingdoms Trial a month from now, you must either be a disciple of a major sect or a guest elder of the Long Moon Pavilion. That is another benefit of joining a major sect."
Yang Zhen was taken aback. "You can't participate in the Three Kingdoms Trial unless you're a disciple of a major sect? And what is the Long Moon Pavilion? Is it another major sect?"
Princess Changyang explained, "The Three Kingdoms Trial is jointly held by three cultivation kingdoms: Youyang Kingdom, Water Spirit Kingdom, and Great Jiang Kingdom. Any disciple who achieves good results in the trial can reap countless benefits and might even be granted a personal audience with the empress of Water Spirit Kingdom."
"The empress of Water Spirit Kingdom?" Yang Zhen was startled and asked in surprise, "That unrivaled empress who formed a Water Spirit Nascent Soul in her twenties and became a Nascent Soul Realm expert?"
"That's her. She has now entered the Void Refinement Realm and is one of the few Void Refinement Realm experts on the Youzhou Continent," Princess Changyang said, filled with longing.
Yang Zhen curled his lip. He didn't much care about any empress, but having to be a disciple of a major sect to participate in the Three Kingdoms Trial was a little unfriendly.
He had no desire to join a major sect and have his freedom restricted. Still, turning down so many major sects whose eyes were shining at the sight of him really was a bit troublesome.
Looking at those nasty old men on the mountain, Yang Zhen decided to tell a whopping lie and make them realize that he could qualify for the Three Kingdoms Trial without joining any major sect.
To Yang Zhen, these so-called rules were made to be broken. Otherwise, what difference was there between life and a salted fish?
But to fool these old foxes, he would have to make some preparations first.
"Princess, Miss Qingyu, I still have fellow disciples to find, so I won't go with you. Please go on ahead; I'll be there shortly."
With that, Yang Zhen allowed no room for argument and walked in the opposite direction from the Dao Comprehension Stele.
On the mountaintop, a group of people stared at one another.
That fellow Yang Zhen had actually just walked away?