Early the next morning, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang called Qi Ling out and brought him to his room.
This time, the Grandmaster's manner differed from his usual gentleness, carrying a greater measure of gravity and seriousness.
"Qi Ling, someone from Spirit Hall has come," Yu Xiaogang told Qi Ling, getting straight to the point.
"It's Father Fei Luoma, whom you met yesterday."
Qi Ling paused at the news. He had already been prepared for someone from Spirit Hall to come.
After all, judging by Yu Xiaogang's reaction yesterday, his Martial Soul was anything but ordinary. As the most powerful organization on the continent, Spirit Hall could hardly fail to try to win him over.
Still, they had only awakened his Martial Soul yesterday, yet today they had already worked out their approach to him. In this age of undeveloped technology, that speed of action could be called downright terrifying!
That alone showed that Spirit Hall was no ordinary organization.
"I imagine you can guess why Spirit Hall has come, Qi Ling. That's right-they're here to recruit you," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Spirit Hall's influence is greater than you can imagine. If you join them, you will certainly receive their full support, which would greatly benefit your growth."
"As for whether to join Spirit Hall, wait until you've met Father Fei Luoma before deciding."
Father Fei Luoma was the old man in red whom Qi Ling had met yesterday, as well as the highest-ranking official of Spirit Hall in Nuoding City. His coming in person this time showed just how much importance he placed on Qi Ling.
As soon as he saw Qi Ling arrive, delight appeared on Fei Luoma's face. "Hello there, little Qi Ling. I'm Father Fei Luoma. We only met yesterday-do you still remember me?"
Qi Ling sat down helplessly. The way the man spoke to him as a little child made him uncomfortable all over. "I remember. Just tell me what you need, Father Fei Luoma."
Father Fei Luoma was momentarily at a loss for words. Although he had experienced Qi Ling's temperament yesterday, such blunt speech was still a little much for him.
"Very well. In that case, I won't waste words." Father Fei Luoma gathered his thoughts before speaking.
"Qi Ling, yesterday I reported your situation to Spirit Hall's headquarters. The elders attach great importance to you, and they have specifically sent me to ask whether you would be willing to join our Spirit Hall."
Having already prepared himself for this, Qi Ling replied without revealing anything, "Oh? What would I gain by joining Spirit Hall?"
"Joining Spirit Hall naturally comes with many benefits." Fei Luoma seemed very confident in Spirit Hall's invitation.
"Not only would you receive Spirit Hall's full support in your development, but you would even qualify for an audience with the Pope! You must understand, that is a supreme honor!"
"You would also receive the finest education, and could even obtain the finest Soul Rings and the finest resources!"
Father Fei Luoma continued, "In short, this is absolutely an opportunity you cannot afford to miss!"
Watching Father Fei Luoma's impassioned speech, Qi Ling merely nodded lightly. "I understand, Father Fei Luoma. Please give me a minute to consider it."
Fei Luoma was once again left speechless, but he believed that no one could refuse an invitation from Spirit Hall. Countless people begged for such an opportunity without ever receiving it!
So he headed outside as he spoke. "Very well. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and I happen to have some things to discuss. Qi Ling, I'll return shortly to hear your answer."
After Fei Luoma left, Qi Ling immediately opened his system. The reason he had sent Fei Luoma away was that he had just received a notification from the system.
[Ding-dong! The host has been detected facing an invitation from Spirit Hall. Host, please choose from the following options!] Option one: Join Spirit Hall. Rewards: access to Spirit Hall's resources, one Soul Bone, and an increase of 3 Soul Power Levels. Option two: Refuse Spirit Hall. Rewards: Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's favorability +10%, Mysterious Heaven Skill cultivation method.
Without question, the rewards for option one were so generous that they were impossible to refuse!
That Soul Bone alone was something countless Soul Masters pursued their entire lives! Not to mention Spirit Hall's full support, which would undoubtedly let him ascend to heaven in a single step!
But did you think this would make me, Qi Ling, meekly fall into line? Heh, too naive. What I love most is giving people who think they have everything in hand a huge surprise!
"System, I choose option two!"
[Ding-dong! Congratulations to the host for choosing option two: Refuse to join Spirit Hall. Rewards: Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's favorability +10%, Mysterious Heaven Skill cultivation method.]
Of course, Qi Ling had not made this choice deliberately to embarrass Father Fei Luoma. After all, no one would turn up their nose at god-tier rewards already within reach.
Qi Ling had refused Spirit Hall only because joining would inevitably mean taking orders from others and bearing Spirit Hall's brand from that day forward.
He had already spent an entire lifetime risking his life for others. In this life, all he wanted was freedom and happiness; he absolutely refused to become anyone's puppet.
There was another point, too: the Mysterious Heaven Skill offered by option two was an incredibly tempting reward as well! As the cultivation technique Tang San practiced, its value was certainly no less than that of a Soul Bone!
After all, precious though Soul Bones were, there would be plenty of opportunities to obtain them later. But if he missed this chance to cultivate the Mysterious Heaven Skill, who knew whether he would ever get another!
Tang San would not casually teach others the techniques he kept at the bottom of his chest.
Thus, when Father Fei Luoma and Yu Xiaogang came in together, eagerly awaiting Qi Ling's answer, Qi Ling smiled faintly and said, "I'm very sorry, Father Fei Luoma. I'm already a student at Nuoding Academy, so I cannot accompany you to Spirit Hall."
Not only Father Fei Luoma, but even Yu Xiaogang was utterly astonished by Qi Ling's decision!
After all, this was an invitation from Spirit Hall. To a Soul Master, it was the highest honor-something no one should have been able to refuse!
"Qi Ling, you must think this through. Spirit Hall isn't somewhere you can join easily. If you miss this opportunity, you may regret it for the rest of your life!" Yu Xiaogang said.
Fei Luoma chimed in beside him. "That's right, little Qi Ling. Even if you've already enrolled in Nuoding Academy, I can report it to Spirit Hall's headquarters and have the esteemed elders..."
"Father Fei Luoma, I think you've misunderstood me," Qi Ling said with a smile.
"My studies at Nuoding Academy are going very well, and I have no plans to change schools."
Qi Ling's words were already a very plain and clear refusal.
Father Fei Luoma wanted to say more, but the moment he saw the look in Qi Ling's eyes, he understood. This was a little boy who would never change his mind because of someone else's words. Anything more he said would be futile.
"Ah! Very well. What a shame," Father Fei Luoma said. "In that case, I won't press you! I will report your situation to headquarters."
"Thank you, Father. Thank you for thinking so highly of me," Qi Ling said. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."