83: Chapter 83: The Recruitment by the Third Prince 83: Chapter 83: The Recruitment by the Third Prince “I announce that the final arena master of this grand competition between the two sects is Ye Zhen of Qiyun Sect!”

As the announcement was made by the Seventh Elder of Qiyun Sect, the disciples from both the inner and outer gates of Qiyun Sect erupted in cheers, even more thrilled than Ye Zhen, who had won the title.

On the Martial Arts Platform, the high-ranking members of Qiyun Sect were all smiles, their gazes upon the blood-soaked Ye Zhen transformed, already calculating what they should do once Ye Zhen became an inner sect disciple.

The Departure Stone Elder, who just had been harshly reprimanded by Sect Master Guo Qijing of Qiyun Sect for a slip of the tongue, looked utterly dejected.

Even though he wanted to argue that Ye Zhen had no right to compete, he couldn’t bring himself to speak up.

The loser had no such right!

Lisi Shi was more worried about the impact this battle would have on the Lishui Sect.

With the top ten outer disciples of the Lishui Sect wiped out, who knew how this would be twisted when word spread across Jianghu?

If handled poorly, it could strike a fatal blow to the reputation of the Lishui Sect.

“Brother, the competition has ended, quickly join me in presenting the awards!” declared the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan, rising from his seat.

“Oh!”

The Third Prince Zhu Kun, who stood up, wore an extremely unsightly expression.

Originally, he had hoped for a grand victory by Lishui Sect, which would have been used to suppress Qiyun Sect and further expand his influence within the Empire, slowly accumulating power for the future.

But unexpectedly, he lost everything.

All because of Ye Zhen!

However, the Third Prince Zhu Kun was commendable; in an instant, he wiped the distressed look off his face, stepped beside the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan onto the Martial Combat Platform, and fixed his sharp eyes on Ye Zhen.

On the Martial Combat Platform, when the Demon Spirit Essence Elixir from Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan and the Sky Crystal Sword, a low-grade artifact, passed into Ye Zhen’s hands by Third Prince Zhu Kun, Ye Zhen felt an immense surprise.

Whoosh!

Barely activating his True Yuan, a cold sword light shot out abruptly from the Sky Crystal Sword, instantly piercing through the stone-made platform!

“What a sword!” Ye Zhen exclaimed.

Strength, this is the benefit of strength.

An ordinary disciple of Qiyun Sect might struggle for over a decade without securing such precious items, but Ye Zhen had acquired them effortlessly.

The moment Ye Zhen received the Sky Crystal Sword, nearly all the inner sect disciples, including the top prodigy Changsun Ran, showed a hint of envy.

It wasn’t for nothing; low-grade artifacts were too precious.

Just having such a sword would hugely enhance one’s strength.

“Ye Zhen, cultivate well, I see great potential in you!” the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan said amicably, patting Ye Zhen’s shoulder.

Ye Zhen nodded with a smile in response.

Honestly speaking, if it were before, meeting the princes face to face might have caused Ye Zhen to tremble with nervous excitement.

But now, Ye Zhen was as calm as still water.

A prince, what was there to be nervous about?

This was the transformation brought about by increased strength and vision.

“Ye Zhen, my Prince Mansion is still in need of a martial arts instructor.

Would you be inclined to take up the role?” suddenly said the Third Prince Zhu Kun.

Before Ye Zhen could answer, the Third Prince Zhu Kun added, “Of course, you wouldn’t need to stay day and night in my Prince Mansion; just spend two or three days a year giving guidance.

Moreover, you would have access to cultivation resources beyond your imagination.

And, if you are willing, I could recommend you to the Ministry of War any time to command an army on your own, where wealth and honor are easily within reach!”

Recruitment!

This was a bald-faced recruitment!

Seeing a talented individual, and immediately wanting to recruit him under his banner.

The face of the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan instantly turned very sour, his brother’s manner was proving too distasteful, wasn’t it?

At the same moment, the Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan looked anxiously towards Ye Zhen.

At seventeen, having reached the True Essence Third Realm, Ye Zhen could potentially break through to the Spirit Summoning Realm in the future, and more so, there was a possibility he could become a True Disciple of Qiyun Sect.

The influence of a True Disciple of Qiyun Sect was immeasurable.

If Ye Zhen turned to Third Prince Zhu Kun, wouldn’t that increase his power?

However, some things are destined by the heavens.

As they say, one’s position determines their perspective.

When Third Prince Zhu Kun’s backing came from the Lishui Sect, it had early on decided everything.

Even if the conditions offered by Third Prince Zhu Kun were exceedingly generous, they still failed to sway Ye Zhen.

“Sorry, cultivation takes precedence, and I do not want external affairs to disrupt my practice!” Ye Zhen said.

The expression on Third Prince Zhu Kun’s face changed abruptly, he said gravely, “Ye Zhen, won’t you reconsider?

Over here at my place….”

“No need!”

Before Third Prince Zhu Kun could finish speaking, Ye Zhen bluntly cut him off, leaving Zhu Kun frozen in place with a momentary flush of embarrassment on his face!

“Hmph!

Ye Zhen, don’t you regret this!”

With a cold snort, Third Prince Zhu Kun’s voice turned sinister as he spoke.

This time, Ye Zhen didn’t even respond but simply turned and walked away.

After so many events, Ye Zhen had already realized that princes and royalty were nothing compared to true power.

As long as Ye Zhen persisted in his cultivation and grew strong enough, even princes would have to bow before him!

On the Martial Arts Platform, Elder Departure from the Lishui Sect was still making his last stand!

“Sect Master Guo, in the great competition between the two sects, Ye Zhen slaughtered all of our Lishui Sect’s outer disciples.

You must give us an explanation for this!” Elder Departure angrily said.

“Elder Departure, I recall you mentioned earlier that it’s normal for disciples to be excited about the hefty rewards and get carried away.

Now, this too is normal!” Grand Elder Lut Changchuan finally found an opportunity to vent.

Elder Departure was startled, “This is different, ten outer disciples were all slaughtered by Ye Zhen alone.

This is murder….”

“What’s the difference?

Ye Zhen faced a group of your disciples alone.

If he didn’t fight fiercely, should he have waited to be chopped down by you?

It’s their own fault for being inferior.

Stop complaining!”

With that statement, Grand Elder Lut Changchuan shamed Elder Departure to the point where he couldn’t utter another word.

“Someone, gather the bodies of the Lishui Sect disciples and let Departure take them away, lest anyone say our Qiyun Sect is inhumane,” said Grand Elder Lut Changchuan.

With Ye Zhen’s victory, the great competition between the two sects was coming to an end.

Sect Master Guo Qijing briefly encouraged the inner and outer sect disciples and was about to dismiss the assembly.

But just then, on the Martial Combat Platform, the blood-covered Ye Zhen suddenly stepped forward and bowed, saying, “I have to consult you, Sect Master, on a matter I don’t understand!”

Upon hearing this, the inner and outer sect disciples, who were about to disperse, were suddenly perplexed, wondering what Ye Zhen was up to.

“What is it?”

Sect Master Guo Qijing also had a fond impression of Ye Zhen, who had effectively turned the tide.

“Sect Master, due to a matter concerning the Meng Family, I missed the annual sect competition which also meant a missed opportunity to become an inner sect disciple.

I was hoping….”

Upon hearing this, Sect Master Guo Qijing frowned, “Ye Zhen, I understand your meaning.

Inner sect disciple, right?

You have made great contributions to the sect.

After discussing with other elders, we can make an exception and promote you to an inner sect disciple….”

While speaking, a trace of displeasure appeared on Guo Qijing’s face.

What’s the rush, Ye Zhen?

You’ve made such significant contributions, would the sect still treat you unfairly?

Did you really need to publicly question me, the sect leader?

Hearing Sect Master Guo Qijing’s words, Ye Zhen quickly gestured with his hands, “Sect Master, that is not what I meant!”

“Then what do you mean?” Sect Master Guo Qijing’s brow furrowed deeper.

“Sect Master, I remember, apart from the annual grand competition, there are two other ways for an outer disciple to become an inner sect disciple,” Ye Zhen said.

Guo Qijing laughed, “Correct, you either pass the fourth change of the Fish-Dragon Nine Transformations, or defeat any inner sect disciple.

Which option do you choose?”

“Challenging an inner sect disciple!” Ye Zhen answered without hesitation.

As soon as these words were spoken, the face of Yuen Chengzu among the inner sect disciples below instantly changed.

“Who are you challenging?”

“Him!

I challenge the inner sect disciple Yuen Chengzu!” On the Martial Combat Platform, Ye Zhen pointed directly at Yuen Chengzu.

As soon as Ye Zhen spoke, there was an immediate uproar among the crowd.

On the platform, among the eight elders of the Qiyun Sect, except for Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang, everyone else’s expression turned exceedingly strange!