Chapter 829: New Benefits

In the recruitment area, after Zhou Yuan uttered those words, silence descended, and the atmosphere became somewhat comical.

Presumably, the shock caused by Zhou Yuan's previous statement was simply too strong.

It wasn't just the others; even the numerous members of the Wind Pavilion exchanged bewildered glances. Commanders like Xiao Hong were also utterly confused, wondering why Zhou Yuan would say something that sounded so self-deprecating.

It was well-known that at previous recruitment ceremonies, the Wind Pavilion could only pick from the leftovers after the other three pavilions had chosen all the promising talents. This was precisely why the Wind Pavilion had earned the moniker 'newcomer junkyard'.

But now, Zhou Yuan had raised the bar to the top 150. Was he intending to gain no new members at this year's ceremony?

How could those highly-ranked newcomers possibly forgo the Fire Pavilion, with its superior conditions, to choose the Wind Pavilion?

“Is Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan planning to give up this year?” Lu Xiao slowly came back to his senses, letting out a chuckle.

His voice broke the silence, allowing everyone present to recover from their shock, and many began to snicker.

However, Zhou Yuan paid no heed to Lu Xiao's taunt, his tone remaining calm as he continued, “Furthermore, I must add that from now on, the Wind Pavilion will conduct strict annual assessments. Any member who performs poorly will have their membership revoked.”

Upon hearing this, the faces of the Wind Pavilion members present couldn't help but change, their eyes showing surprise.

The consequence for poor performance in the assessment was simply too severe!

Liu Zhixuan, noticing the stir among some Wind Pavilion members around them, couldn't help but whisper, “Pavilion Master, isn't this too strict?”

He could sense some Wind Pavilion members feeling indignant. After all, no one would willingly accept such a stringent assessment being imposed out of nowhere. If word of this reached Wind Island, it might even cause an uproar.

Lu Xiao and Han Yuan also exchanged glances, seeing the surprise and suspicion in each other's eyes. In their view, Zhou Yuan's actions were practically an attempt to dismantle the Wind Pavilion.

Had this guy truly gone mad?

Mu Liu also frowned. Beside him, Mu Qingyan muttered, “Is he trying to revitalize the Wind Pavilion? But he's thinking too simply if he believes he can tame the Wind Pavilion members just with a stick. If this escalates, even he, as Pavilion Master, won't be able to control it.”

Undeterred by the commotion from all sides, Zhou Yuan calmly continued, “Now that I've stated the requirements, let me tell you about the future benefits for our Wind Pavilion members.”

“From now on, Wind Pavilion members will receive seventy Origin Return Coins per month.”

This simple sentence, however, was like a tidal wave, instantly leaving everyone in the arena dumbfounded.

Even the Wind Pavilion members who had previously voiced objections now stared at Zhou Yuan in shock. They used to receive twenty, and now it was more than three times that amount?! What was going on?

Even Liu Zhixuan, Xiao Hong, and others had their expressions frozen.

Apart from Ye Bingling and Yi Qiushui, everyone was speechless at this moment, their minds buzzing.

Even the newcomers in the arena, including the thirty-four powerful new talents on the Divine Dwelling Ranking, wore expressions of shock and disbelief.

Seventy coins?! That was a full twenty coins more than even the Fire Pavilion?!

How was this possible?!

Lu Xiao was also stunned for a moment, then his face completely darkened as he coldly stated, “Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, are you intentionally trying to cause trouble? With the Wind Pavilion's foundation, how can you afford such benefits? Do you take everyone for fools?”

“If you're relying on the Wind Mother Rune, then I can only tell you, that's simply a joke!”

Han Yuan also sneered, convinced that Zhou Yuan was merely trying to grandstand today.

Mu Liu's brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

The other newcomers also eyed Zhou Yuan with suspicion. However, judging by their expressions, they clearly didn't believe Zhou Yuan's claims, for, as Lu Xiao had pointed out, the Wind Pavilion's foundation simply couldn't support such benefits.

Facing the numerous skeptical gazes, Zhou Yuan slowly replied, “The Wind Mother Rune is indeed not enough to support such benefits. Therefore, I must announce that from today, our Wind Pavilion will also be selling three types of Origin Runes.”

With a flick of his sleeve, three jade slip Origin Runes floated up before him.

“These three Origin Runes are the Fire Mother Rune, the Forest Mother Rune, and the Mountain Mother Rune.”

“They originate from the same lineage as the Wind Mother Rune, together known as the Four Mother Runes. Their effects are also identical to the Wind Mother Rune, capable of boosting the overall efficiency of condensing Origin Traces by 40%, specifically designed for the other three domains of the Four Spirits Origin Return Pagoda.”

Zhou Yuan's calm voice rang out, yet it was like a clap of thunder, shaking the entire arena once more.

This time, Lu Xiao and Han Yuan's faces finally changed in unison, their eyes revealing terror.

“Impossible!” Lu Xiao roared, his face ashen.

“Zhou Yuan, do you know the consequences of deceiving newcomers?!”

The usually composed Lu Xiao appeared somewhat flustered, as he clearly understood what it would mean if Zhou Yuan's words were true. If the Wind Mother Rune Zhou Yuan had previously introduced merely caused some pain for their Fire Pavilion, then the appearance of these three additional Origin Runes would entirely uproot their Fire Pavilion!

The foundation upon which their Fire Pavilion had grown strong was the popularity of the Trace Capture Rune!

But now, the Four Mother Runes — Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain — introduced by Zhou Yuan, had nearly double the effectiveness of the Trace Capture Rune. This would undoubtedly render the Trace Capture Rune obsolete!

Seeing their reaction, Zhou Yuan smiled, and with a flick of his sleeve, many jade slips flew towards the three pavilions, where they were caught by some of their members.

“These Origin Runes are a free gift. Everyone can try them out, and you'll naturally know whether they're real or not.”

His casual attitude immediately made Lu Xiao and Han Yuan's hearts sink. Could what Zhou Yuan said actually be true?

Members of the Fire Pavilion and Mountain Pavilion caught the jade slips, looking somewhat at a loss.

In contrast, the members of the Forest Pavilion took them with delighted expressions. Even Mu Liu and Mu Qingyan snatched one each. They exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with shock, clearly aware of the immense upheaval this would cause among the four pavilions if it were true.

So this was Zhou Yuan's hidden trump card!

It was indeed a ruthless, almost fatal, blow!

The entire arena became somewhat chaotic and boisterous at this moment.

However, judging by Zhou Yuan's demeanor and the expressions on Lu Xiao and Han Yuan's faces, many newcomers had a clear idea. After all, if this were a deception in such a public setting, they could collectively report it afterwards, and Zhou Yuan would undoubtedly face severe consequences.

Therefore, everything Zhou Yuan said must be true.

With these Four Mother Runes, the Wind Pavilion's potential would be limitless among the four pavilions from now on.

Conversely, as for the Fire Pavilion, once the Trace Capture Rune was suppressed, could they still afford the benefits they offered?

Only now did they understand why Zhou Yuan had introduced such strict assessments beforehand.

The Wind Pavilion members who had previously been somewhat displeased by Zhou Yuan's actions now had fiery eyes and heavy breathing. Under the temptation of seventy Origin Return Coins per month, what was an assessment? Even risking their lives was nothing in comparison!

Moreover, at this level of benefit, truly incompetent individuals wouldn't be qualified to enjoy it!

Ignoring Lu Xiao's ashen face, Zhou Yuan continued, “Of the future sales proceeds from the Four Mother Runes, 70% will go to the Wind Pavilion to provide member benefits, 20% will be kept by me, and the remaining 10% will be allocated as rewards for high-ranking officials such as Vice Pavilion Masters, Commanders, and Deputy Commanders, based on their contributions.”

“Therefore, if anyone believes they have the ability to become a Commander, or even a Vice Pavilion Master, in our Wind Pavilion, they are more than welcome.”

He directed this statement towards the thirty-four powerful new talents on the Divine Dwelling Ranking, and the effect was indeed better than imagined. Zhou Yuan could even see the ambition flickering in their eyes.

Even Shang Xiaoling and her three companions showed a subtle shift in their expressions at this moment.

Zhou Yuan casually clapped his hands and said, “Let's begin the selection process. Newcomers who meet the criteria and are interested can come forward to sign up.”

A brief silence fell over the arena.

However, the silence lasted only for an instant, as everyone watched the young woman named Shang Xiaoling, who stood at the very front of the newcomers, decisively shoot towards the Wind Pavilion.

“I wish to join the Wind Pavilion!” Her slightly hoarse voice rang out without hesitation.

Shang Xiaoling's move was undeniably like a fuse igniting a volcanic collapse. The silence in the arena was instantly shattered. The next moment, hundreds of figures, almost in a frenzy, surged directly towards the stone platform where the Wind Pavilion was located.

“I'm willing too!”

“I want to join the Wind Pavilion!”

“Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, please accept me!”

At this moment, the entire atmosphere in the arena was utterly ignited.