Chapter 38: Arrogant Recruiter

"Xu Yang, drink this poison. Don't worry, although it's poison, its effects last for a month. As long as you faithfully serve the Lord of Tianwu County, he will give you an antidote every month."

Xu Yang took the items, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

The Lord of Tianwu County really was quite the schemer, wasn't he?

Xu Yang sneered, directly throwing the invitation and the poison to the ground. "Have you finished your last words? You may die now."

"What do you mean?" Yu Tianxiong's gaze turned cold.

"I know it might be hard for you to accept right now, but if you don't drink this poison, our Lord of Tianwu County won't protect you. You've offended the Spirit Treasure Auction House, and without our protection, you should know what your fate will be."

"So, you should obediently drink it. Although the rest of your life will be subject to the Lord of Tianwu County, isn't this also an opportunity for you?"

Yu Tianxiong was certain that Xu Yang, fearing the Spirit Treasure Auction House, would submit to him. Therefore, he spoke without reservation, showing no politeness. The other dozen Golden Core cultivators also wore arrogant expressions. So what if Xu Yang dominated Qi Province? He could only make a splash there. When faced with someone from their Tianwu County, he was nothing but a pawn.

Xu Yang looked at these confident individuals, feeling a bit speechless. He wondered if he should tell these people that the Spirit Treasure Association had already been dealt with by him.

"Heh, can you really protect me and the Tianlan Sect?" Xu Yang suddenly asked with interest. He had offended the Spirit Treasure Association and the Demonic Cloud Sect; everyone in the world thought he was doomed, like a grasshopper after autumn, and wanted to stay far away from him. However, these Golden Core cultivators surprised him; they actually wanted to win him over.

Was it that the Lord of Tianwu County was ignorant and fearless, or had he truly become so powerful that he could disregard the Demonic Cloud Sect and the main Spirit Treasure Auction House, which everyone else feared?

"Haha, you can rest assured about that. Although you offended the Spirit Treasure Association and killed Zhao Long, our Tianwu County can still save your life," Yu Tianxiong said pompously.

In truth, if Tianwu County were to fight to the death with the Spirit Treasure Auction House, they would have no chance of winning. But Xu Yang's issue was merely killing an insignificant person from the Spirit Treasure Auction House. If Tianwu County were to intervene, the Spirit Treasure Auction House would surely back down, requiring only some minor sacrifices. After all, Tianwu County secretly harbored several Nascent Soul cultivators. The Spirit Treasure Auction House wouldn't go to war with Tianwu County over an insignificant dead person.

"Zhao Long? They're still talking about Zhao Long?" Xu Yang's expression became intriguing. The matter with Zhao Long had long been concluded. Now, his entanglement with the Spirit Treasure Auction House should be about annihilating its branch. Furthermore, he now had a vendetta with the Demonic Cloud Sect as well. Yet, these people were still unaware?

"What's wrong? Have you thought it through?" At that moment, Yu Tianxiong asked again.

Xu Yang smiled and said, "Your information is far too outdated. The branch of the Spirit Treasure Auction House has been destroyed by me, and even its branch president is dead. How are you still talking about Zhao Long?"

"Also, let me add this: the Demonic Cloud Sect is now also my mortal enemy, an unending kind, because I killed the disciple of one of their elders. I'm very scared right now. So, I want you to protect me. Can you do it?"

Upon hearing Xu Yang's words, Yu Tianxiong's expression changed. If that were truly the case, then if Tianwu County chose to protect Xu Yang, the entire county might be annihilated.

"Are you telling the truth? No, isn't Zhang Shuangtian a legendary Nascent Soul cultivator? You, a mere Golden Core cultivator, killed a Nascent Soul cultivator? Who are you trying to fool?"

"And the Demonic Cloud Sect, are you sure you killed the disciple of a Demonic Cloud Sect elder?" Yu Tianxiong said with an expression of disbelief.

Xu Yang didn't offer further explanation. He had said those things merely because he found these people amusing.

Ling Qingshu looked at Xu Yang with a bewildered expression. Could it be that Xu Yang, after going out to trouble the Spirit Treasure Auction House, had annihilated its branch so quickly?

"Xu Yang, I'll give you three more minutes to consider. No matter what, after three minutes, you will obediently drink that poison. Either you're sensible and drink it yourself, or we'll force it down you." As he spoke, Yu Tianxiong chuckled to himself.

Xu Yang shook his head helplessly. Suddenly, he took a step forward, raised his arm, and swung it out. White spiritual energy instantly enveloped Yu Tianxiong. The next second, the spiritual energy coiled around Yu Tianxiong, squeezing him until he couldn't breathe. He tried to struggle, but the more he struggled, the more agonizing it became.

A few seconds later, Yu Tianxiong was crushed to death by Xu Yang's spiritual energy. The remaining dozen Golden Core cultivators stared at this scene as if they had seen a ghost. They had long heard that Xu Yang was powerful, but they never expected him to be *this* powerful. Was he even human?

"Kill him!" Suddenly, someone roared. The dozen Golden Core cultivators swarmed towards Xu Yang.

Yu Sanniang, witnessing this, already knew the fate of these people. Terrified, she hastily knelt on the ground first, hoping Xu Yang wouldn't direct his anger at her later. As expected, Xu Yang moved. He charged into the crowd like a wolf among sheep, taking down one with each blow. Within a few seconds, all the Golden Core cultivators lay on the ground.

Yu Sanniang knelt even more cautiously, her heart pounding with fear.

Xu Yang suddenly noticed someone else behind him, but this person was kneeling. Xu Yang walked over. Seeing it was Yu Sanniang, he immediately smiled. "Get up. What just happened has nothing to do with you; I know that."

Yu Sanniang looked up at Xu Yang. Seeing no murderous intent in his eyes, she shakily stood up. Xu Yang looked at Yu Sanniang and suddenly smiled. Although Yu Sanniang couldn't be described as upright, she was more than capable when it came to finding spiritual herbs or similar items. Yu Sanniang was loyal only to the strong. And since Xu Yang was the strongest in this world, she would naturally be loyal only to him.

"Alright, tell me, what was all this about with these people?" Xu Yang suddenly asked. Even now, Xu Yang wasn't entirely clear what these dozen Golden Core cultivators had come for.

Yu Sanniang looked at the bodies strewn across the ground, pursed her lips, and felt incredibly relieved.