Chapter 1989: Recruiting Disciples

"Hey, this place is really dangerous. If I hadn't shown up when I did, those two would have stolen all your valuables. Teaming up with me has nothing but advantages!" Zhang Zitong hurriedly chased after him, even trying to grab his sleeve to ask for more details. To her surprise, she grabbed nothing and froze in place.

Zu'an stopped, thinking that after all, her intentions had been good. He reminded her, "Are you very proud of your legs?"

Zhang Zitong's face flushed. Her long legs instinctively drew together, one knee slightly bent, her toe gently tapping behind her. "I thought you were different from other people," she said, "but I guess you're just like them."

Zu'an was speechless. "Don't you have any idea what kind of place this is? It's full of cutthroat characters, and you purposely wear shorts just to show off your legs? You're attractive enough already; are you afraid you won't attract attention?" After all, she had once been his subordinate, and she had just "saved" him, so there were some things he felt he ought to warn her about.

Zhang Zitong also realized there was some truth to his words, but she refused to admit it verbally. Her fingers clenched, making cracking sounds. "I don't usually dress like this," she retorted. "Anyone who dares to provoke me will learn why flowers are so red."

"Heh." Zu'an scoffed, then walked straight ahead. He had come here intending to keep a low profile. If he had such an attractive, attention-grabbing woman by his side, he wouldn't be able to get anything done. Originally, he had wanted to ask why she was here, but seeing that she wanted to team up with him, he immediately understood she wasn't very familiar with the place herself. She most likely just wanted a local guide. Given that, he naturally wouldn't team up with her, to avoid inconveniencing each other.

Zhang Zitong was indeed startled. She hadn't expected him to refuse so bluntly. She hastily chased after him. "Are you really not going to consider it? My cultivation is very high!" she called out. "I think your cultivation is mediocre, and you probably can't protect yourself. I can protect you!"

"Hey, say something, will you?"

But he continued to ignore her. He walked away without looking back, as if avoiding a plague god.

"Ugh, you!" Zhang Zitong seemed unable to bring herself to chase after him further. Watching his retreating back, she couldn't help but stomp her foot, feeling a little angry.

Rage points from Zhang Zitong +373,737...

Over the years, thanks to her beauty and especially her long legs, even among her colleagues within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, she had always received special attention. When had she ever been ignored like this?

Uh, no, wait. It seemed Master Eleven had been like this too. Hmph, what right did this guy have to compare himself to Master Eleven!

Thinking of that person, Zhang Zitong sighed softly, a look of wistfulness on her face.

After Zu'an left, he walked directly towards the magnificent, golden buildings on the high ground. From a distance, it looked like a complex of buildings. Only upon closer inspection did he realize it was a single structure. Its shape was very peculiar, somewhat resembling a stadium he had seen in his previous life. Faint sounds emanated from within, suggesting a considerable number of people inside. However, the building seemed to be surrounded by an array formation, which muffled the sounds, making it impossible to distinguish any specific details.

He suddenly stopped. He noticed several guard-like figures at the building's entrance who were checking small iron tokens held by those entering and exiting.

"Is that an invitation?" Zu'an frowned. He had arrived by deciphering an array, so he naturally didn't have any invitation. He looked around. The building's exterior seemed completely sealed, with faint traces of various defensive array formations visible. It wouldn't be difficult for him to decipher them, but sneaking in unnoticed under everyone's gaze was unrealistic.

"Get out of the way!" A person roughly pushed him from behind. Zu'an could have easily dodged, but with so many eyes around, he worried someone might discern his cultivation level. So, he simply let the person push him. He feigned turning to look. He saw a young master with an impatient expression and a chilling haughtiness in his eyes. Beside him was a woman of similar age. Judging by their attire, they were clearly together. The woman was somewhat attractive. However, her expression was indifferent, clearly accustomed to such incidents.

Seeing Zu'an step aside, the young master sneered disdainfully. He seemed to despise Zu'an for lacking even the courage to resist. He didn't bother to look at him again, and simply continued walking inside with his companion.

"Cousin," the woman said, "do you think we'll pass the Holy Sect's assessment this time?"

"Don't worry," the young master replied. "With your cousin here, we'll definitely succeed in joining this time. And I'm sure I'll become a personal disciple of one of the Elders."

"Little sister will never learn your bearing, Cousin," the woman flattered. "If we really succeed, the Wu and Zhu families will surely reach new heights."

Though their conversation was quiet, it couldn't escape Zu'an's ears. Zu'an's heart stirred. So, this place was used by the Demonic Cult to assess and recruit disciples. No wonder the building was so heavily guarded. But if that was the case, where was their main headquarters?

At that moment, the young man and woman reached the main entrance. They were quickly stopped by a guard. "Identification token!" the guard demanded. The young woman quickly pulled out a token and handed it to him. The guard inspected it, nodded, and waved her through. Then he looked at the young man. "Yours?"

The young man, still arrogant, casually reached into his robe. Suddenly, his expression froze. The composure he had displayed earlier vanished, and his other hand began frantically searching his body.

"Cousin, what's wrong?" the young woman asked, seeing his distress.

"I... I can't seem to find my token?" the young man said, his face filled with anxiety. His earlier carefree demeanor was completely gone.

"Did you forget to bring it?" The woman also grew anxious.

"Impossible," the young man stammered, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "I just touched it a while ago; it was still there." His family had exhausted their resources and prepared for so long. If they failed because of something like this, how could he face his family when he returned?

"Get out of the way!" A cold voice came from behind him. Then he was roughly pushed aside. His eyebrows instantly shot up. He turned to look and found it was the same passerby from earlier.

"If you don't have a token, step aside and stop wasting everyone's time," Zu'an said, handing his own token to the guard. His words immediately resonated with the others in line, who began to scold the young master.

"You..." The young master's face turned a liver-red color. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze fell on Zu'an's token. "That token is mine!" he blurted out.

Rage points from Wu Bi +499,499,499...

Zu'an smiled faintly. "Just because you say it's yours, it's yours? Will it answer if you call its name?" With that, he walked directly into the venue.

"Brat, don't you dare leave!" Wu Bi was both shocked and furious. He instinctively tried to grab Zu'an, but was blocked by the guards.

Rage points from Wu Bi +666,666,666...

"No token, no entry!"

Wu Bi: "..."

Zu'an naturally paid no mind to such a person. Once inside the venue, he saw many exhibition booths. Each booth seemed to represent one of the Demonic Cult's Three Sects and Six Paths. It appeared each branch was recruiting its own disciples. Zu'an's gaze first landed on the booth belonging to the Heavenly Demonic Sect. That area was the liveliest, as the examiners in charge seemed to be beautiful women, naturally attracting the most attention.

Zu'an breathed a sigh of relief. They were still recruiting disciples normally, so it seemed there wouldn't be any major issues.