Hearing the conversation below, many young geniuses pondered. As core disciples of various factions, they had mostly heard of the practice of sacrificing lives to obtain demon crystals. Now, listening to Yan Shengjing's narration, many of their previous doubts were clarified. A lively discussion ensued.

"Martial arts is all about 'struggle.' If you don't fight, others will. If you fall behind, you'll be oppressed, and eventually, you'll be devoured. The weak are at the mercy of the strong that's just how it is..."

"The old ancestor of the Yan Kingdom certainly lives up to the title of a tyrant!"

"Who could establish a kingdom from nothing without a bit of ruthlessness?"

Ling Ke smirked slightly, her fox-like eyes flashing with indifference as she muttered to herself, "Survival of the fittest... Heh."

"The world is harsh..." Wang Ye seemed to recall something, losing his usual carefree demeanor and displaying an inexplicably heavy expression.

"But there's no need to be pessimistic. Didn't the Riddle Master of the Tianji Sect say that a great struggle is coming? If a truly invincible grandmaster or a first-grade earthly immortal emerges, the Xuantian Continent could enjoy peace for a thousand years. Of course, this person must have a kind heart. I think Li Sheng would be quite suitable, don't you agree, Wang Ye?"

Yan Yunfei seemed relatively unfazed, casually speaking.

"Oh?"

"You old swindler actually have some foresight, but why can't it be me?" Wang Ye instantly grew displeased.

"You?" Yan Yunfei chuckled, "If you could do it, I'd ride you like a mount!"

...

Seeing that Li Sheng remained unmoved, Yan Shengjing continued, "As long as you agree to join my Yan Kingdom, I promise to cultivate you with all my strength, bestow upon you the title of Divine Martial King, and grant you the hand of any of our seven princesses. One of your descendants would even succeed as the Emperor of the Yan Kingdom. If you have other requests, feel free to mention them; I will never let you down!"

Yan Shengjing's expression was sincere; he shared so much with Li Sheng solely to recruit him. A loose cultivator who possessed a heavenly-stage divine power was immeasurably valuable. If he could recruit Li Sheng, in less than fifty years, the Yan Kingdom would rise to the status of a holy land. He was willing to pay any price for such an outcome, especially given that Li Sheng's talent and opportunities were exceptional.

Li Sheng's expression grew complex. He could sense the sincerity in Yan Shengjing's words, but as the leader of the Qingling Sect, he was destined not to follow him. Moreover, while he could understand the actions taken by the Yan Kingdom, he did not agree with them.

Having made up his mind, Li Sheng feigned hesitation and said, "I am honored by your offer, but this matter is significant, and I need to contemplate it further."

"Take your time... I will wait." A hint of joy flickered in Yan Shengjing's eyes.

Beside him, Zhou Tianyi felt envious, regretting that he hadn't acted first to recruit Li Sheng. However, since both parties had formed a defensive alliance, there was no need to worry. He remembered that his sect was about to select the new Holy Maiden, and he could always arrange for her to marry this young man later.

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The other young geniuses exchanged glances, as the anticipated battle had yet to unfold, instead, a scene of recruitment played out.

...

Half an hour later, heavy rain poured down, thunder roared, and silver lightning danced, enveloping the world in a haze.

"Li Sheng, have you made up your mind after half an hour?" Yan Shengjing looked expectantly at Li Sheng.

Li Sheng sighed inwardly. "I can't delay it any longer. Fortunately, this storm has reached its peak..."

"Please wait a moment, I still need to contemplate," he said.

Upon hearing this, Yan Shengjing's expression froze, his eyes narrowing. "You've been contemplating for half an hour. If you have any concerns, feel free to share."

Li Sheng looked helpless. "Yan Shengjing, I've faced many situations like this. I just want to say, those who understand will understand, and I won't elaborate for those who don't. Please don't ask me what's going on; the details are too complicated for you to comprehend. I need time to think it over before giving a reply..."

Yan Shengjing was taken aback, confused by the young man's ramblings about understanding and depth.

"Pfft!" Ling Ke, who had been listening intently, couldn't hold back her laughter. After Li Sheng spoke, she burst into giggles, holding her stomach and pointing at him with a trembling finger.

"Li Sheng is truly a remarkable person!" Yan Yunfei exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

Wang Ye, beside him, also looked admiring. "To tease two supreme grandmasters what audacity! I'll cover the paper money for your seventh day!"

Upon hearing the commotion below, Yan Shengjing's face darkened instantly, his expression turning grim. "Is this your answer, Li Sheng?"

Li Sheng regained his calm demeanor, stating flatly, "Different paths cannot conspire together!"

"What a great saying! Too bad..." Yan Shengjing's aura surged, flames enveloping him like a tidal wave of magma.

The rainwater was evaporated hundreds of feet away from the seething magma as the violent energy fluctuations roared.

Li Sheng's expression turned grave as a strong sense of crisis welled up within him. The might of this attack was several times stronger than that of an ordinary grandmaster.

"Thunder!"

Li Sheng silently chanted, merging with the divine seed, transforming into a brilliant silver light that shot upwards, melding with the might of heaven and earth.

Ancient, distant, and vast thoughts filled his mind. He emptied his heart, feeling no self and no other, achieving tranquility as if transcending the mortal realm, uniting with the power of heaven.

Under the subconscious guidance, the direction of the lightning shifted dramatically, aiming toward the sea of flames below.

In an instant, a blinding silver light erupted, and the fire-red magma within a hundred-zhang radius shattered, plummeting like countless meteors.

The many young geniuses below were taken aback, hurriedly retreating to evade the aftermath.

The swamp instantly transformed into a fiery red expanse.

Yan Shengjing scoffed, "You think summoning the power of heaven to refine your form is a genuine move? Is this your trump card?"

With arms outstretched, six hundred-foot-long rivers of red magma emerged, converging toward the center.

Yan Shengjing deftly avoided the silver lightning strike, merging into the magma at the center.

A massive fire-red lotus bloomed, and nine radiant seed pods within it exuded immense pressure.

As it began to spin, the nine miraculous seed pods released red beams of light over a hundred feet long, resembling pillars of heaven that instantly dispelled the silver lightning.

Li Sheng, embodying the lightning, felt a surge of pain throughout his body, as if it were about to fall apart. Gritting his teeth, he once again merged with the lightning.

"The gap is too vast. Is this the strength of a seasoned supreme grandmaster? I can't confront it head-on..."

Li Sheng lamented inwardly, ascending into the air and drawing more lightning to him, coalescing it into a stream that flowed among the nine towering pillars.

In that moment, silver light scattered, and magma splashed everywhere.

After attempting for a while, he realized that he couldn't cause enough damage to the fire pillars before they restored themselves. He shifted direction and charged towards the massive fire lotus.