Translator: CinderTL
"Sword Prodigy Li!"
"Hahaha, I've heard of you for ages. Finally, I see the true Sword Prodigy Li in person. Truly a man of imposing presence and extraordinary bearing!"
"Sword Prodigy Li, during the Battle of Two Realms Mountain, we watched you perform miracle after miracle. Your glorious achievements are exceedingly rare even in our thousand-year lifetimes."
Before Li Chunjun could speak, the Primordial Spirit True Monarchs burst into eager laughter, their faces beaming with goodwill.
Xuan Zhu, Chu Ci, and the others watched with envy, but quickly followed the others away. They understood that these Primordial Spirit True Monarchs had come out in force to greet Li Chunjun. They... even as Sage-level existences, could at best stand on equal footing with Primordial Spirit True Monarchs. They hadn't yet reached the level where these True Monarchs would actively greet them.
"Greetings, True Monarchs," Li Chunjun greeted them.
"Hahaha, Sword Prodigy Li, no need for formalities. Come, come, you must be exhausted from your journey. We've prepared a feast for you..." Zuo Cheng said with a hearty laugh, gesturing with an open hand.
"I appreciate your kindness, True Monarch. I know why you've come. However, before that, I'd like to first make a trip to the Profound Yellow Great World to challenge the Profound Yellow List. It might be more convincing, don't you think?"
"That's right," Li Chunjun said.
Zuo Cheng, Lu Xiu Yuan, and the others exchanged glances.
To challenge the Profound Yellow List?
If Li Chunjun truly made it onto the Profound Yellow List, their efforts to recruit him into the War Commission would become far more complicated.
However, they also understood that for Li Chunjun, securing a spot on the Profound Yellow List first, then waiting for the best offer, was the most prudent strategy.
As the two True Monarchs pondered, True Monarch Xuan You, who was also present, smiled and said, "Sword Prodigy Li is absolutely right. You should indeed first go to the Profound Yellow Great World and challenge the Profound Yellow List! I will personally escort you there and mobilize the sect's resources to arrange your challenge."
Li Chunjun's gaze fell upon her.
True Monarch Xuan You smiled and introduced herself, "Though this is our first meeting, I assume you've heard my name. I am Xuan You, Master of Sect Leader Huan Ming of the Taixu Sword Sect in the Azure Star Minor Realm."
She continued directly, "Rest assured, with our Taixu Sword Sect clearing the path for you, your challenge will proceed without a hitch."
True Monarch Xuan You.
Li Chunjun nodded.
She was the Primordial Spirit True Monarch who had previously questioned his talent and strength.
However, he understood her position.
When news spread that a "Prodigy"-level genius had emerged in a Lesser Thousand World, followed shortly by rumors that this Prodigy had the potential to challenge the Profound Yellow Star Brilliance List, anyone would have dismissed it as the ignorance of those below, unable to recognize a true dragon.
In the end, she didn't waste energy opening a portal to immediately bring him to the Profound Yellow Great World. Instead, she planned to wait a year or two, assess his talent when the Star Gate opened, and then make a decision. It was a prudent move.
He understood her reasoning.
Therefore...
He believed she would also understand his desire to first climb the Profound Yellow List before seeking the best offer.
"Does Frigid Jade Fortress have a Star Gate directly to the main star of the Azure Sea Domain?" Li Chunjun asked. "I'd like to go there now. Is that possible?"
Zuo Cheng and Lu Xiu Yuan nodded. "Of course. Since the Two Realms Mountain War just ended, many will be returning to the main star of the Azure Sea Domain. The Star Gate will open in three hours, three days, and six days."
Lu Xiu Yuan added, "Since the Star Gate opening is still some time away, Sword Prodigy Li, why not hear about the cultivation plan the Multiverse Hegemony War Committee can offer you?"
"Very well," Li Chunjun agreed.
"We intend to recommend you for the Sword Bearer Legion under the War Conquest Hall of the Multiverse Hegemony War Committee."
Lu Xiu Yuan spoke directly: "Unlike the Immortal Alliance, which is responsible for maintaining stability and development across the regions, the Multiverse Hegemony War Committee is a special Human Race institution dedicated solely to waging war against the myriad races!"
Li Chunjun nodded in understanding.
If the entire Human Race were considered a nation, the Immortal Alliance would be akin to the State Council. The Multiverse Hegemony War Committee, on the other hand, would be more like a Military Commission, responsible for external warfare.
Of course, the lines of authority between the two institutions weren't always perfectly clear.
"The committee is divided into nine halls, with the War Conquest Hall being the most influential! And the Sword Bearer Legion is the elite force within the War Conquest Hall!"
Lu Xiu Yuan continued solemnly: "Once you become a member of the Sword Bearer Legion... let's take a Sixth-Rank Swordbearer as an example. Their annual salary alone would be a staggering five hundred Spirit Crystals! They can also seek guidance on cultivation from Void Refining Realm commanders at any time, plus various other benefits... such as subsidies for missions. If you were to apply for Sixth-Rank materials to enhance your Flying Sword, the Sword Bearer Legion would cover sixty percent of the cost directly..."
The Primordial Spirit True Monarch went on to detail the various benefits.
The generous terms left many Primordial Spirit True Monarchs with envy in their eyes.
Setting aside the forty percent discount on materials and pills, the annual salary of five hundred Spirit Crystals alone was enough to make even these Primordial Spirit True Monarchs green with envy.
You should know that the wealth of Primordial Spirit True Monarchs often amounts to only tens of thousands of Spirit Crystals, with some even possessing less than ten thousand.
In other words, Li Chunjun could accumulate wealth comparable to a Primordial Spirit True Monarch's in just a few decades.
And Nascent Soul True Lords theoretically live for a thousand years. Even if we average that out, it's still six hundred years. Over six centuries, that's a staggering income of 300,000 Spirit Crystals!
Not to mention that the mission subsidies for Sword Bearers are often even higher than their base income.
It's no exaggeration to say that any Sword Bearer who can endure for a few decades can almost certainly cultivate to the Primordial Spirit stage.
And if they endure for a few centuries, they can even reach the peak of the Primordial Spirit stage, gaining a precious opportunity to attempt Void Refining.
True Monarch Xuan You, standing nearby, could no longer bear to listen. She said sternly, "Everyone, Li Chunjun is a member of our Taixu Sword Sect. To try to poach him right in front of a Taixu Sword Sect official is a blatant disregard for our sect!"
"A member of the Taixu Sword Sect?"
Zuo Cheng, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "Is he officially registered in the Taixu Sword Sect's records? Let me see."
True Monarch Xuan You frowned. "Although he isn't officially listed in the Taixu Sword Sect's registry, he originates from our Branch Sect. After achieving some cultivation, it would have been natural for him to join the main sect. To defect to another sect would be a betrayal."
"Ha!" Zuo Cheng scoffed. "How can you treat a Sword Prodigy like Li Chunjun as if he were an ordinary disciple? He's a Void Refining seed for the future of the Human Race, yet the Taixu Sword Sect shows him no appreciation. You stood by idly while he was repeatedly persecuted in the Azure Star Minor Realm, ultimately forcing him to risk his life on the Two Worlds Mountain Battlefield to break free!"
Zuo Cheng snorted. "I think I'll have to propose to the Immortal Alliance Council that the Taixu Sword Sect, which can't even properly care for and nurture a Human Race seed, is unfit to participate in the Immortal Alliance's decision-making. We need to re-evaluate their council seat!"
"Zuo Cheng!" True Monarch Xuan You roared, her voice filled with fury. "The Taixu Sword Sect's reputation isn't something a mere Primordial Spirit like you can question!"
"What? You're saying we can't criticize your internal corruption?" Zuo Cheng sneered. "This is an internal matter for the Taixu Sword Sect, none of your business."
True Monarch Xuan You finished speaking and turned her gaze to Li Chunjun. "Li Chunjun, I've reviewed your background. You were originally from the Chiyang Sword Sect's territory and nearly perished at their hands. It was only thanks to my disciple leading the Taixu Sword Sect's members to your rescue that you survived. They not only saved your life but also bestowed upon you a Cultivation Technique, helping you become the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy!"
Her expression turned stern. "You should learn to be grateful!"
"Li Chunjun hasn't joined the Taixu Sword Sect, so he naturally has the right to choose where he goes! True Monarch Xuan You, please don't force him!"
Lu Xiu Yuan spoke again.
Li Chunjun waved his hand. "That was between me and the Blue Star Taixu Sword Sect. It has nothing to do with you, True Monarch Xuan You."
"How dare you!"
True Monarch Xuan You realized Li Chunjun truly intended to join the Star Glory List and wait for the highest bidder. To prevent the Taixu Sword Sect from becoming a laughingstock in the Profound Yellow Great World and to avoid being held accountable later, she decided to use intimidation.
"Li Chunjun, you must understand that the Taixu Sword Scripture and Flaming Phoenix Chaos Scripture you cultivate are both legacies of the Taixu Sword Sect. Having received our sect's grace, you should..."
"Fool!"
Before True Monarch Xuan You could finish speaking, Zuo Cheng had already cursed without hesitation.
He turned directly to Li Chunjun and said, "Sword Prodigy Li, you should first pass through the Star Gate to the Azure Sea Domain. Then, return to the Profound Yellow Great World via the Azure Sea Domain's Star Gate and use the Profound Yellow List to sense and attempt to ascend it!"
After speaking, he turned to Yuan Xiao behind him. "You will accompany Sword Prodigy Li throughout the journey and handle any miscellaneous matters."
"Yes."
Yuan Xiao immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands, and agreed.
"Zuo Cheng, what do you think you're doing!?"
True Monarch Xuan You's expression turned stern.
"The nine major sects of the Azure Star Minor Realm are implicated in the persecution of our Human Race's Heavenly Prodigies. Everyone involved with the Azure Star Minor Realm must be thoroughly investigated, including True Monarch Xuan You, as the Taixu Sword Sect's liaison among the Nine Sects. Please step down and cooperate with our investigation!"
"Zuo Cheng, you dare..."
Zuo Cheng ignored her and waved his hand. Lu Xiu Yuan and the other Primordial Spirit True Monarchs in the hall immediately surrounded her.
"True Monarch Xuan You, please cooperate. Don't force us to take action!"
"Make no mistake, this is Frigid Jade Fortress, not your Taixu Sword Sect."
One by one, the Primordial Spirit True Monarchs stared at her coldly.
"You... you..." True Monarch Xuan You's face was flushed with anger.
Yet, surrounded by these Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, she ultimately dared not be too reckless. Otherwise, they might truly resort to force.
"Go," Zuo Cheng said, turning his gaze back to Li Chunjun. "Go to the Profound Yellow Great World and strive for the Profound Yellow Star Brilliance List. Become the most dazzling star in the entire Profound Yellow Great World!"
His expression was encouraging. "We believe you have the potential for strength, but that takes time. Until then, you must focus on gaining fame! If you can reach the top of the Star Glory List and become the Human Race's Peerless Prodigy, no one will dare to pressure you any further!"
Li Chunjun nodded. Before he had sufficient strength, gaining enough fame was indeed a viable way to protect himself.
Especially since...
He had no intention of becoming deeply entangled with any faction again.
"Sword Prodigy Li, please follow me."
Yuan Xiao gestured with an open hand. "Together, we shall journey to the Profound Yellow Great World and let your voice resound throughout the entire world."
(End of the Chapter)
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