The sound of rushing wind echoed as several streaks of light tore through the sky. The three peak masters who had previously left now hurried back at full speed.

  “Well, well… look who decided to return,” Hong Niang said with a smirk, watching them struggle to maintain their dignity.

  “Of course, we’d come back,” Yun Ding replied smoothly, settling into his seat as if he had never left. “Recruiting disciples only happens once every ten years. How could I possibly miss such an important event?” His sharp gaze locked onto Han Luo , scrutinizing him from head to toe.

  Han Luo felt a chill crawl up his spine under the old man’s intense stare. Instinctively, he pulled his robes tighter around himself.

  “What about you two?” Hong Niang turned to Yun Qianli and Lei Xing.

  Yun Qianli crossed his arms. “I share the same thoughts as Yun Ding. How could we neglect our new disciples? We wouldn’t want them to feel unwelcome.” His ability to lie with a straight face was remarkable.

  Hong Niang rolled her eyes and turned to Lei Xing, who coughed awkwardly. Unlike the other two, he still cared about appearances. “Er… well, I just stepped out to take a leak. You didn’t actually think I left, did you? Hahaha… ha… ha…” His forced laughter died down under everyone’s skeptical stares.

  A Nascent Soul cultivator talking about needing a bathroom break? Who was he trying to fool?

  These old foxes had clearly never left in spirit. They had been observing all along, and the moment the Supreme Spiritual Root was revealed, they shamelessly rushed back, ready to claim the prize. Any one of them knew that taking Han Luo as a disciple would solidify their legacy and elevate their lineage. If they played their cards right, they might even ride his success straight to immortality.

  Supreme Spiritual Root?

  Han Luo was no fool. Back in his world, he had read enough cultivation novels to understand what this meant. Supreme Spiritual Root—the equivalent of a nuclear-powered cultivation engine. If others cultivated like a slow-moving stream, he would be an ocean. If others trained like melting snowflakes, he’d be an avalanche. If they were a single drop of rain, he’d be a full-blown monsoon.

  In short, he was ridiculously OP.

  But this wasn’t what he wanted! He had planned to cultivate in peace, staying under the radar, taking things slow and steady. But now? Now, he would be a walking target. The kind of prodigy that attracted both admiration and envy—the kind that would never be left alone.

  Before he could process his situation further, Yun Ding stepped forward. “Han Luo , allow me to introduce myself. I am Yun Ding, Peak Master of Xian Ding Peak. I am at the late Nascent Soul stage and a grandmaster in alchemy. If you join my peak, you will never lack for pills. With your talent, I guarantee that within a century, you will form a Nascent Soul with ease.”

  Not wanting to lose ground, Yun Qianli immediately countered, “Senior brother, you overlook something important. Cultivation resources are one thing, but what Han Luo truly needs are battle techniques!” His eyes locked onto Han Luo . “I am the Peak Master of Qian Ren Peak, home to the most formidable martial techniques in the sect. We supply the best warriors to the Golden Battlefield, and our reputation speaks for itself. With me as your master, you will stand as an immortal warlord, feared across the land.”

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  The two Peak Masters stared at Han Luo like wolves circling prey.

  Han Luo remained silent, glancing at his mental "Survival Notebook." Both men had solid reputations within Luo Xian Sect, and joining either of them seemed like a reasonable choice. But being the careful planner he was, he wanted to see all the offers on the table before making a decision.

  Lei Xing cleared his throat, seemingly preparing to make his pitch… but after a moment of thought, he sighed. What was the point? Luo Xian Peak was unique in its operations. Even if Han Luo joined him, he wouldn’t have time to mentor him properly.

  If he wasted a Supreme Spiritual Root on a slow path, the sect master would skin him alive.

  Wait a second.

  Then why the hell did I come back?!

  Lei Xing fell into deep self-reflection.

  A Dangerous Proposition

  “Since Lei Xing is bowing out, allow me to speak next,” Hong Niang said, her voice smooth like silk.

  Yun Ding and Yun Qianli immediately turned their eyes toward her with wary expressions. “Hold on,” Yun Ding interjected. “You only accept female disciples. Are you seriously considering changing that rule now?”

  “That’s right,” Yun Qianli added. “For hundreds of years, Luo Xian Sect’s Piao Miao Peak has only taken in women. Are you really going to break tradition just for one disciple?”

  Hong Niang chuckled, her gaze playful. “Oh? How rare. The two of you are actually standing on the same side for once.” She let out a soft sigh and folded her arms. “But as the Peak Master of Piao Miao Peak, the rules are mine to change. And tell me, dear seniors… don’t you think a Supreme Spiritual Root is worth a little flexibility?”

  The room fell silent for a moment.

  She wasn’t wrong.

  “Besides,” Hong Niang continued, her tone turning sly, “considering the rarity of such a prodigy, shouldn’t we be thinking about future generations?”

  Han Luo ’s heart skipped a beat.

  Wait… wait, what?!

  What was she implying?!

  The other peak masters exchanged glances, giving small nods as realization set in. That… actually made a lot of sense. Ensuring Han Luo had children would guarantee a whole new bloodline of monstrous geniuses.

  Slowly, all eyes turned back to Han Luo .

  His stomach twisted.

  Was he seriously about to be forced into a breeding program?!

  “Hold on!” Yun Yangzi, the Sect Master, finally spoke, cutting through the tension. “While Hong Niang raises an interesting point, we are a righteous sect. We will not force such matters upon our disciples. The choice remains his.”

  Han Luo exhaled in relief. Thank God! If Hong Niang had her way, he’d be knee-deep in romantic drama and brainless rivalries for the rest of his life. No thanks.

  “Oh, of course,” Hong Niang said sweetly, her lips curling in a teasing smile. She turned back to Han Luo , her voice soft as silk. “But if you do join Piao Miao Peak, I can assure you that *you will have everything Yun Ding and Yun Qianli offered—*and more. Including full access to our three thousand female disciples.” She deliberately let her gaze flick toward Ye Qingqing as she spoke.

  Han Luo froze.

  Ye Qingqing?

  The most beloved woman in the sect?

  Did she want him dead?!

  If he even breathed the wrong way in her direction, half the sect’s male disciples would be lining up to murder him.

  This was a trap.

  Han Luo immediately eliminated Piao Miao Peak as an option.

  The Last Offer

  With everyone having spoken, all eyes turned to Wu Dao, the silent master of the Wu DaoPeak. If anyone would remain calm in this chaos, it would be him.

  Wu Dao finally opened his eyes. His gaze was clear and penetrating, carrying a sense of wisdom beyond measure. He studied Han Luo for a long moment, then…

  He simply uttered two words.

  “It’s possible.”

  Then, just as slowly, he closed his eyes again.

  …That was it?!

  Everyone stared in shock. Compared to the heated offers before, Wu Dao’s pitch was two words long?!

  The peak masters were used to it. Han Luo , however, was not.

  “…That’s all?” he thought.

  A brief silence passed.

  “Alright then,” Yun Yangzi finally said, clearing his throat. “The offers have been made.” His eyes locked onto Han Luo . “Now, make your choice.”

  Han Luo took a deep breath, glancing around the room. He knew that whichever path he chose would shape his future.

  He carefully weighed his options. Then, cautiously, he raised his hand.

  “…Can I make a small request first?”

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