Chapter 26: The Chu Family Makes Its Move
“Li Jian-san, you are truly talented. Our Youzhou Royal Court wishes to recruit you. Are you willing to join us?” The attention of the Youzhou Royal Court settled on Li Jian-san, their tone exceedingly polite. Based on his previous performance, and the words of the elder from Shengjing Sect, they were now almost certain that Li Jian-san was the target of their search.
“What? The Youzhou Royal Court has made a move!” Upon hearing the voice of the refined young man, the faces of those from the various major factions changed. The olive branch extended to Li Jian-san by the Youzhou Royal Court was a most tempting offer.
What should they do now?
Li Jian-san gazed in the direction of the Youzhou Royal Court but did not immediately accept.
“Li Jian-san, should you wish to join Yutian Sect, I would welcome you at any time and personally guide your cultivation,” said a representative of Yutian Sect, eager to recruit him after seeing the Chu family act.
Li Jian-san was the Son of Martial Arts; his talent was beyond question. The other factions had long coveted this treasure, intent on securing him at any cost.
“We of the Qingcheng Mo family also welcome your joining. Additionally, I can guide your cultivation and grant you a hundred source stones every month for your training!”
On the other side, the Qingcheng Mo family joined the fray.
“Whatever the Mo family offers you in source stones, the Youzhou Royal Court will give you twice as much!” The Youzhou Royal Court spoke once more, making clear how highly they valued Li Jian-san.
The spectators had not anticipated such a scene, all casting envious glances at him. So many factions were courting Li Jian-san, each promising generous terms. Whichever group he chose, he would be given utmost importance and cultivated intensively.
But what would Li Jian-san decide?
Curiosity stirred among the crowd.
As Li Jian-san remained motionless, those from the various factions grew inexplicably anxious.
“We have all made such generous offers—why does he seem unmoved? Could it be he favors the Chu family...?”
Only a giant like the Chu family could hope to absorb a prize as great as the Son of Martial Arts.
Indeed, a refined youth from the Chu family looked at Li Jian-san. “The Chu family invites you to join. No promises, only the name of Chu.”
No promises, only the simple, direct weight of the Chu name. Only the Chu family could be so confident. Their disciples were many and talented, the family itself at the height of its power. Every academy had prodigies from Chu, their influence extended to the military, and more terrifying still, the Chu family now held sway even in the royal court.
The Chu family was in its prime, rivaling the nobility.
At this moment, Li Jian-san’s gaze turned toward the Qingcheng Mo family. Seeing this, the Chu family’s members tensed, suddenly anxious—was he about to forsake Chu? What was he thinking?
No, this genius must not fall into someone else’s hands. If you want something, very well, you shall have it.
The Chu family member’s stern expression softened slightly, then he added, “If you have any requests, the Chu family will do its utmost to fulfill them. What we provide will not be inferior to any other faction, and you need only remember: we are the Chu family.”
The other factions now began to panic.
“No, no, the Son of Martial Arts is exceptionally gifted—he must not be handed over so easily.” The Yutian Sect representative muttered inwardly, then smiled at Li Jian-san, “If you have any needs in cultivation, speak freely. If it is within our power, we will surely satisfy you.”
Li Jian-san faced the Qingcheng Mo family, cupped his hands, and said, “Thank you for your kindness, but I fear we are not destined to be together.”
“Ah...” The Mo family representatives revealed disappointment at his answer.
“Eh...” The crowd was astonished; they had not expected Li Jian-san to reject the Mo family so swiftly.
Having declined the Mo family, which faction would he choose?
“Li Jian-san, if you have any conditions, speak quickly, I can promise anything!” The Youzhou Royal Court grew nervous as Li Jian-san headed toward the Yutian Sect.
Those nearby were embarrassed at the Youzhou Royal Court’s anxiety. Weren’t they always lofty and unapproachable? When had they become so accommodating?
“Thank you for Yutian Sect’s appreciation, but I must respectfully decline.”
Li Jian-san’s words startled the Yutian Sect. He had chosen the Youzhou Royal Court.
Li Jian-san slowly approached the Youzhou Royal Court, who smiled with satisfaction. “Li Jian-san, you will thank yourself for this choice. Rest assured, all I promised remains valid. The Youzhou Royal Court never abandons a genius!”
Li Jian-san laughed lightly, “Indeed, I believe I made the right choice.”
Seeing this, the Chu family grew anxious—this genius must not be allowed to slip away.
The Chu family forced a smile and warmly addressed Li Jian-san, “Tell us your terms. The Chu family will surely meet them!”
As Li Jian-san walked up to the Youzhou Royal Court, the Chu family’s anxiety deepened.
“Then, I thank the Youzhou Royal Court for your kindness!”
Hmm?
The Youzhou Royal Court was taken aback.
Something felt off.
“What did you say?”
“Thank you all for your kindness. I wish to remain with the Lingjian Sect.”
Li Jian-san repeated, “I reject the Youzhou Royal Court’s invitation, but thank you for your generosity.”
What!
His answer caused a stir.
“I was so curious which faction Li Jian-san would choose.”
“But never did I expect he would choose none.”
Though he rejected them, the factions all smiled at him. “The path of cultivation is long—if ever you wish to join us, we welcome you.”
This young man’s peculiar talent and nearly invincible physique made him irresistible, so even after his refusal, they continued their overtures.
Li Jian-san cupped his hands to the various factions. “Thank you.”
The factions quieted. They knew well that a genius like Li Jian-san, the Son of Martial Arts, was beyond their reach.
Now that he had refused them one by one, his choice must surely be the Chu family.
It made sense: among all present, only the Chu family had the strength to take in a genius of Li Jian-san’s caliber.
Li Jian-san approached the Chu family. They smiled, “The Chu family welcomes you.”
But Li Jian-san cupped his hands and replied, “Thank you for the Chu family’s kindness.”
What!
His answer caused every face to change.
“I was so curious which faction Li Jian-san would choose.”
“But never did I expect he would choose none.”
“What is he thinking? So many factions offered him olive branches, yet he refused them all—does he not want any of them?”
The crowd was in turmoil; all these were formidable factions, each surpassing the Shengjing Sect.
Yet Li Jian-san chose none—truly unexpected.
Even though Jiang Hao had refused them, the factions still smiled at him. “The path of cultivation is long. If ever you wish to join us, we welcome you.”
This young man, with his strange talent and nearly invincible physique, attracted their attention even in refusal.
Jiang Hao cupped his hands to them, “Thank you.”
Then the factions asked, “Why did you reject us all? Are none of us worthy?”
Li Jian-san calmly replied, “I prefer to remain in the Shengjing Sect as its young master.”
Hearing this, Li Mingqing could no longer sit still. He hurried to Li Jian-san’s side, “You brat, what nonsense are you spouting now? Do you realize what factions you have refused?”
He had thought Li Jian-san’s refusals were a bargaining tactic with the Chu family, but now, this rascal had rejected even Chu.
Good heavens—Chu was a power at the height of its influence in the royal city. What was this boy thinking?
Li Jian-san smiled at his father, “Father, rest assured, I have my own plans.”
Li Mingqing’s face sank, “What plans could you possibly have?”
He knew his son well: the boy’s mind was full of food, drink, and amusement. Did he wish to stay in Shengjing Sect just to continue his pleasures?
Yet if he joined any of these major factions, his future would be extraordinary—he could even become a ruler one day. How could this brat not see it?
Seeing his father’s expression, Li Jian-san’s face twitched, “Father, do you know how I managed to improve my strength so dramatically in such a short time and take first place in the monthly trials?”
Li Qingming’s mouth twitched, “Could it be...”
“Yes, father, you guessed right.”
Li Jian-san saw his father’s astonished expression, “By chance, I met a peerless master who transformed me completely.”
“Can this peerless master meet me as well?” Li Qingming drew a sharp breath.
Li Jian-san replied seriously, “Father, this master, for certain reasons, can only reside within my soul. And because of certain restrictions, he cannot leave Shengjing Sect.”
He paused, then continued, “I believe this master’s strength far surpasses those factions.”
After a long while, Li Qingming finally calmed himself. To have so dramatically transformed his son in such a short time, to grant him such miraculous power—the master’s strength was unimaginable. Perhaps he was a great sage from beyond the borders of Jiang.
As for the recruitment by those factions—worthless. Even the Chu family was nothing before this master.
Of course, this peerless master was a fabrication of Li Jian-san’s. Since his father would never understand the concept of a system, Li Jian-san invented this story instead.
His true purpose, naturally, was to remain by Chu Xi’er’s side, for he had a mission to complete. Once the system rewarded him with a divine artifact, he could crush the Chu family with ease. Why bother joining them?
After some time, Li Qingming said softly, “Since this is your choice, I will let you be.”
The Chu family, who had hoped Li Qingming would persuade his son, now abandoned all hope upon hearing this.
“The path of cultivation is long—if ever you wish to join us, we welcome you.”
Though Li Jian-san refused them, the Chu family still smiled at him, unable to forget his peculiar talent and nearly invincible physique, and continued their overtures even in rejection.
Li Jian-san cupped his hands, “Thank you.”
Now, these factions turned their attention to Jiang Churan; Li Jian-san was beyond their reach, so they settled for the next best option.
“Jiang Churan, the Youzhou Royal Court welcomes you.”
“Yutian Sect welcomes you as well.”
“The Qingcheng Mo family likewise invites you.”
Jiang Churan looked toward the Chu family, but they remained silent.
Did they think she was inferior even to that useless brat?
Jiang Churan bit her lip, her face darkening.
“Li Jian-san, you stole the honor that was rightfully mine today. Someday, I will make you repay it doubly!”
Jiang Churan clenched her fists, glared at Jiang Churan, then turned toward Yutian Sect.
“I am willing to join Yutian Sect.”
In the end, Jiang Churan joined Yutian Sect, while Li Jian-san caused a sensation—every faction courted him, yet he rejected them all.
Thus, the major factions quietly withdrew, and the Shengjing Sect’s monthly trial came to a close.
At the monthly trial, the various factions gathered for the sake of the Son of Martial Arts, Jiang Churan.
But in the end, the one who shone brightest was not Jiang Churan, but Li Jian-san.
In the end, Li Jian-san attracted the attention of all factions, each offering him the olive branch, even the mighty Chu family.
Yet Li Jian-san rejected every faction, while Jiang Churan could only enter Yutian Sect, and the Chu family ignored her completely.
“Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning first place in the monthly trial. You have completed the random task. Now, your reward is ready—do you wish to claim it?”