"Did you hear? The new sect is recruiting disciples."
A few young men were chatting among themselves. They were remnants of once powerful families.
"Which one? New sects are sprouting like weeds these days," one of them said, shaking his head.
"Tsk, you don't know shit. It's the Illusory Dao sect!"
"What's so special about that sect?" another asked curiously.
"Hehe, Illusory Dao sect is different, its vice sect master is Goddess Blue rose Fairy, a Demi-God." The young man spoke seriously. His eyes shined with hope.
Everyone's eyes widened
"What! Are you sure? Wasn't she the sect master of the Locust Sect? How did she become a vice sect master? Then who's leading the sect now?" they bombarded him with questions.
The young man shook his head. "No one knows who the Sect Master is. It's rumored he's extremely mysterious and unimaginably powerful."
He paused, glancing at the others before continuing. "As for the Locust Sect… it was destroyed during the calamity."
"No wonder…."
The group exchanged looks. This was a large scale recruitment, a golden opportunity to join a powerful faction. Who wouldn't want to enter a sect backed by such experts?
They nodded in unison.
"Illusory Dao Sect… we're coming."
When the news spread, waves rippled across the continents. Powerful sects and clans from the Middle, North, West, and South territories sent congratulatory gifts. Some dispatched Gods as envoys, while even unmatched Godkings appeared in person to deliver gifts.
Of course it was all thanks to Li Shenrong. Those powerful Gods and Godkings wanted to build connection and good karma so they didn't dare to neglect this occasion. Li Shenrong didn't meet anyone and they could only leave in disappointment.
Outside the gates of the Illusory Dao Sect, thousands had gathered, young and old, men and women alike. Some fiend cultivators tried to stir trouble but were instantly subdued by the Grand Elder, who personally oversaw the recruitment.
Among the crowd stood a skinny old man in tattered robes. He looked like a beggar. People avoided him, and some even tried to drive him away.
"Old beggar, get lost! This isn't a place to beg for coins," an arrogant youth sneered, eyes full of disdain.
The old man was silent.
Being ignored, the youth felt humiliated. He was from a powerful faction, though his clan has been destroyed but the arrogance in his heart was still there. His face flushed red in shame as he pointed his finger at the old man angrily.
"Old shit how dare you ignore me! Are you looking for death!"
Still, the old man ignored him like air.
The youth was furious. Pulling out his Saber he wanted to teach the old man a lesson but it was instantly noticed by the grand elder.
The grand elder frowned. "What happened?" His voice reverberated across the mountain, filled with spiritual energy.
The youth froze, his face turning pale.
"S…Sir, I was just… this beggar came to the wrong place, so I tried to send him away, but he refused to leave!"
The Grand Elder's eyes landed on the old man and his heart skipped a beat even though the man looked like a mortal. "A hidden expert!"
"Paa." A sharp sound split the air. The arrogant youth was sent flying, teeth and blood scattering across the ground.
The Grand Elder quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed.
"May I ask why Senior has come to our humble sect?" For the past few days too many powerful characters came and went, so he wasn't nervous as much.
The old man smiled. "No need for courtesy. I am but a humble servant of the Lord."
The Grand Elder's eyes flickered with understanding.
"Senior, please follow me." Then he personally escorted the old man into the sect, vanishing from sight.
The crowd was speechless and curious about the old man in shabby clothes. As for the youth, he gnashed his teeth in hatred. Although angry, but didn't dare to flare out because without sufficient strength it would be courting death.
Li Shenrong was reclining lazily on a cushion when a knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Jessi pushed open the door and entered silently. "Lord, someone wants to meet you."
"Oh? Who is it?" Li Shenrong asked, eyes still closed. He knew she wouldn't disturb him unless it was important.
"I don't know." The she recounted what the old man said to the grand elder.
A smiled appeared on his face. "Let him in."
Jessi was surprised. He had rejected powerful Godkings but accepted a meeting from that shabby clothed old man. Now, she was also curious about his identity.
While thinking of this, she left.
"Senior, follow me." She didn't dare to neglect the old man at all.
The old man silently followed her all the way deep into the ancestral ground.
She brought him outside a courtyard, "The Lord is inside." She gestured respectfully.
The old man glanced at Jessi for the first time, then nodded his head in appreciation.
"Old Liu, what are you doing here?" Li Shenrong asked, as soon as the old man entered the room.
It was the old Liu from the Happy Inn. During the calamity the entire Blue Bird Kingdom was crushed beneath the Taixiu Mountain along with his inn.
"Hehe, I came to see you, Lord," Old Liu said with a sheepish smile.
They chatted casually for a while, until Old Liu's face turned solemn.
"Lord, now that the continents have merged and the world nears completion, the path to Supremacy will soon open. I don't know how much value the Supreme Emperor realm holds in your eyes… but I believe you will surely dominate this era."
"Old Liu, just say it directly, don't beat around the bush." Li Shenrong spoke dismissively.
"Ahem." The old Liu coughed and continued. "I want to follow you lord." He exhaled after saying this as if a heavy burden was lifted.
Li Shenrong didn't answer immediately which made the old man nervous. His knowledge and experience exceeded any one of this era. As for his strength, it was immeasurably powerful. His origin was unimaginable yet he was asking to be a young man's follower.