Chapter 35: Recruiting Troops, Expanding the Group!
Li Aotian, the foremost prodigy of the Inner Sect, was so enraged that he vomited blood and fainted on the spot. He was immediately carried away.
This explosive news instantly overshadowed all discussions about the competition, becoming the sole focus within the Martial Arena.
And the names “Ascension Group” and “Chu Feng” were, from that moment on, veiled with an even more legendary and mysterious hue.
——That man, he could not only defeat you with bizarre tactics but also destroy you with a humiliating, open conspiracy!
For a time, Chu Feng became in the hearts of countless disciples a demonic existence that absolutely could not be provoked.
The subsequent third-place battle held no suspense whatsoever.
Just as Chu Feng had calculated, their opponent, “Blazing Fire Valley,” had fought desperately against “Profound Ice Pavilion” in the semifinals and were all injured and exhausted.
Facing the Ascension Group, who were well-rested and in perfect condition, they could only hold on for less than one incense stick’s time before helplessly choosing to surrender collectively.
Thus, the “Ascension Group,” a team composed of low-ranking disciples from the Chores Courtyard and the Outer Sect, officially won third place in this Sect Grand Competition’s team battle!
This result shocked everyone and created the greatest miracle in the history of the Qingyun Sect!
At the final award ceremony, a dramatic scene unfolded.
The champions, “Aotian Alliance,” because their leader Li Aotian was “absent due to illness,” had only a few teammates go up to receive the award with expressionless faces.
The atmosphere was awkward beyond measure.
Their victory appeared hollow and absurd.
In contrast, the third-place “Ascension Group” went up in full formation, led proudly by Zhang Daniu.
They marched onto the stage full of vigor, cheering loudly, shouting that strange yet awe-inspiring slogan, basking in the attention of the entire hall.
Anyone who didn’t know might have thought they were the champions!
Chu Feng, as the “Group President,” stood beside Zhang Daniu and received from the Sect Master’s hands the storage pouch representing honor and rich rewards.
The Sect Master looked at the smiling yet unfathomable young man before him and said meaningfully, “You, very good.”
Those three simple words almost made Elder Liu Changqing kneel before the Sect Master in excitement.
The ceremony concluded, marking the end of the Grand Competition.
But for the “Ascension Group,” their celebration had only just begun.
Just as the crowd at the Martial Arena was about to disperse, Chu Feng once again raised the conch horn, his voice spreading through every corner.
“Fellow Qingyun Sect disciples! Family members!”
“To celebrate our Ascension Group achieving a historic breakthrough in this Grand Competition! And to repay the Sect for its support and love! I hereby officially announce—”
“The Ascension Group’s ‘Post-IPO First Public Recruitment and Talent Introduction Plan’ is now officially launched!”
“From today onward, we will publicly recruit all aspiring individuals across the entire Sect to join our big family, full of hope and miracles!”
This announcement struck like a bomb, stopping those preparing to leave in their tracks.
Recruitment!
The Ascension Group was finally opening public recruitment!
Countless low-ranking disciples’ eyes lit up with desire.
However, Chu Feng’s next words poured a bucket of cold water over them.
“But!”
Chu Feng’s tone became stern. “Our Ascension Group does not accept just anyone! We are an elite organization with our own corporate culture and values!”
“All who wish to join must meet the following three basic conditions!”
“First! You must agree with our core belief: ‘The team is greater than the individual, and wisdom is more important than brute strength!’”
“Second! To prove your determination and faith in the Group, all applicants must pay one hundred low-grade spirit stones as an ‘entry deposit’ and ‘record creation fee’! This fee is non-refundable!”
“Third! All applicants must pass the ‘Comprehensive Values and Potential Assessment Interview’ organized by our Human Resources Department! Only those who pass the interview can become probationary members of our Ascension Group!”
As soon as these three conditions were announced, the entire arena erupted in uproar.
“What?! You have to pay to join? A hundred spirit stones? Why doesn’t he just rob us!”
“And there’s even an interview? What a big attitude for a group of former chores disciples!”
Many started shouting curses, thinking Chu Feng was being outrageously greedy.
But even more, those who truly wanted to join found their desire burning even hotter at this high threshold.
The harder something was to obtain, the more precious it felt!
It proved that the Ascension Group was not a place just any stray cat or dog could enter!
“I’ll sign up! Here’s my hundred spirit stones!”
An Outer Sect disciple gritted his teeth and pulled out all his life savings.
“Me too! I’ll join!”
“Count me in!”
In an instant, the “recruitment desk” that Wu Hao had hastily set up was flooded with people, the scene boiling over with excitement.
Meanwhile, as the Ascension Group was bustling with recruitment activity—
On the other side, in the corner where the “Aotian Alliance” gathered, the atmosphere was deathly silent.
Li Aotian’s collapse, coupled with that humiliating “victory,” had driven the team’s morale to rock bottom.
Several core members watched the thriving scene of the Ascension Group, then looked back at their own disbanding alliance, their eyes filled with confusion and hesitation.
Had they really followed the right person?
Just then, a figure quietly approached them.
It was Wu Hao.
He didn’t act arrogant.
Instead, he cupped his hands respectfully toward those “Aotian Alliance” elites.
“Senior Brothers, our President Chu asked me to deliver a message.”
Wu Hao spoke calmly, “A wise bird chooses the right tree to nest in; a wise man chooses the right master to serve. The doors of the Ascension Group are always open to those with true ability and a keen sense of timing.”
“Our Group doesn’t look at the past, only the future. We don’t care about status, only performance.”
“The President said that if you’re interested, you can skip the line and go directly through the ‘executive interview channel.’ Of course, that hundred-spirit-stone pledge fee is still required.”
After saying that, Wu Hao turned and left, leaving those “Aotian Alliance” elites locked in an intense internal struggle.
The proposal was full of temptation—and humiliation.
But, looking at Li Aotian’s already doomed back, and Chu Feng’s rising future...
Finally, one Inner Sect disciple, second only to Li Aotian in strength, took a deep breath, as if making the most important decision of his life.
He turned resolutely and strode toward the Ascension Group’s overcrowded recruitment desk.
That single act was like toppling the first domino.
The “Aotian Alliance,” once the unrivaled first faction of the Inner Sect, began its prelude to collapse at that very moment.