"Little brother, you're quite interesting."
The plain-clothed man smiled faintly, "Are you here to gather information?"
Lu Li felt slightly surprised inwardly; it seemed the people here were not simple either. He didn't hide anything and said with a smile, "I heard that Youlong Stronghold is recruiting?"
"Oh, you're talking about that. That's hardly any news at all. It's basically spread throughout the entire Youlong Stronghold, even Tianlang Stronghold and Dihu Stronghold. Could it be that little brother just came out of the mountains?"
Lu Li shook his head, "Not exactly, I just came from afar. However... I'm somewhat puzzled. I just walked around the entrance of Youlong Stronghold and found there's no activity at all? Can old brother enlighten me?"
He had just been to the entrance of Youlong Stronghold, and it looked very peaceful there, nothing like they were recruiting at all.
In Lu Li's view, for such a large stronghold to recruit, Rogue Cultivators should be scrambling to get in, breaking their heads trying to squeeze through.
Hearing this, the plain-clothed man picked up a bowl of wine and drank it before saying, "It's not that there's no activity, it's just that the peak period has passed."
"Oh?" Lu Li was inwardly startled, "What do you mean?"
The man shook his head, somewhat disappointed, "This time Youlong Stronghold is only recruiting Team Leaders and above levels. The minimum requirement is Qi Refining Third Level. Naturally, not many people can participate. And... two days have already passed. Today should be at the selection stage."
So that's how it is. Two days had actually already passed, no wonder there was no one at the entrance.
Thinking this, Lu Li couldn't help but feel somewhat anxious. After eating simply, he hurriedly left.
Youlong Stronghold giant manor entrance.
"Halt, what are you doing!"
Two guards reached out to stop Lu Li. The one on the right frowned and asked.
Lu Li looked up at the square behind the gate and noticed many people gathered around the ring in the middle of the square. He quickly said, "Brother, I'm here to participate in the selection."
"Participate in the selection?" The two were startled, the arrogance on their faces immediately diminishing considerably.
They were just ordinary disciples. The positions being selected this time were at least Team Leader level. If this person really got selected, he might become their superior. They quickly said politely, "Young hero, please hurry inside."
Although they had already entered the selection stage, according to the rules from above, as long as the ring battles hadn't ended, the selection wasn't over. Letting Lu Li in wouldn't be considered a violation.
At this moment, on the ring in the center of the square, two men were battling. As they moved around, Five Elements techniques were continuously cast, colliding with considerable force.
Around the ring, a group of Youlong Stronghold ordinary disciples were curiously watching this scene. Some pointed at the ring, noisy voices rising and falling without any order.
To the east of the ring were three redwood chairs. A square-faced, golden-robed middle-aged man sat in the middle. His eyes were slightly closed, seemingly not very interested in the battle.
This person was Youlong Stronghold's Big Chief, Yue Qinglong.
Sitting to Yue Qinglong's left was a green-robed man named Zhang Dawu, who was the Hall Master of Youlong Stronghold.
In various strongholds, Hall Masters' authority was second only to the Chiefes. There was no distinction of what hall; they were just Hall Masters, able to command the Team Leaders and ordinary disciples below them.
The black-robed man sitting to Yue Qinglong's right was Youlong Stronghold's Second Chief, Shao Yunfeng.
So far, among the three, only Zhang Dawu had been continuously watching the ring. Yue Qinglong and Shao Yunfeng both seemed lacking in interest, even appearing somewhat drowsy.
The disciples watching outside were also very casual, sitting or standing, crooked and twisted without any discipline.
In the inner circle, there were only eight participants, all at Qi Refining Third Level. Because there were too few participants, Yue Qinglong finally decided to only select one Team Leader, which made the battles slightly more watchable.
Bang!
Suddenly, another explosive sound came from the ring as one person was knocked off, leaving only a middle-aged burly man holding a meteor hammer standing on the ring: "Who's next!"
Hearing this, Yue Qinglong slightly opened his eyes, nodded and said, "This guy's brute strength is not bad. Winning seven consecutive matches qualifies him to become a Team Leader of my Youlong Stronghold."
"Then, that's settled?" Zhang Dawu asked, turning his head.
"Just like that..."
"Wait!" Before Yue Qinglong could finish speaking, suddenly a cyan martial arts youth squeezed out from the crowd outside.
"Who's this? Is he also here to participate in the selection?"
"He looks capable, but why is he so dark..."
"..."
The disciples all followed the voice to look at Lu Li.
"All of you shut up!"
Yue Qinglong's shout immediately quieted the scene. He narrowed his eyes to examine Lu Li, then his eyes lit up. He stood up and walked toward Lu Li: "You're also here to participate in the selection?"
Everyone who saw this couldn't help but show surprised expressions. Their Big Chief had been sleeping from the beginning until now, yet he actually stood up for this person.
"Nineteen years old, Fifth Level!"
Shao Yunfeng and Zhang Dawu looked at each other, unable to conceal their inner shock.
Lu Li glanced at the ring then withdrew his gaze. He cupped his hands toward Yue Qinglong and replied, "Exactly, I wonder... can I still participate?"
"Haha, of course you can." Yue Qinglong looked extremely happy, "But... you against him, wouldn't that be somewhat bullying?"
"Um." Lu Li rubbed his nose, "This..."
"Like this." Yue Qinglong thought for a moment, then suddenly turned and pointed at Zhang Dawu: "He is the Hall Master of our Youlong Stronghold. His strength is already at Sixth Level late stage. If you can last three moves against him... I'll create an additional Deputy Hall Master position. How about that?"
So this is Zhang Dawu?
Lu Li followed Yue Qinglong's pointing direction and looked over, thinking wasn't the one getting married this person's son? His thoughts turning, he nodded in agreement: "Alright."
"Good, what courage!"
Yue Qinglong immediately called Zhang Dawu over to explain the situation. Upon hearing this, Zhang Dawu couldn't help but feel his heart sink. He thought: It seems the Big Chief thinks I'm too old and lacking in Potential, wanting to find someone to replace me.
He didn't deny that Lu Li had great Potential, but once it threatened his own position, that was another matter entirely.
However, he didn't show it. Instead, he praised Lu Li.
Then the two walked onto the ring.
The fat man holding the meteor hammer on the ring originally planned to teach Lu Li a lesson, but seeing that Lu Li dared to spar with the Hall Master, he couldn't help but secretly break out in a cold sweat.
On the ring, the two stood far apart facing each other. Yue Qinglong stood below with arms crossed and said, "Ring rules: Talismans are not allowed, intentionally taking lives is forbidden. Begin."
Hearing this, Zhang Dawu gave Lu Li a sinister smile, "Kid, you better be careful. For Youlong Stronghold, I won't hold back."
Killing intent toward me?
Lu Li frowned slightly, becoming inwardly alert. He said solemnly, "Hall Master, feel free to make your move!"
"You want me to make the first move?"
Zhang Dawu let out a strange laugh, his figure flashing as he rushed toward Lu Li. Raising his hand, True Qi transformed into large gray stones, whistling as they smashed toward Lu Li's chest.