Chapter 5156 — How's the Food?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Seeing that both Bing Wushuang and Jing Taiyang had already recruited people one after another while he himself had made no progress at all, it would be an outright lie to say Xue Jianming felt no urgency in his heart. In terms of ambition, he was far more far-reaching than the likes of Jing Taiyang, so naturally he was eager to establish his own merit and name.
"You're still hesitating at a time like this?" Xue Jianming could not help growing anxious at the look on Qin Yuanming's face, and reining in his patience he urged, "Now that your uncle has run into trouble, you've got no backing left at all in the North Island Cangwu Sect. How many cultivation resources it takes to make a push for the Golden Core—surely I don't need to spell that out for you? Given your position in the North Island Cangwu Sect, Brother Qin Yuanming, do you really think you have a chance?"
"No." Qin Yuanming shook his head decisively. At his level, the thing he cared about most was making the push for the Golden Core realm, but without sufficient cultivation resources—and especially without a Golden Core—that was nothing but a fool's dream.
"Which is exactly what I'm saying. A tree dies when it's moved, but a man comes alive when he moves. Since you know there's no future in carrying on like this, why insist on hanging yourself from the same tree until you're dead?" Xue Jianming said earnestly.
"That much is true, but this is betraying the sect, isn't it?" Qin Yuanming still found it hard to make up his mind. Deep as his resentment toward the North Island Cangwu Sect ran, the education he had received since childhood was deeply ingrained, and in the orthodox view betraying one's sect was all but an affront to heaven itself. The vast majority of people had not the nerve for it, and Qin Yuanming was naturally no exception.
"It's not nearly as serious as you make it out to be. For now it's only a secret pledge of allegiance—there's no need for you to do anything that betrays the sect, and no one will ever know." Xue Jianming hastily dispelled his misgivings and dangled the bait. "Think about it. As long as you work with me, I guarantee you'll make your push for the Golden Core realm in short order—and at the very worst you'll reach the consummation of Foundation Establishment in an extremely short time. That's worth decades of bitter cultivation!"
"Really? How short is 'extremely short'?" Qin Yuanming's eyes lit up.
"One day." Xue Jianming rejoiced inwardly. The last time he had said this, Qin Yuanming had shown no such excited reaction. That meant success was not far off.
"What? One day?" Qin Yuanming was so startled he nearly sank, and it took a violent choke of water before he recovered.
"Brother Qin Yuanming, do you know what realm I'm in now?" Xue Jianming suddenly asked, putting on a lofty air.
"Isn't it the consummation of Foundation Establishment?" Qin Yuanming was taken aback. He knew only that Bing Wushuang and Xue Jianming had suddenly taken pills and recovered; like everyone else, he had no idea of the two men's true strength.
Xue Jianming gave a smug哼—snort. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, he released his full aura without reservation for a single instant, and Qin Yuanming was instantly stunned speechless. Stammering, he said, "G-Golden Core?!"
"That's right, the Golden Core realm. Now you understand what it means to work with me." Xue Jianming laughed smugly.
"All right, I'll follow you!" Qin Yuanming nodded heavily at once, without the slightest hesitation remaining. He had already been persuaded, and now that he had seen living proof in Xue Jianming himself, what was there left to hesitate about?
"Excellent. But not yet—slipping away without permission would only invite suspicion. We'll wait until the rotation comes around." Xue Jianming was overjoyed.