The three approached with smiles that barely concealed their ulterior motives.

Lu Hong whispered, "Something's off about them."

Qin Feiyang said, "Seeing them reminds me of you, Ji Jin, Ling Yan, and... who was the other one? Right, Cheng Yi."

Lu Hong looked momentarily stunned, then said angrily, "Can we please not dredge up those foolish things from the past? It's so embarrassing."

Qin Feiyang chuckled.

"Qin Feiyang?"

The three walked over, glanced at Lu Hong, then fixed their gaze on Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands. "That's me. And you three Senior Brothers are?"

Lu Ziyuan smiled. "I am Lu Ziyuan. Beside me are Shao Hong and Dong Cheng. We all possess Level Ten spiritual power."

So it's these three, Qin Feiyang murmured to himself, then smiled. "I've long heard of your great names, Senior Brothers. I hope you'll look after me in the future."

Lu Ziyuan and the other two exchanged a smirk. Huang San was right; this guy is really naive.

Shao Hong said playfully, "Looking after you isn't a problem, but shouldn't there be some show of sincerity?"

"What kind of sincerity?" Qin Feiyang continued to play dumb.

Shao Hong stated, "You'll follow our lead and obey our every command from now on."

"Wouldn't that make me a mere lackey for you three Senior Brothers?" Qin Feiyang frowned.

Dong Cheng said with a beaming, playful smile, "Countless people wish to be our followers but don't get the chance."

Shao Hong added, "So, being our lackey is your good fortune. Understand?"

"That does make sense. Let this Junior Brother think it over," Qin Feiyang said, bowing his head in contemplation, appearing very conflicted.

The grins on the three men's faces widened. With a brain like that, such low intelligence... it's truly beyond words.

Lu Hong, standing beside them, remained silent, her cheeks slightly flushed from suppressing her laughter. This is hilarious! How conceited are these three? Daring to shamelessly ask Qin Feiyang to be their lackey? Where on earth did they get such audacity?

"Have you decided?" Dong Cheng urged impatiently. "Don't waste our time."

"Well..." Qin Feiyang hesitated.

Lu Ziyuan glanced disdainfully at Qin Feiyang. "It seems he needs to see a bit of the world. Dong Cheng, show him a few pills."

"Alright." Dong Cheng chuckled, retrieved three pills from his Qian Kun Pouch, and tossed them to Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang caught them and examined them closely. They were a Healing Pill, a Qi Gathering Pill, and a Battle Intent Pill.

Lu Hong leaned in for a closer look and exclaimed in surprise, "Is that an Elixir Pattern?"

Dong Cheng puffed up with pride. "Well? Shocked?"

Qin Feiyang gave a foolish laugh. "Senior Brother Dong Cheng, you truly are amazing. But isn't this Elixir Pattern a bit indistinct? Could it be a mediocre product?"

"Mediocre product?" Dong Cheng's eyebrow twitched, his expression souring. But seeing Qin Feiyang's clueless face, his displeasure turned to disdain. "Although the Elixir Pattern is indistinct, it definitely qualifies as a Top Grade pill. Since you're inexperienced, I won't hold it against you," Dong Cheng said.

"Oh, I see!" Qin Feiyang nodded, as if in sudden realization.

Shao Hong frowned. "Enough chatter. One word: are you going to be our lackey or not?"

"Shao Hong, don't be so harsh; you'll scare him," Lu Ziyuan said, patting Shao Hong's shoulder. He then turned to Qin Feiyang with a smile. "Junior Brother Qin, as long as you agree, when we're in a good mood, we'll teach you Alchemy."

Qin Feiyang chuckled. "Thank you for your generous offer, Senior Brother Lu, but I'm afraid this Junior Brother is unworthy."

"Hmph?" The smile on Lu Ziyuan's face froze. Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit?

Lu Ziyuan said gravely, "You'd better think carefully. In the Holy Temple, you won't get anywhere if you don't suck up to us."

Qin Feiyang smiled. "It's alright. I quite enjoy moving slowly, like a snail. Senior Brother Dong Cheng, here are your pills back." With a wave of his hand, the three pills flew towards Dong Cheng.

Dong Cheng's gaze turned icy. He caught them and swiftly crushed them to dust, warning, "You're courting death!"

Qin Feiyang hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, no, I don't mean anything by it. I just don't like being ordered around."

Lu Ziyuan said, "I'll give you one last chance."

"This..." Qin Feiyang hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "If you three Senior Brothers can get me an alchemy room, I'll be your lackey. How about it?"

"Hmm?" The three exchanged glances, a sneer creeping onto their faces. Who does he think he is? Daring to negotiate terms with us? Is he tired of living?

Shao Hong sneered, "The alchemy rooms on the tenth floor? Are you qualified to even think about them? It seems you prefer a forfeit to a toast!"

Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment, then asked innocently, "Senior Brother Shao Hong, what's a forfeit? Have you had one? Tell me, what does it taste like?"

"PFFT!" Lu Hong finally couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. I never knew Qin Feiyang was so talented at playing dumb. These three self-important fools think they're so clever, but they're being played around his little finger without even realizing it.

Shao Hong clenched his fists tightly and barked, "Shut up, you wretched woman!"

"Oh?" Lu Hong looked startled, then smiled charmingly. "And what if I don't?"

"Hmph?" Lu Ziyuan and the other two turned to Lu Hong, a hint of surprise in their eyes. They clearly hadn't expected a woman to dare talk back to them.

Qin Feiyang chuckled. "Senior Brothers, don't be angry. She's just a child and doesn't know any better. Please bear with her."

Lu Hong rolled her eyes. She was already eighteen, an adult! Qin Feiyang was only seventeen, a year younger than her. How could he have the audacity to call her a child?

The three men scrutinized Lu Hong, a cold glint in their eyes.

"Qin Feiyang, you have one day," Lu Ziyuan declared. "If you still refuse by tomorrow, then I, Lu Ziyuan, can tell you responsibly: from this day forward, there will be no place for you in the Holy Temple! Let's go!" He waved his hand, turned, and stalked off.

"You'd best not provoke us," Shao Hong added.

"Or else, you'll regret it," Dong Cheng chimed in, both casting cold parting glances.

"Those three are so arrogant," Lu Hong said with a look of disgust.

"I enjoy dealing with arrogant people. The higher they leap, the harder they fall." A faint smile played on Qin Feiyang's lips. "Senior Brothers, please wait a moment."

The three exchanged smiles and stopped, turning back to look at Qin Feiyang. They assumed he had come to his senses and decided to become their lackey.

"I..." Qin Feiyang began to speak.

WHOOSH!

At that very moment, two black figures streaked through the air like lightning. One of them was Zhou Xi. Next to him was a middle-aged man, tall and upright, with sharp, sword-like brows, exuding a piercing aura.

"Greetings, Elder Shi." Upon the man's arrival, Lu Ziyuan and the other two immediately bowed respectfully.

The middle-aged man stopped in the corridor and glanced coolly at the three.

Lu Ziyuan asked respectfully, "May I ask what brings Elder Shi to see us?"

Zhou Xi smiled. "Elder Shi isn't here for you."

"Oh?" Lu Ziyuan and his companions were puzzled. If he's not here for us, then why is he here?

Elder Shi looked at Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong, then turned to Zhou Xi. "Are these them?"

"Yes," Zhou Xi nodded.

Elder Shi immediately walked towards Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong, with Zhou Xi following closely behind.

Lu Ziyuan and his companions exchanged disbelieving glances. He's here to see *them*? How could that be? Just two new Disciples, and Elder Shi bothered to come personally? A strong sense of anger surged within them. Initially, they had all thought Elder Shi was there for them. It turned out they had overthought it; this had nothing to do with them at all.

Meanwhile, Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong exchanged glances, a hint of apprehension in their eyes. This Elder Shi seems to be someone important, Qin Feiyang thought. This man has no discernible aura, yet he exudes a great sense of danger, like a ferocious beast yet to bare its fangs.

Zhou Xi chuckled. "Qin Feiyang, Lu Hong, this is Shi Ming, a Law Enforcement Elder of the Martial Palace. Greet him quickly."

Martial Palace Law Enforcement Elder!

Qin Feiyang's and Lu Hong's pupils constricted. They hurriedly cupped their hands. "Greetings, Elder Shi."

Shi Ming sized them up. "Zhou Xi tells me your martial arts talent is quite remarkable. Why would you stray from the path and choose Alchemy?"

Lu Ziyuan and his companions were startled. What? Is Elder Shi trying to poach them?

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands. "Thank you for your high praise, Elder Shi, but we prefer Alchemy."

"What's so good about Alchemy?" Shi Ming said with a disdainful expression. "If you change your minds now and join my Martial Palace, I guarantee you'll be given training rooms number one and number two."

What is going on? Qin Feiyang has Level Ten spiritual power! His future in alchemy is incredibly bright. But now, Elder Shi not only blatantly tries to recruit them but also offers such astonishing terms. Could it be that their martial arts talent far exceeds their alchemy talent? Hearing Shi Ming's words, Lu Ziyuan and his companions were utterly astounded. Only now did they finally realize they had severely underestimated this person.

Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong also looked at each other, surprised. They hadn't expected Zhou Xi to bring a Law Enforcement Elder.

Lu Hong whispered, "The benefits at the Martial Palace are indeed better than here."

Qin Feiyang said helplessly, "What can we do? They don't have alchemy rooms over there."

Zhou Xi smiled. "Qin Feiyang, Lu Hong, this is a great opportunity. You should cherish it!"

"Trying to snatch people from my territory? Shouldn't you ask for my permission first?"

Just then, a displeased voice sounded. A beautiful woman descended like lightning. She wore a long white dress, her face carrying a hint of worldly weariness, yet her charm remained, her figure exquisite and not at all matching her apparent age. Beside the beautiful woman was another person: Zhou Dong.

"Greetings, Elder Lv."

"Greetings, Elder Zhou Dong."

Lu Ziyuan and the other two bowed once more, their minds reeling. Two Elders arriving one after another? What on earth is happening?

The two Elders merely nodded faintly before walking directly towards Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong. This feeling of being ignored infuriated the three lackeys even more.

Zhou Dong said disdainfully, "Zhou Xi, I knew you wouldn't stay quiet."

"Humph!" Zhou Xi snorted. "I'm acting in their best interest. Keeping them here is simply hindering their future."

Zhou Dong retorted, "Spare me the sanctimonious talk. They're already here. If you want to poach them, you don't stand a chance."

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