Inside in the Celestial Rest In, the atmosphere was lively as ever.

  Yue sat at the table, happily eating dish after dish like a bottomless pit. Ptes stacked beside her like a small mountain, yet her chopsticks never slowed.

  Steamed spirit fish.

  Jade lotus buns.

  Roasted cloud pheasant.

  All vanished one after another.

  Lin Xuan, sitting across from her, watched for a moment before calmly joining in. Soon, the two of them were eating as if they owned the pce, completely ignoring the stunned gazes from nearby customers.

  This scene continued for several days.

  Every meal.

  Every dish.

  Same outcome.

  Yue eating like a starved beast.

  Lin Xuan eating like an emperor.

  Until—

  One afternoon, as they ate as usual, a group of customers nearby began discussing something excitedly.

  “The recruitment is starting again…”

  “Yeah, it’s already been eighty-one years since the st one.”

  “I heard all the major sects will be sending elders this time.”

  “Anyone selected will soar to the heavens in a single step!”

  Lin Xuan’s chopsticks paused midair.

  Recruitment?

  He set them down calmly and stood.

  Walking over to their table, he spoke in an even tone:

  “What are you discussing?”

  The group froze.

  The moment they looked up and saw him, their expressions changed instantly.

  They hurriedly stood and bowed.

  “Ah—Lord Xuan!”

  Their voices were respectful, almost nervous.

  After all, in their eyes, Lin Xuan was clearly a big shot. Anyone who casually handed out high-grade spirit stones like spare coins couldn’t possibly be ordinary. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators treated him politely.

  And his companion—

  They gnced nervously at Yue.

  Only Cultivator has a sharp sense can sense her aura alone made their instincts scream danger.

  Definitely another terrifying expert…

  One of the men quickly answered,

  “My Lord, we were discussing the Great Sect Recruitment.”

  He swallowed before continuing.

  “The major sects recruit disciples only once every hundred years. Talents from across the region gather for the chance to join them.”

  Another customer added eagerly,

  “If someone gets accepted, they can change their fate completely. Wealth, power, cultivation resources—all within reach!”

  A third leaned closer and lowered his voice.

  “I also heard… this year’s recruitment is special.”

  Lin Xuan’s eyes flickered slightly.

  “Oh?”

  The man nodded solemnly.

  “They say several ancient sects that rarely show themselves… are sending representatives this time.”

  Silence lingered for a brief moment.

  Behind Lin Xuan, Yue continued eating, completely uninterested in sects, recruitment, or fate.

  But Lin Xuan—

  His gaze turned thoughtful.

  Because events like this…

  Were exactly where protagonists gathered.

  And where protagonists gathered—

  Trouble followed.

  Lin Xuan’s expression remained calm as he looked at the group.

  “And what exact date is it held?” he asked.

  One of the customers hurriedly replied, “My Lord, the exact date is nine years from now…”

  Lin Xuan’s brows lifted slightly.

  Nine years…

  That was both long and short for cultivators.

  He continued, voice steady, “Where will it be held?”

  The men exchanged gnces before answering respectfully,

  “At the number one cultivation sect—the Celestial Origin Sect.”

  A faint murmur of awe passed through the group as they spoke the name, as if merely mentioning it required reverence.

  “They say it stands above all sects,” another added, lowering his voice instinctively. “A sacred nd of cultivation. Even entering its outer gate is considered a blessing of ten lifetimes.”

  Lin Xuan nodded faintly.

  “I see.”

  Outwardly, he looked indifferent.

  But inwardly—

  His thoughts shifted.

  Lin Xuan’s eyes grew thoughtful as he stood there.

  If Su Qingyun join that recruitment…

  But after a brief calcution, he dismissed the idea.

  Nine years from now… she’ll be twenty-five.

  His gaze dimmed slightly.

  Sect recruitments favored youth above all else. Most sects only accepted disciples below twenty, and even the more lenient ones rarely allowed anyone past twenty-three.

  At twenty-five—

  She would already be considered too old.

  Her talent, her providence, even her heaven-blessed fate—

  None of it would matter.

  Rules were rules.

  Lin Xuan shook his head faintly.

  No sect would accept her by then.

  After thinking for a while, he made his decision.

  Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, calcuting smile tugging at his lips.

  I’ve decided… he thought. If Su Qingyun is not qualified to join any sect…

  He paused for a moment, letting the idea settle in his mind.

  Then I will.

  His gaze darkened with quiet anticipation.

  I was pnning to go if there are chosen ones or those truly favored by Heaven… at the recruitment for disciples.

  The night wind stirred softly, carrying the faint scent of incense from the city.

  Let’s see… which of them are worthy of my attention…

  As Lin Xuan contempted the upcoming disciple recruitment, a sudden thought surfaced in his mind.

  Hmm…

  If this is a recruitment event for major sects…

  His eyes narrowed slightly.

  Then why did the Azure Spirit Sword Sect the second strongest among the major sects start recruiting ahead of time… in Phoenix Crest City?

  That alone was unusual.

  Major sects rarely acted without purpose. Especially one ranked second under heaven.

  Recruiting early meant one of two things:

  Either they had received inside information…

  Or they were targeting someone specific.

  Lin Xuan’s gaze flickered faintly.

  Is there a chosen one hidden in Phoenix Crest City?

  Or perhaps someone favored by Heaven…?

  The thought lingered for half a breath—

  Then his expression subtly shifted.

  No… no… no…

  Definitely not Liu Xin

  His gaze softened slightly.

  A quiet chuckle escaped his lips.

  He is not favored. He is forsaken.

  If not for Lin Xuan’s interference, Liu Xin would have remained a nameless speck trampled beneath the feet of true geniuses.

  And yet.

  He became a disciple of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect.

  Not because of talent.

  Not because of Heaven’s blessing.

  But because of him.

  Because Lin Xuan allowed it.

  Because it amused him.

  A trace of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

  A forsaken pawn pced inside the second strongest major sect…

  How could that not be entertaining?

  His expression grew faintly brighter—almost pleased.

  Sometimes, altering destiny with his own hands felt far more enjoyable than simply watching it unfold.

  And now—

  With disciple recruitment approaching…

  Perhaps it was time to stir the waters once again.

  For a brief moment, countless possibilities fshed through his mind like lightning. Then, He exhaled softly and dismissed the thought.

  It doesn’t matter.

  Beside him, Yue chewed another bite of food, oblivious to the schemes already forming in her master’s mind.