Recently, many events had transpired within the Fenghua Sect. Lately, rumors of demon beasts appearing in Feng City had spread through the city with extraordinary speed.
Some commoners fled the city one after another. Although the Fenghua Sect repeatedly guaranteed that they would protect everyone's safety and bring them into the safe zones of the Illusion Realm, the people still dared not risk their lives on a gamble. Leaving far behind was the best escape route.
The Fenghua Sect had also made thorough preparations. Ever since the major disturbance in the Wasteland some time ago, they had dispatched extra personnel to closely monitor the area.
The Fenghua Sect naturally had their own plans; after all, the vital essence and blood of demon beasts aided in the cultivation of spiritual energy (Ling Yun). The stronger the demon beast, the more potent its natural vital essence. How could the Fenghua Sect willingly hand over such a golden opportunity to others?
However, rumors traveled faster than a shooting star, and various sects began stepping foot into Feng City one after another. In an instant, Feng City became a training ground for cultivators.
Fearing that they would lose their dominant position, the Fenghua Sect began recruiting rogue cultivators to join them, offering each person two bottles of superior Marrow Cleansing Fluid afterward to help boost their Ling Yun cultivation.
"We can actually get Marrow Cleansing Fluid? Such a wonderful thing..."
"I heard that regular disciples in the sect only get one bottle every three months..."
"Count me in. I've got nothing better to do anyway."
"I'm not going. If things get rough on the front lines, I might not even get the Marrow Cleansing Fluid, and I'd lose my life instead."
"Tch, are you even a cultivator? So afraid of death. Those who are afraid should hurry home, crawl under the blankets, and never come out."
Several people burst into loud laughter laced with mockery. In their hearts, becoming a cultivator meant constantly growing stronger until one stood at the very peak, admired and praised by all.
Li Chunfeng had also seen the notice. He had gained nothing during his past two days in Feng City, and in truth, he needed spiritual fluid to aid his cultivation—especially superior Marrow Cleansing Fluid.
Although he had once been ridiculously wealthy and would never have glanced twice at superior Marrow Cleansing Fluid, times had changed. Li Chunfeng lowered his posture; he needed to rely on himself to earn back his innocence.
"Hey, buddy, do you think this Fenghua Sect is reliable? Will they actually hand over superior Marrow Cleansing Fluid?"
A twenty-something rogue cultivator with a slender figure, yellowish skin, and a severely malnourished appearance walked up to Li Chunfeng and tapped him on the shoulder.
Li Chunfeng turned around and looked the person up and down. "Isn't this the exact same guy who was afraid of dying and didn't want to go just a moment ago? Afraid of death yet still greedy for Marrow Cleansing Fluid..." Li Chunfeng smiled bitterly to himself, but his facial expression remained perfectly composed.
"Such a massive sect shouldn't go back on their word, right? With so many of us cultivators here, we're worth at least half their sect. Who's really afraid of whom, if you think about it..." Li Chunfeng reasoned eloquently.
"Besides, such a big sect still cares about its reputation; they wouldn't shortchange us out of that little bit of hard-earned compensation."
"Makes sense... There are plenty of us rogue cultivators..."
"Right, who's afraid of whom? These days, the bold get stuffed and the timid starve..."
Li Chunfeng led the rhythm of the conversation, and his persuasive speech instantly cleared the minds of the hesitant rogue cultivators, prompting them to join the rogue cultivator faction of the Fenghua Sect one after another.
"I'll join."
"I'll join too."
"Count me in..." For a moment, people rushed forward to sign their names and join the Fenghua Sect.
Standing in the distance overseeing the rogue cultivators, the White-bearded Elder watched Li Chunfeng from afar, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth as a look of satisfaction crossed his face.
"Master, are you scouting for a new disciple again..." A woman in white walked up from behind the elder. Her steps were light, her spirit radiant, a graceful lady with captivating, smiling eyes.
"Mm..." The White-bearded Elder gazed straight ahead, stroked his beard, and nodded.