The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 2146: Wasted Spot

If Jing Yan were to confront Ji Bian now, there is a high possibility of killing him. Ji Bian, as an Immortal Rhythm Cultivator, possesses commendable attack power, but his personal defense is relatively weak.

"Quite confident," Yuantong Immortal Venerable said with a half-smile.

Yuantong Immortal Venerable also hopes that the determined hired individuals are stronger. The stronger the hired individuals, the higher the likelihood of being hired by the Four Great Forces, resulting in higher hire fees.

This hire fee, Yuantong Immortal Venerable will take half of it. If a hired individual is employed by the Four Great Forces and the price is ten billion Black Crystal Stones, the hired individual must pay Yuantong Immortal Venerable five billion Black Crystal Stones.

This is the rule; there’s no way around it, and it cannot be changed.

Yuantong Immortal Venerable raised his eyes and looked toward the main hall entrance. Subsequently, several figures walked in from outside. Leading them was a Golden-armored Guard. Behind him followed ten cultivators, both men and women, some appearing relatively old, while others seemed young.

These cultivators are all at the Nether Sky Realm level.

"Immortal Venerable, the ten hired individuals are here," the Golden-armored Guard greeted Yuantong Immortal Venerable.

"Hmm." Yuantong Immortal Venerable nodded.

The Golden-armored Guard then turned and left the hall, while the ten cultivators collectively greeted Yuantong Immortal Venerable.

These ten people are indeed the individuals confirmed by Yuantong Immortal Venerable. Their strengths are exceedingly formidable. Although none have reached the Immortal Rhythm level, the combat strength of these ten people is comparable to ordinary Immortal Rhythm Cultivators. Some can even directly compete with ordinary Immortal Rhythm Cultivators without falling behind.

Among the ten, more than half were hired individuals during the last opening of Yellow Spring Cave.

"No need for formalities," Yuantong Immortal Venerable waved his hand.

"I summoned you here for a reason. With the upcoming opening of Yellow Spring Cave, I initially intended for you ten to become hired individuals. However, a slight complication has arisen; Wuxia Heavenly Monarch recommends a cultivator named Jing Yan to become a hired individual. If I allow Jing Yan to become a hired individual, one of you will need to relinquish your spot on the hired list," Yuantong Immortal Venerable said slowly.

Upon hearing Yuantong Immortal Venerable’s words, the ten hired individuals’ expressions changed somewhat, turning their gazes toward Wuxia Heavenly Monarch. All these individuals knew Wuxia Heavenly Monarch.

Wuxia Heavenly Monarch’s face showed no change in expression.

Jing Yan, however, furrowed his brow slightly. Previously, he knew that the hired individuals had been confirmed, but he was unaware he would need to seize a hired spot from someone else. Wuxia Heavenly Monarch hadn’t explained it to him in detail.

Among the ten hired individuals, some turned their gaze upon Jing Yan. Yuantong Immortal Venerable mentioned that Wuxia Heavenly Monarch introduced someone to be a hired individual, so this cultivator standing next to Wuxia Heavenly Monarch should be the Jing Yan Yuantong Immortal Venerable was referring to, right?

The looks directed at Jing Yan were not friendly. Jing Yan was, in essence, taking away their opportunity, and they were not pleased.

"Is there anyone among the ten of you who would voluntarily withdraw?" Yuantong Immortal Venerable asked again.

No one answered.

Withdraw? Who would voluntarily withdraw? Becoming a hired individual doesn’t guarantee employment, but once hired, one could acquire a significant amount of resources. Opportunities like this do not come often. Yellow Spring Cave opens only once every million years; who would willingly give up such a chance?

"It seems no one wishes to withdraw!" Yuantong Immortal Venerable squinted his eyes.

"Then I’ll designate someone to withdraw! Qu Chen, you withdraw!" Yuantong looked at one of them.

Among the ten, a cultivator in a gray robe stirred, his aura changing. This person was Qu Chen.

Of the ten hired individuals, six were hired during the last opening of Yellow Spring Cave. Four were newly added for this upcoming opening. Qu Chen was one of the latter. He spent a considerable amount of effort to become a hired individual and, after much difficulty, gained the recognition of the Immortal Venerable, being selected into the hired list.

His personal strength is quite good, at the Peak of Netherworld Cultivation. However, when faced against an average Immortal Rhythmic Strong People, he can effortlessly preserve his life. Among the previously determined ten hired individuals, he was practically at the bottom in terms of strength. Yuantong Immortal Venerable pointed him out to withdraw from the hired list because his strength was relatively lower among the ten.

Qu Chen felt very discontent, anger arose, but before Yuantong Immortal Venerable, he didn’t dare to express his ire. Even if filled with rage, he had to forcefully suppress it. Disrespecting the Immortal Venerable is asking for death.

Yet, simply withdrawing from the hired list was clearly unacceptable to him.

Qu Chen stared hard at Jing Yan, as it was this person attempting to take his opportunity as a hired individual. If not for his appearance, his position on the hired list would have remained unshaken, and Yellow Spring Cave would open in merely three hundred years—a fleeting time, and Yuantong Immortal Venerable would not actively seek other hires to replace him.

"Where did this wretched little brat come from? What is his relationship with Wuxia Heavenly Monarch? Why does Wuxia Heavenly Monarch want to help him so much?" Qu Chen glared at Jing Yan, thoughts filled with resentment.

His resentment extended even to Wuxia Heavenly Monarch, yet he similarly did not dare to show disrespect to him. That was a Heavenly Monarch, a top-tier Immortal Rhythmic Strong Person.

"Immortal Venerable, though you want me to relinquish my hired individual status, I dare not disobey. If the Immortal Venerable were to send me to my death, I also would not dare disobey," Qu Chen retracted his gaze from Jing Yan and looked at Yuantong Immortal Venerable, speaking out.

"Should the Immortal Venerable allow a stronger Nether Sky Realm Cultivator to replace me as a new hire, I would have no complaints. But this Jing Yan, whom I’ve neither seen nor heard of before," continued Qu Chen. "If he becomes a hired individual, will the Four Great Forces choose to employ him? Isn’t that simply wasting a hire spot?"

Indeed, he neither knew Jing Yan nor had he heard of him.

In this expansive region under the influence of Yuantong Immortal Venerable, the number of top-tier Nether Sky Realm Cultivators is limited, and none would be unknown to Qu Chen. Hearing Jing Yan’s name for the first time, he thus concluded that Jing Yan’s capabilities might not be that strong. Presumably, Yuantong Immortal Venerable granted him a hire spot due to Wuxia Heavenly Monarch’s favor, right?

"Qu Chen, you’re unaware of the situation!"

"Jing Yan’s strength is not weak; Wuxia Heavenly Monarch said Jing Yan’s combat power could surpass ordinary Immortal Rhythmic Strong People. I believe his strength is above yours," Yuantong Immortal Venerable replied, unperturbed by Qu Chen’s words, smiling as he explained.

"Oh?"

"Hmm?"

Not only Qu Chen but even the other nine hired individuals revealed expressions of astonishment.