Chapter 162: Gu Xiao's Recruitment

In that memory, Gu Sha had spent more than a decade in the C City Stronghold, frequently seeing Gu Xiao's figure on various news broadcasts and conferences. Gu Xiao was not only the strongest powerhouse in the C City Stronghold but also its supreme director.

To Gu Sha at that time,

Gu Xiao was an untouchable, supreme figure of the absolute upper echelon.

"Brother Gu!" Han Ze called out.

Immersed in his studies, Gu Xiao snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream. He hurriedly closed the book, stood up with a warm smile, and said, "Ah, Brother Han is back. Forgive me, I was a bit too engrossed in my reading just now and failed to notice your arrival."

Han Ze glanced at the copy of the *Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon* on the table and remarked with emotion, "No wonder Brother Gu has attained such profound cultivation at such a young age—this spirit of rigorous study is truly worth emulating!"

"Not at all, not at all," Gu Xiao said with a chuckle. "I simply have a minor interest in this subject. Having just arrived on Earth, I wish to learn as much as possible. After all, regardless of the region, every culture possesses its own unique charm. This Jin... ah, this *Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon*, is truly a marvelous book!"

Han Ze replied, "To hear such high praise from Brother Gu makes me want to find a copy and read it myself when I have the time..."

Suddenly, at that exact moment,

A distant battle caused the ground to tremble, and the copy of the *Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon* on the table slipped off and crashed onto the floor.

As it hit the ground, the outer cover of the *Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon* split open, revealing yet another book hidden inside, boldly emblazoned with three large characters: *The Plum in the Golden Vase*.

Han Ze: "??"

Gu Sha: "??"

Gu Xiao’s facial muscles twitched violently. He hurriedly waved his hand to vacuum *The Plum in the Golden Vase* into his spatial ring, offering an awkward, apologetic smile: "Well... you see... study doesn't necessarily have to be restricted..."

Han Ze: "I understand, I understand completely. That... is indeed also a marvelous book!"

His face burning with embarrassment, Gu Xiao quickly looked toward Gu Sha, extended a hand, and eagerly changed the subject. "Ah... this must be the Brother Gu that Brother Han speaks of so often. A pleasure to meet you, I am Gu Xiao!"

Gu Sha shook hands with Gu Xiao and said, "Mr. Gu, I have heard of your great reputation for a long time."

Gu Xiao said, "Brother Gu, please, take a seat." As he spoke, Gu Xiao poured tea for both Gu Sha and Han Ze. To ease the awkward atmosphere, he deliberately initiated a conversation, asking, "What kind of hobbies does Brother Gu usually have in his spare time?"

"Reading."

Gu Xiao: "..."

What the hell...

"Ahem," Han Ze dryly coughed to break the awkward silence.

"Hahaha, reading is good, reading is good," Gu Xiao quickly chimed in. "Aside from reading, does Brother Gu have any other hobbies?"

"Cultivation, I suppose!" Gu Sha decided to drop the pleasantries and cut straight to the point. "Mr. Gu, I heard from Brother Han that you are willing to help me fend off my enemies?"

Gu Xiao took a sip of tea and said, "I am well aware of Brother Gu's situation. I won't waste time with empty pleasantries. Brother Han and I hit it off instantly and became bosom friends, and since you are the person he holds in the highest regard, and he has asked this favor of me, I will take the matter on. Just stay here within the Gu family estate. Outside, I cannot guarantee your safety, but as long as you remain within the Gu family, those factions will never be able to touch you!"

Gu Sha cupped his fists and said, "Then I thank Mr. Gu in advance."

Gu Xiao waved his hand dismissively and said, "No need for such courtesy. Moreover, to be frank, I do have some selfish motives. Ever since I arrived on Earth, Brother Gu, your reputation has been like thunder to my ears, and I've heard many tales of your exploits. With your innate talent, even in our Tianwu Star Region, you would be considered a rare and exceptional genius. In truth, I also harbor the desire to invite Brother Gu to join the Gu family."

"Join the Gu family?" Gu Sha frowned.

Gu Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Gu, please do not misunderstand. I am not using my protection as leverage; I am extending this invitation with utmost sincerity. In fact, you are not the only one. I came to Earth with three missions: the first is to contend with the Tianyuan Realm, the second is to secure certain resources, and the third is to see if I can recruit talented individuals for my clan.

Other stellar factions share these exact same intentions. After all, Earth is experiencing a spiritual Qi revival, bearing the fortune of a new era, which naturally gives rise to numerous talents. Being able to recruit them is a tremendous boon for the development of our clan."

Gu Sha could roughly understand.

After all, the universe is vast, populated by countless star systems and an endless array of factions, meaning competition is inevitable. Talented individuals on Earth are regarded by those major powers as untamed geniuses with pristine backgrounds and immense potential for molding.

"I will consider it," Gu Sha said. "It's just that I've grown accustomed to a free and unconstrained lifestyle."

"I understand," Gu Xiao replied. "Brother Han has told me that you prefer to walk alone. Rest assured, I will not force you. However, I ask that Brother Gu indulge me and listen to a few more words without finding me long-winded.

Setting aside the fact that Earth will soon enter the grand cosmic era, even if Brother Gu were to remain on Earth indefinitely, the landscape here is bound to undergo drastic changes. Various factions from the upper realms will descend and carve out territories. If you continue to walk your path alone without the backing of a major power,

leave aside the issue of your enemies, simply acquiring cultivation resources will become extremely difficult. You would only end up squandering your time and wasting your innate talent. Although there is currently no way to accurately test Brother Gu's aptitude, based on your performance, I estimate your potential to be at least a Fourth-Rank or even a celestial-grade spiritual physique.

Your potential is immense. With the support of a major power, reaching the Immortal Realm and becoming a supreme being is entirely possible. At the very least, with proper guidance and abundant resources, becoming a Celestial Lord would be effortless."

Celestial Lord was the respectful title bestowed upon cultivators in the Immortal-Asking Realm who had surpassed the Domain Lord Realm.

Gu Sha nodded and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Gu. I will give it serious thought."

"Very well," Gu Xiao said. "Though my Gu family may not rank among the top names across the cosmos, we are nevertheless an orthodox lineage of True Immortals, and our resources are by no means inferior. If Brother Gu chooses to join us, you will certainly not be shortchanged, and given your talent, you will undoubtedly receive the utmost attention from the clan."

Following their meeting,

Gu Sha took up residence within the territory of the Gu family,

Patiently awaiting the opening of the Kunlun Mountains.

Over the past two days,

the number of living entities converging outside the Kunlun Mountains had grown exponentially. However, ever since the bloody clash with the entities from the Tianyuan Realm a few days prior, both sides had reached a tacit understanding, avoiding any further large-scale bloodshed.

On the morning of the third day,

A sudden surge of mist rose from within the Kunlun Mountains, hazy and ethereal. This was immediately followed by a world-shaking roar as myriad strands of rosy light pierced the heavens. At the edge of the earth, primal chaos roamed, lightning intertwined, thunder rumbled deafeningly, and a torrential downpour lashed the land.

Every living being in the Soul-Broken Valley was jolted awake.

Gu Sha, who was cultivating in his room, snapped his eyes open,

And rapidly bolted out the door.

At that moment, within the Gu family's estate, numerous figures were already soaring rapidly through the air, and Gu Sha joined the flight.

He looked ahead to see energy violently churning within the Kunlun Mountains, giving rise to numerous hazy silhouettes that resembled swelling mountain ranges, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

"Boom!" "Boom!"

Within the Kunlun Mountains, the chaotic mists grew increasingly dense until they surged and roared like white tidal waves, presenting a magnificent and awe-inspiring spectacle.

The barrier shielding the outer perimeter of the Kunlun Mountains began to dissolve!