Chapter 266: The Wheel of Fortune Turns
Ye Fan was enduring the pain, but these people knew that he was still nominally considered Li Ruoyu's disciple. Even though today an Emperor-level figure had arrived, they still couldn't afford to provoke a Saint.
Therefore, Fang Bie wasn't particularly concerned about what would happen to Ye Fan next; instead, he was more interested in the disciples previously recruited by Li Ruoyu and Hua Yunfei.
Fang Bie smoothly acquired the list from Hua Yunfei. After all, given their relationship, such things didn't require much discussion.
Moreover, Fang Bie was actually the true owner and executor of this plan. To complete it, he needed to thoroughly understand the situation of all participants.
Fang Bie glanced again at Ye Fan, who was still in dire straits. Although his circumstances weren't necessarily much better, there was a certain sense of schadenfreude in the contrast.
Fang Bie clearly realized that, after he said those words, nearly everyone's gaze toward him had undergone a profound change.
Previously, he was just a teenager who had joined this mountain peak due to luck and extraordinary talent, becoming one of Li Ruoyu's disciples.
But from today onward, whether it was his performance walking through lightning as if strolling in his own backyard, or simply uttering a few words to summon a true Emperor-level powerhouse, had made him enter the minds of all major forces.
His status and origin instantly became secrets everyone wanted to uncover.
Ye Fan was still a junior, but Fang Bie could already speak calmly with that individual. Even though his cultivation level was negligible in everyone's eyes, mastering secrets was also a form of status.
Knowledge was always a form of power. If Fang Bie could use his knowledge and foresight abilities to manipulate everyone in the world, then he wouldn't differ much from a true top-tier cultivator.
Thus, Fang Bie could easily detect those gazes fixated on him. Those eyes carried almost no malice, but rather boundless curiosity.
Since Fang Bie could summon a Great Perfection Saint Body with a single sentence, it meant he might do so again and again. No one wanted to be caught in the destruction brought by a world's top-tier cultivator alongside their families, so necessary goodwill had to be displayed.
At this moment, the elders and Holy Sovereigns who sent people to join ZHUOFENG felt relieved. Thank goodness they sent out their best disciples. Even if they didn't accomplish much here, they could still become peers with future top-tier cultivators and Great Perfection Saints.
They could even develop close personal relationships with such a mysterious and eloquent youth. This youth, with his knowledge and conduct, capable of easily understanding the deepest mysteries of the universe, would inevitably become the best companion everyone desired.
Many people had privately decided to return and advise the female disciples who had barely managed to join ZHUOFENG through their talents. They were determined to bring one of them back as a son-in-law. This investment was sure to yield profits while securing the family or sect's future peace. Everyone wanted to do it.
Because of this, Fang Bie hadn't even looked at the list in his hand for long before being surrounded by a group of powerful beings who suddenly seemed like matchmakers.
Some hadn't had time to approach Ye Fan, while others had carefully considered and concluded that investing in Fang Bie would yield the greatest benefits.
They didn't even understand what kind of identity the young man who could hold face-to-face conversations with top-tier cultivators and potentially gain the upper hand had, yet they had already thrown various benefits at him without reservation.
"Boy, your bones are extraordinary, and your talent is sharp. I have a treasure here for you to inherit, but the condition is that you marry into my family. Is that acceptable?" An elder was immediately pushed aside by someone behind him.
"Young friend, you are clearly a top-tier genius. Though I am lacking, my family has some wealth that can help you ascend to the Immortal Platform. All I ask is your promise!" This one directly came over to distribute his wealth. Everything on him exuded the prosperity of his clan.
Unfortunately, his display of wealth didn't last long before being knocked down by a powerful brute with a punch, followed by another line of dialogue.
"I am the leader of a great sect in Central Plains. Young hero, joining my sect is merely a matter of a word. We all wish to follow you as our master!"
"Master, I know you must be the master I lost contact with many years ago whom I've never met. Please accept my disciple's homage!"
Fang Bie stared in disbelief. Young man, weren't you just on the other side paying respects? How did you suddenly end up in front of me? Are you the legendary Swift Messenger?
Fang Bie had never imagined karma catching up so quickly. Ye Fan took advantage of the bustling scene here and disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace even in other places.
At this point, Fang Bie no longer had any schadenfreude. He quickly signaled to the distant Hua Yunfei and Li Ruoyu, hoping they could think of a way to help him escape this hellish situation.
These people weren't enemies, so he couldn't resort to forceful measures. He had no choice but to seek assistance from the outsiders.
However, Hua Yunfei gave an expression of helplessness. As the senior brother of Taixuan Sect, he was desperately trying to conceal his presence. He believed that given the madness of these people, he wouldn't be far from the next arranged marriage incident.
He was the senior brother of Taixuan Sect and the closest to this Saint Li Ruoyu among contemporary disciples. Moreover, he was close friends with the two hotshot youths. He feared that revealing his identity would make these desperate old men target him.
Fang Bie interacted briefly with the powerful individuals around him, though he didn't recognize many of them. Gradually, however, he matched them with scenes from books.
Indeed, as described in the books, the world was bustling with people coming for profit, and retreating for profit. Their behavior was akin to ferocious wolves greedily devouring everything in front of them.
But now, their demeanor resembled benevolent elders, nothing like the ruthless creatures others described. Damn it, they seemed more like genuine philanthropists, just anxious.
"Enough! ZHUOFENG is a sacred place. Please refrain from making noise and leave in an orderly manner!" Li Ruoyu finally spoke, saving him from calamity.
(End of Chapter)