Chapter 975 - 428: Factions Gathering (Part 2)

Chu Xiu suddenly thought of something.

"Wait, could it be because of the mysterious creature I absorbed?"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that it was the only possibility.

But this was too strange. First, he inexplicably swallowed a monster, and then inexplicably acquired the ability to teleport.

Although from any angle, this was a good thing, the unknown always made Chu Xiu uneasy.

He touched his chin, knowing that this matter could only be explored slowly later.

Without thinking further, he entered the Abyss Space and then headed for the target world.

The journey this time was very smooth, with no attacks encountered.

Almost in just the span of a breath, he arrived at a yellowish-brown planet.

This was a desert planet that once developed a unique civilization and belief system.

However, as a world for awakening trials, the tier was naturally not high, and Chu Xiu glanced down. There was a lost ruin where many youthful-faced students were exploring.

Without intending to disturb them, Chu Xiu shook his figure and flew towards the depths of the desert.

He flew for nearly fifty miles before stopping.

This was the agreed location, the very center of the desert, a perilous place shrouded by sandstorms.

He slapped the Soul Banner, and immediately the Ghostly Legion surged out, hidden beneath the desert, while two Ghost Kings released ghostly mist, merging with the sandstorm, further expanding the area of the ghostly domain.

With this preparation, even if there were any unexpected changes, it should give Chu Xiu enough time to retreat calmly.

Very soon, streams of glimmering light appeared in the distance as participants of the gathering arrived one after another.

Beside Chu Xiu, ten people attended the gathering.

Representatives from the government, military, guild, business hall, and the four major families all came, showcasing Huaxia’s most elite forces, reflecting the importance placed on Chu Xiu.

The other two attendees were Chen Huang, whom Chu Xiu specifically invited to "raise the stakes," and a representative from Mountain View Building.

This peculiar organization still seemed unwilling to give up after failing to enlist Chu Xiu previously and sent someone again this time.

However, since Mountain View Building’s members never reveal themselves in reality, the person sent this time was actually a demigod of significant reputation they temporarily hired, merely acting as a messenger.

"The government sent Huang Anhua, the military sent Zhao Fengming, the business hall sent Green Lady, all familiar faces..."

Perhaps thinking that by sending comrades they fought alongside, Chu Xiu might be more inclined to join, these powerful forces tried to send familiar faces this time.

"Zhao Family sent Zhao Jie, Jiang Family sent Jiang Lingfu, Zhang Family sent Divine Power Daoist..."

Chu Xiu verified the names one by one.

But suddenly, his expression slightly changed.

The representative from Zhang Family was not Divine Power Daoist! It was a middle-aged man with a long beard and a dignified face!

Chu Xiu immediately recognized this person’s identity; it was none other than the current patriarch of Zhang Family, known as Zhang Zhengdao, the heir to the Celestial Master!

"What’s going on? They said it would be Divine Power Daoist, why did Zhang Family’s patriarch come in person!"

Those sent by each force were generally elders with strong authority, but not final decision-makers.

Yet Zhang Family sent their patriarch in person!

This indicated that Zhang Family valued Chu Xiu to the extreme.

But Chu Xiu considered another possibility.

"Soul-Collecting Treasure Box..."

He still remembered when someone tried to contact two King Tier practitioners in Corpse Demon World, planning to kill him and use the soul from the Soul-Collecting Treasure Box to possess his body!

Later, during the Investigation Bureau’s inquiry, this action targeting him originated from Zhang Family!

Though unknown whether it was a decision by one of Zhang Family’s powerful figures or the will of the entire family, it was enough to make Chu Xiu vigilant.

Especially since once the Soul-Collecting Treasure Box selects a target, it cannot be changed, meaning if someone in Zhang Family wants to resurrect the soul inside the box, their only method is to kill Chu Xiu!

Previously, Divine Power Daoist’s upright demeanor made Chu Xiu reassess Zhang Family, but the sudden appearance of Zhang Family’s patriarch raised his guard again.

Although there hadn’t been any movements for a long time, it didn’t mean they had abandoned their plan!

"Zhang Zhengdao, as Zhang Family’s patriarch, has a vast supply of resources and undoubtedly holds the strength of a Perfect Demigod. Reportedly, within Zhang Family, only a Great Elder exploring the Abyss for years might surpass his combat power."

"Moreover, he possesses dual SS talents and professions, an exceptional figure among Perfect Demigods..."

"Perhaps only Green Lady and the Martial Extreme Guild’s fourth head can compare."

The unexpected appearance of such a plan-outside figure made Chu Xiu highly suspicious.

Yet retreating due to this would be too cowardly.

"Zhang Zhengdao, let me see why you’ve come!"

Sneering coldly inside, Chu Xiu slowly revealed himself.

He wore a black robe and an ancient copper mask, immediately drawing the crowd’s attention upon appearing.

Huang Anhua glanced at him and chuckled helplessly, "When I heard you were willing to show yourself, I thought you finally dropped your guard, but you’re still hiding so securely."

Green Lady also covered her mouth with a light laugh, "Alright, it’s good for the young to have some caution."

The white-haired Duan Yan, representing Mountain View Building, said, "His concealment technique surprised me; not a single hint of aura leaked."

Green Lady asked in surprise, "Even Zhao Senior couldn’t notice?"

Duan Yan was among the first Awakened since the Abyss invasion, experienced the Dark Age, and participated in two Paths to Divinity, making him one of the most seasoned and insightful Awakened.

His talents and profession mainly focused on reconnaissance, so failing to see through Chu Xiu’s disguise indeed surprised Green Lady.

Before Duan Yan could speak, Wan Yanlie, the Martial Extreme Guild’s fourth head, expressed dissatisfaction: "Not sure if his strength is as terrifying as the rumors say."

This person was unfamiliar, but since the guild housed Martial Extreme King, Wan Yanlie, being the fourth head, must be quite powerful, likely a Perfect Demigod, given his authoritative demeanor.

Chu Xiu stepped forward and cupped his hands: "I didn’t intentionally hide; I worry if my identity is exposed, it would affect my family’s life. Please forgive me, seniors."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present improved significantly.

Chu Xiu’s reason was acceptable, and having a family always indicates attachments, which is more stable than being a lone wanderer.

"Alright, let’s skip the idle talk and get to the main topic." Wan Yanlie, burly with flame-like red beard and hair, seemed impatient matching his fiery appearance.

His deep-red eyes fixed on Chu Xiu, "My elder brother instructed me simply; he said he couldn’t truly trust you unless you met him in person; otherwise, we’d only adopt our guild’s SSS-level talent referral treaty... I won’t elaborate, but you probably wouldn’t accept it either."

Wan Yanlie’s words made Chu Xiu’s heart sink. Despite knowing that his remarkable talents wouldn’t make these large forces invest in him blindly, the guild’s offered condition was excessively demanding.

He knew of the SSS-level talent referral treaty, which was extremely generous for ordinary people but not very helpful for him now.

Among the three major forces, Chu Xiu anticipated the guild most, yet its major flaw, as he analyzed earlier, was its strong emphasis on brotherhood, making outsider recognition difficult, thus confirming his suspicions.

Just then, the military and business hall presented their conditions.

"My teacher, the King of Slaughter, is optimistic about you. From the talent protection point of view, safeguarding civilization benefits Huaxia."

"He promises that if you join the military, three demigods would assist you immediately."

"However, joining the military can’t be superficial; my teacher demands you stay on the frontlines for three years... Of course, military honors are accounted for."

Zhao Fengming presented the military’s terms.

"What kind of demands are those," Green Lady playfully chided, her alluring gaze falling on Chu Xiu, laughing lightly, "Our business hall is much more lenient. Our young master says where’s the business that guarantees profit? Chen, your talent is worth our investment!"

"Twenty War Giant Beasts, ten Thousand-Year Tree Spirits, fifty bottles of Overlife Liquid..."

Green Lady rattled off a list of items, but Chu Xiu felt increasingly disappointed inside.

The conditions from the three places fell far short of his expectations!