These three are not weak at all.
Xiren Yuanjun’s gaze towards Wan Lei grew even more fervent. She hadn't expected to encounter three experts just by casually patrolling.
If she could recruit them all, the high-end combat power of her Xiren family would ascend another level, perfectly filling the void left by her second uncle's death.
Alas, she was unaware that the three before her were precisely the culprits who killed her second uncle, the very instigators of the significant gap in her Xiren family’s high-end combat power that necessitated a strategic shift.
Originally, according to the Xiren family’s plan, this war was to be commanded by Xiren Jun, who would remain at the front lines, while her father, the Xiren family head Xiren Liu, would specifically engage the head of the Zhihuo family, Zhihuo Fengqin, establishing a king-versus-king dynamic.
As long as Zhihuo Fengqin left her stronghold, Xiren Liu would unveil the "secret weapon" his side had prepared for years and slay Zhihuo Fengqin.
Even if he couldn't kill her, he was confident he could heavily injure her, rendering her unable to participate in the martial arts tournament a year later.
Yes, this war was initiated precisely for the martial arts tournament a year hence.
Conquering territories was merely a smokescreen, intended to lure out Zhihuo Fengqin and eliminate her, allowing Xiren Liu to inherit the Heart Fire.
At that point, with possession of two supreme fires, Xiren Liu would be invincible in the martial arts tournament.
Of course, gaining some territory along the way would be an excellent bonus.
If Zhihuo Fengqin died, the army already deployed by their side could then pressure the Zhihuo family into surrender, incorporating all their territory into their own.
By then, the Xiren family, with its unprecedentedly strengthened power, coupled with Xiren Liu possessing both the Netherworld Cold Fire and the Heart Fire, the two most potent flames, could march north and contend with the Beastmen and the Cao family.
However, Xiren Jun's sudden death forced Xiren Liu to alter his strategy. He personally took on the role of supreme commander, stationed at the front lines, and also had to dispatch Xiren Yuanjun to supervise.
After all, the majority of the Xiren family's army had previously been under Xiren Jun's control. With his death, their command over the army declined, necessitating Xiren Yuanjun's intervention.
But with both major experts deployed to the front lines, their high-end combat power became depleted, leaving the family's defenses exceptionally vulnerable.
If... if she could recruit these three, then she could simply lead them to confront the Zhihuo family head-on, or she could return home to defend, letting her father lead. Either arrangement would be handled with ease.
As she pondered, Xiren Yuanjun’s gaze grew increasingly fervent.
But in Wan Lei’s eyes, this gaze was one of battle intent.
This girl still wasn’t giving up; she still wanted to fight.
Young Master Lei was already in a bad mood, and this only made him lose patience.
"Xiren Yuanjun, we are strangers, with no past grievances or animosity. There's no need for us to fight. You take your wide road, and I'll take my single-plank bridge. Let’s stay out of each other's way. I have no desire to meddle in your war.
However, if you continue to be so aggressive, don't blame me for being ruthless.
The Xiren family has already lost Xiren Jun to the Zhihuo family. I don't mind if your Xiren family loses another expert. At that point, let's see how your Xiren family plans to face this war you initiated."
"You think... you can kill me?"
Xiren Yuanjun scoffed at Wan Lei's threat.
"How do you know without trying? Even if I can't kill you, we can at least fight to a mutual destruction. Then you'll still be at a disadvantage against the Zhihuo family.
Failing that, I can go defect to the Zhihuo family and join forces with them to deal with you. That’s certainly an option."
"Heh."
Xiren Yuanjun let out a mocking laugh, then stared intently into Wan Lei's eyes for a moment.
"Fifty thousand Fire Crystals per month, and the three of you will hold the position of Great Esteemed Guests in the Xiren family. How about this offer?"
"Not interested."
Wan Lei replied without a second thought.
This was a joke. He had too many things to do. Even if he didn't, he preferred a life of freedom and ease. Moreover, he wasn't originally from this world; how could he stay and serve as a dog for the Xiren family?
They were practically blood enemies.
However, in Xiren Yuanjun's eyes, Wan Lei's refusal was a sign that he was waiting for a better offer.
"Eighty thousand Fire Crystals, plus you can freely cultivate the Xiren family's Daoist techniques and divine abilities."
"Not interested."
"You..."
Xiren Yuanjun was somewhat exasperated. This person before her was truly unappreciative.
"The highest offer I can give you is to let you cultivate the Netherworld Cold Fire. This is our Xiren family's foundational inheritance; outsiders have never been..."
"I said, not interested. How many times do I have to say it? Can't you understand plain language?"
Wan Lei's tone was exceedingly harsh, and his gaze towards Xiren Yuanjun intensified. He sized her up, considering whether to fight if she pushed him too far.
This was a provocative look.
Earlier, he had misjudged Xiren Yuanjun's expression.
Now, Xiren Yuanjun also misjudged his.
She assumed...
"Heh, Fire Crystals are not rare, Daoist techniques and divine abilities are not rare, status is not rare, and you're even not interested in the Netherworld Cold Fire.
I refuse to believe there truly is such a man in this world who desires nothing.
Could it be that you desire...
For me, Xiren Yuanjun, to marry you?"
What? What are you talking about? Which eye of yours saw me having any such intention?
Can we please not talk about bodies all the time?
Your younger brother was lusting after my body, and now you are too. Your world’s three major powers, three kinds of fetishes: liking married women, liking young girls, and liking men...
Is the local custom this wild?
Can we not discuss things beyond physical appearance?
I have Sister Xiaoyu, who is a hundred times better than you!
What? Someone accustomed to delicacies and rare treasures like me would actually go try the taste of your coarse fare?
Although, this young lady isn't bad looking...
Ahem, Sister Xiaoyu is right here. Restrain yourself.
Wan Lei's gaze was filled with disbelief. He stopped sizing her up, fearing further misunderstanding.
"What? Am I... wrong? Man."
Xiren Yuanjun's commanding and overbearing aura vanished. She took two steps forward, getting closer to Wan Lei.
Replacing it was the demeanor of her lips curling into a playful smile and her eyes bearing an invasive gaze.
"You..."
"Mhm?"
"You're ugly."
"Ah?"
Xiren Yuanjun's expression immediately changed again, her large eyes filled with shock and confusion.
This was the first time in her life anyone had ever called her ugly.
"My wife is a hundred times more beautiful than you."
Wan Lei pointed to Fang Xiaoyu beside him.
Xiren Yuanjun followed Wan Lei's指 and looked at Fang Xiaoyu.
She had noticed Fang Xiaoyu before, but her eyes had always been on Wan Lei, and Fang Xiaoyu had been quietly drinking and hadn't spoken.
Now, she looked up, and Xiren Yuanjun could clearly see that peerlessly beautiful, perfect, and flawless face.
For the first time in her life, Xiren Yuanjun felt a sense of inferiority when facing another woman.