Chapter 513: Paying No Mind

“You’re finally here, kid. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting?” Chu Tianshan said when he saw Chu Feng arrive.

“Nothing I could do. There was traffic. This is actually pretty fast, all things considered,” Chu Feng replied.

“Are we heading over right now? It’s going to be crowded,” Bai Han said, a hint of worry in her voice.

She was still worried. After all, the Spirit Sword Valley was incredibly powerful, even after Chu Feng had killed a number of its high-ranking members.

The ones who remained were still more than enough to overwhelm them.

“That doesn’t matter. They’re the ones who should be worried. Ordinary Martial Cultivators hate exposing themselves to the public.”

“I, on the other hand, don’t mind at all. It’s fine either way. After all, the only way for Martial Cultivators to truly develop and grow is by stepping into the public eye.”

“Otherwise, the Martial Arts Realm will remain stagnant and never truly become powerful.”

Chu Feng said calmly, his understanding of the situation perfectly clear.

“So what if that many people find out? Our requirements for recruiting disciples are hardly low,” Bai Han said.

“But think about it,” Chu Feng said. “The more people who apply, the higher the chances of finding exceptional prospects when you screen them. That’s a much better system than your usual recruitment methods.”

“It’s not as easy as you think,” Bai Han said. “There are plenty of talented prospects out there. The crucial factor is their character. That test alone weeds out a huge number of people.”

That was just how the Celestial Sword Sect operated. To recruit a single disciple, the evaluation period was exceptionally long.

To become a true disciple of the Celestial Sword Sect, it took several years at the very least.

“No wonder the Celestial Sword Sect is in such a state with rules like these.” Chu Feng shook his head in resignation.

“If you were the Celestial Sword Sect’s Leader, you could change that rule,” Bai Han said.

“Don’t even go there. I have no interest in being a Sect Leader,” Chu Feng quickly refused.

Being a Sect Leader was the kind of trouble Chu Feng wanted no part of.

“Forget Sect Leader, I don’t want any position. It’s nice just being on my own, living a quiet life,” Chu Feng said with a smile.

There was a certain peace in being unattached.

With that, the groups from both sides began their journey toward the Spirit Sword Valley.

However, when they reached the entrance, they were stopped.

They were told they needed to buy tickets. This possibility had never even crossed Chu Feng’s mind, leaving him completely stunned.

The Chu Family, however, had clearly come prepared. They slipped several thick wads of cash to the staff members.

And just like that, the group strolled right in.

That’s how this society worked. Nothing else was as effective as money.

So many people had become slaves to money.

“Is this the only road to the Spirit Sword Valley?” Chu Feng asked.

“That’s right. This is the only path to the Spirit Sword Valley. There’s no other way,” Chu Tianshan said.

“How do you know? Don’t tell me you’ve been here before, old man. You seem to know your way around.” Chu Feng shot Chu Tianshan a sidelong glance.

His eyes and expression practically radiated disdain.

“You’re not one of the Spirit Sword Valley’s people, are you? Have they had you under their control this whole time? You’re not going to sneak attack me later, are you? Take me out with a single sword strike?” Chu Feng pressed on.

Chu Feng was looking at him like a criminal, a gaze that would make anyone’s blood boil.

“You little bastard, what nonsense are you spouting? How can you say such things in front of everyone? Where am I supposed to put this old face of mine?” Chu Tianshan said, his own face dark with frustration.

That was just like Chu Feng—no discipline, no manners. He even called his own family’s ancestor an “old geezer.”

“Stop your nonsense! I’ve never been here, and I’m not one of the Spirit Sword Valley’s people! Don’t you dare slander me, boy. I’ve merely investigated the Spirit Sword Valley, so of course I know a few things,” Chu Tianshan said.

He was feeling rather flustered. After all, it wasn’t just Chu Family disciples here; many cultivators from the Celestial Sword Sect were present as well.

If word of this got out, there was no telling how the rumors would spin it.

In fact, he could already feel many of the female disciples from the Celestial Sword Sect looking at him with disgust.

Their expressions had changed, filled with apparent scorn.

“So you weren’t controlled by them? They can even control experts at the Martial Arts Limit, so why not you?” Chu Feng asked curiously.

“Do you really think they’re running a garbage dump? That they’ll take in any old piece of trash?”

“They only recruit from powerful and promising cultivator families—the kind that typically have a Martial Arts Peak Realm cultivator.”

“Before, our Chu Family didn’t have anyone at the Martial Arts Peak Realm, so naturally, we weren’t even on their radar,” Chu Tianshan explained.

Hearing this explanation, Chu Feng had to agree.

“You have a point. After all, the Chu Family back then really was trash. Even worse than trash, actually,” Chu Feng said with a nod.

At his words, every member of the Chu Family’s face darkened in unison.

This was especially true for Chu Tianshan, who looked like he was dying to smash his fist into Chu Feng’s face.

But there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t beat Chu Feng at all now; he was simply no match for him.

The Chu Family disciples could only lower their heads in shame. They were indeed weaker, and there was no arguing with that fact.

The group continued toward the Spirit Sword Valley. Many people nearby noticed them, casting curious glances their way.

Chu Feng paid them no mind whatsoever.