He was indeed insisting, even if it might offend his master.

But since you've called me "Master," you should walk this path together and stay with me until the very end.

"Okay, I'll give you this chance."

Su Lin did not hesitate much. This was the path Wang Qingyue had chosen himself, and he had given him enough warnings, explaining how difficult this path would be.

In the game, Wang Qingyue could use Xiaoyun Temple to soar to great heights, and it wouldn't be impossible for him to inherit Xiaoyun Temple after Su Lin leaves.

But outside of the game, it's not so easy. If you choose to stand by Su Lin's side, you're destined to face an even more difficult and desperate future together.

Knowing there's a better path but choosing not to take it, Su Lin has nothing to say.

The path is chosen by the person themselves; he doesn't force them to choose it.

He finished speaking.

Su Lin flipped his hand and took out the forced recruitment order, flashed it in front of Wang Qingyue, and confirmed the recruitment information.

A ray of colorful light emerged from the recruitment notice and entered Wang Qingyue's mind, startling him and leaving him frozen in place.

A flood of information about the game mechanics poured into his mind, including information about the escape game, his master's past experiences, the current world's battle details and missions, and so on. The information was so complex that even a cultivator would need some time to digest and accept it.

After all, this is a much larger system that goes far beyond a small worldview, and it is a new process that completely reshapes self-awareness.

Su Lin put away the recruitment notice, sipped his tea, glanced at Wang Qingyue who was digesting, and waited patiently.

He didn't have many spots left for mandatory recruitment, and Xiao Linlin didn't intend to give up on the pure-blooded elves, so she would naturally value every remaining recruitment spot and wouldn't release them easily.

Of course, if Su Lin wanted to recruit someone, Xiao Linlin couldn't stop him.

Both of them knew that the importance of each remaining recruitment slot could even determine the future outcome of the S-zone competition.

This is a crucial point that everyone in Su Lin's team knows, including Lu Zhouming.

While drinking tea, Su Lin kept glancing at Lu Zhouming, who was standing at the door.

Lu Zhouming looked bewildered, scratching his head as he stared at Wang Qingyue's retreating figure. He seemed still in a daze, as if he hadn't expected things to develop this way.

Several minutes later, Wang Qingyue had fully processed everything, her eyes regained their clarity, still filled with amazement and shock.

After a moment, he let out a long breath and murmured, "So that's how it is, disciple understands now."

"Good, go out and cultivate."

Su Lin put down his teacup, and Wang Qingyue bowed deeply: "Yes, Master."

Indeed, as Master said, this is a more difficult path. From a rational perspective, I must have chosen the wrong path.

But Wang Qingyue did not regret it. He was a mortal, destined to struggle in the mortal world for a hundred years before dying.

It was Xiaoyun Temple that gave him a new opportunity, and it was Su Lin who brought him the chance to defy fate.

All the time he has after his death should have belonged to his master, and he has no regrets.

After performing the grand ceremony, Wang Qingyue turned around and walked out side by side with Lu Zhouming. He needed more time to digest this astonishing secret and news, and also to get to know his new partners, his true partners.

He needs to carefully consider how to approach the many high-ranking and core members of the sect with a new perspective and attitude.

"Lu Zhouming".

Su Lin suddenly spoke, calling out to Lu Zhouming, who was following behind Wang Qingyue. Lu Zhouming paused, turned around, and looked at Su Lin in confusion: "Master, what's wrong?"

Now that Wang Qingyue has become the new follower, Lu Zhouming no longer needs to hide his address.

Are you trying to seize power from her?

Su Lin asked calmly, "This is something you can't explain to her."

“Master, I have no such thoughts. I have always respected Linlin.”

"Don't try to explain it to me, it won't work."

Su Lin shook his head: "She's smarter than me. She'll see that it was you who interfered, making me recruit Wang Qingyue, rendering all her previous efforts futile."

There is no doubt that Lu Zhouming was involved in this matter.

Su Lin was certain of this. In the entire team, apart from Xiao Linlin, Lu Zhouming was one of only two members who could be considered wise. However, he had not shown his abilities and had always kept a low profile, remaining below Xiao Linlin in status.

This was the only time, and the first time, that Lu Zhouming actively interfered with Xiao Linlin's plans, which also meant that the two wise men had a disagreement on Wang Qingyue's matter.

One team didn't want to recruit Wang Qingyue, while the other wanted her to become a partner.

“Master, I did not interfere or disrupt her plans.”

Lu Zhouming shook his head. He glanced at Wang Qingyue, who had already walked away, then looked back at Su Lin and said sincerely in a low voice, "This was Wang Qingyue's own decision. He is not a stupid person, nor is he an NPC."

“Master, he is also a human being, a living person, not a toy that we can manipulate at will.”

Lu Zhouming spoke with utmost seriousness; he really hadn't done anything extra.

He simply brought the young man to Su Lin's side, watched him communicate with Su Lin, and then watched him make the decision himself.

This is the path that people choose themselves.

Just like his former master, who chose his own path; just like Su Lin now, who has chosen his own path.

Su Lin didn't answer, but simply nodded slightly: "Mm."

After a moment, Su Lin asked, "Lu Zhouming, you used to be one of the players in the game, right?"

Lu Zhouming paused for a moment, smiled but did not answer, and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he finally turned back.

“Master, you are actually smarter than anyone else.”

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. I'm off on my business."