Sometime later, after Long Yijun eventually calmed down, Senior Nie said to everyone there, "The Mystic Realm has officially ended. I will now pick three people to come to the Spirit Heavens with me."
The Sect Masters and the disciples swallowed nervously.
A moment later, Senior Nie approached the Dragon Essence Temple first with the crystal balls floating around him.
"Greetings, Senior Nie." Long Yijun and the other sect elders greeted him respectfully.
Senior Nie nodded and said, "First and foremost, allow me to congratulate the Dragon Essence Temple for obtaining the first place in the Mystic Realm."
"Thank you, Senior Nie. However, this is all due to the effort of our disciples, mostly Disciple Yuan, our most recent and talented disciple." Long Yijun said.
"Yes... I can see that..." Senior Nie turned to look at Yuan and continued with a smile on his face, "Would you like to come with me to the Spirit Heaven, young man? You will get the ability to pick whichever of the seven Spirit Academies you would like to join. Furthermore, we will fully support your cultivation path by giving you near-unlimited resources, and we can even guarantee you that Spirit Heaven will not be your last stop."
"Spirit King... No, I will guarantee you that as long as you follow me, you will be able to attain Spirit Emperor in the future."
The other participants watched as Senior Nie extended his hand for Yuan with envy in their gazes.
However, to everybody’s surprise, Yuan shook his head and said, "Thank you for the offer, Senior Nie, but I will have to decline your offer to go with you to the Spirit Heaven."
"W-What?" Senior Nie blinked his eyes in a dazed manner, looking like he was in disbelief.
Surely, he didn’t just get refused, right?
Long Yijun and the others gasped in shock as well.
"How could you refuse! Do you have any idea how many people want to be in your shoes now?!" One of the crystal balls exclaimed.
"That’s right! You cannot refuse this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If you don’t come to the Spirit Heaven now, who knows when you’ll get another chance!"
Sometime later, Senior Nie asked him, "May I ask you for the reason for your decision?"
Yuan nodded in a calm manner and said, "I still have many things to do in the Lower Heavens, so I cannot leave just yet. Furthermore, I want to ascend to the Spirit Heaven with my own strength. I am going to challenge the Stairway to Heaven, after all."
"Stairway to Heaven? Even if you are a heaven-defying genius, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll ascend the stairway." One of the crystal balls said.
"Indeed. Countless top geniuses have failed while less talented people have succeeded. It’s really random. However, if we bring you with us, it’s guaranteed that you’ll ascend."
Senior Nie then spoke, "You don’t have to rush to a decision, young man. I can remain in the Lower Heavens for another week, so you have all that time to decide."
However, Yuan shook his head and insisted, "You don’t have to wait for me. I have already made a decision. I will not ascend to the Spirit Heaven— not right now or in a week."
"Hmm..."
A perplexed expression appeared on Senior Nie’s face.
As much as he wanted to bring Yuan with him to the Spirit Heaven, it was not as though he could force him.
Even if he wanted to drag Yuan to the Spirit Heaven with him, he wouldn’t act so shamelessly even if it’s the last thing he does.
"It is unfortunate, but if you don’t want to come with me, I will have no choice but to find someone else. Don’t regret this decision, young man." Senior Nie no longer paid attention to Yuan and flew away.
"What?! You’re just going to let him get away so easily?! Grab him if you have to!" One of the crystal balls said.
"If you want to take him by force, by all means, get your ass down here and try it yourself." Senior Nie coldly snorted.
Meanwhile, the other participants stared at Yuan as though they were looking at a fool. What kind of idiot would possibly refuse such an opportunity?
"Does he not care about his cultivation career? He’s even such a genius! What a damn waste of talent! Fuck me!" A feminine voice resounded from the crystal balls, cursing in a graceful tone.
"Are you sure about this?" Long Yijun asked him afterward.
"I am sure." Yuan nodded without any regret in his heart.
After leaving the Dragon Essence Temple, Senior Nie went to the Heaven and Earth Palace.
"Greetings, Senior Nie." The Sect Master and the disciples greeted him respectfully.
Senior Nie nodded before turning to look at a certain individual in the group.
"You. What’s your name?" Senior Nie asked him.
"Lightning Emperor!" The handsome young man responded with a smile on his face.
"Lightning Emperor?" Senior Nie raised his eyebrows, wondering what kind of parents would give their own child such a ridiculous name.
But he didn’t think too much about it and nodded, "Okay. Would you like to come with me to the Spirit Heaven? I have seen your talents in the Mystic Realm, and they’re definitely remarkable."
"I am willing!" Lightning Emperor quickly responded.
"Good." Senior Nie nodded his head before flying to another location.
"Congratulations, Junior apprentice-brother Lightning Emperor, on your advancement!"
"Don’t forget about us when you go to the Spirit Heaven!"
The other disciples quickly congratulated him.
"Thank you, everybody!" Lightning Emperor bowed to them with a wide smile on his face.
A few moments later, Senior Nie asked another participant to follow him to the Spirit Heaven, and to no one’s surprise, that participant immediately accepted, which should be the normal response in such a situation.
"Now... for the third person..."
Senior Nie swept the crowd with a profound gaze until it landed on a pretty young lady.
He then flew to her and asked her, "Do you want to come with me to the Spirit Heaven?"
"Huh? Are you talking to me?" Wang Xiuying pointed at herself when he noticed Senior Nie staring directly at her.
"Yes. You." Senior Nie confirmed with a nod of his head.