Han Yue and Xin Lan dared not underestimate the significance of this Token.
Xu Ran alone was bold enough to challenge Soul Hall, and as he was the leader of the Xu Sect, combined with his other resources, the Xu Sect was in their minds an influence no less powerful than Soul Hall.
Joining the Xu Sect was essentially as meaningful as joining Soul Hall. Perhaps even, the Xu Sect might be stronger than Soul Hall. In fact, they weren't wrong—Soul Hall was no match for the Xu Sect, maybe only the Hun Clan could compare.
The thought of becoming disciples of Soul Hall was something they didn't even dare to contemplate for now. To enter Soul Hall, one's "Cultivation Level" had to reach at least Douzong.
But Han Yue was even more elated. The mortal enemy of the Han Family had only become so arrogant because they were favored by Feng Lei Pavilion for their exceptional talent, even sometimes using the pavilion to pressure them.
Now that she had joined the Xu Sect, although the sect's reputation wasn't prominent, it was destined to become well-known throughout the Continent.
Her status as a disciple of the Xu Sect should be higher than that of the fellow from Feng Lei Pavilion, right?
That way, that fellow wouldn't dare to trouble her Han Family anymore.
"Then I'll take this Token. Rest assured, we will dedicate ourselves to serve the Xu Sect wholeheartedly," Xin Lan said as she carefully put the Token into her Storage Ring. Even though she came for the purpose of the Ye Family's return to Pill Tower, it didn't mean she had to join the Pill Tower.
Clearly, it was more promising to mix with a newly-established strong sect like the Xu Sect.
The Xu Sect was destined to rise.
And now, with the Xu Sect lacking capable people, their early entry could be regarded as the level of sect elders. By the time the Xu Sect grew stronger, even if they couldn't keep up in power, they would have at least contributed their hard work. Maybe they could even secure a position like a deacon.
"I will also dedicate myself wholeheartedly to serve the Xu Sect, and I, Han Yue, swear I'll never betray the sect."
"Just an emerging force, really so exaggerated?"
"Although it's a newly-established force, with Sect Leader s strength, the Xu Sect is certain to thrive. Maybe this place could even become the center of the Cultivation World," Han Yue retorted.
The intuition of Han Yue and Xin Lan as women silently told them, joining the Xu Sect was unquestionably one of the best decisions in their lives.
Even if Xu Ran hadn't given them the Token, upon learning about his connection with the Xu Sect, they would have participated in the examination anyway. With unquestionable character and decent talent, passing the examination was a certainty—Xu Ran just skipped this step for them.
"The center of the Cultivation World?"
Xu Ran hadn t anticipated that they would hold such high expectations for the Xu Sect. Currently, the core of the Cultivation World was in Zhongzhou.
However, the Xu Sect seemed to already have over a dozen Dou Sheng experts, though mostly his wives. One could say, aside from the Hun Clan, Gu Clan, and the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, the Xu Sect was no inferior to any forces, right?
At the end of the day, the struggle between forces all boiled down to a direct confrontation between the ultimate powerhouses.
"By the way, do you have any other requests? Let me hear them, just for today—once this chance is gone, there's no coming back," Xu Ran said, as he was in a good mood, and he always had a soft spot for beautiful young women.
"I, I would like to request Lord Xu Ran's help to protect the Han Family. My family is willing to become a vassal to the Xu Sect," Han Yue said with just a moment's thought, hastily expressing her idea.
The term 'vassal' might not sound pleasant, but for a small power, becoming the vassal of a greater power was actually something to be proud of.
It was like the Mo Family, which had previously been affiliated with the Yunlan Sect. As long as there was protection from a major power, there were fewer coveting eyes on the Han Family.
In Zhongzhou, every year, many small powers vanish while new ones rise. The Han Family is just a minor clan in Zhongzhou, constantly at risk of crisis from unforeseen events. Thus, even without the Feng Lei Pavilion, the Han Family urgently needed a tall tree under which to find shelter.
"Oh? The Han Family?"
Xu Ran was closing his eyes. Hearing the name of the Han Family also stirred some memories in him.
In the original story, Han Xue had always been a regret. Although Han Xue wasn't powerful or highly talented, when Xu Ran first saw that part of the plot, he really thought she was one of the female leads.
But it seems that was just one of the many clichés that had been overused in countless fantasy novels after 'Dou Po', including the cancellation of an engagement and the old grandpa in the ring, going to another plane and then being badly injured, saved by a beautiful young lady, who then encounters trouble and is promptly assisted, adding one to the harem.
Such plots, overwhelmingly borrowed and overdone by a multitude of fantasy works, were still exciting when they first appeared in 'Dou Po'.
The classic fantasy tropes were distilled by numerous authors into a mnemonic, which even lowered the difficulty of writing for the online fantasy genre, leading to the splendid spectacle of fantasy that shone for over a decade.
"It's possible, I can agree to the Han Family affiliating with the Xu Sect. However, what can I gain from it? Your Han Family must be facing some trouble, right?" Xu Ran asked teasingly.
"It's because of the Hong Family. There has always been some open conflict and veiled struggles between the Hong Family and us. However, now a genius has emerged in the Hong Family, someone nearly at the level of a Douhuang, and is said to have caught the attention of the Feng Lei Pavilion. Although he hasn't joined the Feng Lei Pavilion yet, as soon as he makes a breakthrough, he will definitely be able to enter. And the Feng Lei Pavilion is one of Zhongzhou's dominant forces. And..." Han Yue frowned, her expression one of disgust.
"I'm at Canaan Academy, so I'm temporarily safe. But Xue'er would definitely be in a difficult position back at home. I wouldn't allow Xue'er to marry that kind of person," Han Yue clenched her fists tightly.
If that guy from the Hong Family really won the favor of the Feng Lei Pavilion, they would be helpless by then.
The Feng Lei Pavilion was one of the Four Pavilions, an entity her Han Family couldn't afford to offend.
"So you're saying, if no one helps you, the Han Family might be swallowed by the Hong Family, and both you and your sister would be forced to marry that guy, is that what you mean?" Xu Ran stretched lazily, a certain nonchalance in his demeanor. He was already aware of all this.
He was determined to deal with this matter; Han Yue and Han Xue, the sisters, he would take them.
A pair of beautiful sisters, how could there be any reason to let them go?
As for the Hong Family, he could easily send the Saint of Heavenly Fire to eliminate them. In fact, if the Feng Lei Pavilion didn't behave themselves, he could just as easily wipe them out too.
"Sect Leader, why are you looking at me like that?" Han Yue felt uncomfortable under Xu Ran's gaze. Under his look, she felt as if she were naked, as if Xu Ran's eyes could see through her clothing to her essence.
"Aren't you afraid that after escaping the wolf's den, you've entered the tiger's lair? Such beautiful sisters revealing all your weaknesses to me, do you think I won't be tempted?" Xu Ran lifted Han Yue's chin, her snowy and slender neck was truly appetizing. Silver-haired sisters were also exceptionally rare in the Fighting Spirit Continent.