Zhu Yu's voice carried a compelling, inspiring force.
"The Star luo Royal Academy is the empire's highest institution, built with all its strength. Its foundation is no less than that of the Spirit Hall Academy."
"There, your talent will receive the most systematic and top-tier development. Your martial soul will be more deeply understood and guided. Countless powerful experts were once its students, including your big sister here."
At the right moment, Zhu Yu revealed a touch of friendly "senior sister" warmth, then extended her core invitation.
"So, little Xia, your big sister sincerely invites you to study in Star Luo City! Join the Star Luo Royal Academy!"
"I can personally recommend you and ensure that you receive the most core and favorable training conditions!"
"Whether it's top-tier mimicry cultivation environments, customized assistance in obtaining soul rings, or access to the empire's treasured resources, as long as the empire can provide it, your big sister will do everything possible to secure it for you!"
Zhu Yu's promises were firm and resolute. Her eyes were filled with eagerness and anticipation, as if she could already see Lin Xia shining brilliantly in Star Luo City.
This invitation was not merely about recruiting a genius.
It was also because Lin Xia was Lou Gao's disciple. This identity, within Zhu Yu's "grand plan," could serve as an unexpected bridge—perhaps even drawing Grandmaster Lou Gao closer to the Star Luo Empire because of Lin Xia.
That value far exceeded simply recruiting a talented youth!
Lin Xia listened quietly as Zhu Yu painted this grand vision.
The prosperity of Star Luo City, the resources of the Royal Academy, the guidance of top-tier mentors.
These conditions were indeed extremely attractive, enough to move any young genius on the continent.
If it were anyone else, they would likely already be overwhelmed with gratitude and accept without hesitation.
But he was Lin Xia.
Lin Xia had even firmly rejected recruitment from the Spirit Hall, an invitation personally extended by Ghost.
At this moment, although Zhu Yu's vision of the Star luo Empire was grand, compared to the colossal force that was the Spirit Hall—spanning the entire continent, it was ultimately smaller in scale.
Moreover Lin Xia's "heart" was no longer set on mundane imperial struggles.
The Dragon Graveyard! That nine-colored blood-scaled giant egg!
The coordinates brought by the dragon-shaped mark!
The remains of divine dragons!
And the fusion of Phoenix divine power and ancient dragon blood within Larvitar, these were his true paths to strength.
The resources of the Star luo Empire?
No matter how good they were, could they surpass the treasures within the Dragon Graveyard?
The mentors of the Star luo Royal Academy?
No matter how strong, could they compare to the inherited power left behind by ancient divine dragons?
Furthermore, Lin Xia understood clearly.
Once he stepped into Star luo City and entered the center of that vortex of power, he would inevitably lose his freedom.
The Zhu family's friendship and resources were not free, they would come with responsibilities and constraints.
His identity as "Lou Gao's disciple" would become a crucial bargaining chip for the Zhu family and even the Star luo royal family to win over and influence Grandmaster Lou Gao.
What Lin Xia desired was the freedom to pursue the pinnacle of power and explore the mysteries of the world.
Not to be dragged into imperial political struggles and become a piece on someone else's chessboard.
Larvitar seemed to sense the turmoil in Lin Xia's heart, as well as his firm intention to refuse.
It stepped fully out from behind Lin Xia's leg, standing by his side, puffing out its small chest. Its crimson eyes carried the same calmness and detachment as Lin Xia's as it looked at Zhu Yu.
That gaze seemed to say.
Our path, we will walk it ourselves. We do not need your arrangements.
Lin Xia gently patted Larvitar's hard head, calming his partner. Then he raised his head and met Zhu Yu's eager and expectant gaze.
A polite yet distant smile appeared on his young face. His clear voice rang out in the desert's hot wind, carrying a composure and decisiveness far beyond his age.
"Thank you, Sister Zhu Yu, for your kindness and invitation."
The smile on Zhu Yu's face stiffened slightly. She keenly caught the "but" hidden in Lin Xia's tone.
Sure enough, Lin Xia continued:
"Star luo City is prosperous, and the Royal Academy must be extraordinary. Being personally recommended by you, this kindness, Lin Xia will remember it."
His tone shifted, becoming firm and clear.
"But, Sister please forgive me. I cannot accept this offer."
The light in Zhu Yu's eyes instantly dimmed, replaced by deep shock and confusion. She almost thought she had misheard.
"Xia, you what did you say? Why? Are you worried the academy won't suit you? Or do you have any concerns? You can tell me, I can help you resolve them!"
Zhu Yu was somewhat anxious. She simply couldn't understand what reason a seven-year-old child could possibly have to refuse such a golden path laid out before him.
Was it because of that "elder nearby"?
But that was just Lin Xia's excuse, she knew it clearly.
"Neither."
Lin Xia gently shook his head. His gaze was unusually calm, as if he were stating something utterly ordinary.
"My teacher taught me that on the path of cultivation, what matters most is proceeding step by step. What suits you is what's best. In Gengxin City, at the Blacksmith Association, there is the inheritance my teacher left behind, a cultivation environment I'm familiar with, and things I need to study in peace. My current foundation needs to be tempered there."
Looking at Zhu Yu, Lin Xia slowly, word by word, revealed a piece of information that struck her like a thunderbolt.
"And to be honest, not long ago, His Excellency Ghost Douluo of the Spirit Hall also extended an invitation to me."
"But I refused!"
Boom!
Those words were like a bolt of heavenly lightning exploding in Zhu Yu's mind!
Her pupils shrank to pinpoints, and all the blood in her body seemed to rush to her head, making her dizzy.
She stared at Lin Xia in disbelief. That youthful face now seemed unfathomably mysterious and profound.
"Re… refused?!"
Zhu Yu's voice carried a dryness and tremor she herself didn't notice.
Refusing the Star Luo Royal Academy and refusing the Spirit Hall were entirely different matters!
The former might be seen as ignorance.
The latter was practically defying the heavens!
After all, even Zhu Yu herself understood that for most soul masters, the Spirit Hall was a sacred land!
And this child had actually rejected it outright!
"Yes, I refused."
Lin Xia nodded, his tone calm, as if it were only natural.
"Because I know very clearly what I want, and what kind of path I wish to walk. My teacher's path, the path of the Blacksmith Association, that is my current choice. The path of the Spirit Hall is good, and the path of the Star Luo Empire is also good, but neither is the path I want to take."
He slightly raised his head, meeting Zhu Yu's storm-filled eyes, and spoke his final words his tone gentle, yet carrying unquestionable resolve.
"So, Sister Zhu Yu, I appreciate your kindness. Please convey my thanks to the Star Luo Empire. I will remain in Gengxin City, follow my teacher's footsteps, temper my martial soul, and forge my own path."
"As for my teacher, once he returns, I will pass along your message. If it's convenient, you may also leave a method of contact or a token. When my teacher comes back, I'll have him reach out to you."
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