Chapter 227: Winning Over Hearts

“The current trends? Heh, Rod doesn’t yet have the qualifications to comment on them!” Rod said with a bitter smile after a brief pause.
The current trends referred to the state of the world and its momentum. Rod couldn’t help but admire Guyi as truly extraordinary—perhaps no one else could speak so openly about such matters.
“No, if I say you have it, then you definitely do. There aren’t many who can discuss current trends freely, but you, Rod, are definitely one of them—and the most qualified!” Guyi said, looking at Rod earnestly.
“Maybe you’re not aware because you’re in the midst of it all, but do you know how much turmoil the Source of Darkness has caused since your appearance? Do you realize your rise has already affected the balance of power?” Without waiting for Rod to respond, Guyi continued.
“Killing the young head of the Nash family when you first appeared might not seem like much. Their Nash family is at best a second-rate force, not even really second-rate. Do they really think they’re something special?
Not to mention the four major families and our three factions of the Demon Clan—even the ambitious Purple-Winged Thunder Eagles can’t compare to them. If the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagles could barely be considered first-rate before, it’s only out of courtesy now that you’ve appeared. They’re just a bunch of arrogant fools. Is the Source of Darkness that simple? The Trolls haven’t shown up in a thousand years—they’re the true apex beings. There are also some ancient families that either don’t want to make a move or disdain to do so. Any one of them could easily crush the Nash family!
So killing their young head wasn’t a big deal. But everything that happened afterward was different—it established your current status and reputation.
The Destruction God Thunderstorm appeared, and two major families joined forces to hunt you. Yet you survived it. All of this can be ignored, but when you first appeared, you were just a beginner at the quasi-divine level!
Now? In just a few months, you’ve reached the middle stage of the divine level. Even that freak from the Source of Darkness pales in comparison to you.
I believe you understand what this means. A genius emerges—maybe it’s nothing now, but what if I give you five more years? What about ten years later? Or even a hundred years later? Don’t you realize all this?”
And then there’s the fact that you destroyed both the Nash family and the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagles, cutting off their arms and reducing that old man from the Nash family to a worthless existence. What does all this signify?

“If Rod says he’s not qualified to comment on the current world, then no one dares claim such qualification! Your arrival has disrupted the balance of my Dark Source, breaking the peace that has lasted for millennia!” Gu Yi said slowly, looking at Rod, his eyes shining with intensity and pride.

“Too kind. It’s all just luck!” Rod replied politely with a wry smile, surprised that Gu Yi understood him so well.

“Never mind. Since Brother Rod is so modest, let’s not talk about it. You must know that I invited you here today not just to enjoy feasts and performances. In fact, I can say without exaggeration that the Dragon Clan, the Black Phoenix Clan, and even the opponents like Aida and Eileen are merely backdrop—you are the real protagonist! At the start of the competition, your performance in the first match shocked everyone. What topic in Wuyou City isn’t centered around you today? Tomorrow, the entire Dark Source will revolve around you. Let’s not dwell on that! This competition’s spot belongs to you—there’s no doubt about it. Brother Rod, there’s no need for humility.” Waving his hand, Gu Yi stood up and walked to the window, full of enthusiasm.

Rod’s heart sank. He realized now that this was when the real conversation began—first distracting everyone, then testing him with the Heartbreaking Sword, and now this, step by step, showing great cunning. Rod had encountered the most formidable opponent yet! He couldn’t help but feel some admiration—there was reason why the pro-war faction was so strong. How could such a person not be powerful?

“You can enter the Netherworld. Even if you don’t get the spot this time, I can still give it to you. I only hope Brother Rod will join my faction and work together to create a glorious future!” Turning to look at Rod, Gu Yi spoke each word carefully, his voice full of dominance and pride.

“Of course. If you’re willing to join, your status will be on par with mine. In my pro-war faction, you’ll be second to none. As for the opposition? They don’t have the right nor the ability to offer you that. Eileen is no ordinary person! With your intelligence, Brother Rod, you must have realized that. As for the Dragon Clan and the Black Phoenix Clan, I’m sure they’ll fully support you once you declare your side! If we unite, nothing can stand in our way—the entire continent will be ours!” Pressing forward, Gu Yi didn’t give Rod any time to think and poured out all his plans at once.

There’s no need nor point in using circumlocutions when dealing with smart people. If you go around in circles with them, they’ll do the same, only leading you further away. Gu Yi is smart enough to understand this, which is why the most direct way of communication is the best. At the very least, he can’t find a better way to persuade Rod.

“Hehe, thank you for your appreciation, Second Prince. Rod feels ashamed, but I still have many things to attend to right now. What I need, I can strive for on my own—there’s no need for others to give it to me. If given by others, it loses its meaning. I believe the Second Prince understands this!”

“Brother Rod, there’s no need to rush and give me an answer. Gu Yi’s doors are always open to you, and my promises remain unchanged. You have as much as I do, and you’ll have whatever I have! This will never change. When you’re ready, just come to me!” With a wave, Gu Yi stopped Rod from continuing, speaking with generosity.

These words left Rod somewhat at a loss. If it were someone else, they would likely have agreed out of gratitude by now, but Rod wasn’t interested.

“Alright, let’s go. If we don’t leave, those guys outside will probably get worried. My two subordinates have bad tempers too—things could get messy if they start fighting!” After saying that, Gu Yi had no intention of keeping Rod any longer.

The two entered the hall one after another. The scene was still one of joy and music, with graceful figures swaying, tempting to the eye.

Seeing Rod return, everyone felt slightly relieved—nothing seemed to have gone wrong. Yet, the curious looks they gave Rod were filled with questions, leaving him speechless and forced to smile bitterly.

Gu Yi truly is a shrewd strategist. By refusing now, he kept his promise and won Rod’s goodwill, but it also created more distance between him and Ada and Eileen.

Sognar, Lilith, Melon, and even the people of the Black Phoenix clan surely wouldn’t care about what he did—their goals are clear. But Ada and Eileen from the opposition are different.

He deliberately invited them and set those conditions, all of which he directly rejected! Would Ada really believe Eileen would believe it? They might say they do verbally, but doubts would still arise.

If he hid it or ignored it, it would only arouse suspicion among everyone. Killing three birds with one stone—Gu Yi is becoming an increasingly admirable person.

After the banquet, perhaps because of Ada and Eileen, the group left Gu Yi’s mansion without lingering much longer.

“The Second Prince…” After Rod and his group left, Gu Yi sat in his original position, smiling faintly as he watched them go. The old man on his left stepped closer and asked.
“Hehe, rejected!” As if knowing what the old man wanted to ask, Gu Yi replied directly.
“Ungrateful! The conditions offered by the young master aren’t enough—even the Heartbreaking Sword isn’t satisfactory?” The old man on his right’s face darkened instantly as he snapped.
“Hehe, if it were that easy to agree, I’d be a bit disappointed. This is better.” Waving his hand to silence the old man, Gu Yi said.
“Can’t buy him over?” The old man on his left frowned and asked after a moment of silence.
“There’s no cat that doesn’t like fish! He doesn’t eat it because the smell isn’t strong enough, because our ‘fish’ isn’t attractive or eye-catching enough. Well, what if we cook this fish better and make it bigger? There will always be a time when it suits his taste!” With narrowed eyes, Gu Yi spoke carefree, full of confidence, leaving the two old men in awe—this was indeed their Second Prince, the one they were willing to follow wholeheartedly.
“Rod, wait and see. Soon, very soon, you’ll come here to find me. I believe it! Hehe, you can’t escape!” Waving his fan, Gu Yi murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination.
…
“Hey, kid, what did he want from you just now?” Back at the mansion, Sognar immediately approached to ask. It wasn’t possible to talk on the road, and now he wouldn’t hold back any longer.
At his words, everyone around them turned their attention to him, waiting for his answer.
“To buy him over—Heartbreaking Sword! And power and wealth, being the one above all others!” Rod replied calmly.
“Heartbreaking Sword!” Melon and Heiyin exclaimed first.
“The one above all others!” The rest followed in unison.
Staring at Rod with wide eyes, they were all filled with surprise.
“Heartbreaking Sword, comparable to the top of the Ten Divine Weapons—the Great Slaying Blade! You didn’t want that?” Melon asked in astonishment.
“The one above all others… doesn’t that mean being on par with him?” Aida also asked gravely.
Those two conditions were simply too powerful—so powerful that they felt almost suffocated. A peerless sword was one thing; Rod already had one. But being the one above all others meant what? It meant belonging to the pro-war faction, meaning Rod’s status could instantly rival that of Aida and the other clan leaders, rivaling the most powerful figures in the entire opposition faction!