Yi Tianyun was not surprised by this answer at all. If Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu were that easy to recruit, she would have stopped being a rogue cultivator long ago.
"Then what kind of condition would make you willing to join?" Yi Tianyun narrowed his eyes as he asked.
He had no intention of giving up so easily. At the very least, he wanted to know what it would take. Someone like her would bring immeasurable benefits to the Three Realms God Domain—whether in reputation, influence, or overall strength.
"No," Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu shook her head gently. "I have already decided to wander through the various God Domains, without a fixed residence. I have no intention of joining any faction. Staying within a single force makes it impossible to save the innocent people affected by wars…"
As expected, she traveled across God Domains to rescue the innocent and bring salvation to all beings.
If she joined a faction, she would inevitably be confined to one God Domain. How could she freely move around then?
If she never stayed in one place, joining a faction would be meaningless anyway.
Yi Tianyun flicked his finger lightly and smiled. "That's actually very simple. I can help you achieve this wish—as long as you join my faction."
"You can help me?" Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu frowned slightly.
Her wish was to save all people under heaven—how could that possibly be fulfilled?
Unless war itself ceased to exist, and the world achieved true peace, such a dream was unrealistic.
"Yes," Yi Tianyun said calmly. "I'll rule the Fourth-Grade God Domain and the Fifth-Grade God Domain. Wouldn't that solve it?"
"Nonsense!" the maid blurted out. "You think you can rule Fourth- and Fifth-Grade God Domains? That would require becoming a God Emperor! Can you become a God Emperor?"
Although Yi Tianyun had saved her mistress, that didn't mean he could speak so recklessly.
Her initial goodwill vanished instantly. Lacking strength wasn't terrifying—what was terrifying was boasting without limits.
Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu felt the same. God Emperors had not appeared for countless years. The last one existed so long ago that no one even remembered the era clearly.
Yi Tianyun was merely a God Monarch. The gap between that and a God Emperor was nothing short of heaven and earth.
"Yes," Yi Tianyun rubbed his chin. "I believe I can become a God Emperor."
"You're still boasting!" the maid scoffed with disdain.
"You're just a God Monarch—don't tell me you think the next realm after that is God Emperor?"
"I know how difficult it is," Yi Tianyun replied calmly. "But for me, it isn't that hard. Believe it or not, that's up to you. As long as you join me and assist me, once I become a God Emperor, everything will fall into place."
His tone was filled with confidence—absolute confidence.
"Daoist," Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu shook her head slowly, "with cultivation this low, it is extremely difficult to convince others. If you were an Upper Heavenly God or even a Mid Heavenly God, perhaps I would consider believing you."
A God Monarch claiming he would reach God Emperor…
Frankly speaking, it wasn't even a funny joke.
"Exactly! This kind of boasting is beyond ridiculous!" the maid said impatiently.
"Come back and talk after you reach the Heavenly God realm!"
Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu remained calm. Though her impression of Yi Tianyun had declined, she did not grow angry.
"It seems there's nothing more to discuss," Yi Tianyun shrugged.
"If you ever change your mind, come find me in the Three Realms God Domain."
"The Three Realms God Domain?"
Neither of them had heard of it.
"Its name hasn't spread yet," Yi Tianyun said casually. "You'll know it in the future."
He wasn't discouraged at all. It was normal that they hadn't heard of it yet.
Once he accumulated enough achievements, the name of the Three Realms God Domain would naturally shake the world. For now, cultivation was the priority. In a thousand years, it would explode into fame.
"Hmph. There's no need for us to know," the maid said unhappily.
"Mistress, this person is far too exaggerated. There's no need to waste time on him."
"Xiao Yuan, apologize to Daoist Yi," Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu said sternly.
"But—"
Seeing her mistress's serious gaze, Xiao Yuan reluctantly bowed.
"I'm sorry. My previous words were inappropriate. Please don't take offense…"
No matter what Yi Tianyun said, he was still her mistress's lifesaver. Even if he exaggerated, he deserved basic respect.
Yi Tianyun waved his hand casually. He was already used to reactions like this.
"Forget it. I'll change my request," he said.
"I only want Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu to transfer a portion of her Light Core energy for me to absorb."
This had been his original goal all along. Recruitment was merely a bonus attempt.
Since it failed, he would not force it.
"Absorb my Light Core energy…"
Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu thought for a moment, then nodded.
"That's fine. We can begin now."
"But Mistress, your injuries—" Xiao Yuan said anxiously.
"It's fine," Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu shook her head.
"He saved my life. Transferring some Light Core energy will not cause serious harm."
Gratitude had always been her principle.
"Injuries are nothing," Yi Tianyun said as he sat down cross-legged.
"Once you transfer the energy, I'll help heal you."
Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu didn't ask further questions. She immediately began channeling Light-attribute Core energy into Yi Tianyun's body.
At the same time, Yi Tianyun switched to the Witch Wood Divine Set. With a wave of his hand, a gigantic phantom tree appeared behind him.
Terrifying life force descended from the sky, enveloping Heavenly Venerable Feng Qiu!
In an instant, she felt her injuries recovering at an astonishing speed—dozens of times faster than before.