It seemed that after receiving no response from the trio for some time, Shu Yan exchanged a glance with the nearby Snow Empress before continuing to speak, his tone slightly gentler than before.
"I've already shown you enough based on your current capabilities. It may still not be enough to move you but that's not a big issue. In fact, it's something easily resolved."
After speaking, Shu Yan gave a slight cough, completely pulling the three out of their stunned contemplation. He glanced at the calm and composed Snow Empress beside him, shrugged, then continued:
"Perhaps I should formally introduce this senior to you. That might help shift your perspective more quickly."
"As I've said earlier, this senior's title is the Ice God. She's the Chief Consecrator of the Empire's Hall of Consecration, a Rank 99 Limit Douluo of the assault system, and also my teacher. As for the authenticity of what I've said, feel free to confirm it with Elder Qian. His answer will be the same as mine."
Following Shu Yan's words, the three instinctively turned their eyes to the Snow Empress, who exuded an icy aura. Almost unconsciously, their throats tightened. In their eyes, the previously calm and restrained Snow Empress seemed to transform in an instant. Just a single, seemingly casual glance from her made them break into a cold sweat, as if they'd been struck by a freezing storm.
In response, the Snow Empress merely gave Shu Yan a faint glance, showing no other reaction.
Before they even arrived, she had already guessed Shu Yan would use her presence to help win over the descendants of the Spirit Hall remnants. And now, it seemed she truly understood Shu Yan well.
Shu Yan noticed the look in her eyes, and for some reason… he thought he saw a hint of "wanting praise" in it??
Realizing how dangerous his thoughts were, Shu Yan immediately reined himself in, cutting off that odd train of thought, then turned back to the three and said:
"It's time to make your choice. Will you follow me to fight for the glory and brilliance of the past? Or will you sit and wait for Shrek to grow stronger and crush you like rats hiding in a stinking gutter? Give me your answer now."
Chen Ming and Wang Lin exchanged glances, emotions flickering in their eyes. Subconsciously, they turned toward Luo Qinghan, who was still sitting silently on the sofa, but received no useful response.
Their thoughts raced. The humiliation of ten thousand years ago seemed vividly present. Weighing that against the current plight of their family clans, Chen Ming, dressed in bold red with striking crimson hair, was the first to step forward.
"To be honest, I know exactly where our family stands. Either we abandon the hatred and humiliation of the past and integrate into society to survive—or we destroy Shrek and reclaim the prestige our ancestors once carved out on this continent."
"I don't know what others will choose. But I do know just how despairing everything our ancestors went through was. Entering society is basically just bowing to the enemies of our forefathers. I don't care who wants to do that—but I sure as hell won't. If what you say turns out to be true, then from now on, I, Chen Ming, will follow you!"
Shu Yan looked at Chen Ming with some surprise, then chuckled and said:
"As it should be…"
Next to him, Wang Lin, clad in black, lowered his gaze in thought. His eyes flicked back and forth between Shu Yan and the Snow Empress. Soon, he too made his choice.
"If what you said holds true, then I'm willing to join as well."
As he spoke, he forced a stiff smile onto his cold, expressionless face—though no matter how you looked at it, it was awkward.
Shu Yan gave a light chuckle and nodded.
When his gaze landed on Luo Qinghan—the only one yet to decide—Shu Yan showed no signs of impatience. From their earlier interactions, he'd judged that Luo Qinghan was a smart man. And as expected, he wasn't disappointed.
"I'll join as well. But I have one final condition."
Luo Qinghan's cold voice echoed as his beautiful, smoky blue eyes locked onto Shu Yan's figure, clearly awaiting an answer.
"Speak freely. As long as it's not excessive, everything can be discussed," Shu Yan replied with a gentle smile, his tone noticeably friendlier than at the beginning.
"I want to fight you—or rather, all of us want to fight you. We know what kind of existence the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion is, and we know how rare and powerful extreme attributes are. But like our faith, only someone who defeats us in battle has the right to be our leader."
Shu Yan raised an eyebrow, then responded:
"Fine. I agree. According to the intel I have, your group includes more than just the three of you as leaders. Go tell the others your decision. Tomorrow, we'll settle this in the Star Luo Arena. You may choose one-on-one duels, or all of you can come at once. Remember the time: noon, tomorrow."
With that, Shu Yan stood up, along with the long-silent Xu Jiujou and the Snow Empress. His gaze swept across the three men. He gave a final smile, then led the two women straight out of the gilded hall…
———
As they passed through the downstairs lobby, under the curious or wary gazes of onlookers, Shu Yan lightly tapped a certain someone—still frozen like a block of ice. With a crisp sound, what everyone thought to be indestructible ice shattered directly, revealing a burly man inside who had suddenly been released from his frozen state. He immediately gasped for air, trembling and half-kneeling on the ground. Frost still clung to his hair, eyelashes, and other body hair—he looked absolutely miserable, like someone who'd just been thoroughly abused.
Shu Yan patted his shoulder and smiled lightly.
"That's not how you go about probing someone's strength. Next time, be smarter—you'll suffer less that way."
With those parting words, Shu Yan ignored the terrified look in the man's eyes and walked straight out the hotel's front door with the two women. Not long after, the sound of a carriage setting off echoed, and the stunned crowd finally began to snap back to their senses. They looked at each other in confusion—no one knowing what to do next.
———
It wasn't until the carriage returned to the bustling streets, where the noise of the crowd gradually drowned out what had just happened, that Xu Jiujou finally asked softly:
"Ah Yan, while I do believe in your strength… if they choose to fight as a group, I can't help but feel worried. After all, these aren't just some random geniuses from minor sects. They come from ancient families that have survived in the shadows for nearly ten thousand years…"
"Also, this short encounter isn't enough to prove much. We barely know them. What if they agree to join us outwardly, but are scheming behind our backs…"
By this point, her meaning was quite clear.
But Shu Yan simply reached out and gently tapped her fair, upturned nose, then said with a soft smile:
"No need to worry. Those capable of leading aren't fools. They don't base decisions solely on personal feelings—they weigh the situation of the forces behind them. That's the fate and responsibility they must carry. Don't worry—if they have brains, they'll make the right choice after verifying a few things."
"Winning them over quickly isn't hard. You just have to bait the hook with something enticing."
"The talent and confidence I've shown them is a beacon of hope that they can once again stand atop the continent. When they realize that by following me, they can gain benefits and power they never even dared to imagine… they'll gradually learn what it means to be loyal."
At this point, Shu Yan's tone subtly shifted as he added:
"Of course, if they really are useless, mud that can't be shaped into anything, then I simply misjudged them. In that case, it won't be much of a loss for us."