Chapter Thirty-Nine: Generous Rewards! The Fierce Battle for Talent!

Xu Lianyou, Song Ziyang, and the others were quite puzzled—why, upon reaching the third stage, was there no broadcast announcement? They waited and waited, and though employees of the Paranormal Investigation Bureau appeared, these staff members quickly stopped them, explaining that there was an issue with the setup of the third stage.

In Xu Lianyou and the others' minds, if there was a problem, it could only be related to that Lin Yi. Yet, Lin Yi was nowhere to be seen, and so they began to speculate—had something happened to him? But that didn’t make sense; Lin Yi was so formidable, how could anything go wrong?

When the staff finally brought in a new batch of Blazing Ghosts and Drowned Ghosts, everyone’s eyes lit up, especially Xu Lianyou, Song Ziyang, and Tu Honglie.

"I get it! I get it now! Lin Yi’s physical prowess is impressive because he’s on drugs, but his mental fortitude isn’t enough—his spirit and soul are lacking, so he ran into trouble, hahahaha! This time, I’ll be the first to clear the stage!"

So spoke Song Ziyang, whose cunning far outstripped his years.

Tu Honglie had already removed his mask, a crooked smile tugging at his lips as he nodded in agreement. Xu Lianyou swung his steel blade, nodding vigorously in kind.

"That must be it! Hahaha, the victory is mine! Lin Yi, you little rascal, what good are drugs? So your body’s strong, but there are side effects! Not like me—I’m just as good without pills! Hahaha..."

As they spoke, everyone rushed off toward the two rooms almost in unison. Their words, overheard, would have seemed utterly laughable.

Inside the surveillance room, many people were already shaking their heads. These three were still worrying about Lin Yi, not realizing that Lin Yi was already standing in the conference room. Only a wall separated the meeting room from the surveillance center, and some people could hardly contain themselves, no longer interested in watching the monitors.

Had Lin Yi not taken the time to destroy another Drowned Ghost, he might have shattered all records from the past decades! If someone like Lin Yi wasn’t quickly recruited, should they just let someone else snatch him away?

The three figures who had been sitting in their chairs stood up simultaneously. An Yingxiong, Master Mu, and General Liu Tianyu all scrambled to leave first. Liu Tianyu’s abilities, of course, could not compare with An Yingxiong’s or Master Mu’s, so he could only watch helplessly as the two dashed ahead.

As An Yingxiong and Master Mu hurried out, they acted much like squabbling children, shoving each other in their haste, just as the contestants had moments before.

An Miaoyi and Mu Yuqing’s eyes lit up at the same time, and they rushed out as well. A few others exchanged glances, fearing they’d be left behind, and hurried after them.

Thus began an unprecedented battle for talent within the Paranormal Investigation Bureau.

In the conference room, the door burst open, and a multitude of eyes fixed on Lin Yi.

An elder with a sword at his waist swiftly charged toward Lin Yi, and another man, dressed in a Daoist robe, lively and spirited, rushed over as well. In the blink of an eye, both surrounded Lin Yi.

Sensing the aura emanating from them, Lin Yi instantly realized these two were anything but ordinary. Their presence was far stronger than his own, and they must have reached the level of Grandmaster. A Grandmaster! The energy surging through them must have numbered over ten thousand points—this was no trivial matter.

Lin Yi felt a crushing pressure. Had he performed too brilliantly, arousing the suspicion of these two? Yet, no matter how much they doubted him, they wouldn’t openly question such talent—surely, they were here to recruit him.

When An Miaoyi, Mu Yuqing, and the others arrived, Lin Yi felt more certain of his guess. Both An Miaoyi and Mu Yuqing extended olive branches.

"This time, Lin Yi, you’ve delighted me beyond measure. Join my team at once," An Miaoyi said, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

"Nonsense! An Miaoyi, even as a recommender, you can’t claim him. Lin Yi, remember, I saw you in the lobby earlier, and at first glance, I knew you were a hero among men, a Red Hare among steeds! Lin Yi, join my team—I can’t do without you!"

"And let me tell you, I’m not married yet. By the way, I’m Mu Yuqing, and that’s my grandfather, Master Mu. He’s a Grandmaster. If you follow him, you’ll reach that level in no time!"

Mu Yuqing rattled on, and only then did Lin Yi realize her name.

He’d sensed earlier that An Miaoyi and Mu Yuqing were at odds. Still, her marital status was hardly relevant to his joining her team. As expected, An Miaoyi snorted in annoyance.

"Mu Yuqing, stop trying to steal him! Lin Yi is here on my recommendation, and by the Bureau’s unwritten rule, who recommends, claims. Grandpa, Grandpa, do something! And Lin Yi, my grandfather is a Grandmaster too—this is An Yingxiong."

An Miaoyi never expected Mu Yuqing to be so bold as to declare her unmarried status outright—was she trying to seduce Lin Yi?

At this, Master Mu chuckled warmly, instantly shedding the Grandmaster’s imposing aura he’d exuded moments before. Now he seemed just like any kindly old man, though his robe gave him an air of distinction. He approached Lin Yi, looked him up and down, and finally said:

"My granddaughter is right, Lin Yi—become my disciple! That’s my granddaughter, Mu Yuqing, isn’t she lovely? She truly isn’t married—I can vouch for that. Young people should be free to love whomever they choose. If you like, you can date her. And as for the Xu family’s affairs, I’ll shoulder the burden for you."

At these words, the faces of several others who had just arrived changed dramatically. No one expected Master Mu to value Lin Yi so highly, not only taking responsibility for the Xu family’s matters but also offering his most cherished granddaughter’s hand in marriage!

Everyone was dumbstruck—could this be real?

Many who had long harbored feelings for Mu Yuqing felt indignant, yet when they looked at the formidable Lin Yi, the words caught in their throats.

Mu Yuqing’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes shining as she called sweetly, "Grandpa." She cast a glowing glance at Lin Yi.

"You… you…" An Miaoyi felt as if she’d taken a million blows to the heart! The shamelessness of this grandfather and granddaughter was beyond belief!

Quickly, An Miaoyi thought to declare that she too could fall in love, but before she could speak, Mu Yuqing was already eyeing her with a sly smile, making her feel guilty.

Master Mu went further, not giving An Miaoyi or the nearby An Yingxiong a chance to explain.

"As for Miaoyi, Lin Yi, my dear disciple, you’d best let her be. She’s already spoken for. And, I’ve heard from Elder An here that you don’t measure up—he doesn’t think you’re worthy of marrying An Miaoyi. I’m not trying to sow discord; I’m just stating the facts. Hero, you old fox, dare you deny it? Didn’t you imply as much on behalf of the An family? You even cautioned Miaoyi not to investigate Lin Yi too closely, lest she get entangled. Honestly, I’m embarrassed even to mention it."

These words were utterly devastating.

An Yingxiong’s eyes widened, speechless, while An Miaoyi’s face turned ashen with fury. Such matters shouldn’t be aired in public—they cast the An family in a poor light, as if they were petty and narrow-minded.

Now, anyone with sense would view An Miaoyi’s family in a negative light.

Hearing this, An Yingxiong fell silent.

Finally, with a loud bang, his aura surged. The old man struck out at Master Mu with a sweeping palm—its force immense, sending a great shockwave through the room. Had Master Mu been an ordinary man, his shoulder would have been reduced to a bloody pulp.

But Master Mu was no ordinary man.

He smiled lightly and instantly gathered his own energy, which rolled out to meet An Yingxiong’s, equally powerful. He, too, struck out with his palm.

The two men clashed, bodies trembling from the impact. Their blood surged, their faces shifting from pale to flushed and back.

"Lin Yi, don’t listen to their nonsense. I—I—my investigation of you was only because of the expert behind you. My grandfather never said any of those things," An Miaoyi hurried to deny.

On the other side, An Yingxiong shot Master Mu a venomous glare, then turned to Lin Yi, eyes shining with appreciation.

"Lin Yi, you truly are a genius. To rise from F-rank potential to an A-rank warrior, a top expert, shows remarkable resolve and extraordinary promise!"

"Potential, in the end, is just bloodline. And bloodlines can awaken further. I believe your potential now is far greater than F-rank. I admit, I misjudged you before—because you injured Xu Liuxiang at the slightest provocation. I thought you were too wild and combative, and thus unfit for my granddaughter. You must understand, Miaoyi is the apple of the An family’s eye, my most beloved treasure."

Shaking his head, An Yingxiong smiled wryly.

"But I was wrong. So, I bow to you in apology. No matter whose disciple or team member you choose to become, I’ll make matters clear to the Xu family and handle all issues outside your cultivation!"

With that, a clear metallic sound rang out…