They wouldn't just be unconvinced; they'd think they have a brilliant future ahead of them, destined for invincibility, with no need to restrain their arrogance... That's why only someone like Xu Ke is suited to teach them. After all, what right or confidence would you have to claim you're invincible with a great future ahead after being put in your place by someone even younger? Your arrogance would probably be beaten right out of you...

Once that arrogance is hammered out, these geniuses will leap over the Dragon Gate and ascend to a new level. Then, the Northern Dragon Guard's strength will naturally soar.

Ki Qinyin had played her cards perfectly.

Of course, Xu Ke didn't feel like he'd been used. While Ki Qinyin was certainly repaying a favor, she would never hand over everything. If she had relinquished all her authority, then Xu Ke would have suspected something was truly amiss. This current win-win situation was ideal. Ki Qinyin would get a group of superior talents, and he would gain the backing of the Northern Dragon Guard.

Duan Chongfeng and Yuan Shang were taken aback, a look of sudden realization dawning on them. "So that's how it is!"

Xu Ke's explanation helped them begin to accept the situation and understand Ki Qinyin's motivations. If young geniuses could undergo "tempering" from Xu Ke, the strongest of their generation, they would undoubtedly grow immensely. In their hearts, they had already tacitly acknowledged Xu Ke's title as the "strongest of the younger generation." After all, who else could defeat an Innate expert at only twenty-five?

But even after understanding, Duan Chongfeng was still amazed. "Still, Ki Qinyin is incredibly bold. If it were me, I wouldn't give up that position so easily."

Major powers are most afraid of their subordinates forming factions. If Xu Ke had any ill intentions, he could turn the geniuses sent for tempering into his own loyal followers. The Northern Dragon Guard of the future could even split into two rival camps.

Yuan Shang, however, chuckled after a moment of thought. "That's just because you're too timid! If Xu Ke is only in charge of their combat prowess, the couple's authority won't truly be threatened. The ultimate power of life and death is still in their hands, after all."

Duan Chongfeng shook his head, then a smile broke out on his face as he looked at Xu Ke. "Good lord, you pull off something this big without a peep. You couldn't have given us a heads-up? I was worried sick about you for nothing."

Xu Ke laughed in exasperation. "Didn't I tell you everything when I called?"

"I don't care!" Duan Chongfeng roared with laughter, teasing, "Either way, this one's on you, Seasoned Envoy Xu. You have to drink."

Yuan Shang also started to chime in.

Xu Ke had no choice but to down another cup, muttering afterward, "I've barely eaten anything..."

Duan Chongfeng waved a hand, his expression turning serious. "Forget about the food for a moment. I need to warn you about something. You must not tell anyone that you're the Seasoned Envoy. Otherwise, you'll be in grave danger."

Yuan Shang nodded in agreement. "That's right. When word got out that you were going to join the Northern Dragon Guard, many people wanted to eliminate you beforehand. Now they're all breathing a sigh of relief, thinking you failed. If they were to find out that you not only got in but also became the Seasoned Envoy, they'd probably try to kill you in your sleep tonight..."

Everyone with half a brain knows what an incredible talent someone must be for Madame Dragon King to recruit them into the Northern Dragon Guard with the position of Seasoned Envoy. Rival powers would never allow such a person to develop unchecked.

Xu Ke considered this for a moment before nodding. "Understood."

He hadn't planned on advertising his new role, but he admitted to himself that he hadn't been on high alert either. Now that they'd warned him, he committed it to memory.

Seeing that Xu Ke had taken their advice to heart, the two men were satisfied. Afterward, the three changed the subject, moving on to chat about the Martial Artist Alliance's selection competition from the past two days.

After a little while, Duan Chongfeng suddenly asked, seemingly out of nowhere, "By the way, Xu Ke, how do you plan on conducting the assessment?"

Yuan Shang shot him a sidelong glance. "Old Duan, why are you asking so many questions?"

Xu Ke was also a bit surprised. Why would Duan Chongfeng suddenly bring this up?

Duan Chongfeng looked a little sheepish. "Well, I have a nephew in the Northern Dragon Guard..."

Yuan Shang slapped the table. "You old dog! Are you trying to get the test questions from the examiner ahead of time?"

Exposed, Duan Chongfeng grew red in the face, a mixture of shame and anger, before suddenly becoming brazenly self-righteous. "So what if I am? The examiner's my brother. Can't I ask?"

Xu Ke was exasperated. "I couldn't leak the questions even if I were your grandpa."

"Fine, don't leak them, but why are you trying to one-up me?" Duan Chongfeng grumbled.

Xu Ke cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Still, it's no big deal to tell you. I already have an idea for the assessment."

"What is it?" both men asked, their interest piqued.

"Anyone who can defeat me passes."

The living room fell silent. Then, Yuan Shang burst out laughing. "Serves you right for asking!"

Duan Chongfeng gave Xu Ke a mournful look. "Are you messing with me?" Pass only if they beat Xu Ke? If Ki Qinyin heard that, she'd probably rush back immediately to take back the Seasoned Envoy's badge... Even middle-generation Martial Artists might not beat a full-power Xu Ke, so what chance would the younger generation have?

"I'm serious," Xu Ke said, unable to stop himself from laughing.

Yuan Shang howled with laughter. "What have you been drinking? Are you that full of yourself? Don't you have any idea how strong you are?"

Xu Ke chuckled. "Just kidding, just kidding."

Duan Chongfeng's expression turned serious again. "For real, now. I know my nephew's capabilities. How about he just has to withstand five of your moves? Deal?"

"Deal."

Duan Chongfeng was ecstatic. "Excellent, excellent!"

Xu Ke thought for a moment, then added, "Everyone else only has to withstand one move."

Duan Chongfeng was speechless.

Yuan Shang just roared, "Hahahahaha..."

***

When Xu Ke left Dapeng Commerce and arrived at Junyue Residence, it was just around ten o'clock. He didn't head upstairs right away, instead waiting for someone downstairs. After a moment, two figures approached from a short distance away. It was an elderly couple, and they walked with an air of unease. They were none other than the Ghost Elder and the Poison Elder.

"Get in. We'll talk inside," Xu Ke said, rolling down the car window and gesturing for them to enter.

The car door opened, and the pair settled into the back seat.

Xu Ke smiled. "Good evening."

"Mister Xu, good evening," the Poison Elder said, her voice strained.

For the past two days, ever since Xu Ke had given them a single dose of the antidote to ensure their cooperation, he had provided no more of the cure for the Shitian Elixir, leaving the Poison Elder frantic with worry. She wanted to contact Xu Ke to beg for an antidote for the Ghost Elder, but Xu Ke had given them no opportunity. They could only wait for him to contact them, spending the last two days in a state of constant dread.

The Ghost Elder's face was pale, and his complexion had a faint bluish-purple tinge, a clear sign that the Shitian Elixir was starting to take effect.

"Good evening. Ghost Elder, how have you been feeling?" Xu Ke asked, feigning ignorance.

Hearing this, the Ghost Elder gritted his teeth. "Fine!"

But the Poison Elder's face was etched with sorrow. "We beg you, Mister Xu, please spare us. We've already done what you asked!"

They had already completed the task Xu Ke had given them: tricking the Kang Family to swindle Qian Jun. They also knew that Xu Ke had won the Martial Artist Alliance's selection competition. But Xu Ke's current demeanor gave no indication that he intended to give them the antidote. This terrified the Poison Elder. Is Ghost Elder really going to die just like this?

At that moment, however, Xu Ke simply said in a level voice, "Let me ask you a question. When you were planning to kill me, did it ever cross your mind to spare my life?"