Ning Fengzhi smiled, sat down, picked up another teacup and sniffed it gently, praising: "Good tea. Everything here, Brother Lu, is really as fascinating as the rumors say."

Lu Yu smiled calmly, "Since Sect Master Ning came with compliments, I will take it as a compliment. However, you and I have never met before. Your sudden visit today does not seem to be just for tea, right?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded and said frankly: "Brother Lu is indeed a straightforward person. I won't beat around the bush. I came here this time to discuss something with you."

Lu Yu didn't say anything, but just looked at him quietly. His eyes were calm, but they revealed an aura that could not be ignored.

Ning Fengzhi continued, "Brother Lu is extremely talented. He has become a Titled Douluo at a young age. Countless forces regard you as their dream. And my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect treats people with sincerity. The whole sect is based on unity and justice. If Brother Lu is willing to join my sect, my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will do its best to help you reach a higher level."

Lu Yu gently put down the teacup, with a faint smile on his face, "I appreciate Sect Master Ning's kindness. However, I have always been a loner, used to being a free and easy person, and I am really not used to the rules and constraints of the sect."

Ning Fengzhi did not show the slightest disappointment because of this. He smiled slightly and said slowly: "Brother Lu misunderstood. Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is a sect, we never force our disciples to change themselves. On the contrary, we hope that every fellow disciple can find his or her own position in the sect, rather than being bound by constraints."

"Really?" Lu Yu looked at him with a smile, but there was a bit of inquiry in his eyes. "Master Ning's words are indeed tempting. However, although I admire the reputation of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, I am not tempted. After all, I am just a person who pursues freedom. In this case, why should I put myself under the banner of the sect?"

Ning Fengzhi continued calmly, "Brother Lu, you don't know that our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is not just a sect, but also a family that advances and retreats together. Whether it's resources, friendship or support, it's unimaginable to the outside world. Moreover, Brother Lu is so talented that he shouldn't be buried in this bamboo forest."

Lu Yu sighed lightly, his tone still calm: "I understand the good intentions of Sect Master Ning. But it's better to say it's retreat than burying it. I don't like fighting, and I don't want to sacrifice my life for a certain force. This bamboo forest may be small, but it is my world."

Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, but then relaxed his brows. He asked tentatively, "Brother Lu, do you think the sect's affairs are too complicated and disturbing?"

Lu Yu nodded, "That's right. Although the sect is good, it always has responsibilities and constraints. And what I fear most is constraints."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, and a sincere expression emerged on his face, "Brother Lu, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will never force you to participate in any affairs. If you are willing to join, you will be one of us; if you just want to live a carefree life, we will not disturb you. We only hope that you can occasionally help us when the sect needs it."

Lu Yu was silent for a while after hearing this, then shook his head, "I feel the sincerity of Sect Master Ning. But even so, I cannot change my choice."

Ning Fengzhi sighed slightly, but there was no resentment in his tone, "Brother Lu is indeed a free and easy person. It seems that my trip was in vain."

"Master Ning, you are wrong," Lu Yu smiled, "Drinking a pot of good tea and enjoying the scenery of the bamboo forest is also a good thing. How can you say it's in vain?"

Ning Fengzhi was startled when he heard this, then he burst into laughter, "Brother Lu is right, this trip was indeed not in vain. It's just a pity that I couldn't achieve what I wanted."

Lu Yu nodded slightly, "Master Ning has a broad mind, and I admire you. However, please allow me to decline. If we meet again, I will do my best to help you."

Ning Fengzhi stood up and bowed, his tone revealing a hint of regret, but he still maintained his demeanor: "Since Brother Lu has made such a decision, then I will not force it. It is worthwhile to meet Brother Lu today. Goodbye."

Lu Yu nodded slightly and watched Ning Fengzhi leave. There was a hint of complexity in his eyes, but it eventually turned into calmness.

Outside the bamboo forest, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo saw Ning Fengzhi coming out and knew the outcome was decided.

"Master, Lu Yu refused?" Bone Douluo asked in a low voice.

Ning Fengzhi nodded gently, but his expression was not too disappointed. "Yes, Brother Lu has a heart as strong as bamboo, he is aloof and proud, how can we easily shake him. However, he has not completely closed the door. If the sect is in trouble one day, I believe he will not stand idly by."

Jian Douluo nodded slightly, "Such a genius always has his own way. We don't need to force it."

Ning Fengzhi glanced at the quiet bamboo forest and said softly, "Let's go."

The three of them turned and left. The bamboo forest gradually returned to silence, leaving only the sound of the wind. Lu Yu sat in the wooden house, picked up the teacup, took another sip, with a faint smile in his eyes, and whispered to himself: "Seven Treasure Glazed Sect... is really a good place."

At night in Tiandou City, the moonlight poured down like water, enveloping Lu Yu's courtyard in a cool silver glow.

Lu Yu sat at the stone table in the courtyard, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, taking a sip, his brows and eyes full of calmness. A few days ago, he had just rejected the invitation of Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, and the news seemed to have spread. Today, several people from unfamiliar forces came to visit, showing goodwill either openly or secretly. Lu Yu did not feel surprised, nor did he feel troubled. Over the years, he had long been accustomed to such days.

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door, accompanied by a low but respectful voice outside the door.

"Excuse me, is this the residence of Lord Lu Yu?"

Lu Yu put down his teacup and looked up. Through the gap in the courtyard door, he saw a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes, with several followers standing behind him. The middle-aged man had an extraordinary demeanor, and it was obvious that he was of noble origin.

Lu Yu frowned slightly, but did not stand up immediately. Instead, he said lightly: "Is there something wrong?"

When the middle-aged man heard his voice, a smile appeared on his face, and he clasped his fists and said, "I am Ye Huai, the head of the Ye family in Tiandou City. I have long heard of your great name, Lord Lu Yu. I am taking the liberty to come here today because I want to discuss cooperation with you."

"Ye family?" Lu Yu raised his eyebrows, still with no intention of getting up, but said lightly, "Sorry, I don't cooperate with strangers."

The smile on Ye Huai's face froze for a moment, but soon returned to normal. He motioned to the follower behind him to hand over an exquisite box, and said in a more humble tone: "Sir Lu Yu, although my Ye family is not the top force in Tiandou City, it has quite a bit of foundation. This is a little gift from us, please accept it. As long as you are willing to join my Ye family, we will fully support your cultivation and offer all resources!"

Lu Yu glanced at the box, raised his hand casually, and said calmly but unquestionably: "Take it back. I am not short of resources, nor do I need any support." Seeing this, Ye Huai looked a little embarrassed, but he did not give up, and continued: "Sir Lu Yu, you may not know that now the entire Tiandou City and even the Tiandou Empire value your talent very much. It is our honor to meet you. As long as you are willing, our Ye family can give you the most precious inherited martial spirit of the family, and betroth my daughter to you to be your strongest backing!"

Hearing this, Lu Yu finally raised his head and looked at Ye Huai coldly: "Martial Soul? Marriage? In my eyes, these are just bargaining chips. I am not interested in these, please go back."

Ye Huai was shocked by his gaze, and his heart could not help but feel cold. Although he was unwilling, he also understood that this person was not someone he could easily persuade, so he could only grit his teeth and clasp his fists and say, "Since you insist so much, I will not bother you any more." After that, he left in disgrace with his followers.

Lu Yu shook his head and picked up the teacup again, only to find that the tea had gone cold. He got up and went back to the house, pouring himself another cup of hot tea.

However, just as I sat down, there was another knock on the door.

This time, the person knocking on the door was an imposing man, wearing a blue and gold outfit, with a long sword hanging from his waist, and followed by two equally imposing followers.

Lu Yu glanced at him and said calmly, "What's the matter?"

The man said in a loud voice: "I am Zhao Ran, representing the Tianxing Sect, one of the four sects of the Douluo Empire, and I come to pay a visit to Master Lu Yu!"

"Tianxing Sect?" Lu Yu repeated thoughtfully, and then his tone remained indifferent, "Tell me, what do you want?"

Zhao Ran laughed and said, "Sir Lu Yu, our Tianxing Sect has always respected the strong, and you are undoubtedly a talented and powerful person. If you are willing to join our Tianxing Sect, the sect will do its best to train you and form an elite team with you as the core! At the same time, our sect master has also specifically instructed that you can enjoy the most precious soul bone resources in the sect's treasury!"

"Exclusive use of soul bone resources?" Lu Yu heard this and sneered, "It sounds very sincere. But I'm curious, why would your Tianxing Sect be willing to pay such a high price to win over someone who has nothing to do with the sect?"

A strange look flashed in Zhao Ran's eyes, but he still smiled and said, "You are gifted and do not belong to any faction. Naturally, it is worthy for our Tianxing Sect to make an exception for you. Moreover, our Sect Master admires young strong men like you very much and is willing to put aside past grudges and work with you to create brilliance together!"

"Make an exception?" Lu Yu snorted coldly, "I'm afraid you just want me to be your tool."

The smile on Zhao Ran's face froze, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He tentatively said, "Your Excellency seems to have misunderstood our sincerity. If you have any requests, just ask, and our leader will definitely satisfy you."

Lu Yu sneered, stood up, and stared at Zhao Ran with a sharp gaze: "My request is very simple, don't bother me again."

Zhao Ran was so overwhelmed by his aura that he could not speak. His face was uncertain. In the end, he could only bow and say, "In that case, Zhao will take his leave."

Watching Zhao Ran leave, Lu Yu sighed deeply. It's not that he didn't understand the thoughts and sincerity of these forces, but he had already decided that he would never become a pawn in anyone's hands.

However, this is not the end.

In the next few days, almost all the prominent forces in Tiandou City sent people to visit, and even the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect, one of the seven major sects of the Douluo Empire, sent an envoy.

That day, the envoy of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan appeared directly outside Lu Yu's courtyard gate.

The messenger was a burly middle-aged man with his hands behind his back and a bit of pride in his eyes. He stood outside the door and spoke in a majestic voice: "Sir Lu Yu, I am Lei Ming, the elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect. I came here on the orders of the Sect Master to invite you to join the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect!"

"Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan?" Lu Yu pushed open the courtyard door and looked at Lei Ming calmly, "I didn't expect that you would come to see me."

Lei Ming smiled slightly, with a bit of confidence in his tone: "Sir Lu Yu, for a genius like you, only our Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Sect can give you the best resources and support. By joining our sect, you can not only obtain the purest top-level martial spirit inheritance, but also become one of our future core elders, and may even inherit the position of sect master!"

Lu Yu glanced at him calmly and said, "Inherit the position of the sect master? You have countless inner disciples in the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Sect. Aren't you afraid that an outsider like me will interfere and destroy your internal balance?"

Lei Ming laughed loudly, not disguising his pride: "Your talent is enough to break all balances! As long as you join the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Sect, our sect is willing to clear all obstacles for you!"

Hearing this, Lu Yu just shook his head and turned back to the courtyard: "My answer is the same as before. No matter who comes, it is impossible for me to join any force. Please go back."

Lei Ming was stunned, as if he couldn't believe that Lu Yu would refuse so straightforwardly. But seeing Lu Yu's back that showed no room for negotiation, he said nothing and turned away.

The solicitation and rejection in the past few days brought a brief peace back to Lu Yu's courtyard. Rejecting these forces did not mean the end of trouble, but perhaps just the beginning of a bigger storm. But he never regretted his decision.

The tea was warm, the moonlight was cold, but his heart was as firm as a rock.

The lights in the auction hall were bright, just like the day. Each soul guide lamp was embedded in the golden decorations on the wall or pillar, emitting a soft but brilliant light. In the center of the spacious auction hall, a huge auction table stood tall, and the neatly arranged seats around it were already filled with representatives of various forces. Even some inconspicuous corners were faintly shrouded by several auras that should not be underestimated.

Lu Yu sat in a box near the middle, looking away from the auction table, squinting slightly, tapping the armrest of the box with his fingers, looking indifferent, as if the excitement in front of him had nothing to do with him. He also did not pay attention to the excited or nervous discussions around him.

"Sir, do you think there will be anything worth seeing next?" Standing behind Lu Yu was a young attendant.

There was a respectful look on his face, but there was a hint of expectation in his tone. (End of this chapter)

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