# Chapter 683: Everyone's Choice
The people from East Sea Dragon Palace, Nine Heavens Sword Gate, and Fengdu Demon Sect were all stunned. Lin Feng's words were undoubtedly a rejection of them. He would not join any force. As for whether he would enter the secret realm on behalf of the Divine Palace, he needed to consider it. He would only consider the Divine Palace.
"Do you need to think it over carefully? This kind of opportunity, if missed, you might regret it later." The Purple Gold Dragon King urged him once.
But Lin Feng still shook his head: "No. I thank you all for your kindness, but Lin Feng has made his decision. I can only apologize."
Since it was his own choice, Lin Feng would not regret it.
Perhaps because of this, he missed the chance to obtain powerful true dragon techniques and martial skills. Perhaps because of this choice, he missed the opportunity to quickly become a strong swordsman. But he would not regret it. In Lin Feng's heart, there was still a trace of his own persistence, a thread of stubbornness.
He did not like being restrained or becoming someone else's subordinate, so he would not join any force.
Moreover, this Snow Domain Grand Competition was made possible by the Divine Palace. Without the Divine Palace, he could not have achieved what he had now, standing at the peak of the Snow Domain Grand Competition. Without the Divine Palace, perhaps he would still be at the Fifth Layer of Mysterious Martial Realm. Without the Divine Palace, the gap between him and Di Ling, Duan Wudao, and even Yu Mo and Blood Fiend would still be insurmountable. Perhaps his life would still be under threat at all times.
Although the Divine Palace seemed to have its own agenda, after all, the Divine Palace had made him who he was now. Even if he could not give anything back to the Divine Palace, he would not easily stand on the opposite side of the Divine Palace. To work for forces hostile to the Divine Palace for the sake of some immediate benefits would go against his true heart.
"Fine. Since that's the case, East Sea Dragon Palace will not force you. As for the others, if anyone is willing to join East Sea Dragon Palace, I welcome you all the same. For those ranked in the top five of this Snow Domain Grand Competition, as long as they join the Divine Palace, I will grant them a set of Heaven-grade techniques or martial skills. For others willing to join, I will reward them with peak Earth-grade techniques or martial skills."
The East Sea Dragon King waved his sleeve, seemingly displeased by Lin Feng's lack of face, and directly offered shocking conditions, tempting with benefits.
His words made the experts of the Snow Domain Grand Competition's eyes condense. Heaven-grade techniques and martial skills—such terrifying Divine Palace martial skills. It was not easy to even see them, let alone obtain them. Their power must be astonishing. This temptation forced those people to think. As for peak Earth-grade divine abilities and spells, it was very difficult for them to obtain on their own. But by joining East Sea Dragon Palace, they could get them immediately.
At this moment, the Purple Gold Dragon King was giving them his promise.
"Di Ling." At this moment, in the void, Di Ling's father, Di Shitian, spoke.
Di Ling turned his gaze and looked up at Di Shitian.
"The Cangtian bloodline must possess the domineering spirit of Cangtian. East Sea Dragon Palace might suit you." Di Shitian said to Di Ling, his meaning clear.
Di Ling pondered for a moment, then looked at the Purple Gold Dragon King and said, "I am willing to join East Sea Dragon Palace."
"Good. After you return to East Sea Dragon Palace with me, you can choose a set of Heaven-grade techniques and martial skills." The Purple Gold Dragon King revealed a hint of a smile and glanced lightly at Lin Feng. Although Di Ling's talent was not as good as Lin Feng's, it was still terrifying. Such a genius joining the Dragon Palace was naturally welcome.
At the peak of Mysterious Martial Realm, only one step away from Heavenly Martial Realm. Any force would not have too many Heavenly Martial Realm experts. Moreover, with Di Ling's powerful talent, ordinary Heavenly Martial Realm might not be his limit.
"I am also willing to join East Sea Dragon Palace." Many others spoke up. Seeing this, the Purple Gold Dragon King laughed and said, "Very good. Welcome, everyone."
The people from the other three forces were very calm. They were different from East Sea Dragon Palace. Nine Heavens Sword Gate only wanted genius swordsmen. Others were useless.
The people of Jade Heaven Royal Clan needed those with kingly aura even more.
As for Fengdu Demon Sect, their requirements were equally strict. The geniuses they needed were not simple. Only a terrifying genius like Lin Feng could cause several powerful forces to compete for him at the same time.
"Duan Wudao, Jun Moxi. The treatment Jade Heaven Royal Clan gives you will not be worse than East Sea Dragon Palace's conditions." The expert from Jade Heaven Royal Clan once again invited Duan Wudao and Jun Moxi. These two were from the royal families of Snow Moon Kingdom and Dragon Mountain Empire respectively. They possessed kingly aura and had terrifyingly powerful talents, ranking second and fourth in the Snow Domain Grand Competition. Their talents were greatly needed by Jade Heaven Royal Clan.
Duan Wudao's eyes flickered. Lin Feng had made his choice. Di Ling had joined East Sea Dragon Palace and would obtain Heaven-grade divine abilities. If he did not join a powerful force, perhaps he would be left behind by Lin Feng and surpassed by Di Ling. He needed an external force to break free from his shackles and step into the Heavenly Martial Realm, or even stronger.
"I have a condition. Jade Heaven Royal Clan must not restrict my freedom. Joining Jade Heaven Royal Clan, I am still myself, Duan Wudao."
Duan Wudao spoke, causing the crowd's eyes to condense. This was the privilege of geniuses. They could negotiate conditions. For a terrifying force like Jade Heaven Royal Clan, others begged to enter but could not, admiring it immensely. But geniuses could state their own requirements.
"I agree. Unless there are special circumstances, you are still yourself. Jade Heaven Royal Clan will not restrict you in the slightest." The expert spoke, agreeing to Duan Wudao's words. Duan Wudao's belonging seemed to be settled.
"Good. I am willing to enter Jade Heaven Royal Clan. But if one day, what Jade Heaven Royal Clan does does not match what you said, I, Duan Wudao, will not acknowledge myself as a member of Jade Heaven Royal Clan." Duan Wudao was Duan Wudao. Even when facing an expert from Jade Heaven Royal Clan, he was still so domineering and forceful, being himself.
"Welcome." The expert smiled slightly, then said to Jun Moxi, "What about you?"
"Me?" Jun Moxi smiled and shook his head, saying, "I am the same as Lin Feng. I am not used to being bound by forces. So, I apologize."
The expert from Jade Heaven Royal Clan nodded. Naturally, he would not force it and allowed Jun Moxi to make his own choice.
The others also made their own choices. Among the top eight ranked experts, Lin Feng did not join any force but might repay the Divine Palace. Second place Duan Wudao joined Jade Heaven Royal Clan. Third place Di Ling joined East Sea Dragon Palace. Fourth place Jun Moxi, sixth place Tang Youyou, and eighth place Yun Feiyang made the same choice as Lin Feng. Fifth place Blood Fiend did not choose any force. Heavenly Fiend Sect was already a force in itself. Seventh place Ling Xiao chose Nine Heavens Sword Gate.
The others also made their own choices, but they did not receive as much attention as the top eight.
"Now, shouldn't you leave this Snow Domain Mysterious City?" Beiming said coldly, sweeping his gaze over the experts from all sides. This Snow Domain Grand Competition was organized by the Divine Palace behind the scenes. They had done many things, even silently nurturing them to become strong. But now, because of the sudden appearance of these four forces, the geniuses were being lost. How could Beiming be happy?
"Hehe, Palace Master Beiming, perhaps we will meet again soon." The Purple Gold Dragon King laughed lightly, then waved his hand and said, "Those willing to join East Sea Dragon Palace, follow me."
With that, his figure flickered and he flew away into the sky. The crowd followed suit. Apart from him, the other forces also left the Snow Domain Grand Competition.
This trip was not in vain. Its significance was not just in poaching geniuses, but more importantly, in dismantling the Divine Palace's plan to gather geniuses. Originally, these geniuses might have become their hostile force, a powerful hostile force. But now, it was completely gone.
Watching the departing figures, Beiming's eyes flickered. He swept his gaze over the remaining crowd. Almost only Lin Feng and a few others were left. This made his brow tightly furrowed, and his mood was gloomy.
"Your choices will have value and meaning." Beiming said to the few remaining people. "Come. Now follow me to the Divine Palace to receive the Divine Palace's rewards."
"Wait." Lin Feng suddenly spoke, startling Beiming. Lin Feng wasn't going to change his mind, was he? What he feared most was Lin Feng joining one of those forces. If that happened, it would definitely not be good for the Divine Palace.
"Senior, I still need to bring a few friends along. Palace Master Beiming, would that be a problem?" Lin Feng asked. Now that the Snow Domain Grand Competition was over, he was worried about leaving Han Man, Xiao Ya, and the others here.
How could Beiming refuse Lin Feng's condition? Bringing a few more people to the Divine Palace was no big deal.
PS: Gatherings inevitably involve drinking. It's a tragedy. I couldn't drink originally. One chapter tonight. I owe two chapters. I'll get up early tomorrow morning to update one more chapter!