Following the direction Ye Wen had sensed, he now discerned the path through these few “people,” understanding that they were heading toward the northwest of this world.

“There is an extremely powerful entity there, commanding countless formidable subordinates. It is one of the most dominant forces in this world—perhaps even the one most likely to unite it!”

The blind man’s introduction caused Ye Wen’s brow to furrow slightly. This situation seemed to align with the vision he’d previously glimpsed through the Spatula. Li Xiaoyao had indeed encountered a formidable enemy, but Ye Wen hadn't anticipated the opponent being this powerful. At Li Xiaoyao’s Earth Immortal cultivation level, the odds of survival looked grim.

Of course, he wouldn't retreat for such a reason; that was his disciple, after all. Moreover, he was quite confident in his own strength.

Artemis gently supported his arm, patting it lightly, perhaps offering comfort, perhaps encouragement. Since the main deities emerging from Mount Olympus were inherently proud beings, it was likely she wouldn't take this so-called powerful faction seriously either.

Lü Bu and Xue Rengui, however, did not overthink the matter. They used a minor spell to allow the captive individuals to view the scene sequentially. Although the jade piece was shattered, the image had imprinted itself in their minds. Furthermore, when the shard broke, it embedded a small spell within Xue Rengui’s memory. Casting it now revealed the portrait to everyone.

The benefit of this spell was that even the blind Huang Quan could see the person’s likeness in his mind. After viewing it, the group shook their heads one by one: “We haven’t seen him. But judging by his aura, he must be a person of high status. Someone like that… Hmph!”

The fox sneered several times, as if implying that they were merely lowly beings incapable of knowing such an influential figure.

They traveled haltingly, with Ye Wen and his companions subtly prying information from the captives. Although the fox and the blind man were cautious and revealed little, the red-haired youth and the long-haired man were quite candid, explaining their situation largely in full.

Among these captives, the long-haired man, the blind man, and the fox were old acquaintances. They had operated around this forest for years, specializing in ambushing passersby to seize their wealth, occasionally engaging in business ventures like treasure hunting—where the ‘treasure’ wasn't necessarily a finished object, but could be medicinal herbs or materials for magical artifacts.

There were inherent frictions among the three, as the saying goes: ‘competitors are natural enemies.’ Since they lived so close and their operational areas overlapped significantly, conflict was almost inevitable. Because of this, the two factions were initially wary of each other.

As for the red-haired youth, neither the long-haired man nor the blind man knew him. Apparently, the youth hadn't lived in the vicinity before, or perhaps hadn't been roaming outside at all, only stumbling into this situation by chance.

Regardless, the youth had ultimately collided with Ye Wen’s group, becoming Ye Wen’s captive along with the blind man and the others.

They spoke for an entire day without feeling fatigued. After all, no one present was an ordinary person; they could continue walking indefinitely. Coupled with the urgency of their journey, no one mentioned resting.

After talking for a while, Ye Wen suddenly asked, “You don’t even have names. How do you address each other in daily life?”

Huang Quan chuckled: “We usually call each other Long Hair, Scruffy Hair, Fox, things like that!”

Long Hair and Scruffy Hair clearly referred to the long-haired man; the nickname Scruffy Hair came from the fact that his hair was a mix of black and white.

Fox referred to the fox man’s true form, making it a suitable moniker. This individual, for his part, harbored no shame about his situation and directly stated: “As for me… most people just call me Blind Man!”

Ye Wen glanced at him. Although his expression was relaxed and his tone seemed ordinary, he still detected a faint undercurrent of resentment.

After a moment of thought, since the sense of familiarity was so strong, and his Shushan Sect had already accounted for so many famous figures, adding a few more names to the roster was not difficult.

He wasn't acting on a whim, either. From the moment he saw these individuals, Ye Wen felt a powerful conviction: these people could entirely be recruited to serve him! If cultivated properly, the Shushan Sect could establish a foothold in this world.

As the saying goes: A cunning rabbit has three burrows!

The Shushan Sect’s foundation in the Immortal Realm was rather shallow. Currently, they relied on their friendly ties with the Heavenly Court and Cui Jun’s personal prestige to hold their ground. But what if the Heavenly Court turned hostile one day?

This scenario was not without precedent. In the Nine Provinces world, the imperial court was deeply apprehensive of the martial artists across the land and frequently sought to suppress or weaken them. If the Shushan Sect hadn't coincidentally taken Wei Hong, the reigning emperor, as a disciple, they too would likely have faced severe setbacks.

The Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court was, effectively, the emperor of this world. Although he was often helpless against major sects, overturning a faction with shallow roots, one largely sustained by supplies from the Heavenly Court, would be relatively simple for him.

Ye Wen disliked being subservient to others. That was why, when he was in the Western Divine Realm, he admired the beauty of the land left behind by the Odin Clan and conceived the idea of establishing a separate estate there. But even that single location was insufficient. Moreover, although that place was concealed, there was no guarantee it would never be discovered.

Thus, preparing several backups was always prudent. Having arrived in this world unexpectedly, Ye Wen observed that although many parts of it were unsuitable for the Shushan Sect, it served perfectly as a final refuge. Therefore, arranging for a few individuals friendly to the Shushan Sect seemed like a sound strategy.

The red-haired youth, if nurtured, would undoubtedly become a formidable presence. Perhaps this youth would carve out his own power base in this world, and if the Shushan Sect ever ran into trouble, this youth could offer assistance while they lived in seclusion here.

Ye Wen had no doubt the youth would make a name for himself because the powerful energy within his body gave him sufficient confidence. Furthermore, having instructed so many disciples, Ye Wen’s faith in his own teaching ability was immense. He believed that with such talent meeting his guidance as a ‘famous master,’ obscurity would be impossible.

As for whether this youth would pursue worldly conquest after achieving mastery—hadn't he heard the youth’s earlier words? This was a young man harboring deep resentment and profound dissatisfaction with the current world. With slight guidance, he could stir up a monumental storm.

Simultaneously, the other three were also worthy of being won over. The first step in courting them was to assign each of them a name.

If for no other reason, Ye Wen needed them to have names for the sake of convenience in addressing them.

“Since that is the case, I will give each of you a name!”

At these words, all of them turned their gaze toward Ye Wen. The long-haired man looked on with amusement; the blind man maintained his composed smile; the fox’s eyes showed vigilance, seemingly calculating Ye Wen’s true objective. As for the red-haired youth, whom Ye Wen valued most, he was the most direct—though his face remained impassive, he nodded crisply once and assented: “Good!”

Ye Wen took in all their reactions, understanding that winning these individuals over would not be simple. Moreover, these people seemed accustomed to a life of casual freedom. If he couldn't offer them benefits substantial enough to entice them, the endeavor might ultimately be for naught.

However, Ye Wen was not worried about this; he certainly possessed sufficient leverage to guide these few down the path he had charted.

“You shall be called Huang Quan!” Ye Wen said, pointing to the blind man.

“You shall be Zang Ma!” pointing to the fox. Ye Wen noticed the fox’s ears twitch slightly.

“As for you,” Ye Wen smiled, “how about the name Lei Chan?”

The long-haired man muttered a few words under his breath before finally grinning, revealing a row of slightly sharp teeth: “A very fine name!”

Turning, he clapped the red-haired youth on the shoulder: “You shall be called Chong Lou!”

The images of these individuals bore a striking resemblance to the figures in his own mind. There was no need to strain his own imagination; he could simply affix these ready-made names. After naming them, Ye Wen even thought to himself, “By using the names I’ve given you, you are already half members of the Shushan Sect!” Although this thought felt slightly mischievous, Ye Wen didn't mind.

The group quietly repeated their new names and eventually expressed satisfaction. Only Huang Quan spoke up: “We thank you for bestowing these names upon us. However, might you now inform us of your own identity?”

Throughout their journey, although Ye Wen had been conversing with them, he had never revealed his status. Huang Quan and the others knew this was not a subject to be pried into casually.

But the situation was different now. Ye Wen’s actions clearly suggested an intention to win them over. Therefore, if they didn't ask now, they might never have the chance again.

It was akin to haggling in a transaction.

Since you intend to buy us, you must present adequate bargaining chips, and before that, I need to confirm whether you possess sufficient leverage.

Although Ye Wen was strong enough to easily kill Huang Quan and the others, strength did not equate to possessing the necessary bargaining chips. In this world, there were many strong individuals, but only those who could grant them what they truly desired were worthy of their allegiance.

Ye Wen was unaware that in this world, names could not be bestowed carelessly!

It was usually done by relatives, such as an elder naming a junior. However, Huang Quan and Lei Chan had not seen any family since they could remember, making this possibility remote. Zang Ma was a fox who achieved human form through fortuitous cultivation, so he too would have no relatives.

Alternatively, it was granted by powerful entities; lower beings might receive a name upon attaching themselves to such power.

The current situation leaned toward the latter. Huang Quan wanted to assess whether this man was truly worth him and his brothers following. Though Lei Chan remained silent, his thoughts were likely the same.

“I come from another world!” Ye Wen was unsure whether the people of this world knew about the Immortal Realm, or only a select few. But surely some did—otherwise, why would someone have traveled there, angered the Goddess Xuannü, and captured Li Xiaoyao?

“I know you come from the Upper Realm!” Chong Lou, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “And the world we live in is the Lower Realm. The two worlds are connected but remain separate. One can only travel to the Upper Realm via a single passage!”

At his words, all eyes turned to him. Ye Wen began to take a serious interest in the youth’s true identity.

From the confused expressions of Huang Quan and the others, it was clear they knew nothing of an ‘Upper Realm.’ Yet Chong Lou did, even though he had previously claimed to be as lowly as the rest. This seemed contradictory.

When Huang Quan and the others showed confusion, Ye Wen had already considered that perhaps only the powerhouses of this world knew these secrets. But Chong Lou knew, suggesting either he was hiding his true strength or he possessed a secret he was unwilling to share.

Chong Lou continued: “I was heading to the Upper Realm anyway!”

“Oh?” Ye Wen expressed surprise. He hadn't expected Chong Lou to be en route to the Immortal Realm. “Why?”

“To pursue greater power!”

An unsurprising answer. Ye Wen was now certain Chong Lou held some secret, likely tied to his origins. After all, every melodramatic soap opera followed that plot—due to this and that, one seeks power to become strong, returning to exact revenge or shock those who looked down upon them.

Ye Wen offered no judgment; such ambitions were often the driving force behind an individual’s progress. Being pleased by such determination, he certainly wouldn’t meddle with offering unsolicited comfort or counsel.

Subsequently, Chong Lou related what he knew about the ‘Upper Realm,’ allowing Ye Wen to grasp the general perception of the Immortal Realm held by the inhabitants of this world.

It turned out the term ‘Upper Realm’ was a rumor circulated by certain individuals, vague and lacking substantial detail.

However, compared to this chaotic world, the Upper Realm was described as a beautiful place, possessing scenic vistas and countless powerful entities.

What truly concerned Chong Lou was the presence of myriad powerful beings. He felt that in this chaotic world, it was nearly impossible to find the supreme power he yearned for. The best course of action was to ascend to the Upper Realm; perhaps only there could he find what he sought.

Ye Wen then inquired about the world itself and learned that it was chaotic, perpetually lacking a single, unifying powerhouse—resembling the Warring States period, where numerous factions fought incessantly, leading to constant rises and falls.

The strong were respected but rarely seen. Chong Lou wished to find a master but was constrained by his seemingly low status.

He was unwilling to join a faction and start from the lowest rungs, especially since low-level members in these organizations were merely cannon fodder, with few surviving the constant slaughter to rise through the ranks. Thus, he abandoned that thought and fixed his sights on the world he didn't understand.

Through this conversation, Ye Wen also grasped the local customs regarding names and understood why Huang Quan and the others had questioned him—they were gauging whether he was worth following.

“Interesting!”

With a light laugh, Ye Wen straightforwardly revealed his identity: “I am Ye Wen, the Sect Master of the Shushan Sect in the Eastern Immortal Realm, what Chong Lou calls the Upper Realm!”

The meaning of Sect Master did not require special explanation; this world had known sects and guilds in the past, though in recent years these had mostly transformed into various large or small factions. While a few held fast to their original ideologies, they were swiftly extinguished.

From this, Ye Wen deduced that some of this world’s concepts aligned with Eastern ones. He speculated that this dichotomy of an ‘Upper Clear’ and ‘Lower Turbid’ world might not involve just two realms.

This Lower Realm seemed to correspond only to the Eastern Immortal Realm. He wondered if the Western Divine Clan had a corresponding existence? If so… Ye Wen suddenly recalled a figure in Olympian mythology called the Abyss. Perhaps that was the Lower Realm for the Western Divine Clan?

It was merely speculation, and Ye Wen wasn't keen on traveling west to investigate. However, if time allowed, he could send Yuwentuo to look into it. If possible, establishing arrangements there as well would give his Shushan Sect more than just ‘three burrows.’

Turning his attention back, Ye Wen then told the group: “I came here concerning a disciple, not to establish a force here. However, if you can assist me, guiding you in return as compensation might be arranged!”

These individuals understood what a sect was—a place dedicated to teaching skills. Years ago, they had considered joining a sect for training, but as the situation grew more chaotic and those sects mostly vanished, they remained here.

Now, hearing that this visitor from the ‘Upper Realm’ was a Sect Master, it implied he was highly skilled at instruction.

Zang Ma and Lei Chan exchanged glances. Huang Quan pondered with his head bowed for a moment, finally concluding that this arrangement offered significant benefits without requiring fealty or submission. If they helped him complete his task, they could learn skills and increase their own strength—a clearly advantageous trade.

As for Chong Lou, his eyes lit up; he seemed to have a different agenda in mind but kept it to himself for the moment.

“Agreed!”

Huang Quan and the others didn’t deliberate for long before nodding their assent. Ye Wen smiled and nodded, then introduced the people behind him one by one.

After this exchange was concluded, as they resumed their journey, Chong Lou finally spoke: “If I wish to learn more and better techniques from you, what must I do?”

“Oh?” Ye Wen had already noticed him. He had expected Chong Lou to hold back longer but was surprised he got straight to the point.

Thinking for a moment, Ye Wen gave a direct answer: “Become my disciple!” But before the sentence was fully out, Ye Wen added, “However, I will not accept you yet. I must observe you for a period first!”