"So, Ye Bufan saved us? Did you see Ye Bufan make a move?" Zhang Ting's eyes were full of anticipation. She had originally thought that Martial Gods were too distant for them, but now, practicing martial arts comprehensively was already a trend. To be saved by a legendary figure made her feel a sense of unreality.
Seeing Yao Tong speechless for a long time, Zhang Ting walked over and found her distracted.
"What's wrong? Are you smitten with the newly promoted Martial God, Ye Bufan?" Zhang Ting teased. "Our Yao Tong has such high standards, and you've already fallen for someone called Ye Bufan in such a short time?"
"What are you talking about, Sister Ting!" Yao Tong turned to look at Zhang Ting. "I'm really thinking about what just happened. Ye Bufan didn't make a move at all. Jiang Xuanji from Yueban Hotel handled everything. Moreover, I saw that Nangong Yi, Jin Yuchen, and Yuchi Qiyang from first-tier families seemed to have a good relationship with Ye Bufan."
As Zhang Ting spoke, she took out a laptop from her bag and searched.
"According to the information available so far, Jin Yuchen of the Jin family received Ye Bufan's support in Jinhe and successfully took charge a few months ago by driving out the original Jin family head, all thanks to Ye Bufan," Zhang Ting said. "As for Nangong Yi, they met at the 'Number One Martial Arts Competition Under Heaven.' It seems Nangong Yi's breakthrough to Martial Venerable was also because of Ye Bufan."
Yao Tong turned to Zhang Ting and said, "It was Jin Yuchen from the Jin family who brought us back just now."
Zhang Ting narrowed her eyes and smiled, knowing what Yao Tong was getting at.
"I understand. I'll check now to see if your endorsement schedule has any conflicts with the Jin, Nangong, or Yuchi families. We'll prioritize filming those, and I'll try to get back the ones we previously turned down," Zhang Ting said, taking out her phone and starting to contact people.
Yao Tong turned to look downstairs. The martial artists who had come to see Ye Bufan were slowly dispersing from the hotel entrance, replaced by fans holding their support signs.
It was at this moment that an image of Ye Bufan suddenly appeared in Yao Tong's mind, especially when she was in despair, about to be taken away by Wu Zhanpeng's two Great Martial Lords, and Ye Bufan stood at the doorway.
At that moment, Yao Tong's heart was filled with excitement. Ye Bufan had witnessed the most humiliating moment of Yao Tong's life.
Thinking of this, Yao Tong's face turned slightly red. Realizing this, she quickly shook her head.
Whether it was Zhang Ting or Yao Tong, both knew that at this time, cooperating with companies under the Nangong, Yuchi, and Jin families was both an expression of gratitude and a need for a backing.
With Zhang Ting's skillful maneuvering, Wu Zhanpeng's company also learned about the incident. After the new person in charge took office, they inquired about Zhang Ting and Yao Tong's requests, and even the liquidated damages were nominal.
The two left their old employer and immediately announced that they were starting their own business. It was then that everyone realized that the currently popular artists were all under Zhang Ting and Yao Tong's management.
...
Meanwhile, Jin Yuchen, Nangong Yi, and Yuchi Qiyang arrived at a large hotel under the Jin family. The cuisine here was considered the best in the entire capital, with reservations and queues extending to a year later.
Sitting in the private room prepared by Jin Yuchen, Jin Yuchen, Nangong Yi, and Yuchi Qiyang took turns toasting, while chatting with Ye Bufan intermittently.
After a few rounds of drinks, Nangong Yi became more talkative, and the initial formality among them disappeared.
"Ye Bufan, tell me the truth, were you already a Martial God at the martial arts competition?" Nangong Yi asked.
"At that time..." Ye Bufan pondered for a moment and then continued, "Strictly speaking, I was just transitioning from Martial Saint to Great Martial Saint."
"Hiss—"
Nangong Yi and Yuchi Yan Nian took a sharp breath, while Jin Yuchen appeared much calmer.
"Jin Yuchen, were you already aware?" Nangong Yi asked.
Jin Yuchen smiled slightly and said, "The first time I met Mr. Ye, the strength he displayed surprised me greatly. He saw through my secret martial arts practice at a glance. Later, my master speculated that Mr. Ye's strength or background was not simple, which led to subsequent events."
"Aren't you guys shocked that Ye Bufan only took a few months to go from Great Martial Saint to the current Martial God?" Yuchi Qiyang chimed in.
After Yuchi Qiyang's words, Jin Yuchen and Nangong Yi were completely taken aback. Such a speed was probably unmatched by anyone in the current world.
Nangong Yi pondered for a long time, his words caught in his throat. Ye Bufan looked at him.
"Whatever you want to say, just speak freely," Ye Bufan said.
Nangong Yi suddenly stood up, walked in front of Ye Bufan, and said, "Mr. Ye, I am certain that your sect is not simple. Your cultivation speed and your power are evident to all of us. I, Nangong Yi, admire strength, so I wish to become your disciple."
Ye Bufan was slightly taken aback. He didn't easily accept disciples, but now, due to an agreement with the Taiyi Divine Sect, he already had a plan in mind.
"I do not accept disciples," Ye Bufan stated.
Nangong Yi looked crestfallen. Jin Yuchen and Yuchi Qiyang stood by the side, silently observing the situation. If Nangong Yi succeeded, the other two would immediately follow suit and forcefully ask to be accepted as disciples.
Besides the potential improvement in their strength after becoming disciples, it would also mean that their families would have a Martial God backing them.
Ye Bufan was naturally aware of this implication. Such a situation could easily disrupt the balance between these families, which was why Ye Bufan refused.
He himself couldn't accept disciples, but the Taiyi Divine Sect within the Ring of Taiyi could. They could become disciples of the Taiyi Divine Sect, thus allowing Ye Bufan to fulfill the task of recruiting disciples given to him by the Taiyi Divine Sect.
"However, I can introduce you to other sects," Ye Bufan continued. The reason for saying this was actually to distance himself.
"Really?" Nangong Yi was overjoyed. A sect introduced by Ye Bufan would undoubtedly be remarkable.
At this point, seeing this, Jin Yuchen and Yuchi Qiyang also took action. They stepped forward without a word, knelt before Ye Bufan, and said, "Please, Mr. Ye, help us with an introduction."
Ye Bufan smiled helplessly and said, "Alright, but not now. Tomorrow, find an open, deserted place and give me the address. I will introduce you then. Remember, only the three of you are to know about this."