"I don't recommend recruiting tributes; it could very well bring a wolf into the house."

Tian Wenxin originally didn't want to say much to avoid Li Feng thinking she was overshadowing him, but upon hearing Li Batian mention recruiting tributes, she had to speak up and remind him.

"Recruiting tributes can indeed quickly enhance combat strength, but it's also a double-edged sword. If the Li Family were a large family with deep roots, recruiting some tributes could indeed enhance the family's strength."

As she spoke, Tian Wenxin looked at Li Feng.

"However, if there is no such foundation, recruitment of tributes not only won't enhance your strength but also requires caution against ill intentions."

"So doing this would only be counterproductive."

Li Batian watched Tian Wenxin voice her objections, and his brow furrowed subtly, thinking that she had completely stolen his words, making him seem sinister instead.

"Family Head, actually, I had the same concern earlier, which made me hesitate. But if the Family Head has some life-and-death relationship worth entrusting, recruiting for tribute would be viable."

Li Feng listened to Li Batian's supplement. He had no one he could trust now. If he had to say there was someone, it would be the group that initially entered the Kunlun Void with him, although they all scattered when entering Kunlun Void.

Li Feng had been in Ancestor Dragon City for quite some time and only met Lin Luoyin. As for the whereabouts of others, he hadn't investigated due to previously struggling for food and drink, thus lacking the energy to search.

Now that he had established himself at the Sixth Ring, he could start searching.

Among people from the outside, the ones Li Feng could trust were only a few from the Mo Yin Sect. As for the others, he wasn't familiar with them, so couldn't count on them even if found.

Even though entering Kunlun Void from the outside could tremendously boost strength, it wouldn't be significantly stronger than Xiao Luobing.

So Li Batian's words were equivalent to saying nothing.

Regarding Tian Wenxin's concerns, Li Feng understood; self-reliance is crucial, and recruiting unfamiliar people could indeed bring a wolf into the house, especially now that Li Feng had gained half of the wealth from both the Zeng Family and the Fang Family, which was quite a substantial sum combined.

"Let's put recruiting tributes aside for now. Besides this, are there any other methods or avenues to enhance our strength or increase our bargaining chips for self-preservation?"

"Family Head, aren't you acquainted with the Ji Family's eldest young master? If you could get a word from him, that would be better than…!"

Li Batian thought of Ji Wuyang, who stood out yesterday. He was the Ji Family's eldest young master, a level above the Sikong family.

The reason why the Zeng Family backed off that day was not just because of Li Feng's Vermilion Bird Bloodline but also because the Ji Family intervened.

Even the Zeng Family's support wasn't much in the face of the Ji Family.

Before Li Batian could finish, Li Feng interrupted directly: "Don't even think about that. I only have a very feeble relationship with the Ji Family, not reliable at all."

"Forget external forces for now, let's think from within ourselves."

Li Batian, seeing Li Feng's refusal, shut his mouth. Clearly, relying on a powerful figure was the simplest solution, but he couldn't understand what the Family Head was thinking.

"There's another path we could take, but it involves some difficulty."

Li Feng looked at Li Batian, who kept coming up with "bad ideas": "Just say it, quit the suspense."

"Since the Family Head doesn't want external forces involved, nor to rely on any family, then you can only choose to join a sect with strong capabilities."

"Oh?"

Li Feng frowned, but Li Batian continued: "Family Head, to me, power consists not only of personal strength, but family, background, network—all of these can be seen as forms of power."

"Since personal strength cannot be enhanced quickly, and family strength cannot increase suddenly, and the Family Head doesn't want to find a patron, the only option left is to strengthen power through networks."

"Generally, these network relationships are divided into several categories: first is marriage alliances, but the Family Head doesn't meet this condition; second is mentorship, but that relationship depends on fate, so it's also not suitable for now; third is peers within a sect."

"After much thought, this seems to be the best option."

"Peers within a sect."

Li Feng pondered, recalling the three bonds of life: sharing a dormitory, serving in the army together, and visiting brothels together.

In Ancestor Dragon City, both family and sect forces coexist, with various families using blood kinship to form clans, besides which there are the diverse sects.

Family ties are mainly based on blood relations, supplemented by master-servant relationships, making them quite exclusive, whereas sects differ as they are open to all cultivators. As long as paths are compatible, they can become fellow practitioners, no matter their differing family backgrounds. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As members of the same sect, individuals inherently bear the sect's imprint; if others bully you, fellow sect members will help you. If a sect's disciples are bullied without any response from the sect, it wouldn't be long before the sect dissolves.

Tian Wenxin also spoke up: "Ancestor Dragon City is filled with numerous sects; even a Golden Core can establish a sect. However, most such sects consist of like-minded individuals grouped together, mostly minor activities."

"If the Family Head wants to expand his network and find a sect as support, the best choice would be the top ten sects of the Ancestor Dragon City."

"These top ten sects can be categorized into three mountains, five sects, and two large grotto heavens. The three mountains are Sacred Mountains of the Three Sects, which are the hardest to enter unless someone introduces you or you have some unique fortune, making entry difficult."

"The options are the five sects and two grotto heavens. I noticed the Family Head seems to favor sword usage, so perhaps you could consider the Sword Control Pavilion."

"The Sword Control Pavilion is renowned in Ancestor Dragon for its swordsmanship, and the Pavilion Master is famed as a Sword Saint, with exceptional sword skills. Moreover, the Pavilion Master is very protective of his disciples; if you can enter the Sword Control Pavilion and be accepted as an Inner Sect Disciple, that would essentially grant you an amulet."

"Sword Control Pavilion?"

Li Feng recalled that outside Heaven Tower, he had fought someone from the Sword Control Pavilion, and the King Sword in his possession was snatched from their hands.

Moreover, the person he defeated was supposedly one of the top ten experts of the Sword Control Pavilion. If Li Feng were to join, it seemed asking for trouble, bound to be targeted incessantly.

Li Feng shook his head: "Sword Control Pavilion won't work, I fought someone from there before."

Tian Wenxin blinked, realizing this person really did have many enemies.

"Then among the remaining sects, which one does the Family Head find fitting?" Tian Wenxin stopped recommending. The top ten sects are, indeed, famous in Ancestor Dragon City, each with its strengths and weaknesses, and joining them naturally brings many benefits.