Gao Feiyang thought about it more and more, feeling it was a solid idea, and the smile on his face grew increasingly enthusiastic. “Junior Brother Zhou, Junior Sister Chen, with your talents, it’s truly a pity for you to remain in the Outer Sect.”

He paused for a moment, extending an olive branch. “My Young Mistress has always valued talent and cherishes capable individuals. She is currently recruiting worthy talents far and wide. I wonder if Junior Brother Zhou would be willing to serve the Young Mistress?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kai’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected this pleasant surprise; his original intention was merely to befriend Gao Feiyang.

He had had enough of the life of a Loose Cultivator. Being without support, every step was fraught with thorns; a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.

He understood the principle well: it’s easier to rest in the shade of a great tree.

Moreover, if this Young Mistress could earn such high praise from Gao Feiyang, she must undoubtedly be an extraordinary figure!

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Zhou Kai asked, “I have never heard of this Young Mistress’s name. May I ask which esteemed personage she is?”

Seeing that Zhou Kai had taken the bait, Gao Feiyang felt pleased with himself. He smoothed the glittering characters on his cloak, appearing even more self-satisfied.

“My Young Mistress is none other than the renowned Li Youci! Junior Brother Zhou, have you heard of her?” His tone carried a hint of pride, as if merely being associated with that name was something worth boasting about.

Zhou Kai certainly hadn’t heard the three characters “Li Youci,” but he did know that surname—Li!

That surname was like thunder to his ears!

Calamity Abyss Valley, as a famously prominent major cultivation sect in the Eastern Region, stood firm and unshakable, its power and foundation immensely deep. Supporting this colossal entity were three major families, one of which was the Li family!

These three great families wielded immense authority; one could almost say Calamity Abyss Valley was practically run by them.

This was no ordinary powerful backer! This was a super backer countless times thicker and stronger than he had imagined!

If he could latch onto this, let alone the Fu family of Golden Copper Dock, even ten Fu families tied together wouldn’t be worth a glance!

And not only did he want to latch onto this Li Youci, he also wanted to… woo her!

Once successful, wouldn’t he be able to swagger around the eleven sects of the Eastern Region?!

“Li Youci…” he repeated the name softly. “May I ask Senior Brother Gao… is she from… from the Li family, one of the three giants of Calamity Abyss Valley?”

Gao Feiyang looked at Zhou Kai’s reaction with great satisfaction; this was exactly the effect he wanted!

He placed his hands behind his back before bringing them to his chest, slightly raising his chin with an expression that said, You’ve finally asked the right question.

“Exactly! The Young Mistress is a direct descendant of the Li family, showered with familial affection. Her talent is astonishing; at a young age, she has already made a name for herself throughout Calamity Abyss Valley!”

Speaking excitedly now, he became even more animated.

“Take just over fifty days ago! Ha! Those bastards from the Heavenly Spring Sect and Lone Goose Palace relied on their numbers. And what happened? They were chased and beaten by my Young Mistress alone! She sent them fleeing in disarray!”

“What’s even more incredible is that the Young Mistress… she even directly confronted a Golden Core cultivator from the Heavenly Spring Sect! Although they only exchanged a few moves, it was enough to make that old fellow look utterly disgraced! Since that battle, the name ‘Li Youci’ has become known far and wide!”

Chen Ziyi nestled close to Zhou Kai, listening to Gao Feiyang recount the glorious exploits of that “Young Mistress.” A complex expression involuntarily appeared on her delicate face.

Having just experienced a life-and-death struggle—though they emerged unscathed—she had been almost unable to help her husband. Her husband had broken through from the Meridian Opening second layer to the fifth layer in just over ten days; his cultivation aptitude was a Superior-Grade Spirit Root; his future achievements were limitless. And herself?

Her Fire Spirit Root aptitude was mediocre; her realm advancement relied entirely on her husband feeding her pills. How could she continue to stay by her husband’s side in the future and share his burdens?

This Li Youci came from an illustrious family, possessed formidable Mana, and was beautiful. How could her husband not be tempted?

Her own father, at the Qi Condensation first layer, had dozens of Mortal concubines. Although she and Ziqing held the title of Dao Companion now… if there were more sisters in the future… inevitably there would be distinctions of rank and status… A wave of bitterness and anxiety welled up in her heart.

Zhou Kai keenly sensed his beloved’s emotional fluctuation. His heart stirred slightly as he unobtrusively reached out and gently squeezed her cool fingertips, conveying a touch of warmth and reassurance.

Although now wasn’t the time for romantic sentiments, he wouldn’t neglect Ziyi’s feelings.

Chen Ziyi was slightly taken aback. Feeling the warmth of his palm and that unspoken comfort eased some of her unease. She gently squeezed back in return; tenderness returned to her eyes.

Only then did Zhou Kai turn back and ask, “Senior Brother Gao… could it be about Crouching Tiger Mountain?”

“Huh?” Gao Feiyang said curiously. “How did you know they fought at Crouching Tiger Mountain?”

Zhou Kai sighed ruefully. “To be honest with you, Senior Brother Gao, I am just a Loose Cultivator from Crouching Tiger Mountain. I had heard some rumors but never imagined that Young Mistress participated in that great battle.”

I wonder how Wang Qiaoqiao and Ziqing are faring, he thought to himself.

Zhou Kai steadied himself and looked at Gao Feiyang with resolute determination in his tone. “Senior Brother Gao! I am honored by your regard! Zhou Kai is willing to follow your arrangements!”

He didn’t directly say he was willing to serve the Young Mistress but cleverly shifted the focus to “follow your arrangements.”

This statement was extremely well-phrased. It expressed his intention to pledge allegiance while subtly elevating Gao Feiyang’s status further—making Gao Feiyang feel like he was the recommender and leader—giving him ample face.

“Hahaha! Good! Good! Junior Brother Zhou is indeed straightforward!” Gao Feiyang was greatly pleased upon hearing this. He inwardly praised: This kid not only has good talent but also knows how to speak so well! Savvy! Recommending him to the Young Mistress will definitely bring no small credit!

Immediately, without further ado, Gao Feiyang took out a blank Jade Slip. His Divine Sense sank into it briefly before he handed it over to Zhou Kai; it was covered with a faint layer of spiritual light Restriction.

“Junior Brother Zhou, this is my letter of recommendation for the Young Mistress. Keep it safe. Once you return to the sect later, use this Jade Slip to seek out the Young Mistress.”

Zhou Kai accepted the Jade Slip and stored it inside his robe before showing an expression of difficulty.

“Thank you for your guidance and support, Senior Brother Gao!” He first expressed sincere gratitude before shifting gears. “However… Senior Brother Gao… Ziyi and I have just entered the sect; our foundation is still shallow.”

“Moreover… we still have some mundane matters left unsettled. Having become disciples of Calamity Abyss Valley this time also requires us to return home and make arrangements there, too… This round trip plus handling trivial affairs means we likely won’t be able to return quickly…”

“Our cultivation levels aren’t high originally, either… If we delay our cultivation further… when we finally get an audience with the Young Mistress, then… Ah… It would be minor if we two lose face personally… But if, because of this, the Young Mistress thinks Senior Brother Gao recommended unsuitable people, thus damaging your reputation, Senior Brother Gao—that would truly be unforgivable!”

The implication couldn’t be clearer—Senior Brother Gao, look at our situation; shouldn’t we get some “start-up funds”?

“You little…” After listening, Gao Feiyang inwardly cursed him out loud: Good grief! Just connected lines, haven’t even done anything yet, and already crying poor asking for benefits?! Really unwilling to take any loss whatsoever, huh?!

Forget it, forget it… Gao Feiyang waved his hand dismissively.

“No need to worry, Junior Brother Zhou… You haven’t officially completed enrollment procedures yet, so naturally, you cannot access core sect inheritances and resources temporarily… However…”

“I see both of you cultivate physique. Vitality robust—you must follow the body tempering path, right?”

Seeing both nod in affirmation, Gao Feiyang pulled out a brand-new small booklet. “Alright then, consider this ‘Roaming Dragon White Jade Body’ my personal gift. Practice diligently; don’t truly embarrass me later!”

Chen Ziyi’s eyes instantly lit up. She was a pure body cultivator; her desire for body tempering techniques far exceeded Zhou Kai’s.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Gao, for the generous gift!” Zhou Kai and Chen Ziyi hurriedly bowed respectfully.

“Alright, alright, all fellow Junior Siblings, no need for formalities.” Gao Feiyang impatiently waved his hand, appearing casual and unconcerned. “Given the stuff, given the letter, still not hurrying back to handle your messy affairs? Go early, return early, don’t keep the Young Mistress waiting impatiently!”

“We take our leave now!” Zhou Kai, holding Chen Ziyi’s hand, turned swiftly without delay and left the messy scene behind.

Watching the two gradually receding figures, Gao Feiyang’s smile slowly faded, and his flamboyant, ostentatious demeanor diminished considerably, too.

He walked leisurely over to Fu Sheng’s corpse and activated the Qi Gazing Bone Viewing technique.

“Hmm… bone age forty-nine… meridians blocked, stagnant… Mana weak and impure… Tsk tsk… this cultivation is ten out of ten forcefully piled up using pills. The foundation is utterly terrible…”

“The Fu family… Golden Copper Dock Fu family sending such useless trash… still a marginal branch descendant wanting to join our Calamity Abyss Valley… why?”

“Forget it, whatever they want to do.”

His palm flipped over, revealing a small pinch of gray-white medicinal powder. He flicked his finger and evenly scattered it over the four corpses on the ground.

Sizzle…

An ear-grating corrosive sound arose, accompanied by wispy green smoke. The four corpses on the ground, along with the bloodstains, visibly melted and decomposed, eventually turning into a pool of foul-smelling bloody water that seeped into the soil, leaving not even a trace of bone residue behind.