“Junior Sister Bai, this is the Archive Repository. It holds the records of all disciples who have entered the sect over the past thousand years.”

A short while later, Yin Qingyuan led Bai Xirou to several large storehouses. He then took out a pale golden bead from his robe, activated it, and the protective restrictions on the storehouses immediately dissipated, revealing a passageway.

“Elder Yin, please go attend to your duties. I can enter by myself.”

Bai Xirou nodded to him, then pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.

Damn!

Watching her graceful and slender figure disappear inside, Yin Qingyuan’s expression gradually darkened. This was bad.

This girl had always been sharp-minded. If she discovered any flaws…

As if struck by a thought, Yin Qingyuan immediately turned and left, hurrying back toward his own cave abode.

Once back in his cave, he took a deep breath, then lightly flicked his sleeve, activating a formation within the room designed to shield him from heavenly prying.

After confirming no one could spy on him, he carefully retrieved a communication talisman covered in silver patterns from a hidden compartment under his bed and channeled spiritual power into it.

Soon, a low and indifferent voice transmitted from within the talisman.

“What is it?”

Yin Qingyuan’s expression turned solemn as he respectfully replied:

“Reporting to my master. Regarding your previous order for this subordinate to monitor the movements of True Disciple Ji in Falling Cloud Valley, I have kept it firmly in mind. For these three years, she has remained within the Outer Sect’s medicinal garden without leaving for even a moment.”

“This subordinate secretly believes that True Disciple Ji’s purpose in coming here is not to control Falling Cloud Valley, but that she has another aim. What she is concerned with is likely within that medicinal garden.”

Hearing this, the other side seemed momentarily stunned before speaking with evident interest.

“You are correct. That good Junior Sister of mine holds a revered position within The Saint Sect and possesses an exceedingly arrogant nature. Without some immense benefit, she would never condescend to waste three years of her time in some backwater place.”

“Regardless of what Ji Chan’er is searching for, as her Senior Brother, I should help share her burdens and solve her difficulties. Only then would I not fail our bond as fellow disciples.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingyuan’s brow twitched slightly as he tentatively asked, “Then what does my master intend?”

A sinister chuckle came from the talisman.

“This lord plans to make a personal visit and give Junior Sister Ji a little surprise along the way.”

Yin Qingyuan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly replied:

“Master, currently Bai Xirou, the daughter of Falling Cloud Valley’s Sect Master, is investigating the circumstances of newly entered disciples over recent years. It’s highly likely she will investigate True Disciple Ji. When that happens, there will inevitably be some entanglement.”

In response to this reminder, the other side merely pondered briefly before his tone turned icy.

“A mere Falling Cloud Valley? This lord could wipe it out with a wave of my hand. What need is there for so many concerns?”

Yin Qingyuan immediately voiced his agreement. “The master is wise.”

“You dog slave certainly know how to flatter.”

The other party sneered. “This lord will arrive soon. You continue to keep a close watch and report immediately if anything develops.”

“Yes.”

Yin Qingyuan respectfully assented once more.

Putting away the talisman, a ferocious smile appeared on Yin Qingyuan’s face.

“Ji Chan’er! Relying on your background from The Saint Sect and your noble status, you really think I’m a fool!”

“You keep saying you’ll help me seize the Sect Master position, yet you show not a shred of sincerity. All you do is hide in that medicinal garden playing deaf and dumb. It’s clear you just want to use me and my son.”

“Since you are so heartless and ungrateful, don’t blame me for finding another patron…”

As his words fell, a cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. He then quietly exited his cave abode, summoned his escape light, and headed toward the Entry into Dao Pavilion.

Inner Sect.

Thousand Verdant Peak Cave Abode.

Qi Yuan slowly opened his eyes. A sharp gleam flashed through his clear pupils as Sword Intent coiled around his entire body, his aura stern and imposing.

The small golden sword hidden within his Sea of Consciousness also trembled rapidly, faintly emitting a resonant hum.

His cultivation had long reached the limit of the Golden Core realm. The true essence within his body could increase no further, making it the perfect time to focus on cultivating the Cloud Soaring Sword Scripture, nurturing Sword Intent, and tempering his physical body.

When he entered the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, his Heavenly Spirit Root was tested and found to be a Metal-attribute variant Spirit Root, most suitable for cultivating the Sword Path. Therefore, he chose one of the Sanctuary’s supreme legacies, the Cloud Soaring Sword Scripture, as his primary method of combat.

Of course, during this period, Qi Yuan hadn’t encountered a single worthy opponent, so naturally, there had been no need to draw his sword.

It would be like using an anti-aircraft gun to kill a mosquito—using a Treasure-grade Profound Heaven Sword to kill someone like Xu Biao at the fifth layer of Qi Refining?

Spiritual artifacts in this world were as vast as an ocean but could be roughly divided into four grades.

The lowest grade was Magical Artifacts. Their power was limited and their spirituality weak; they could only rely on their inherent magical power in combat.

The grade above Magical Artifacts was Treasure Artifacts. At this level, artifacts gained the ability to commune with Heaven and Earth, borrowing its power for combat with even greater might.

The next grade up was Spiritual Treasures. Spiritual Treasures were an evolution of Treasure Artifacts; they possessed intelligence and could cultivate on their own. Their power was peerless. Almost every Spiritual Treasure served as a mountain-guarding treasure for various top-tier powers and would never be used lightly except in critical moments.

Above Spiritual Treasures were Immortal Artifacts. In this great world, Immortal Artifacts existed only in legends; none had ever appeared in reality.

Qi Yuan’s life-bound treasure artifact was precisely a high-grade Treasure Artifact-level Profound Heaven Sword.

After finishing his cultivation session and preparing to tidy up his new cave abode, he suddenly sensed someone approaching. He immediately stood up and walked toward the door.

Upon seeing who it was, a trace of surprise flashed in Qi Yuan’s eyes.

“Junior Brother Lin? What brings you here?”

Lin Zhen currently had a ruddy complexion and was full of energy; clearly, he was in very high spirits. Seeing Qi Yuan, he immediately stepped forward eagerly and shoved a storage pouch into Qi Yuan’s hand.

“Brother Qi! I’ve brought you spirit stones! Your place was really hard to find; I wandered around this mountain for half the day before finally locating it.”

“What spirit stones?”

Qi Yuan was taken aback but took the storage pouch nonetheless. A sweep with his spiritual sense revealed a large pile of low-grade spirit stones inside—at least four or five thousand.

Lin Zhen chuckled. “Brother Qi! I followed your instructions and bet all my spirit stones on you at the betting pool. The result? One thousand spirit stones turned into ten thousand! A full nine thousand profit!”

“If it weren’t for you, how could I have earned such an enormous windfall? I decided we should split it fifty-fifty. This storage pouch contains four thousand five hundred spirit stones.”

Afraid Qi Yuan might refuse it, he hurriedly added:

“Brother Qi! This is just a small token of my appreciation; you absolutely must accept it! Otherwise… I wouldn’t have the face to see you again in the future.”

“Alright then.”

Seeing this display, Qi Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony either and directly accepted the storage pouch.

If nothing else could be said about him—this kid certainly knew how to show gratitude. Though perhaps a bit simple-minded, his character wasn’t bad at all.

Seeing him accept the storage pouch so readily brought a wide smile to Lin Zhen’s face.

Then Lin Zhen’s expression turned serious as he stated solemnly:

“Brother Qi… there’s an elder who wishes to speak with you.”

What?

Qi Yuan’s expression grew slightly tense but quickly returned to calmness as he agreed without hesitation.

“Alright. No problem.”