Qi Xuansu spent the entire day running around and successfully got things arranged for Huangfu Ji. His main role was to connect the right people. He hosted a tea meeting between the Chief Deputy of Shibo Hall and Huangfu Ji, settling most of the deal. The remaining details would be handled by their subordinates, leading to a formal contract.

For an individual, 1.5 million Taiping coins was a huge sum. Qi Xuansu had carried massive debts across two lifetimes and still had no personal stipend. He was essentially broke. But for the Daoist Order, it was not a significant amount at all, not even worth bringing to the Golden Tower Council. The Nine Halls had sufficient autonomy to handle it.

If the previous Golden Tower Council meeting had produced a formal resolution, it might have influenced this matter. But since no decision was reached, that created a different political climate altogether.

The key was that the Western Daoist Order’s terms were extremely generous. It was an investment of 1.5 million Taiping coins with an expected return of 3 million Taiping coins. Anyone would see it as a profitable deal.

The Nine Halls also cared about performance. For the Shibo Hall, performance meant money. Big windfall deals, like the arms trade earlier in the year, were rare and dependent on perfect conditions. Normally, success came from steady, long-term investments like this.

Once the port was built, the Western Daoist Order would provide land, labor, raw materials, and policy support, while the Daoist Order would contribute capital, technology, networks, and overseas markets. It was a clear win-win partnership.

After resolving these matters, Qi Xuansu met with Great Sage Shi.

This time, it was for official business.

Great Sage Shi summoned Qi Xuansu because Huangfu Ji planned to visit the Wanxiang Daoist Palace to study the Daoist Order’s talent development system.

Great Sage Shi wanted Qi Xuansu, as an outstanding alumnus of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, to accompany Huangfu Ji during the visit.

This was already part of Qi Xuansu’s plan. Even without Huangfu Ji, he intended to visit.

However, Great Sage Shi had another request. He wanted Qi Xuansu to give a speech as a distinguished senior to encourage younger students. So he asked Qi Xuansu to prepare in advance.

Great Sage Shi was not making Qi Xuansu do this for nothing. A few years ago, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace introduced a recognition system, inspired by Western practices. Only the most outstanding students were selected. However, it excluded high-ranking Daoists who studied in the Upper Palace. Otherwise, it would include nearly all top figures in the Daoist Order and lose its meaning. Thus, Zhang Yuelu, Yao Pei, and others were not eligible.

This program mainly targeted those from the Lower Palace. Qi Xuansu had already been confirmed to be part of the program and was about to be recognized as an outstanding member. Therefore, his speech would also serve as an acceptance speech. It would go something along the lines of, “Yesterday, I took pride in the Daoist Palace; tomorrow, the Daoist Palace will take pride in me.”

If one never rose to prominence, they could only say they graduated from a certain Daoist Palace. Their biggest and only label remained that of a student, as if their life stopped the moment they entered it. But if one succeeded, then the Daoist Palace produced a great figure. Their time there was merely one stage in life, nothing particularly special.

In the first thirty years, the Daoist Palace honored the students. In the next thirty years, the students honored the Daoist Palace.

If Qi Xuansu became the Grand Master, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace would likely erect statues and monuments for him, boasting that they had trained the Grand Master.”

Many people had already analyzed that even if Qi Xuansu failed to compete for Grand Master or one of the Three Deputy Grand Masters, he still had two solid paths—the Grand Master’s lineage, succeeding Great Sage Jiang, or the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, succeeding Great Sage Shi.

The latter was especially possible, since Qi Xuansu had come from the Wanxiang Daoist Lower Palace. If he chose to compete for the position, few could rival him. One should not underestimate the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master. If done well, their students would be everywhere, and everyone would respectfully call them “Great Instructor.”

Qi Xuansu felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had dreamed of something similar before. It was about him giving a speech for his daughter’s graduation at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu agreed without hesitation.

He planned to have Chen Jianchou draft a speech, make a few edits himself, and then simply read it on stage.

Great Sage Shi’s emphasis on sincerity was not about the words themselves, but about the delivery in the moment.

Qi Xuansu had a busy day. After meeting Great Sage Shi, he still had to meet Madam Qi regarding the apprenticeship ceremony.

Sage Donghua’s status was significant, and it was a formal occasion, so everything had to be done carefully. Yet the gift also could not be too extravagant, as that would harm his reputation.

Qi Xuansu raised this concern immediately, and Madam Qi assured him she would handle it.

Although Madam Qi had never failed him, Qi Xuansu still did not dare leave everything entirely to her.

Madam Qi arrived at Qi Xuansu’s new residence as promised, walked around, and gave her approval. “Not bad. You’ve tidied it up well.”

Qi Xuansu specifically showed her the residence he prepared for her, the courtyard behind the central compound, right next to the garden. Typically, this was where an elderly matriarch would live after handing over household authority.

Madam Qi scoffed, “Am I that old? Who wants to live under the same roof as you two? If you expect me to live under your watch, you can wait until you become the Grand Master. No, even then, it’s not happening.”

Qi Xuansu replied indifferently, “Suit yourself.”

“You brat, the higher your rank, the bolder you become. Now that your wings have hardened, you think I can’t deal with you, and that’s why you don’t take me seriously anymore, huh?” Madam Qi took out a box. “In that case, do you still want the apprenticeship gift?”

Qi Xuansu immediately changed his tone. “Of course I want it!”

Madam Qi snorted, “Hmm?”

Qi Xuansu patted her back, signaling her to calm down. “I was just joking.”

“Hmph!” Madam Qi scoffed.

Qi Xuansu sighed. “Name your condition.”

Madam Qi glanced sideways at him. “What right do you have to bargain with me? Your salary has already been advanced 90 years into the future—”

Qi Xuansu interrupted, “So there’s nothing to discuss?”

Madam Qi said, “Let me take Little Yin for a few days.”

“You?” Qi Xuansu showed obvious distrust. “Are you even capable of watching her?”

“If you can do it, why can’t I?” Madam Qi shot back. “Don’t tell me you think you’re actually good with kids?”

Qi Xuansu said earnestly, “Children aren’t just extensions of their elders. They have independent personalities. We should fully respect their personal choices.”

Madam Qi said confidently, “Then go ask Little Yin if she’s willing.”

On one side was Zhang Yuelu, who made Little Yin study all day. On the other side was Madam Qi, who encouraged fun and indulgence. Anyone could easily guess who Little Yin would choose.

Among those close to Little Yin, whoever restricted her less was the “good person.” Compared to her Grandpa, Old Qi managed her less, so he was good. Compared to Old Qi and Old Zhang, Madam Qi restricted her even less, so she was the best.

However, Zhang Yuelu had indeed been very busy lately, and Little Yin was quite a handful. Leaving her with Madam Qi was not a bad idea. After all, Qi Xuansu himself was raised by Madam Qi and turned out fine. Besides, Madam Qi had one advantage. She could cook and even make mooncakes.

Qi Xuansu said, “Anyway, Little Yin will be coming for the ceremony. You can ask her yourself. I have no objections.”

Madam Qi tossed the box to Qi Xuansu. “Take a look.”

Qi Xuansu opened the box and saw two sticks of ink inside.

Although bottled ink was available, those serious about calligraphy and painting still used ink sticks that were ground on the spot, allowing for adjustment of ink density. Generally, when a superior wrote or painted, a subordinate would take on the task of grinding ink, making it natural to discuss matters at the same time.

Thus, master ink-makers emerged. The ink sticks they produced often bore inscriptions. Some had become collectibles due to the ink maker’s reputation and their age.

Qi Xuansu said, “Sage Donghua has seen everything. Wouldn’t these two ink sticks be a bit underwhelming?”

Madam Qi stared at him as if he were an ignorant fool. “Look at the inscription on the ink.”

Qi Xuansu reached out and took one of the ink sticks.

The ink had no name, only an inscription that read, “Renwu Year, Taiping Era, Master of Jianxiu Mountain.”

“Master of Jianxiu Mountain” was a title Qi Xuansu remembered clearly. It referred to the Holy Xuan.

In other words, this was an ink stick personally made by the Holy Xuan during the Taiping Era.

Whether by its age or its maker, this seemingly ordinary ink carried extraordinary significance. Though not an immortal object, bearing the Holy Xuan’s name alone made it invaluable, especially at such a critical time in the competition for Grand Master.

Qi Xuansu then looked at the other ink stick.

It also had no name, only the inscription: “Renwu Year, Taiping Era, Master of Wangjian Peak.”

Qi Xuansu was startled again.

“Master of Wangjian Peak” was originally another title of the Holy Xuan, but he later gave it to his wife, keeping only “Master of Jianxiu Mountain.” In other words, this ink stick was made by the Holy Xuan’s wife.

It was clear that the Holy Xuan and his wife had refined tastes. When they had free time, they even made ink together for leisure.

There were likely some ink sticks made by the Holy Xuan or his wife circulating within the Li family. However, it was rare to see them in pairs, made at the same time. In the Holy Xuan’s later years, he spent long periods in seclusion, and the couple rarely even met, let alone shared such leisurely moments.

Qi Xuansu could not help but ask, “Madam Qi, where did you get something this valuable?”

Madam Qi said casually, “You didn’t know? I found it in Elder Yao’s palace. It was probably a gift from the Holy Xuan’s wife to Elder Yao. She didn’t keep it in the Yao family’s old residence but stored it in her palace instead. Oh, right! I forgot. You were already dead at the time.”

Qi Xuansu rolled his eyes and said bitterly, “I was already dead, yet you still had the leisure to hunt for treasures?”

“Of course, I was deeply grieved,” Madam Qi said, though not a trace of sorrow showed on her face. “But I channeled that grief into strength. If I didn’t take some treasures, it would just mean I came for nothing. It would mean you died for nothing too!”

Qi Xuansu snorted lightly. “I see now. The capital you used to build your fortune later all came from Elder Yao’s palace, didn’t it?”