Xu Yuanhai shot to his feet and bowed solemnly. "From now on, Captain Chen, should you ever need anything, you have but to say the word. My Xu Family will spare no effort to assist you, no questions asked!"

He was desperate to solidify the close bond between the Xu Family and Chen Sheng.

"Hahaha, Clan Leader Xu, you’re too kind. There’s no need for such formalities between us."

Chen Sheng gave a slight nod, accepting this pledge of allegiance.

Overjoyed, Xu Yuanhai decided to strike while the iron was hot and ordered someone to present the gift he had prepared. A young woman from the Xu Family with delicate features walked forward, respectfully carrying a tray draped in red silk.

"What’s this?"

Chen Sheng’s eyes shifted. The Celestial Book’s Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil ability didn’t give warnings about unsolicited gifts, so he had no idea what was on the tray.

Xu Yuanhai took the tray himself and carefully lifted the red silk, revealing an irregular, pitch-black stone about the size of a fist.

The moment the stone was revealed, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop, and its surface radiated a cold, faint luster.

"Captain Chen, this is a ’Cold Stone,’ an exceedingly rare, top-tier Refining Material. If forged into a Treasure Soldier, it can greatly enhance the weapon’s sharpness and spirituality, while also imbuing it with a chilling aura."

Xu Yuanhai explained, his voice tinged with reluctance but dominated by resolve. "The Xu Family lacks the prestige and power to hold onto such a treasure. For us, it would be like a child carrying gold through a crowded market—courting disaster.

"Only a prodigy like you, Captain Chen—already an Earth Fiend at such a young age with a boundless future ahead—is worthy of it. This is a token of my family’s utmost sincerity. I implore you not to refuse."

To lash his family’s fate to Chen Sheng’s rising star, Xu Yuanhai had gone all in, offering one of the most precious treasures his clan had guarded for years.

Chen Sheng’s eyebrows rose slightly at his words.

He had, of course, heard of the Cold Stone. It was a legendary treasure for refining weapons, something one could only dream of finding.

A piece this size was worth no less than ten Elemental Crystals, and it was so rare that you could never find it for sale even if you had the money.

And for him, the item was indeed a perfect fit.

His Cold-Intimidating Blade was a fine Treasure Soldier, but its grade was ultimately limited. Now that he had advanced to the Earth Fiend realm, it was beginning to fall short of his needs.

If he could find a skilled Artifact Refining Master to forge this Cold Stone into his blade, the quality and power of the Cold-Intimidating Blade would increase dramatically.

After a moment of consideration, Chen Sheng dropped the pretense of refusal and nodded frankly.

"Clan Leader Xu, you are too generous. It would be disingenuous of me to refuse again. Very well, I accept this gift. Should the Xu Family ever need assistance, you may come and find me."

"Haha, excellent! A fine material for a true hero! This is how it should be, how it should be!" Seeing Chen Sheng accept the gift and make a promise, Xu Yuanhai was ecstatic, grinning from ear to ear. He seemed even happier than Chen Sheng, the one who had received the gift.

The banquet continued late into the night, with both host and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

After resting for a night in a guest courtyard meticulously prepared by the Xu Family, Chen Sheng departed the next morning.

Xu Yuanhai, leading a group of clan elders, personally escorted him for several miles, their courtesy impeccable. They only turned back once Chen Sheng’s party had vanished at the far end of the main road.

Upon returning to the Jingwu Bureau, the first thing Chen Sheng did was report to Nie Xuanfeng about the ambush and his counterattack the previous day.

As he listened to Chen Sheng’s detailed account—especially the part where, as a newly ascended Earth Fiend, he had effortlessly cut down two other Earth Fiends of the same rank—an unconcealable flicker of shock crossed Nie Xuanfeng’s eyes, despite his vast experience and composure.

Such combat prowess was terrifying.

The shock quickly gave way to deep admiration and high expectations.

Nie Xuanfeng immediately offered Chen Sheng great encouragement and gave him a solemn instruction.

"Good. Very good! With strength like this, there’s no need to hold back. Go and claim a spot among the ’Ning’an Ten Heroes’ as soon as you can. This isn’t just about your personal fame—it’s about the prestige and interests of our Jingwu Bureau in Ning’an Prefecture!"

Chen Sheng’s expression turned serious as he cupped his hands in salute.

"I understand. I will not disappoint you, Lord Governor. I will do everything in my power to bring glory to the Jingwu Bureau."

After finishing his report, Chen Sheng returned to G Camp and immediately set to work on two tasks.

First, he would use the Jingwu Bureau’s intelligence network to find a highly skilled and reputable Artifact Refining Master in or around Ning’an Prefecture.

He needed to have the Cold Stone forged into his Cold-Intimidating Blade as soon as possible to further enhance his strength. For a Martial Artist, a powerful, well-suited weapon was crucial.

Second, he ordered a thorough investigation into the current whereabouts of Gao Qilin, the son of Gao Yuanzhao.

He had sworn that the entire Gao Family would be reunited, and he, Chen Sheng, never broke his word.

When you cut the weeds, you must pull out the roots.