"Greetings to the Great Elder!"

Qian Hong led the crowd in a loud cheer, welcoming the Great Elder of the Inner Affairs Hall, Wu Changlong, and the ’distinguished guest’ Xie Jingshan beside him.

Wu Changlong had an unremarkable middle-aged appearance, with a Golden Core Peak Cultivation. When he reached the Nascent Soul Stage, he would step down from his position as the Great Elder.

However, before stepping down, he needed to fulfill his last duty by establishing solid trade relations between the Fulong Sect and the True Martial Immortal Sect, to elevate Fulong Sect’s status in the Green Dragon Realm and suppress Biyou Palace.

The True Martial Immortal Sect was unparalleled in Artifact Refining within the Green Dragon Realm, and even across the Upper Realm, it ranked among the top ten. Fulong Sect specialized in Dragon Shepherding and constantly needed large quantities of Dragon Prison Nails; even if they could refine them themselves, the necessary Spiritual Ore had to be purchased from mines under the True Martial Immortal Sect.

Therefore, the ’envoy’ sent from the True Martial Immortal Sect was indeed a distinguished guest to Wu Changlong.

Throughout the journey, Wu Changlong attempted several times to set traps to lower prices, but found the young fellow with an unfamiliar face had hidden depths and was astute in negotiations, almost leading Wu Changlong into pitfalls.

Wu Changlong didn’t know where the True Martial Immortal Sect had found this gem; he even considered the idea of poaching him to Fulong Sect as his successor.

Xie Jingshan had come suddenly without giving him time to prepare, intending to tour Fulong Sect.

The welcoming setup at the Inner Affairs Hall entrance pleased Wu Changlong, and he raised his chin slightly, saying to Xie Jingshan beside him, "Junior Brother Xie, you see, you came suddenly without us preparing in advance. Our reception was lacking, I’m afraid you’ve been amused by our inadequacy."

Xie Jingshan scanned the crowd before him, nodding slightly, "Not bad, they have good spirit."

Just as he said this, he suddenly noticed someone at the back of the crowd jumping up, half a head appearing. His eyelid twitched inexplicably.

Pressing down on his eyelid, he asked, "Who is that...?"

Following Xie Jingshan’s gaze, the crowd parted, and Qian Hong saw Jiang Yuebai, his heart skipped a beat, and he turned pale.

Wu Changlong looked puzzled, his eyes questioning Qian Hong.

Xie Jingshan looked at the unfamiliar face and furrowed his brow, not recognizing her.

"Young Master! Chenzhou has finally found you, Young Master!!"

Jiang Yuebai suddenly rushed over. Hearing the voice, Xie Jingshan gasped and coughed violently, his face turning red.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Jiang Yuebai came forward with teary eyes, quickly transmitting a message to Xie Jingshan, "Find a way to get me out of Fulong Sect, and do it fast!"

She knew that Dongfang Yu was breaking through the Protective Great Array left by Ning Zhiyuan. If it were breached and nothing was found inside, it would be difficult to leave if it escalated.

Xie Jingshan struggled to catch his breath. He had planned to return early and surprise Jiang Yuebai after handling matters, but instead, Jiang Yuebai gave him a fright before he could prepare a surprise for her.

"Ancestress, what trouble have you caused this time?!"

Xie Jingshan transmitted a question, but Jiang Yuebai just looked at him ’pitifully.’

The sudden change left everyone in the Inner Affairs Hall bewildered. Wu Changlong asked, "Junior Brother Xie, who is this?"

Xie Jingshan’s gaze warned Jiang Yuebai to behave, then he said to Wu Changlong, "I sincerely apologize, this is a maidservant I brought from home, who followed me since childhood and whom I see as a younger sister."

"Before I joined the True Martial Immortal Sect, we were separated during a Demon Cultivator attack, and I thought she... I didn’t expect us to reunite here today. It seems Fulong Sect is truly my lucky place."

Wu Changlong laughed heartily, "That’s truly delightful. Someone, take this young lady to a guest room and treat her well."

"No need, just let her wait for me in Sea Suppression City."

"That wouldn’t be proper, a guest is a guest."

"Thank you, Master," Jiang Yuebai quickly replied clumsily, "but I still have unfinished work. I have a contract with Sushan Building in Sea Suppression City."

After Jiang Yuebai spoke, Wu Changlong noticed the words ’Sushan Building’ on her clothing.

"I came to Fulong Sect today to deliver goods for Sushan Building. Once I receive the payment, I need to return and report."

Wu Changlong looked at Qian Hong, who was already sweating profusely. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and hurriedly pulled out a storage pouch from his sleeve.

"Here, the payment is here. I’ve had it prepared for a while, just ready to personally deliver it to this Junior Sister. The Great Elder returned, causing a slight delay. Junior Sister, don’t blame me, don’t blame me."

Qian Hong handed the storage pouch to Jiang Yuebai with both hands, sweat trickling down his forehead.

Jiang Yuebai glanced at Xie Jingshan, who followed up with, "Since a contract is signed, one must fulfill their responsibilities. Go report first and wait for me at Sushan Building afterward."

"Yes!" Jiang Yuebai accepted the storage pouch.

Qian Hong, not waiting for Wu Changlong’s instruction, immediately offered, "I’ll personally escort Junior Sister down the mountain."

Wu Changlong nodded, his gaze carrying a hint of warning. Wu Changlong naturally understood the situation.

Qian Hong felt like crying, who could have guessed a small worker from Sushan Building had such powerful backing? He swiftly summoned a Flying Magic Treasure, inviting Jiang Yuebai aboard.

Jiang Yuebai exchanged a glance with Xie Jingshan and transmitted, "I’m leaving first, be careful."

Xie Jingshan nodded, and Jiang Yuebai stepped onto the Flying Magic Treasure and was taken away by Qian Hong.

"Junior Brother Xie, shall we take a look inside?"

"Sure, if it’s convenient, could I look at your Inner Affairs Hall’s purchase accounts from recent years? It’s the best reflection of the sect’s strength..." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"This..."

Qian Hong was utterly terrified, fearing to even breathe loudly, as he escorted Jiang Yuebai to the entrance of Fulong Sect’s mountain gate.

Jiang Yuebai thanked him and was about to leave, but Qian Hong quickly stopped her and offered another storage pouch.

"Previously, I failed to recognize your status. I hope Junior Sister won’t take it to heart."

Jiang Yuebai accepted the pouch with a smile, "It’s a small matter, no need to dwell."

Qian Hong gestured an invitation, and Jiang Yuebai turned to leave.

Finally past the mountain gate, Jiang Yuebai breathed a sigh of relief.

In the forest beneath Qingcang Mountain, Jiang Yuebai found Qir An. Suddenly, a series of rapid bells rang out from Qingcang Mountain, and streaks of tunneling light zoomed across the sky, all heading towards Spiritual Void Mountain.

The Mountain Protection Array wasn’t activated, which made sense; activating it for a lost Golden Core Master item wasn’t worth it.

Judging by the Great Elder of the Inner Affairs Hall’s behavior, Xie Jingshan was a key figure and indeed unrelated to the incident; nothing would happen to him.

Her body had sat at the Inner Affairs Hall entrance all day under the eyes of many without drawing suspicion.

The most suspicious individual was Qir An.

Jiang Yuebai, carrying Qir An’s body, distanced herself from Qingcang Mountain and circled to the other side of Sea Suppression City, placing him onto a Thousand Feather Dragon Boat headed for the Eastern Mountains.

Three days later, Qir An awoke in the boat’s cabin, with only fragmented memories of ’himself’ entering Ning Zhiyuan’s palace and ransacking it completely.

Cold sweat broke out all over Qir An, his soul almost leaving his body in fear.

He hurried to check over himself, discovering a storage pouch on him with a note stuck to it, the childish handwriting reading:

[Borrowed your body, this is the rental. Bear with any inconvenience!]

An overbearing aura hit him, leaving Qir An apprehensive, increasingly fearful the more he thought, until he trembled uncontrollably.

He tried to recall what happened but couldn’t remember anything, not a single clue, feeling like he was dosed with Forgetfulness Powder. He only recalled exiting seclusion, then his memory jumped to Spiritual Void Mountain, and then to the present.

Wiping away his cold sweat, Qir An gradually calmed down, grateful to still be alive. Opening the storage pouch, all his fears disappeared, leaving only joy.

Inside the pouch were three hundred Top-Grade Spiritual Stones, five hundred various talismans, three Foundation Establishment Elixirs, and most importantly, an Earth Grade Lower-Level Cultivation Technique, the "Six Yang Hammer Skill."

For just having his body borrowed, to receive so many items, especially an Earth Grade Lower-Level Cultivation Technique - this kind of opportunity, Qir An wouldn’t mind it happening again!