"Senior Brother Qiu, there’s someone outside the hall requesting to see you, claiming to be an old acquaintance of yours."

Inside the Human Resources Hall, Qiu Mingshan was enjoying tea and reading, feeling at ease, when suddenly a disciple came from outside the hall and loudly reported.

"An old acquaintance? Do they have a name?"

Qiu Mingshan furrowed his brows.

"He says his name is Gu Yuan!"

The disciple answered.

"Hm? It’s him?"

"A pretentious fellow, borrowing power with deception, gained benefits from me and even made me offend the Lan Family; if not for Lan Tianming happening to delight in the birth of his child and Lan Tianlu’s status falling, I would have suffered for this!"

"And he dares come here again? Does he think because of the sect’s laws, I can do nothing to him?"

"A mere Qi Refining Fourth Layer guy, wanting to see me, the steward of the Human Resources Hall? Send him away!"

Qiu Mingshan forcefully put down his teacup, looking quite displeased.

He who hunts geese all day but got pecked by one in the eye.

That Gu Yuan, clearly knowing I have no causal ties with the Ascendant, yet feigned formality, deceived me for numerous benefits and pressured the Lan Family, getting himself a Cave Mansion and acquiring Spirit Water.

What audacity.

Every time he recalled the matter, he couldn’t help but be furious.

Yet regrettably, Gu Yuan’s appearance was handsome, demeanor elegant, and his words sharp; that day he truly deceived me.

After all, since the Ascendant introduced him into the sect, he hadn’t thought of seeking revenge, considering the matter as settled.

But to his surprise, Gu Yuan dared come again; he naturally wouldn’t see him.

After all, he himself was at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and a steward of the Human Resources Hall, hardly having time to be at the beck and call of a junior.

However, the disciple below seemed a bit hesitant and said:

"Senior Brother, he also sent a jade box, saying it’s to apologize."

Saying this, the disciple stepped forward and handed over a jade box.

Qiu Mingshan opened it casually and seeing the twenty Spirit Stones and a Water-Fire Flame Fruit inside, a smile immediately appeared.

"He’s tactful enough; let’s let this matter slide, but he’s still not qualified to see me."

"You may go; if he has minor matters, just deal with them for him casually!"

Qiu Mingshan waved his hand, instructing the disciple below.

But that disciple still seemed a bit hesitant, scratched his head, and said: "Senior Brother, I observe that Gu Yuan’s demeanor is divine, his aura uncommon, seeming to be at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, not Qi Refining Fourth Layer."

"What? Qi Refining Sixth Layer?"

Qiu Mingshan immediately straightened his posture.

If it were Qi Refining Fifth Layer, he wouldn’t be surprised, since there’s a piece of Spirit Water in the Cave Mansion.

But it’s only been about two months, and he’s reached Qi Refining Sixth Layer?

What did this kid eat?

Even for a noble family disciple, consuming pills day and night, they can’t break through two realms in two months.

If cultivation were really this easy, wouldn’t everyone become immortal?

"Could this kid have gone to the Shell Field and seized that Shell King?"

"But he’s just a broken-down fellow, a pretentious type; how could he seize the Shell King?"

"Could it be..."

Qiu Mingshan seemed to think of something, sat even straighter, and shouted to the disciple below:

"Invite him in!"

"Serve a portion of Spirit Tea!"

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

The disciple touched a Spirit Stone in his sleeve, smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth, and then went outside the hall, bringing in a young man.

Although the young man was merely wearing a standard Daoist Robe, his tall stature seemed to merge with the celestial light, with large sleeves fluttering as he walked, exuding natural elegance, and especially, the confident and vigorous aura, seemed to have stretched the robe, displaying a unique demeanor and character.

Seeing this, Qiu Mingshan couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

That day, it was precisely this aura that had overwhelmed him.

Today, no matter what, he mustn’t fall for it again; he must get to the bottom of this kid!

"Senior Brother Qiu, it’s been days since we last met; you’re as splendid as ever!"

But Gu Yuan seemed unconcerned with the vigilance in Qiu Mingshan’s eyes, calmly stepped forward, and saluted him.

"Junior Brother Gu is more radiant than ever!"

Qiu Mingshan squinted, smiled, returned the greeting, and then invited Gu Yuan to sit nearby.

"Junior Brother, your cultivation has advanced rapidly; did you go to the Cloud Cliff Shell Field?"

Qiu Mingshan casually remarked, then straightforwardly asked.

"Indeed, that Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape had occupied the Daoist School’s Shell Field for a millennium, stubborn and unyielding; the sect launched a campaign, and I naturally followed suit!"

Gu Yuan spoke with righteous flair.

To this, Qiu Mingshan wasn’t interested, merely asked: "You captured the Shell King?"

"By pure luck!"

Gu Yuan laughed, waving his hand dismissively.

"You originally hailed from the Cyan Wood Sect; your cultivation was weak, your Dharma Seal frail; how could you capture the Shell King? Did you harm fellow disciples, use underhanded methods?"

Qiu Mingshan suddenly pressed aggressively, coldly questioning Gu Yuan.

The aura of Qi Refining Ninth Layer was unobtrusively revealed.

But Gu Yuan merely chuckled deeply and said meaningfully: "Senior Brother misunderstands; I was originally of humble origin with limited skills, naturally incapable of vying for Shell Field treasures, but fortunately, the Ascendant showed mercy and bestowed upon me a Jade Order, allowing me to enter the Transmission Hall, learning the Superior Technique."

"Not only that, also granted me a Dharma Artifact to protect myself; hence, I could luckily stand out and capture the Shell King."

Saying this, Gu Yuan seemingly inadvertently fiddled with something at his waist, revealing a gleaming golden ring.

"Eight Wind Treasure Ring!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Qiu Mingshan exclaimed in shock, immediately concealing all his aura, not daring to let it leak a bit.

Average people wouldn’t recognize this ring, but being in the position at the Human Resources Hall, he had some discernment.

This ring crafted with eight kinds of mysterious winds, complemented by Forbidden Spirit Essence Gold, has unparalleled power; each golden ring can bind most Dharma Artifacts, and if all eight rings are utilized, almost no Dharma Artifacts can withstand them.

It’s known as the supreme "Forbidden Technique" treasure in the Qi Refining Realm.

But the crafting of this treasure is extremely demanding; these eight mysterious winds dwell deep in the Celestial Vault, accessible only to those at the Golden Core Realm.

Yet Golden Core cultivators, why would they bother to craft an artifact for the Qi Refining Stage?

Hence, this treasure is rare in the world.

Qiu Mingshan knew among the Daoist School Golden Core Ascendants, there was such a treasure; a prominent clan had sought it for their disciple but seemingly to no avail.

Unexpectedly, it appeared in Gu Yuan’s possession.

This revelation was more shocking than any words.

Qiu Mingshan’s expression immediately changed, shouting to those below:

"Someone, quickly change the tea!"

"Bring forth my cherished Fog Cloud Spirit Tea for Junior Brother Gu, fill his cup!"

Subsequently, he turned, his face swiftly adopting an exceedingly sincere smile: "Ah, Junior Brother Gu, in the future if you have matters, come straight into the hall; why bother to report?"

"Junior Brother, you’ve come today, are there pressing matters? Do speak directly, I shall surely manage them for you!"

Qiu Mingshan patted his chest, loudly assuring.

If before, he harbored doubts, not believing Gu Yuan would be esteemed by the Ascendant, now with the Eight Wind Treasure Ring revealed, even if Gu Yuan claimed to be the Ascendant’s long-lost child, he wouldn’t doubt it.

Ridiculous, such a precious artifact granted, and you say they have no connection, who would believe that!

The Ascendant hasn’t issued any bounties lately.

Gu Yuan, hearing Qiu Mingshan’s words, immediately smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth.

Today, this was precisely his aim.

"To be transparent, Senior Brother, my cultivation progress has been slow recently, sensing insufficient Spiritual Qi in my Cave Mansion, might I enter Golden Yuan Island to choose a Cave Mansion for cultivation?"