The middle-aged man seemed reluctant to talk more about Xu Guang and the others, so he changed the subject and asked.

"How are things going over there?"

"Progress is fairly smooth, but... Senior Brother Shang Yun, do you think there's really a possibility of success in this matter?"

Shang Yun sighed, a look of worry surfaced on his face.

"What other choice do we have if we don't try? You and I, the four of us were punished by the ancestral master to guard Yanyun Island for two thousand years. If we can't rise and achieve merits, our path will be ruined by Yanyun Island. We've pursued the Dao our whole lives, are we truly willing to accept this fate?"

The young man looked uncertain at first, but then a resolute expression emerged.

"I don't believe in fate!"

Shang Yun nodded, "I don't believe in fate either."

The two exchanged smiles.

"A few days ago, Ye Xihan from the Ye Family passed by Yanyun Island. What kind of stir do you think she will cause?"

An Inspection Envoy of the Second Nirvana Realm is equally curious.

Ye Xihan, a name from over two thousand years ago, was once a Saintess in the Venerable realm for the Ye Family, with a great following. Two thousand years is a considerably long time.

Enough to bring many changes to the world.

"Who could have imagined that the Ye Family, which once dominated the east of Hongze, would face such upheaval? Life's encounters are unpredictable."

Ye Xihan's return is likely to keep the focus on the Ye Family from the east of Hongze for a long time, as it becomes the vortex of Hongze's east.

...

Everyone living in the mundane world has their own troubles. They all seek ways to solve them. Some say, in life, existence is about solving troubles — once one trouble is resolved, new troubles arise. Life is born to solve troubles.

No one can truly empathize with the troubles others face.

Xu Guang strongly agrees with this statement.

Jin Buhuan was rambling incessantly about the affairs of the five guarding Inspection Envoys on Yanyun Island, which Xu Guang found very annoying.

He didn't intend to stay long on Yanyun Island, just understanding the basics was enough. Jin Buhuan insisted Yanyun Island had treasures and that these people were stationed here for them.

"Senior Brother Jin, I think your imagination doesn't need to be so rich; after the mining incident, you've become a bit too sensitive."

Jin Buhuan finally fell silent.

After spending a lot of time together and fully acquaintance, Xu Guang found Jin Buhuan to be quite a chatterbox.

"Alright, I've asked about the matter you wanted assistance with."

Xu Guang perked up, "What does Thirteen say?"

Jin Buhuan shrugged, "It's about the Refining Pattern Master's legacy; for brokers of this kind, interests are no longer the most important thing."

"What do you mean?"

Jin Buhuan chuckled, "You want the Refining Pattern Master's legacy, they want to see if you're qualified. If you are, they'll send the information, but what you pay won't be just pure void crystals — it might be a favor requiring personal risk."

While speaking,

he took out an item from his bosom.

Xu Guang's pupils contracted slightly; it was a Bronze Fragment.

"What's this?"

"This is something Thirteen gave you, saying if you can grasp its mysteries, he'll give you clues to the complete location of the Refining Pattern Master's legacy."

Xu Guang wasn't surprised by Thirteen's request. Considering the favor of a Refining Pattern Master along with a massive amount of void crystals, anyone can tell which is more valuable.

At least Xu Guang figured, if he was asked to give all his void crystals in exchange for future favor from a Refining Pattern Master at the minimum of Saint Realm, he would do so without hesitation.

Xu Guang took the Bronze Fragment; Jin Buhuan scoffed.

"I've helped you research this thing; it's evident the material is extraordinary, but that's all there is — the scribbles on it hold no meaning."

He had tried using Qi Force, Source Qi, and even some very ancient methods of cultivation, but none could alter the symbols on the Bronze Fragment.

Overall, he found that apart from being extremely hard, this item had no research value.

Xu Guang smiled, "I'll give it a try. Aren't you interested in such a wondrous ancient legacy as the Refining Pattern Master, Senior Brother Jin?"

"I don't have the energy you have. Martial Dao alone is enough for my studies."

"By the way, have you heard of an organization called Wujian?"

Xu Guang asked.

Jin Buhuan pondered a bit then nodded, "It's the assassin organization that Fa Rong and they initially pursued, right? A few years ago, they were quite prominent. There are rumors of Saints within and Second Nirvana experts holding Holy Artifacts."

"Do you think we should spend some money to invite people from Wujian?"

Xu Guang didn't know about the relationship between Wujian and the Helian siblings, but he was aware of the connection between Wujian and Xu Xuanji. Xu Xuanji was a prodigy of the Northern Emperor Institute, and given his abilities, he likely has great influence within Wujian.

It's enough to invite some talented experts, and with the backing of the Northern Emperor Institute, there's no need to worry too much about Xu Xuanji causing problems.

"That's actually a good idea. After all, what we're doing isn't completely above board, I'll make the arrangements."

...

One day later.

Seeing Jiang Hong again, Xu Guang felt a sense of not recognizing an old friend.

He couldn't associate this current young man dressed in the latest Jizhou black leather trends with neatly combed hair with the identity of the Jiang Family's Three Ancestors.

Alongside Jiang Hong was a graceful black-clad woman.

"This is my wife, Qin Miaoran from Seven Star City."

Xu Guang, Zhuge Wuliang, and Gongsun Wang exchanged glances, and surprise filled their eyes.

They could all tell the aura emanating from the black-clad woman was quite unusual, at least from a Nirvana Transformation expert. Based on Jiang Hong's just introduced, Qin Miaoran's status in Seven Star City should be quite extraordinary.

Seven Star City is a major city, with Saints residing within.