After the competition ended, Yi Tianyun’s fame exploded. News of him spread throughout the entire Celestial Extreme Mansion, and many came to know of him. Not only was his Spiritual Power formidable, but his cultivation was also extraordinary, and he was so young!

A new prodigy was on the rise, stunning countless people. Most importantly, how could such a monstrous genius have come to the Celestial Extreme Mansion?!

The Celestial Extreme Mansion was still a Third-Grade Faction, but it was at the very bottom of the list. It felt like they could be demoted at any moment. While there were some outstanding disciples who remained, they were a far cry from the talent at other factions.

As such, many people couldn’t understand why Yi Tianyun would stay. If it were them, they would have joined a different Third-Grade Faction long ago instead of remaining here.

This was the cruel reality: no one would prioritize joining a declining sect. If not for its nominal title as a Third-Grade Faction, the place would have even fewer people.

After the competition, Yi Tianyun returned to his room. Not long after, he sensed someone approaching. A knock came at the door, and he got up to open it.

When he opened the door, he saw none other than He Qianhan standing there.

"Oh, it’s you!" He Qianhan’s beautiful eyes widened when she saw Yi Tianyun. She never imagined that the person before her would be Yi Tianyun—a young man whose Divine Rune proficiency was even greater than her own!

"We meet again, Steward He," Yi Tianyun said with a faint smile. ’This Steward He is finally back. She was gone for quite a while.’

’If she hadn’t returned, I was planning to leave. It’s hard to get anything done here without an acquaintance; the restrictions are too tight. You can’t just go wherever you want, which makes it nearly impossible to find out any information.’

"So you’re the one I recommended as a disciple? The new rising star who’s been making waves, with powerful Spiritual Power and equally impressive cultivation?" He Qianhan gave a wry smile. The moment she saw Yi Tianyun, she knew there had been a huge mix-up.

"That’s right. I showed them this token, and they all said it was a Recommendation Token, telling me to join as a disciple." Yi Tianyun took out the token and presented it. "Steward He, did you give me the wrong token? They seem to think I’m here to join the Celestial Extreme Mansion."

"The token wasn’t wrong; they definitely misread it," He Qianhan said with a bitter laugh. "I suppose I recommend too many people. They must have assumed I was doing it again and didn’t look closely at the token. The main thing is, you’re so young. No one would have guessed you were a guest I’d invited."

She had a point. The token wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t all that different from a guest’s token. Without a close look, it was hard to tell them apart.

"So, it seems you didn’t intend for me to take the assessment to become a disciple?" Yi Tianyun smiled knowingly. ’I knew it was a mistake from the start. I was just going with the flow to have a look around, letting the error play out.’

"Of course not! With your skill level, you could be one of our stewards. Why would we have you be a disciple!" He Qianhan said, embarrassed. "We have been poor hosts. I’ll take you to the Main Hall right now for a formal reception."

Yi Tianyun nodded and followed He Qianhan out. There was no longer any point in staying. ’I’ve already gotten a good feel for the Celestial Pattern Pavilion. Overall, it’s just average.’

’For such an important division to be merely average proves that the Celestial Extreme Mansion isn’t that great. Aside from a few excellent disciples, the rest are mediocre. Of course, it’s still much stronger than the Merak Sect, but I just don’t like the atmosphere here.’

’The members are all from various family clans, each looking out for their own interests. How can a sect become great without unity? He felt that these clans were just here to take what they could and leave, with no intention of genuinely committing to the Celestial Extreme Mansion.’

Recalling Steward Qian’s earlier betrayal, he felt the decline of the Celestial Extreme Mansion even more keenly.

Under He Qianhan’s guidance, their journey was unobstructed. Some disciples who saw her leading Yi Tianyun looked on with envy. He was clearly being taken somewhere special, perhaps to be given some kind of treasure.

The more potential a disciple showed, the more resources they received. That was an unchanging truth.

Soon, they left the Celestial Pattern Pavilion and headed for the Main Hall. The Main Hall was located in the innermost part of the Celestial Extreme Mansion, occupying the most favorable location. Many elders, stewards, and especially the Core Disciples, stayed there to cultivate.

These Core Disciples were chosen regardless of their internal affiliation; as long as they were outstanding enough, they could enter.

As they arrived before the Main Hall, Yi Tianyun looked up and saw three large words: "Celestial Extreme Hall." Just from these words alone, a wave of oppressive power emanated. Clearly, the person who wrote them was no ordinary individual—likely someone at the Ancestor Level of the Celestial Extreme Mansion.

The fact that the Celestial Extreme Mansion had once produced a powerhouse on the level of a Profound Celestial Spirit King was proof of its boundless potential.

Upon entering, they were not met with luxurious decorations. Instead, an antique, classical aura washed over them. The hall wasn’t adorned with gold and silver, but with large amounts of ancient Spirit Wood. None of this Spirit Wood was ordinary; just by being used as decoration, it was enough to raise the concentration of Spiritual Power in the area.

Thus, the moment he stepped inside, a refreshing sensation washed over him. Such dense Spiritual Power was excellent nourishment for any Cultivator. Even an ordinary person could extend their lifespan by living in such an environment.

"Steward He, what promising new talent have you brought back this time? He looks quite young." An old man’s face was filled with scorn, his tone devoid of congratulations. "I heard the disciple you recommended this time is quite impressive. After bringing back so many, did you finally get lucky for once?" He clearly looked down on He Qianhan’s judgment.

"Steward Guan, this is the disciple I supposedly recommended, the one who caused such a stir," He Qianhan explained, ignoring Steward Guan’s sarcasm. "But in fact, he is not a disciple I recommended, but an honored guest invited to the Celestial Extreme Mansion. The others misread the token I gave him, assuming it was a Recommendation Token."

"An honored guest invited to the Celestial Extreme Mansion?" Steward Guan paused, then looked Yi Tianyun up and down doubtfully. "Not a disciple, but an invited guest? I knew it. How could you be lucky enough to find a disciple with such high talent? He would have been snatched up by other factions... I wonder, which Third-Grade Faction are you from?"

"I’m not from a Third-Grade Faction. I’m from a Second-Grade Faction," Yi Tianyun replied calmly.

"A Second-Grade Faction?" Steward Guan was stunned. He Qianhan was stunned as well; she hadn’t expected Yi Tianyun to be from a Second-Grade Faction either.

"And here I was, thinking he was from some major faction. Someone from a Second-Grade Faction can be considered an honored guest?" Steward Guan shook his head. "Steward He, your actions are getting more and more unreliable. I’m beginning to doubt whether you’re fit for the position of steward at all."

He Qianhan’s expression turned cold. This wasn’t the first time Steward Guan had opposed her, and he infuriated her every time.

"So someone from a Second-Grade Faction can’t be an honored guest? His Divine Rune proficiency is not to be underestimated. He’s a significant figure in the Star Pavilion!" Steward He said in a low voice.

"Proficiency not to be underestimated?" Steward Guan looked Yi Tianyun up and down, his eyes filled with disdain. "Is he a Second-Rank, or an early Third-Rank Divine Rune Master? We have plenty of people at that level in the Celestial Pattern Pavilion. He wouldn’t even make the top five."

"No. He’s a Fourth-Rank Divine Rune Master!" He Qianhan corrected him sharply.

"Oh, just a Fourth-Rank Divine Rune Master... What? A Fourth-Rank Divine Rune Master!?" Steward Guan was utterly dumbfounded.