Lu Qian stood up and quickly glanced upward slightly.

He saw, seated at the main seat in the great hall, a young man in white. His long black hair hung loose, falling over the seat. The youth maintained the appearance of someone in his late twenties, with delicate features and skin that had an unhealthy pallor.

With just a lazy glance from the youth, Lu Qian felt as if knives were slicing around him; a chill permeated his body, and he dared not be negligent.

This was the Supreme Elder of the Xuanguang Sect, Master Fengfeng, Lie Tiansheng.

The intimidating spiritual pressure was released and retracted in an instant, returning to a state of complete tranquility, as if a mortal body. Master Fengfeng looked Lu Qian up and down before suddenly speaking: "Young man, is this our first meeting?"

Lu Qian hurriedly saluted, showing an appropriately fearful expression: "Reporting to Zhenren, three years ago when my Yunshan Sect was established in Chongming County, I came here under Elder Hee’s introduction. Unfortunately, at that time, Zhenren had already secluded himself in meditation, so I was not fortunate enough to meet him. I never expected it would be delayed until now. I beg Zhenren’s pardon."

Lu Qian’s words were true; only after he reached Foundation Establishment did Master Fengfeng emerge from seclusion, and since Lu Qian remained confined on his mountain, he had not come to pay his respects. It was rumored that Master Fengfeng was capricious and tyrannical, leaving Lu Qian inevitably anxious.

Fortunately, this time he brought good news—a Third-Level High-Tier Spiritual Vein, which would undoubtedly please anyone. Master Fengfeng just responded with an "hmm" and let Lu Qian be. He then said, "Judging by the slight fluctuation of spiritual mechanism around you, you must have just reached Foundation Establishment? It’s not bad to have such Divine Sense at the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment. In the future, remain loyal to our sect, and you will naturally be rewarded."

Lu Qian nodded repeatedly while Hee Yangchen chimed in: "Supreme Elder, this Lu Qian has always been loyal, carrying out many substantial tasks for our sect. This time, he’s even willing to offer a Third-Level High-Tier Spiritual Vein, showing his sincere devotion. He’s indeed the first in our subordinate sects to do so."

Unexpectedly, Master Fengfeng sneered: "Loyalty isn’t necessarily visible; intelligence, however, is evident. At least he knows to voluntarily offer it, which is better than me having to ask. And do you think I can’t see your little schemes? I’m telling you, Li Xingyuan isn’t dead yet. Don’t overdo your factionalism; if it affects the sect’s stability, I’ll kill you!"

The substantial murderous intent surged, turning Hee Yangchen’s face pale, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead. The usually arrogant cultivator in front of Lu Qian immediately knelt down in fear, not daring to utter a word.

Li Xingyuan, the current sect leader of the Xuanguang Sect, sat to the lower left of Master Fengfeng.

He had a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivation, but now his hair was completely white, his face full of wrinkles, appearing extremely elderly. More deadly, there was an unmistakable gray death Qi on his face, a result of failing to form his Golden Core during his Crossing the Tribulation, wounding his Origin, and seemingly having little time left.

Over the past three years, Lu Qian had paid him several visits and was somewhat familiar with him.

It seemed that Hee Yangchen’s efforts to cultivate power and compete for the sect leader’s position were entirely clear to Master Fengfeng. Lu Qian felt as if he were treading on thin ice, filled with trepidation.

To change faces so abruptly, discussing such private matters without any scruple in front of an outsider showed Master Fengfeng’s absolute disdain for these affairs.

After surviving the terrifying silence, Master Fengfeng suddenly yawned, retracted his spiritual pressure, and disappeared in a flash of light, leaving behind the last voice echoing: "As for the Spirit Vein change, Li Xingyuan, handle it as you see fit. Lu Qian does have some merits. Since he is an Array Cultivator, reward him with the Eight Trigrams Prison Dragon Array from the library."

Li Xingyuan respectfully bowed in the direction Master Fengfeng left, and Lu Qian quickly followed suit, loudly expressing his gratitude.

The Eight Trigrams Prison Dragon Array?! Since it’s a Golden Core Master’s reward, it must be the complete essence, right?

Lu Qian also possessed a remnant scroll of the Eight Trigrams Lock Dragon Array. The Prison Dragon Array and Lock Dragon Array focus on different aspects, much like the difference between his Yin Yang Five Elements Grand Array and Qimen Five Elements Formation.

This accidental joy made Lu Qian extremely excited, but looking ahead, Hee Yangchen remained kneeling there obediently, so Lu Qian had to suppress his joy and dared not move recklessly.

Receiving this additional benefit, Lu Qian was overjoyed yet felt a bit guilty.

Now he’s so happy, if something happens to this Spirit Vein in a few days, they won’t ask me to return it, right? Hmm, a Golden Core Master has to save face after all.

If any punishment is to be given, then let it fall on Hee Yangchen, who acted as the intermediary. After all, I sincerely offered the high-tier Spirit Vein with genuine devotion.

At this moment, Li Xingyuan spoke, his voice dry and raspy like the rubbing of old bark: "Junior Brother Hee, no need to kneel, get up. The Five Veins Peak Masters are all waiting for me to die, isn’t that perfectly normal? Since Zhenren didn’t kill you, it means he doesn’t care about what you’ve done. Stand up quickly."

Lu Qian was somewhat surprised by these words; was Sect Leader Li really so magnanimous?

Hee Yangchen raised his head hesitantly, and Li Xingyuan smiled: "Junior Brother Hee, I’m very clear in my heart; I don’t have much time left to live, and the future of the sect will depend on the Supreme Elder and you all. Compared to other competitors, I am quite optimistic about you. Just remember to keep the internal competition peaceful and don’t escalate it too much."

Hee Yangchen sighed in relief, stood up, and bowed gratefully: "Thank you, Sect Leader Senior Brother."

Li Xingyuan waved his hand, turning his gaze back to Lu Qian: "Sect Leader Lu, a Third-Level High-Tier Spiritual Vein is enough to serve as a treasure land for a Golden Core Sect’s inheritance. Our sect owes you a great deal."

As he spoke, he waved a hand, and a huge map unfurled in the air, with four or five light spots flashing on the map.

"Sect Leader Lu, first, there is the matter of returning the Spirit Vein to the Zhou Family. Besides the Spirit Veins of the Five Peaks of Mingjian Mountain, our sect has five other Spirit Veins, all marked on this map. Please choose one, Sect Leader Lu."

The grade of these five Spirit Veins was described on the map. After a brief contemplation, Lu Qian chose a Spirit Mountain closest to Bichao Mountain—Kongming Mountain, a Second-Level High-Tier Spiritual Vein.

It’s about four hundred miles directly north of Yuqing Mountain and more than three hundred miles west of Bichao Mountain. Thus, the Zhou Family remains within the same area as the Yunshan Sect, Spirit Snake Peak, Wuwang Temple, and Zhuquan Sect, surrounding Shuangye Square, without becoming an isolated enclave of the Shuangye Alliance.

However, its location is closer to the central area of Chongming County rather than the southern region.

No matter what, it is a step up in grade from the original Spirit Vein of Yuqing Mountain, and the cultivators of the Zhou Family would surely be willing.

Seeing Lu Qian had made his selection, Li Xingyun nodded: "Then I’ll immediately have someone vacate Kongming Mountain. The day after tomorrow, the Zhou Family can move into Kongming Mountain. As for the swap of mortal territories, we’ll plan for that after the Zhou Family has moved in."

Lu Qian had no objections to this, and Li Xingyun smiled again: "Exchanging a mere Second-Level High-Tier Spiritual Vein for a Third-Level High-Tier treasure land, our sect has truly benefited greatly. We’ll compensate more in terms of resources, and I ask Sect Leader Lu to pass these on to the Zhou Family."