The Qingyun Pavilion’s sect residence was located twenty miles east of Wenxi County, on a mountain that was not particularly imposing. Like other organizations in this land, they upheld the laws and customs of Yong.

The scenery here was serene and beautiful, with connected pavilions and buildings. Although far from comparable to the Lingxiao Pavilion, it had its own unique charm.

Unknowingly, Jiang Wang had already resided here for over half a month.

Every day, besides cultivation, he followed Feng Ming around, strictly playing the role of a lackey. He helped Feng Ming show off, never revealing himself. When things went wrong, he proactively took the blame for Feng Ming.

He had visited many places within Qingyun Pavilion, but there was still no sign of the lost architecture of the Yunding Immortal Palace.

During this period, he participated in the Blessed Land Challenge on the fifteenth day of the first month and ended up in Botian Mountain, ranked fortieth.

He hadn’t fought much on the Sword Debate Platform, so although he had won every match, he still hadn’t made it into the top one hundred of the Inner Mansion Realm.

He chatted less with Zhong Xuansheng, as Zhong Xuansheng was diligently cultivating and catching up on lost time, rarely having any free time to chat. No other major events happened in Linzi, and everything was as usual.

He sparred with Zuo Guangshu a few times, and with the use of supernatural powers restricted and the Second Inner Mansion sealed, their wins and losses were about even.

He contributed all the White Bone secret techniques he had obtained from burning the Nether Candles to the Evolution Platform, gaining over ten thousand points of Dharma. However, he was still some distance away from the thirty thousand Dharma required to unlock the fourth level of the Evolution Platform…

These events, scattered throughout time, were all pieces of the puzzle.

However, the most important goal – to find and retrieve the lost architecture of the Yunding Immortal Palace – had yet to be achieved.

In the past half-month, he had taken the opportunity to visit almost every place that Feng Ming had the authority to access. But to no avail.

Compared to the ease with which he had obtained information at the Lingkong Palace and Yunxiao Pavilion, this Qingyun Pavilion had consumed too much time.

Yong was not a place to stay for long; even cultivation here felt constrained. After all, his current identity was merely a Tenglong Realm disciple of the Xiyun Sword Sect. He had to be constantly vigilant, not revealing strength beyond his cultivation level.

He needed to find a way to enter the core secret areas and explore places like the sect’s forbidden grounds… Jiang Wang thought, pondering silently.

His current identity was that of a formal disciple of Qingyun Pavilion, valued by Feng Yue, close to Feng Ming, and displaying outstanding talent. In just over half a month, he had almost become a core disciple.

But this identity was still insufficient to grant him free access to Qingyun Pavilion’s core secret areas.

Moreover, for a long time, his current status was essentially as high as he could get. Without belonging to either the Feng or Chi lineages, the highest pinnacle of achievement would be the sole non-surname Sect Guardian of Qingyun Pavilion. And the current non-surname Sect Guardian was still quite young…

Normal methods were not feasible, and he didn’t have that much time to “strive” in a mere Qingyun Pavilion. With that time, he could perhaps establish a Saint Tower and become a powerhouse of the Outer Building Realm, then return to seize it by force. That might even be faster.

If he were to take risks, he would need to carefully assess the strength of Qingyun Pavilion.

Feng Ming was arrogant as a disciple of a renowned sect, with ambitions reaching the heavens, but the sects within Yong were nothing to boast about. Compared to truly famous sects, Qingyun Pavilion was insignificant.

If Qingyun Pavilion had even one Divine Proximity Realm expert, they wouldn’t be so obsequious to the Marquis of Weining’s manor.

The Sect Leader of Qingyun Pavilion was merely at the peak of the Outer Building Realm, and the Sect Guardian Feng Yue was a powerhouse of the Two Realms Outer Building Realm. The other three Sect Guardians were unlikely to exceed the Outer Building Realm. So, at most, the entire Qingyun Pavilion had only five Outer Building Realm experts.

Judging from Feng Yue’s proactive behavior, there might even be fewer. Because he clearly had aspirations for the position of Sect Leader, indicating that his current cultivation was not too low among the Qingyun Pavilion’s high-level members.

Assuming there were five Outer Building Realm experts, could he escape if his actions were exposed?

“Songhai!” A warm greeting came from afar, forcing Jiang Wang to temporarily suppress his thoughts.

Just from the voice, he knew who it was.

It was Chi Lu, one of the four Sect Guardians of Qingyun Pavilion.

Previously, he had discussed swordsmanship with fellow disciples of Qingyun Pavilion.

To gain importance in an unfamiliar place, flattery alone was not enough; one had to demonstrate their value. Helping Feng Ming devise strategies at the Marquis of Weining’s manor was one way, but that credit was entirely claimed by Feng Ming himself. Qingyun Pavilion still knew nothing of “Yu Songhai’s” value.

So, during the discussion of swordsmanship, he intentionally revealed some insights, easily convincing the disciples who were discussing with him and earning their respect.

But what he didn’t expect was that the discussion eventually reached the ears of this Sect Guardian Chi Lu. It was said that his ideas resonated with Chi Lu’s own sword doctrines, making him very happy, and from then on, he regarded Jiang Wang with different eyes.

“Sect Guardian,” Jiang Wang greeted with a smile.

Regardless of his inner feelings, a Qingyun Pavilion disciple could not be anything but respectful to a Sect Guardian.

“Ah, I’ve said before, we are friends despite our age difference, no need for so much formality!”

Chi Lu was about fifty years old, liked to wear large robes with flowing sleeves, and had an uninhibited air about him, not very constrained by etiquette.

Walking down from the mountain, he grabbed Jiang Wang’s hand and walked to the side: “That sword technique from last time, come help me study it again.”

Of course, Jiang Wang didn’t want to study any sword techniques with him. It wasn’t that Chi Lu’s swordsmanship was rubbish. On the contrary, this person’s swordsmanship was extremely outstanding, with his own unique insights, and even provided some inspiration for Jiang Wang’s sword techniques.

However, Jiang Wang couldn’t fully display his understanding. He needed to constantly pay attention to his own “talent” and control it to a level that Chi Lu could appreciate, without exceeding the capabilities of “Yu Songhai.” It was very difficult.

The more skilled the swordsman, the harder it was to hide.

Jiang Wang didn’t want to have hidden himself for so long, only to be exposed by a casual remark about swordsmanship that he hadn’t intended to make. He always avoided it if he could.

“Senior Brother Feng Ming will be looking for me for something later…” Jiang Wang said deliberately, feigning difficulty.

“It doesn’t matter.” Chi Lu didn’t even turn his head back: “When I came just now, I already arranged for him to take care of something, he won’t be able to bother us for a while.”

Jiang Wang: …

The relationship between the Feng and Chi lineages was very strange, with obvious competition between them, but also being very close at times. Perhaps it was related to the many years of intermarriage between the two lineages.

For example, if Chi Lu casually instructed something, Feng Ming would have to do it. Not because of Chi Lu’s identity as a Sect Guardian, but because he was Feng Ming’s elder, and there was real blood kinship between them.

Unable to refuse, he could only face it.

Gathering his attention, he cautiously discussed swordsmanship with Chi Lu for a while, once again earning praise… Jiang Wang breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more tired than if he had fought a sword duel.

“Your talent in swordsmanship is really quite good.”

At the top of the mountain they often visited, Chi Lu looked at Jiang Wang with great appreciation, marveling: “Although some places are not understood deeply enough, it is only limited by your lineage, your vision is not broad enough. Your talent cannot be hidden, I am very optimistic about your future.”

“You flatter me, Sect Guardian.” Chi Lu repeatedly told Jiang Wang to be more casual, but Jiang Wang always adhered to the hierarchy, showing full respect.

“Your swordsmanship is truly amazing, I’m afraid I won’t be able to reach even a fraction of it in this lifetime.”

Chi Lu smiled reservedly, obviously also very pleased with his swordsmanship.

But suddenly he sighed: “Unfortunately, I have no children. I don’t know who to pass on my skills to!”

He looked at Jiang Wang, hinting very clearly.

Jiang Wang: …

You want me to call you ‘Father’? One sword and you’ll be gone, do you believe it?

He was helpless in his heart, but said on the surface: “Sect Guardian, you are in your prime. If you really want to leave behind descendants, as long as you spend some time, ten or eight won’t be a problem.”

“We cultivators must seize every moment, how can we have time to get entangled in family matters?”

Chi Lu said with a serious face.

Jiang Wang was feigning ignorance there, but he didn’t want to waste any more time, so he directly got to the point: “Songhai, after this period of getting along, we also understand each other very well. I intend to adopt you as my adopted son, I wonder if you are willing?”