Qin Xuan froze. His expression remained unchanged, but inside, his mind was in an uproar.

’There’s actually no problem.’

’Has Liu Mobai had a complete change of character?’

Just then, Qin Xuan suddenly spotted a rugged Beast Skin Demon Cultivator standing at the back of the crowd.

’Isn’t that the person who sold me the Thousand-Year Soul Nourishing Wood? He’s here too!’

Qin Xuan immediately felt things were getting interesting.

He gave a slight bow with cupped fists. "I shall heed Senior Brother Liu’s command."

"Hahaha, Junior Brother Qin has a discerning eye."

Liu Mobai laughed heartily. Then, his tone shifted as he looked out at the crowd, his expression seeming to say, ’See? I haven’t led any of you astray.’

Qin Xuan inquired about the details. "If I may ask, Senior Brother Liu, where is the Star Ruins? Could you tell us more about it?"

Bai Lingwei, standing to the side, explained, "The so-called Star Ruins is a shattered Grotto Heaven. It was formed ten thousand years ago when a great battle between Venerable Divinity Transformation masters shattered a corner of the Celestial Vault Star Sea, causing it to collapse.

Any Cultivator at the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Ninth Level or higher may enter. Within the Star Ruins, one can attempt Guiding Fate Star, and the success rate increases by thirty percent."

At these words, a sharp glint flashed in Qin Xuan’s eyes.

’It can increase the success rate by that much!’

After Bai Lingwei’s explanation, he had a general understanding of the situation.

The Star Ruins was a Secret Realm and Grotto Heaven left behind from ten thousand years ago. It still retained traces of that ancient era, and the concentration of star essence within had reached a terrifyingly dense level.

The token required to enter the Star Ruins was the Purple Mansion Star Order.

Before, in the Bone-Eroding Demon Sea, the Blood Demon Sword Sect had seized nearly all three thousand six hundred Purple Mansion Star Orders.

This meant that within the next hundred years, the Blood Demon Sword Sect had a full three thousand six hundred opportunities to create Star Mansion cultivators!

"Junior Brother Qin, it is settled. I will come for you in one year."

With a SNAP, Liu Mobai folded his paper fan and departed with a stylish flair.

"Valley Master Qin, your attainments in the Alchemy Dao are profound. Might Ling Wei come and ask for your guidance from time to time?"

Bai Lingwei’s almond-shaped eyes brightened as she waited for Qin Xuan’s response.

"Of course."

A gentle, lovely smile graced Bai Lingwei’s face as she followed Liu Mobai and left.

Wei Qingyi’s face was a mask of frustrated disappointment.

"Junior Brother Qin, you fool! Do you have any idea how dangerous this trip to the Star Ruins is? You have no backing, no power—you’re destined to die in there!"

’You’ve got to be kidding me. If I don’t trust my Golden Finger, am I supposed to trust you?’

Qin Xuan looked at Wei Qingyi as if he were a clown, thinking to himself, ’The real danger would be in *not* going.’

Wei Qingyi felt his skin crawl under Qin Xuan’s stare, assuming he was still holding a grudge over their previous conflicts.

"If you think it’s so dangerous, I can go in your stead. All it would take is Senior Brother Liu’s approval," Qin Xuan said coldly.

"Junior Brother Qin, are you serious?" Wei Qingyi said, overjoyed.

"Heh..."

Qin Xuan slammed the door with a BANG, leaving Wei Qingyi to stare at the closed door. The snub sent him into a thunderous rage.

...

「Six months later」

It was once again the season for the Blood Marrow Rice harvest.

Qin Xuan sat high in the main hall, his gaze icy as he listened silently to Yu Qi’s report.

"My lord, the price of Blood Marrow Rice has been dropping recently."

Yu Qi’s expression was grim. "In the past, one hundred jin of Blood Marrow Rice could be exchanged for 100 Contribution Points. Now, we can’t even get 50 Contribution Points for the same amount. They’ve slashed prices to the bone..."

Tan Fu bowed. "It’s not just the Blood Marrow Rice. The prices for the Ghost Wood Vines under my care have also been deliberately suppressed."

"I only tried to reason with them, and they broke my arm."

Tan Fu said wretchedly.

"The same goes for me. The price of our Yin Luo Flowers was also intentionally driven down..." another Demon Cultivator added.

Qin Xuan looked up and saw that every person who spoke was black and blue.

Duan Ning’s injuries were the most severe of all—his leg had been broken.

Duan Ning was at the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Second Level. Qin Xuan had only recently transferred him to work under him, putting him in charge of the Foundation Establishment Spirit Plant Cultivators who had previously served Wei Dragon. Duan Ning’s performance had greatly satisfied him.

Now, Duan Ning’s leg had been broken. This was a blatant slap in the face to Qin Xuan.

"Steward Yu, have you found out who’s pulling the strings? Is Jin Wuhai involved?"

Qin Xuan’s eyes were chillingly dark.

After being saved by Pang Tunyun, the situation in Heart Rot Valley had initially been excellent.

But then Liu Mobai paid a visit.

When the other Altar Masters learned that Liu Mobai had invited Qin Xuan to team up for the trip to the Star Ruins, the valley’s situation took a turn for the worse. It was as if they were all convinced he would die there.

Factions were already posturing in the shadows, ready to carve up Heart Rot Valley.

’If I weren’t so focused on my closed-door cultivation, with no time to deal with them, I would have used Curse Killing on the subordinates of these Altar Masters, one by one, just to satisfy my anger!’

Yu Qi flinched, speaking cautiously.

"My lord, it isn’t Jin Xingzou. It’s... Lord Lv Hexsong, the Black Water Pond Master of Mo Xuan Country..."

"He’s in charge of collecting Heart Rot Valley’s taxes this time."

Qin Xuan froze for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly.

’Black Water Pond Master... That name sounds familiar.’

In an instant, Qin Xuan remembered. Lv Hexsong was Black Death Zhenren!

"If it were Jin Wuhai with his Purple Mansion Altar Master backing, I could understand. But Lv Hexsong is a mere True Mansion Second Level cultivator! Instead of minding his own little trade fairs, he dares to provoke my Heart Rot Valley? Does he really think I’m some kind of pushover?!"

Qin Xuan erupted in fury. He was about to go after Lv Hexsong when Duan Ning stopped him.

"My lord, calm your anger! My lord, Lv Hexsong has the Contribution Hall Master, Zou Yongxu, backing him! He’s a True Mansion Fifth Level cultivator..."

Duan Ning called out urgently, dragging his broken leg as he tried to catch up.

Qin Xuan abruptly stopped and turned back, as if nothing had happened.

He cleared his throat, ever ready to accept good advice—and to follow his instincts.

"For Master Zou’s sake, I will let him off the hook this time. You’ll all have to endure this for a while longer. When I return from the Star Ruins after my advancement to the Purple Mansion realm, I will be sure to avenge you."

...

「Mo Xuan Country, Black Water Pool」

In the seat of honor sat a middle-aged Cultivator in a black robe. His face was deathly pale as he held a teacup in his hands.