The Hidden Flood Dragon Institute oversees three islands: Bailu Island, Cyan Light Island, and Golden Yuan Island.

Among them, Bailu Island is inhabited by cultivators below the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, while Cyan Light Island is generally home to those from Qi Refining Fifth Layer to Eighth Layer.

The island with the densest Spiritual Qi, Golden Light Island, is mostly inhabited by cultivators at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, just a step away from Foundation Establishment.

In principle, with Gu Yuan’s cultivation level, he could only practice on Cyan Light Island.

But in practice, there is always room for maneuver in any matter.

Golden Yuan Island’s Spiritual Qi concentration is extremely high, a genuine Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Vein, which even outside are enjoyed only by minor Foundation Establishment Sect Masters.

Even within the Daoist School, some minor noble families’ spiritual veins aren’t as rich, nor would they lavish such veins on their Qi Refining disciples.

Golden Yuan Island is small in area, and there are not many cultivators at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, so there are usually some vacant cave mansions, which become the target of those with intentions.

Gu Yuan came to find Qiu Mingshan today for the same reason.

He wants to cultivate the Little Giant Divine Wood, which requires a place full of Spiritual Qi; the denser the Qi, the faster the Little Giant Divine Wood can grow, even forming a leaf in less than a month.

This could greatly enhance his cultivation speed.

"Golden Yuan Island?"

After hearing Gu Yuan’s words, Qiu Mingshan furrowed his brows slightly at first, then gradually relaxed.

Originally, the cave mansions on Golden Yuan Island were an excellent source of profit for him; every vacant mansion would bring in a huge income.

If an ordinary person came to discuss this matter with twenty Spirit Stones and a Fire Flame Fruit, he would have kicked them out long ago.

But seeing the Eight Wind Treasure Ring on Gu Yuan’s waist, he immediately made up his mind.

"Exchanging a mere cave mansion for the favor of a Golden Core Ascendant is worth it!"

With this thought, he had no hesitation, patted his chest, and said loudly, "Junior Brother, rest assured, I’ll handle this matter for you and ensure your satisfaction."

"Then I must thank Senior Brother!"

Gu Yuan immediately smiled, cupping his hands in salute, while inwardly he couldn’t help but marvel.

The prestige of the Golden Core is really useful!

"However, Junior Brother, before that, I need you to do something for me so I can properly arrange a cave mansion for you."

Qiu Mingshan suddenly spoke again.

"What is it?"

Gu Yuan asked curiously.

"The sect has its own rules. Ordinarily, being at Qi Refining Sixth Layer, you are not permitted to reside and cultivate on Golden Yuan Island, and even I cannot arrange this directly."

"But if you have merit with the sect, with the Human Resources Hall, then there is a reason to promote you to Golden Yuan Island."

Qiu Mingshan smiled meaningfully.

"How can I render service to the sect, to the Human Resources Hall?"

Gu Yuan humbly inquired.

"There is a task in the Fate Hall, issued by the Human Resources Hall, looking for a spiritual artifact called the ’Root Bone Mirror.’ This mirror can observe a cultivator’s root bone, Dao Body, and potential, greatly useful to the Human Resources Hall. If you can find this mirror, you can render a great service and be promoted to Golden Yuan Island."

Qiu Mingshan squinted with a smile, spreading his hands.

Gu Yuan looked down and saw in Qiu Mingshan’s palm a treasure mirror engraved with sun and moon patterns, glimmering with a strange light.

Gu Yuan and Qiu Mingshan exchanged a glance, then both burst into laughter.

...

...

Golden Yuan Island.

In front of a cave mansion near the Great Marsh, Qiu Mingshan handed over a jade token to Gu Yuan.

"Junior Brother Gu, this is the token for the cave mansion. From now on, this Qianyuan Cave is yours."

"The cave mansions on Golden Yuan Island are unique, each equipped with ten Earth Spirit Puppets. These puppets possess Earth and Wood Spiritual Power and can modify the cave mansion according to your needs."

"You’re just unlucky; in the past, each cave mansion on Golden Yuan Island came with three Shell Maidens for miscellaneous tasks, but later someone reported that disciples were indulging in pleasures, so the sect canceled all Shell Maiden benefits. If you want them, you’ll have to arrange it yourself."

Qiu Mingshan explained while handing the token to Gu Yuan.

"It doesn’t matter!"

Gu Yuan shook his head.

He didn’t care about the Shell Maidens as long as he had the spiritual land for cultivation.

"Indeed, Junior Brother is blessed with great fortune and should advance bravely without indulging in pleasures."

"Just hope that when Junior Brother prospers, you won’t forget Senior Brother!"

Qiu Mingshan nodded in praise, then couldn’t help but remind him.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother, as long as the Ascendant remembers me, I won’t forget you!"

Gu Yuan turned his head and smiled, making a very solemn promise.

However, whether the Ascendant will remember me depends on your luck, Senior Brother.

Gu Yuan added inwardly.

"That’s good, that’s good!"

Qiu Mingshan, being busy, just wanted to build a good rapport. With Gu Yuan’s words, he became exceedingly pleased.

In his eyes, Gu Yuan had been granted the Eight Wind Treasure Ring and certainly wouldn’t be forgotten by the Ascendant.

Now practicing at the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute might be an Ascendant’s secret plan.

It must be said that the shock of the Eight Wind Treasure Ring is so strong that whatever Gu Yuan does, he can think of the Ascendant’s planning.

After some polite conversation, Qiu Mingshan left, while Gu Yuan, holding the token, entered the cave mansion.

...

...

Qianyuan Cave was several times broader than the unknown cave mansion where Gu Yuan previously practiced on Bailu Island.

This was not just a cave mansion but more like a separate residence.

Near the Great Marsh, amidst the concealed bamboo forest, lay a luxurious and secluded courtyard, furnished for reception, alchemy, sleeping quarters, and kitchen, fully equipped.

And behind the courtyard was a towering cliff, where the true form of Qianyuan Cave lay.

In the spacious cliff cave, thick spiritual mist surged, making the cave mansion resemble a celestial land, and just two steps were enough for Gu Yuan to feel his mana cheering within.

This is a spiritual land sufficient for Foundation Establishment cultivators’ cultivation.

Standing here with a Qi Refining Sixth Layer body, even without using any technique, his cultivation speed should be several percent faster.

"Truly a treasured land, only a force like the Daoist School could be so prodigal."

Gu Yuan couldn’t help but sigh.

The most important measure of a force’s power is its spiritual meridians.

Those who can occupy overwhelming spiritual lands must be strong sects.

The greatest benefit of the Daoist School is precisely these spiritual meridians beyond ordinary cultivators’ level.

Even if not Golden Yuan Island, even Cyan Light Island is adequate for Qi Refining Realm disciples’ cultivation.

Golden Yuan Island is already excessive.

Gu Yuan could not have moved to this island without leveraging his advantage.

Such a treasure land must not be wasted.

Thinking of this, Gu Yuan didn’t delay further. After familiarizing himself with the cave mansion, he sat on the central meditation mat and took out the Little Giant Divine Wood.

The Little Giant Divine Wood had not yet been planted and wasn’t very spiritually vibrant, but sensing the abundant Spiritual Qi in the cave, it began to gleam, seemingly eager to absorb.

Gu Yuan took out an azure jade scroll, carefully studied it several times, and after preparing everything, he then pierced his fingertip and dripped essence blood.

He was going to plant the wood with blood, deceiving the heavens and crossing the sea!