Cheng Yu’s words left the Dean in stunned silence.

’Achieved Golden Core in just four years after joining the Sect.’

’He left the Luoyun City Yunqian Bureau four years ago?’

The Dean certainly remembered the name Jiang Man. The young man had been quite the sensation back then.

But he hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Getting into a Sect was far more difficult than joining the Yunqian Bureau.

Countless geniuses could easily fade into obscurity within a Sect.

Perhaps Jiang Man’s brilliance would last a while longer.

But he never imagined that in just four short years, Jiang Man would become number one in the Outer Sect.

A Golden Core Powerhouse.

"He was a student here four years ago," Cheng Yu reminded him softly. "Today, four years later, he’s about to become a case study for the Yunqian Bureau."

The Dean was deeply shaken.

’A true dragon has emerged from my academy.’

’And I only just realized it.’

After a moment’s pause, he asked curiously, "Then why did he seek out Song Qing first upon his return?"

"Because every year when Song Qing travels to the Sect, he meets with Jiang Man. They’ve always stayed in touch," said Cheng Yu.

The Dean was silent for a moment, then said, "I’ll have someone escort you home, Miss Cheng."

Cheng Yu naturally understood his intention.

’He’s trying to help me secure my footing within my family.’

’To completely solidify my position.’

The prestige of having the Dean’s favor was enough to earn her plenty of respect within her clan.

But...

She was still terrified of her mother.

After a moment’s hesitation, she decided she had to go back.

It wouldn’t be right to not go back at all.

But the mere thought of returning made her ache with a phantom pain.

As soon as Cheng Yu left, the Dean immediately sent someone to fetch Song Qing.

However, he received some bad news.

Song Qing had left with a friend from the Sect.

The Dean sighed.

He wasn’t too worried, though. He would first prepare a welcome.

The man would surely come to him eventually.

—

「The back mountains of Luoyun City.」

As Jiang Man led Song Qing over, he did indeed sense a violent power in the air.

Moreover, the mountain was guarded.

This mountain was different from the one where he had met Meng Qiewei, which brought him some relief.

At first, he’d thought people from the Immortal Sect had followed the river and found their way here.

Now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Besides, the aura of the Immortal Sect wouldn’t be this frenzied, nor would it be accompanied by Demon Beasts.

"Halt."

As Jiang Man and Song Qing approached, a guard stepped forward to block their path.

"Who are you?" a young man in his mid-twenties asked.

He warily sized up Jiang Man.

At this, Jiang Man subconsciously reached into his robes.

He was looking for his token.

He quickly remembered that it was in his Storage Treasure.

An Iron Token quickly materialized in his hand.

"Will this do?" Jiang Man asked.

Seeing the item appear from thin air, the guard knew the person before him was no ordinary man.

He said respectfully, "Please wait a moment."

Soon, a middle-aged man walked over.

’Judging by his presence, he should be at Foundation Establishment,’ Jiang Man thought. ’But his aura control is mediocre. It’s also possible he’s just used to letting it show.’

A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Yunqian Bureau was a big deal.

Why would they need to conceal their aura to avoid attracting attention?

"Sir, are you here from the Sect to provide guidance?" the middle-aged man asked cautiously.

Jiang Man shook his head. "I’m here to handle two matters. First, the Demon Beasts. Second, the Sect’s assessment. Do you understand?"

"Understood. Please, this way." The middle-aged man nodded respectfully.

He cast a curious glance at Song Qing, however. ’Why was this person allowed to accompany him?’

He didn’t dare to ask.

Instead, he introduced himself as the one in charge of this area.

His name was Li Ji, and he had a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

He had also been taught by the Sect.

Jiang Man was surprised. ’Late Stage of Foundation Establishment? And he’s from the First Courtyard?’

’A poor student?’

He didn’t press the issue, asking about the situation here as they walked.

Fortunately, no Golden Core Level Demon Beasts had appeared.

Unfortunately, they still hadn’t found the source of the problem.

When they reached the mountainside, Jiang Man suddenly stopped.

He saw a thin layer of mist.

"This mist has been here for a long time. We haven’t detected any harmful effects so far," Li Ji explained.

Jiang Man shook his head slightly. "Song Qing, head down the mountain. Everyone else guarding this place should leave as well. Don’t linger."

This mist was unusual; it actually contained a faint trace of an "ancient well" aura.

’Logically, only an "ancient well" type of Secret Realm should have this kind of aura. Why would it suddenly appear here?’

’It’s very faint. I wonder when it showed up.’

If it had been here for a long time, Ren Qian and his group would probably be here soon.

If it only appeared recently, it would likely take them some time to arrive.

"Fellow Daoist, what’s the reason for this?" Li Ji asked.

Jiang Man answered truthfully, "It’s the aura of an ’ancient well’ type of Secret Realm."

The man didn’t understand.

But he was sensible enough to keep his mouth shut and lead his men away.

Song Qing didn’t ask any questions either. Jiang Man was a Golden Core Ancestor; if he told you to leave, you left.

There was no need to ask why.

How could the knowledge of someone at the Qi Refining stage compare to that of a Golden Core Ancestor?

As soon as they were away, Li Ji questioned Song Qing, wanting to know Jiang Man’s background and cultivation level.

"Golden Core," Song Qing answered, his reply short and to the point.

SLAP!

Li Ji slapped himself across the face. He had actually called that man "Fellow Daoist."

’I was courting death.’

He had to inform the Dean at once. Someone from the Sect had arrived, and he was at the Inner Sect Level!

—

「Within the mist.」

Inside a massive cave, a number of Demon Beasts were gathered.

A giant Jiao Dragon was coiled atop a massive boulder.

Its voice was low and deep. "Someone has come up the mountain. It looks to be a Golden Core. Who among you still possesses their Golden Core Cultivation?"

"My strength is approaching the Golden Core realm, but I don’t rely on my cultivation to kill," a snow-white fox spoke up.

Just then, another Demon Beast hidden in a corner said, "He’s from the Sect. Shouldn’t we lay low for now? We have the Evil God’s Mist to conceal our presence; we can actually avoid a confrontation."

"You want us to hide from a single Golden Core? The Golden Core of the Demon Race is the strongest of all!" a beast wreathed in flames said irritably. "A mere Golden Core isn’t worthy of such caution."

The Demon Beast in the corner continued, "We appeared secretly in this remote place for the express purpose of avoiding the Sects. Isn’t fighting someone from an Immortal Sect now completely counterproductive?"