He could only use Qu Qingxian’s abilities. With Zhang Deming’s current Cultivation, he could only maintain this body for about two hours.

It seemed that the cost of manifesting a physical body was about twice that of fusion. This was, of course, assuming his main body wasn’t passively drawing energy from a Spirit Vein.

After experimenting for a moment, Zhang Deming reverted to a ball of light and merged back into his main body.

Instantly, his main body’s power skyrocketed, and he became a Peak Tai Chi Cultivator.

He could maintain this state for at least four hours.

After taking a moment to acclimate to the changes, Zhang Deming canceled the Technique, got up, and left the Cultivation Room.

He left the Cave Mansion and silently departed the East City’s Spirit Vein district.

Celestial Spirit City was massive, with numerous small mountain ranges within its walls.

The other three districts were mostly flat and looked more like typical city districts.

East City, however, was filled with towering mountain ranges. If not for the fact that the mountains were generally not too high and that numerous houses dotted their foothills and slopes, it would hardly resemble a city district at all.

The Qu Family was one of the Celestial Spirit Sect’s Peripheral Noble Families, and its patriarch was a high-level Tai Chi Cultivator.

In Celestial Spirit City, while not a top-tier family, they were certainly considered first-class.

Aside from the City Lord’s Mansion and the Zhou Family, both of which possessed Duality Cultivators, no other family in Celestial Spirit City could, on the surface, definitively overpower the Qu Family.

Moreover, the Qu Family’s patriarch had recently achieved a breakthrough in his Cultivation. Having fully condensed his Three Lives Runes, he had reached the pinnacle of Tai Chi Three Lives and could even begin preparing to advance to the Duality Stage.

Their family’s status was poised to rise even further.

But after his breakthrough, Qu Qingxian went against all expectations and became a recluse.

He neither held a grand banquet nor made any moves to expand the family’s influence.

In fact, aside from a few key figures within the family, no one else even knew that their patriarch had achieved a major breakthrough in his Cultivation.

Some of the family’s core members found this baffling, but they didn’t dare to rashly question their patriarch’s decision.

The entire Qu Family was currently suffering from a generational gap in talent, with only three members at the Tai Chi Stage.

The other two had only just broken through to the Tai Chi Stage, and neither had much hope for further advancement.

Thus, one could say that the Qu Family was currently run by the sole authority of Qu Qingxian.

Qu Qingxian laid low and became reclusive. Consequently, instead of expanding after their patriarch’s breakthrough, the Qu Family became even more discreet.

······

Dressed as an ordinary Loose Cultivator in a worn, gray Daoist Robe, Zhang Deming arrived at the foot of the Qu Family’s home mountain.

This was the Qu Family’s only One-Star High-Grade Spirit Vein. Zhang Deming observed it from afar.

The base of the mountain resembled a city district, but from the midway point upward, the buildings grew sparse.

Beyond a massive gate halfway up the slope, all ordinary buildings disappeared.

To reside any higher, one had to be a disciple from the Direct Lineage. Members of branch families needed to possess a certain degree of Talent just to earn a foothold.

Zhang Deming proceeded unimpeded to the mountain gate, where he was stopped by two guarding disciples from the Qu Family.

Zhang Deming didn’t seem to mind. He smiled and said, "Would you be so kind as to inform your patriarch that I have come to see him?"

One of the disciples glanced at Zhang Deming and said, "Our patriarch isn’t someone just anyone can..."

Still smiling, a mysterious Rune flashed between Zhang Deming’s brows. Without any sign of a Casting motion, a brilliant green vine sprouted from his palm.

The Qu Family disciple swallowed the rest of his words.

The two guards exchanged a look before one of them asked cautiously, "Senior, may I ask your name?"

Zhang Deming smiled faintly. "I am Zhang Wu. You need only tell your patriarch my name."

From Zhang Deming’s tone, he seemed to be an old friend of the patriarch. Though neither of them had seen him before, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

One guard turned and left immediately, while the other stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "This way, Senior."

The guard led Zhang Deming to a dedicated reception hall halfway up the mountain and saw him settled in.

Before the guard could take his leave, Zhang Deming’s expression flickered.

The Spirit Nurturing Summoning Technique and the Enhancement Skill activated almost simultaneously. A ball of light merged directly into Zhang Deming’s body.

His Cultivation instantly reached Tai Chi Peak, yet on the surface, nothing seemed to have changed.

"Since you’ve arrived, why not come out for a chat?" Zhang Deming said, seemingly to himself, as he took a light sip of the Spirit Tea that had been served.

The guard standing to the side froze. Before he could ask a question, another voice rang out from the doorway.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, your Cultivation is truly remarkable. I’ve only just arrived and haven’t even crossed the threshold, yet you’ve already discovered me."

Upon seeing the speaker, Qu Qingxian, the guard immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Patriarch!"

Qu Qingxian nodded. "That will be all. I wish to catch up with an old friend. You are all dismissed."

"Yes, Patriarch!"

With that, the guard and the few attendants carefully exited the reception hall.

Qu Qingxian sized up Zhang Deming. When he realized the man’s aura was significantly stronger than his own, his expression faltered.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Wu, you certainly kept me waiting for quite some time," Qu Qingxian said, his tone deceptively polite.

Zhang Deming smiled faintly. "I had no intention of leaving you hanging for over a month. After all, you’re the one I’m supposed to be secretly vetting."

There’s no need to establish dominance in such an unfriendly manner.

After all, I only have a single nomination slot for a direct promotion to Two-Star Captain from headquarters."

Hearing Zhang Deming’s direct words, Qu Qingxian paused. "Oh? So, by that, you mean... Fellow Daoist?"

Maintaining his gentle smile, Zhang Deming said, "I ran into some problems while establishing the new branch. I only just finished resolving them today and came to see Fellow Daoist Qu immediately afterward."

Zhang Deming’s explanation seemed to improve Qu Qingxian’s mood considerably.

Whether it was true or not, at least Zhang Deming had offered a proper explanation without a dismissive attitude.

At the very least, he had shown him the proper respect.

"Then, Fellow Daoist Zhang, what brings you here today?" Qu Qingxian asked, taking the host’s seat.

Zhang Deming said, "Elder Huang should have told you about the Alliance, correct?"

Qu Qingxian nodded. "He told me a little. I have a general idea, but I don’t know the specifics."

Zhang Deming replied, "It’s nothing too complicated. The Alliance is essentially a loose organization; you’ve simply joined a clandestine platform."

Aside from a few special circumstances, the missions issued by the Alliance are not mandatory. Participation is completely voluntary."

Qu Qingxian paused. He had come with a host of questions, but Zhang Deming’s explanation left him unsure where to even begin.

"Missions?" After a long pause, Qu Qingxian finally managed a question.

Zhang Deming nodded. "The Alliance uses a point-based system, and missions are the primary means of acquiring those points."

"As for the benefits these points can provide, I imagine Fellow Daoist Qu has already gotten a taste from the newcomer’s package."

Qu Qingxian paused for a moment. "That Blue Sky Branch that suddenly appeared in my family’s territory... was that your doing, Fellow Daoist?"

Zhang Deming nodded. "That’s right. When establishing a new branch, you need your own source of funding, don’t you?"

The Blue Sky Branch is the very first source of funding for our new branch here."

Qu Qingxian looked at Zhang Deming. ""Our?""

Zhang Deming smiled. "Fellow Daoist Qu, surely you aren’t still resistant to joining the Alliance?"

"I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m resistant," Qu Qingxian said coolly. "It’s just that I’m completely in the dark about this ’new branch’ you speak of, Fellow Daoist Zhang. How can there be an ’our’?"

Zhang Deming glanced at Qu Qingxian. ’This man doesn’t just refuse to lift a finger without seeing a reward; he’s a damn crafty old monster.’

’We’ve only just met, and he’s already scheming to climb the ladder. Does he want to meet my superiors and subordinates already?’

Zhang Deming smiled. "There will be opportunities. Once I have everything in order, I’ll organize a meeting."

A flicker of light shone in Qu Qingxian’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile.

Zhang Deming paused before continuing, "Besides getting acquainted, there is another reason I’ve come to see you today, Fellow Daoist Qu."