“The Elder of Wanjin Pavilion knows about it. He didn't say anything.”

Qian Duoduo stopped. “Wait, is this related to Wanjin Pavilion?”

“The three Pillar Heads of Phoenix were taken by someone, of course it's related to Wanjin Pavilion.” Huang Guiren's lips were shining, moving nimbly.

Qian Duoduo, however, lay down. “You said it was 'done' three times by someone, is that all?” The wording was inappropriate, it was the origin of the rumor. Huang Guiren's word 'done' was definitely used incorrectly. Unlike himself, his use of 'straightened' was quite accurate.

“Hmm. What did you think it was?” Huang Guiren asked with his clear eyes.

“You're a grown hen that can lay eggs, what don't you understand? Don't pretend to be a chick with me. Is that how you use the word 'done'?” Qian Duoduo exposed Huang Guiren's pretense of purity. He had long heard Huang Guiren often mumble about how females, males, roosters, and hens were when he talked to himself. This was also an occupational hazard from the spiritual plant research institute, where multiplying good breeds was their primary duty, and they were most concerned about reproduction.

Huang Guiren touched his lips, his eyes shining. “Did I say 'done'? A slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue. Let me continue—On the Golden Pillars of Wanjin Pavilion's first to third scrolls, above the Phoenix, at some unknown time, a Golden Toad flew in. Now, the Capturing Rat Squad in the square has organized ten small teams, two from each Immortal Mountains, one on day duty and one on night duty. They will not rest until they catch this mysterious Golden Toad.”

“Why catch this Golden Toad?” Qian Duoduo secretly chuckled, deciding to continue snatching the Phoenix's Pillar Heads.

“Phoenix's Artifact Refining talent is recognized as the best in the Sect. The Capturing Rat Squad said this Golden Toad must have cheated. Otherwise, why would it only dare to take the assessment secretly at night? They want to catch the Golden Toad and make him compete openly with Phoenix.”

“Cheating? The Elders of Wanjin Pavilion didn't even say anything, and they've already judged it as cheating?” Qian Duoduo snorted.

“Phoenix…” Huang Guiren wanted to continue, but Qian Duoduo didn't want to listen anymore and pushed him out.

I'm not interested in the stories of grown hens. Whether I'm a Golden Toad or a rat, they won't catch me.

Qian Duoduo had just obtained the spirit mine scroll of the Encyclopedia of Weapon Refining. He needed to study it well and quickly advance from Qi Apprentice to Artifact Apprentice, which was more important than anything else.

Compared to the first three scrolls, the spirit mine scroll, strictly speaking, was just an outline, only roughly listing over ten thousand types of spirit mines. Only six to seven thousand had illustrations. In the Artificer Hall's material library, there were only over four thousand physical samples. The general outline of this scroll stated that the trunks of spiritual plants, Spirit Beasts, and Spirit Birds could all transform into spirit mines. The same Spirit Beast, under different environments, could also transform into spirit mines of different attributes. Calculated this way, the number of spirit mines was not just over ten thousand, but at least tens of thousands.

After studying for over a month, Qian Duoduo discovered this problem. He asked Liu Boli why the Refining Spirit Sect had so few spirit mines. Liu Boli said that this was not a small number. The spirit mines that could be found within the Sect had already been fully recorded.

“Where are those unrecorded ones?” Qian Duoduo thought that the current content was too little, and his chances of winning against Phoenix Cao Yueying were slim. If he could learn more, he would have some confidence.

Liu Boli looked at Qian Duoduo from within the Golden Toad. “Outside the Sect.”

Outside the Sect! Qian Duoduo immediately glanced at the motionless Jin Buhuan. He was severely injured precisely because he was performing a mission outside the Sect.

Qian Duoduo now not only had Jin Buque as a Mortal enemy but had also offended Yu Yixiang and was a target of the Capturing Rat Squad.

Two open, one hidden, three groups of enemies.

If he ran outside the Sect, he didn't know what dangers he would encounter.

“Going outside the Sect also has an advantage.” Liu Boli seemed to guess Qian Duoduo's thoughts.

“What advantage?”

“I can come out and move around.” Liu Boli's words instantly made Qian Duoduo's heart stir. His Master was now at Golden Core Great Perfection, even stronger than Palace Lord Dajiu. As long as he didn't encounter a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could walk sideways.

“Then I'll go outside the Sect for some activity?” Qian Duoduo asked himself, and also Liu Boli.

…

Three days later, at the Refining Spirit Sect's Sect gate.

Stepping out of the city gate, Qian Duoduo's heart fluttered, as if it had suddenly been suspended in the air.

This was his first time leaving the Sect, so this must be the feeling of leaving home, right? Qian Duoduo looked back at the Sect, his heart both pounding and trumpeting.

It was false to say he wasn't scared, but there was more anticipation.

The Refining Spirit Sect's Sect gate was built along the mountain, opening two city gates, twenty to thirty zhang wide, to the south. Above the city gates were city walls a hundred zhang high. The city walls were constructed from massive green-gold stones. Between the stones, golden liquid was poured, connected by Formations. The city walls extended east and west, embracing the Five Immortal Mountains, including Meng Yuan Legion and Xiong Jin Legion.

Below the city gate was Lingwu Avenue, which ran through the entire Sect. Lingwu Avenue continued south, leading to Kongfang City.

“This Sect is so big! Refining Spirit Sect is so good!”

Withdrawing his gaze, Qian Duoduo realized that this Immortal Cultivation Sect, where he had stayed for more than half a year, was already his home.

Here, although there were people who desperately wanted to destroy him, there were also people who loved him, and people he cared about.

Palace Lord Dajiu, Wang Dahei, Wang Meiruo, and Huang Guiren were all very kind to him.

Sometimes, Qian Duoduo almost forgot that he was Qian Duoduo, a Mortal who grew up in a poor village. Qian Duoduo thought he was Jin Buhuan, a native of the Immortal Cultivation World.

Immortal Cultivation was also wonderful. There was Spiritual Qi flowing in the Spiritual Veins, Immortal Swords flying in the air, Spirit Beasts running, Spirit Birds flying…

Walking south along Lingwu Avenue, Qian Duoduo's mind wandered until Liu Boli reminded him to turn left.

This time leaving the Sect, Qian Duoduo took on a mission to explore mineral deposits in the Phoenix Mountains. At the Mission Hall, he specifically let Jin Buque see him. With Liu Boli present, Qian Duoduo hoped Jin Buque would come personally and lead him, this ant, to explore the path to the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

But to his disappointment, Jin Buque no longer had the vigorous spirit he showed last time when he deducted over a million from Huang Guiren. He merely stood in the distance, silently watching Qian Duoduo accept the mission, without a single hair moving on his face.

Qian Duoduo guessed that the news of him getting first place in the small competition had somewhat scared him. He might be wondering if Jin Buhuan was rising again.

Perhaps, if he didn't come himself, he would send someone else.

No matter who he sent, Qian Duoduo would receive them warmly…

“If you don't turn now, you'll reach Kongfang City,” Liu Boli reminded him again. He was trying to scare Qian Duoduo; Kongfang City was still very far, even by war chariot at full speed, it would take two or three days.

Qian Duoduo smiled and quickly walked towards the left fork in the road.

The Phoenix Mountains were in the southeast outside the Sect. This mountain range was still within the Refining Spirit Sect's territory and under its jurisdiction, but it was already at the very edge, bordering the Shengling Sect.

These areas not within the Sect's city walls were usually managed by Families affiliated with the Refining Spirit Sect. Each year, these Families had to pay a certain amount of gold coins to the Sect, or directly hand over local specialties. If they failed to pay on time and in full, their management rights would be revoked by the Sect. The core disciples of these Families would be sent to the Sect for cultivation, which not only strengthened their ties with the Sect but also served as a form of hostage.

The Phoenix Mountains were managed by the Zhu Family.

Among the more than twenty Families affiliated with the Refining Spirit Sect, the Zhu Family ranked in the middle to lower tier, with average strength. The highest cultivation in their Family was only at the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage. However, the Foundation Establishment Realm was already something Qi Condensation Cultivators needed to look up to. Ten Ninth Level of Qi Condensation Cultivators were still no match for a single Foundation Establishment Initial Stage Cultivator.

The Zhu Family's strength was average, and the road from Zhu Family Castle to Lingwu Avenue was also poorly maintained, barely wide enough for two war chariots to pass. Unlike Lingwu Avenue, which could accommodate eight war chariots simultaneously.

After walking for less than a quarter of an hour towards the Phoenix Mountains, Qian Duoduo saw a red standard war chariot stopped ahead. Beside the chariot stood a young man in brocade robes. Judging by his aura, he was no worse than Jin Buque, who was at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation.

The young man in brocade robes saw Qian Duoduo, hastily bowed, and asked in a clear voice, “Is this Senior Brother Jin Buhuan?”