"Zhao Rui?"

"The Zhao Zhenren from the Qingcheng Sect?"

Xue Muhua was shocked. He quickly steadied himself and bowed from a distance. "This is all a misunderstanding. I hope Zhenren can forgive us."

After speaking, he kicked Bai Feiyu in the side of the leg and said angrily, "Who do you think Zhenren is? Are you worthy of trading blows with him? Apologize, now!"

With a pained expression, Bai Feiyu quickly bowed his head. "I’m sorry. I was reckless. I didn’t realize you were here, Zhenren. You are a magnanimous person; please don’t stoop to my level."

Zhao Rui waved his hand. "It’s fine. It’s a trivial matter."

Seeing that Zhao Rui was easygoing, Xue Muhua hurried forward a couple of steps and said with a smile, "And what brings Zhenren here?"

"I had nothing to do, so I was just wandering around."

"Since you’re already in Kongtong territory, why not come up the mountain for a visit? Our Sect Leader would surely be delighted to hear of your arrival, Zhenren."

"In that case... very well."

Zhao Rui readily accepted.

’He was heading to Kongtong anyway, but how could going there directly compare to the prestige of being invited?’

Seeing Zhao Rui agree, Xue Muhua was overjoyed. His plump body jiggled as he hurriedly took the lead, guiding Zhao Rui toward Kongtong Mountain.

"Zhenren, please wait a moment. The car will be here shortly."

"By car?"

"How could we dare trouble Zhenren’s noble feet? Times have changed. A car is more convenient and comfortable."

A warm smile appeared on Xue Muhua’s round face.

"Uh..."

"Are you from Gui Xu, or...?"

"I am also from Gui Xu."

"Oh!"

’They’re really keeping up with the times. It seems hedonism is timeless.’

’No matter how fast I can fly, it’s not as comfortable and steady as sitting in a car.’

After walking for just a short while, two luxury sedans pulled up beside them.

"TSK TSK, this car can’t be cheap, can it?"

Zhao Rui slid into the car, looked around, and couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

It was similar to the stretched Lincoln from his past life. Though not as long, the seats inside were arranged to face each other, with a coffee table and a refrigerator in the middle.

’They really know how to live.’

"They were all donated by passionate local entrepreneurs who are devoted to the Dao... It must seem rather laughable to you, Zhenren."

Although his words were self-deprecating, the smile on his face held a hint of pride.

Say what you will about their Kongtong Sect, but when it came to business operations alone, they were streets ahead of the other sects.

The companies and properties under the sect’s jurisdiction were innumerable, not to mention the countless philanthropists willing to donate shares and devote themselves to the sect.

All of these were sources of their financial power.

Their main focus was a perfect fusion of the Martial Dao and the Dao of wealth.

Zhao Rui nodded, lifted his head in slight satisfaction, and leaned back against the seat.

’Thanks to the Kongtong Sect, I’m finally getting to ride in a real luxury car.’

’In both his past life and this one, to be honest, he’d never ridden in such an over-the-top luxury car before.’

’It’s a little embarrassing.’

The car sped along, but it was surprisingly steady. Besides the high quality of the car itself, the driver’s skill was also crucial.

’Have you ever seen a driver at the Grandmaster Realm?’

’The one in front is exactly that.’

’So extravagant, so luxurious.’

"May I ask the esteemed name of your sect’s Sect Leader?"

Zhao Rui rarely participated in exchanges between the Central Plains Sects. He had always been traveling abroad and truly didn’t know the names of the major figures in the various sects after Gui Xu’s full return.

"My sect’s Sect Leader is Master Changkong of the Profound Celestial One Qi Sect and the Boundless Vast Sea."

"Oh! So it’s Master Changkong. When Gui Xu returned, I was not here. This is rather presumptuous of me."

"You’re too kind, Zhenren. When you returned to the Martial Arts world from your travels between Blue Star and Gui Xu, everyone was filled with admiration. Even my own Sect Leader has mentioned you, regretting that he hadn’t had the chance to meet you..."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and the car sped off toward Kongtong Mountain.

「Two hours later.」

At the foot of Kongtong Mountain, the car followed the winding mountain road directly toward the summit.

The road only came to an end when they were halfway up the mountain.

Xue Muhua invited Zhao Rui to get out of the car, and they then took a cable car straight to the summit.

When they reached the summit’s cable car station, the Kongtong Sect Leader and others were already waiting to welcome them.

After Zhao Rui and Xue Muhua stepped out, Xue Muhua eagerly introduced his Sect Leader.

Truth be told, the two parties were not familiar with each other.

But that didn’t stop them from exchanging a long round of pleasantries upon meeting.

This Master Changkong looked to be in his fifties or sixties and wore glasses. His Power was surprisingly only at the Divine Void Realm.

It truly stunned Zhao Rui.

’Hearing Xue Muhua go on about the Profound Celestial One Qi Sect and whatnot, I thought he’d be a great master at the Domain Realm.’

’But he’s only in the Divine Void Realm.’

It wasn’t that he looked down on the Divine Void Realm, but with the Kongtong Sect being so powerful and influential, how could they have chosen such a person as their Sect Leader?

However, after just a short conversation, before they had even reached the Kongtong Sect’s main hall...

Zhao Rui already understood.

This Master Changkong wasn’t a visitor from Gui Xu, but the original, bona fide Sect Leader from Blue Star.

Although his Martial Arts weren’t that high—though, to be fair, before Gui Xu’s arrival, the Divine Void Realm was by no means a low level.

It was just that now, it did seem a bit low.

Although his Martial Arts were lacking, he excelled in business. He was also eloquent and extremely adept at reading people.

Zhao Rui only had to say a few words, and Master Changkong could latch onto the clues and grasp the core of what Zhao Rui was after.

That level of insight was truly astonishing.

"Zhao Zhenren is also a true Blue Star native. Speaking of which, we should have much more in common. Ever since I heard of your deeds, Zhenren, I have always wanted to befriend you..."

Master Changkong spoke with great eloquence.

Before long, the group arrived at the reception hall. The magnificent hall was far beyond what the Qingcheng Sect could compare to, let alone the Qingcheng Sword Sect.

They weren’t even in the same league of architecture.

Zhao Rui’s eyes burned with envy. Unfortunately, besides taking it by force, there was no way to replicate something like this.

After an hour of conversation, Zhao Rui began a tour of the Kongtong Sect, accompanied by Master Changkong.

The entire Kongtong Sect was divided into a front mountain and a rear mountain.

The front mountain housed those who engaged with the mortal world, with people from both Gui Xu and Blue Star.

The rear mountain was where the members of Gui Xu Kongtong lived. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

They rarely got involved in outside affairs, focusing their main efforts on practicing Martial Arts and forging Divine Weapons.

These people were all sect elders, possessing not only profound Power but also superb forging skills.

However, they generally did not meet with outside guests.

Zhao Rui was quite keen on meeting these Artifact Refining masters from Gui Xu Kongtong.

Unfortunately, Master Changkong simply didn’t extend an invitation.

Apparently, the people inside were unwilling to meet Zhao Rui.

Since they had no intention of meeting him, Zhao Rui certainly wasn’t shameless enough to force his way in.

’After all, his chat with Master Changkong was going quite well.’

’They could still cooperate nicely in "business" in the future.’

"I wonder, where is your sect’s Fellow Daoist Lin, Lin Han, these days? I haven’t seen him at all."

"Lin Han?"

The moment this name was mentioned, Master Changkong’s expression became awkward.

"Is something wrong?"

"Lin Han left the Kongtong Sect a long time ago. Sigh... it is something of a scandal for us..."

"This..."

"Since Zhenren has brought it up, there’s no need for me to hide it..."

Master Changkong then recounted the whole story.

After listening, Zhao Rui’s expression became quite colorful.

Lin Han had actually failed in the competition to become the Sect Leader’s successor, stolen the Sect’s Divine Sword of Gui Xu Kongtong, and fled.

It wasn’t that Kongtong’s masters hadn’t pursued him, but he unexpectedly had experts from the Evil Dao backing him up, allowing him to evade his pursuers.

Afterward, Kongtong sent out all its masters to pursue him again, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean; there was no further news.

To Kongtong, the Divine Sword was not just a sharp weapon.

It was also tied to the cultivation of a certain Divine Technique.

Now that the Divine Sword was lost and they couldn’t retrieve it, their only hope was to forge another Treasure Sword that was compatible with this Divine Technique.

This was the main reason why the people of the Gui Xu Kongtong Sect were holed up in the rear mountain and refused to come out.

"Sigh, if I had known this would happen, why would I have taken on the role of Sect Leader? What would have been the harm in letting Junior Brother Lin have it?"

Master Changkong said with a sigh.

Zhao Rui offered a few words of comfort but didn’t say much more.

’There’s probably more to it than just a failed competition.’

’But this is Kongtong’s private affair. As an outsider, it’s best for me to just listen and leave it at that.’

After touring Kongtong Mountain, Zhao Rui, accompanied by Master Changkong, checked into the Kongtong Sect’s villa district.

The spacious residence, luxurious decorations, and complete set of furniture and appliances almost made Zhao Rui think he had walked into a five-star hotel.

"Please rest well, Zhenren. If you need anything, just instruct the Daoist Child at the door."

Master Changkong showed none of the airs of a Sect Leader. After enthusiastically settling Zhao Rui into his accommodations, he waved his sleeves and left the residential area.