Although I've also signed a confidentiality agreement, there's no Yuan Ting in the group—so don't worry about information leaking out... Zhang Yuanqing paused for a few seconds, deciding to reveal his identity as the leader of the Night Rose to his team members. These individuals not only shared strong interests with him but also had deep personal bonds, and they belonged to the same guild—trusted partners. He suspected that each of them, to some extent, had already envisioned linking themselves closely to the Prime Immortal. Zhang Yuanqing typed the message: [The Prime Immortal is the leader of the Night Rose. He is Ling Tu, the 17th son of the Master of the Taiyuan Sect. Shanhé Yǒngchén is one of his followers. Ling Tu is the Master's most outstanding heir—reaching the peak of a Supreme Sovereign before turning thirty, and returning to the Spiritual Realm in 1999, as officially reported by the Taiyuan Sect.] Boom! It seemed as though a bomb had exploded within his heart sea, triggering a tidal wave of cataclysmic force. Whether it was the deeply strategic Fire Master, or the often-off-track Xiaohou Aotian, both were completely Sun Miaomiao and Zhao Chenghuang both remained motionless for a brief moment before experiencing intense spasms and tremors. Though the air around them was calm, their adrenaline surged wildly. At this moment, their trust in and sense of security toward the organization were completely shattered, triggering an exaggerated stress response. The secret organization that had long infiltrated official institutions and noble spiritual families—long known for its malfeasance—was led by none other than the heir of the gate's master. This was no longer merely a case of internal decay; it was a direct challenge to the very foundation of the organization, akin to "Why has the emperor rebelled?" For members of the Taimei Sect, this was a seismic shift—shattering their worldview and undermining both their trust and loyalty to the organization. Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn withdrew a message: [ Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn: Everyone just knows it—don’t spread it. It’s good for you.] [ Sun Miaomiao: Good heavens! Why should I ask? Why do I need to know this? Will they even let me live? ] 】 【The Prime Heavenly Sovereign might just rush and have a child to secure the lineage—ideally, I’d like to contribute a little of my own effort.】 【Sun Miaomiao: Roll over, you obnoxious rogue!】 Sun Miaomiao sent a string of angry emoji reactions, and after his light-hearted banter, her mood gradually stabilized. 【All Under Fire: @Prime Heavenly Sovereign, do you know the inside details? What was the specific purpose behind establishing the Night Rose? Who initiated it? Could there be a conflict between the Taiyuan Sect and the official authorities as a result?】 While others were still reeling from shock, the Fire Master had already begun pondering deeper implications. All Under Fire was concerned that the Night Rose initiative might have been personally commissioned by the head of the Taiyuan Sect, and that with this revelation now exposed, a potential conflict between the two official bodies could emerge—somewhat conspiratorial, yet when assessing such high-level figures, a touch of conspiracy often outperforms straightforward sincerity. Zhang Yuanqing typed: 【I cannot provide an answer yet.】 But the Seventeenth Son was a top-tier powerhouse, specializing in the Yin energy, no weaker than the Grand Master of Taiyuan Sect.】 【Heaven's Return to Fire: Got it.】 Immediately, he withdrew his earlier question. 【Zhao Chenghuang: The more critical the moment, the more we yearn to advance in rank—solid strength is always our greatest reliance.】 Now even Xia Hou Ao Tian felt eager, eager to have the clan's quest副本 launched right away and raise their level to six before anything else. 【Original Heavenly Sovereign: Indeed, indeed. That's why I dispatched the Marshal to gather a large number of saint-stage yuanshen and yin corpses in the Ghost City, greatly strengthening our own power.】 This statement perfectly achieved the effect of closing the conversation—no one else spoke in the group chat afterward. From now on, he would try to be less boastful, as constant praise might undermine their confidence, after all, they were all proud young talents… Zhang Yuanqing was about to exit the chat app when he suddenly noticed Xia Hou Ao Tian had sent him a private message. 【Xia Hou Ao Tian: Do you have a set of sacrificial heaven garments?】 【Original Heavenly Due to the Cai Longshen incident, the Sacred Heaven Set has long been no secret among the official leadership. It’s only now that Cai has grown strong enough to stand on his own. If the Set had been revealed during his transcendental realm days, the outcome likely would have been: the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign stabbed three and a half times on his back, officially declared a suicide. [Xia Hou Aotian: I’ve learned that the First Emperor was the first person throughout history to fully comprehend the Five Elements. He personally designed the Sacred Heaven Set and, through the ceremony of sealing the heavens at Mount Tai, established communication with the legendary Haotian. It’s said that after the ceremony at Mount Tai, the First Emperor received divine revelations and began seeking the elixir of immortality.] Zhang Yuanqing had originally thought Xia Hou’s protagonist was out of his depth—yet here was such a significant revelation. "The First Emperor was the first to grasp the Five Elements’ secret. Then, in the 'Five Elements Secret' quest that Bing Brother has claimed as his own, is the First Emperor perhaps sleeping there? But that’s clearly a Tang Dynasty-era quest." "Based on Mu Congfu's achievements, it seems the Five Elements continuously regenerate and can be reborn infinitely through the 'transference of bodies' method. Wow—did Emperor Qin actually live into the Tang Dynasty?" "I've obtained the Imperial Sacrificial Set and the Bad Person's badge. It's all part of a destined fate..." "Did Emperor Qin learn about Gao Tian Yuan from the Heavenly Sovereign? That makes sense now... But what exactly is the Heavenly Sovereign? It feels like a big mystery." As thoughts flowed through his mind, Zhang Yuanqing replied: 【Did the ancient spirit residing in your ring tell you that?】 【Xiahou Aotian: !! How do you know?!】 Xiahou Aotian withdrew a message. 【Xiahou Aotian: I have no idea what you're talking about.】 【Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun: Fine, stop acting all mysterious. Have you forgotten my profession? It's not a big deal—I know that ancient spirit was brought out from the underground temple." At that time, Fu Qingyang reviewed the events in the underground palace and concluded that the "neural center" controlling the military terracotta figures had not yet been discovered—this was a potential隐患. As a result, the small team from the palace specifically sought out elders and superiors to undergo health check-ups. Only Xia Hou Ao Tian remained silent and unresponsive to this matter. When Zhang Yuanqing first sensed the ancient spirit of resentment residing within his ring in Huadu, he had already begun to suspect something. Now, after hearing Xia Hou Ao Tian's report, the suspicion had become firmly established. 】 【Xia Hou Ao Tian: Yuan Shi, I just love your clarity.】 【Yuan Shi Tian Zun: I’ll share one more piece of intelligence with you. The essence of the Five Elements is ever-renewing; after death, it condenses into pills. Those who take the pills will have their bodies replaced, entering a cycle of renewal and repetition.】 With that, he exited the chat platform. …… Jiangnan Leather City. In the Xia Hou family villa district, Xia Hou Ao Tian held his phone, speaking softly: "Old fellow, Yuan Shi Tian Zun has discovered your existence—he even knows you're a Qin Dynasty old-timer." The voice from the ring came old and resonant, "He first noticed me during our last encounter." Xia Hou Ao Tian was taken aback, pointing out, "Why didn’t you tell me?" The Qin Dynasty scholar chuckled, "I thought you’d have sensed it yourself." Xia Hou Ao Tian’s expression stiffened, quickly adding, "Great men don’t dwell on minor details—I won’t always pay attention to the petty rivalries among supporting characters." "But if I were at the height of my powers, your last remark would The Qin-era immortals had grown accustomed to his manner of speaking and didn't计较, instead saying, "Have you told him about the celestial ritual attire?" Xiahou Aotian nodded. "You've always wanted to know what 'Haotian' truly is, haven't you? He now has all three sets of attire, just missing the final piece. Once he completes the celestial ritual garments and establishes communication with Haotian, he'll surely share the information with me—and thus fulfill your long-held desire." Pausing, he added, "By the way, the Prime Immortal also mentioned something related to the First Emperor." The Qin-era immortal instantly became interested. "What is it?" Xiahou Aotian glanced at his phone and recited the information: "He explained that the five elements continuously regenerate, and when a practitioner of the five elements passes away, an internal elixir forms within their body. Those who consume this elixir will have their bodies replaced—thus, the cycle continues endlessly." Upon finishing, he for the first time clearly sensed a strong, disordered surge in the immortal's mental state. The morning sunlight is warm and gentle, casting a lazy, soothing warmth over people. The main gate of Wuhen Hotel is closed, with a sign reading "Temporary Closure" hung on the iron handle. In the large suite on the second floor, east side, the sofa and coffee table have been cleared away, replaced by a wide, brown long table. People seated around the table are speaking softly. "There were twenty-two attendees last year who came to listen to the master's teachings at the hotel; this year, only sixteen remain." "Yes, my father returned to the spiritual realm in April, and Uncle Zhang passed away in July... Ah, perhaps next year, among those present, someone will also make their way back to the spiritual realm." "Returning to the spiritual realm—doesn't that feel like a kind of liberation to us as well?" "I myself found several evil professionals last year who still had a conscience, but ultimately, they all fell short. The sea of suffering is endless, and few are willing to turn back." "Well, at least some fresh blood has been brought in. You're the one who says 'loyal ministers choose their sovereigns and kill them,' aren't you? I've heard of you—your joining this family is most welcome. But how can you possibly claim North Moon as the leader? Are you trying to kill him?" "Please don't worry. North Moon may have the fiery temperament of the Fire Master, but his destiny is stronger than that of the Fire Master. Look at him—he's thriving, isn't he?" An hour remained before Master Wuxian began his lecture. Everyone sat around the table, sipping tea and catching up on the year's experiences and stories. The younger, plump newcomer sat at the far end of the long table, carefully observing the "family members" around him. It wasn't what he had expected. He had imagined a large, expansive group, but there were only sixteen of them—just fifteen, excluding himself. Among them, several wore plain shirts and glasses, clearly ordinary middle-aged men. There are elderly men with white hair, nearing the end of their lives; middle-aged men with well-developed muscles and broad facial features; and girls in slightly faded, pale school uniforms, still full of youthful energy. There are aunties whose demeanor resembles that of a "pot auntie," women exuding sensuous charm and grace, and then—men. Among them, only two have reached the extraordinary stage; the rest are all sages. Among the members reduced this year, most are at the extraordinary level. Each sage is no better than him—indeed, he and Kou Beiyue are among the weakest in the group of sages. The eldest, usually so proud and assertive, now sits quietly beside Xiao Yuan, behaving like a model student. Before the meeting, Kou Beiyue had reminded him that while these people are genuinely well-intentioned, they are far from easygoing. If one offends them, one won't necessarily face life-threatening danger, but will certainly be beaten up. Take, for instance, the middle-aged man with broad facial features, whose spiritual realm ID is "Head Coach Lin Chong," a sixth-level fog master—known for being a forceful, easily angered type who doesn't hesitate to hit people Kou Beiyue said that he used to be frequently beaten by this guy—of course, that was also due to Kou Beiyue's own bold and combative nature. Such a figure should have been a prominent, commanding leader, yet the plump young man had never heard of him. According to this head coach's self-introduction, he works as a fitness trainer at a gym, earning several tens of thousands of yuan per month, and when speaking of his income, he looks proudly down his nose at his family members. Even more puzzling is that the "family members" genuinely express admiration. Take, for instance, the elderly man with white hair, who is a teacher. Kou Beiyue explained that whenever he tells you what not to do, you'd better listen carefully. "Hm, Xiao Yuan has dropped a level?" the earnest middle-aged man pushes his glasses up slightly. This man is a Level 6 Spirit-Channeler. Kou Beiyue quickly added, "Xiao Yuan encountered the Prime Origin Immortal in the quest realm and had to use a teleportation item to leave the quest—thus, the level drop is a penalty imposed by the Spirit Realm." Prime Origin Immortal... Everyone at the table immediately furrows The plump young illusionist immediately sensed the growing discontent among the group. As Lady Kou Beiyue had said, everyone in the team was fiercely protective of their own. The elderly man with white hair remarked, "Is it because of Zhang's incident that you feel you owe others a favor?" The figure of Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun was well known to them—he was hailed as a prodigy with the potential of a leader, admired and recognized by Master Wú Hén for his shared vision. When Xiao Yuan informed Zhang of his passing, he had mentioned this young man. The stoic "Pot Auntie," her expression gloomy, coldly replied, "Why wasn't it he who chose to leave the realm?" "I volunteered," Xiao Yuan said, giving a neutral glance to Kou Beiyue. The chief instructor, Lin Chong, frowned, "You mentioned earlier that he also wanted to attend the master's lecture, didn't you? I hear he's been making rapid progress lately—perhaps we could arrange a sparring session." Kou Beiyue quickly interjected, "Chong, I'll join you in fighting him." The plump young illusionist thought to himself, the leader still a bit green—right now, he should Only then can tensions be intensified. Since the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign sent over a million "dowry" gifts, the eldest has been jealous ever since. "After listening to the master's sermons, shouldn't we now allocate funds? I've been eyeing so many cosmetics and handbags, but my salary isn't sufficient to afford them," says the vibrant young lady working as a bank teller, playing with her manicured nails. "I'm entering high school next year, and both tuition and living expenses will increase," says the plain-dressed middle school girl from a clearly less affluent background. "Ms. Xiao Yuan, what's this year's budget?" she asks. The elderly, with white hair, also cast hopeful glances at the other members. The budget varies—sometimes reaching up to 100,000, sometimes as low as 10,000—depending entirely on the hotel's operational performance.