Liu Lingran walked closer and saw what seemed to be a hidden door.

Before she could use her spiritual power, the hidden door opened automatically.

Immediately, a gentle force pulled Liu Lingran inside, and she called out anxiously, “Junior Master!”

The force was so powerful that Liu Lingran had no ability to resist.

“What are you up to?”

Chen Qingyuan turned to Zhangsun Fengye, questioning him as he watched Liu Lingran being swallowed by the hidden door’s law.

“This is a fortune; you’ll understand soon.”

Zhangsun Fengye quickly explained.

“If Liu Lingran loses even a single hair, don’t blame me for turning hostile.”

Since Liu Lingran joined the sect, it was Chen Qingyuan who had been teaching her, and their bond was deep.

“Chen, there’s no need to worry. How could I let Miss Liu be in danger?”

Zhangsun Fengye said seriously.

With this assurance, Chen Qingyuan’s worries eased, and he stayed in place to wait.

Several hours later, Liu Lingran emerged from another space.

At this moment, she had an indescribable mystical aura about her, as if she had been baptized by the Dao, elevating her talent to a new level.

“Are you alright?” Chen Qingyuan took a few steps forward, asking with concern.

“I’m fine.” Liu Lingran trusted Chen Qingyuan and recounted everything that happened inside the hidden door.

Inside was a small spiritual spring, and a gentle law power covered Liu Lingran, creating a special connection with the spring. Then, Liu Lingran was cleansed by the spring, her strength increased, and her talent was enhanced.

In addition, she obtained a jade talisman with two characters engraved on it—Misty.

“Junior Master, what is this?”

Liu Lingran took out the jade talisman and handed it to Chen Qingyuan, asking in confusion.

“It’s a token of Misty Palace!”

Chen Qingyuan only needed a glance to understand what the jade talisman represented.

A token for a true disciple, meaning Liu Lingran could directly become a disciple of Misty Palace without any obstacles.

“You’re crazy, this is too much!”

Digging up talent right under Mystic Azure Sect’s nose.

This guy must be thinking of taking advantage of the proximity.

If Liu Lingran went to Misty Palace, Zhangsun Fengye would get to see her every day.

“It’s not my doing.”

Zhangsun Fengye denied it vehemently, feigning ignorance.

To appease the higher-ups of Misty Palace, Zhangsun Fengye had used a spiritual spring he had painstakingly obtained to cleanse Liu Lingran, allowing her to meet the standards of a true disciple.

“Do you think I believe you?”

Chen Qingyuan gave him a look.

“It’s likely a token left by Predecessor Ancient Spring. Whoever is fated to obtain it can become a disciple of Misty Palace.”

Zhangsun Fengye thought of an explanation and spoke confidently.

A jade talisman, why would Junior Master question Young Master Zhangsun?

Liu Lingran still didn’t understand Zhangsun Fengye’s background, so she was full of doubt.

“Keep making things up.” Chen Qingyuan crossed his arms and stared directly at Zhangsun Fengye.

“Junior Master, what use does this thing have?”

Liu Lingran broke the tense atmosphere in the hall.

“Have you heard of Misty Palace?” Chen Qingyuan asked in return.

“Of course, it’s a top sacred ground in the Renling Star Domain, said to be guarded by many Great Vehicle cultivators.”

Having come to this region, Liu Lingran had heard many things. She had a deep impression of these top forces in the Northern Wilderness.

“With this item, you can become a true disciple of Misty Palace.”

Chen Qingyuan didn’t hide anything and spoke truthfully.

“That’s amazing!” Liu Lingran exclaimed in surprise.

“Are you tempted, girl?”

Chen Qingyuan asked.

“Tempted by what! I’m not someone who clings to power. I’m just surprised.” Liu Lingran said, “No matter how good this token is, it has nothing to do with me. Throw it away!”

“Throw it away?” This time, Chen Qingyuan was stunned. “Girl, are you serious?”

“Of course. I can’t betray the sect. Keeping this thing is useless!” Liu Lingran thought deeply. “If I take this out, it might cause trouble. It’s better to throw it away and avoid the hassle.”

“Girl, you make a lot of sense.”

Chen Qingyuan nodded heavily, then threw the Misty Palace token deep into the secret realm, its whereabouts unknown.

Sticking to one’s principles, how rare!

Seeing the token being thrown away, Zhangsun Fengye didn’t feel any pain. Instead, his admiration for Liu Lingran grew.

There were still many unexplored areas in the ancient tomb’s secret realm, but Liu Lingran decided to leave, taking what she had gained without being greedy.

Chen Qingyuan and the others were there to accompany Liu Lingran, letting her make all the decisions.

After leaving the secret realm, they headed to a secluded place, fearing they might be targeted by others.

Liu Lingran was very cautious, ensuring safety before stopping.

At the foot of a desolate mountain.

“Girl, you’ve just gained a fortune. Quickly go into seclusion to stabilize your foundation. I’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”

Chen Qingyuan said.

“Alright, sorry to trouble you, Junior Master.”

Liu Lingran indeed needed to go into seclusion for a while to fully refine the spiritual spring within her.

She set up a formation to seal off the surroundings.

Once Liu Lingran entered the formation and focused on her cultivation, she was unaware of what was happening outside.

“Old Feng, you actually used such underhanded means to try to bring Liu Lingran to Misty Palace. Do you think I don’t exist?”

Chen Qingyuan questioned.

“What underhanded means? Becoming a true disciple of Misty Palace wouldn’t wrong Miss Liu.”

Finally, the two could face off and argue.

Han Shan stood aside, watching the drama unfold, indifferent to the situation.

“She’s a disciple of Mystic Azure Sect, you know that, right?”

Chen Qingyuan snorted coldly.

“I know.” Zhangsun Fengye replied with equal intensity, “You’re also a disciple of Mystic Azure Sect, yet you joined the Academy.”

“My situation is different. The Academy holds a transcendent position and never interferes in the conflicts between Northern Wilderness forces. Any Heaven’s Pride with the right fate can enter the Academy.”

“If Liu Lingran really gets involved with Misty Palace, and Misty Palace becomes enemies with Mystic Azure Sect in the future, how do you expect her to choose? No matter which side she stands on, she’ll be criticized. If she helps neither, people will call her ungrateful. Have you thought about that?”

Chen Qingyuan spoke loudly.

“Misty Palace and Mystic Azure Sect are far apart, there’s no way they’d have conflicting interests or become enemies.”

Zhangsun Fengye thought this possibility was non-existent.

“Just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t.”

Chen Qingyuan pondered.

“According to your scenario, there’s a simple solution.”

After a moment of thought, Zhangsun Fengye came up with an idea.

“What’s the solution?”

Chen Qingyuan asked.

“If I and Miss Liu become Dao Companions, our sects can form an alliance, preventing any conflict. Even if disputes arise, they can be resolved peacefully.”

“Moreover, I can guarantee that as long as I’m alive, Misty Palace will never oppress Mystic Azure Sect and will help it develop, ensuring Miss Liu doesn’t suffer any grievances.”

For the sake of love, Zhangsun Fengye made a promise.

“……”

Chen Qingyuan rolled his eyes. They weren’t even close to that stage, and this guy was already dreaming of becoming Dao Companions. Keep dreaming!