While Fifth Lingyu laughed heartily, Qin Ruqing and the scribe watched him.

Qin Ruqing blinked, wondering if there was a particular word in what she said that he found especially funny, or if he simply had a great sense of humor.

The scribe looked at Fifth Lingyu with amusement tinged with a hint of resignation, resignation mixed with habit, and habit tinged with indulgence (perhaps?).

Once Fifth Lingyu finished laughing on his own, he waved his hand towards the scribe, clearly indicating he wanted to speak privately with Qin Ruqing.

The scribe nodded faintly and took his leave.

After he left, Fifth Lingyu relaxed completely.

Instead of getting up, he sat down comfortably, propping one leg up, and reminded Qin Ruqing, “No need for formalities, just sit.”

Qin Ruqing responded with an “oh” and sat cross-legged in her original spot.

Thus, these two individuals, who seemed outstanding in every aspect, found themselves in an unconventional scene, sitting on the ground.

Fifth Lingyu spoke in a friendly, conversational tone, “While in the secret realm, did you ever curse the Celestial Bureau in your heart? Think that the Bureau and the Celestial Family were nothing special? Believe that the Celestial Family’s decline meant the end of the cultivation world?”

Qin Ruqing couldn’t admit to that.

She would have to give him a drumroll and flatter the Celestial Family.

Fifth Lingyu raised his tone slightly, and Qin Ruqing’s flattery was halted.

After thinking about it, she decided to admit, “Maybe… I did complain a little…”

In reality, they had thoroughly criticized the Celestial Family, with all four friends cursing together.

Fifth Lingyu smirked and said, “You’re really bold to admit that. Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”

Qin Ruqing shrugged. “In Little Floating Realm, Director didn’t kill me even after I took so many things. During the recent discussion in the hall, despite the Director’s impolite words, he didn’t act. Also, I know the Director still expects me to work for him. So naturally, he won’t kill me.”

“Work?” Fifth Lingyu playfully emphasized these two words.

“Oh, it means to serve an appointment… However, the employer should provide appropriate compensation.” Qin Ruqing raised her hand and rubbed her thumb and forefinger together, her eyes sparkling with implication.

Fifth Lingyu raised an eyebrow, ignoring her suggestive glance, and turned to another topic.

“As for those barriers, they were actually left by the previous Director.”

“Tch, he plays dumb as soon as money is mentioned.” Qin Ruqing sneered inwardly but listened attentively to the Director’s following words.

“At first, the establishment of isolation barriers also had something to do with your visit to the Geothermal Pool. Small Floating Realm is a floating, moving space, slightly influenced by external space but not directly connected.

The only exception is the Geothermal Pool directly connecting to the Earth’s core, containing a barrier that separates the human and beast realms.”

“This barrier is crucial. Therefore, the Xiling Celestial Bureau took on the responsibility of guiding Small Floating Realm, essentially to seal this barrier. After sealing the barrier, to prevent unrelated individuals from intruding, they deliberately set up an isolation barrier. The initial purpose of this barrier was simply to protect the sealed barrier.”

Qin Ruqing listened without surprise, accepting it with a hint of sarcasm.

“One sentence: ‘The original intention wasn’t bad, it just gradually soured.'”

“In the beginning, the Xiling Celestial Bureau indeed didn’t plan to covet Xiling’s assets; setting up barriers was for the safety of the world. However, as they observed the rich resources produced in this mobile space, so abundant that even a Director dispatched from afar was tempted, or perhaps it was the people below who were tempted, and the incumbent Director tacitly allowed it.”

“So, unintentionally, these isolation barriers multiplied, one after another…”

“Since the Geothermal Pool is so crucial, why did you let me in?”

Upon hearing this question, Fifth Lingyu actually rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and then looked directly at Qin Ruqing. “Probably because… I didn’t expect a little mouse to have such a big appetite.”

Qin Ruqing smiled at his words, thinking to herself: “My appetite is probably even bigger than you think. A lot bigger.”

Qin Ruqing brushed past this topic and turned to the most critical question, “Director, where exactly did you summon me to, and why are the requirements so high?”

“A prerequisite for entry is that one must be recognized as a genius by the Heavenly Dao? If not, one’s awareness of entry will be wiped out. What kind of place is this?”

Fifth Lingyu chuckled mysteriously. “For you, it’s a place of opportunity and challenge. But with your current abilities, the likelihood of seizing the opportunity…” Fifth Lingyu gestured with a fingernail-sized comparison to Qin Ruqing, then leaned close to her and lightly blew, “…is about this much.”

Having said that, he watched Qin Ruqing’s reaction calmly, clearly wearing an expression of mischief wanting to tease someone.

But his own sense of humor was too low; Qin Ruqing hadn’t reacted yet, but he started laughing first.

Qin Ruqing: …Your prank almost amused yourself more than me. Really amusing.

“Then are you asking me to go die?”

“I didn’t ask you to go right now. After finally finding a genius like you, I still hope you’ll work for me. How could I possibly let you go to your death?” Fifth Lingyu used a term he had just learned today.

Under Qin Ruqing’s slightly speechless gaze, he continued, “Actually, as long as you can take first place at the Hundred Races Assembly and continue forward, you could also come into contact with this place. Right now, it’s just foreknowledge.”

Qin Ruqing understood after listening, and her mind started to calculate.

Then she said, “So you’re saying you’re investing in advance? Then this trip of mine not only didn’t profit, but I might have even lost, especially since this place is dangerous. Who knows, I might have lost my life.”

She blinked, “So, could the compensation you’re offering be a bit more? And can you open a few more doors inside Small Floating Island?”

Qin Ruqing still had those doors on her mind.

Upon hearing this, Fifth Lingyu looked at her meaningfully. “The compensation I’ve offered is already sufficient for this journey of yours.

Not to mention those high-grade spiritual medicines, just the Earth Spirit…

The Five-Form Spirit only condenses one, old spirits never die, new ones never born, and yours is the only one in the world today.

No one would have expected the only Earth Spirit to appear in Small Floating Realm.

The Scribe Recorder was stunned when he saw it and even suggested nurturing it for a while before sending it back to the Central Region,So, do you understand?”

Qin Ruqing nodded.

She understood.

It meant that even the Celestial Family found this thing enticing; the Recorder intended to fatten it up and send it back to Celestial Island, but Qin Ruqing intercepted it halfway.

“Moreover, you not only got the Earth Spirit but also that…”

Qin Ruqing instantly raised her gaze, recalling the purple misty gas clinging to the tree!

She had guessed it was something good at the time.

“Director, are you referring to that purple gas cluster? Is it even more precious than the Earth Spirit?”

In response, Fifth Lingyu smirked mischievously and slowly replied, “I’m not telling you.”

Damn it!

Halfway through speaking, you’re asking to be hit!

Qin Ruqing clenched her fists in frustration, but Fifth Lingyu didn’t notice when he stood up.

He stood silently, his figure dignified.

Puzzled, Qin Ruqing raised her eyes to see him suddenly turn and take a few steps toward her.

When he got extremely close, he bent down, silently gazing at her for a moment, then extended his index finger and lightly tapped her forehead.

Qin Ruqing was momentarily stunned.

She heard Fifth Lingyu speak with an unprecedented seriousness:

“Remember what I said today. When the time is right in the future and you go to that place, represent my Fifth Celestial Family, represent me, Fifth Lingyu. Also, do not interact with anyone from the Feng Family.”

Fifth Lingyu maintained a condescending posture, calmly watching her, seemingly waiting for her response.

His presence at her forehead was palpable, deliberately so by Fifth Lingyu.

He was reminding Qin Ruqing: You must remember.

The air was quiet for two seconds.

Qin Ruqing blinked, then suddenly sprang up.

She dodged Fifth Lingyu’s hand, sidestepping, and squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Fifth Lingyu.

This swift scrutiny was full of presence, from top to bottom, even carrying a hint of warning and provocation.

Their gazes met briefly, and Fifth Lingyu instantly understood her meaning.

This proud soul didn’t allow others to deliberately use such a condescending, suggestive posture, even if it was Fifth Lingyu himself.

If you used it, she would return it, even if the person was him.

Therefore, with Fifth Lingyu’s fingertip on her forehead, Qin Ruqing responded with a glance from bottom to top.

Fifth Lingyu was surprised for a moment, then withdrew his hand.

His large sleeves covered his palm and also hid his silent rubbing of his fingertips under the sleeve.

This time, he didn’t smile but instead scrutinized Qin Ruqing seriously.

Qin Ruqing quickly shifted from that sharp look to a playful smile.

She shook her head and said, “Director, the conditions you set and what you want me to do don’t quite match.”

Qin Ruqing wouldn’t be led by Fifth Lingyu.

She always had a clear train of thought, knowing what she wanted to do and how to maximize her benefits.

“No matter how precious the Earth Spirit and that cluster of purple gas are, they were obtained by me in Small Floating Island.

Of course, I appreciate your intention to cultivate me.

However, while I’m grateful, the place you’re sending me could cost me my life at any moment.

Your implicit and explicit requests for me to take sides, ‘do not interact with the Feng Family,’ if someone from the Feng Family turns out to be like you, should I engage or not?

Your intention is to have me be a pawn in your game, but I won’t be easily manipulated.”

Qin Ruqing’s words were firm and clear, expressing her determination not to be controlled by Fifth Lingyu’s expectations.

Fifth Lingyu’s expression shifted slightly, pondering her words.

After a moment, he nodded slowly, as if acknowledging her stance.

“Very well, Qin Ruqing. You have a point. I appreciate your candor and independence. However, remember what I said today. This opportunity is rare, and how you handle it will determine your future path.”

With that, Fifth Lingyu turned away, his demeanor becoming more distant, leaving Qin Ruqing to ponder the weight of his words and the implications of her decisions in the days to come.

Qin Ruqing offended an aristocratic family of celestials!

He leisurely rolled up his sleeves, smiled, and said:

“You think I can’t use the things in Small Floating Island as bargaining chips. But do you know, in the cultivation world, might makes right? If I really wanted to, I could snatch what you have and use it as a bargaining chip, then return it to you. There’s nothing you could do about it.”