Qin Ruqing, after a moment of surprise at the praise and the invitation from the Celestial Family’s Clan Leader, quickly composed herself.

She was initially planning to decline politely after putting on a reserved demeanor, but before she could say anything, the Clan Leader spoke first.

He stroked his beard and shook his head, muttering to himself, “This isn’t good, this isn’t good. Such a formal question should be discussed over tea, sitting down.”

Ah, it really isn’t that troublesome; a single sentence of refusal would suffice.

But the Clan Leader seemed to have made up his mind.

He looked at Qin Ruqing and smiled, “I forgot to introduce myself. You probably don’t know who I am yet?” He straightened up slightly, one hand behind his back, assuming a dignified pose. “I am the Clan Leader of the Fifth clan.”

Qin Ruqing made a show of realization and fear, then bowed. “Ruqing meets the Clan Leader. About your previous proposal…”

Fifth Sheng waved his hand, “No rush, no rush. You’ve just broken through to the Golden Core stage and endured the Nine Turns Thunder Tribulation. You must need time to digest and consolidate your realm. We can discuss this further once you’re rested and prepared.”

So Qin Ruqing found herself having made an appointment for a formal discussion on another day.

The patriarch of the immortal-grade clan appeared to be genuinely busy.

After just a few words, he hurriedly left.

Qin Ruqing thought she would have some peace, but soon a large crowd gathered around her.

The Clan Leader’s enthusiasm was mixed with an authoritative yet somewhat affectionate attitude towards an outstanding junior, while this new crowd was overtly fervent.

Their eyes were filled with amazement, admiration, and curiosity—complex emotions all around.

Qin Ruqing raised her hand, cleared her throat, and began, “Everyone…”

This seemed to trigger something, and they all started speaking at once:

“Qin Ruqing, are you really just at the Golden Core stage? Did you obtain those two Celestial-grade tokens with just Foundation Establishment cultivation?”

“Qin Ruqing, was that really the Nine Turns Thunder Tribulation you faced earlier? How did you get through it? Do you have any methods or secret techniques you can share with us?”

“Qin Ruqing, are all those from the outer realms as formidable as you? We’ve been in Penglai for so long that we’ve lost sight of the world outside. If we want to be as powerful as you, should we travel and train in the outer realms?”

“……”

When Celestial disciples are critical, their remarks can be harsh, but when they praise, their compliments are straightforward and unreserved.

Qin Ruqing’s smile deepened as she gently answered their questions one by one:

“Yes, I’ve just achieved Golden Core Formation, and the path of cultivation is still long and arduous.”

“Methods for overcoming the Thunder Tribulation? Just tough it out.”

“The sky outside… indeed, it’s very high. Penglai is naturally good, but if you find it uninteresting, you can go out for a while. Just remember to hide your background and identity,” to avoid being abducted.

To be honest, Qin Ruqing never disliked these young disciples of the Celestial Family when she first arrived at Penglai.

They were so pure and adorable.

For someone who had seen the world yet was still so naive, she could easily win them over.

If only the old-timers of the Celestial Family, represented by the likes of Fifth Lingyu, could be as easy to impress as these young disciples.

Qin Ruqing patiently shared her cultivation methods (which were actually none), shaping herself into a hardworking and talented individual.

She even claimed to have read ten thousand sets of books at the Wanjuan Pavilion, instantly shocking the group of Celestial disciples.

“Ten thousand sets of books?” The young disciples exclaimed, “So we’re not as amazing as Fairy Ruqing because we haven’t read enough books?”

Qin Ruqing nodded seriously, “Perhaps.”

“Only by going to the Wanjuan Pavilion can one understand how rich the collection is and how precious the content is. Knowing that her time at Penglai was short, Ruqing took advantage of the opportunity to read a large number of books in a short time to avoid missing out.”

Saying this, the red-clad fairy revealed a shy smile, “Though it was a bit hasty, I still feel that I have gained a lot.”

She was clearly more dazzling than the sun, yet so modest and adorable!

The disciples in their uniform suddenly understood why Fifth Yingjun always carried a stack of immortal jade slips.

It seemed that every expression of hers was worth recording with a stone, to be reviewed and admired repeatedly.

After a moment of awe, they said, “It turns out that we were blissfully unaware of our fortune, guarding a treasure mountain without realizing it. After returning today, we’ll start reading books at the Wanjuan Pavilion!”

Qin Ruqing: “Mm, I wish you all the best.”

Her voice was gentle and sweet like a melodious bird.

One of the female disciples, taking the opportunity, had already linked her arm with Qin Ruqing’s and subtly sniffed the lotus fragrance on her.

In the clouds, Fifth Lingyu suddenly scoffed.

Qin Ruqing, who was being hugged and seemingly absorbed, but actually fondling a cat, suddenly raised her gaze towards a certain direction in the clouds.

The hand that wasn’t being held unconsciously rubbed.

She had achieved Golden Core Formation and become stronger.

She wondered if she could beat Fifth Lingyu in a fight now… Hmm, better to be cautious and wait until after the Four Hells are over.

When it was time to say goodbye, the Celestial disciples were surprisingly reluctant to part.

Shaking them off, Qin Ruqing felt very happy and hummed an unknown tune as she returned to her waterfall residence.

“Happy?” The extravagantly dressed Fifth Lingyu was standing in front of her door.

Qin Ruqing paused her steps but nodded cheerfully, “Yes, I’m happy. How can I not be pleased with my improved cultivation?”

Fifth Lingyu: “The clan leader should have spoken to you; there are some things that need to be discussed privately.”

Qin Ruqing raised her voice: “Is it about inviting me to join the Fifth family?” She deliberately added a subtle tone.

Fifth Lingyu suddenly remembered that she seemed to have also mentioned it.

Upon receiving a similar request before, he smiled and said, “Of course he’ll bring it up, but it’s just a casual mention. The main focus is on other things.”

Qin Ruqing nodded. “Alright, I understand. You’re saying that those from the Celestial Clan might mention it casually, but it’s not something they actually care about.”

“Does the Director have something to instruct me on?”

She had been advised by the Southern Ridge Director before and knew that the relationship between the current clan leader and the former clan leader, Fifth Lingyu, was somewhat delicate.

This delicate point was likely taboo, and since the Southern Ridge Director wouldn’t say, Qin Ruqing dared not investigate further.

Now that the current clan leader wanted to speak with her, and Fifth Lingyu had deliberately come here, it looked like he wanted to pass on some instructions.

Fifth Lingyu, however, seemed somewhat displeased: “Do I necessarily have to have something to instruct you about?”

“Ah, if not, then what?” Qin Ruqing asked earnestly.

Fifth Lingyu snorted lightly from his nose, took a step back to increase the distance between them, and put his hands behind his back. “Although you were invited by me, you are not an appendage. You have your own freedom and naturally do not need me to instruct you.”

Qin Ruqing bared her small white teeth and replied, “Alright, I’ll remember what the Director said!”

“Not an appendage” and “You have your own freedom”—if that were truly the case, why was she given the spoken contract?

Moreover, Qin Ruqing smiled cheerfully but was very perceptive.

She had long sensed:

Before today, before she had used the grand Golden Core Thunder Tribulation to validate herself, her label in the eyes of the Celestial Family was: “An outsider brought back by Fifth Lingyu.”

Her personal identity was described in terms of Fifth Lingyu.

In other words, there was an implicit subordinate relationship between them.

Qin Ruqing knew well that their relationship couldn’t be one of subordination and never would be.

But she couldn’t directly emphasize this point to outsiders.

This unspoken, insufficiently publicized relationship seemed like an informal rule, created by the disparity in their family backgrounds and power.

Qin Ruqing understood all this.

But it didn’t matter; as she had said before, she would act to cleanse all labels that did not belong to her.

After Fifth Lingyu left, Qin Ruqing began to absorb and understand the insights gained from the Golden Core.

The clan leader’s comment about needing time to consolidate wasn’t made lightly.

It’s worth mentioning that the “Waterfall Scenic Hotel,” which was destroyed during Qin Ruqing’s thunder tribulation, was miraculously restored after the tribulation, as if blessed by the heavens.

Moreover, the clear energy flowing from the waterfall was even more abundant than before.

Qin Ruqing wasn’t sure whether this was a divine wonder of Penglai or a divine blessing from heaven.

After solidifying her gains in cultivation over the course of the day, Qin Ruqing came to meet the immortal clan leader as scheduled.

Following the previous instructions, she shook a bronze bell, entered a secret chamber, and then the scene before her changed.

When Qin Ruqing opened her eyes, she found herself in a picturesque setting with a flowing celestial spring cascading from the mountain stream, pine forests, and a round table and stools made of strange rocks.