Compared to the nervous and burdened mood when heading to the Eastern Domain, returning to the Southern Ridge was much more relaxed.

It seemed that even the heavens were looking out for them.

Unlike the last time when they encountered a flock of rock eagles on the way, this time, no accidents occurred, and they smoothly arrived back in the Southern Ridge.

They were on a large ship flying the Southern Domain’s Celestial Bureau.

Note, it’s the Southern Domain Celestial Bureau.

The Southern Domain’s Head Director himself had sent people and a ship to bring them back, showing support for the Qin family and enhancing their prestige.

Moreover, this gesture had nothing to do with Qin Ruqing’s cooperation with the Fifth Family; it was entirely based on the Qin family’s contributions to the Southern Domain—out of ten total Void Realm slots, the Qin family occupied three.

Adding to that the presence of Tang Zifeng, who ranked first in the way of Artifact forging, they had four of the top ten spots in the event.

Such outstanding results were rare in the Southern Domain’s history, so they naturally had to be treated with great care.

Qin Ruqing did not decline the Celestial Bureau’s ship. They had enough confidence to enjoy this treatment, and it was a matter of family pride, so why refuse?

Moreover, traveling from the Eastern Domain to the Southern Ridge, crossing domains, and passing through the Eastern Dense Forest was highly dangerous.

It would have taken them an unknown amount of time to travel on their own.

So, having the Celestial Bureau as their bodyguards was ideal.

The Southern Domain Celestial Bureau sending people and a ship was one thing.

Upon arriving in the Southern Ridge, they were greeted by the Southern Ridge Director, the recording officials, and all the department staff.

This caused quite a stir in the Southern Ridge city.

The entire Celestial Bureau turned out, dressed in uniform, solemn robes, waiting at the city gates in a display of extravagant grandeur.

The citizens watched the scene in whispers.

“What level of important person must be visiting the Southern Ridge?”

“Could it be someone from the higher-ups?”

“To have our Southern Ridge Director personally welcome them, they must be extremely high-ranking!”

“Oh, didn’t you know? The date is about right. The Hundred Clans Grand Event has just ended, and the rankings have been announced and sent to each domain. Qin family, the top clan in Southern Ridge, occupies three of the top ten spots! This has never happened before!”

“Ah, that explains it. It’s the rule for the top talents of the event to be greeted by the local Celestial Bureau.”

As they spoke, a luxurious ship, quite different from those in Southern Ridge, flew in from the horizon.

The Celestial Bureau’s staff visibly became even more solemn.

The citizens also stood around, watching with interest.

The spaceship was quite unusual, shaped like a crescent moon with its ends tilted upwards.

It had no sails but flew at incredible speed, quickly approaching.

A tall ladder seemed to drop from the clouds, and then, four heavenly-looking men and women descended from it.

“Ah, it’s really them. I recognize them. The one in red is Qin Ruqing!”

“How do you recognize them? They seem a bit unfamiliar to me.”

“You must not pay much attention to the Qin family! Before the Hundred Clans Conference started, if you had visited the Qin Medical Hall or Pill Hall more often, you’d have seen Fairy Ruqing or Fairy Lu Wei.”

In whispers, the townspeople saw the Celestial Bureau’s personnel greeting the visitors.

Among the four, it was clear that Qin Ruqing in red was the leader, engaged in close conversation with the Director of the South Ridge Department.

The South Ridge Director Fifth Ziyan was very warm and courteous.

After their conversation, he even had a scribe and a team escort the four back to the Qin clan.

The team carried a tray with a red cloth, and on the cloth was a square sandalwood box with the Celestial Bureau’s emblem.

The procession, carrying the box, made its way to the Qin clan.

“Wow, I’ve never seen such a grand display. Is the Celestial Bureau giving something to the Qin family?”

“Are you silly? The Qin family had three people in the top ten of the Golden List. According to the rules, the Celestial Bureau is supposed to send congratulations. Otherwise, why would they make such a grand gesture? It’s clearly a congratulatory gift!”

“They’re heading to Qin Street. Let’s go see and share in the joy!”

The townspeople rushed towards the Qin clan’s territory.

At the entrance of the Qin clan’s territory, a large crowd had already gathered.

They saw the clan’s Ancestor Wenxuan, dressed in white robes, standing prominently in the center.

Beside her were the Clan leader and five elders.

Behind them were high-ranking members of the Qin clan, all looking dignified and full of family pride.

Someone shouted, “They’ve arrived!”

At the end of the street, a procession appeared.

The Qin clan members at the entrance were visibly excited.

Luo Xian eagerly awaited; Qin Deming, trying to maintain his leader’s demeanor, was actually brimming with excitement inside; the old trickster, the Second Elder, adjusted his robes; only the ancestor at the center remained unchanged, though his eyes were notably bright.

Qin Ruqing, seeing her long-lost relatives, greeted them with a bright smile.

Though the Hundred Clans Conference had only lasted a bit over two months, it felt like an eternity.

There were many things she wanted to say, but the formalities weren’t over yet.

The scribe personally delivered the congratulatory gift to the Qin clan’s entrance, and announced loudly:

“Congratulations to the Qin clan from the Celestial Bureau of the South Region and the South Ridge. Congratulations to the Qin clan’s talents!”

He then began reciting the congratulatory list, which took almost a quarter of an hour.

After finishing the recitation, he personally handed the list to the Ancestor Wenxuan.

Knowing that the clan members would want to talk among themselves, the scribe declined the invitation to the banquet and said:

“The talented ones must be tired from their journey. It’s better to rest. Any discussions can wait until you’re rested and can visit the Celestial Bureau later.”

After finishing, the recording official deliberately glanced at Qin Ruqing and then withdrew.

Qin Ruqing understood the hint from the look.

Once the unrelated bystanders had left, the ancestor finally showed a clear smile.

“Good children, you’ve worked hard! The feast is ready. We’ll talk more at the banquet.”

“Let’s go back to the clan!”

At the banquet, they didn’t discuss any serious matters.

It was more about toasting and expressing joy at their reunion.

After the feast, Qin Ruqing and the others refreshed themselves and went to the Qin family’s conference hall for the real discussion.

The four main characters were naturally all present.

Notably, Luo Xian and Qin Ruyu, who usually didn’t attend the meetings, were also specifically invited and given seats.

This was clearly a gesture to honor Qin Ruqing.

After everyone was seated, the Second Elder spoke urgently: “Qing girl, you’ve really caused quite a stir this time!”

“First place on the Golden List, I never imagined our Qin family could produce such a talent. Even in the past, it was unthinkable!”

“Yes, what’s the meaning of the three sounds?”

The ancient artifact, the Golden List, made three sounds from Mount Buzhou.

The news would be transmitted to the various domain of Celestial Bureau with a delay of one or two days, and then the departments would notify the clans.

At the time, it was their Southern Ridge Director who personally delivered the message.

The entire clan was stunned and couldn’t believe it.

Although it seemed like a joke, the Director’s serious demeanor suggested otherwise.

Most importantly, the Fifth Ziyan wouldn’t joke about such things.

At that moment, the ancestor reacted quickly and asked, “Can the Director tell us the meaning of the three sounds of the Golden List?”

Even the ancestor didn’t know the exact meaning of the three sounds.

She only knew that those who were ranked first on the Golden List were exceptional talents.

As for the meaning of the three sounds, that was unknown.

Fifth Ziyan smiled with a mysterious expression and said, “It represents that if things go smoothly in the future, your Qin family will achieve extraordinary success.” If luck was on their side, they might even stand on equal footing with the Celestial Family.

However, that was still a distant possibility.

Becoming a Celestial Family was not something that could be achieved by just one talented individual, Fifth Ziyan didn’t mention it.

Thus, for the Qin family, it meant knowing that their younger generation had achieved something great, but not understanding the full implications of this achievement was quite frustrating.

As soon as the Second Elder spoke, the council chamber buzzed with voices urging Qin Ruqing to explain the meaning of the three rings of the Golden List.

Qin Ruqing smiled and, without hesitation, spoke lightly:

“The three rings of the Golden List represent the Celestial Seed.

Of course, this is what the Celestial family told me.

Only they know the exact details… but it’s definitely something good.”

She made it sound so casual!

“Little Qing, even as an Celestial Seed, you’re still being modest. If you’re not good enough, what does that make us?” the Fourth Elder said.

The other elders also teased her, but with joy and good intentions.

How could they not be pleased?

No wonder the South Ridge Director said that the three rings of the Golden List represented a future of unimaginable achievements for the Qin family.

If Little Qing really grew into her potential, it meant the Qin family could even achieve… Celestial Family?!

Wow!

This was something they barely dared to say out loud, only allowing themselves to think it.

The atmosphere at the gathering was warm and joyful.

Luo Xian stood there with her back straight.

She had never been to the council chamber before, and now she was here solely because of her daughter.

Even Qin Deming, whom she had little in common with, wasn’t the reason.

Before, Luo Xian couldn’t come not because of any particular reason, but simply because of her mediocre talent and low status.

She never had a chance to hold a significant position in the clan and didn’t desire one.

She was content managing a few shops and having extra money, which was already beyond her expectations.

Her current life had far surpassed her previous hopes.