As Tang Chen continued to speak, Tang Biao’s mind began to wander, no longer paying full attention.

He knew his role in Tang Chen’s eyes: a man of few words, not one for social graces, and his silence was often taken as agreement.

After leaving the Clan Leader’s residence, Tang Biao stormed back to his courtyard like a gust of wind, found the steward, and grabbed him by the collar.

Through gritted teeth, he commanded, “Bring those master artificers to me. Starting tonight, lock them up and have them work through the night on designs. We must produce a spiritual artifact that will astonish the entire Western Redge!”

“Astonish the entire Western Redge…” the steward repeated dutifully, though inwardly he felt that the Young Master had lost his mind again, embarking on another bout of madness.

Tang Biao’s peaks of madness often coincided with various artificer competitions in the Western Mountains.

If he achieved a good ranking, all was well. But if he faced ridicule, he would demand the finest artifacts and furnaces to appease his wounded pride.

Seeing him return with flushed eyes from the Clan Leader’s residence today, the steward sensed that he had been greatly agitated and was on the verge of a major outburst.

The decree issued by the Celestial Bureau had quietly begun circulating among the top families of the Western Mountains, and the Lin family, currently thriving, naturally received the news as well.

“Diagrams for divine artifacts!” The iron-willed Matriarch of the Lin family was excited upon hearing this news, not only because she was the head of the Lin family but also a highly skilled master artificer.

The Lin family’s current prosperity owed much to her expertise.

“I’ve pondered over the decree. It’s unlikely they’re directly rewarding diagrams but rather something related to them, perhaps clues or the like,” the elder of the Lin family cautioned, watching their matriarch almost jump in excitement.

“That would still be remarkable,” the Lin family matriarch paced around the meeting room with her hands behind her back, barely containing her excitement before finally taking a seat.

“Oh, by the way, what about the scout sent to the Yang family auction?”

The elder of the Lin family shook his head. “He couldn’t say.”

“What?” The Lin family matriarch turned to face him, her expression remarkably beautiful.

“The scout was severely burned all over, his mouth too damaged to speak. Someone left him at our doorstep. Even if we ask for information, he can’t provide any.”

Lin Yan clicked her tongue. “If he can’t gather information, then so be it. Just keep an eye on them. I suspect the Yang family didn’t just acquire three sets of vitality pills through the auction.”

“Make sure that scout receives proper medical care,” the elder advised.

The third elder, responsible for overseeing the auction affairs that day, added, “I spoke with that Grand Elder Yang about it. He was rambling on, vaguely insinuating that the source of the vitality pills might be linked to a noble family in the Celestial Bureau . It sounded like pure nonsense to me, so I didn’t press further.”

“Oh?” Lin Yan’s gaze lit up with interest. “The Celestial Bureau ? Most of the Yang family are just big, strong men who swing iron around. How could they come up with something so speculative?” It sounded completely at odds with their usual style.

“Just keep an eye on things. I’ll be busy preparing for the bidding of the Celestial Bureau’s mountain-opening project in the coming days, and also getting ready for the alchemy competition. I’ll rely on Third Elder to keep a close watch over the Yang family.”

It took a while for the Yang family to catch wind of this news.

By then, nearly all the prominent families in the Western Ridge were aware of it.

The leaders of these families couldn’t help but gather for a small meeting to discuss this exciting development.

“It’s a pity the Yang family has no one skilled in alchemy. Without that, we can forget about the rewards from the competition,” lamented the eldest brother among the three Yang siblings, who was also the Clan Leader of the Yang clan.

The second brother added, “It’s a relief we can’t participate. Even if we had alchemists, they’d just be tagging along. We should focus on preparing for the mountain-opening project instead. It sounds like it could involve body cultivation, and those heavy-duty spirit tools aren’t something weaklings can handle.”

Yang Wenxu, always seen as gentle in the Yang family, remained silent, listening to his kinsmen talk.

After discussing the bidding matters, the eldest brother turned to Yang Wenxu, “Since the auction, have you discussed future cooperation with Miss Qin?”

Yang Wenxu shook his head.

He spoke plainly, “She didn’t ask for more money beyond what was agreed. She only took her rightful commission. It makes it hard for me to bring up anything else.”

“Could it be she’s having second thoughts about our Yang family?” frowned the eldest Yang brother. ( Clan Leader)

Yang Wenxu thought for a moment, “I think she still wants to collaborate with us, but she seems hesitant or maybe she has other plans.”

After discussing for a while, the stern-faced elder of the Yang family spoke up, “Don’t worry. Miss Qin from the Qin family is calculating and strategic.

Despite her young age, she carries two identity tokens, indicating authority to represent the Qin family fully outside.

Her considerations are not personal but for her entire clan.”

“Moreover, even though the Yang family has declined, we are still a respected family in the Cultivation world. She’s familiar with us in the Western Ridge and knows we wouldn’t harm her. She’s too smart to make such a mistake.”

“Let’s wait for now. The Celestial Bureau is holding a recruitment conference soon, and our clan should focus on preparing.

As for the Qin family, let Wenxu keep an eye out, be courteous and hospitable.

When Miss Qin feels the time is right, we can discuss cooperation.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Qin Ruqing and her companions were at a tea house near the arena in the Western Ridge’s Challenge Street.

Qirong was preparing to challenge in the arena below.

Initially interested in the specific baking method for body cultivation mentioned by Tang Zifeng, he had planned to meditate at Mount Fireflame for a few days and even considered shaving his head.

Qin Ruqing quickly stopped him, suggesting there were many cultivation methods, and such a drastic change might not suit Qirong.

Agreeing, Qirong decided to try Mount Fireflame for two days.

However, instead of achieving any significant progress, he ended up with a lot of blisters on his buttocks and feet.

“He seems really unsuited to this Western Ridge body cultivation method,” Qin Ruqing remarked.

Qin Ruqing suggested, “See? It’s a good thing you didn’t shave your head. If you’re still interested later, don’t rush. First, challenge all eighteen arenas at Challenge Street. Once even the wandering cultivators there aren’t your match, then try Mount Fireflame again. The results might be different.”

Qirong agreed and began challenging in Challenge Street, already toppling the first ten arenas.

Qin Ruqing stood by the window, watching for a while before frowning and shaking her head. “Hmm, something’s not right.”

Lu Wei, flipping through a recipe book, asked, “What’s wrong? Did Qirong lose?”

Tang Zifeng leaned against another window, listening intently.

Qin Ruqing seemed lost in thought, her reply somewhat off-track: “It’s too quiet these past few days.”

“In my original plan, although I didn’t directly agree to a second collaboration with the Yang family, I hinted at it. With the benefits they received earlier, they should be eager to push forward. But why is Yang Wenxu only polite and attentive these days, lacking enthusiasm?”

Lu Wei remained silent. She suspected Qirong’s definition of “enthusiasm” might differ from normal.

“And those spies we sent to the Tang and Lin families haven’t reported back…” Qin Ruqing turned around, murmuring, “I provoked them enough. Even if they didn’t retaliate, they should have investigated. Something big must be occupying their attention.”

Qin Ruqing turned to Tang Zifeng. “Tang, any thoughts?”

Tang Zifeng shook her head. “I’ve been away from the Western Ridge for a long time.”

Qin Ruqing clicked her tongue. “With that pale face of yours, you don’t seem like you’ve been here in the Western Ridge for long.”

After Qirong finished challenging in the arenas, they returned to the inn.

Qin Ruqing continued analyzing where her strategy might have gone wrong, feeling like she had everything under control. Why were things not unfolding as she predicted?

As they approached the inn’s entrance, Qin Ruqing was lost in thought when Lu Wei suddenly tugged at her sleeve.

Qirong quickly stepped in front of them.

Qin Ruqing looked up to see a figure in green robes blocking their path.

Seeing their cautious expressions, the person smiled kindly and said, “My surname is Diwu. Would you honor me by joining me for tea in the adjacent private room of the tea house? We could have a brief chat.”

Lu Wei and the others were still stunned. Qin Ruqing, however, quickly reacted, taking two small steps forward and respectfully performing a junior’s greeting. She said clearly, “Honored to meet you!”

Just as she thought her strategy might have faltered, here was the big fish she had been waiting for finally taking the bait.