Just when the entire Qin family was keeping a low profile, someone couldn’t stand their silence.

The registration for the Hundred Clans Conference had started, and as the leader of the South Ridge, the whole region was counting on their family to rank well.

How could they just disappear without a word?

The South Ridge Celestial Bureau felt this was unacceptable, so they specifically sent an envoy to inquire.

After thinking it over, Qin Ruqing decided to follow the envoy back to the South Ridge Celestial Bureau .

She felt there were some matters that needed to be discussed with the office’s director.

Mainly, he probably didn’t know that her biggest investor had become Fifth Lingyu.

Someone was undermining them from the shadows, and Qin Ruqing wanted to consult the director about his feelings on the matter.

When Qin Ruqing arrived at the Celestial Bureau , she was unexpectedly greeted by the South Ridge scribe in person.

He was a handsome and upright young man, with a temperament somewhat like Tang Zifeng but colder.

He carried a unique pride belonging to the Celestial Bureau but kept it restrained, creating an air of aloofness.

The scribe said to Qin Ruqing, “Our director is waiting for you.”

It seemed the director had been eager to speak with her but was too reserved to openly call for her.

Qin Ruqing understood and strode confidently inside.

This time, she had a different purpose and didn’t use her concealed badge—she wanted the director to see her true cultivation level.

Thus, the aloof scribe followed her, naturally noticing her current strength.

The scribe, dignified and noble, couldn’t help but show a trace of surprise in his eyes.

He remembered the first time he saw this girl was during the pacification of the Southern Primitive Jungle.

Back then, she wasn’t even at the Foundation Establishment stage, and now, just a few years later, she had established her foundation—not at the initial stage, but the mid-stage?

Looking at her strong and steady presence, it was clear she wasn’t someone who had relied on drugs to improve her skills.

Her achievements were solid and earned through her own hard work.

How could this be possible?

Could it be that in three to five years, she would reach the core formation stage and catch up to him?

What incredible talent did she have!

The Qin family she came from was just a small clan and shouldn’t be able to support someone of her caliber.

The young official, feeling a bit impatient, quickened his steps and caught up to Qin Ruqing.

He bit his lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked, “Are you now in the mid-foundation building stage?”

Qin Ruqing’s eyes sparkled as she stopped and replied politely, “Yes, that’s right.”

She deliberately blinked innocently and added, “Is there a problem?”

The official pondered for a moment, then shook his head, saying, “No problem at all. I’m just surprised. A few years ago, you were still in the early stages of qi refining.” In less than four years, she had jumped up a whole level.

Qin Ruqing smiled sweetly and vaguely explained, “It’s just good luck. Last year, I went to the West Ridge and gained some opportunities.”

Although Qin Ruqing spoke modestly, the official looked at her seriously.

Coming from a noble background, he understood that opportunities were also a part of strength.

Moreover, for someone her age to reach this level wasn’t just about luck; it was a testament to her exceptional talent.

The Scribe knew very well that having such a promising prospect was quite rare.

For a small family, what it meant didn’t need much explanation.

He spoke softly, “We’ve arrived. The director is waiting for you.”

Saying this, he walked in with Qin Ruqing and stood respectfully behind the director.

The director of Nanling, whom Qin Ruqing had met once before, was a tall, long-browed figure with an air of a celestial being.

The first time she met him, he seemed unfathomable, but seeing him again brought new feelings.

Director of Nanling, known as Fifth Ziyan, was likely a Golden Core cultivator at the core formation stage.

From her observations, his skills seemed to be slightly weaker than Fifth Lingyu, who was perhaps closer to advancing to the Nascent Realm.

Compared to his imposing presence during their first meeting, the current Director of Nanling appeared much more approachable, likely due to their unspoken understanding.

After Qin Ruqing politely bowed, she said, “The director specifically sent a messenger to the Qin family, so there must be important matters to discuss. I came here in person without prior notice, so I hope you won’t take offense.”

Fifth Ziyan smiled warmly upon seeing her, “Why would I take offense? Even if you hadn’t come to find me, I would have come looking for you.”

He glanced around Qin Ruqing and showed a hint of surprise, “You’ve reached the foundation building stage?”

Qin Ruqing smiled and recounted what she had previously told the official about gaining opportunities in West Ridge.

However, Fifth Ziyan, as the director, was clearly not as easily fooled as the younger official.

After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Was the opportunity in West Ridge related to the Small Floating Island?”

After Qin Ruqing spoke, Fifth Ziyan shook his head, saying, “I know about the Small Floating Island. It’s a moving resource-type secret realm. For most people, even if they gain resources there, it’s nearly impossible to advance quickly without a solid foundation.”

Resources are crucial for cultivators, but just obtaining them doesn’t guarantee improvement in cultivation.

Resources are merely nourishment; too little leads to malnourishment, while too much can stifle growth.

Ultimately, true growth depends on the quality of the seed itself.

So, Fifth Ziyan confidently stated, “You’ve grown up in the Qin family, where resources have been insufficient for a long time. Even if the Qin family rises later, it would be too late for you. Thus, reaching your current level relies entirely on your own efforts.”

As he said this, Fifth Ziyan paused and looked at Qin Ruqing, his hands behind his back fidgeting slightly.

He didn’t appear as calm as he tried to seem.

“Before you entered the Small Floating Islamd, what was your cultivation level?” Fifth Ziyan asked the most crucial question.

It must be said, someone in his position truly had sharp insight, quickly grasping the essence of the situation.

For Qin Ruqing’s rapid cultivation speed, resources were secondary.

She hadn’t relied much on pills and had advanced mostly through her own abilities.

Her foundation-building was hard-won, having nearly lost her life in the Fire Pool to reach this stage.

Fifth Ziyan’s question about her level before entering the Secret Realm clearly indicated he had a rough idea of her talent.

In the past, Qin Ruqing might have hesitated to share this, but now she was ready to proclaim it loudly!

With the Hundred Clans Conference approaching, she was here to make a name for herself.

She understood the pride of the celestial ranks, but that didn’t matter—she was determined to showcase her worth!

Look at me!

“Just a small fry, not realizing that I see you all as big fat sheep!”

So, Qin Ruqing lowered her head and respectfully replied, “Before entering the secret realm, I was at the ninth level of Qi Training.”

After she spoke, she quietly waited, unaware that her casual statement had shocked the two higher-ups immensely.

Fifth Ziyan took it a bit better, as he had guessed this might be the case.

The one who was truly astonished was the Scribe.

So it turned out this girl had been playing coy with him!

If she was only at the ninth level before entering the Small Floating Island, it meant she had jumped to the mid-foundation building stage in just over a year.

This was far beyond luck; it was a matter of her own talent and abilities.

Moreover, what kind of opportunities could there be in the Small Floating Island?

If it were a powerful estate, it could be explained by her receiving a great legacy, but the Small Floating Island was just a moving secret realm filled with natural treasures.

Even if she spent the entire year there, it wouldn’t be enough to reach her current level.

Fifth Ziyan sighed, “I knew from our first meeting that you had exceptional talent. The rise of the Qin family owes half of its success to you, but I didn’t realize you were even more outstanding than I thought. This Hundred Clans Conference may truly be your opportunity to rise and make a name for yourself.”

The young scribe behind them snorted, a bit annoyed that Qin Ruqing had played tricks on him.

However, his anger was mixed with a newfound respect.

He said, “The reason we sent a messenger to the Qin family was exactly because of this. The pre-selection for the Hundred Clans Conference has already started, and both the Zhang and Han families have registered. Why is the Qin family still silent? Are they really planning to give up this year’s conference?”

Fifth Ziyan also looked at Qin Ruqing, asking, “Why hasn’t the Qin family registered? Do they truly want to give up this conference?”

He shook his head vigorously. “That can’t be the case. In the past few conferences, it might have been fine, but this time… with you in the Qin family, they absolutely must fight for it.”

Oh? It sounds like this year’s Hundred Clans Conference is quite special.

Qin Ruqing shook her head.

Seeing this, Fifth Ziyan frowned, wondering if the Qin family really intended to give up.

Just as he was about to persuade her, the girl’s eyes sparkled as she said, “It’s not that the Qin family doesn’t want to participate, but our ancestor is currently in closed-door meditation to form the core… If she succeeds, hehe.”

Fifth Ziyan and the official both looked surprised.

So it was because Ancestor Wenxuan was in the process of forming the core.

They could guess the rest of Qin Ruqing’s words easily.

The ancestor forming the core… They had been observing the Qin family’s development, and all the conditions were favorable.

If the ancestor succeeded, the Qin family would rise in status.

Participating in the Hundred Clans Conference as a Silver-grade family would mean a completely different significance compared to being a Bronze-grade family.

Fifth Ziyan let out a sigh of relief, saying, “As long as you’re not planning to give up on this conference.”

Qin Ruqing appeared curious and asked, “Director, why do you seem to value this conference so much? Could you enlighten me?”

Fifth Ziyan turned his gaze toward her and replied earnestly, “Just remember, if you can enter the top ten in this conference, the opportunities you’ll gain will be beyond your imagination.”

Top ten.

Qin Ruqing noted this crucial ranking, eager to hear more, but Fifth Ziyan suddenly fell silent.

Tch, figures.

High-ranking individuals often act this way, speaking only halfway.

There are usually two reasons for this.

There could be one reason or both at the same time.

One is the difference in status, making them too lazy to explain further; the other is a well-meaning attitude, believing some things aren’t beneficial for you to know.

Qin Ruqing found this frustrating.

But it was fine—she would take action herself.

She nodded obediently.

Fifth Ziyan was quite pleased with her.

After all, the Qin family was participating in the Hundred Clans Conference as part of the Nanling Qin family.

With such a promising talent emerging, if she performed well in the conference, it would benefit the entire Nanling Immortal Office.

Then, Fifth Ziyan’s eyes flickered as he casually asked, “I heard you recently visited West Ridge Celestial Bureau and established a good relationship with the West Ridge Director? Is it true that the Qin family has become an official cooperative family with West Ridge?”

Qin Ruqing smiled inwardly, thinking, finally, here it comes.

The Qin family’s status as an official cooperative family with West Ridge was recorded in the heavenly book.

Since the Qin family was from Nanling, the West Ridge side would definitely inform the Nanling Celestial Bureau first.

This meant that even before the Qin family was aware, the Nanling Celestial Bureau already knew.

As a Bureau from Nanling, maintaining such close ties with West Ridge would surely prompts the Nanling director to inquire further.

So, Qin Ruqing lowered her gaze and replied seriously, “Director, due to the recent reform orders from West Ridge, the Qin family happened to bring the right medicinal pills, which caught the attention of the West Ridge Celestial Bureau and led to our increased importance.”

However, after hearing this, Fifth Ziyan shook his head, indicating something was off.

He twirled his long eyebrows and glanced at Qin Ruqing with a smile, saying, “Little girl, trying to be clever again. If the West Ridge Celestial Bureau truly valued you, they would directly cooperate with the Qin family without needing to label it as an official cooperative family for a ten-year term.”

They were all part of the same institution, even if they were in different locations.

The director knew very well how the Celestial Bureau operated.

They were typically very aloof and distant toward ordinary families, especially a family from outside their region.

If someone said there was no connection or transaction between the director of West Ridge and Qin Ruqing, Fifth Ziyan wouldn’t believe it.

Qin Ruqing was startled, showing an expression of “You noticed that? I’m so nervous.”

After struggling for a moment, she decided to tell the truth.

“Director, your insight is sharp. It’s true… Fifth Lingyu, the director of the West Ridge, has taken a liking to me, which is why he showed me some favor.”

Hearing the familiar name of his old rival, Fifth Ziyan’s eyelids twitched slightly, but he tried hard to maintain a calm and indifferent demeanor, saying, “Just a favor? If you didn’t do anything, how could he grant you such significant benefits?”

Qin Ruqing’s eyes widened, thinking the director was accusing her of betraying Nanling.

She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Director, I and the Qin family have absolutely no intention of betraying Nanling! I was born a Nanling person and will die with the spirit of Nanling…”

Fifth Ziyan interrupted her, feeling a bit flushed from the flattery.

He coughed and said, “I know your family’s loyalty to Nanling. Now, please elaborate on what you did to earn such favor from Fifth Lingyu.”

Naturally, this meant Qin Ruqing had to explain what she had done to gain such respect.

Qin Ruqing spoke softly, “I really didn’t do much. It was just that the director of West Ridge specifically called me over for a meeting, and during our first encounter, he noticed…”

“Qingqing is a congenital great perfection body. He said my talent is quite good, but my aura is like a rushing little beast. He also said…”

Fifth Ziyan’s eyebrows perked up. “What else did he say?”

“He said… to send me to West Ridge to represent them in the Hundred Clans Conference…”

Fifth Ziyan’s eyes widened in shock, and he was so furious he started to pant, “How outrageous! How outrageous! That little man, Fifth Lingyu, dares to undermine me… stealing my thunder!”

And to represent West Ridge at the Hundred Clans Conference?

He’s dreaming!

Fifth Ziyan clenched his fists, managing to maintain his composure without erupting into curses.

“How did you respond?”

Qin Ruqing, with a righteous demeanor, said, “The Qin family is in Nanling, our hearts are with Nanling. How could I possibly represent West Ridge? Of course, I refused outright!”

Fifth Ziyan looked at her with “kindness” and “gratitude,” gently saying, “You did very well.”

Then he suddenly remembered something, “With Fifth Lingyu’s carefree and mischievous nature, he definitely wouldn’t give up easily. Did he try to persuade you several times afterward?”