When Sect Leader Gu saw the Yuan Pool completely drained of its liquid spiritual energy, he felt an emptiness in his heart as well.

Immediately, he let out a long cry and transformed into a golden streak of light, shooting toward the ninth mountain behind the main peak.

As he arrived at the entrance of the Yuan Pool Stone Valley with imposing momentum, he saw a gray-robed elder feeding grass to a green ox.

This scene, identical to that of an old farmer tending livestock in a mundane village, startled Gu Qingzhu so much that he nearly fell from mid-air, tumbling down to land beside the elder.

"Greetings, Elder Nangong!" Sect Leader Gu saluted respectfully.

The elder turned his head and smiled slightly. "Little Gu, you're still as impulsive as ever. This isn't the composure befitting a sect leader."

Gu Qingzhu gave an embarrassed chuckle but continued, "That Su Yuan, I don't know what kind of freak he is, swallowed twenty billion spirit stones worth of spiritual energy in one gulp. I truly can't comprehend it—even I would need several months to absorb that much. So I rushed here to check the situation."

Elder Nangong gazed deeply into the Yuan Pool and asked, "Does this scene seem familiar to you? Think carefully."

Gu Qingzhu fell into contemplation at these words. Since the elder asked this way, there must be meaning behind it, but he couldn't recall anything at the moment.

Elder Nangong shook his head helplessly at Gu Qingzhu's confused expression.

"Enough talk," he said. "After Su Yuan emerges, appoint him as master of Hidden Peak!"

At these words, Gu Qingzhu's pupils contracted sharply!

Hidden Peak—what was Hidden Peak?

Originally, the Seven Extremes Sect hadn't established a Hidden Peak at all—it was called Reserve Peak!

Because in the Seven Extremes Sect's history, every time a peerless genius emerged who obtained the founder's supreme techniques, they would establish a new peak and become a lineage founder!

But it was impractical to have lineage founders build peaks from scratch, so the sect arranged for a Reserve Peak to be prepared. Once a peerless genius appeared to establish a new lineage, this Reserve Peak would serve its purpose! The new peak could quickly take shape, and the supreme techniques could be passed to suitable talents.

However, after the Seven Extremes, no new supreme techniques had emerged for a long time, so Reserve Peak gradually became known as Hidden Peak in other disciples' eyes—a mysterious place considered the sect's hidden strength.

But its essential purpose remained unchanged. Though nearly everyone believed the supreme techniques had been exhausted, what if? Maintaining Reserve Peak was a form of hope.

Why did a Divine Transformation elder personally oversee Immortal Seed Valley?

Because the Seven Extremes Sect long understood that the sect's foundation wasn't territory or wealth, but people—the continuous emergence of new immortal seedlings was the true foundation.

Thus, every batch of immortal seedlings was personally examined by a Divine Transformation elder, continuously observed for three months to eliminate spies, undercover agents, those with weak wills or demonic tendencies, while identifying those with high comprehension, good temperament, excellent talent, stable mental state, and deep fortune.

Therefore, Su Yuan must have been under the Divine Transformation elder's constant observation. And if the elder spoke this way, it clearly meant Su Yuan had inherited a supreme technique!

Recalling the sect records describing lineage founders' almost superhuman experiences—which he once thought were exaggerated glorifications of their prowess—Gu Qingzhu now realized, seeing Su Yuan's situation, that those records might have been factual rather than embellished!

If he were to write sect history now, future generations would surely consider it exaggerated glorification too.

Wait—he might actually be recorded in sect history!

This sudden realization made Gu Qingzhu's eyes shine brightly.

"What are you thinking about?" Elder Nangong asked curiously.

"Oh, it's just... Su Yuan is currently my personal disciple. How should we handle this?" Gu Qingzhu couldn't suppress his rising smile.

Elder Nangong said casually, "That doesn't matter. It would be perfectly normal for him to succeed you as sect leader later."

"True." Gu Qingzhu nodded happily.

He could already envision the excellent benefits he'd receive after joining the Nascent Soul elder group—as the honorary master of a lineage founder!

He, Gu Qingzhu, was rich! So what if it was twenty billion low-grade spirit stones? Well... that was still too much!

Elder Nangong, seeing through some of Gu Qingzhu's thoughts, curled his lips. "Focus on your cultivation instead of these fantasies. Relying on others isn't as good as relying on yourself!"

"Understood, understood!" Gu Qingzhu nodded perfunctorily.

Elder Nangong patted the green ox's head, then soared into the sky and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The ox sighed regretfully—with insufficient cultivation, it couldn't even qualify as a mount anymore.

Hmm... The ox suddenly recalled their conversation, its bovine eyes gleaming with insight. It couldn't serve as Elder Nangong's mount because the elder's cultivation was too high, but this new "lineage founder" wasn't at that level yet—perfect for being a mount!

Glancing at the sect leader, the ox opened its mouth: "Sect Leader Gu, I quit!"

"What?" Gu Qingzhu looked at the ox in confusion. "Wasn't this the job you asked for? Relaxing and comfortable, with disciples growing grass for you!"

"That was before! What future does a gatekeeper have?" The ox snorted disdainfully.

Sect Leader Gu waved his hand. "As you wish. I'll just assign another elder to guard it."

The ox began packing its provisions. A storage ring on its ear emitted light, sweeping up all the spiritual herbs nearby, leaving only barren ground.

Gu Qingzhu's mouth twitched. Did it have to be so shameless right in front of him? Just because it was an elder's former mount! Humph! Soon he'd be the master of a lineage founder...!

Ignoring the ox, Gu Qingzhu waited for Su Yuan to emerge.

Soon enough, Su Yuan indeed walked leisurely out of the Yuan Pool, carrying a fishbowl artifact.

Seeing Gu Qingzhu, Su Yuan paused in surprise, then made the fishbowl float while clasping his hands respectfully. "Su Yuan pays respects to Sect Leader Master!"

Then he straightened up. "Old Brother Gu, what brings you here?"

Gu Qingzhu ignored Su Yuan's playful tone and said expressionlessly, "Su Yuan, do you realize what you've done wrong?"

"What?" Su Yuan was baffled.

The sect leader pointed at the floating fishbowl filled with spirit fish, his lips twitching at the sight.

"Uh, is there a problem?" Su Yuan asked cautiously.

"Entering the Yuan Pool with spiritual beasts or pets is forbidden. Look what you've done—brought in fifty spirit pets at once! You're truly defying heaven!" Sect Leader Gu gritted his teeth audibly.

Su Yuan awkwardly rubbed his cheek and lowered his head to explain, "No one told me. I thought it was allowed."

This was a lie!

Su Yuan had read about such restrictions in the Scripture Pavilion but wanted to test it anyway. Surprisingly, it worked!

Since no one explicitly told him and there were no prohibition signs, he could plead ignorance.

Sect Leader Gu glared. "Don't let it happen again!"

Su Yuan sighed in relief, his opinion of the sect leader improving—this guy wasn't so bad after all!

"By the way, what's your cultivation level now?" Sect Leader Gu asked. "I detected you absorbing an enormous amount of spiritual energy—enough to reach Golden Core!"

Su Yuan shook his head. "I haven't broken through to Golden Core yet."

"Really? Try floating in mid-air using only your will, without channeling internal energy," Sect Leader Gu instructed slowly, watching Su Yuan intently.

"How could anyone float with just... huh?"

Su Yuan stared blankly as his body lifted effortlessly into the air.

This was one of the Golden Core stage's basic abilities—levitation. He'd thought he wasn't at Golden Core yet, never expecting the Golden Sand stage could achieve this too.

Sect Leader Gu stroked his chin, circling Su Yuan while shaking his head. "Can't make sense of it. Freak... absolute freak."

Su Yuan's face darkened. "Sect Leader, what do you mean by that?"

"Anyway, since you're at Golden Core now, it's time to contribute to the sect. Have you thought about what you'd like to do?" Gu Qingzhu suddenly asked.

Su Yuan didn't bother correcting him. "Can I go to Immortal Seed Valley? It seems interesting there."

"What?" The sect leader was surprised. "You want to go to Immortal Seed Valley?"

"Is that not allowed?" Su Yuan asked.

This was his plan for low-key fame farming. Though new disciples generated little fame initially, as they grew stronger, their future contributions would increase—a steady, long-term fame source.

"It's possible," Sect Leader Gu mused. "But you'll also need to serve as a peak master."

"What? Me? A peak master?" Su Yuan was stunned.

Sect Leader Gu said meaningfully, "You've inherited one of the founder's supreme techniques, haven't you? Every inheritor must pass on their legacy to prevent its loss. Do you understand my meaning?"

Su Yuan's expression shifted. So the sect knew part of his situation. Having received the founder's legacy, he naturally intended to pass it on—which would also steadily increase his fame. A win-win.

"Agreed!" Su Yuan nodded.

Seeing Su Yuan openly confirm this, Gu Qingzhu's heart trembled once more.

A supreme technique inheritance! The technique itself was important, yes, but even more crucial was the inheritor—what unimaginable talent did that require?

Moreover, the later a technique emerged, the more exceptional the talent needed to comprehend it!

Especially after the Seven Extremes, no one had comprehended a new technique for ages—meaning Su Yuan's talent surpassed all previous geniuses in Seven Extremes Sect's history, including the seven lineage founders!

"Come! I'll take you to Hidden Peak. You can think about renaming it later—that'll be your territory from now on!"

The sect leader soared into the air, flying toward the distance.

Su Yuan prepared to follow when a green ox positioned itself beneath him.

Puzzled, Su Yuan looked down, meeting the ox's gaze as it turned its head.

The ox blinked innocently.

Though surprised, Su Yuan mounted the ox, which then ascended to follow the sect leader.

Looking back at this scene, Sect Leader Gu stared at the ox in shock: You crafty old ox! No wonder you quit guarding—betting on a rising star!