You said to Sang Yi, "Invite them into the main hall."

"Yes, Sect Leader. Also, today we received a secret letter sent by Elder Qi Xuan of the Pure Yang Sect."

A glint appeared in your eyes; you knew there was news about the Earth Source excavation again.

"Bring it in."

Sang Yi pushed open the door and respectfully handed the letter to you.

You waved your hand, and Sang Yi wisely exited the room to welcome Deng Rusong and Yan Zhixue.

You opened the letter and read through it. Sure enough, it was news sent by Qi Xuan about the Earth Source.

The letter stated that this Earth Source would appear in four months, and it would be in the East Sea, but not near the Earth Source from last time with the Heavenly Mist Blade. Instead, it would be in a more eastern sea region.

You calculated the timing and decided to head there half a month earlier than scheduled.

Your hand trembled slightly, and the letter turned to dust, drifting away with the wind.

You stood up and headed toward the main hall, but deliberately walked slowly. This way, your imposing presence as an Ultimate Grandmaster would be more fitting to your persona.

Before long, you strode into the main hall.

Deng Rusong and Yan Zhixue were seated in the upper left position inside the hall, chatting.

On the surface, both remained restrained and courteous, treating each other with respect, but inside, their emotions surged turbulently.

As soon as you entered, Deng Rusong recognized you at a glance and quickly stood to greet you, "Sect Leader Shangguan, long time no see!"

Yan Zhixue was still dressed in black, exuding a gentle aura like a beautiful and intellectual noblewoman.

She followed Deng Rusong over but wore a barely noticeable look of vigilance.

"Deng Sect Leader, long time no see!" You laughed heartily.

You glanced at Yan Zhixue and said, "So this is Lady Ling. You two really are like wolves and tigers... no, a perfect match, looking absolutely compatible!"

Deng Rusong’s mouth stretched wide as he explained, "Sect Leader Shangguan, you have excellent taste, but there’s a misunderstanding. This is Sect Leader Yan of the Extermination Sect!"

You suddenly realized and laughed boldly, "So it’s Sect Leader Yan! I’ve heard about you for a long time. Seeing you today, you truly are impressive."

Deng Rusong handed you a letter he was given: "Sect Leader Shangguan, this is a letter from He Yu, Young Master He, who asked me to pass it to you!"

"Since this letter is from that brat He Yu, I have to read it!"

Deng Rusong was secretly surprised. He hadn’t expected that mentioning He Yu’s name to you would be so effective here with Shangguan Gousheng.

You took the letter, opened it casually, and glanced over it with full appreciation in your eyes. "Hmm~ In terms of calligraphy, that kid is still top-notch!"

Deng Rusong twitched his eyelids, now understanding why your handwriting was so ugly yet you remained so confident—it was all because people blindly praised you.

At the same time, Deng Rusong couldn’t help but speculate about your relationship with Shangguan Gousheng.

In Deng Rusong’s view, since you could even produce the Reviving Yang Pill, your family must be mysterious and powerful, and skilled in pill refining.

There must be Ultimate Grandmasters in your clan, and their strength would definitely be considerable.

Deng Rusong also learned from Yan Zhixue that Shangguan Gousheng was generous, distributing pills everywhere, so he might be a high-level pill refiner.

Moreover, Shangguan Gousheng’s attitude was overly flattering toward your calligraphy art.

Thus, Shangguan Gousheng was probably not just your so-called good buddy.

He should be a close elder relative in your clan, perhaps a direct ancestor like a grandfather or great-grandfather.

After this thought, Deng Rusong roughly understood why Shangguan Gousheng had deliberately come to cause trouble at the Danxia Sect last time.

Deng Rusong believed this was him personally investigating the actual situation of your surrounding forces to ensure no danger would come to you.

After connecting these unrelated events, Deng Rusong nodded to himself, feeling quite clever.

Deng Rusong shamelessly agreed, "Young Master He’s calligraphy truly flows freely with lively charm, possessing a unique elegance!"

Your expression brightened, and you said excitedly, "Sect Leader Deng, you have a pair of discerning eyes!"

Yan Zhixue glanced at Deng Rusong, then at you.

She thought, what kind of calligraphy could make you so excited? She wanted to meet that Young Master He and see his calligraphy art to broaden her horizons.

Deng Rusong turned to fetch a large box he had placed by his feet, intending to apologize for the last incident.

Although Deng Rusong thought you were not as arrogant and domineering as rumored, Ultimate Grandmasters were unpredictable, so it was best to be cautious.

In fact, to be safe this time, Yan Zhixue had accompanied him.

Deng Rusong opened the box, revealing various pills and precious pill refining materials.

"Sect Leader Shangguan, I apologize for the trouble last time. This is a small token from our Danxia Sect."

You waved your hand indifferently, "Sect Leader Deng, keep it. I heard from that brat He Yu that his family has a deep connection with your Danxia Sect. Since there’s such a bond... oh, there are even eighth-grade pills?!"

You casually noticed that there were quite a few high-level eighth-grade pills in the box. Refining these pills yourself would be time-consuming and laborious.

So you added, "Sect Leader Deng, forget the few words before the first comma just now. Can you give me those round pills in your box?"

Deng Rusong took out the eighth-grade pills separately. "Sect Leader Shangguan, these are meant for you!"

You laughed heartily, accepting the few bottles of eighth-grade pills, "Sect Leader Deng, you’re so righteous!"

Deng Rusong finally relaxed quite a bit.

But Yan Zhixue’s eyes still flickered with faint vigilance.

Having led the Extermination Sect for so many years, she had seen too many madmen and lunatics—cases of sudden bursts of violence following moments of laughter were endless.

You paid no mind to Yan Zhixue’s caution and instead turned to ask, "Sect Leader Yan, did you come alone?"

Yan Zhixue’s smile was full of affinity, her voice smooth and magnetic, "Sect Leader Shangguan, do you think I could hide someone else on me?"

You persistently asked, "When you left the Extermination Sect, didn’t you bring an adult woman along?"

Yan Zhixue hesitated slightly, "Now that you mention it, I did bring our saintess Wan Qingluan."

You: "Oh?!"

Yan Zhixue: "But we parted ways midway."

You: "Oh."

Yan Zhixue: "But then we met again."

You: "Oh?!"

Yan Zhixue: "But then we parted ways again."

You: "Are you messing with an idiot?!"

Yan Zhixue’s red lips curled slightly as she smiled, "Sect Leader Shangguan, why are you so concerned about our saintess?"

You laughed heartily, "Hahaha, just casually asking!"

Yan Zhixue looked at you, her eyes thoughtful.

At this moment, Deng Rusong’s eyes showed a flash of realization. He guessed you were an elder in He Yu’s family.

Suddenly, Deng Rusong had a bright idea and said, "Sect Leader Shangguan, do you want Young Master He and Heroine Wan to have more contact?"