However, True Monarch Cyan Bamboo has a relatively gentle temperament. For many years, Qi Chuan has often cultivated at that nearby Land of Physical Body Cultivation, and True Monarch Cyan Bamboo turns a blind eye, without deliberately restricting him.

And Qi Chuan does not interfere with the governance and management of Sea Bamboo Island by the Cyan Bamboo Sect. Each time, he simply cultivates at the Land of Physical Body Cultivation and leaves without affecting Sea Bamboo Island.

Simply put, the two parties maintain a state of mutual respect, where their activities do not intersect, and everything remains peaceful.

Today, when Qi Chuan arrived near Sea Bamboo Island, he slipped into a renowned market on the island as usual, intending to slightly inquire about the recent situation on Sea Bamboo Island before heading to that Land of Physical Body Cultivation to practice the Bright King Technique.

Although Qi Chuan does not plan to do anything in particular, he plans to stay at the nearby Land of Physical Body Cultivation for the next few months, so it is necessary to ask around a bit to prevent any significant events on Sea Bamboo Island from affecting his physical body cultivation.

Upon entering the largest market on Sea Bamboo Island, Bamboo Leaf Square, Qi Chuan ordered a table full of spiritual food on the first floor of the largest restaurant on a bustling street. He then began eating while listening to the discussions of other patrons in the lobby and the various noises from the street outside the restaurant’s door.

With his Nascent Soul cultivation, even if the low-tier cultivators were to communicate through secret transmission, their conversations could not be hidden from him.

The discussions of these low-tier cultivators were mostly trivial matters, involving exchanges of one or two spirit stones, and the hunting of some low-tier sea demons.

"Have you heard? The Cyan Bamboo Sect Leader, True Monarch Cyan Bamboo, has recently broken through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Realm!"

At that moment, this statement entered Qi Chuan’s ears.

Hearing this, Qi Chuan continued to drink his spirit wine, his expression unchanged.

As time passed, the sound of more people’s conversations in the lobby and on the street outside reached Qi Chuan’s ears.

Many were discussing True Monarch Cyan Bamboo’s advancement to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Realm and the grand ceremony to be held by the Cyan Bamboo Sect in a month to celebrate.

"I didn’t expect that True Monarch Cyan Bamboo would actually advance to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Realm?" Qi Chuan’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.

This True Monarch Cyan Bamboo seemed to have been at the peak of the Nascent Soul Early Stage for many years, stuck at a bottleneck without breakthroughs. Unexpectedly, he now heard the news about their successful advancement to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

It appears that True Monarch Cyan Bamboo not only has a good temperament but also possesses quite remarkable talent.

"All these years, I have been cultivating at the nearby Tier Four Lower Grade Land of Physical Body Cultivation without much disturbance, mostly due to True Monarch Cyan Bamboo’s gentle nature. Previously, I didn’t pay it much mind, but now that I know they’ve successfully broken through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, should I extend my congratulations? A small gift as gratitude would be fitting..."

Qi Chuan pondered internally.

In a way, the other party has indirectly helped him a lot; a small token of gratitude seems appropriate...

With this thought, Qi Chuan placed the spirit stones on the table, then stood up and walked towards the restaurant’s door.

Behind him, the waiter quickly stepped forward, collected the small pile of spirit stones, and began to deal with the untouched spiritual food on the table—a spread of considerable value of which much was left unconsumed.

"Such generosity..." While tidying up, the waiter couldn’t help but sigh internally, having rarely encountered such generous patrons in all his years in the business.

Soon, at the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Range in the western part of Sea Bamboo Island, at the Cyan Bamboo Sect’s gate.

Several Qi Refining Disciples were stationed at the gate, verifying the identities of cultivators entering and exiting the mountain gate and checking sect tokens.

Lately, due to True Monarch Cyan Bamboo’s advancement to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Realm, more cultivators were coming and going through the gates, though the diligent efforts of the stationed disciples maintained order.

Swoosh!

Just as they finished checking the identities of a few cultivators entering the gate, a very faint sound of something cutting through the air suddenly resounded.

Subsequently, on the square appeared a neatly dressed young cultivator.

"Who are you...?"

Although the faint sound of something cutting through the air did not attract the attention of these Qi Refining Disciples, they were not blind and immediately noticed a person suddenly appearing on the square.

The Qi Refining Disciples were highly alert.

The unexpected and ghostly appearance of the person, whose presence the late-stage Qi Refining Disciple on-site couldn’t even sense clearly, and most importantly, who was not dressed in Cyan Bamboo Sect attire.

Despite being wary, the Qi Refining Disciples were not overly frightened or panicked, maintaining some composure.

Because they were disciples of the Cyan Bamboo Sect, with a Nascent Soul Middle Stage True Monarch now holding court, who would dare provoke them lightly?

"I am an old acquaintance of your True Monarch Cyan Bamboo. I came to offer my congratulations upon hearing of his advancement to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Here are some small gifts."

Qi Chuan said and retrieved a gift box about a foot wide from his Qiankun Bag, handing it to the leading late-stage Qi Refining Disciple on duty.

"I have a message for him, please tell him, ’Thank you for all these years.’"

"An old acquaintance of our Sect’s Supreme Elder?!" Upon hearing Qi Chuan’s words, the assembled Qi Refining Disciples couldn’t help but feel skeptical.

After all, their Supreme Elder is a Nascent Soul Middle Stage True Monarch, not someone easily referred to as an ’old acquaintance’.

However, despite the unassuming aura of this neatly dressed young man, resembling an elegant mortal, for some reason, none of the on-site Qi Refining Disciples had immediate doubts about his words.

It was almost as if... they dared not entertain any abnormal thoughts.

"I’m leaving now; remember to deliver the gift and the message." Having achieved his purpose, Qi Chuan saw no reason to linger, transforming into an Escape Light and vanishing into the distant horizon within the blink of an eye.

"Such terrifying speed..."

The on-site Qi Refining Disciples raised their heads, gazing at the empty sky, visibly shocked.

Thus, the stationed disciples began to believe the visitor’s words.

"However, if we don’t verify its authenticity before reporting it, should anything go wrong..."

The leading late-stage Qi Refining Disciple looked at the gift box hesitantly, ultimately deciding not to open it and instead turned around to report the matter to his superior steward inside the mountain gate.

Soon, a steward, Steward Liu, emerged from the mountain gate.

"Steward Liu, this is the gift box." The late-stage Qi Refining Disciple said respectfully, pointing to the box on the ground.

"An old acquaintance of the Sect’s Supreme Elder?"

The steward frowned at the box, also somewhat doubtful of its legitimacy.

However, perhaps examining the quality of the gift inside might reveal more.

Hence, the steward said, "Let me open it."

Immediately, a wave of mana was sent towards the box, intending to open it.

However, despite many eyes watching, the box did not budge an inch.

"Hmm?"

Witnessing this, the steward raised an eyebrow, muttered some incantations, formed spell patterns with his hands, and directed more spells towards the box.

As a result, despite the spells being cast on the box, it remained unmoved.

"This..."

Seeing this, the steward was left stunned.

The gathered Qi Refining Disciples were equally astonished.

To know that this steward possessed a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation and yet couldn’t open a mere gift box left by someone?