News of the battle at Hidden Peak slowly spread, but within the Celestial Profound Sect, it was merely a small ripple on a calm lake, failing to have any major impact.

However, among the lower-ranked disciples, especially the servant disciples, Wen Qingye’s name was already legendary.

They couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if they were the ones who had offended someone from an Ancient Country. ’Would our own countrymen dare to make an enemy of the Luocheng Ancient Country for our sakes?’ A bitter smile touched their lips as the answer became painfully clear.

「Eight days after the Battle of Hidden Peak. Celestial Profound Mountain.」

On the summit of Celestial Profound Mountain, a crowd was gathering by an enormous notice board.

"This Yu from the Dayan Dynasty is really amazing. He’s been ranked first for a month now."

"Yeah, and Jin Ming from the Luocheng Ancient Country is incredible too, hot on his heels."

"Anyone in the top three hundred on this list has a chance to become a Core Disciple of our Celestial Profound Sect. Of course they’re amazing!"

"Too bad. I’m still a long way from the top three hundred."

"Every single one of the top ten is a genius from an Ancient Country. Those people are on another level."

........

Wen Qingye looked at the two hundred Sect Contribution Points on his Jade Token and couldn’t help but shake his head. He now held Zhong Liang’s rank of 201st, but his Sect Contribution Points were still pitifully low.

’This handful of Sect Contribution Points isn’t even enough to redeem for Qianyuan Soil, let alone Sanxi Water.’

The Celestial Profound Sect was full of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures that could be exchanged for Sect Contribution Points. Wen Qingye had his eye on Qianyuan Soil and Sanxi Water, both of which were treasures that could be used to cultivate the Five Elements Body Refining Technique.

With these two treasures, Wen Qingye’s Five Elements Body Refining Technique could reach the Third Layer, and his physical strength would improve by leaps and bounds.

Wen Qingye was just about to go see what missions were available that offered a large amount of Sect Contribution Points.

"Hey, kid from the Celestial Martial Country! Hold on a second!"

Just then, a voice suddenly called out from behind Wen Qingye.

Wen Qingye subconsciously turned around. It wasn’t just one person standing behind him, but a whole group. Wen Qingye recognized them; he had seen them on his first day at the Celestial Profound Sect.

The person in the lead was none other than Bai Shishuang from the Luocheng Ancient Country. It seemed his cultivation had broken through; he was no longer at the Refining Spirit Fifth Layer Heaven. His eyes held a hint of mockery as he looked at Wen Qingye.

Bai Shishuang chuckled and walked up to Wen Qingye. "What’s the rush? It’s not like us from the Luocheng Ancient Country are going to eat you."

At this, many onlookers turned to watch the unfolding drama.

Wen Qingye shook his head and glanced at the group with a disdainful smile. "The Luocheng Ancient Country? Since when have I ever been afraid?"

"Wen Qingye!"

Bai Shishuang barked his name, then circled Wen Qingye a few times with a grin. "Kid, I just love that backbone of yours."

"Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble for you. Sister Xin has already made it onto the Cyan Cloud List. She gave orders that once she’s free, she’ll deal with you personally."

The moment Bai Shishuang finished speaking, the surrounding crowd erupted.

"The Cyan Cloud List! Nangong Xin made it onto the Cyan Cloud List! That’s incredible!"

"That’s right! Out of the three hundred people on the Cyan Cloud List, fewer than thirty are from our Celestial Profound Sect. I never thought Nangong Xin was so formidable. She’s now a supreme expert on the List!"

"The Cyan Cloud List is the ranking everyone in the Eastern Profound Domain dreams of being on!"

"It’s a little unbelievable that Nangong Xin got on the list. I didn’t think her talent was quite up to par, was it?"

.....

Wen Qingye didn’t know what the Cyan Cloud List was, but hearing the crowd’s discussion, he figured it must be an extraordinary ranking.

"Hahaha, you’d better watch your back!" Bai Shishuang laughed heartily at Wen Qingye, then swaggered away with the people from the Luocheng Ancient Country.

The surrounding crowd now looked at Wen Qingye with pity, shaking their heads helplessly.

Just then, a figure walked up to Wen Qingye and asked in a low voice, "Brother Wen, did you offend Nangong Xin from the Luocheng Ancient Country?"

This person was the fourth-ranked expert among the Registered Disciples, Qiu Ming.

"You could say that," Wen Qingye said with a faint smile.

Qiu Ming’s brows furrowed slightly. "Then you must be careful. I’ve heard that the people from the Luocheng Ancient Country are extremely united and fiercely protective of their own. You really need to watch out."

"Mm," Wen Qingye nodded, appreciating Qiu Ming’s warning.

"We should wait for Yue—"

Qiu Ming cut himself off, his expression changing. He then cupped his fists at Wen Qingye and said, "Brother Wen, I have something to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."

After speaking, Qiu Ming turned and hurried down Celestial Profound Mountain.

’There seems to be something strange about that Qiu Ming,’ Wen Qingye thought to himself as he watched his retreating back. ’Just now, his body trembled, and a scorching aura flared out. Although he concealed it well, I still noticed it.’

’Something’s off,’ Wen Qingye thought.

Wen Qingye then headed for the Sacrificial Hall on Celestial Profound Mountain, which was where the Celestial Profound Sect posted its missions.

A large white cloth was hung high, and disciples in both white and gray robes gathered around it. They stared at the cloth before them, talking in low voices.

Wen Qingye carefully scanned every line and character on the white cloth, ignoring any mission that offered fewer than three hundred Sect Contribution Points.

Most of the missions worth more than three hundred points were written in red characters, making them extremely conspicuous.

"Urgent Need: Four Black Profound Snake Fangs. Reward: 800 Sect Contribution Points."

Wen Qingye’s heart stirred when he saw this. The Black Profound Snake was a sinister, venomous Demon Beast whose strength ranged from the Refining Spirit Third Layer Heaven to the Seventh Heaven, and it usually lived in swamps.

"Fellow disciple, are you perhaps interested in the Black Profound Snake mission?"

While Wen Qingye was deliberating, a woman approached him. She was dressed in white and had an average face, but her almond-shaped eyes sparkled, her figure was curvaceous, and she exuded a unique charm.

The woman’s cultivation wasn’t low. Wen Qingye glanced at her and, upon closer inspection, realized her cultivation was at the peak of the Fourth Heaven of the Yin-Yang Realm.

Wen Qingye remained silent, so the woman continued, "If you’re willing, I think the two of us could team up to complete this mission. As for the rewards, I’ll take the Rain Dew Leaf, and you can have all the Sect Contribution Points. What do you say?"

"Oh? Such a good deal exists?" Wen Qingye chuckled, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile.

One had to know that a Rain Dew Leaf was worth 300 Sect Contribution Points at most. Yet this woman was willing to give him the lion’s share of the reward. Naturally, Wen Qingye found this very strange.

The woman’s eyes dimmed as she explained, "I need the Rain Dew Leaf to save someone."

The Rain Dew Leaf did indeed have healing properties. It was particularly effective in treating burns from fierce flames, especially those caused by unique types of fire. For such injuries, the Rain Dew Leaf was an indispensable Heavenly and Earthly Treasure.

"Alright. But about this Black Profound Snake..." Wen Qingye nodded and then looked at the woman expectantly.

Hearing Wen Qingye agree, a trace of joy appeared in the woman’s eyes. She said, "My name is Zhou Yue. As for the Black Profound Snake’s location, it should be in a swamp. There are several swamps in the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain. I’m sure we can find it with a map."

Wen Qingye nodded. Although Zhou Yue’s method was simple and crude, it was indeed the most direct approach. "My name is Wen Qingye."

"I know," Zhou Yue said, covering her mouth with a light laugh. She gestured with her chin toward the area outside the hall, making it clear that she had been present during Wen Qingye’s confrontation with Bai Shishuang and had witnessed everything.

Wen Qingye smiled faintly. He was a bit puzzled. ’Why would Zhou Yue choose to team up with me? My apparent strength isn’t that high. With her own power and the terms she offered, she could have easily hired another expert at the Fourth Heaven of the Yin-Yang Realm.’

But since Zhou Yue didn’t elaborate, Wen Qingye didn’t press the matter.