Outside the window, the wind gently blew, causing the candle flames in the room to flicker intermittently.

The scholar said, "As for whether Gu Zhan will come, I am not quite sure. From what I know, those coming tomorrow are figures of the older generation from various forces. Generally, the younger generation wouldn’t attend such occasions. However, the Beidou Bang situation is unique, and Gu Zhan’s identity is not ordinary. There’s a good chance he will come."

Qin You stood by the window with his hands behind his back, sighed, and slowly said, "I regret it."

The scholar was startled and hurriedly asked, "Lord, what do you mean by that?"

Qin You contemplated for a moment and said, "Actually, back when Gu Zhan was in Linjiang City, Yunzhi was the first to introduce Gu Zhan to me. He stated in a letter that Gu Zhan was undoubtedly a rare genius, limited only by his identity and environment.

He was very sure that if Gu Zhan could free himself from the limitations of Linjiang City’s environment and perspective, his achievements would be immeasurable. He hoped I could give Gu Zhan a chance to become my disciple.

However, at that time, I considered the pressure from Chengyang Marquis’s Mansion. If I accepted Gu Zhan as a disciple, it would mean taking on the enmity between Chengyang Marquis’s Mansion and Gu Zhan. I thought Gu Zhan was just a local genius, with potential at most of a Fourth or Fifth Realm Great Cultivator, not worth such a great cost, so I refused."

The scholar was stunned for a moment and said, "This can’t be blamed on you, Lord. After all, who could have imagined that such a small place like Linjiang City, which hadn’t produced a great cultivator in hundreds of years, would have a Qilin Child emerge in this generation? In that situation, you estimating his potential as a Fourth or Fifth Realm Great Cultivator was already hard to believe."

Qin You sighed and said, "In my life, I’ve missed three people, all falling into the same trap, yet I still haven’t learned, still judging heroes by their origins.

Forty years ago, I underestimated Lin Yingxiong due to his origins, misjudging his potential, leading to his unfulfilled ambitions and eventually defecting to join the White Lotus Sect, which fifteen years ago, led a rebellion causing widespread suffering.

But even after this, I didn’t learn my lesson, still judging heroes by their origins. When Wan Yan joined me, I disregarded him due to his humble origins, leading to his impatience, ultimately ruining his martial arts foundation and leaving him stuck in the Innate Realm for life. However, in the end, he sacrificed himself for a covert mission, proving himself far superior to those aristocratic prodigies I valued."

After saying this, Qin You let out a long sigh and said, "I... have done him wrong."

The scholar also sighed, at a loss for words.

He didn’t know the full scope of Yang Yuzhi’s covert mission.

But he knew some of the insider details,

Back then, when Yang Yuzhi needed a fellow disciple to sacrifice themselves, all of Qin You’s favored disciples refused, only Wan Yan, the disciple he least regarded, decisively agreed, ultimately sacrificing himself for the sect.

In the room, silence lingered for a long while,

Qin You spoke again, "However, twice in a row, I failed to change, still judging heroes by their origins, once again missing the genius of the generation, Gu Zhan. Truly, I shouldn’t have!"

The scholar pondered for a moment and said, "Although you did not accept Gu Zhan as a disciple back then, you did intervene to shield him from Chengyang Marquis’s assassination attempt. This favor still stands."

Qin You shook his head helplessly and said, "If that were the case, I wouldn’t be so vexed. My intervention to shield Gu Zhan from Chengyang Marquis’s assassination attempt wasn’t me extending a favor; it was Yunzhi who exchanged a favor for it, so Gu Zhan doesn’t owe me a favor. He only owes Yunzhi a favor."

"This..."

Qin You said helplessly, "At that time, Yunzhi asked me to intervene, offering an opportunity to invite Master of Medicine Xue Yimu to help. I thought at that moment, Master of Medicine Xue Yimu, who can bring the dead back to life, his intervention was worth much more than a favor from a junior like Gu Zhan, so I chose not to demand a favor from him."

The scholar lamented, "This is indeed a common sentiment. You must understand, Xue Yimu had been reclusive for years, and not even the current Holy Emperor could invite him out of retirement. His intervention was indeed precious, but who would’ve thought Lord Yang had such a connection with him!"

"That’s where I, as a master, fall short compared to Yunzhi," said Qin You. "He had no martial arts cultivation but could gain the goodwill of martial artists everywhere because he could make connections regardless of status or interests. For example, Mo Jingzhou of the Beidou Bang opposed the Yunxi Martial World openly for him, even risking his life to escort him over thousands of miles.

And just like Gu Zhan now, it won’t be long before he becomes a dominant figure. Yet, who would dare believe that Yang Yuzhi could lay such a heavy favor on Gu Zhan when he was merely an Innate Martial Artist? Many join the celebration, but how many can offer help in adversity? Do you think, if Yang Yuzhi one day needs help, Gu Zhan would repay the favor?"

The scholar nodded and said, "Lord Yang had remarkable foresight."

Qin You shook his head and said, "It wasn’t his foresight. It was because he had been through hardships and always wished to shield others, with sincerity and without ulterior motives, thereby often offering help when it’s most needed."

In the room, silence ensued,

The evening gradually fell, and the candle flames flickered slightly.

...

The next morning,

Great Desert City was shrouded in dense fog.

After having breakfast, Gu Zhan took a carriage to the Sword King City’s settlement, accompanied by Tan Lang and Tian Yu, both leading a team to act as guards.