Elder Zhuan Yu's status in the Golden Thread Pavilion was undeniably high.

As his newly accepted disciple, Yang An was instantly elevated from an unremarkable, ordinary Cultivator to an Elder Disciple. His status soared. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

He had come all this way for the Golden Thread Sect Seal, yet he still hadn't even met the State Lord of Zichuan State.

But now, as Elder Zhuan Yu's disciple standing behind the seat of honor, his every move drew the attention of everyone present.

This was the difference, plain and simple.

At Yang An's question, no one below stepped forward. Instead, the entire group turned in unison to look at one man.p>

He was a bald man with a perfectly round, reflective head. He had no ears, only a pair of small holes on either side of his skull.

"Jiudeng! They're calling for you!"

The bald man—Jiudeng, the State Lord of Zichuan State—rubbed his head and finally reacted, stepping out from the crowd.

"What are your orders, Elder Zhuan Yu?"

He looked at Elder Zhuan Yu and asked, puzzled.

'This guy... is he hard of hearing?'

Yang An's brow twitched. A quick mental analysis led him to that conclusion.

"I'm not the one who wants you. My disciple does. You will assist him.

I will only say this once. If you fail to hear me clearly, I'll toss you out to the Demon Fiends."

Elder Zhuan Yu, who was clearly familiar with Jiudeng's condition, said with a gentle smile.

"Oh, oh! Yes! Yes! I will do as you command!"

The bald Jiudeng tilted his head, straining to hear Elder Zhuan Yu's words clearly, and hastily agreed.

'Looks like he's been punished for this sort of thing more than a few times.'

Only after agreeing did he turn to look at Yang An.

"Sir, please speak freely. I will be sure to handle whatever you need."

"..."

Yang An wanted to point out that he had just stated his request perfectly clearly, but he had no choice but to repeat himself.

"The Golden Thread Sect Seal? Yes, yes, I have it!"

Upon hearing this, Jiudeng immediately retrieved a small golden seal from his Storage Magical Artifact.

The seal was no larger than a ping-pong ball. It emanated a faint golden light, shimmering brilliantly as he presented it to Yang An.

Yang An accepted it, and a text box instantly appeared in his vision.

"「[Golden Thread Sect Seal: Ming Chu]: From the Golden Thread Pavilion in the Treasure Temple Domain. Crafted by the Pavilion Master, Thirty Flow. Forged from Earth Vein Qi. Can be bound with a drop of blood, linking the user to the Golden Thread Pavilion's Earth Qi and recognizing the Pavilion as master. As a Ming Chu Level Golden Thread Sect Seal, it contains a trace of Golden Thread Earth Qi. Acquiring more Earth Qi will grant the bonded user greater authority.

Cost of Use: Upon binding, the user's fate becomes tied to that of the Golden Thread Pavilion. If one suffers, both suffer. The Golden Thread Pavilion will hold the power of life and death over the user.

Status: Purification available!」"

"The Golden Thread Sect Seal has four levels: Ming Chu, Huang Zhong, Jin Shang, and Tengxiao.

This is a Ming Chu Level Golden Thread Sect Seal. Possessing it means your Sect is recognized by the Golden Thread Pavilion as a Ming Chu Level power.

Those who make contributions to the Golden Thread Pavilion can earn more Earth Qi, allowing the Golden Thread Sect Seal to be upgraded."

Jiudeng explained as he handed the Golden Thread Sect Seal to Yang An.

"Thank you, State Lord Jiudeng!"

Yang An stored the Golden Thread Sect Seal in his Meat Burial Talisman and thanked Jiudeng.

He didn't rush to perform the Purification and bind the seal. After all, he was under the watchful eyes of many, including the terrifyingly powerful Elder Zhuan Yu. He couldn't risk letting them see anything unusual.

He had to admit, he never expected obtaining the Golden Thread Sect Seal would be so easy.

He had previously thought that getting the seal from the State Lord of Zichuan State wouldn't be easy. With the Demon Fiend disaster now, he had expected to be met with deliberate obstacles and all sorts of complications.

But then, in the blink of an eye, Elder Zhuan Yu had taken a liking to him and accepted him as a disciple. With a single word from his new master, the Golden Thread Sect Seal was his.

'This is the benefit of status,' he thought. 'Something like this couldn't be achieved with strength alone.'

"Our business here is concluded. It is time for me to return to the Golden Thread Pavilion. Regarding the Demon Fiend disaster in Celestial Jing State, you have all performed well. I am sure the Pavilion Master has taken note."

Elder Zhuan Yu swept a sleeve over the table, and the mountain of assorted items vanished without a trace. The smile on his face gradually faded, his expression returning to neutral.

The implication was clear: since everyone had been so cooperative, he would be sure to report their actions favorably.

"Thank you, Elder!"

The crowd below bowed in unison to Elder Zhuan Yu, their faces filled with gratitude.

The matter was now considered resolved. It was no longer a mistake, but a meritorious deed—a merit they could all share.

Elder Zhuan Yu gave a slight nod and waved his hand. The crowd below quickly departed the hall; they still had to manage the aftermath of the Demon Fiend siege.

Soon, only Elder Zhuan Yu and Yang An remained in the hall.

The atmosphere grew quiet. Elder Zhuan Yu seemed lost in thought, and since he didn't speak, Yang An certainly wasn't going to break the silence.

After a moment, Elder Zhuan Yu chuckled.

"Do you want to return to Zichuan State to handle your own affairs first? Or will you accompany your master back to the Golden Thread Pavilion?"

'Could it really be that simple?'

Yang An was a little surprised. Why would Elder Zhuan Yu ask him that? Wasn't he afraid he'd run off?

But he immediately sensed something was amiss.

'If Elder Zhuan Yu is willing to let me go off on my own, he must be absolutely confident he can control me.'

'And how could he be so confident?'

'He must have some way to keep me in check.'

'With Elder Zhuan Yu's unfathomable power, he could have easily done something to me that I'd never be able to detect.'

'Besides, this question is likely a test to see if I'm truly sincere about being his disciple.'

After a moment's thought, Yang An replied.

"My Sect is newly founded. This disciple came here for the Golden Thread Sect Seal to stabilize our position and deter outsiders.

But as urgent as my Sect's affairs are, this disciple is also eager to see the legendary Golden Thread Pavilion. I am willing to accompany Master to the Pavilion first!"

'That was a rather elegant answer,' Yang An thought as he finished speaking.

It acknowledged the urgency of his own business while also expressing his willingness to follow Elder Zhuan Yu's wishes. It was a flawless response that effectively tossed the decision back to the Elder.

'The message is clear,' he thought, 'it's up to you, old man. Even if I go with you to the Golden Thread Pavilion, you can't let me neglect my important business.'

Sure enough, upon hearing Yang An's reply, Elder Zhuan Yu laughed heartily.

"In that case, you will accompany your master back to the Golden Thread Pavilion. As for your Sect's affairs, I will arrange for them to be handled. You need not worry.

Once we're at the Golden Thread Pavilion, you can return whenever you wish."

"Yes!"

Yang An agreed crisply, without a moment's hesitation.

In some ways, Elder Zhuan Yu truly was, as he had claimed when they first met, a very reasonable person.

'But who knows if his true nature matches his outward appearance.'

'When it came to judging others, Yang An's habit—first impressions aside—was to assume the worst. The Cultivators of this world were anything but normal, so it was always best to be on guard.'

With the decision made to return to the Golden Thread Pavilion, Elder Zhuan Yu said no more.

The two of them walked out of the Ten Directions Palace, one after the other. Then, Elder Zhuan Yu summoned a massive monster from the void.

It was a creature that resembled a great lizard. Its limbs were thick and powerful, and its long tail was lined with a row of sharp barbs. Several dozen feet long, it had a pair of wings on its back that were as thin as a cicada's.

Most importantly, Yang An couldn't determine the monster's Cultivation Level. Its aura was incredibly profound; it had to be at least a Zombie God!

'Is that a Demon Fiend?'

Yang An knew it instantly. He could feel a malevolent and foul aura emanating from the behemoth.

It was the kind of aura that most Demon Fiends possessed.

'It looks like Elder Zhuan Yu uses it for transportation. Can Demon Fiends actually be tamed? How incredible.'

Seeing Yang An's astonished expression, Elder Zhuan Yu looked quite pleased with himself.

"In terms of seniority, you should address her as Martial Aunt!"

"..."

'Good heavens! So that's their relationship!'

Yang An was even more astonished. He had assumed it was the Elder's mount, not his peer from the same sect!

"Then again, it's not wrong to call her a mount. She enjoys being ridden, heheh."

Elder Zhuan Yu chuckled again.

"..."

'Why does that sound so... strange?'

But Yang An was sensible enough to keep his mouth shut.

Then, Elder Zhuan Yu looked up at the monster hovering in mid-air and spoke slowly.

"Martial Sister, open the door. It's time for us to head back."

"???"

'She's female?'

Yang An suddenly felt that this relationship was getting a bit complicated...

'And what does he mean, "open the door"? Does it have a door on its body? Aren't we supposed to ride on its back?'

No sooner had Elder Zhuan Yu spoken than a slit appeared out of thin air on the great lizard's soft, scale-less underbelly.

It looked exactly like a wound, yet not a drop of blood or speck of flesh emerged from it.

Elder Zhuan Yu transformed into a black shadow and shot into the gash in an instant, disappearing from sight.

Yang An followed his example and flew in right after him.

There was no particular sensation upon entering. In the blink of an eye, the scene changed, and Yang An found himself looking at a very unexpected sight.

It was a moderately sized cavity. A bright light shone from an unknown source. Aside from the fleshy-looking walls, there was nothing particularly remarkable.

Except, that is, for the crooked tree growing in the center of the cavity. It was as thick as a man's thigh and covered in blooming red flowers.

Beneath the tree sat a stone table and several stone stools, with a teapot and teacups resting on the tabletop.

Elder Zhuan Yu was already seated on one of the stone stools, arranging the tea set on the table.

He reached out, telekinetically plucking two red petals and placing them in a cup. Then, he drew some blood from the gaping hole in his chest, decanted it into the teapot, and proceeded to pour the bloody liquid into the cup as if he were brewing tea.

"Sit, have a cup of tea. By the time you finish, we should be just about at the Golden Thread Pavilion."

he said to Yang An, perfectly at ease.

But looking at the "tea"—blood drawn from the Elder's own body—Yang An couldn't help but gulp.

There was no way he was going to drink that.