He hadn’t paid it much mind before, but now he was desperately short on Merit. Since the Enlightenment Dao from the Spirit Nurturing Beads was his only stable source of it, he had made this adjustment.

When Qu Qizhong saw that Zhang Deming knew the ropes but still insisted,

he didn’t press the issue, not knowing what this Steward was plotting.

After speaking, Zhang Deming waved his hand and sent Qu Qizhong back.

Zhang Deming left the Spirit Nurturing Space, took a stroll around Celestial Spirit City, and then opened his editor to apply a Disguise.

He assumed the appearance he had previously set for Zhang Wu and appeared at the East City Spirit Vein, where he rented a new Two-Star Cave Mansion.

Because he had promised Qu Qizhong he would increase the quantity by half, he needed to rush his work.

For several days straight, Zhang Deming rushed to process the materials until he had enough Spirit Nurturing Beads for the next month. He then prepared another batch of materials but didn’t work overtime to finish them.

He didn’t usually carry many things, so the empty space in his three-to-four-cubic-meter storage bag was perfect for holding the materials. This way, he could make Spirit Nurturing Beads anytime.

Thanks to the birth of the Flowering Jade Demon Soaring, the Rune Technique for his breakthrough from Tai Chi One Life was already taking shape.

So, he decided to completely settle down and lay low until he reached Tai Chi Second Life. Only then would he consider letting his alternate identity out to stir up trouble again.

In the meantime, he could make occasional appearances to let his alternate identity quietly build up a presence.

That way, it wouldn’t seem like he had just popped out of nowhere later on.

Therefore, Zhang Deming went out to mingle every few days.

As the largest city for Cultivators in the region, Celestial Spirit City had a good number of Tai Chi Cultivators.

Posing as a Spiritual Agriculture Loose Cultivator, Zhang Deming spent nearly half a month working his way into a particular social circle.

It was a small, semi-regular gathering organized by several Peak Tai Chi Cultivators.

Most of the attendees were Tai Chi Cultivators, with the occasional Peak Apprentice who either had significant backing or exceptional potential.

The gathering was structured like a trade fair. Every time Zhang Deming attended, he mostly just watched, content to let others get familiar with his face.

Today, however, a piece of information caught his attention.

There were only three Apprentices at the gathering today. During the rotating trade session, two of them remained silent.

But one named Guann Zhenxiang suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.

"I have information about a ruin and I’m looking for a senior to cooperate with. If you’re interested, please find me," Guann Zhenxiang said suddenly during his turn in the opening round of announcements.

After speaking, he posted a very crude summary of the information on the gathering’s display screen.

"What kind of ruin?" a Tai Chi Cultivator asked, glancing at the scant details.

"I’m not sure," Guann Zhenxiang replied. "I can only confirm that it’s likely a ruin from six or seven thousand years ago. I don’t know much else."

"You don’t even know what type it is?"

Guann Zhenxiang nodded. "That’s right."

"Then what gives you the confidence to come here looking for a partner?" Many people shook their heads, losing interest.

The exchange continued. A few people near him quietly asked a few more questions, but they too eventually shook their heads.

If he had been a Tai Chi Cultivator, he might have held their interest.

But he was just an Apprentice who knew next to nothing. No one had any desire to press for details. For all they knew, it was just some old ruin where apprentices went to scavenge.

Zhang Deming’s expression flickered. Seeing the hints of architectural style in the information provided, he actually felt a sense of anticipation about the ruin.

After the last incident, Zhang Deming had spent the past six months conducting a detailed investigation into the origins of that ruined Secret Realm.

He had researched everything from historical records to cultural and even architectural styles.

Zhang Deming suspected that the ruined Secret Realm was very likely a fragment of a Grotto Heaven.

According to the records, a Blessed Land—the Five Elements Blessed Land—had fallen into the Hengduan Mountain Range several thousand years ago.

And ’Turtle Water’ was the Water Cave Heaven Secret Realm located within that Five Elements Blessed Land.

The information this Guann Zhenxiang had provided was incredibly crude, but it showed a small part of a building whose architectural style matched the one he had seen before.

Therefore, once the opening announcements were over and the free-trade period began, Zhang Deming quietly approached Guann Zhenxiang and whispered, "Are you sure this ruin actually exists?"

Guann Zhenxiang nodded. "I am very certain. But since I’ve never been inside, I haven’t been able to get any specific information, so I’m not clear on the details.

"That’s exactly why I’m looking for a senior to accompany me—to be on the safe side. After all, it’s a ruin from the time of the Ancient Cultivators."

Zhang Deming pondered this for a moment. ’The explanation feels a bit thin,’ he thought.

’Find a stranger to explore a ruin? A senior, no less? What would happen if they found any treasure?’

But the matter of the architectural style was genuinely tempting, so Zhang Deming continued, "Then how can you be so certain?"

Guann Zhenxiang replied, "I know where the entrance is, and I have the key."

Hearing this, Zhang Deming’s eyes lit up. "Can I take a look?"

Guann Zhenxiang hesitated. Zhang Deming said, "What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll steal it?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Guann Zhenxiang shook his head. "No, it’s not that. It’s too important to carry around with me. Why don’t you come with me to retrieve it, Senior?"

Huh?

’This guy...’

’Why does this feel like he’s baiting me?’

’I’m a man from the modern age, for crying out loud. This scam is even more amateurish than a classic honey trap. Do I really look that stupid?’

Zhang Deming shot Guann Zhenxiang a look, then, without another word, turned and walked away.

Guann Zhenxiang froze, completely baffled as to what had just gone wrong.

The small incident didn’t occupy Zhang Deming’s mind for long.