"The courtyard and residence were repaired by the people you found, so credit goes to you. Besides, I'm often away from home, and it's a training treasure land, so we mustn't waste it."

"This is the token of Swordmaster Peak, carved by my senior sister herself. Before I left, she gave me a few pieces and told me to do as I see fit."

"Inside is a sword aura she infused to ensure protection. Carefully comprehend this sword aura. If you can understand it, then come up the mountain to find me. If anyone stops you, just throw this to them."

"You should practice sword cultivation as needed without worrying too much about us. When my senior sister feels like it, she can even poke my eyes while we're dining."

"Off you go."

With a gentle yet confident smile, he tilted his chin, leaving the young An Rou standing there, not knowing how to react.

Her face was filled with excitement, shock, and confusion. To her, this was more than a pie falling from the sky; it was more extravagant than gold, leaving her brain blank and unsure how to respond, only An Xuan was the first to react.

She immediately pressed her daughter to kneel on the ground and then held An Rou's head to bow.

"Thank you, Brother Jiang, for your guidance! My daughter and I will never forget your great kindness!"

"Thank you, thank you, sir, for your guidance."

Jiang realized he's becoming more paternal.

He could comfort children, take care of their emotions, and when he saw these promising kids, he'd offer help willingly. Before descending the mountain, his senior sister's most important instruction to him was to recruit more disciples for Swordmaster Peak.

Cultivation realm wasn't important; what mattered was understanding the Sword Dao and having an affinity with him.

What is affinity?

I think this is a kind of fate.

Oh, another point, my senior sister currently only recruits female cultivators. She doesn't much like mingling with men or physical contact.

Except with me!

An Si has already gone out running errands, executing various orders, while An Rou diligently cultivates in the courtyard. Just this pendant might take her years to comprehend, and it should be at least a year before she's successful.

By then, An Rou's realm should have broken through to Foundation Establishment, and she'll be able to participate in sect assessments like me. This familiar scene indeed brings nostalgia.

Serving tea, recording detailed accounts for the entire Ethereal Violet Pavilion, including expenses and income. There's a special account listing various "special items"; upon closer look, they are all Spirit Grass and Immortal Herbs.

An Xuan continued to explain using her distinct smoky voice.

"This is Ethereal Violet Pavilion's harvest for the past three years. I've sent people to Southern Border to purchase many raw materials needed for elixir refinement, all stored in the warehouse."

"Then these are the exchanged goods: nineteen Spiritual Beast crystal cores and premium Beast Bones, all excellent materials for forging Magic Treasures."

"And these..."

The records are unbelievably detailed, even Jiang Feng was surprised. He knew Ethereal Violet Pavilion accumulated wealth to exchange for more cultivation treasures, with Su Yi and Lu Luo previously managing this aspect here as well.

Gathering various information as the sect's eyes and buying large quantities of raw materials for elixirs, Magic Treasures, and Divine Weapons. Even if they can only forge relatively low-grade treasures, it's still an indispensable part.

"May I ask if Brother Jiang intends to take them directly, or should we hand them over to the sect?"

She tentatively asked.

She was quite sensible, understanding that some people must follow the rules, while others set the rules. The young man seated across from her was half her age but undoubtedly destined to be among the rule setters.

However, Jiang Feng countered with a question: "What's your regular practice? Submit directly to the sect? Or does someone come for collection?"

"This..."

Momentarily tongue-tied.

Her expression revealed some awkwardness, seemingly not convenient to speak. Yet Jiang Feng, experienced in the workplace and having taken kickbacks in his previous life buying for companies, coughed dryly.

"Rest assured, that madwoman doesn't speak better than me within the sect. Last month, I even had her play the zither to treat my insomnia. Relax."

An Xuan immediately showed a bitter smile.

As expected, he guessed correctly, most likely was connected to Yu Ying.

Hesitating for a few seconds, she was calculating whether revealing this would bring trouble, usually wouldn't express such words to others. But Jiang Feng...

This one was Swordmaster Peak's direct disciple.

Though it was her first encounter with him, she was well aware of Swordmaster Peak's re-opening to recruit widely. Now with him here, his status is comparable to an imperial envoy.

Especially with his inquiry into sect corruption, after a brief hesitation, she confessed truthfully.

"According to the rules, someone from the sect should handle the handover, but we must first submit everything to Shuangfeng City, then the lord will hand it over to the sect."

Indeed needing to change hands.

Touching his chin, someone revealed only a cold smile.

"I knew it, the madwoman surely manipulated a substantial amount. What's the proportion?"

"Should be... around forty percent."

Almost gritting her teeth as she spoke.

That's a local tyrant.

Upon hearing the number, Jiang couldn't help but feel disgusted by the sheer ruthlessness of the madwoman. Now he understood why Yu Ying would willingly stay in such a remote place for decades, being the local tyrant was initially a joke, but now realizing it.

It's truly like that!

The key is no one here can restrain her, and nobody knows the actual situation. Once in Long Country, you must follow her orders. She's both influential and an Inner Sect Disciple, terrifyingly high in power and status, truly capable of covering the sky with one hand.

"I knew she'd be unscrupulous. Next time, I'll make her embezzle another ten percent."

"...Huh?"

Originally expected justice, now ended in collusion.

No self-awareness, someone spoke up: "What else, I've been to Heavenly Power Peak, all are mediocre, low-realm disciples. If Yu Ying didn't do these tricks, probably couldn't sustain anyone."

"Heavenly Power Peak is in decline. She can only use this method to support the mountain's junior brothers and sisters. The sect likely knows and just turns a blind eye."

"This Nine Peaks Martial Arts Competition, Heavenly Power Peak's top disciple didn't even enter the top twenty, which is regrettable. Her return would take more time, besides guiding my cultivation, she must guide other disciples too."

"Without saying, she bears a heavy burden on her shoulders. Only she and Peak Master Shan support all of Heavenly Power Peak. If she doesn't have some ulterior motives, then the eighty disciples might end up with nothing."

Family over reason.

Jiang Feng had this disposition, never holding anyone to account unless it was a fundamental mistake, especially when someone was supporting a mountain's livelihood, whether from friendship or comradeship angles, he wouldn't criticize.

Furthermore, she herself is implicated.

"Brother Jiang, young in age yet resolute, making us feel ashamed."

"Alright, enough flattery. In the sect, besides getting scolded and beaten, I'm not suited for either. Let's pretend I didn't ask about this. Continue as usual, if her mood swings during that time trying to cut you, just mention my name."

His shoulder shook.

Only Jiang Feng dared say such words, anyone else would probably have been shredded by Yu Ying and fed to dogs.

Even now, these stewards have

"Speak about the border situation and recent people entering Purple Cloud Palace's range. I'm home for three tasks."

"First, deliver some orders for Yu Ying as she is overwhelmed and needs management help."

"Second, wait here for someone. If fate allows, introduce a few promising disciples to the sect."

"Third, after Nine Peaks Martial Arts Competition, numerous sect disciples venture down the mountain to train, including Purple Cloud Palace disciples and others from various sects, all happening around the same time. I've already encountered them once within Country Liang, to put it simply..."

"Either they kill me, or I kill them, a choice of two."

Exposing eight white teeth, his smile was chilling to the bone.

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