Zhang Yubo wore a brocade robe, showcasing wealth and luxury. His hair was neatly tied into a topknot, clearly well-groomed. His physique was somewhat plump, but not overly corpulent.

A smile spread across his long face, which seemed slightly incongruous, while his eyes showed a hint of joy, yet deep in his gaze was a trace of coldness.

Jiang Chen had experienced countless dangers on Yuan Star and ascended to the pinnacle of his journey. His ability to read people far surpassed that of individuals like Jian Cangqiong.

After sizing up Zhang Yubo, Jiang Chen secretly defined him as a smiling tiger at heart.

"Please have a seat, everyone!"

Zhang Yubo gestured toward the nearby chairs and proceeded to the main seat himself.

Jian Cangqiong and Hu Yiqiu sat on the left, while Sang Zhenye and Lin Mingxiang took seats on the right. Jiang Chen and others stood behind Hu Yiqiu and the others, as they, the juniors, were not entitled to sit in such settings.

"I heard that Elder Jiu accepted a disciple with top-tier Five Elements Dao Affinity. It must be this young Jiang Chen, right?"

After a few exchanges of civilities, Zhang Yubo glanced at Jiang Chen and then looked at Hu Yiqiu with a light smile.

"The Domain Lord flatters him."

Hu Yiqiu responded indifferently, uncapped his wine calabash at his waist, and took a sip.

Zhang Yubo didn't get upset, seemingly accustomed to Hu Yiqiu's personality. He then looked at Jiang Chen with a hint of sorrow in his eyes: "The Five Elements Great Path! Back in the day, my virtuous brother Wu Ying also mastered the Five Elements Great Path and created the Wuying Sword Path capable of attaining sainthood. If young Jiang Chen can inherit my virtuous brother's legacy, perhaps our Mingqian Realm will see its first Saint!"

Jiang Chen's heart sank. Is Zhang Yubo probing so eagerly? How wary is he of me inheriting my teacher's legacy? Could he know that inheriting it would reveal the truth of that time?

Hu Yiqiu, Jian Cangqiong, and Sang Zhenye all trembled inwardly, their peripheral vision falling upon Jiang Chen's face.

"The Domain Lord is right. The former greatness of the Shadowless Sword Emperor is an example for us all. I will strive to reach, and even surpass, the heights of the Shadowless Sword Emperor!"

Jiang Chen clasped his fist toward Zhang Yubo with confidence and humility.

Zhang Yubo was slightly taken aback, briefly frowning, but instantly replaced it with a smile: "Good! Such spirit! No wonder you're Elder Wine-crazed's disciple!"

Hu Yiqiu and the others collectively heaved a silent sigh of relief, all worried that Jiang Chen might lose control and say anything that might reveal his identity. They nodded in approval of Jiang Chen's composed response.

Buzz Buzz Buzz!

At that moment, a small hammer in Jiang Chen's Sea of Consciousness began to tremble, as if it wanted to break free and fly out.

Jiang Chen quickly lowered his head, adopting a humble posture, as a mysterious light flashed in his eyes.

The Town Soul Stele in his Sea of Consciousness emitted a bright, mysterious light, enveloping the small hammer and suppressing its unusual movement.

Zhang Yubo frowned slightly, suspiciously scanning everyone and withdrew his right hand, which was stealthily tucked into his sleeve.

Although the Primordial Spirit Imprint within the small hammer had been broken by Jiang Chen using the forces of heaven and earth, it was still Zhang Yubo's Lifebound Magic Weapon, refined over thousands of years, and there was still some sense of connection.

When Jiang Chen and others entered the Domain Lord's Mansion, he had a vague sense of something and came personally to inspect it. However, after using a secret technique, there was no reaction whatsoever, leaving him puzzled.

"Domain Lord?"

Seeing Zhang Yubo seemingly deep in thought, Jian Cangqiong frowned slightly and called out softly.

"Oh, I apologize for my rudeness!"

Zhang Yubo was startled awake by the words, apologetically smiling at everyone: "I know you all must be weary from travel. Please rest in your rooms. I've prepared a banquet this evening and would appreciate your presence."

"You're too kind, Domain Lord."

Jian Cangqiong smiled lightly and nodded.

"Tong Hai."

Zhang Yubo called out to someone outside the reception hall.

Tap Tap Tap!

The sound of footsteps approached, and the elder Tong Hai entered the reception hall, clasping his hands respectfully towards Zhang Yubo: "Domain Lord."

"Please, Mr. Tong Hai, escort Dean Jian and the others to the Celestial Guest Courtyard."

Zhang Yubo courteously requested.

"Yes!"

Tong Hai responded, then greeted Jian Cangqiong and the others.

The group followed Tong Hai and left the reception hall towards the guest quarters at the back of the Domain Lord's Mansion.

"Why is there no reaction? Even Sang Zhenye shouldn't be able to completely block my sensing of the Heaven-shaking Hammer. What's going on? Could it be that Jiang Chen has already fully refined the Town Soul Stele?"

After everyone left, Zhang Yubo muttered to himself softly, then shook his head: "It's impossible. The Town Soul Stele is a Spiritual Treasure. How could a mere Void Refinement Realm cultivator refine it so quickly? And a Spiritual Treasure, unless the owner dies, cannot recognize another master. Without the Town Soul Stele, Sang Zhenye and the others couldn't block my sensing of the Heaven-shaking Hammer. What's going on?"

Before the courtyard of the Domain Lord's Mansion.

"Everyone, this is the Celestial Guest Courtyard. Within are three three-story pavilions, which should be enough for all of you. Please, go ahead."

Tong Hai gestured toward the courtyard with a polite smile.

"Thank you."

Jian Cangqiong clasped his fists in thanks, leading the group into the courtyard.

As he watched them enter the courtyard, a cold gleam flashed in Tong Hai's eyes as he turned to head back to his own residence.

"Senior Jiang, why did you call that City Lord on the street a Daoist Priest? What is a Daoist Priest?"

Once inside the courtyard, Sang Zhirou looked at Jiang Chen with a face full of curiosity. She'd been wondering about this question throughout their journey, puzzled over what profession in the Void Nether Realm was known as a Daoist Priest, and finally couldn't resist asking.

"Oh, a Daoist Priest is..."

Jiang Chen began to answer casually but suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned abruptly, staring intently at Sang Zhirou.

Sang Zhirou was startled by Jiang Chen's reaction, taking a step back and looking at him in surprise.

Hu Yiqiu and the others also turned their gaze toward Jiang Chen, their eyes filled with questions.

"Thank you, Junior Sister Sang!"

Jiang Chen thanked her enthusiastically, then looked at Hu Yiqiu: "Master, I need to find someone. That Zhang Ling may very well be my fellow countryman!"

In the Void Nether Realm, there were no cultivators like Daoists or monks. Sang Zhirou's reminder made him realize what he had overlooked!

Zhang Ling!

The Taoist Patriarch Zhang Daoling, his original name was Zhang Ling!

"I see..."

Hu Yiqiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently: "Go ahead, there's probably no danger now, but still, be a bit cautious."

"Understood!"

Jiang Chen nodded firmly and rushed out of the courtyard.

"Elder Tong Hai! Please wait!"

Seeing the elderly figure ahead, Jiang Chen called out quickly.

Tong Hai's expression changed slightly, trying his best to remain calm. On Jiang Chen, he could sense the aura of the Tongjiang Space Ring. He had obtained this ring first, then refined it, and due to certain fortuitousness, ended up giving it to Tong Jiang.

Therefore, he was intimately familiar with the aura of that ring.

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