Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Feng Qing had a cautious expression. Her slender white fingers lightly tapped against the armrest. She asked, "Are you sure that Mister Ning Qin said he needed more of these jades?"

Looking at the miss' appearance, Zhou Li knew that her mood was serious. She lowered her head and said, "Yes, miss. Mister Ning Qin also said that if miss has any, he is willing to purchase them at a high price."

Feng Qing slowly nodded and bitterly smiled. She already understood Qin Yu's thoughts.

Without a doubt, this was the best chance to curry favor with Qin Yu. If she had any more of those jade pieces in her hands, she would have offered them to him without hesitation.

But this was the only piece she had and it was one she obtained accidentally. Even if she wanted to look for more, she had no idea where to begin.

Feng Qing let out a light breath and rubbed her forehead. "I understand. Zhou Li, go to Rising Lake once more and tell Mister Ning Qin that I will do everything in my power to search for these jade pieces for him."

Zhou Li nodded and turned to leave.

Feng Qing closed her eyes and leaned back on her sofa, deep in thought. After some time, she stood up and started walking forward. Although she had no idea of the jade's true function or origin, she had come into contact with it before and knew it possessed some special characteristics.

If she used the strength of Sky Declaring Pavilion to find more information, there would definitely be some harvests. She couldn't miss out on this chance to develop a closer relationship with Qin Yu!

Of course, she had to be discreet when she did this and couldn't attract any extra attention.

…

When Qin Yu had Yun Die guide Zhou Li away again, he couldn't help but rub his temples. He forced out a smile. It had been with great difficulty that he had found something that could repair his soul injuries, and in the end it was only this tiny piece.

He didn't think that Feng Qing was playing tricks with him. Judging from her response, not only did she not have any more, but she couldn't even give him a timeline for when she would be able to find more. It could be seen that this kind of jade was extremely rare.

He shook his head, suppressing the disappointment in his heart. Since Feng Qing knew what he wanted, she should have already begun to make her move.

He hoped there would be a pleasant surprise!

It was better to focus on the present right now. According to what he knew, Sky Declaring Pavilion would soon give him a precious reward thanks to the 'outstanding performance' of his mission completion. Perhaps Feng Qing could alter this reward a little and change it into something he needed.

…

In the distant Hidden Fog Sect.

Rong Wei kept his head lowered as he carefully reviewed the data chart in his hands. After a long time he stood up and under the expectant gazes of his numerous disciples, a beaming smile spread across his weary face.

"It's too great!"

The disciples immediately cheered. All of their hard work recently hadn't been for nothing in the end.

They looked at their teacher, their eyes filled with admiration. In today's accomplishment, they had only done some superficial work. The one who contributed the most was their teacher.

Even in the Hidden Fog Sect where there were numerous beast trainer powerhouses, their teacher was still a peak existence. To follow at their teacher's side and study beneath him was their life's greatest lucky chance!

Rong Wei accepted the congratulations of his disciples and ordered them to go back and rest. Everyone watched with envy as he asked Xiang Ziyue to stay behind.

"Through our recent efforts, the dark star ice serpent has finished acc.u.mulating its necessary foundation. You are to immediately set off to Midmorning City and seek an audience with Grandmaster Ning Qin. Ask him about the payment date for the ash line grass. If we can obtain it just one day earlier, that means there will be more time available to us. Do you understand?"

Xiang Ziyue respectfully said, "Teacher, do not worry, I will do everything in my power to obtain the ash line grass as soon as possible."

Rong Wei nodded. "Good. You may go…just remember, if nothing can be done, things need to be finished before the deadline. No matter what you do, do not offend Grandmaster Ning Qin."

For the time being, while it seemed that the Hidden Fog Sect only cared about the ash line grass, to become friends with a grandmaster level existence was always the best choice.

"Yes, teacher."

…

The External Affairs Division was responsible for networking with the outside world. Today, they received an extremely heavy order.

The other party was an attached family of a large sect and they possessed considerable strength. This time, they were asking for help in cultivating some type of rare guardian spirit object. Their only condition was that Mister Ning Qin personally help them.

After the high-grade heaven-step mission evaluation result was announced, it had become common for similar requests to come in. Mister Ning Qin's reputation had already spread far and wide. Even so, the reward for this order was still shockingly high. Even if a person were to request the help of a grandmaster, the price might not be so high.

It was clear that this other party was sufficiently sincere!

After the External Affairs Division confirmed this order, they immediately sent over the contents of the request to Risking Lake. If Mister Ning Qin agreed to it, then they would accept the order.

This was the privilege that a grandmaster level existence enjoyed. They could decide whether or not they wanted to take on a mission.

Of course, in the eyes of the Foreign Affairs Division, Grandmaster Ning Qin wouldn't refuse a mission with such a rich reward.

And without accident, Rising Lake soon responded. Mister Ning Qin would receive this requested mission.

…

Rising Lake.

Yun Die passed the mission information to her teacher and left. When she exited the lakeside building, she saw Yan Jiao waiting outside.

"Senior-apprentice sister Yun Die, the petitioner of the mission that teacher just received has some specific requirements and he would like to request a meeting with teacher."

"Mm?" Yun Die furrowed her eyebrows together. "Their plan isn't too bad."

Yan Jiao coldly humphed, "Who couldn't see that? To offer such a high reward, it's obvious they would have such thoughts."

Right now, there were countless people trying to get close to their teacher and be friends with him. To put in an order at Sky Declaring Pavilion and request for his help specifically, although this was an extremely costly method, it was still worth it.

Noticing Yun Die's silence, Yan Jiao hesitated for a moment. She said, "According to the rules, the mission petitioner does have the right to request certain requirements. So, it isn't too excessive for them to ask to meet with teacher."

"I understand. But with teacher's personality, how could he waste his time on meeting these random people?" Yun Die looked up, "Where is this person?"

"He's in the guest hall."

"Bring me to see him. If they really have some kind of requirement, telling me is the same as telling teacher."

Yan Jiao smiled. "Senior-apprentice sister is smart. You are teacher's only true disciple so you can naturally deal with such trivial matters in his place. They shouldn't have any way to argue with this!"

Yun Die rolled her eyes. "Stop flattering me. You're the sneakiest one here. You were waiting all this time for me to say this."

Yan Jiao stuck out her tongue and didn't say anything else.

Sky Declaring Pavilion accepted business from all over. Naturally, there was a reception area where they received guests. Although it was a separately divided manor, the scenery was still beautiful.

In a small courtyard covered in shade, Yun Die saw the representative of their client. Even with her personality, when she saw this other party she couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise.

"Young ladies, may I ask the meaning of this?"

The young man across from them smiled as he spoke. He wore loose white robes and his temperament was like warm white jade. His demeanor was calm and relaxing and a regal aura lingered around him.

Yan Jiao's eyes brightened. She was stunned for a moment before lowering her eyes. A flush started to creep up her face.

This was also the first time she had seen this person. Without expecting it, she felt as if she had been dazzled by this person's 'beauty'.

But…this was truly a mind-bogglingly handsome young man…

Yun Die lightly coughed, reminding Yan Jiao not to be rude. She smiled and said, "Sir, we are Mister Ning Qin's disciples…"

"Ah! Miss Yun Die, right?" The young man suddenly interrupted. Then, an apologetic look immediately crossed his face. "My apologies, I was disrespectful."

Yun Die nodded, "That's right. I am Yun Die and this is my junior-apprentice sister Yan Jiao."

The youth cupped his hands together. "I am Lu Yuhong. I greet Miss Yun Die and Miss Yan Jiao." His eyes paused on Yun Die and he continued to say, "I've long since heard that Mister Ning Qin's only disciple is a woman as beautiful as a fairy. I see today that you live up to your reputation."

His brazen and forward words didn't cause one to feel disgusted. On the contrary, one could feel the sincerity in them.

Yan Jiao couldn't help but reveal a disappointed look. Lu Yuhong's attention was clearly focused on Yun Die.

"Fellow daoist Lu praises me too much." Yun Die's voice was calm, "Today, I came to reply to you about teacher's matters.

"I apologize, but my teacher doesn't like to be disturbed. If you have need of anything, you may tell me. I will convey your message to teacher at an appropriate time."

Lu Yuhong didn't hide his disappointment. "Ah…I was hoping that I could see Mister Ning Qin, but since things are like this, I will do my best to respect the grandmaster's wishes."

Yun Die was surprised that this person gave up their original request so easily. She felt some appreciation towards his open-mindedness. "Thank you, fellow daoist Lu."

She stood up, "Then, me and my junior-apprentice sister will not disturb you any longer. Rising Lake will be sure to complete your request before the required deadline."

Lu Yuhong hurriedly said, "Miss Yun Die, please wait a moment. I might not need to see Mister Ning Qin, but there are some requirements for cultivating the spiritual object. I wonder if I may visit you during this time period."

Yun Die hesitated for a moment before nodding her head, "You may."

Lu Yuhong brightly smiled, "Then allow me to send you out."

After leaving the reception area, Yan Jiao said, "Senior-apprentice sister, I think that this fellow daoist Lu has a very favorable impression of you."

Yun Die frowned. "Stop speaking nonsense. For you and I to follow at teacher's side is a good fortune that others cannot even beg for. I don't think there is even enough time for cultivation, so stop wasting your thoughts on such unnecessary things!"

After being scolded a little, Yan Jiao lowered her head and honestly hummed in agreement. She didn't know why, but she felt a little relieved.

After Lu Yuhong returned, a servant who had been silently standing beside him suddenly looked up. The servant indifferently said, "How could you let them go so easily? Remember that we don't have much time!"

"Haste will only ruin things. This type of thing cannot be rushed no matter how anxious you are." Lu Yuhong leisurely said, a happy and thoughtful expression on his face.

The servant sneered. "I am just reminding you what sort of fate you will suffer if you fail this mission!"

Lu Yuhong's smile stiffened. He clenched his teeth and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely not fail!"

"Humph! You had better not!" The servant lowered his head and the hall felt silence once more.