Refining the Mountains and Rivers

After almost a month, Xiang Ziyue returned to Midmorning City. The Hidden Fog Sect naturally had their own businesses in such a large regional city. Once he arrived, he didn't rest for long before he gave an order, "Immediately contact Sky Declaring Pavilion and request a meeting with Mister Ning Qin. Remember to be careful and do not show any disrespect!"

This matter was related to the evolution of the dark star ice serpent, the highest level secret of the Hidden Fog Sect. Besides the high level figures of the sect, only a few other people knew about it. The manager in charge of their Midmorning City industries was surprised, but he didn't dare to reveal anything. He said, "Yes, I shall immediately handle this."

Watching the person leave, Xiang Ziyue's frown still didn't relax. There was still a period of time before the deadline of a month was reached. He feared that the grandmaster would be unhappy.

If his audience today was refused, he could only start preparing other plans. Before he came, he had already been granted permission by the sect to offer more in order to obtain the ash line grass ahead of time.

He hoped things would be completed smoothly. He didn't want to disappoint the expectations of his teacher and the sect.

…

Yun Die quietly waited outside the laboratory doors for a long time. Her head was lowered in a respectful manner.

After some time, array formation runes on the door began to extinguish themselves. Qin Yu pushed open the door and walked out. "What is it?"

He looked up and rubbed his forehead, a weary look on his face.

He had been busy healing his injuries these past days and there were also several missions he needed to 'look after', so he was feeling a little exhausted.

Yun Die revealed a look of admiration. Teacher was teacher; he never stopped studying and learning in his lifetime!

"Teacher, the Foreign Affairs Division relayed a message saying that someone from the Hidden Fog Sect has come and would like to request an audience."

If it were anyone else, Yun Die wouldn't have come to disturb teacher. But, the Hidden Fog Sect's status was inevitably different.

As one of the top sects of this region, no matter what the goal of their trip here was, they needed to be given due respect.

Qin Yu stopped rubbing his forehead as he revealed an awkward expression. Luckily, Yun Die's head was still bowed in respect, otherwise if she saw her teacher's expression then the perfect image she had of him in her mind would have collapsed.

It seemed he really had forgotten…

He had been busy with restoring his injuries and also busy with completing the various missions so that he could exchange the rewards for things he needed, but, the most basic reason he forgot was that he never placed the Hidden Fog Sect's request in his heart to begin with…cough cough, the main reason was because it was just far too simple.

Luckily, there was still some time before the deadline. Qin Yu suppressed these thoughts and said, "Tell the person from the Hidden Fog Sect that I am conducting an experiment and cannot leave for now. Tell them to return in three days."

Yun Die bowed, "Yes, teacher."

…

Upon hearing that Mister Ning Qin refused to meet him, Xiang Ziyue's heart tightened. Luckily, the manager's following words allowed him to let out a long breath of relief. Looking at this fellow, no matter how good his temper was he still couldn't help but become angry. He thought of holding the manager down and giving him a good beating.

"I understand. You may leave now!"

The manager shrunk back his head. Although he had no idea what mistake he had made, from Xiang Ziyue's sharp glare just now, it was clear there had been a problem.

He quickly rolled away.

Xiang Ziyue took a deep breath and rapidly composed his thoughts. He stood up and started pacing back and forth. He couldn't be sure as to what Mister Ning Qin's thoughts were.

He was likely feeling some dissatisfaction, otherwise he wouldn't have asked him to come back in three days. Still, there shouldn't be much anger, otherwise he could have completely refused to see him before the deadline arrived.

Thinking about this, Xiang Ziyue relaxed. From this, he believed that as long as he displayed sufficient sincerity in three days and offered a generous enough gift to Mister Ning Qin as an apology, then there wouldn't be any issues.

…

On the first floor of the testing building, Yun Die was earnestly reading through the daily diary of a beast trainer. The records inside were somewhat random, but it contained all of the experiences and experimental thoughts of a beast trainer. To her, this was simply a rare 'holy scripture'.

Teacher didn't have enough time or energy in a day, so how could he truly teach her? Luckily, as teacher's disciple, she now possessed an extraordinary status within the Midmorning City branch division. At the very least, it was easy for her to borrow all sorts of rare and precious ancient texts.

Yun Die had a solid beast trainer foundation to begin with. After obtaining these ancient texts, she was like a sponge, wildly absorbing nutrients. As long as no one disturbed her, she could study for hours on end.

Teacher originally said he would see the person from the Hidden Fog Sect in three days, but for some unknown reason he pushed it back by another day. Yun Die thought things over for some time before taking this diary with her to the first floor and reading it over there. She didn't want teacher to not be able to find someone if he needed assistance.

The internal communication tool rang out loud, awakening Yun Die from her reverie. She furrowed her eyebrows. After a pause, she raised the phone and heard Yan Jiao's voice, "Senior-apprentice sister, fellow daoist Lu would like to see you about something."

Yan Jiao's tone was calm, but Yun Die could hear the slight bitterness in her words. Regarding this, she could only feel helpless.

But she had already agreed to see him earlier, and Yun Die wasn't the type of person who went back on her word. She said, "I understand. Ask fellow daoist Lu to wait a moment."

These past days, Lu Yuhong often searched for excuses to see her. Although there was always something to discuss, his true intentions were made clear.

Yun Die originally thought that once this mission was completed, Lu Yuhong would leave and the two of them would have no connection. This was the best case outcome for her. But with Yan Jiao's actions lately…perhaps she needed to express her stance ahead of time. She didn't want any cracks to appear between her and this little sister who had followed beside her all this time.

Glancing at the laboratory doors and seeing that they were still closed tight, Yun Die stood up and walked out. Since she was only going to speak for a moment, she should be back soon.

But not long after Yun Die left, the array formation runes on the door dimmed down and Qin Yu walked out. He glanced around and furrowed his eyebrows. Then, he walked out.

He had become accustomed to Yun Die's thoroughness. Since she wasn't here, she must have some other matters to attend to.

"Teacher!" When he left the first floor, he encountered one of his secret disciples. This was a youth with soft gray hair. His expression was respectful and also excited.

It took Qin Yu some time to recall this disciple's name. He ridiculed himself a little. Although he only accepted these disciples in order to hide his identity, he might have been a little too irresponsible in the way he treated them.

"Yun Chuan, have you seen Yun Die?"

The one responsible for liaising with the Foreign Affairs Division was always Yun Die.

Yun Chuan's face flushed red. "Te…teacher, senior-apprentice sister Yun Die is receiving a guest in the front reception hall right now." He clearly never expected that someone as small and unnoticeable as himself would be treated so gently and warmly by his teacher.

Qin Yu nodded. "Continue with your work."

He walked away. In his heart, he thought that perhaps he needed to take on some of the responsibilities of a teacher. Although he only had some minor knowledge about this beast trainer occupation, helping these secret disciples should still be simple.

In the reception hall.

Yun Die sat on a sofa. She responded to Lu Yuhong's questions and remembered the minor details he proposed.

"I've really troubled Miss Yun Die. It's just that this matter is an important test that my family has given to me. I cannot allow any accidents at all." Lu Yuhong had an apologetic look. "After this mission is over, I hope that Miss Yun Die gives me a chance to express my regards."

Yan Jiao's eyes darkened.

Lu Yuhong turned around. "Of course, there is also Miss Yan Jiao. You are welcome to join too."

"Ah…" Yan Jiao was surprised and overjoyed. If it weren't for the fact that Yun Die hadn't nodded, she was afraid she would have immediately agreed.

On the opposite sofa, Yun Die indifferently said, "Fellow daoist Lu, I am only standing here in place of teacher to do the duty I was entrusted with. You don't have to take it to heart."

Lu Yuhong's expression was sincere. "Miss Yun Die, after this mission I will inherit my family. I have no idea whether I will be able to come back to Midmorning City…"

He wavered as he spoke, his star-like eyes filled with hopeful expectation.

One couldn't help but admit that with Lu Yuhong's background and status, his incomparably handsome appearance, and also his kind and amiable manner, all of this combined together was enough for most women to drown in him.

But Yun Die was an exception. She didn't frown, but annoyance flashed in her eyes. This person's stubbornness had already started to disgust her.

Lu Yuhong was surprised. He believed that although there wasn't much time, he had laid down sufficient preparations in these past days. Even if Yun Die wasn't truly moved by him, she should still have a favorable impression.

But now, it seemed that reality was differing from his expectations. He absolutely could not allow Yun Die to speak words of rejection, otherwise it would be far more difficult to romance her in the future.

"Miss Yun Die…" Lu Yuhong spoke first. But before he could finish speaking, Yun Die's frosty complexion completely melted away. She stood up and moved towards the entrance, bowing as she said, "Teacher, you've come."

Lu Yuhong let out a long breath. He thought that this Mister Ning Qin had come at just the right time.

He hurriedly stood up. Following behind Yan Jiao, he bowed and said, "Lu Yuhong greets Grandmaster Ning Qin!"

His expression was one of perfectly interwoven excitement and happiness.

This was the expression one should have after a joyful surprise. Lu Yuhong naturally didn't forget such minor details.

Qin Yu nodded, "This is?"

Yun Die respectfully said, "Teacher, some time ago you took on a mission to cultivate some spiritual objects. This fellow daoist Lu is the representative of the petitioner."

Her words were cold and distant.

"I took the liberty to visit, but I never thought I would see Mister Ning Qin today. It is truly my good fortune!" Lu Yuhong excitedly said.

Qin Yu glanced at him. "My apologies, but there are other matters I must attend to today. I won't be bothering fellow daoist Lu."

Lu Yuhong never imagined that this Mister Ning Qin who had been given such great advantages would actually be so indifferent towards him. He hurriedly said, "If that's the case, I will bid my goodbyes first."

Yun Die stood motionlessly. "Yan Jiao, bring fellow daoist Lu away."

When the two left, she glanced at Qin Yu, a hesitant look on her face.

A moment ago, did teacher realize anything? Would he be unhappy?

After all, in Yun Die's eyes, to be able to follow by teacher's side was already the greatest possible fortune.

To waste time and energy on anything else was simply unforgivable.

"Yun Die, inform the person from the Hidden Fog Sect to come if they have free time today."

Fortunately, it seemed her teacher didn't care at all. Yun Die relaxed a little. "Yes, teacher, I will go immediately."