To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

"Don't worry, they're probably not here to cause trouble," Gu Fan reminded Yang Ju telepathically.

If the visitors were investigating the deaths of Bai Xingzhou and Shi Yu, there would have been more cultivators present, and their attitude would not have been so mild. The courtyard should have been sealed off to prevent everyone from escaping.

After the noble young man stepped down from the carriage, his gaze was fixed on Gu Fan, which immediately reminded him of what had happened at Jubao Pavilion.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ju felt reassured and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, saying, "I am Yang Ju. May I ask what your orders are, senior?"

The noble young master then turned his gaze to Yang Ju and said in a warm tone, "There's nothing much to say on this trip. I just happened to hear that the Yang family has produced another array master, so I came to pay a visit."

Yang Ju was taken aback when he heard this, but then he realized that the array master was referring to Gu Fan.

Just as he was about to explain, Gu Fan stepped forward: "My name is Meng Wei, a guest elder of the Yang family. If you are looking for a formation master, then I should be the one."

Although I don't know why the Gu family came to our door, they certainly don't seem to have any ill intentions, so it's worth making contact with them.

"Guest Elder? Not a member of the Yang clan?" The noble young man suddenly frowned.

Yang Ju quickly explained, "Although Elder Meng is a guest elder, his status in the Yang family is second only to the head of the family."

Upon hearing this, the noble young man's brows relaxed slightly, and he asked, "I've heard that the Yang family's array formation tradition is quite unique. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Meng is familiar with it?"

Gu Fan's heart skipped a beat, his eyes darted around, and he realized that the other party was referring to the "Mysterious Ruins Earth Vein Map".

Unexpectedly, the Gu family also knew about the Yang family's unique heritage.

"That's natural." Gu Fan nodded.

The noble young man finally smiled again, cupped his hands and said, "Gu Qingyuan greets fellow Daoist."

Gu Fan hadn't reacted yet, but Yang Ju was visibly shaken when he heard the name.

"Senior, this is the eldest son of the Gu family!"

Gu Fan's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he cupped his hands in a smile, saying, "So it's Young Master Gu who has arrived. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Therefore, Yang Ju cautiously invited Gu Qingyuan into the courtyard. Two Foundation Establishment guards and four maids followed, while the rest of the people stood guard outside the courtyard gate. Even the younger members of the Yang family were not allowed to approach. Only Yang Ju was qualified to listen in.

Upon entering the room, Gu Qingyuan's maidservants brought out precious teacups and utensils, as well as fragrant tea and spiritual fruits, making him feel as if he were at home.

Considering that the entire Immortal City was the territory of the Gu family, Gu Fan wasn't surprised at all.

Afterwards, Gu Qingyuan did not immediately explain his purpose. Instead, he chatted with Gu Fan, discussing everything from spiritual tea and wine to cultivation techniques.

When it comes to tea and wine tasting, Gu Fan is indeed inferior to this young master from a prominent family, but when it comes to cultivation techniques, that is Gu Fan's forte. The two chatted happily and before they knew it, an hour had passed.

Throughout the entire process, Gu Qingyuan's guards stood by without uttering a word.

Yang Ju followed suit and stood behind Gu Fan, listening intently.

The eldest son of the Gu family is someone the Yang family would find difficult to curry favor with.

An hour later, their enthusiasm for conversation waned.

Gu Qingyuan looked at Yang Ju and said warmly, "May I speak with Fellow Daoist Meng alone?"

Yang Ju seemed to wake from a dream and quickly agreed.

Afterwards, Yang Ju followed the two Foundation Establishment guards and walked outside together.

After the three left, Gu Qingyuan waved his sleeve, sending several array flags flying out and landing around him, with an invisible wave spreading out.

The moment the array flags took shape, Gu Fan could tell that Gu Qingyuan had set up a soundproof array. Although it was only a first-order array, it was enough to ensure that their conversation would not be leaked.

Upon seeing this, Gu Fan's lips curled up slightly.

The more elaborate the other party's announcement, the more important the matter at hand is.

Gu Fan was quite surprised to learn that Gu Qingyuan was also an array master.

After setting up the formation, Gu Qingyuan asked, "What do you think of my formation, fellow Daoist?"

"Not bad." Gu Fan nodded in praise. "It's clear that you've put in a lot of effort. The soundproof array wasn't just done step by step, but was adjusted according to the indoor layout. It's quite good among beginners in array formation."

These words, though seemingly a compliment, actually pointed out Gu Qingyuan's level—a beginner in the art of array formations.

But Gu Fan wasn't just talking for nothing. He then pointed out the shortcomings of Gu Qingyuan's formation, convincing Gu Qingyuan completely.

Gu Qingyuan was not annoyed by this, and laughed heartily, saying, "I made a fool of myself."

Gu Fan raised the corners of his mouth slightly, smiling without saying a word.

Gu Qingyuan coughed lightly, staring intently at Gu Fan's brow, and solemnly asked, "Did the Yang family truly pass on their array cultivation techniques to you, fellow Daoist, for comprehension?"

"If what you are referring to is the 'Mysterious Ruins Earth Vein Map'... then that is indeed the case," Gu Fan nodded in response.

A hint of joy flashed in Gu Qingyuan's eyes as he said cheerfully, "That's wonderful! I have a request; I wonder if you would be willing to hear it?"

"I would like to hear the details."

Gu Qingyuan took a deep breath and said leisurely, "I hope that you will come with me to a place ten years from now to help me retrieve a treasure. The reward will definitely not disappoint you after the task is accomplished."

Gu Fan chuckled and said, "What you said, fellow Daoist, is a bit too general."

Gu Qingyuan did not immediately explain, but instead asked, "Since you bought the golden talisman at the auction, you must be hoping to acquire the Mysterious Female Ancestral Qi?"

Gu Fan hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

At this moment, his cultivation level was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, which was precisely the juncture when he needed the ancestral energy of the Xuanpin to seek the formation of the core. Gu Qingyuan's speculation was reasonable.

Gu Qingyuan smiled smugly and waved his hand, saying, "Then I'll have to disappoint you, fellow Daoist. You definitely won't be able to bid for the Mysterious Female Ancestral Qi at the auction."

"Why is that?" Gu Fan asked in surprise.

Of all the Han people in the Chu Kingdom who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, which one doesn't want to form a Core Formation?

If the ancestral aura of the Xuanpin (玄女) were to actually appear at the auction, it would likely trigger a bidding war.

Gu Qingyuan seemed to see through Gu Fan's thoughts and said slowly, "The Chu Kingdom has a total of eight hundred commoner families and fifty aristocratic families. Fellow Daoist, why don't you guess how many families have risen from commoner to aristocratic in the last three hundred years?"

"Hiss—" Gu Fan frowned and began to think.

"If this number is normal, then the range of possibilities is far too wide, unless the situation is very special..."

Thinking of the situation of cultivation families in the Wei Kingdom, Gu Fan tentatively asked, "There can't be none at all, can there?"

"Fellow Daoist has keen insight!" Gu Qingyuan nodded slightly: "Unless they are a branch off from the Immortal Clan and have the support of the main clan, no commoner clan has been promoted to a noble clan in the past three hundred years."

"The auction will indeed feature ancestral Xuanpin Qi, but not only will the price be extremely high, but even if the Han Clan manages to acquire it, it might not be a good thing..."

Gu Qingyuan did not explain the reason, but Gu Fan showed a knowing look.

Similar to the Wei Kingdom, in order to maintain the dignity of their sects, no cultivation family has Golden Core cultivators.

This is a rule that is not explicitly stated, but is indeed in effect.

Lacking both excellent cultivation techniques and having to pay tribute to the sects, the resources available for training family disciples were naturally limited. More importantly, the three sects firmly controlled the distribution of the Xuanpin Ancestral Qi, and the Hundred Refinements Sect constantly monitored the movements of the Fallen Soul Abyss. Once there were signs of an explosion on the Immortal Ship, cultivators not recognized by the three sects would absolutely not be allowed to enter the Fallen Soul Abyss.

Therefore, one must join a sect to achieve the Core Formation stage.

Once one joins a sect, nearly two hundred years have passed, and one has already become deeply entangled with the sect.

There are families with Golden Core cultivators, but no more families with Golden Core cultivators.

Gu Fan initially thought that the Chu Kingdom's upper echelons were auctioning off the Xuanpin Ancestral Qi in order to seize the assets of the Han Clan, but from Gu Qingyuan's words, it seemed that this was not the case.

Thinking of this, Gu Fan made a disappointed expression at the right time, as if his hopes had been dashed.

Seeing Gu Fan's expression, Gu Qingyuan smiled and comforted him, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to be disappointed. Although you won't get the Ancestral Qi of the Mysterious Female at the auction, what I just mentioned is another path."

Gu Fan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked excitedly, "Fellow Daoist, are you saying... that the place we're going to ten years from now will offer an opportunity to obtain the Ancestral Qi of the Mysterious Female?"

Gu Qingyuan nodded solemnly.

"Understanding All Laws and Achieving Immortality" by the dreamy Fat Goose, click to read now!