Zhao Hai stood in front of the gate of a huge courtyard. The gate was very tall and it had a large plaque that read “Yalong City Branch Hall”. There were also two Outer Disciples guarding the entrance.

Su Ya led Zhao Hai through the gate. After entering the courtyard, a servant came over to take care of Zhao Hai’s Demon Horse. Then Zhao Hai followed Su Ya towards the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard was a hall with five people standing inside it. The leader of the five people was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties. He wore beautiful warrior clothing and stood with grace.

The man was with several younger men who wore similar warrior clothing. On their waists were blade tokens. Surprisingly, they were inner disciples of the Tyrant Blade Sect.

When Su Ya brought Zhao Hai towards the group of people, Zhao Hai cupped his fist and said, “Zhao Hai has seen Senior Brothers.”

The middle-aged man looked at Zhao Hai, then he smiled faintly as he cupped his fist and said, “Junior Brother, this one is Yalong City Branch’s Inner Disciple Su Dingshan. I represent the Yalong City Branch in welcoming you.”

Zhao Hai quickly replied, “Senior Brother is too polite. Junior Brother is just passing by. Is the Elder in?”

Su Dingshan nodded, “Master is in. Junior Brother, please follow me.” Zhao Hai cupped his fist towards Su Dingshan once more, then he followed him into the hall.

Further inside was a room with an old man sitting in the seat of honor. This man had white hair and a full beard. Although he was old, his eyes were full of vigor. He looked like an old lion, ready to pounce at any prey in front of him.

Although the imposing aura of the old man was very strong, it wasn’t enough to frighten Zhao Hai. He cupped his fist and said, “Inner Disciple Zhao Hai has seen the Elder. I hope Elder is doing well.”

Hearing Zhao Hai, the old man couldn’t help but be curious. This old man knew his own self, and the blade technique he practiced was very imposing. After so many years, he reached a state where his aura was always present. Ordinary disciples would have a hard time breathing in front of him. It was rare to see someone as calm as Zhao Hai.

The old man looked at Zhao Hai and said, “As you were. Zhao Hai, I seem to have heard your name. But I don’t know where. Kid, whose disciple are you?”

Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Replying to Elder. I just ascended from the Soaring Dragon Realm about a year ago. I’m the disciple of the Yin Yang Elders.”

Hearing this, the old man’s expression couldn’t help but move. After some time, he laughed and said, “So you’re the disciple of the two Senior Brothers. No wonder you have a very strong mind. Good, good. You go and rest well in the branch hall. Dingshan, arrange a meal. Show Zhao Hai our hospitality.”

Su Dingshan bowed and said, “Yes Master.” This old person was Su Dingshan’s Master. Zhao Hai also cupped his fist towards the old man and said, “Thanks a lot, Elder.”

The old man replied, “Rest properly. If you see the two Senior Brothers, tell them that Lin Yuefeng pays respects.”

Zhao Hai quickly replied, “I will certainly relay it to my masters. Elder can rest assured.”

Lin Yuefeng waved his hand. Then Su Dingshan brought Zhao Hai around the hall and to the back. As they walked, Su Dingshan smiled towards Zhao Hai and said, “I always felt that Junior Brother’s name is too familiar. But I just couldn’t recall it. Upon hearing your conversation with Master, I finally know. You’re a hero who defended Lower Earth Mountain. I have been impolite.”

Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “I’m not a celebrity. I just contributed and earned some merit. It’s not really that much.”

Su Dingshan smiled and said, “Junior Brother is too humble. Everyone in the Tyrant Blade Sect knows about what you’ve done. Junior Brother’s methods are really attractive. There’s also the reconstruction of Lower Earth Mountain. You have my admiration.”

Zhao Hai didn’t dare continue talking. To be honest, he wasn’t a fan of these kinds of small talk. But now that he was in the other party’s territory, he needs to be polite. Zhao Hai heard about Lin Yuefeng. His title in the Tyrant Blade Sect was Lion King Blade. His blade held the heaviest imposing aura among the blade techniques. It embodied the hundred-beast roar of a lion king, it was very formidable.

As for Su Dingshan, his name in the Tyrant Blade Sect was Lightning Blade Lord. He’s supposed to have compatibility with four spirit roots. Moreover, he had the rare thunder spirit root. His blade techniques were also very good.

Before long, Su Dingshan brought Zhao Hai to an independent courtyard. He also assigned two servants to Zhao Hai. Naturally, Zhao Hai expressed his gratitude. Then after another round of small talk, Su Dingshan left.

When Su Dingshan arrived outside, the young men who followed him before surrounded him. One of them asked, “First Senior Brother, was that Zhao Hai? The disciple of the Yin Yang Elders? The one from Lower Earth Mountain? Why doesn’t he look like much? Moreover, he’s only at the Condensed Avatar Stage. How could he defend Lower Earth Mountain?”

Su Dingshan smiled and said, “You think the sect will lie about this matter? You might not know this, but it has only been a year since Zhao Hai arrived in the True Spirit Realm. He’s someone who could reach the Condensed Avatar Stage in just one year, he’s not simple. Moreover, he’s the shared disciple of the Yin Yang Elders. How could an ordinary person withstand the two elders’ killing intent? I reckon Zhao Hai has killed more than ten thousand people in the lower realms.”

Another young man said, “This kid is really lucky to become a disciple of an elder and enter the inner sect directly. In the past, it took a lot of effort for us to become Inner Disciples.”

Su Dingshan gave that person a look and said, “Don’t talk nonsense. Zhao Hai didn’t become an Inner Disciple because of the Yin Yang Elders. It’s because he made a great contribution in the Soaring Dragon Realm. This is why he became an inner disciple. It doesn’t have any relationship with the Yin Yang Elders.”

The young man replied, “What kind of contribution did he make in the Soaring Dragon Realm? As you say, he has yet to ascend from the Soaring Dragon Realm. How can he get merit from the Tyrant Blade Sect?”

Su Dingshan shook his head, “Nobody knows what kind of contribution Zhao Hai made. But since the sect recognized it, then his merit shouldn’t be false. I also inquired about Zhao Hai, but strangely, nobody knows anything about his actions in the Soaring Dragon Realm. Only the Sect Master and the high elders are aware. Master seems to know as well, but he didn’t tell me. It’s strange.”

When the young men heard Su Dingshan, they also felt that it was strange. One of them looked at Su Dingshan and said, “Even you weren’t told?”

Su Dingshan shook his head. He knew why his Junior Brothers had this expression. Su Dingshan was the first disciple of his master. It could be said that he was his master’s legacy disciple. He was the person that Lin Yuefeng trusted the most. And yet, Lin Yuefeng didn’t tell him. This explains that Zhao Hai should have gained substantial merits in the Soaring Dragon Realm.

Su Dingshan has no intentions of delving deeper into this matter, he waved his hand and said, “Forget it, let’s not talk about it anymore. Zhao Hai is on a mission, so he won’t stay long. We also have to treat him well. In any case, he’s the disciple of the Yin Yang Elders. We couldn’t let the two elders find any faults with us.” The group nodded and then left.

Zhao Hai rested in his room for a while before he went outside to practice his blade. Although the courtyard he lived in wasn’t big, it wasn’t small either. It was enough for him to practice his blade.

Just as Zhao Hai went through three sets of exercise, a knocking was heard on his door. Zhao Hai received his blade and then waved his hand to the servant, allowing them to open the door. Zhao Hai turned his head and saw Su Dingshan. He cupped his fist and said, “I have seen Senior Brother Su.”

Su Dingshan smiled and said, “Junior Brother Zhao doesn’t need to be so polite. Dinner has been prepared. Junior Brother can come with me.”

Zhao Hai quickly replied, “There’s no need for Senior Brother Su to invite me personally. You can have someone else call me next time.”

Su Dingshan replied, “It’s not a problem. You’re along the way. Junior Brother, let’s go.” Zhao Hai nodded and walked out with Su Dingshan.

Before long, the two arrived at the dining hall. There was a table in the room with four young men standing beside it. Zhao Hai recognized them as the four young men that were with Su Dingshan earlier. These young men were also inner disciples, so Zhao Hai didn’t neglect them. He cupped his fist and said, “Zhao Hai has met Senior Brothers.”

The young men hastily returned the salute. Su Dingshan smiled at Zhao Hai and said, “These are my disciple brothers. This is Zhao Feihu, this is Li Gu, this is Qian Wushuang, and this is Sun Ge. I originally wanted to invite Master to come and drink with us, but Master said that we won’t enjoy it if he’s there. So he didn’t come and let us entertain you instead. I hope Junior Brother Zhao won’t be offended.”

Zhao Hai smiled and said, “If the elder is here, I really wouldn’t dare drink too much. It’s fate for me to meet Senior Brothers today. I must share a few cups with you.”

Hearing Zhao Hai, Su Dingshan couldn’t help but laugh, “Good. Then we’ll definitely drink with Junior Brother.” After he said that, he asked Zhao Hai to take a seat. Then everyone sat down.

The dishes have already been set up on the table and all of them were good things. There were some dishes that Zhao Hai hadn’t seen before. Speaking of which, the food in the True Spirit Realm was very good. It was not that far compared to the ones on Earth. After all, people of the True Spirit Realm needed to eat. And after a long time, their food culture should be very developed.

Zhao Hai could see that Su Dingshan truly wanted to know him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so polite. Naturally, Zhao Hai also wants to get to know them. As the saying went, friends are roads while enemies are walls. Zhao Hai wasn’t in the habit of making enemies everywhere. And if he wanted to be enemies with the other party, he wouldn’t give them a chance.

Zhao Hai and the others happily ate their meal. With Su Dingshan and the others deliberately making friends, they quickly became acquainted with each other. Zhao Hai asked about the situation around Yalong City and Su Dingshan happily answered. This allowed Zhao Hai to understand the city more.

After Su Dingshan introduced the city, he looked at Zhao Hai and asked, “Junior Brother, what mission are you doing this time? It’s only been a year since you entered the True Spirit Realm. I’m afraid it’s still too early for you to do missions.”

Zhao Hai smiled and said, “I’ll be honest to you, Senior Brother. The mission I took is actually meant for Outer Disciples. I know my own capabilities. I heard that Li Village right outside Yalong City is haunted. The sect wants to send a disciple over there to examine the situation, so I went.”

Hearing Zhao Hai, Su Dingshan couldn’t help but nod as he said, “So it’s this mission. I know this mission. It’s actually reported to me by the people from Li Village. Then I reported it to the sect. I also sent people to check in the past but they weren’t able to find anything. There doesn’t seem to be any yin energy in the village. I also don’t know where the haunted rumors came from. But two days ago, I heard from the people in Li Village that the problem is still unresolved. I was planning to send someone there. Since Junior Brother is here, then I’ll leave it to you.”

Zhao Hai smiled and said, “Then I’ll try my best. I always wondered why the mission appeared in the main hall when there’s a branch here in Yalong City. But it seems like these missions are for Outer Disciples to treat as practice. I’m actually ashamed as an Inner Disciple to only accept such missions.”

Su Dingshan laughed and said, “If other people heard that, they would certainly be annoyed. You just entered the True Spirit Realm but you already reached the Condensed Avatar Stage. I’m afraid only a few people in the Tyrant Blade Sect could match your cultivation speed. If you’re ashamed, then people would just dig themselves a hole and die. Right, when do you plan to go to Li Village?”

Zhao Hai thought about it and said, “I’ll go tomorrow. This isn’t a big mission, and I can’t be outside for a long time. As Senior Brother must have heard, I still have a farm that I need to manage. I can’t leave the land for too long. Therefore, I have to finish the mission as soon as possible.”

Su Dingshan nodded, “That’s alright. But I heard that you have robots from the lower realms. They have been a great help to the Puppet Hall. Even if you don’t do any missions, your field is enough for you to live comfortably. Why would you do missions with such good conditions?’

Zhao Hai smiled and said, “That won’t be good. As a cultivator, I won’t have any opportunities to grow if I don’t take missions. I don’t want to turn into a waste.”

Hearing Zhao Hai, Su Dingshan couldn’t help but nod, “As a cultivator, it’s impossible for you to become a powerful expert if you don’t go through any trials. Then I wish Junior Brother can become an expert as soon as possible. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”