The elderly man tossed aside his original plan to head to the Outer Sect Disciple residences for some official matters.
His urgent business now was to quickly deliver these fine elixirs to the Sect Leader and locate Mu Jinyu.
As swift as the wind, he soon arrived at the Sect Master Hall.
"Sect Leader, Sect Leader..."
Before even entering the hall, the elderly man began calling out loudly with a resonant voice, thunderous enough to make the entire hall tremble violently.
The Sect Leader, leisurely enjoying his tea, was so startled by the shout that he almost dropped his teacup.
Quickly regaining composure, the Sect Leader put down his teacup, slightly annoyed, and said to the elderly man, "Elder Cheng, why are you shouting so loudly?"
Elder Cheng did not answer immediately; he looked around, saw no one else, and then, seeing that only the Sect Leader was present, he cautiously took out the fine elixirs he had just snatched from those two disciples and handed them to the Sect Leader.
His actions resembled those of a shady figure outside a train station, who furtively calls someone over to sell a few freshly stolen cellphones, sleazily asking, "Want a cellphone?"
The Sect Leader almost laughed at Elder Cheng's antics; he had thought Elder Cheng had concocted some elixir and was presenting it to him as a treasure.
Feeling quite relaxed, he took the jade bottle, uncorked it, and glanced inside casually, only to be startled again.
He jumped up from his chair, eyes glittering with excitement as he exclaimed to Elder Cheng, "Holy shit, Elder Cheng, this...this is absolutely amazing! You've actually managed to produce elixirs with Six Paths Elixir Patterns..."
His expression turned very satisfied and relieved. Lately, things at the Heavenly Sword Faction were progressing smoothly; a spirit root genius had joined the sect and Elder Cheng, deeply devoted to the Alchemy Dao, had late bloomed, finally producing Six Patterns fine elixirs. With a few more such instances, why would the Heavenly Sword Faction have anything to worry about?
Hearing the Sect Leader's words, Elder Cheng's expression turned somewhat awkward. Although he wished he could have crafted such elixirs, he knew this glory wasn't his to claim, so he answered truthfully:
"Sect Leader, these... weren't crafted by me."
"What the heck?" Upon hearing Elder Cheng's response, the Sect Leader was taken aback, then his expression became even more animated with disappointment, suspicion, excitement, and urgency.
Then, he hurriedly asked, "Then who crafted them? You must be able to contact them, having obtained this half-full bottle. Tell me quickly, so we can hurry to recruit them before someone else does!"
Elder Cheng responded, "It's that spirit root genius who recently joined our sect..."
Saying this, he informed the Sect Leader of what he had just learned from those two disciples.
"What the heck?!"
Upon hearing Elder Cheng's words, the Sect Leader was stunned again.
He had always had high hopes for Mu Jinyu, knowing that if the Heavenly Sword Faction were to thrive, it would largely rely on Mu Jinyu. However, he had not expected that even without formal cultivation guidance, Mu Jinyu already had the capability to craft Six Paths Elixir Patterns fine elixirs.
With such skills, where couldn't he venture in Kunlun Ruins?
He felt very fortunate that Mu Jinyu, unaware of his Alchemy skills' value, had joined their Heavenly Sword Faction. Otherwise, not to undervalue himself, he feared that his sect would never have been able to attract a genius like Mu Jinyu!
Thinking so, the Sect Leader's expression changed again, and he promptly said, "Elder Cheng, this matter is of great importance and must not be leaked. Did you warn those two disciples not to spread the word?"
"Don't worry, Sect Leader, you know the kind of person I am. I had already made it clear to them and promised they would be rewarded," Elder Cheng reassured, patting his chest confidently.
"Good, then I am at ease. As for their rewards, we'll discuss that later. Let's first go find this genius and see what's going on. We must secure him..." the Sect Leader said.
Afterward, the two of them hurriedly left the Sect Master Hall and flew toward the residence of the Outer Sect Disciples.
Elder Cheng hadn't asked about Mu Jinyu's specific residence, unaware of where Mu Jinyu lived. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the Sect Leader first. Since the Sect Leader had once considered taking on a disciple, though he was refused, he still paid attention and knew exactly where Mu Jinyu lived.
He didn't need to ask Administrative Elder Lin Feng from the Outer Gate; he brought Elder Cheng straight to the row of stone cottages where Mu Jinyu and the other two were residing.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
After knocking on Mu Jinyu's room for several minutes without any response, the doors of the other two rooms finally opened.
"Who is it?" Wen Rou peeked out, curious and slightly displeased.
Upon recognizing the Sect Leader, her expression straightened, and she hurriedly walked out from her room, bowing to the Sect Leader and Elder Cheng, "I pay my respects to the Sect Leader and the Elder…"
Jian Ruyan did the same, albeit reluctantly; still, residing temporarily with the Heavenly Sword Faction, they had to show the necessary respect.
The Sect Leader waved his hand to indicate they need not be overly formal, then quickly asked, "That... where is Mu Jinyu?"
"He went out on a Sect mission," Wen Rou replied.
She thought to herself, was the Sect Leader here again to take Little Mu as his disciple?
"This…"
Upon hearing Wen Rou's words, the Sect Leader hadn't expected that Mu Jinyu had already left to carry out a Sect mission and was momentarily taken aback.
The first thought that popped into his mind was whether Mu Jinyu had run away?
But then, remembering that Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan were still there, he concluded it was unlikely and relaxed.
Afterward, he instinctively wanted to take out the jade bottle of the Fine Elixirs with Six Paths Elixir Patterns to ask them if they knew whether it was concocted by Mu Jinyu.
However, upon further thought, if they were unaware, such a question would inadvertently expose Mu Jinyu's secret; that wouldn't be good, as it might create unease for him, possibly making it difficult for him to willingly serve the Heavenly Sword Faction.
Therefore, he looked at the two women with a beaming smile and said, "Do you find the environment of the Outer Gate unsatisfactory? How about I arrange a different place for you to stay?"
"What?" Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan were somewhat puzzled by his implication.
The Sect Leader explained, "I think that, with your talents, there is no need to stay in the Outer Gate. That day, when my offer to take disciples was refused, I was a bit upset and made a hasty decision to let you temper yourself in the Outer Gate. Now thinking about it, it wasn't the best idea. I feel that with your cultivation levels, you are actually qualified to directly enter the Inner Gate. So I'm here to ask if you would like to go directly to the Inner Gate?"
"Oh, that won't be necessary," Wen Rou responded, suddenly enlightened by the Sect Leader's sincere and heartfelt explanation, and then shook her head in refusal.
"Why?" The Sect Leader was taken aback, somewhat unable to understand their choice.
Jian Ruyan said calmly, "The Outer Gate's major examination is only a few days away. With our strength, we are confident in directly advancing to Inner Sect Disciples. Furthermore, we can receive the rewards then; there's no urgency right now."
The Sect Leader, thinking they were just after the small rewards, chuckled and said, "Ah, there's no need for those minor rewards; I can give them to you right now."
"No need," Jian Ruyan flatly refused, then thought for a moment and shared the widely circulated rumor about Mu Jinyu choosing the Invincible Path and making a stunning entrance at the Hidden Dragon Conference.
"So that's it..." The Sect Leader, upon hearing this, instantly grew more respectful.
He had originally considered the rumor a joke, but now, seeing Mu Jinyu's talent in the Alchemy Dao, he felt it wasn't entirely impossible!
And if Mu Jinyu truly succeeded, then their Heavenly Sword Faction, as Mu Jinyu's Sect, would certainly also benefit immensely!
Considering this, he became even more resolved to not mistreat Mu Jinyu and to prevent him from leaving the Heavenly Sword Faction.
"All right, since that is the case, I won't disturb you further, but if you encounter any difficulties, please make sure to tell me," the Sect Leader said sincerely, and then took his leave.