"I know it wasn't your people who did it. But what about those outside your ranks? Surely you aren't going to tell me the Mystery Bureau can police every cultivator in the mortal world?" Xue Jianfeng shook his head mildly.

"As far as I know, no one in the mortal world has ever surpassed the peak of the Heaven Grade. To claim this affair has anything to do with the mortal world—I'm afraid that carries little credibility," Qiu Lingshan replied, neither servile nor overbearing. This was no trifling matter; it concerned the entire cultivation world of the mortal realm, and she certainly could not simply own up to it.

"Don't be so quick to speak in absolutes. The two men the Tai Gu Alliance lost—one was at the very peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, the other at the late Foundation Establishment stage. True, ordinary mortal-world cultivators could never have killed them. But the killer is an anomaly—a cultivator in primordial-spirit form. Since the Mystery Bureau claims to govern the mortal world's cultivators, I trust you must keep records and files on such matters here." Xue Jianfeng spoke with certainty.

"A primordial-spirit cultivator?" Qiu Lingshan was taken aback, and the others with her were struck dumb as well. "What is that?"

"You truly don't know?" Xue Jianfeng studied their blank expressions with some surprise. "Even without precise intelligence, surely there must be rumors, legends, something about primordial-spirit cultivators?"

"No. We've never even heard of such a thing," Qiu Lingshan and the others said, shaking their heads.

"..." Xue Jianfeng was momentarily at a loss for words. He could tell they were certainly not feigning ignorance, and so could only say, "Be that as it may, when disciples of the Tai Gu Alliance die in the mortal world, we are owed an explanation. This matter of the primordial-spirit cultivator must be investigated thoroughly. If you cannot get to the bottom of it, then we shall have no choice but to take matters into our own hands."

Qiu Lingshan's heart tightened at these words. The implication was plain enough: once the Tai Gu Alliance began conducting its own investigation, the situation would spiral beyond control. A single misstep could easily stir up an even greater calamity, and the cultivators of the mortal world would inevitably face a sudden storm of blood.

After a moment's thought, Qiu Lingshan said gravely, "The Mystery Bureau will investigate this matter of the primordial-spirit cultivator. Since the Tai Gu Alliance has a rule against disrupting the order of the mortal world, it would be best to keep to it, lest the situation slip beyond control."

"Very good. I believe in Miss Song's sincerity." Xue Jianfeng nodded, showing not the slightest intention of leaving. Instead he asked, "You said just now that you are the deputy director here? Then arrange it—let me meet your director. I have important matters to discuss with you all."

"Director Feng is not in. If there is anything, you may speak to me directly." Qiu Lingshan spoke without servility. She said this not out of any wish to put on airs, but because several years as deputy director had given her experience: whatever Xue Jianfeng might raise, it was easier to handle in her capacity as deputy director. Were it Feng Tianlong, the director, it would be another matter entirely—there would be no room for maneuver at all.

"That will do. Then let us go somewhere else." Xue Jianfeng glanced around. What he was about to say next was his own initiative; until it was accomplished, it could not be spread about carelessly. Otherwise, should word reach the higher echelons of the Tai Gu Alliance, that would be no good at all.

"Very well. Please follow me." Qiu Lingshan at once led Xue Jianfeng and Fei Yangsheng to the conference room, at the same time gesturing for the others to disperse.

Once the two sides were seated in the conference room, Xue Jianfeng said with a touch of arrogance, "Our sect intends to select a few disciples to bring back with us this time. Any cultivator in your mortal world whose aptitude is sufficient may return with me to the Tai Gu Alliance."

"Select disciples?" Qiu Lingshan was briefly stunned. She had assumed it was more bad news; never had she expected the man to be recruiting disciples for the Tai Gu Alliance, and her heart immediately eased.

Strictly speaking, this was no bad thing. Even if the Tai Gu Alliance could not compare with Cloud Terrace Island, it was still far superior to the mortal world. If such an opportunity truly existed, many mortal-world cultivators would surely rejoice.

"Indeed. Of course, our selection is exceedingly strict. Cultivators of ordinary aptitude do not even enter our consideration. But you, Miss Song, naturally meet the requirements. If you return with me, I believe it will not be long before you advance to the Foundation Establishment stage—and it is not even impossible that you might reach my level." Xue Jianfeng wore an expression that said, I am looking out for you.

In his mind, such an opportunity was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of fortune for a mortal-world cultivator. After all, the Tai Gu Passage would not open again for another thousand years. Miss this chance, and these people could only go on struggling bitterly in the thin spiritual energy of the mortal world, never to advance a single inch until death.

No one but a fool could fail to see which choice to make between the mortal world and the Tai Gu Alliance—and this striking beauty in her close-fitting attire, who made his mouth water, was clearly no fool.

Yet Qiu Lingshan's reaction left him utterly dumfounded. Without the slightest hesitation, without even stopping to think, she said, "I appreciate your kindness, Your Excellency, but I have never had any intention of leaving the mortal world."

If she had truly harbored such a notion, why, she could have followed Wei Zhao to Cloud Terrace Island long ago—what would she want with the Tai Gu Alliance?

"What?" Xue Jianfeng thought he had misheard. Only after studying Qiu Lingshan's earnest expression did he grasp it, and he frowned. "Miss Song, you may not yet understand the gulf between the Tai Gu Alliance and the mortal world. Put it to you plainly: given the spiritual energy and resources of the mortal world, the peak of the Heaven Grade is the limit of what you can attain. No matter how exceptional your aptitude, it is all for naught. But if you come with me to the Tai Gu Alliance, with the density of spiritual energy and the cultivation resources there, advancing to a higher level will be a matter of course. Think carefully on that gulf before you answer."

In his mind, any cultivator would surely do everything in their power to raise their strength and realm—many had even brought themselves to strike down their closest loved ones for it. Qiu Lingshan could not possibly remain unmoved, unless she had water on the brain.

"No need. I have thought it through very clearly. Thank you." Qiu Lingshan declined once more, decisively.

Seeing that Qiu Lingshan was a beauty rarely met in a lifetime, Xue Jianfeng had deliberately lowered his posture. But now that she had refused him to his face, his expression darkened at once, and he said with some irritation, "Miss Song, my sect ranks among the foremost even within the Tai Gu Alliance. With my protection, you would enjoy a cultivation environment second to none. No one else could offer you such terms. This concerns your entire future—you would do well not to make your decision so casually, or you may live to regret it for the rest of your life."

It was only because he coveted Qiu Lingshan that he exercised such patience. Had anyone else dared refuse his invitation to his face, Xue Jianfeng would long since have exploded. (To be continued.)