Wang Zhan didn't know that the madwoman was ready to help him just because of a chance encounter.

For the people following Wang Zhan:

"What? We have to stay here for seven days?"

"Mhm, Grandma said she couldn't help it. They said they'll only open the door for you all to leave after seven days."

"Oh my heavens…"

"Oh my Federation…"

"Oh my beauty…"

"Oh my money…"

Su Tao was truly about to cry. He had made a bet to give Wang Zhan ten billion. By now, he didn't even know how many days had passed. He felt like he was living in difficult times every second. Would reporting the battle sequence from that night to the Federation almost a month later still have any news value? It was even more unappealing than reheated leftovers. Driven into a corner, he rushed to curry favor with Wang Zhan.

"Ah, Student Wang Zhan, please have some tea!"

Wang Zhan was confused. "Oh, thanks."

"Come, Student Wang Zhan, are you feeling hot? Let me fan you."

"Oh, as you wish!"

"Student Wang Zhan, are you hungry? Let me find you some chilled snacks..."

After countless back-and-forths, Wang Zhan finally had enough. "Stop, stop, stop. What on earth are you trying to do?"

Su Tao smiled fawningly. Even Yang Qi, who had effectively become Wang Zhan's servant, rolled his eyes, completely unable to watch.

"Student Wang Zhan, um, so, you said we have to stay here for many more days. This should be considered an act of God, right?"

"Mhm, and?"

"That, uh, the ten billion I promised you, that was agreed upon by both of us freely, equitably, and peacefully, right?"

Wang Zhan caught his drift. "And?"

"And as for executing the agreement, with this act of God, shouldn't we both be in agreement on how to proceed?"

Wang Zhan scoffed coldly. "What, are you trying to renege on your debt?"

Su Tao's face tightened slightly. "How could that be? Student Wang Zhan, let me tell you, I truly admire you! Really, you are the Federation's young hero…"

Wang Zhan nodded and stroked his chin. "So, you do have some insight, knowing I'm the Federation's young hero. Are you worried that if you renege on your debt to me, you'll become anti-Federation, anti-human, and anti-social? Don't worry, you're not getting out of this. If you don't have the money, you can work for me in the future. Just sell yourself. Ten billion... Tell you what, I'll count it as a ten million yearly salary for you. You calculate how long you'll need to work as my dogsbody, and then we can draw up a supplementary contract…"

Wang Zhan!

Su Tao was frantic. Ten billion! How could that kid Wang Zhan be so ruthless? Selling his body wouldn't be enough; would he have to sell his bones too?

Unjustly detained for a week, Wang Zhan finally had some free time and strolled out, wandering through the vast mountain range. He let out a soft chuckle, recalling Su Tao's resentful glare as he was leaving. Wang Zhan then muttered to himself, Thinking of weaseling out... Don't you know how poor I am? Su Tao was a 'man with shoes,' so to speak, while I'm still 'barefoot.' So, he can beg for his life, but he can't renege on this debt.

As he mused, Wang Zhan surveyed the continuous mountain range and the ancient, elegant, and stately pavilions adorning it. It was an eye-opening experience as he took in the sights. This is what true heritage looks like. Even if the Four Greats of the Federation were placed here, they would seem ordinary at best, merely places to live…

Perhaps it was because there were no wars, or perhaps because there were no disputes. The pavilions were as serene as the mountains, with shady trees everywhere. People strolled by, leisurely and content. It truly resembled a paradise, an idyllic haven with endless, unique landscapes.

"I was just looking for you. What are you doing here?"

As he walked, the graceful and notably buxom Xu Yuyu appeared before him once more.

Wang Zhan casually greeted her. "Hello, Lady... I mean, Miss Xu. I just felt a bit bored and went for a walk."

Xu Yuyu tilted her head. "'Lady?' Is that a respectful term? It sounds so… friendly."

Yes, they all sound quite familiar, Wang Zhan thought. Princess, Miss, Little Fairy, Young Lady, and even 'Beloved Imperial Concubine'—they all give a sense of boundless familiarity.

"Miss Xu, what can I do for you?"

To his surprise, Xu Yuyu directly handed him a pass, which left him somewhat baffled. Ancient Times were so long gone; why did they still keep the habit of 'flipping cards'?

"This is the entry pass for the Book Collection Pavilion," Xu Yuyu said. "Grandmother personally asked me to give it to you. She said you might need these. Would you like me to lead the way?"

Xu Yuyu's lips curved into a sweet smile, her eyes crinkling into crescents as bright as the moon.

Hmm, the Book Collection Pavilion? Wang Zhan felt a flicker of unease. Could that woman really consider him a member of the Qin Family? Though I might be half a one, Qin Ying and I haven't formalized anything… I wonder if that counts...

"Young Master Wang?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Xu. Please lead the way!"

Suddenly, a slot granting unrestricted access to the Book Collection Pavilion had opened up. Many disciples, even some Elders, had no idea what had happened or the origin of this young man.

"Elder, have you figured out his background?"

One of them, a middle-aged man dressed in hemp cloth, skilled in divination and calculating heavenly secrets, closed his eyes, sensing Heaven and Earth. He then shook his head. "The only thing I can sense is that the kid is not from this Heaven and Earth. This means that even if the Book Collection Pavilion is opened to him, the impact on us won't be significant…"

But herein lay the problem. Someone not of this Heaven and Earth inherently signified great danger. Yet this middle-aged man, skilled in seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster, also sensed no threat.

"Could he be from Elder He's own Family? In the more than two hundred years since her arrival, this is the first time she has made such a request to the Sect…"

The importance of the Book Collection Pavilion was debatable; although it had some value, the real treasures were carried by these Cultivators themselves, so it was ultimately not crucial. Similarly, a Family choosing seclusion wasn't a clandestine affair; rather, it was often a declared and significant event. Disciples of families who entered seclusion hardly ever appeared before others in their lifetimes and often never even met their own siblings. They would only know a surname and the heritage left by their ancestors; most other details were not divulged to outsiders.

"Then let's test her and see which family's heritage she truly represents…"

"Indeed. It would be best if we could get information from the kid. Let's see if we can force him to reveal his trump card; that will help us judge…"

As long as the surname was determined, its value could be assessed. One should know, if a family's heritage was substantial, it was one thing; but if it was minor, the effort would not be worth the reward. Therefore, to attain great wealth, one had to plan meticulously before making a move.

「Meanwhile, as they bided their time.」

Wang Zhan finally followed Miss Xu Yuyu and arrived at a towering Mid-mountain Pavilion. It had six levels, ingeniously constructed along the mountainside—a true marvel of architecture. A section overhanging a cliff was particularly daunting, shrouded in a cold, pitch-black darkness that could truly startle anyone.

"What... why make it so dangerous?" Wang Zhan nearly wet himself from fear; the wind howled, and it was terrifyingly high.

Xu Yuyu laughed. "Because 'The road ahead is long and winding; I will search high and low!'"

GULP! Is this searching? This clearly looks like seeking death!

In fact, even without being told, Wang Zhan could guess some of the reasons. It was probably to ensure people maintained awe for the Sect and did not become arrogant about power. It also served as a warning to those with ill intentions: if they harbored dissent, wicked ambitions, or extreme evil, they would face irrevocable doom.

Suddenly, Xu Yuyu spotted several figures. Her steps quietly froze, and she quickly pulled Wang Zhan.

"Hey, hey, hey! A gentleman uses words, not fists! Don't pull my sleeve..."

Xu Yuyu looked at Wang Zhan's somewhat pale face and gave a light chuckle. "Are you scared?"

Scared? Nonsense! How could Wang Zhan admit it? This is called being prudent.

Luckily, Xu Yuyu didn't have time to dwell on this; her attention had shifted to the figures whose gazes were now fixed on them.

"They will definitely challenge you later. Can you refrain from using anything related to your Family's heritage?"

"Why?"

"I don't know. This is my grandmother's request. She told me to tell you that if you want to get out of here alive, you'd better show you have value, but not too much value..."

Hmm, she's right, Wang Zhan thought. In other words: eat until you're full, but don't dress too ostentatiously; have enough to ward off the cold, but don't wear overly warm clothes; enjoy things, but don't demand excessive pleasure… Otherwise, a little display might be fine, even pleasing; but a big display could lead to your 'masts and oars turning to ash and smoke'—utter destruction.

"So you mean, even inside this Small World, it's not all peace and quiet, but full of treacherous undercurrents?" Wang Zhan asked.

His gaze suddenly deepened. The knot of frustration that had been coiling in a corner of his heart, making him feel quite out of sorts, finally unraveled. Indeed, happiness is often built on the suffering of others. The ancients truly didn't deceive me. I previously thought these people lived comfortably without having to stoop to unpleasantries, but now I realize they also have to fight for resources. Suddenly, I feel so much more balanced.

As Xu Yuyu and Wang Zhan got closer to the Book Collection Pavilion, many disciples from the Sect, inexplicably summoned, quickly gathered and formed a semi-circle, surrounding Wang Zhan, Xu Xu, and Xu Yuyu, who had retreated some distance away.

"Boy, I heard you have an entry pass for the Book Collection Pavilion? How about we make a deal? You give it to me, and I'll spare your life!"

"I don't want you to give me anything. I just want a challenge—the stronger, the better. So, as long as you defeat me, I'll withdraw immediately. How about it?"

"That pass isn't for you; you can't handle it. There are so many of us here, don't try to be a hero. Hand it over, and we might reluctantly spare your miserable life. And you, Xu Yuyu, you shameless wench! How dare you bring an outsider into the Sect's core area, violating the rules of the Sect and disrespecting your masters! Why don't you get the hell out of here?"

The previous taunts were one thing, but the exceptionally arrogant tone of the last speaker particularly irked Wang Zhan. He glanced at the young lady and realized she wasn't as cheerful as she appeared on the surface. She was kind, a bit quirky, and wanted to pursue her own happiness and dreams, but alas, she had been born into a place where social hierarchy was starkly defined.

So, Wang Zhan smiled. Daring to speak to such a kind and endearing young lady like that? Boy, you clearly don't know how the character for 'death' is written.

"Just fighting? Is your daily life always this monotonous?"

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