Mr. Gu Ji

Cloud Martial Extreme Strength Nineteen Forms is merely a secret manual. While precious, the Hengyun Sect could print as many copies as they wished if they were willing.

However, it's difficult for many small families and lone martial artists to obtain!

Twenty Body Tempering Pills. Wu Yuan wasn't sure of their price, but he estimated they were worth at least five thousand taels of silver.

Were these two gifts not considered valuable?

"Spirit Condensing Pill? Immortal Treasure?" Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

Even someone of Gao Yu's status spoke so solemnly? How high must its value be?

Most importantly, what did Wu Yuan just hear? That the ancestor collected it from an Immortal's ruins?

"Senior, what is this 'Immortal's Ruin' you speak of? Could it be that gods truly exist in this world?" Wu Yuan couldn't help but ask.

A First-rank Martial Artist represents the human limit.

A Heavenly Ranking Expert breaks through the human limit and is called a 'Land Immortal'. Although Wu Yuan hadn't truly reached it in his past life, he had a vague concept of it.

True immortals? Gods?

"Haha, it's hard to say," Gao Yu chuckled. "The Thirteen Prefectures of the Central Land are vast and boundless, and the Three Overseas Prefectures are even more wondrous. They are countless times larger than Jiangzhou! The world is full of wonders, with many magical places that ordinary martial artists can hardly imagine!"

"I only know that many mysterious regions where Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures can be born are rumored to be 'Immortal's Remains' in the outside world. They are fraught with danger, and at least top experts are qualified to enter."

"But where are those places? How to enter? I don't know," Gao Yu said.

The information he shared was actually confidential. Ordinary citizens didn't have the right to know, and even many Third-class Experts and Second-class Experts were unaware.

Those present were all core members of the Hengyun Sect.

He was certain that Wu Yuan would also become a core member of the Hengyun Sect in the future.

"Mysterious regions where Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are born?" Wu Yuan's heart stirred. The Spirit Liquid he used was undoubtedly miraculous.

Such wondrous items couldn't possibly be nurtured in ordinary places.

"Protector, what is the use of this Spirit Condensing Pill?" Wu Yuan inquired. "And how should it be used?"

Treasures all had corresponding methods of use.

Improper use could bring disaster instead of fortune!

Huan Xinyan also looked at Gao Yu curiously, and even the plain-clothed middle-aged man standing with his eyes lowered slightly moved his brows.

"There are many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the world, but the vast majority are for the body," Gao Yu explained. "For example, West Kunlun Mountain Snow Lotus, Ancient Immortal Dew, Earth Core Berry, and our Hengyun Sect's most famous 'Cloud Spring Blood' are all such treasures."

"These types of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are all targeted at the 'Lower Dantian Palace', and their effect on the 'Middle Dantian Palace' is very small. Therefore, they hold little attraction for Earth Ranking Grandmasters."

"There are also a very small number of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that have miraculous effects on the Middle Dantian Palace, and even the Upper Dantian Palace."

"This Spirit Condensing Pill is one such wondrous item specifically for the 'Upper Dantian Palace'!" Gao Yu said solemnly.

"Targeting the Upper Dantian Palace?" Wu Yuan's eyes lit up.

He knew that in his previous life, humanity's Federation, despite using countless technological means, couldn't help Grandmasters open their Upper Dantian Palaces.

"Of course, this Spirit Condensing Pill is said to be miraculous."

"But the Upper Dantian Palace is so mysterious. According to our Hengyun Sect's records, many top experts and even Earth Ranking Grandmasters have taken Spirit Condensing Pills with no significant effect, mostly just feeling more mentally alert," Gao Yu sighed. "The Hall Master believes that if you can awaken your 'Upper Dantian Palace', this item might have a miraculous effect on you!"

"To those who recognize its value, hundreds of thousands of taels of silver would be hard-pressed to buy one."

"This jade bottle contains ten pills." Gao Yu pointed to the jade bottle.

"One hundred thousand taels per pill? Ten pills in the bottle?" Wu Yuan's face showed surprise.

Doesn't that mean...

This small white jade bottle is worth millions of taels of silver?

One gold can be exchanged for ten silver.

This Spirit Condensing Pill is truly priceless!

"Haha, no need to be surprised. 'Priceless' is just a saying. Top-tier Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are mostly exchanged through barter; how can their value truly be measured in gold and silver?" Gao Yu laughed. "For example, our Hengyun Sect's 'Cloud Spring Blood' is only supplied to elite disciples and high-ranking sect members for cultivation; it is not sold to outsiders!"

"Gold and silver? They can't be eaten or drunk, nor can they directly increase strength."

"For a nation or a sect, the most important thing is to continuously cultivate top-tier martial power," Gao Yu mused. "If you have strong martial power, why worry about not having silver?"

"Without martial power, even mountains of gold and silver will be lost!"

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

Whether it was silver notes, gold notes, or actual gold and silver, they were essentially equivalent mediums of exchange, certificates of debt, and representations of credit. They had little intrinsic value themselves.

Their existence was based on stable order!

And the foundation of stable order was martial power!

Just like the silver notes and gold notes of the Stellar Tower, they were recognized by all the sects and countries in the world, which was a recognition of the Stellar Tower's thousand-year reputation.

"The method of taking it is very simple. Take it orally in a calm state," Gao Yu continued. "Take two pills at a time. After each dose, you must meditate for several days, trying to maintain stable mental and emotional states. The interval between doses must be at least half a month. If you feel any abnormality in your spirit, you must wait longer."

"Disciple understands." Wu Yuan said respectfully.

He took the white jade bottle.

All the welcome gifts were now in Wu Yuan's hands.

"Wu Yuan, according to sect rules, special recruits are applied for by our Finance and Engineering Hall. However, any disciple entering the sect, even a disciple of a Supreme Elder, must be verified by the Teaching Hall before entry. Therefore, you still need to make a trip to Nanmeng Prefecture and have your strength verified by Nanmeng Martial Academy before heading to the sect," Gao Yu said. "Nanmeng Martial Academy is one of the three high-level martial arts academies under the Teaching Hall and has the authority to verify."

Wu Yuan nodded.

He understood now. The Teaching Hall was responsible for 'organizational relationships' and 'personnel assessments,' but they couldn't decide whether to approve applications from the other four halls.

Wu Yuan didn't find it troublesome. The sect's five halls each had their own duties and supervised each other, which was the best way to prevent any single hall from monopolizing power.

This also proved, from another angle, that Hengyun Sect was a 'mature' great martial arts sect!

A Heavenly Ranking Expert might be able to establish a powerful sect or even a nation, flourishing for a time. But without a good system to maintain it, once the Heavenly Ranking Expert passed away, the sect would inevitably decline or even perish.

"You don't need to worry too much. Just display your strength normally. Remember not to use the 'Extreme Strength' technique," Gao Yu instructed. "Also, during this period, to ensure your safety."

"The sect will also arrange for experts to protect you personally."

"A team of ten elite guards will be dispatched from the Li City City Guard Army. All of them are Third-class Experts, and they will protect you until you enter the sect," Gao Yu said.

Wu Yuan nodded.

Ten Third-class Experts?

Well-trained soldiers, with ten of them cooperating, would not fear Second-class Experts at all. They might even be able to kill them.

This was quite a generous gesture!

After all, under normal circumstances, most special recruits would at most become Second-class Experts. Hostile forces wouldn't have the resources to target them one by one.

Just as Wu Yuan thought this was all.

"This is only the visible protection," Gao Yu added. "In secret, our Finance and Engineering Hall has also arranged for an expert."

"Mr. Gu Ji," Gao Yu looked at the middle-aged man in homespun clothes.

Whoosh!

The middle-aged man in homespun clothes stood up, his eyes still lowered. His voice was calm, "Gu Ji. By order of the Hall Master, I am to personally protect the special recruit Wu Yuan. Before I die, Wu Yuan will be without worry!"

"Thank you, Mr. Gu Ji," Wu Yuan bowed slightly.

A death warrior!

This was Wu Yuan's initial judgment.

Moreover, Wu Yuan finally understood what made Gu Ji special: his ordinariness.

Ordinary appearance, ordinary height, ordinary clothing, ordinary voice.

He sat to the side.

If Wu Yuan hadn't been keenly aware of his surroundings, he would have almost forgotten his existence.

"Young Master can just call me 'Steward Ji' or 'Uncle Ji'," Gu Ji said, still with his head lowered. "From today onwards, I am your newly recruited 'steward.' I will change into clothes suitable for my identity later."

"At the same time, I hope Young Master will forget that I know martial arts."

"I am your last line of defense. If Young Master is not in a desperate situation, facing mortal danger, I will not make a move," Gu Ji said calmly. "Only what is hidden is a trump card!"

"Wu Yuan will remember, Uncle Ji," Wu Yuan changed his address appropriately.

Gu Ji nodded slightly, stepped forward, and stood behind Wu Yuan.

Although he was still wearing homespun clothes, his demeanor had completely changed.

If before he seemed like an inconspicuous, low-key farmer, now he gave off a feeling of shrewdness and refinement!

The common point was that, from beginning to end, Gu Ji had not revealed any signs of knowing martial arts.

Even Wu Yuan had to observe carefully to detect Gu Ji's peculiarity.

Gu Ji's transformation even surprised Huan Xinyan.

As for how strong Gu Ji was? Gu Ji didn't say, Wu Yuan didn't ask, and Gao Yu didn't mention it!

"Wu Yuan, do you have any other thoughts or requests?" Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan.

Normally, there would be no need to ask further.

But Gao Yu greatly respected Wu Yuan.

"Your disciple is mainly worried about his family and clansmen," Wu Yuan said. "Could there be more protective measures?"

Wu Yuan himself was not afraid.

But after the previous assassination attempt, it was a lie to say he wasn't worried about his family.

However, Wu Yuan also knew that he would eventually venture out into the world and couldn't always protect his family and clansmen.

This was also an important reason why he chose to join a faction.

"Haha, a small matter. I will speak to the Prefectural Governor again," Gao Yu chuckled. "Additionally, special recruits like you will be given a medium-sized mansion in the east of the city. It comes with the right to reside there, which is more than enough for your family to live in. You can also choose some reliable clansmen to live there."

"The eastern area of the city is a key protected area for the City Guard Army. The Nanmeng Army also patrols and stations there regularly."

"Even Second-class Experts would not dare to cause trouble in the eastern area of the city."

Gao Yu said solemnly, "When you become a First-class Expert in the future, you can even bring your family directly to the Sect Headquarters. It is even safer there. My family, for example, lives at the Sect Headquarters."

"Thank you, Protector." Wu Yuan said gratefully.

"You don't need to worry about any of that," Gao Yu said with a smile. "The higher your talent and the stronger your strength, the more the Sect will help you resolve minor issues like these."

"Your only job is to cultivate! And reach the peak of the Martial Dao!"

Wu Yuan nodded.

This kind of treatment was similar to top scientists in his previous life, who could focus solely on their research while the Federation took care of all their worries.

"Alright, I've already informed the Prefect's Mansion about your special recruitment. The news will spread quickly," Gao Yu instructed. "Prefect Jiang will make the arrangements. If you need anything, go directly to him. Once everything is settled, head to Nanmeng Martial Academy as soon as possible."

"Okay." Wu Yuan nodded.

Li City spanned hundreds of miles in radius, with a population of over a million and more than ten subordinate counties. It was quite large, in fact.

However, news spread very quickly among the upper echelons of society.

Within a single day, almost every high-ranking individual in the entire Li City knew that Wu Yuan, a disciple of the Prefectural Sect Martial Academy, had received special recruitment from the Sect.

He would be directly admitted into Cloud Martial Hall!