Merchant Association Turmoil, Two Women's Invitation!

"Does Sister Youlan know this person?"

Liu Xing's delicate brows lifted slightly as her gaze shifted toward the graceful Xia beside her, her voice carrying a trace of curiosity and inquiry.

Within the Divine Firmament Sect, the second young lady who could independently establish the Drunken River Moon Restaurant had three Grand True Persons behind her, while her grandmother had been a renowned artifact-refining Grand True Person across the Three Continents.

She had extensive connections in the Outer Sect, and those she associated with were mostly outstanding young talents within the sect.

Could this Yu Ke also be a hidden prodigy, keeping a low profile in the Divine Firmament Sect's Outer Sect?

Otherwise, why would Sister Youlan, who had always kept her joys and anger hidden from her face, react so strongly?

The waters of the Divine Firmament Sect's Outer Sect ran deep.

Take Li Qingshui, for instance. She had emerged from it and risen straight into the ranks of True Disciples, even possessing the potential to contend for the position of a lineage's mountain master.

Not to mention—

Even three of the mountain masters among the Eight Inner Sect Branches had risen from the Outer Sect.

And there were still extraordinary talents like Chen Jingqiu remaining in the Outer Sect.

The Outer Sect was also a place where major powers and lineages competed to place their bets and make their arrangements.

If the person a great clan had invested in later rose to prominence, they could magnify a minor connection into something greater. Everyone liked being sent charcoal in the snow; no one liked flowers added atop brocade.

Beyond the Inner Sect lay the Divine Firmament Sect's "forbidden flesh," a domain into which aristocratic clans could not meddle.

Among the Outer Sect's various industries, profit was secondary. Their true