After the assessment ended, Mitchell left Qiu Long Star without attending the celebratory banquet Kevin had prepared.
As a World Lord powerhouse, attending a gathering of Domain Lords and Universe Levels did not befit his status.
The other parties, however, all gave ample face.
The One-Leaf Ganwu Practitioners Mo Li, Qianxue, and Yan Shan all attended, and the major factions on Qiu Long Star sent representatives as well.
A newly advanced Domain Lord powerhouse who was also a Two-Leaf Ganwu Practitioner-this was undoubtedly earth-shaking news to all the major factions.
A single Domain Lord could determine the rise and fall of a Universe Country, deciding a family's glory or destruction with a single word.
Who knew what temperament this newly advanced Domain Lord had?
Sending someone with congratulatory gifts might keep them out of trouble, but if they failed to attend, there was no guarantee he would not secretly hold it against them.
"Congratulations on passing the assessment and becoming a Two-Leaf Ganwu Practitioner, Qingshan! From now on, you'll be our superior." Qianxue held a wineglass, a faint, tipsy blush coloring her exquisitely beautiful, snow-and-ice-like face, her eyes hazy.
"That's right, Brother Qingshan. The next time we meet, all three of us will have to address you as 'sir.'" Mo Li laughed heartily, in good spirits.
All three had received substantial point rewards for recommending Lu Qingshan to the Ganwu Dojo, and as the referrer who had first made contact with him, Mo Li naturally received the largest share.
Even the inarticulate Yan Shan voiced his congratulations.
As for the representatives of Qiu Long Star's other factions, they were not qualified to sit at the same table as Lu Qingshan. They gathered together to chat, their words brimming with praise and reverence.
Especially when they learned that Qiu Long Star's newly advanced Two-Leaf Ganwu Practitioner was actually Lu Qingshan of the Maple Leaf Empire, their admiration became even more evident.
The Rare Treasure Shop owner who had done business with Lu Qingshan half a year earlier was now positively glowing as he boasted to his acquaintances about the details of that transaction, drawing a host of envious looks.
Some shrewd individuals secretly messaged their families through the Virtual Universe while still in the banquet hall, demanding that they strengthen their cooperation with Maple Leaf Star at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing some of their interests.
A Domain Lord powerhouse who was also a Two-Leaf Ganwu Practitioner! If they could win his friendship, they would willingly pay any price.
Likewise, with two Domain Lord powerhouses residing on Qiu Long Star, its standing among the countless surrounding galaxies rose another level. This was another purpose behind Kevin's banquet.
The grand banquet lasted until dawn before finally ending.
The representatives of Qiu Long Star's major factions took their leave one after another.
Qianxue and Yan Shan of the Ganwu Dojo also left first; only Mo Li stayed behind.
Several hundred servants began cleaning up the banquet hall, while Lu Qingshan and the other two moved to the rear garden of the city lord's residence.
"Brother Mo Li, you mentioned earlier that Lord Mitchell left a message with you before departing?" Lu Qingshan asked.
"Brother Qingshan, Lord Mitchell seems to hold you in considerable regard."
Mo Li smiled. "Before leaving, he specifically asked me to tell you that if you have no definite destination yet, you could consider applying to join the Golden Mist Army and serve under him..."
He paused, then added, "Oh, I forgot to explain. Lord Mitchell is about to take up the post of the Golden Mist Army's tenth general, and he's short of capable subordinates."
"The Golden Mist Army? Is it some elite force?" Lu Qingshan had little recollection of the name.
"Precisely." Mo Li nodded in confirmation. "The Golden Mist Army is commanded by Marquis Golden Mist, one of the Ganwu Universe Country's Three Hundred Kings and Marquises. It is a truly elite force. The army numbers one hundred thousand, divided under ten generals. Even its lowest-ranking soldiers are Universe Levels who have comprehended a domain. Domain Lords can serve as centurion-level commanders, and only above them are the generals. The position Lord Mitchell is taking over is precisely that of the Golden Mist Army's tenth general!"
"Even the ordinary soldiers are Universe Levels who have comprehended a domain... This Golden Mist Army truly is terrifying!"
Listening beside them, Kevin could not help exclaiming in amazement.
Qiu Long Star held an exalted position among the surrounding starfields, but compared with such a top-tier power, it was no different from a firefly vying with the bright moon.
"What are the Golden Mist Army's main duties?" Lu Qingshan asked further.
The Ganwu Universe Country's territory was boundlessly vast. In his years of adventuring as a Universe Level, he had mostly operated within the Black Dragon Mountain Starfield and knew little of the outside world. Besides, the original work did not seem to have mentioned this army in any detail.
"Nowhere in the universe are the winds and waves ever truly calm. Even a High-level Universe Country has powerful enemies prowling around it," Mo Li explained. "The Golden Mist Army bears heavy responsibilities. It must wipe out remnants lurking in secret realms and hunt down vicious criminals who have fled into the Universe Country, along with serious offenders who have broken its laws. That even includes traitors to the Human Race, as well as spies from alien races such as the Demon Race and Zerg who have infiltrated to wreak havoc."
His tone shifted slightly. "The Golden Mist Army offers excellent benefits, but the risks are equally high. The previous tenth general met an unfortunate end while suppressing a rebellion by remnants in a secret realm."
"In that case, the Golden Mist Army really is exceptionally dangerous." Kevin looked at his son-in-law, worry appearing on his face.
"Risks and opportunities coexist." A trace of yearning entered Mo Li's voice. "If you join, the gains from a single great battle might earn you more wealth than you could accumulate in a lifetime."
"I don't know much about the Golden Mist Army." Lu Qingshan slowly shook his head. "Even with Lord Mitchell looking after me, I fear I might regret joining rashly later. This matter... let's leave it."
Joining the Golden Mist Army and gaining the favor of a World Lord powerhouse might be a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity to others, but did Lu Qingshan need it?
He did not need it at all!
With his golden finger, he only needed to focus on nurturing disciples, and the rewards he could obtain would far exceed those from fighting on a battlefield-tenfold, a hundredfold.
Why put himself in danger?
Wiping out remnants, suppressing rebellions, hunting down alien spies... Just hearing about it was enough to know it would undoubtedly be fraught with danger.
"Qingshan, won't rejecting Lord Mitchell so rashly displease him...?" Kevin frowned slightly. Even if father-in-law and son-in-law joined forces, they would have no power to withstand a World Lord's wrath.
"It shouldn't." Lu Qingshan shook his head. "Lord Mitchell didn't invite me personally, but had Mo Li pass along the message. Presumably, he left room to maneuver as well, not wanting to embarrass either side."
"I was worrying too much." Kevin nodded, much reassured. "As a World Lord, Lord Mitchell is broad-minded. Naturally, he wouldn't quibble over such a small matter."
Mo Li also smiled. "Lord Mitchell has always had a good reputation in the Ganwu Dojo. He won't quibble over something this minor.
"Brother Qingshan, since your name is already registered with the Ganwu Dojo, you might as well visit its headquarters in the Virtual Universe ahead of time.
"Although newly advanced Two-Leaf Ganwu Practitioners have a hundred-year grace period before taking up their duties, good positions are always in demand. Keep an eye out early, and if anything catches your interest, you might as well secure it first."
Mo Li shared some of his experiences of life in the Ganwu Dojo. Back then, he had waited ten long years before managing to secure this stable post at the Qiu Long Star branch.
"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Mo Li." Lu Qingshan cupped his hands in thanks.
He already had a plan in mind. It was time to take a look at the Ganwu Dojo headquarters first.
He wondered whether it could bring him a little surprise.
(End of chapter)