Chapter 1: Proof (Part 1)

Zhou Xiaoling watched curiously as this striking young girl walked over. Ai Yi Miluo came up to Zhou Xiaoling and asked with a cheerful smile, “Are you from the Gu Xilong family?” Her voice was clear and delicate, with a hint of innocence.
“Yes. Are you from the Gu Miluo family?”
Guo Shier smiled bitterly as he listened to their pointless conversation. It was hard enough for him to stay low-key, but as soon as Ai Yi Miluo appeared, she drew all the attention in the hall.
Ai Yi Miluo said with a smile, “Yes, I’m here to visit the Qianyan Continent. But it’s all stones here—nothing fun at all. Sister, when did you arrive?”
Hearing her call her “sister,” Zhou Xiaoling felt happy. She stepped forward, took Ai Yi Miluo’s hand, and said with a smile, “I’ve only been here for a few days.”
The two chatted softly, looking very happy. Guo Shier noticed the seven people accompanying Ai Yi Miluo, including an old man whose rank he couldn’t determine at all. In this world of professionals, an unknown rank meant the person was far stronger than him. He guessed the old man must have at least the strength of a Void Spirit Mirror user.
It was terrifying to think that this young girl had companions with the skills of a Void Form Altar user. What kind of status did she possess?
He didn’t know what they were talking about, but they occasionally burst into soft laughter. After a while, Zhou Xiaoling said, “Sister Ai Yi, let me introduce you to two of my companions.”
Guo Shier reluctantly stood up. Zhou Xiaoling said, “This is Guo Shier. You can call him Shier. And this is Uncle Eagle Demon.”
Ai Yi Miluo merely nodded slightly. She wasn’t very interested in Guo Shier or Eagle Demon. She took Zhou Xiaoling’s hand and said, “Dingding Sister, in a few days we’re going on a hunt in a secret realm. Come with me.”
Guo Shier and Eagle Demon also nodded. Seeing that the girl wasn’t interested in them, Guo Shier felt somewhat relieved. He didn’t want anything to do with her. With his extensive experience, he could tell this girl wasn’t ordinary. Getting too close to her would attract attention.
Until he reached the level of a Void Spirit Mirror user, Guo Shier had no intention of lingering in the territory of the four ancient talisman families. After witnessing the extreme tactics of the Gu Xilong family, he knew this place wasn’t suitable for wandering professionals to survive. Perhaps the resources here were abundant, but they were all monopolized by the four ancient families. It was better for him to leave early and consider returning only when he grew stronger.
Guo Shier and Eagle Demon sat back down. He had no interest in trying to ingratiate himself with this girl.

Ai Yi Miluo felt a bit strange. Every professional who met her was extremely polite, afraid of offending her, while Zhou Xiaoling’s companions clearly showed no interest in her, just as she had no interest in them either. As a result, she paid more attention to Guo Shier and said in a low voice, “Dingding Jie, your companion… that Guo Shier is so strange…”

Zhou Xiaoling asked, “What’s so strange about him?”

Ai Yi Miluo replied, “Although he looks young on the outside, it’s obvious he’s an old man.”

Zhou Xiaoling covered her mouth and laughed, saying, “That’s right! He’s just a little old man!”

Ai Yi Miluo said proudly, “I knew it! Some people use secret methods to stay young when advancing in rank. Hmph, how pathetic!”

Zhou Xiaoling couldn’t help but say, “Heh, he didn’t use any secret methods…”

Ai Yi Miluo said, “Impossible! Without secret methods, one definitely wouldn’t look so young!”

Zhou Xiaoling said, “He’s not that old either. He’s only twenty, just a bit older than me.”

Ai Yi Miluo was surprised, “Dingding Jie, are you not lying to me? Advancing to Junior Great Sage at twenty?” She couldn’t help but be amazed. If a professional could advance to Junior Great Sage at twenty, they would definitely be a key focus of their family’s cultivation. In other words, Guo Shier should be a core disciple of the Gu Xi Long family. But according to his identity badge, he was just an extremely ordinary subordinate professional.

Of course, Ai Yi Miluo was merely surprised. She had seen many geniuses, and although Guo Shier was a bit special, he hadn’t piqued her much interest. She continued chatting with Zhou Xiaoling. She had come to talk because she was extremely bored and had no peers to talk to.

Guo Shier and Ying Mo sat motionless, immersed in their own souls, learning the inherited memories. Since their advancement, the two had made use of every minute to study hard. Thanks to the inheritance from the Gu Miluo family, even if they advanced again, they wouldn’t have to worry about lacking something to learn. The inheritance they received was complete; they could gradually unlock the memories to study as they advanced, but they couldn’t learn higher-level knowledge ahead of time.

Not only did they need to learn new content, but they also had to review the basics. Guo Shier knew his foundation wasn’t strong, and since he had advanced too quickly, he needed to hurry up and make up for the knowledge he had missed.

After about half an hour, Yan Miluo and Ban Xi Long came out, followed by Weiya Miluo.

Ai Yi Miluo saw Yan Miluo and immediately smiled, saying, “Sis Dingding, come with me to see the Ancestor.” Without waiting for a reply, she pulled Zhou Xiaoling along.
Zhou Xiaoling didn’t want to go, but it was hard to resist being pulled, so she had no choice but to follow.
“Ancestor…”
Ai Yi Miluo threw herself into Yan Miluo’s arms. Yan Miluo beamed with joy and said, “Oh, our little treasure has returned! Hehe, come, sit next to the Ancestor.”
Holding onto Yan Miluo’s arm, Ai Yi Miluo said cheerfully, “This is Sis Dingding whom I just met. Hehe, Sis Dingding, this is the Ancestor.”
Zhou Xiaoling bowed and said, “I greet the Ancestor. Good day, Ancestor.”
Yan Miluo nodded and asked, “Good. Is this little girl from Xiao Ban’s family?” He turned to look at Ban Xilong.
A hint of surprise flashed in Ban Xilong’s eyes as he nodded and said, “Yes, sir. She’s a professional from our family.”
Yan Miluo said, “Little one, meet Xiao Ban. He’s a master from the Gu Xilong family.”
Ai Yi Miluo obediently stood up and bowed, saying, “I greet Lord Ban.”
Yan Miluo laughed and said, “There’s no need to be so formal. Just call him Big Brother Ban.”
Ai Yi Miluo nodded and said, “I greet Big Brother Ban.”
Ban Xilong gently touched his waist, and a thumb-sized bead appeared in his hand. He smiled and said, “I didn’t prepare much. This is a Soul-Stabilizing Pearl. I give it to little sister Ai Yi.”
All the professionals in the hall showed envious expressions.
Everyone present knew what a Soul-Stabilizing Pearl was, and Guo Shier also understood well. He couldn’t help but admire Ban Xilong’s generosity. A Soul-Stabilizing Pearl was a treasure that could protect against soul attacks. It could calm the soul, and with one such pearl during cultivation, the speed of cultivation could double. In some aspects, it even rivaled sacrificial treasures, being more precious than high-quality talismans.
Ai Yi Miluo accepted it and thanked him. She remained calm, perhaps because she had seen too many treasures to show any surprise.
Yan Miluo, on the other hand, seemed a bit surprised. He said, “This isn’t easy to create.”
Ban Xilong nodded and said, “It took about twenty thousand soul beads from mutated people to create it. It doesn’t serve me much anymore, but it’s just right for little sister Ai Yi.”
Ai Yi Miluo asked Ban Xilong, “In a few days, I’m going on a hunt in a secret realm. Can Sis Dingding come with me?”
Zhou Xiaoling had no desire to go on any hunt in a secret realm, but she couldn’t say a word. She had to keep smiling and acting like a lady on the surface, which made her extremely annoyed.

Ban Xi Long smiled and said, “No problem. I can transfer her to you so she can follow you.”
Zhou Xiaoling was stunned. Ai Yi Miluo clapped her hands and said giggly, “Great! Sister Dingding, please stay with me.” She hadn’t seemed very happy even after getting the Soul Pearl, but as soon as Ban Xi Long spoke, Ai Yi Miluo immediately lit up with joy.
Guo Shier couldn’t stay seated any longer. He stepped forward and asked, “Dingding, do you want to go?” Ying Mo followed closely behind.
Zhou Xiaoling said, “No, I don’t want to.”
Ai Yi Miluo’s face immediately fell. She pulled Zhou Xiaoling aside and asked, “Sister Dingding, don’t you want to stay with me?”
Ban Xi Long’s expression changed. He valued Guo Shier’s potential, but if the other party dared to resist, he would never show mercy.
He said coldly, “What? Since when is it your turn to speak? Back off!” A massive soul pressure surged forth.
Guo Shier felt as if he were trapped in turbulent waves. The soul pressure was extremely powerful; even the great masters in the hall were trembling.
Yan Miluo watched smilingly and casually protected Ai Yi Miluo.
Guo Shier stood firm, pulling Zhou Xiaoling behind him. At that moment, he felt his soul on the verge of shattering. But he was determined. Reciting soul scriptures silently, his nearly boiling soul quickly calmed down.
The professionals in the hall stared in shock at Guo Shier. Standing silently, he emitted strange ripples around him, successfully countering Ban Xi Long’s soul pressure.
Ban Xi Long’s face turned even paler. He shouted, “How bold!” Suddenly, an altar appeared above his head—a fully formed altar, just one layer deep, the simplest form of a tangible altar.
Guo Shier didn’t back down an inch. He stood firmly on the ground. Zhou Xiaoling felt mixed emotions. Seeing Guo Shier standing like a mountain in front of her, shielding her from the storm, she suddenly felt a sense of peace.
With the emergence of the tangible altar, the soul pressure became completely different, pressing down like a tangible force.
Ai Yi Miluo watched in surprise. She hadn’t expected this outcome.
Yan Miluo looked curious. He hadn’t expected anyone from the Gu Xi Long family to dare resist Ban Xi Long, and he grew somewhat interested in Guo Shier.
Guo Shier felt that even reciting scriptures wouldn’t be enough to withstand such a huge gap. But he was also determined. Zhou Xiaoling was his companion; he couldn’t leave her here alone under any circumstances. He had to confront Ban Xi Long, knowing full well it was like throwing eggs at a rock, but he had no choice but to resist.

Ban Xilong finally lost his patience. His subordinates dared to disobey orders and embarrass him in public, which sparked a killing intent in him. He shouted, “Get out!”
Eagle Demon had already stood by Guo Shier, and the two of them fought together to defend themselves.