How come the celestial technique I stole is so powerful?!

Saintess Qian Ling really wanted to analyze with Lin Xiaosu whether this was truly a transmission array.

However, Lin Xiaose seemed more interested in the sky, standing on the flying boat's deck, gazing into the distant firmament, his face quite engrossed.

He must be contemplating the journey after entering Desert City.

Saintess Qian Ling, being quite perceptive and mindful of the bigger picture, did not disturb him.

One hour, two hours, three hours!

Big Yellow finished flipping through the Ten Thousand Laws Book, transformed back into its outline: "I have fulfilled my promise."

Lin Xiaosu blinked: "Big Yellow, you flipped too fast, I didn't see many words."

"Does that affect our agreement?" Big Yellow asked him directly.

"That's actually a loophole in our agreement, we didn't specify the speed of flipping through the book." Lin Xiaosu nodded, "Alright then, I'll show my stance— I respect your 'everyone has their own aspirations', so I won't send you back to the Xuanhuang Sect."

Big Yellow breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet Lin Xiaosu's next words followed: "I'll first understand the current situation of Xuanhuang Sect!"

Big Yellow's heartstrings tightened immediately…

Lin Xiaosu drifted out gracefully.

Ultimately, he hadn't discussed exiting the Time Space River with Big Yellow at all.

In truth, there wasn't much to discuss.

His exit from the Time Space River was based not on Space Law,

but on the labyrinthine positioning of two Primordial Spirits.

Therefore, even if he truly wanted to rescue Big Yellow, he actually couldn't do it.

Because his proficiency in space wasn't that high, if he rushed into the Time Space River, he would be completely lost, even getting close to Big Yellow would be impossible.

At this moment, the flying boat flashed with silver light, plunging forward toward a high platform.

Silently, the flying car landed.

Specks of light dispersed.

Lin Xiaosu withdrew his gaze from afar, and upon encountering Saintess Qian Ling, her voice resonated by his ear: "Have you figured it out? How to enter the Heart Pavilion?"

"How else but straight ahead!" Lin Xiaosu replied, "Don't forget I'm a steward of Heart Pavilion, with high rank and authority, you're my concubine, when we enter the pavilion, everyone bows their heads low."

Saintess Qian Ling parted her lips, unsure what to say.

Yet she ultimately said nothing.

Again emphasizing "I'm your concubine", you cheeky fellow, why do I feel like my reputation won't last a few days staying by you?

Never mind, the path is my choice!

Even if my spirit's conflicted, I have to walk it, don't I?

Stepping off Xuanhuang Sky Platform.

Below is Beijing.

Dahuang Country's Beijing, Desert City, wondrous phenomena abound.

The city is vast and boundless, with eighteen wide, flat streets crossing each other, a lake within the city that despite being so far away, boats on it can still be seen densely weaving.

To the Northwest, enormous palaces rise up, the tallest rooftop soaring into the clouds.

In the Southwest, an immense totem column shoots up to the sky, like a stabilizing sea needle, on this column, a golden dragon coils, shining miles around.

This is the most distinctive landmark of the national capital.

Every country has one, this column named "Ancestral Column", in popular saying, ranges over land, its vast kingdom, and the pillar stands for state and the people.

To the West, is the Imperial Palace and the pillar.

To the East, small bridges with flowing water, homes steeped in cultural fragrance.

To the South, a great river flows with busy cargo transport.

To the North, a broad avenue wide enough for ten cars side by side stretches towards an endless expanse.

Beneath the Xuanhuang Sky Platform lies the city center.

Lin Xiaosu and Saintess Qian Ling descended from the platform, instantly merging with the flow of city folk.

Raising their gaze, towering buildings loomed, the low wine houses viewed from the high platform now transformed into towering structures.

"The Heart Pavilion is outside the city in the West Mountain! We need to head there immediately."

"Immediately?"

Lin Xiaosu said, "With us five travelling, three perished, logically we should be in shock without any thoughts of shopping."

Saintess Qian Ling inhaled deeply: "Let's go!"

The two didn't take a carriage, but walked.

Their pace was exceptionally brisk, befitting their current cultivation, Observing Heaven realm.

Because Li Chengnian was Observing Heaven, and his concubine Yan was also Observing Heaven.

Those in the Observing Heaven realm aren't regarded as masters in this world, but their travelling speed is indeed swift.

Half an hour later, they exited the Western gate, beyond which the guest houses were verdant, though the season had become summer, wildflowers bloomed on both sides.

Behind the wildflowers lay countless private residences.

Each residence featured numerous pavilions and towers, occupying substantial ground, with gardens extremely elaborate.

Due to perhaps their owners being high-ranking officials of Beijing, or ancient great clans amassed over thousands of years.

The Western Mountain was distinct from the outside world.

Upon entering the Western Mountain, it was like entering a serene retreat, reassuringly cool to the bone.

Rushing along the ancient bluestone path, they arrived halfway up the mountain.

Halfway up stood a pavilion, named with one character, "Heart."

That is the Heart Pavilion.

Behind the Heart Pavilion, stone chambers were carved, constituting the main body of the Heart Pavilion.

Situated within the outskirts of Beijing, its basic orientation is to resolve doubts for nobility.

Rumor has it, no matter what difficulty, in the eyes of the Heart Pavilion, it is merely a number.

Regular issues, several hundred Desert Coins.

High-end issues, coins in the order of ten thousand.

No problem is unsolvable, only the payment is unattainable.

Such is the Heart Pavilion.

Ordinary people are awed by the vast divine skills of Heart Pavilion.

Lin Xiaosu admires the strategic orientation of Heart Pavilion.

On one hand, it amasses various resources and wealth.

On the other hand, by answering queries, it acquires even more resources.

What does it mean?

An example can make it clear...

In Li Chengnian's memory, there was such an incident where he helped a friend in the officialdom settle some trouble. Since then, this friend in the officialdom was firmly under his control.

If he had any requests, would this friend dare not to help?

Your weaknesses are held in others' hands, and they can take you down at any moment.

This is the means of the Heart Pavilion.

Helping people solve problems, but the trap is not truly dissolved, just the owner of the trap is changed.

Over time, the Heart Pavilion took root deeply in Beijing, holding countless disgraceful secrets of officials, and these resources became their weapons to influence the officialdom.

The strength of the Heart Pavilion increased day by day.

Upon entering the Heart Pavilion, two disciples bowed simultaneously: "Greetings, Steward Li!"

Lin Xiaosu nodded slightly: "Is the Chief Steward present?"

"Present!"

"Good, I will go see him!" Lin Xiaosu strode away, directly heading to a stone pavilion.

Saintess Qian Ling felt very nervous.

She knew nothing about the Heart Pavilion, and if she was asked to speak, she'd probably give herself away in three sentences.

But he was not nervous at all and directly went to find the Chief Steward.

How much did Hu Ji know about the Heart Pavilion?

Did she tell him everything?

Would they give themselves away later?

Would a fight break out?

If they were exposed, it would be over; there was the presence of Primordial Spirit Qi Mechanism in the air around, that was the Enlightenment of God.

She probed slightly and immediately concealed her Primordial Spirit as tightly as possible, not daring to expose a bit.

Luckily, she was from the Spirit Clan.

The Spirit Clan are most adept at evolving all things.

She could ensure she was exactly like that Yan servant at this moment because she had extracted Yan's true Qi Mechanism, but he...

Entering the hall of the Chief Steward.

Chief Steward He Jingtang raised his gaze suddenly, fixing on Lin Xiaosu.

Lin Xiaosu bowed deeply: "Greetings, Chief Steward!"

"What is the outcome of the marriage alliance?"

"The marriage alliance proceeded smoothly; on the seventh of September, Qingqiu will send the Seventh Princess to our Li Family."

"Good!" The Chief Steward smiled: "Excellent indeed!"

Lin Xiaosu said: "But there was an incident on the way back. I dared not delay and switched to the Xuanhuang Flying Boat overnight to report to the Chief Steward."

"What happened?"

"At Zuo Zhi Lake, we encountered experts from the Ancient Sect. The Seventeenth Elder, protecting me, unfortunately died in battle, and the other two were killed immediately." His voice was filled with infinite sorrow.

The Chief Steward's face suddenly darkened: "Ancient Sect?"

"Yes!"

"An outer sect dare to be so audacious!" The Chief Steward said: "Why did they do this?"

Lin Xiaosu said: "The Ancient Sect also has intentions to form a marriage alliance with Qingqiu."

"I see!" The Chief Steward said gravely: "You arrange to search through the entire domain for people of the Ancient Sect. Once found, kill without mercy!"

"Yes!"

The Chief Steward took a deep breath: "Though disturbed by the Ancient Sect, fortunately, the marriage alliance is still formed. There are people on your family's side to prepare for the wedding. You don't need to worry. Before the marriage is complete, you should keep a low profile and avoid trouble. Once the Seventh Princess is married, you would have made an exceptional contribution to the sect!"

"Thank you, Chief Steward!" Lin Xiaosu, delighted, bowed.

The Chief Steward smiled: "Although the Qingqiu Fox Clan is naturally open, they are after all an Ancient Great Clan. Some formalities and etiquettes should also be heeded. Set aside your affairs in the city for now to avoid displeasing the Yue Family."

"Yes!" Lin Xiaosu said: "Thank you for the Chief Steward's reminder."

"You may leave!"

"I take my leave!" Lin Xiaosu bowed and withdrew.

Saintess Qian Ling followed him out.

Lin Xiaosu, coming out from the Chief Steward, stood on the steps and said: "Qing Ying!"

"Present!" A silhouette seemingly appeared out of nowhere, landing before him.

This person was a woman, shrewd and capable in appearance. Each Gold Medal Steward is equipped with a High-level Assistant, similar to a modern personal assistant.

This Qing Ying is the assistant to Gold Medal Steward Li Chengnian.

Lin Xiaosu spoke loudly: "The Chief Steward orders a search throughout the Southern Domain for disciples of the Ancient Sect. Once found, kill without mercy."

"Yes!"

"After passing on the order, wait in my pavilion for further instructions."

"Yes!"

Qing Ying flew away.

The Chief Steward nodded slightly inside.

This Li Chengnian's capability is still commendable. Despite the forceful intervention of an outer sect, he still achieved the marriage alliance with Qingqiu.

Most importantly, after this trip to Qingqiu, he's corrected a significant flaw of his own.

This steward, from a noble family and with superior learning, previously had a lot of his own ideas. Even when the Chief Steward gave orders, he always had a bunch of his opinions.

Today was very good.

Even when directly targeting the outer sect with a kill order, he had no objections and executed directly.

This is the kind of subordinate style that the Chief Steward likes.

As a subordinate, one should act like one, without questioning every decision, without always saying "I think"...

A superior does not like a long-winded pile of "I think".

They prefer simplicity and clarity with a single word: "Yes"!

Lin Xiaosu climbed the mountain, in front of the cliff, layers of pavilions.

He entered one of the pavilions.

This pavilion was Li Chengnian's residence.

The Heart Pavilion is a bit different from other sects. The Pavilion Master, Vice Pavilion Master, Chief Steward, and the Eight Elders live in caves, while the stewards actually live in the best environments, the pavilions.

For example, Steward Li Chengnian has a very nice pavilion.

In the courtyard, one could view the scenery of half of West Mountain. If you climb to the top of the pavilion, you could see most of the Desert City in the distance.

Generally, people think that the leadership of the Heart Pavilion seems to treat middle management too much like officials, but Lin Xiaosu understands that the true core of the Heart Pavilion lies not in the surface scenery but in the mountain itself.

Inside the mountain are convoluted paths interconnected, together forming the true core circle of the Heart Pavilion.

Although he is not truly part of the core circle, he is still top-notch in the steward team. The Heart Pavilion's stewards are divided into Gold, Silver, and Copper levels. He, Li Chengnian, is a Gold Medal Steward.