Starting Cultivation During a Trip

The next day, Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

Early in the morning, Zhang Fan was already in Sui Chunsheng’s office, holding the latest internal journal, "Daoist Alliance New Era." It was filled with recent work activities and achievements from various regional Daoist Alliances, as well as stories of outstanding disciples from the major Daoist Sects.

"The Daoist Sect’s reforms are truly a sweeping tide."

Just then, Zhang Fan happened upon an article about President Jiang Wansui of the Daoist Alliance Headquarters, recounting his recent speech at the "Daoist Youth Workers’ Forum." It was riveting and stirring, to say the least.

"You’re late, you’re late—what wind blew you in today?"

Right then, Sui Chunsheng finally strolled in. He wore a cadre’s jacket and held a thermal mug in his hand, looking even more official than usual.

"Didn’t you go somewhere recently? I just got back myself, so I thought I’d come see you." Zhang Fan said quietly.

In reality, he wanted to chat with Sui Chunsheng to find out more about the Rat.

Meng Qiwu had told him that the person representing the Rat was already in Yujing City, and would be seeking him out in the next few days.

But when it came to this most mysterious Zodiac, Zhang Fan knew almost nothing—neither Fang Changle nor the Qi Brothers had the slightest bit of intel.

The Rat, hidden deep within the shadows; not a trace of its shadow was ever exposed beneath the sun.

"I’ve just been too busy lately." Sui Chunsheng put down his mug and straightened up the desk.

"Busy with what?"

"What everyone in the Daoist Sect is busiest with nowadays is, of course, next month—Transcendent Zhenren’s discipleship ceremony." Sui Chunsheng couldn’t help but reply.

Chu Chaoran, not only Zhenwu Mountain’s Sect Leader, and the matchless Pure Yang Zhenren, but also the Daoist Alliance Headquarters’ Honorary President.

With that status, his discipleship ceremony was undoubtedly drawing nationwide attention—a grand event. All the regional Daoist Alliances were busy preparing to send teams to congratulate and learn from the occasion.

"Xinyue’s been transferred to the Headquarters in Shangjing."

Sui Chunsheng mentioned Zhan Xinyue’s whereabouts. When he and Zhang Fan first became acquainted, Zhan Xinyue had always been following her senior brother.

"Count that as a promotion, huh?" Zhang Fan laughed lightly.

"It’s just a temporary transfer, but with that experience, she’ll get promoted much faster in the future." Sui Chunsheng said.

Zhan Xinyue was considered his person; if she rose up, it’d become capital for his own advancement down the line.

"Transcendent Zhenren taking a disciple—a closed-door disciple. Level with me, is it you?" Sui Chunsheng glanced at the closed office door, leaned over to Zhang Fan, and whispered.

"No." Zhang Fan shook his head.

He’d once had that suspicion and hope, but Xia Weisheng had flatly denied it.

"Really not?" Sui Chunsheng’s eyes glinted with doubt.

In his opinion, not only was Zhang Fan a Zhenwu Mountain disciple, but he was also impossibly outstanding; the most crucial thing was, Zhang Fan had stirred up so much trouble in Yujing City, making Zhenwu Mountain clean up behind him more than once.

With all these signs, it wasn’t impossible for him to become Transcendent Zhenren’s closed-door disciple.

"Really not." Zhang Fan said resolutely.

"Zhenwu Mountain’s loss." Sui Chunsheng hid the disappointment in his eyes.

Truth be told, he sincerely wished Zhang Fan could become Transcendent Zhenren’s closed-door disciple; their relationship would mean unimaginable resources and prospects in the future.

"Since you’re twiddling your thumbs right now, why not come to our Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance? I’ve got one special recruitment spot left." Sui Chunsheng changed tack; talent like Zhang Fan shouldn’t be squandered.

"Who says I’m idle? I’ve got plenty to deal with." Zhang Fan shook his head.

"What’ve you got going on? Night is not bright has shut down."

"Speaking of, what about our boss? When will he be released?" Zhang Fan thought of Bai Buran.

He’d been implicated by Mr. Nian’s case, isolated and investigated, and still hadn’t been let go. Old Yu kept asking about him while watching his fishpond near Maoshan.

"Once his situation’s been investigated thoroughly, there’ll be an explanation." Sui Chunsheng switched to official-speak.

"You have to trust the organization. We won’t let a good man slip away, nor will we wrongly accuse a bad one."

"Hm?"

"We won’t let a bad one slip away, nor will we wrongly accuse a good one." Sui Chunsheng promptly corrected himself.

As he spoke, he stood up, dragging Zhang Fan outside.

"Haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria."

"Your cafeteria’s not bad at all." Zhang Fan tossed out.

He’d deliberately skipped breakfast this morning.

Just as they reached the ground floor, Zhang Fan saw Lou Hechuan coming out of a nearby office building, accompanied by a young man dressed in standard attire. His features were sharp, his gaze held a trace of inborn nobility. He wasn’t surrounded by an entourage, but two people did follow—one an older man, with greying temples, clearly an expert.

Zhang Fan watched as Lou Hechuan escorted them to the entrance.

"Who’s that, throwing around so much weight that Chairman Lou personally greets and sends him off?" Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.

In Yujing City, precious few people could make the dignified President of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters bend this low—especially a young man.

"His name is Ge Zhenyan, a disciple of the Pure Yang Ge Family." Sui Chunsheng said in a measured tone.

"Ge Family!?" Zhang Fan’s gaze darkened.

The Ge Family’s ancestor was the famed Master Bao Pu, Ge Hong—the Immortal Ge.

"The Ge Family has major influence—even within the Daoist Alliance Headquarters itself. Several elders in the clan are close acquaintances of President Jiang." Sui Chunsheng murmured.