Chapter 216: The Daoist Master Zhang Boduan

Inside a private room at a five-star hotel, the light from the crystal chandelier shone onto the tableware, refracting into tiny, scattered glimmers. Xu Si looked at the latest instructions sent by the Board of Directors on his phone, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. The content of the message was not long, but the meaning contained within it made him feel an unprecedented pressure.

"Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley," he finally raised his head, his voice very low, "The Board of Directors wants us to head there in a few days. And..." he paused for a moment, "the mission level this time is marked quite high."

Zhang Chulan's chopsticks, which were in the middle of picking up food, froze in mid-air. As an employee of the Company, he knew all too well what the highest level meant—it was a major operation that even the Company's top brass would personally participate in.

"The Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley deep in the Qinling Mountains?" He put down his chopsticks, a hint of confusion in his voice, "Hasn't that place always been obscure? Why is it suddenly being taken so seriously?"

Xu San sipped his tea, his gaze profound: "Have you heard of the Daoist Master Zhang Boduan?"

"One of the Five Ancestors of the Southern Sect!" Zhang Chulan immediately replied, "The author of the 'Understanding Reality Treatise'?" He still understood these basic facts about the Outsider world.

"That's right," Xu San nodded, "but you might not know that a very important part of Zhang Boduan's inheritance is very likely hidden in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley. And according to the latest intelligence, it's not just his inheritance there..."

"What else is there?" Feng Baobao asked curiously.

Xu Si took a deep breath: "It may involve other currently unknown secrets of the Outsider world. If true, this will be a major discovery capable of changing the entire landscape of the Outsider world."

Zhang Chulan gasped. No wonder even the Board of Directors couldn't sit still; a secret of this level was truly worth going all out to secure.

"So," he said with a grave expression, "I'm afraid we aren't the only ones going this time?"

"The All-Nature Sect will definitely go," Xu Si lit a cigarette, the smoke curling under the lights, "and as far as I know, other factions in the Outsider world have already begun to move. This time, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley is likely to become a powder keg."

Inside an underground stronghold at the other end, the atmosphere of the All-Nature Sect was equally tense. In the dim basement, Gong Qing's voice echoed between the walls. The light cast deep shadows on his face, making his expression appear exceptionally gloomy.

"Xia He, Xia Liuqing, Shen Chong," his sharp gaze swept over the three people in front of him, "can you really not contact the others?"

Xia He shook her head slightly: "Lost contact completely, especially with Lv Liang." She paused, "I suspect he might..."

"Don't worry about him," Gong Qing waved his hand impatiently to interrupt, "The most important thing now is the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley." A flash of fanaticism crossed his eyes, "Not only is Zhang Boduan's inheritance there, but more importantly, the secret within the valley. If we can obtain something..."

"The All-Nature Sect will rise again," Xia Liuqing took over, the light of ambition also flickering in his eyes, "No need to hide and sneak around anymore."

"But the other factions..." Shen Chong said with some concern.

"What are you afraid of?" Gong Qing sneered, "With strength comes the right to speak. This time, we must find the secret before anyone else. For this goal, we will spare no cost!"

Meanwhile, in an executive suite at another luxury hotel, Lin Xuan was leisurely booking flight tickets on his phone. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's night view was as brilliant as the Xinghe, but his mind had already flown to the deep Qinling Mountains far away.

"Booked," he put down his phone, "the flight for tomorrow morning."

Xiao Qing lay on the leather sofa, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "Benefactor, this show will definitely be even more spectacular, right? I feel like all the factions will go!"

"It will indeed be very lively," Lin Xuan smiled slightly, "however, what is truly interesting is not these superficial struggles."

Just then, Xiao Qing suddenly felt a warm current of Qi circulating within her body. It was an indescribable feeling, as if her whole person had been elevated to a brand-new realm. She was surprised to find that her cultivation had actually increased by several hundred years in an instant!

Xiao Bai also felt this change; she looked at her own hands in disbelief: "This is..."

"Benefactor!" Xiao Qing was so excited she almost jumped up, "This is your doing, right? Hundreds of years of cultivation! This is simply impossible in the cultivation world!"

Lin Xuan smiled without a word. In his view, this level of improvement was merely a trivial effort. But to Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai, this was a massive stroke of luck capable of changing their destiny.

"Come, let us serve Benefactor well." Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai immediately began to massage Lin Xuan, wanting to express their gratitude.

Lin Xuan closed his eyes and enjoyed it, while his heart pondered a deeper plan. The secret of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley was far more profound than anyone imagined. The struggle between the various factions on the surface was, in his eyes, nothing more than a farce. The true secret, perhaps, had not even been fully fathomed by Zhang Boduan back then.

"Benefactor," Xiao Bai asked while massaging, "what kind of shift do you think there will be this time?"

Lin Xuan opened his eyes, his gaze as deep as an abyss: "There will certainly be a shift, but it may not be the kind people are expecting. Sometimes, the greatest opportunity is often hidden in the most unexpected place."

The night grew deeper, and the various factions in the city were preparing for the upcoming operation. But they would not know that in this contest about to unfold, the true secret was far more terrifying than they imagined.

And at this moment, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley still maintained its ancient tranquility, as if waiting for the arrival of some important moment.

Driving under the dim night, a black commercial vehicle moved steadily along the winding road.

Xu Si gripped the steering wheel with focus, occasionally observing Zhang Chulan's state through the rearview mirror. Xu San in the passenger seat remained silent, seemingly thinking about something important.

The car's air conditioning hummed, bringing a comfortable chill. However, this calm atmosphere was soon broken.

"Lao Si," Xu San finally spoke, his voice carrying a rare gravity, "Regarding this mission to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, I don't think we should let Zhang Chulan participate."

Zhang Chulan in the back seat immediately sat up straight; he could feel the seriousness of this topic. Xu Si's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, but from his slightly tensed jaw, one could tell he was also seriously considering this issue.

"I understand your concern," Xu San continued, "This mission is far more dangerous than Biyou Village. With all factions gathering, one slip could lead to total ruin. Rather than letting him take this risk, it would be better for him to go back and finish his studies first."

Feng Baobao tilted her head to look at Zhang Chulan, seemingly waiting for his reaction. The atmosphere inside the car became somewhat heavy for a moment.