The red-nosed man was stunned, looking at the bewildered expressions of Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi: "… You two don't know?"
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi looked at each other, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes, their minds filled with questions.
Lu Gaoyang suddenly thought of something, his heart skipping a beat, and asked: "... Should we know something? What happened to my boy? Did he get into trouble?"
Lu Gaoyang believed that Lu Yi had a good character and wouldn't do anything to cause trouble. Why did it feel like he had done something that everyone knew about? Wasn't he afraid of getting his leg broken?
Lu Gaoyang decided that after going back, it was necessary to hold a family meeting to discuss how to break Lu Yi's leg.
Wang Siqi asked worriedly, "Brother Li, what's wrong with my Yi'er?"
Seeing that the two were really clueless, Li Mang, a fellow steward, was puzzled and said, "Your boy made it to the White Sun Peak platform today, and even cultivated the White Cloud Sword Technique to the 'Regain Simplicity' realm. You two, as parents, don't know?"
"????" Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were full of questions after hearing Li Mang's words.
"W-wait a moment. Did you say my rascal reached the 'Regain Simplicity' realm with the White Cloud Sword Technique?!" Lu Gaoyang felt this must be a misunderstanding, or perhaps Li Mang was still dreaming.
"Yes. Don't look at me like that. Today's events have spread like wildfire in the Outer Sect. The one giving the lecture today was Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. It is said that she thinks highly of your boy and even gave him a bottle of Top-grade Qi Condensation Elixir, and she also invited him to participate in the assessment at Ling Luo Peak! Old Lu, you're going to prosper! Your boy seems to be quite talented." As Li Mang spoke, he looked at Lu Gaoyang with green envy.
Damn! How come he, Li Mang, didn't have such good luck to have a son like that? Thinking about his own son, Li Mang couldn't help but get angry. His son was almost twenty years old and only at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation, with no hope of breaking through to Foundation Establishment. How could they even compare!
The more Li Mang thought about it, the angrier he got, wishing he could go back immediately and break his son's leg.
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi didn't have the energy to pay attention to Li Mang anymore. They exchanged a glance, their expressions quite strange. Was this really about their own son?
Wang Siqi came back to her senses and smiled at the somewhat contorted-faced Li Mang, saying, "Brother Li, we have some matters to attend to. We'll take our leave first..."
Before Wang Siqi could finish speaking, a gentle voice interrupted: "Siqi, Gaoyang, you're here."
Lu Gaoyang, Wang Siqi, and Li Mang all changed their expressions and turned to see an elder with gray whiskers smiling as he approached. The three immediately bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Elder Qi."
Elder Qi was in charge of the entire Outer Affairs Hall. His name was Qi Feiyu, and he held a high position and immense power. He was also a Golden Core Cultivator and incredibly strong.
Usually, Qi Feiyu was in seclusion and hard to see. Lu Gaoyang and the others were surprised to see Qi Feiyu here, seeming to come specifically for Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi.
"No need for formalities." Qi Feiyu, with a gentle smile, glanced at the still-dazed Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi: "Do you have any difficulties at work lately? Tasks in the Task Department can be demanding."
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Qi. Our work is going smoothly," Lu Gaoyang smiled.
"It seems you're doing a good job... By the way, there are currently two vacancies for stewards responsible for distributing resources to the Outer Sect disciples. You can take those positions. Given your abilities, it shouldn't be a problem," Qi Feiyu smiled.
Lu Gaoyang: "???"
Wang Siqi: "???"
Li Mang: "???"
Qi Feiyu's words left all three of them dumbfounded.
Distributing resources to Outer Sect disciples was a lucrative position! Typically, the sect allocated more cultivation resources than needed, and the surplus mostly went to the elders in charge, with a significant portion ending up in the pockets of those responsible for this task. This was an unspoken rule in the Affairs Hall.
Which steward wouldn't want to vie for a position in the Resource Department?! But usually, those getting in had strong backers. Most stewards could only watch with yearning.
Unexpectedly, today Elder Qi Feiyu personally assigned the positions to Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. This was beyond their wildest expectations.
Seeing Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi's shocked expressions, Qi Feiyu smiled and asked, "How about it? Are you willing?"
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi snapped out of it, full of joy, and laughed, "Of course we're willing. Thank you, Elder Qi!"
Lu Gaoyang cautiously asked, "Elder Qi... Is this because of my Yi'er?"
Qi Feiyu smiled slightly, "Lu Yi is quite talented. When he enters the Inner Sect in the future, the sky is the limit. Gaoyang, you are fortunate. Work hard."
Qi Feiyu had also heard about Lu Yi's achievements. The name of Liu Ningshuang carried significant weight in White Cloud Sect. Winning her favor, even Qi Feiyu recognized the importance of treating Lu Yi favorably.
Without lingering, Qi Feiyu disappeared from the spot. The three Foundation Establishment Deacons present couldn't see how he vanished.
After Qi Feiyu vanished, Li Mang looked at Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi with even greener envy: "Who knew even Elder Qi would personally assign you to the Resource Department? Old Lu, you're truly rising now!"
Li Mang felt even more annoyed. Why didn't he have such a talented son?! Maybe he should try for another child.
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were still in a daze, like dreaming. They looked at each other, then Lu Gaoyang laughed, "Old Li, next time I'll treat you to a celebration. We have matters to attend to, so we'll head back first."
Li Mang understood and nodded: "Go on."
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi couldn't wait to leave the hall. Along the way, many people looked at them strangely. Even stewards with whom they had ordinary relationships smiled at them, and stewards of higher status greeted them warmly. The two understood this must be all because of Lu Yi.
They rushed out of the gate, impatient to soar on their swords towards White Spirit Peak.
...
White Spirit Peak.
Lu Yi thought that Old Lu and his mother hadn't finished work, and he was debating whether to cultivate a cycle of White Cloud Energy Introduction. Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang's lecture today gave him new insights into the technique, but he was also a bit hungry, not entirely in the mood for cultivation.
Just then, two piercing sounds of breaking air came closer. Lu Yi widened his eyes: Enemy attack? Impossible! Who would dare stir trouble at White Sun Sect?
But just to be safe, Lu Yi stood up cautiously. If there were enemies, he would run.
Just then, Lu Gaoyang's voice boomed: "Lu Yi! Get out here!"
Lu Yi was stunned with a strange expression. Putting down his long sword, he walked out of his room to see Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi standing in the courtyard with imposing auras. The courtyard's floor had sword traces, and the surrounding plants were all chopped up.
A question mark slowly formed in Lu Yi's mind: "Dad, Mom, what happened? Why such a commotion just to come home?"
"What happened?! It's all because of you!" Lu Gaoyang glared at Lu Yi.