Chapter 217 The Guild Master's Gift! The Legend of Qingqiu and the Secrets of the Five Elements?

Walking out of the Jian Yun Residence hall.

A cool night breeze brushed against his face.

Jiang Yun had just identified the direction of the pavilion where President Yun Xi was and was about to step forward when Su Qingxue beside him suddenly stopped, whispering in a cold voice.

"This Empress will not go with you."

Jiang Yun glanced sideways.

He saw the Nine-Tailed Fox under the moonlight, her face veiled by light gauze.

In those purple eyes was a hint of Rare caution and wariness.

"That president named Yun Xi... his strength is unfathomable, and his perception is even more eerie."

Su Qingxue frowned slightly.

Her gaze turned toward the hazy outline of the distant pavilion.

"Although I have some confidence in my concealment techniques, facing such a person, there's no guarantee he won't see through something. For safety's sake, it's better for me to watch from the shadows."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun nodded.

Although this fox was proud, her ability to assess the situation was indeed top-notch.

President Yun Xi gave him the feeling of a bottomless abyss; even he often felt seen through, so it was only natural for the Nine-Tailed Fox to be wary.

"Very well."

Jiang Yun said in a low voice, "Then find a safe place to hide. I will go and negotiate with the president."

Su Qingxue said no more.

She just gave Jiang Yun a deep look.

That look seemed to say, 'Don't forget your promise.'

Immediately after.

Her figure faded silently like mist merging into the moonlight, her aura completely retracted as if she had never appeared.

Jiang Yun couldn't sense her at all.

He was secretly alarmed by the Nine-Tailed Fox's powerful concealment methods.

Then.

Jiang Yun composed himself.

Straightening his robes, he walked with steady steps toward the pavilion built by the water, its lights warm and soft.

Inside the pavilion.

President Yun Xi, dressed in white robes with cloud patterns, was sitting by the railing. A simple tea set was placed on the stone table in front of him, the aroma of tea curling upwards.

He didn't look in the direction Jiang Yun was coming from, but quietly gazed at the moon's reflection in the pond outside the pavilion, as if merging with the night, transcendent.

"President."

Jiang Yun walked to the steps outside the pavilion and bowed respectfully.

Only then did President Yun Xi slowly turn his head, a customary gentle smile on his peerlessly handsome face, and nodded.

"Elder Dong Xuan is here. Sit."

After Jiang Yun thanked him.

He sat down on the stone stool opposite the stone table.

His posture was upright.

A maid stepped forward quietly.

She poured a cup of clear tea for Jiang Yun as well and then withdrew silently.

President Yun Xi picked up the teacup in front of him.

He blew on it gently but didn't drink it immediately.

Instead, he looked at Jiang Yun.

He asked casually, "After today's socializing, Elder Dong Xuan... are you satisfied with your gains?"

Jiang Yun knew he was referring to the various factions competing to send gifts and offer cooperation.

He answered frankly, "Thanks to the kindness of the Seniors, I have gained much. This Junior is deeply grateful and very satisfied."

"Mhm."

President Yun Xi nodded slightly.

He didn't seem surprised by this answer.

He set down his teacup.

He gazed at Jiang Yun with a gentle look, and the pavilion fell into a strange silence, with only the sound of the night wind creating slight ripples on the pond.

Jiang Yun felt a trace of invisible pressure.

Could it be that this president had already seen through many things?

He was waiting for him to speak first.

Taking a deep breath.

Jiang Yun no longer hesitated.

He put down his teacup.

He spoke with a solemn expression, "President, this Junior... still has one request."

The smile on President Yun Xi's face remained unchanged, and his tone was peaceful.

"Elder Dong Xuan is now a Grand Elder of our guild, on the same level as myself. Feel free to speak. As long as it doesn't violate the guild's fundamental principles and morality, the guild will naturally be your solid backing."

These words gave Jiang Yun a lot of encouragement and leeway.

He pondered for a moment.

A perfectly timed awkward smile appeared on his face, as if it were difficult to speak, but he still said it clearly.

"The matter this Junior requests is about... the five-colored origin divine seed that was used as the question during the Grand Tutor Level Assessment. I wonder... if this item could be... gifted to this Junior?"

After saying that.

He lowered his head slightly, waiting for President Yun Xi's reaction.

In his heart, he was secretly speculating.

How would this unfathomable president respond?

Would he refuse outright?

Or would he propose unimaginable conditions?

However.

After hearing his request, President Yun Xi didn't show the slightest surprise or difficulty; instead, that gentle smile seemed to deepen.

He calmly picked up his teacup and took another sip, his gaze seemingly inadvertently glancing toward the shadow of the rockery where Su Qingxue, the Nine-Tailed Fox, had just hidden.

Then.

He put down his teacup, his voice clear and resonant.

With a knowing smile.

"It's for... that girl, isn't it?"

Buzz!

Jiang Yun felt as if a string in his mind had been lightly plucked!

That girl?

He noticed the direction President Yun Xi was looking.

His heart skipped a beat!

He really did find her!

He discovered the existence of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

He might have even seen more!

Jiang Yun felt a chill in his heart, but then he thought it was only natural.

With President Yun Xi's suspected Sun-Level cultivation and his god-like appraisal ability, no matter how clever the Nine-Tailed Fox's concealment methods were, they probably couldn't be completely safe before such a being.

His previous worries were not redundant.

Since it had been pointed out, being secretive would instead seem petty and might cause unnecessary suspicion.

Jiang Yun quickly adjusted his mindset.

A look of helplessness and honesty from being seen through appeared on his face.

He nodded.

"The President is truly perceptive... Yes, it is indeed for her."

President Yun Xi nodded slightly.

His tone was still peaceful, as if discussing a perfectly ordinary matter.

"To be able to freely transform into human form and have such exquisite concealment methods... looking at the spiritual charm fluctuations, it seems to be related to the fox race? Elder Dong Xuan... has quite the Opportunity and skill to be able to contract a Beast Tamer's pet with such Aptitude."

These words.

Made Jiang Yun's heart shake again!

The fox race!

He not only saw the Nine-Tailed Fox's existence but even accurately pointed out her race!

And judging by his tone.

He seemed to mistake the Nine-Tailed Fox for his... contracted beast?

Jiang Yun's thoughts raced.

He instantly understood President Yun Xi's misunderstanding.

In the perception of human Beast Tamers, beasts that can transform into human form and have extremely high intelligence are often some extremely rare and noble-blooded contracted beasts.

President Yun Xi was clearly following this line of thought, taking the Nine-Tailed Fox hidden nearby as his own hidden, extremely rare contracted beast!

This was an excellent and reasonably acceptable reason!

It could explain why the Nine-Tailed Fox followed him.

And it could also hide her true identity as a Vicious Beast royal!

Jiang Yun breathed a secret sigh of relief.

On the surface, he showed a perfectly timed embarrassed smile as if his trump card had been seen through.

"The President has a Wisdom Eye like a torch. This Junior's meager tricks really can't be hidden from you. I've made a fool of myself before the President."

President Yun Xi waved his hand.

His smile was gentle, with the tolerance of an elder for a Junior.

"Elder Dong Xuan, there's no need to be nervous. I have no intention of prying into others' secrets. It's just that as someone in this field, I am particularly sensitive to certain special auras and spiritual charm fluctuations. Your beast's concealment method is indeed impressive. If I didn't have some unique appraisal secret techniques, it would probably be difficult to distinguish it so clearly from such a distance. An ordinary Eclipse Moon Rank Expert, without a special perception talent, would likely find it hard to detect."

Hearing this.

Jiang Yun felt slightly more at ease.

It seemed the Nine-Tailed Fox's concealment ability was still recognized by this great president; it was just that President Yun Xi himself was too monstrous.

"The President overpraises me."

Jiang Yun said modestly.

President Yun Xi stopped dwelling on the Nine-Tailed Fox's concealment and turned the topic back to the five-colored origin divine seed, a hint of interest appearing in his eyes.

"It's fine. However, I remember you said during the assessment that this five-colored origin divine seed can only be attempted by a living being whose own attributes naturally cover the complete Five Elements for Using the Body as the Seed. You are asking for this for your beast, could it be..."

Jiang Yun knew what he wanted to ask.

He nodded directly in confirmation.

"The President's guess is correct. She... indeed possesses the complete Five Elements attributes."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, for the first time, a clear look of surprise appeared in President Yun Xi's eyes, which were as deep as a sea of stars, even carrying a hint of reminiscence and emotion.

He lightly tapped the stone table surface.

"Possessing all Five Elements... truly miraculous. In ancient times, some fragmented records had vague mentions. Legend has it that there is a place of spiritual beauty between heaven and earth called Qingqiu. It nurtured a remnant race of Immortal Beasts whose innate Bloodline carried the complete Five Elements Laws. With every movement, the Five Elements circulated endlessly, possessing heaven-reaching strength. At their Peak, a single thought could evolve a Five Elements world and destroy a Star Domain..."

President Yun Xi's gaze was distant.

As if piercing through time.

"I always thought the Five Elements Laws were nothing more than ethereal myths and legends. I didn't expect that today, by Elder Dong Xuan's side, I would see with my own eyes a being truly endowed with Five Elements attributes that might be related to those legends... Although the Bloodline Power is likely infinitely diluted, this foundation is already shocking."

His gaze toward Jiang Yun.

Was filled with even more appreciation.

Even carrying a hint of envy.

"Elder Dong Xuan, not only is your own appraisal talent unsurpassed throughout history, but you even have such a Heaven-Defying Opportunity in the way of Beast Taming! To be able to gain such a partner with unlimited potential, your future achievements will truly be boundless! If this beast can grow smoothly, in time, it will surely be a great help for you to roam the world!"

Qingqiu?

remnant race of Immortal Beasts?

Five Elements Laws?

Jiang Yun listened to President Yun Xi's narration.

Waves surged in his heart.

This was the first time he had heard of Qingqiu and the remnant race of Immortal Beasts.

Thinking about how the Nine-Tailed Fox claimed to be royalty and possessed the Rare Five Elements attributes... Could it be... this cunning and dangerous Mother Fox really is related to the Immortal Beasts of Qingqiu from the ancient legends?

Her Origin?

Was it even more ancient and mysterious than he imagined?

Jiang Yun was very puzzled and curious.

However.

Now was clearly not the time to delve into these matters.

Facing President Yun Xi's praise for mistaking him for a Beast Tamer Genius, Jiang Yun could only maintain a modest smile.

He responded vaguely.

"The President overpraises me; it's just a coincidence."

But in his heart, he smiled helplessly.

Beast Tamer?

He didn't have the ability to control her; it would be good enough if he wasn't controlled by her... He suppressed his chaotic thoughts.

Jiang Yun brought the topic back on track.

He asked again cautiously.

"President, then I wonder... about that five-colored divine seed..."

Seeing his slightly eager yet effortful attempt to remain calm, President Yun Xi couldn't help but smile, a smile as clear as the moonlight.

"As for this item..."

He drew out his words.

Under Jiang Yun's breathless and concentrated gaze.

He said slowly.

"Naturally, it can be gifted to you."

Jiang Yun's heart jumped.

A light of pleasant surprise instantly erupted in his eyes!

But President Yun Xi's next words.

Surprised him even more.

"Since you are already a Grand Elder of our Appraisers Guild, as the president, I haven't yet prepared a decent meeting gift for you. This item... shall be considered a promotion gift and a meeting gift from this old man."

As he spoke.

President Yun Xi didn't seem to make any move, but simply opened his right palm toward the Void Realm outside the pavilion.

In the next moment, a miraculous scene occurred!

In a certain direction deep within Tian Jian Peak, a faint five-colored glow suddenly lit up.

The glow was like a star at first, then quickly enlarged and elongated, like a rainbow spanning across space, or a meteor flying in reverse, with a dreamlike trail of fire, streaking across the quiet night sky, and landing precisely and silently into President Yun Xi's open palm!

The glow retracted.

Appearing in his palm was precisely that object, like a primal point of Chaos, surrounded by Five-Colored Divine Light and emitting a majestic Five Elements Origin aura.

The five-colored origin divine seed!

It lay quietly in President Yun Xi's jade-like palm, radiant and mysterious, exactly as it had been during the assessment at the Wanjian Heavenly Altar.

Jiang Yun stared wide-eyed at this near-miraculous scene, his heart filled with immense shock.

Is this the power of a Sun-Level expert?

Retrieving objects from a distance?

And to retrieve such a sentient Origin treasure with such ease!

"Take it."

President Yun Xi smiled slightly.

He gently pushed his palm forward.

The five-colored divine seed then flew steadily toward Jiang Yun as if held by an invisible hand.

Jiang Yun quickly reached out both hands.

He caught it carefully.

It felt warm to the touch, as if he were holding a living mass of Five Elements Law Origin. That familiar, heart-pounding, and longing aura returned once again.

He could feel it.

The vast power and profound cycle within the divine seed were now within reach.

"Many thanks for the President's generous gift! This Junior... is deeply grateful!"

Jiang Yun suppressed the excitement in his heart.

He stood up and gave a deep bow to President Yun Xi.

This gift was truly too heavy!

"No need for such formality."

President Yun Xi made a gesture as if to help him up.

"This item is of no use staying in the guild. Since your beast has Five Elements attributes, it means its Opportunity has arrived! It is also your Opportunity, Elder Dong Xuan!"

"Treat your partner well. The way of the Five Elements is infinitely mysterious. Perhaps in the future, you can use this to forge a different path."

"This Junior will surely keep the President's teachings in mind!"

Jiang Yun responded solemnly.

Looking at the brilliant Five-Colored Divine Light in his hand, the corners of Jiang Yun's mouth under the mask couldn't help but curl into an irrepressible, slightly calculating, and triumphant smile.

With this item... later, let's see how that high-and-mighty, arrogant Nine-Tailed Fox will still try to act tough in front of him!

Before giving it to her!

He must definitely take her down a peg!