54: Wang Hao!

Gu Changsheng clutched the cold token, silently repeating these three words in his heart, before putting both the token and the scroll into his Storage Pouch.

Without a moment's delay, he pushed open the stone door and transformed into an unremarkable streak of cyan light, flying towards the direction of Danyang Peak as marked on the Sect map.

Danyang Peak was located far from Hundred Herbs Peak, on the other side of the Sect's main mountain range. It was shrouded in crimson cinnabar clouds all year round, and the air was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance and scorching fire-attributed Spiritual Qi.

Gu Changsheng landed in front of the mountain gate of Danyang Peak, where two gatekeeping Disciples had already stepped forward.

They wore crimson attire and possessed steady, concentrated auras. Both were at the sixth level of Qi Refining, far more elite than the gatekeeping Disciples of Hundred Herbs Peak.

"Who goes there?"

Gu Changsheng took out the bronze token and handed it over.

"Inner Sect Disciple Gu Changsheng of Hundred Herbs Peak, here by order of the Sect to assist Peak Master Sun with Alchemy."

The two Disciples took the token, probed it with their magic power, and after confirming it was genuine, exchanged a glance.

Their demeanor while observing Gu Changsheng shifted from initial vigilance to a mixture of curiosity.

Because Gu Changsheng rarely went out, only a few people at the top paid him any attention. Now, facing a Late Stage Qi Refining Senior Brother they had never seen before, it was inevitable that they would feel curious.

"So it is Senior Brother Gu. Please follow me; Senior Brother Wang Hao has been waiting in the Deacon Hall for some time."

One of the Disciples led the way. His attitude was neither enthusiastic nor cold, exuding a sense of professional detachment.

Gu Changsheng followed silently behind. He could feel that from the moment he stepped into Danyang Peak, several Divine Senses, some overt and some covert, had fallen upon him, scanning him repeatedly.

Most of these Divine Senses remained at the Late Stage of Qi Refining.

He stabilized his cultivation aura to appear at the seventh level of Qi Refining, keeping a low profile, but his heart grew increasingly vigilant. This Danyang Peak was indeed a dragon's pool and a tiger's den.

Inside the Deacon Hall, a young man of medium build and ordinary appearance was sitting in the main seat, drinking tea.

Seeing the guiding Disciple bring Gu Changsheng in, he slowly set down his teacup and stood up.

He was Wang Hao.

Gu Changsheng's thoughts stirred, and he brought up the [Character Panel].

[Character Panel] Name: Wang Hao; Cultivation: Qi Refining Seventh Level; Cultivation Technique: "Blazing Fire Alchemy Scripture"; Simple Interpersonal Relationships: Has business dealings with True Disciple Wu Yang of Ten Thousand Beasts Peak.

Gu Changsheng withdrew the panel, understanding clearly. Wang Hao's magic power Foundation appeared somewhat unstable, clearly built up by relying on Medicinal Pills.

"This must be Junior Brother Gu from Hundred Herbs Peak, right? I have long admired your name."

Wang Hao wore a warm smile and took the initiative to greet him, but his movements stopped three steps away, without any indication of genuine closeness.

"Senior Brother Wang is too polite. As a junior who has just arrived, I will need much guidance from you in the future."

Gu Changsheng bowed in salute, keeping his posture very humble.

Wang Hao waved his hand, signaling that he need not be so formal, then proceeded to walk slowly around Gu Changsheng, his scrutinizing intent undisguised.

"Junior Brother Gu is truly young and promising. To be at the seventh level of Qi Refining at such an age, you must be a Prodigy in Hundred Herbs Peak. I just don't know why I have never heard of your name at the Sect Grand Competition or other occasions. You are truly low-key."

Here it comes, the probing has begun.

Gu Changsheng sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he showed a look of shame.

"Senior Brother is too kind. My Aptitude is dull, and I do not like conflict. I only know how to cultivate in seclusion within my Immortal Cave and occasionally study some miscellaneous Alchemy techniques. It is truly nothing presentable, so naturally, I have no reputation."

He portrayed himself as a standard "ascetic Cultivator."

"Oh? Cultivating in seclusion?"

Wang Hao raised an eyebrow as if he had caught onto something. He sat back down, poured himself another cup of tea, and blew on the steam unhurriedly.

"Since Junior Brother has studied miscellaneous Alchemy techniques, you must have heard of this. A few years ago, a strange event occurred in our Taiqing Sect's market. A batch of spirit-calming incense of excellent quality appeared out of nowhere. Its effects were extraordinary, causing countless fellow Disciples to scramble for it, and the price changed three times a day."

Wang Hao set down his teacup and stared intently at Gu Changsheng.

"I heard that the source of that batch of spirit-calming incense seems to be related to a Deacon of Hundred Herbs Peak. Junior Brother Gu, you have been cultivating in Hundred Herbs Peak for years and are well-informed; do you know which expert is behind this?"

This question was asked with great skill.

It neither directly accused Gu Changsheng nor forced him into a dilemma.

If he said he knew, he might expose his relationship with Zhang Ling and invite endless trouble.

If he said he didn't know, he would appear ignorant, inconsistent with his persona as an "Alchemy Prodigy," and would make the other party suspect he was hiding something.

Gu Changsheng seemed completely unaware of the trap within. He first showed a look of sudden realization, then followed it with a hint of envy and longing.

"So that is the matter Senior Brother is referring to! I have naturally heard of it, and I even paid a high price to have someone buy a few sticks! The effect of that spirit-calming incense was truly miraculous; it is just a pity that it could no longer be bought later."

He first admitted to being informed, placing himself in the position of an ordinary buyer.

Then, he changed the subject and remarked with reverence.

"As for the expert behind it, I have also curiously inquired about it. Some say it was occasionally refined by a reclusive Senior Brother of our Hundred Herbs Peak, while others say it was the Peak Master personally. There are many conflicting rumors; how could a common Disciple like me know the secrets of such big figures?"

His words were watertight; he both demonstrated his interest in Alchemy and skillfully kicked the ball back, muddying the waters and leading the source toward those "big figures" whom no one dared to investigate.

Wang Hao listened quietly, his smile unchanging, but his fingertips tapped lightly on the table.

He had originally thought that this guy who got in through connections was either an ignorant fool or an arrogant maniac, and he could test his depth in a few words.

He didn't expect him to be such a slippery eel.

"Heh, Junior Brother is right. The actions of such experts are indeed not something we can speculate about."

Wang Hao laughed and brushed the topic aside.

"It is getting late. Let me first take you to familiarize yourself with the important Alchemy room. Although Peak Master Sun is in seclusion making final preparations for the furnace opening, he has instructed us to treat Junior Brother Gu well."

He stood up and made a "please" gesture towards Gu Changsheng.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Wang."

Gu Changsheng bowed again and followed behind Wang Hao, walking out of the Deacon Hall.

He could feel that Wang Hao's probing of him was merely the beginning.