Gu Yuan approached with a smile and introduced Yun Ran to a few individuals: "Ranran, this is Elder He, Elder Shen, Elder Liu... They are all elders of the Xuanmen Competition Association now."
Following that, Yun Ran could roughly guess what the good news Gu Yuan had mentioned earlier was, even without him saying it.
The several people present, although they had retired to a secondary role within their families and seldom dealt with affairs, still wielded influence and thus qualified to be elders of the Association.
As the one being challenged, and with Yun Ran’s actions over this period, she had already become one of the focal points among them.
At this moment, Yun Ran confidently and openly accepted these seniors’ scrutiny, with nothing but frankness and self-assurance in her eyes.
Who could blame her? She was someone with real strength, unafraid of any tempest.
"We really are getting old. The younger generation nowadays, each seems more promising than the last."
"The day after tomorrow will be the triennial Xuanmen Competition. We old folks are certainly going to have our eyes opened wide."
If initially they had accorded Yun Ran a little face out of respect for their past relationships,
Now, having seen Yun Ran in person and confirming the rumors to be true, they naturally wouldn’t go out of their way to make things difficult for someone with a bright future, backed by a strong support system.
Elder He, who had been leading the group, did not join in the conversation with the other elders. After a while, he shifted his gaze away from Yun Ran.
"Please forgive my impudence, but may I inquire who your mentor is?"
Elder He considered himself well-traveled and knowledgeable. He might not know all the factions within Xuan Sect, but he certainly knew most of them.
Yet, after observing Yun Ran closely, he distinctly noticed that the cultivation technique she possessed was quite different from what he was familiar with.
"My master is but a wandering Daoist. The only thing he left me was the name Qingfeng Temple; beyond that, I don’t know much."
If it weren’t for being granted permission to inherit her sect, Yun Ran wouldn’t have revealed even the name Qingfeng Temple.
She knew that many were eying her, and there had already been numerous attempts to scrutinize everything about the Host from childhood to present.
The skills she possessed had nothing to do with the Host, and these people, even if they turned the world upside down, wouldn’t find a trace of anything.
Thank goodness, previously Xie Xuzhi had encrypted her data. Otherwise, some matters would really be hard to gloss over.
Hearing Yun Ran mention a wandering old Daoist and Qingfeng Temple, Elder He, with only these few words to go on, really couldn’t recall any related individuals.
Fortunately, his curiosity was not about probing into Yun Ran’s background but rather about who could have taught such an impressive disciple.
"It’s a pity indeed. I was hoping to meet your master if possible, for an exchange of insights."
"I haven’t seen my master for many years either. If there’s an opportunity, I will mention it to him."
Ginsengfruit couldn’t help but snicker internally as it listened to its Host tell humans one thing and ghosts another: As if you could see your master again!
In the time that followed, Elder He and the others briefly explained some rules of the Xuanmen Competition to Yun Ran, as well as the families and powers that would be participating.
None of this was secret; anyone participating could obtain such information through various channels.
Yun Ran had no backing other than Xie Xuzhi, and without the influence of a sect, naturally, no one would go to the trouble of meticulously analyzing this information for her.
Gu Yuan, afraid that Yun Ran might be at a disadvantage, didn’t need Xie Xuzhi to instruct him; he directly used his own connections and resources to make arrangements for Yun Ran.
By the end, Yun Ran had already received a lot of news.
She also learned that this private estate was a place where Xuanmen people exchanged and disseminated information.
After seeing the elders off, Yun Ran turned to Gu Yuan and said, "Thank you!"
"Why be so polite with me; we’re half-siblings from different fathers. Your affairs are my affairs.
Although I can’t help you take down those annoying guys in the Xuanmen Competition, I can still do something about the logistics."
Just as she was about to leave, Yun Ran noticed that what was previously a plum blossom painting on the wall had now turned into an electronic screen.
Such skill in creating illusions worthy of the information hub of Xuanmen people.
Following Yun Ran’s gaze, Gu Yuan said, "Someone has posted a task. Some Xuanmen people want to go out for training or need to find certain items and worry about the danger, so they can post tasks here.
As you know, not all Xuanmen people have a family backing them, and those severely lacking in resources will take on these tasks."
Yun Ran nodded. She had drawn on the resources of Qingfeng Temple, which were enviable, but the rate at which Xuanmen people consumed resources was astronomical.
Fortunately, she had learned the art of distant talisman creation. Otherwise, just the top-grade vermillion or talisman paper would exhaust all her resources, not to mention the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
At first, to create the Heavenly Thunder Order, she had not only used up all her own treasures but almost completely looted the treasure hoard her uncle had been accumulating for half his life.
Thinking of this, Yun Ran felt continuous relief that she had found a wealthy supporter in Xie Xuzhi, sparing her the need to take on low-reward tasks.
Gu Yuan was a bit stunned as he watched Yun Ran walk away so effortlessly; he had just thought Yun Ran would be interested in the tasks posted on the screen.
Hurrying to catch up, he asked, "Aren’t you going to take a look at the tasks posted?"
Yun Ran glanced at Gu Yuan from the corner of her eye: "I’m not lacking resources nor do I need more training. Let those who need the resources earn it!"
Gu Yuan paused, clearly not expecting such a response from Yun Ran.
Then a smile spread across his face, truly fitting for his half-sister; she operated on a different level.
She wasn’t going to take what little was available from others, even when she could rely on her own abilities or seek fame.
"The day after tomorrow, I’ll be there to cheer for you. I’ll take all the vacation time I’ve accumulated over the years. What do you think about red for your support color, for its auspicious meaning?"
"You are so noisy!!!"
"I am a very prestigious backstage supporter, and yet you’re still complaining."