The Sixth Elder took a sip of tea, savoring it with satisfaction before setting the cup down.
Zhong Nan nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, waiting with anticipation.
The earlier banter and jabs between the two weren’t a sign of poor relations—on the contrary, they shared a close personal friendship.
Because of this, Zhong Nan knew the Sixth Elder well.
Though the man could sometimes be stubborn as a mule, he never spoke without reason.
Since he had come and brought up the matter of the Supreme Golden Bone, it meant he truly had information about it.
Under Zhong Nan’s expectant gaze, the Sixth Elder said calmly, "That Bai Mei from our sect—you know of her, right?"
Zhong Nan thought for a moment before replying, "I’ve heard of her. Rumor has it that because of this female disciple, the Fengyun Sect even sent a spirit ship right to the gates of your Yunjie Sect."
"Honestly, I really can’t understand what that old fool Guan Ling was thinking. She’s just an inner disciple, nothing special. Was it worth offending the Fengyun Sect over her?"
The Sixth Elder burst into laughter at Zhong Nan’s words, then said leisurely, "If it were your Southern Gate, you’d have made the same decision."
Zhong Nan scoffed, curling his lip. "My brain isn’t that addled. Only a lunatic like that old man Guan Ling would pull such a stupid stunt."
"What if Bai Mei is a Supreme Golden Bone?" the Sixth Elder mused.
"Even then, it wouldn’t be worth offending the Fengyun Sect for—wait, what?"
Halfway through his sentence, Zhong Nan froze, his eyes widening as he shot to his feet.
"Bai Mei is a Supreme Golden Bone?"
"How is that possible?"
"She’s just an inner disciple—how could she be a Supreme Golden Bone?"
"No way. Absolutely no way."
"If Bai Mei were a Supreme Golden Bone, the Fengyun Sect wouldn’t have just let her go, and word would’ve spread across the Heavenly Domain long ago."
Zhong Nan shook his head, refusing to believe it.
After all, the Supreme Golden Bone was an innate constitution—signs of it would appear at birth. How could it have gone unnoticed for so long?
Besides, if Bai Mei truly were a Supreme Golden Bone, why would the Fengyun Sect have ever released her?
"Heh, shows how little you know," the Sixth Elder chuckled. "You only think of the Supreme Golden Bone as an innate physique, but have you ever considered… the possibility of it being acquired?"
"What kind of cultivation could possibly forge a Supreme Golden Bone?"
"You’re talking nonsense."
Zhong Nan waved a hand dismissively.
"Do I look like I’m joking?" The Sixth Elder’s expression turned serious. "Let me be clear—Bai Mei is indeed an acquired Supreme Golden Bone. Her cultivation advances a thousand miles a day, and it won’t be long before she reaches the Dao Mirror realm."
"So, not only was it worth offending a mere Fengyun Sect for her, even a Dao Sect would find her worth the trouble."
"This… this can’t be real."
Seeing the Sixth Elder’s solemn face, Zhong Nan’s disbelief wavered, his facial muscles twitching.
Knowing the man as he did, he could tell this wasn’t some jest.
"Then… then how did she obtain that Supreme Golden Bone?" Zhong Nan couldn’t help but ask.
"Well… truthfully, I think it’s better if you don’t know," the Sixth Elder said, rubbing his nose. "Because I’m afraid the truth might be too much for you to handle."
"What could possibly be ‘too much’ for me?"
Zhong Nan rolled his eyes. "Just tell me straight—how did she get that Supreme Golden Bone?"
The Sixth Elder pressed.
"Out with it, hurry up!"
Zhong Nan was practically vibrating with impatience.