“Oftentimes, what separates talents is a lot of hard work.”

“More than talents, what I need in my Saints Hall are companions whom I can trust.”

Qai was apparently preaching in front of his honored guests like a true noble encouraging his vassals to wholeheartedly commit to him.

Of course, he was addressing the Yang and Lin patriarchs.

At present, he didn't have any position to offer but he guaranteed them that he would be taking in a pair of their young cultivators as disciples of Saints Hall.

Qai also briefed them, in general, the resources that the Saints Hall possessed and how the disciples they would be sending in would greatly benefit their clan in the long run.

The 2 patriarchs were elated.

Their clans were small in size—and compared to the rest of the village clans, theirs were perhaps at the bottom in terms of overall strength.

But with the Saints Hall to support them, it would be just a matter of time for their clans to finally rise.

Qai then called for the Crag Brothers and instructed them to tour the 2 patriarchs around and provide them the best possible accommodation.

Thereafter, Qai turned to Official fatty Liu and inquired about his group.

“Senior fatty Liu, I don't believe you can't recognize me, can you?”

When Qai called him ‘Fatty Liu,’ he was stunned.

It had been a while since he heard someone call him that name. And that sobriquet originated from the Precious Tree Sect.

However, there were thousands of disciples back in the sect and Qai had only stayed in there for a short while—and he had dealt with Official fatty Liu only on few occasions.

If there was any way Qai could be recognized, it was the fact that he won the outer disciple ranking prior to the war—but apparently Official fatty Liu could not.

“Young lord of the Saints Hall, no disrespect but do I know you.”

“Haha, I call you senior because you were my senior back in the sect, Regulations Hall Official fatty Liu. Let me help you a bit, I am the current rank 1 outer official.”

‘Wh.. what!?’

Even the 3 young cultivators that were surprised.

They knew Official fatty Liu’s standing before. But they were not aware that even in this part of the continent, there could be someone so young yet so powerful that was connected with the sect.

“You're the servant Elder Li picked up from the island!”

“Indeed.”

“But how!? Mid-Foundation Establishment stage!”

“Are you asking for my secrets?”

“Oh no. No. I was just surprised by how you advanced this fast.”

In truth, Official fatty Liu was not only astonished by Qai’s achievements with his cultivation but by the fact that he was able to accomplish building up his own forces in just a matter of few years.

“Well, how about you tell me first who are these young cultivators with you. I don't remember them being in the sect.”

“Ah, my bad. We forgot to properly introduce ourselves. Please don't take offense.”

“None taken. You can, in fact, still call me junior. But I doubt my fellow cultivators in this mountain peak would understand.”

“Ah!?”

There was no intimidation on the part of Qai. He was just stating the obvious.

Official fatty Liu saw the point, and from there, he narrated how he encountered the 3 during the war. They were genius descendants from different smaller families under the jurisdiction of the sect.

And the elders decided to take in some young talents in hiding.

But in order to avoid from the eyes of the 3 other sects, the elders gave instructions to all sect officials to take in 3 disciples each with them while the Precious Tree Sect was bidding time for its return.

Qai also learned that the Ancestral Tree, the cultivation Pagoda, and the many treasures of the sect were not actually taken by the Heavenly Sword Sect. Instead, they were separately kept safe by the Grand elder, the sect master, and the elders.

‘I guess Elder Li was also keeping something safe in Kamaria Island.’

“Young lord, if I may be blunt. Are you building these forces for the future of Precious Tree Sect?”

“No.”

Official fatty Liu fell silent.

He clearly understood.

Qai was just an outer disciple who merely stayed in the Precious Tree Sect for about 2 to 3 years.

There was really no deep loyalty and trust built between him and the sect. Perhaps it would have been different if Qai was an inner sect disciple back then.

Qai saw the disappointment in Official fatty Liu’s face so he immediately followed his own words.

“However, I am very much indebted to Elder Li as well as senior Shu Liang. By now I am completely confident that they had been guiding my younger sister. She is probably their age and as strong as these 3 right now.”

Official fatty Liu suddenly gave a brighter smile.

“So when the time comes, and Elder Li called for my help. I will surely answer. But before that, I would like to know your plans.”

“Young lord, we really have nowhere to go. To be honest, as the Regulations Hall official, I also carry with me some treasures of the sect but they were of course of lesser value. But even then I always fear that I might get robbed one day.”

Qai saw Official fatty Liu’s predicament.

Initially, he wanted to ask for his Contribution Points but after Official fatty Liu openly told him of those matters, he felt sad for the current state of the people he once knew.

“I have a proposal for you.”

Official fatty Liu apparently was waiting for the right time to ask Qai for help. But now that the young lord began to offer something, he sighed in relief.

“In truth, I only have a few cultivators with me here on the mountain peak. You had been an administrative official of the sect before so I don't see any reason why you would lack the talent.”

Then Qai remembered how Official fatty Liu had been easily moved by small bribes.

“You see, I am in need if a chief steward to take the administrative matters of my Saints Hall. Forget about the rewards of the tournament. I’d like to give that position to you and take care of the cultivation of my fellow disciples here. What do you think?”

Official fatty Liu was beyond grateful.

It was the best possible outcome that he hoped for. Apart from getting the highest position of the Saints Hall, the 3 disciples from then on would not have to worry about their resources. On top of that, he would have a strong backing, and the possessions of the sect with him would be in a much safer condition.

“But I trust that you should know what would happen if you continue with your practice of accepting bribes in exchange for information.”

Qai was actually grinning when he said those words. He was not threatening Official fatty Liu, he was reminding the latter to be serious with his responsibility.

But Official fatty Liu still felt ashamed.

“Of course, young lord. I completely understand our current situation.”

“Then I guess from now on I shall call you ‘Steward Fatty’.”

Official fatty Liu could help but sigh.

His previous junior was now in a much higher position than him. His fate might be in the latter’s hands now, but he was looking at the bigger picture—and he knew that the best option for him and his companions was to work for Qai.

Thereafter, Qai personally showed them the mountain peak including the ‘Transformation Stone Lake’ which the latter found completely breathtaking.

Steward fatty Liu could not even believe that Qai would have a method to own such a pocket dimension.

He was also surprised to see Ji Wuheng who politely welcomed him. The latter stayed in the sect much longer and his face was a bit more familiar.

Instantly, after seeing everything within the mountain peak, Steward Fatty already had plenty of suggestions.

‘I really picked the right person for the task.’

“Coordinate with Ji Wuheng and the Crag Brothers about them to provide you with the necessary things. As for our 3 young talents here, please give them their own tasks as well.”