However, the negative promotion kept eating at Fleur. It was not as if she didn't trust Elder Barlin's abilities, but her luck always failed her whenever she came up against her mystery foe, and it was always she who lost in what few run-ins they had.So now it wasn't just the four earls or their bases being uprooted one after the other… All the scholars and members she had sent to find out anything they could still couldn't find a thing!That was why, knowing that Barlin had been fighting at the South Pole, Fleur immediately presumed things didn't look good for Barlin.She didn't even have any idea how many foes she actually had, but she knew that Barlin had been alone when he traveled to the South Pole, and then was almost hunted down by the Americans.That meant he was already in dire straits, and wouldn't stand a chance fighting a formidable cultivator on top of that.That was when Tarlon pointed out, "My Lord, the fact that Barlin traveled alone to the South Pole and mind-b

"Spirit stones?!"Both Ruby and Penny were stunned just hearing the world, with Ruby exclaiming, "Well, the Qing Eliminating Society does have a permanent bounty on those. Anyone who finds it and hands it over to Fleur will be rewarded with cultivating pills, cultivation manuals or even promotions within the Qing Eliminating Society… but most never ever encountered one, including myself."Penny nodded in agreement too. "That's right—in the years I've spent in the Qing Eliminating Society, there's always rewards put on offer for bringing Fleur spirit stones. But forget getting one… I've never seen one myself.""So any spirit stone found goes straight to Fleur?" Charlie asked in curiosity. "Yes, as it's to be handed to one's superior immediately," Ruby replied, nodding. "It's always the top in the Qing Eliminating Society's cultivation resource priority list, and even the military governorates must report to headquarters immediately should there be any found."Charlie was surprised

For Ruby and Penny, Vera's statement was as enlightening as it cleared doubts or embarrassment they felt inside.In the end, the greatest gift a cultivator could give another cultivator wasn't mystic pills, spirit stones, or weapons, but cultivation manuals.It was basically the principle of 'Teach a man to fish', and the fact that Charlie wasn't holding out on them on anything—whether it was mystic pills, spirit stones, or cultivation manuals, made them understand one thing.There was just no point in refusing Charlie's generosity, and using his gifts to the best of their ability was the only proper way to repay that kindness.Hence, Ruby stood up first and bowed her head at Charlie in gratitude. "Thank you for taking such good care of us, Mr. Wade. I vow to dedicate my life to your service!""It's the same for me!" Penny nodded.Their gratitude was clear as day, and Charlie smiled. "That's enough courtesy talk. Anyway, you shall both stay here, and do your best to cultivate wit

Charlie wasn't sure if the portal could transport others, and once he told Vera and had her prepare herself mentally, he held her hand and repeated the incantation.There was a flash, and his vision was lost for a second while his sense of touch remained, so he could feel that he never released Vera's hand, while she didn't free herself from his grip either.And before his vision returned, he realized that he could teleport with others who didn't have the ring or cultivation.When they could see again, they were in the plaza of the subterranean city, with the pagoda standing right before them.Vera was at once shocked, as she never teleported herself, having only seen her father and Charlie teleport toward her.In the blink of an eye, she no longer stood under the aurora of the Antarctic, and was instead standing in the middle of a warm, comfortable subterranean city.Even as she turned toward Charlie, gaping, she asked, "Where are we, Mr. Wade?"Charlie replied, "The city where

"Now?" Charlie's words left Vera confused despite her usual sharp wit, and it showed all over her face. "It's the polar winter. Aren't ships unable to cross the Roaring Forties?""Never said anything about a ship," Charlie replied, smiling.Vera was even more shocked. "Then, are we flying? It's hard for normal planes to take off or land at the South Pole."Charlie kept his mysterious smile. "Never said anything about a plane either."Vera was left mystified, but there were only two ways to travel connecting Aurous Hill and the South Pole—flying or sailing.So if Charlie said it was neither, what else could it be? Then, remembering the portal Charlie used to bring her here to the subterranean city, she exclaimed in shock, "Are there portals we can use to leave the South Pole?"Charlie nodded at her in surprise—he always thought highly of her mind, but she also kept raising the bar. "You really are smart. You got it in no time at all!""You're exaggerating," Vera smiled humbly