Xiao Shun did not apany the people of Meadowfolks to the airport but instead took a private car to a hotel in Heaverpool.


    After checking into his room, he took out the Spirit Stone.


    Immediately, he began to refine the Five Spirit Stone using the method his master had provided.


    Meanwhile, Mu Jiu appeared underground at a massive peak.


    This was the true Meadow Ridge, the location of the “Gu n.”


    After effortlessly navigating through a foggy maze, a grand gate appeared before him, hung with a que made of fine gold stone, boldly inscribed with three characters: Gu n!


    Even Xiao Shun of today did not possess the strength to leave a mark on fine gold stone; only through the use of alchemic fire could this material be melted.


    The strength of the person who inscribed these two characters must be terrifying.


    Mu Jiu quickly stepped through the gate to find it eerily empty.


    At this moment, most of the n’s members were deep in cultivation within their caves, rarely seen among the Hidden Families, with only one elder in residence.


    Approaching a wooden door, Mu Jiu gently knocked.


    Soon, an aged voice came from inside.


    “Come in!”


    With this permission, Mu Jiu dared to push the door open.


    The room was dimly lit, barely 10 square meters and devoid of furniture, except for a gaunt old man seated on a cushion.


    This elder appeared frail and sickly, yet Mu Jiu dared not disrespect him, knowing well that he might not withstand even ten moves from this man.


    Thus, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, “Elder!”


    The elder slightly lifted his eyelids, ncing at the respectful Mu Jiu, “Didn’t you justest night to collect this month’s cultivation resources? Why have you returned today?”


    “Someone has stolen the Spirit Stone from the spirit vein; I’vee back today to inform the elder of this matter!” Mu Jiu replied.


    Hearing this, the elder’s gaze darkened: “Hmm!?”


    Mu Jiu’s heart trembled, and he quickly recounted the entire incident.


    The elder’s expression turned grim, and his murky eyes filled with a murderous intent: “Who dares covet the possessions of our ‘Gu n’? Do they really think we can be bullied just because we remain secluded!?”


    “The assant must be no weakling; the beast raised by the Hidden Families was killed by a single punch that burst its skull!” Mu Jiu had no answer yet as to who the assant was; he was merely sharing his spection.


    The elder shook his head, “It couldn’t have been someone from the other Hidden Families. As ‘that day’ approaches, they would surely intensify their cultivation, reluctant to leave their caves, so it must have been an outsider!”


    After hearing this, Mu Jiu paused briefly, then spoke, “This person killed a low-tier beast with one punch; his cultivation must at least be of the Anterior Heaven level, and such masters are exceedingly rare in the mundane world, only the Old School Society might harbor such experts!”


    His words were immediately dismissed by the elder.


    “The Old School Society is but a pack ofpdogs; even their masters wouldn’t dare challenge us, let alone have the audacity to steal from us!”


    “Gu n” ranks among the top five in strength within the nine remaining Hidden Families, yet if one considers the most feared force, they hold the top spot!


    Even “Hongmeng,” the strongest among the Hidden Families, would not dare to sh with them lightly, let alone the others.


    Seeing the elder dismiss his two guesses, Mu Jiu’s face filled with confusion: “If it’s not the Old School Society, then who could it be?”


    The elder smiled slightly: “I’ve recently heard a rumor; a new organization called ‘New School Society’ has emerged. Its young leader has achieved Anterior Heaven level at a tender age, andcking the backing of Hidden Families, he must be resorting to stealing Spirit Stones to prepare for his future breakthroughs!”


    Although the Gu n had long lived in seclusion, they still maintained a grasp on worldly affairs. Their influence was not limited to just Silvermeadows; they also had informants outside in the mountains.


    Upon hearing this, Mu Jiu was taken aback, “Does the elder believe this person is responsible?”


    “While I’m not certain, he is indeed the most likely candidate!” The elder replied with a faint smile, “Ha, whether it is him or not, you should go to Silvermeadows and inquire. If this person hase to Meadowfolk, they would surely be the first to know. Moreover, they have not yet reported back to us after the Sundown Bazaar!”


    “I’ll find out immediately!”


    Nodding, Mu Jiu turned and walked towards the door.


    Seeing this, the elder called out, “Wait!”


    Mu Jiu stopped and turned back, “Do you have further instructions?”


    “Regardless of whether or not he is the perpetrator, you must bring that leader back to our Gu n alive,” the elder instructed eagerly.


    Mu Jiu instantly understood that the elder was considering recruiting talent.


    A warrior who had reached the level of “Anterior Heaven” through his own efforts was highly sought after everywhere. If he could be brought back and nurtured, a little guidance could turn him into a “Consolidation” powerhouse, enhancing the strength of the Hidden Families!


    It was known that the major Hidden Families had been secluded in remote forests for over 500 years, seldom venturing into the outside world.


    This was why the Hidden Families were experiencing a talent drain, even the Gu n, which now had fewer than fifty disciples, the youngest of whom was Mu Jiu.


    Despite Mu Jiu’s youthful vigor, he was already over a hundred years old.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    A warrior who had reached “Consolidation” could live up to about five hundred years, making him quite youngpared to the elder, who was sitting on a cushion at four hundred sixty years old.


    Therefore, the elder would certainly not let go of a talent like Xiao Shun.


    After receiving his orders, Mu Jiu left the Hidden Families.


    His body transformed into a ck mist, heading towards Silvermeadows.


    In less than two hours, he arrived at his destination.


    It had taken Xiao Shun a whole day and night to return to Silvermeadows from the spiritual veins, yet Mu Jiu, traveling from even farther, had taken only two hours-a clear demonstration of their differing levels of ability!


    If Xiao Shun knew this, he would no longer be so confident in his ability to match a “Consolidation” master, nor would he entertain the thought that he could escape if he could not win.


    Entering the vige, Mu Jiu waspletely astonished.


    “Where is everyone?”


    His voice echoed through the deserted vige.


    Then, he transformed into a ck mist again, heading towards Bronzemeadows, and then Redmeadows…


    When Mu Jiu emerged from Redmeadows, his expression was extremely grim.


    In such a short time, all the Meadowfolks had vanished-this was no small matter!


    “Damn it, why have all the Meadowfolks disappeared? Could someone have led them away?”


    “I might understand the disappearance from Bronzemeadows and Redmeadows, but why would Silvermeadows, which is protected by ‘forbidden gu techniques,’ dare to leave without informing me?”


    With these questions, Mu Jiu was filled with confusion.


    Suddenly, he frowned, sensing that the gu insects he had released had lost track of their target.