Chapter 1022: Rising to the Challenge

She wasn’t worried that someone had set their sights on Xuanji Sect; she only wanted to know whether Xuanji Sect had blocked the path of those two old Sects from the Hidden Market, or simply offended their eyes, to make them scheme like this.

"The Mu Family, Han Family, Yin Family, and Wanqi Family have never received invitations to the Hidden Market’s cultivator conference."

Wanqi Jingyi’s low voice came through the phone into Gu Jin’s ear.

As soon as he said that, her expression clearly changed.

Gu Jin’s expression took on a deeper meaning, and the corner of her lips lifted in a cold curve.

The fact that the Four Great Families of Beijing had never received invitations to the Hidden Market’s cultivator conference showed that the Hidden Market didn’t want to go head‑to‑head with these four families.

Although Xuanji Sect had some entanglements with three of these families, she, as Sect Leader, had no backing or foundation in Beijing. In outsiders’ eyes, she was someone who could be easily pinched and controlled.

Even though the Wanqi Family and Yu Family both served under her, no one knew about this.

Gu Jin let out a cold laugh. "Looks like they’re picking the soft persimmon to squeeze."

She believed she hadn’t offended anyone—of course, the Royal Han Family was an exception—and the few disciples and grand‑disciples under her were all very obedient; they had never caused her trouble.

So how did she end up on the radar of Sects from the Hidden Market?

Wanqi Jingyi was deeply worried. Normally steady, his voice now carried a hint of urgency. "Master, you should plan early. Among the two old Sects in the Hidden Market, there are quite a few cultivators at Golden Core Stage. Even if the Four Great Families of Beijing joined forces, they might not be able to win."

"Golden Core Stage, huh?" Gu Jin lowered her eyes, looking at Duoduo lying at her feet, a solemn light in them.

This was the first time she’d heard that there were Golden Core Stage cultivators in Beijing, and not just a few.

Her current cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and she could break through to Golden Core Stage at any time. If she broke through inside the space, it would be twice the result for half the effort, and she could charge straight into Golden Core Middle Stage cultivation.

It was just that in winter, people inevitably grew lazy, and with An Mingji not by her side, her days had become decadent; she hadn’t thought about breaking through.

It seemed that when she had time, she should put away all her laziness, take the matter of cultivation to heart, and also learn more about the various forces in Beijing.

If even the Four Great Families of Beijing didn’t dare easily go up against them, then the level of danger involved was obvious.

Gu Jin soothed her disciple with a few words, hung up the phone, and fell into deep thought in the quiet hall.

In truth, she wasn’t a lazy person; life was simply too comfortable, leaving her with little desire to push forward.

If a powerful enemy appeared, threatening her and An Mingji, she was someone who grew stronger when met with strength.

The invitation from the Hidden Market cultivator conference she received today had, for once, stirred up anger in the depths of her heart.

Being treated like a soft persimmon to squeeze—no matter how you looked at it, it was uncomfortable.

That night.

After eating the sumptuous dinner prepared by Ms. Kasi, Gu Jin didn’t take Duoduo out for a walk as usual. She went back to her room and slipped into the space.

There was still more than a month before the cultivator conference; her cultivation should also take a step forward.

...

Italy.

"Family Head, Family Head..."

Voice after voice sounded by An Mingji’s ear.

The voice beside his ear was very respectful, tinged with careful caution.

An Mingji opened his eyes and quickly sat up from the sofa. His gaze was clear and rational, nothing like someone who had just woken up.

Standing to the side, Allen could faintly see the displeasure in the Family Head’s eyes, and the way his expression was growing darker.

He bent to salute and said carefully, "Family Head, the banquet is about to start. Shall we go over?"

He knew that lately the Family Head had been driven to distraction by those people in the family, yet had no choice but to deal with them.

Since returning to the country these past few months, the Family Head hadn’t had a single day to rest.

In business, too, people had been constantly tripping them up, and they both knew very well who was behind it.