Chapter 130: The Nascent Soul True Lord’s Collection

After explaining everything to Lu Yan, He Dongsheng took the initiative to excuse himself, leaving space for Lu Yan and Chu Zhuoqun to continue their discussion.

The Deputy Minister of Personnel of the Archaeology Association looked at Lu Yan with a smiling expression and said,
“Master Mu has always been like that—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

But once Master Mu gives tacit approval on something, he never goes back on his word. As for your membership, Mr. Lu, you can be completely at ease.”

Lu Yan nodded and asked with curiosity,
“Just now, I heard Master Mu mention something about a ‘main branch.’ I hope Minister Chu can help clarify this for me.”

A hint of hesitation flashed across Chu Zhuoqun’s face, but before he could respond, Lu Yan’s voice interrupted:

“Add another one million to the investment.”

Chu Zhuoqun’s body visibly trembled, and he quickly waved his hands, “That’s not what I meant—”

“Make it two million.”

Chu Zhuoqun’s expression shifted again, and he immediately changed his tone,
“Actually, it’s not much of a secret. Just consider it an interesting anecdote, Mr. Lu.”

“Our Federal Archaeology Association has a long-standing history, with roots tracing back thousands of years to the sages of antiquity.

Over time, the Association has experienced several rises and declines. To ensure its survival, predecessors divided it into two categories: the main branches and sub-branches.

The main branches are tasked with preserving ancient archaeological texts and hidden knowledge, responsible for research into ancient civilizations, history, and feng shui studies.

The sub-branches, on the other hand, inherit simpler traditions and focus more on raising funds and managing daily operations for the Association.”

Lu Yan gave a barely noticeable nod.

This clear division between main and sub-branches mirrored the structure of the Taiyi Sect in the Xianxia Version.

However, there were some differences. In the Xianxia Version, the Taiyi Sect’s main branches focused on passing down doctrine—preserving Taiyi classics, feng shui methods, and celestial formation arts. Their cultivation of techniques was relatively weaker.

The sub-branches, though also involved in feng shui methods and excavation-based cultivation, focused more on acting as protectors. Their practices and divine arts leaned toward self-defense and combat.

As Chu Zhuoqun continued, a subtle change came over his expression.

“This system lasted up until a few decades ago. At that time, the Archaeology Association was still called the Feng Shui and I Ching Research Society, with thirteen main branches leading the organization.

For thousands of years, the main branches held the most profound techniques and had long-established reputations in the archaeological world. Though they had few members, their influence far exceeded that of the sub-branches.

But as society modernized and urbanized, the rise of various industries and technological advances greatly impacted archaeology.

While the main branches’ legacy survived, their influence waned, unable to regain their former dominance.

Meanwhile, in our modern financial society, money became more and more critical. Whether it’s daily research or expeditions to ancient tombs and ruins, everything requires funding.

Over time, the sub-branches began to rise in prominence.

Now, the sub-branches have practically taken over the Association, while the main branches are little more than symbolic names, possessing nothing substantial.”

This explanation left Lu Yan quietly surprised.

The relationship between the main and sub-branches in the Urban Version offered a glimpse into the likely state of affairs within the Taiyi Sect in the Xianxia Version.

“Could it be that the Taiyi Sect is internally divided?”

If such news ever spread in the cultivation world, it would be a bombshell scandal.

Yet in the Urban Version, you could dig up the information just by throwing some money around.

As Lu Yan marveled at this and pondered whether he could take advantage of the situation, Chu Zhuoqun retrieved a document from his briefcase.

“This is the Federal Archaeology Association Membership Form. Sign it, and you’ll officially be part of our Association.”

Lu Yan accepted the file, flipped through it briefly, then signed his name.

In the Urban Version, he wasn’t worried about any hidden traps.

After signing, Lu Yan pulled out a check. Under Chu Zhuoqun’s eager gaze, he wrote down five million and handed it over.

With a beaming smile, Chu Zhuoqun accepted the check and said,
“I’ll go ahead and register you in the system now. If you have any other requests in the future, feel free to contact me anytime.”

With that, Chu Zhuoqun left the café.

Now that his identity issue was resolved, Lu Yan didn’t linger either and soon exited the building.

Outside, he spotted Mu Chunqiu and He Dongsheng waiting for him.

While he expected to see He Dongsheng, the fact that Mu Chunqiu was still there genuinely surprised him.

“Master Mu, Brother He.”

Lu Yan greeted the two with a nod.

He Dongsheng grinned,
“Brother Lu, no need to be so formal. Master stayed behind to personally thank you.”

Mu Chunqiu shot He Dongsheng an annoyed glare.
“You talk too much.”

Then he turned serious and said,
“Dongsheng has a blessed fate but a troublesome one—he’s cursed with many calamities. People with such a destiny rarely survive into adulthood.

You helped Dongsheng more than once, and even risked your life to save him in the Union States. You’re basically the lucky star in his fate.

Without you, I would never have taken Dongsheng as my heir.”

“As thanks, I will allow you to pick one item from my personal treasure vault as a reward.”

Lu Yan’s heart skipped a beat, though he managed to maintain a modest demeanor.

“I helped Brother He because we got along well, and besides, the items he gave me in the Union States were also very useful to me.

Earlier, Master Mu tacitly allowed me into the Association, and I already consider that a great favor—how could I possibly accept one of your treasures?”

A satisfied smile crept across Mu Chunqiu’s face. He waved his hand and said,
“Your membership was a deal between you and Chu Zhuoqun. I had no involvement in that.

Even if I had objected, you would’ve joined anyway. It has nothing to do with me.”

Off to the side, He Dongsheng chuckled and added,
“Don’t be fooled by my master’s plain appearance, Brother Lu. When it comes to actual wealth, you might not even beat him.

It’s just that most of his belongings are family heirlooms that can’t be sold.”

“Guess how old he is?”

Lu Yan studied Mu Chunqiu for a moment. At most, he looked to be in his forties, so he answered hesitantly,
“Forty-five?”

“My master is excellent at preserving his youth. He’s already one hundred and three years old!”

Lu Yan’s expression immediately changed.

No one understood better than Lu Yan just how strange this was in the Urban Version—a world with no supernatural elements.

To live past a hundred in this world was rare enough. But to look like a middle-aged man past a hundred?

**“Even a Golden Core cultivator couldn’t manage this.

So… Mu Chunqiu is actually a Nascent Soul True Lord?”**

“And the treasure he promised—would be something from a Nascent Soul True Lord’s personal collection?”

(End of Chapter)