I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

Qin Yuan did not refuse and accepted the ring. He scanned it with his divine sense and found that it contained the best batch of spirit stones and materials that Xuan Yuan Sect could provide. It was nothing to him now, but it was a token of the sect's goodwill.

"Thank you, Sect Master." Qin Yuan accepted the gift.

After staying at Xuan Yuan Sect for two more days, meeting with old friends, and finalizing the details of the reward implementation in the jade slip left by Zhou Qingxuan with Lu Xuanfeng, Qin Yuan no longer delayed. He bid farewell to everyone, took off on his sword again, and headed straight for Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Taiyi Sect is located in the Taiyi Mountain Range in the central region of Qingzhou. Legend has it that there is an innate Yin-Yang spiritual eye at the core of the mountain range, which nourishes all things and creates the number one cultivation holy land in Qingzhou.

Looking into the distance, the Taiyi Mountains stretch for tens of thousands of miles, with towering peaks, some as green as jade, some covered in snow, and some as red as fire. There is also a main peak, whose height is unknown, with its upper half completely hidden in the misty, colorful clouds, its true appearance unseen.

Countless palaces and pavilions are built against the mountain, dotting the landscape. The spiritual energy transforms into a tangible mist that flows through the mountains. Mythical birds and beasts appear and disappear, and streaks of light shuttle back and forth, creating a magnificent scene of immortals.

As Qin Yuan approached the outer edge of the mountain range, he stopped his sword light and walked to the mountain gate. The mountain gate was composed of two giant white jade pillars that seemed to connect heaven and earth, with the two ancient Daoist characters "Taiyi" engraved on them, faintly conveying the rhythm of the Great Dao. Several disciples dressed in black and white Daoist robes, with refined auras, stood guard in front of the gate, all of them at the Golden Core stage.

Qin Yuan presented the Yin-Yang Token bestowed upon him by Zhou Qingxuan. The disciples on duty verified it and immediately showed respect. One of them stepped forward and bowed, saying, "So it's Senior Brother Qin! Elder Zhou has already given instructions; please follow me."

The guiding disciple led Qin Yuan through the majestic mountain gate, where the spiritual energy was several times denser. The path was paved with white jade, and on both sides were exotic flowers and rare herbs, waterfalls and springs—the scenery was breathtaking, yet subtly conformed to the natural principles of the formation. Along the way, they encountered many disciples of the Taiyi Sect. Seeing the guiding disciple leading an unfamiliar face and holding an elder's token, they all cast curious and inquisitive glances their way.

The guiding disciple led Qin Yuan to a side hall called the "Hall of Duties," which was responsible for registering new disciples and assigning them duties. Inside the hall, a Nascent Soul stage deacon verified Qin Yuan's token and identity, and then, with a very polite attitude, quickly processed Qin Yuan's entry jade disc and recorded his identity information.

"Junior Brother Qin, as Elder Zhou instructed, you have been prepared to become a Dao Child. After you enter the sect, you will directly assume the position of captain of the third squad of the 'Sky Patrol Guard'." The steward took out a slightly different-looking black token. The front was engraved with the words "Sky Patrol," and the back had the character "僄" and Qin Yuan's name below it. "This is the captain's token. With this, you can mobilize squad members, receive missions, and use some sect privileges. The Sky Patrol Guard is directly under the sect's Law Enforcement Hall and is responsible for patrolling the mountain gate, monitoring subordinate areas, and handling emergencies. The responsibilities are not light. The third squad is stationed in the 'Yaoguang District,' specifically in the Bingzi Courtyard. Here is a map and a list of squad members."

Qin Yuan accepted the token and jade slip. Captain of the Sky Patrol Guard—this was clearly the specific position Zhou Qingxuan had promised: "commanding a Taiyi Guard squad."

At the same moment that Qin Yuan received the third squad leader's token and entered the information into the sect's roster.

Taiyi Mountain Range, Yaoguang District, Bingzi Courtyard.

This is a separate courtyard with seven or eight quiet rooms, a training ground, and a meeting hall. This is the base of the Third Squad of the Sky Patrol Guard.

The atmosphere in the council hall was somewhat tense. The five team members, some sitting and some standing, wore varying expressions. The head seat was empty, and the first seat below it sat a man who appeared to be around thirty years old, with a stern face and dressed in black. His name was Zhao Zheng, a Nascent Soul cultivator at the early stage. He was the most senior member of the third squad, and his strength was second only to the former captain. After the former captain was transferred for some reason, he had been in charge of the squad's affairs as vice-captain, believing the captain's position was already his for the taking, and had made many connections with superiors and subordinates.

However, they had just received the latest instructions from the Hall of Deacons—a new captain had been appointed and was to take up his post immediately. It wasn't Zhao Zheng, but a completely unfamiliar name: Qin Yuan.

"Qin Yuan? Never heard of him! Which lineage does he belong to?" a team member asked, frowning.

"Just started out, and you're immediately parachuted in as captain?" another person said with dissatisfaction.

"I heard... he's the top performer in this Hundred Sects Battlefield Prodigy Gathering, and Elder Zhou Qingxuan personally invited him to join the sect and even gave him the status of a prospective Dao Child," someone with good connections whispered.

"The champion of the Heavenly Pride Tournament?" Everyone's expressions changed slightly. To stand out in the Hundred Sects Battlefield, one must have the ability. But Zhao Zheng's face turned completely gloomy.

A prospective Daoist? A parachuted-in captain?

He had painstakingly cultivated this position for years, pulling strings and making connections, and was about to achieve his goal when it was snatched away by a nobody who had just started out! Why? Just because of the empty title of the Gathering of Prodigies?

A strong sense of resentment and bitterness surged within him. He lowered his head, concealing the cold glint in his eyes.

"So what if you're a prospective Daoist? You've just entered the sect, you're unfamiliar with sect affairs, and you don't know anything about the team. How can you command respect? How can you lead the team to complete the mission?" Zhao Zheng sneered inwardly. "The captain's position should be held by the capable. I'd like to see how long you, this parachuted-in captain, can hold your position!"

His face quickly regained its composure, even revealing a seemingly submissive smile, as he said to the team members, "Since it's an arrangement by the sect, there must be a reason. With a new captain arriving, we should welcome him properly and not be impolite."

Seeing his statement, the team members, though each with their own thoughts, had no choice but to agree.

Before long, Qin Yuan arrived at the Bing-character courtyard, led by the guiding disciple.

"Senior Brother Qin, this is the third squad's base. This disciple takes his leave." The disciple who was leading the way bowed and departed.

Qin Yuan stepped into the courtyard, where Zhao Zheng and four team members came out to greet him.

"Zhao Zheng, the deputy captain of the third squad, along with all the team members, respectfully welcomes Captain Qin!" Zhao Zheng clasped his hands in greeting first, his tone impeccably respectful. The four team members behind him also bowed, curiously observing the newly appointed young captain. His peak Nascent Soul cultivation and calm demeanor instilled a sense of awe in them.

"No need for formalities." Qin Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the five people, pausing briefly on Zhao Zheng's seemingly calm and respectful face. With his current divine sense, he could naturally detect a trace of resentment and coldness that was being desperately hidden beneath that respectful exterior. But he did not point it out.

Upon entering the council hall, everyone took their seats. Zhao Zheng took the initiative to introduce the team members to Qin Yuan. The other four team members also introduced themselves one by one: Sun Ying (late-stage Nascent Soul), who excelled in tracking and reconnaissance; Li Zhen (peak-stage Nascent Soul), who was proficient in formations; Wang Shan (peak-stage Nascent Soul), who was strong and composed; and Su Wan (late-stage Nascent Soul), a female cultivator responsible for intelligence liaison. The team's overall strength was in the middle range among the Sky Patrol Guards.

"As Captain Qin is new here, he is entitled to three days of rest and familiarization time. This will allow him to learn about the base, review past mission files, and get to know his team members," Zhao Zheng said after his introduction.

After listening, Qin Yuan asked directly, "Are there any missions to be taken on or carried out in the near future?"

Zhao Zheng's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive: "Reporting to the captain, there are indeed two new patrol and reconnaissance missions issued by the sect. One is in 'Black Wind Ravine,' three thousand miles southeast of the sect, where there have been unusual fluctuations in spiritual energy recently; the other is to go to the affiliated sect 'Flowing Cloud Sect' to inspect its offerings and handle a possible dispute. Neither is particularly difficult, and the original plan was for me to lead the team to Black Wind Ravine in three days."

"In that case, there's no need for rest." Qin Yuan stood up, his tone calm but unquestionable. "Pass down the word: the team will assemble in one hour and head to Black Wind Ravine."

A glint flashed in Zhao Zheng's eyes, and he bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Captain." But in his heart, he thought: So eager to establish his authority? Fine, Black Wind Ravine may seem ordinary, but in reality... it's the perfect place for you, the new captain, to experience what an "accident" is.