The quiet cabin, where Di Shitian sat in silence. His hands rested casually on the Xīnmǐn Qī, yet they conveyed an air of absolute propriety.

Quiet, peaceful—lacking the arrogance often found among the martial artists of the Saint Martial Hall—Di Shitian resembled a university professor dedicated to scholarship. To those unfamiliar with him, it was difficult to associate him with the formidable Chief of the Disciplinary Division.

Qin Fen calmly emerged from the bedroom, retrieved a can of nutrient water from the refrigerator, and placed it on the low table as a gesture of welcome. "Hello. Please wait a moment."

Qin Fen turned and walked into the washroom, splashing cold water on his face. After completing his morning routine post-awakening, he settled steadily onto the sofa.

Di Shitian remained as quiet as before. His violet eyes subtly swept over Qin Fen again; observing the young man up close, he was indeed even more exceptional.

It was not just within the Saint Martial Hall, but even outside, among any martial artist who knew the name Di Shitian Achiya—very few people could maintain the same composure and stillness when meeting him.

Di Shitian was accustomed to seeing martial artists react with stunned awe, and he had also encountered those who pretended indifference while inwardly being tense and excited—the outwardly cool but inwardly eager types. Yet, he rarely encountered a young man like Qin Fen.

Neither arrogant nor restless, it was as if the person seated before him was not the Chief of the Saint Martial Hall, but merely an ordinary martial artist dropping by for a casual visit.

Di Shitian could sense the flow of Qin Fen’s blood and the steady rhythm of his heart. Apart from the slight surprise upon first hearing the name ‘Di Shitian Achiya,’ his demeanor had been consistently calm.

No! Di Shitian lightly shook his head, rejecting his own choice of word. This young man was not acting calm; he possessed genuine equanimity—a true and profound detachment.

Suddenly, Di Shitian nodded softly. A flicker of appreciation shone in his purple irises. Such young people were truly rare. Whether judging by his mindset, the foundation of his martial arts, his rate of growth, or his combat ability, he was outstanding—exceptionally outstanding!

Qin Fen felt a growing unease under Di Shitian’s prolonged stare. What exactly was this person here for? He hadn’t spoken for ages, only nodding repeatedly.

"Young man," Di Shitian suddenly broke the silence, "I have heard your name."

"And I have observed you. You are very accomplished. In the history of the Saint Martial Hall, you are virtually the most outstanding newcomer."

Qin Fen slightly lowered his head, offering a polite smile without speaking.

Di Shitian Achiya, the Chief of the Disciplinary Division, a figure at the level of Martial Master or even Grandmaster, would certainly not be running around with nothing better to do than to compliment a newcomer who had only just entered the Saint Martial Hall.

There must be something! There must be a purpose! Qin Fen recalled the words of Class Monitor Hao, a master of psychology: when you cannot decipher what the other party is thinking, simply smile at them and say nothing, protecting your hidden cards. If they approach you, they will be the ones forced to reveal their intentions. You do not need to rush them to speak, nor worry that they will leave without saying anything.

Di Shitian Achiya looked at Qin Fen’s persistent polite smile and paused slightly. In the past, whenever a martial artist received his praise, were they not usually ecstatic? Even while offering superficial humility. But this young man before him—not only was there no outward display of ecstatic joy, there wasn't even a hint of it.

Was it arrogance? No! Achiya gazed into Qin Fen’s eyes and knew the young man did not merely disagree that the compliment was insufficient; he felt he simply wasn't the genius being touted. There was no trace of servility, nor any hint of pride. Everything about his state of mind was stable and serene.

"What do you think of the Inner Saint Martial Hall?"

Di Shitian abruptly tossed out another question. His violet eyes instantly sharpened, fixing on Qin Fen’s gaze as if attempting to pierce the deepest recesses of his soul.

"The Inner Saint Martial Hall?" Qin Fen paused for a brief moment of thought before replying quite seriously, "I haven't interacted with the Inner Saint Martial Hall extensively. From the surface, they are indeed exceptional."

A faint look of surprise crossed Di Shitian’s face. This answer was somewhat unexpected. The relationship between the Inner Saint Martial Hall and Qin Fen had grown tense over just these few days, culminating in the death of two Saint Martial Hall members. A pointed remark or cold sarcasm would have been perfectly understandable, even expected.

"Exceptional," Di Shitian stared into Qin Fen’s eyes for several seconds, confirming that the young man was not being sarcastic, but merely stating his genuine perception.

"Exceptional," Di Shitian’s violet eyes held a trace of bitterness. The martial artists of the Inner Saint Martial Hall had always possessed exceptional talent; that was beyond doubt. It was just that when a group of exceptional individuals encountered a heaven-defying young master, it felt as if, overnight, they all became merely mediocre fighters.

Di Shitian adjusted his composure and asked again, "If you joined the Inner Saint Martial Hall and received their support, do you think the speed of your advancement on the martial path would be faster or slower?"

"Faster," Qin Fen replied instantly without hesitation. "Much faster!"

A faint hue of pride crossed Di Shitian’s violet eyes as he scrutinized Qin Fen once more. This was the fifth time in the short duration since entering the room that he had re-examined the young man.

Each time he assessed Qin Fen, Achiya felt a greater sense of approval. After several such appraisals, his view of this young man—who had nearly scorned the Saint Martial Hall and refused to join the Inner Sanctum immediately upon entering—had significantly changed for the better.

Magnanimous, stable, composed, diligent, unruffled, and unproud. He could even offer fair and objective evaluations of opponents he had previously defeated.

Di Shitian nodded frequently. The martial path was filled with countless uncertainties and possibilities, but setting those aside, this young man’s martial achievements might truly reach unimaginable heights.

"The Saint Martial Hall has its own rules," Di Shitian slowly spoke again. "These rules cannot be broken for anyone. No matter how astonishing a martial genius he might be, he cannot enjoy the resources of the Inner Saint Martial Hall while remaining an Outer Saint Martial Hall foundational martial artist."

Qin Fen nodded quietly. Bai Sheng had already mentioned this situation once. The Saint Martial Hall was an immensely vast organization; its strength and influence were certainly not confined to this small island. If they bent years of tradition for one young man, the Saint Martial Hall would not be praised for recognizing talent; instead, it would easily be viewed as the martial sanctuary bowing down to a young prodigy.

In that scenario, the Saint Martial Hall would become a massive stepping stone for the young man’s fame.

There were many ways to gain renown in the martial world. Among the fastest were killing a Divine Beast-level martial artist, or challenging the Saint Martial Hall single-handedly.

If neither of those feats were possible, then using other methods to force a Divine Beast martial artist or the Saint Martial Hall itself to bow down would similarly garner instant, immense prestige.

Along with prestige came tremendous benefits!

"The Saint Martial Hall is the culmination of the efforts of countless people," Qin Fen slowly reiterated Bai Sheng’s words. "To bow down to any single individual would be disrespectful to those martial artists who shed blood and sweat for the Hall."

Di Shitian agreed with a slight nod. The hardship that brought the Saint Martial Hall its current renown was something outsiders could never see.

To many young Outer Hall martial artists, Qin Fen’s exceptional talent should have warranted special treatment, and the Saint Martial Hall appeared overly rigid and arrogant for denying it. But to make an exception now would be to fundamentally destroy a part of the spirit of the Saint Martial Hall.

The rules cannot be broken! Di Shitian stressed this point heavily. As the Chief of the Disciplinary Division, his duty was to enforce all regulations firmly! The Disciplinary Division was the very place that upheld the rules of the Saint Martial Hall!

"It is good that you understand," Di Shitian stopped nodding, his eyes fixed on Qin Fen. "Young man, whether you admit it or not, you truly are the most outstanding newcomer I have ever encountered! No exception. You are the only one."

Qin Fen was slightly surprised. He recalled hearing from Bai Sheng that this Chief of the Disciplinary Division, Di Shitian, was not only extremely self-assured but also notoriously stingy. His stinginess wasn't related to wealth or possessions, nor was it about withholding martial arts insights; rather, he was famous throughout the Saint Martial Hall for being extremely reluctant to offer praise—the complete opposite of Chief Ferrero, who praised any talent he saw.

For such a naturally reserved man to offer compliment after compliment, Qin Fen felt a small surge of pride.

"However," Di Shitian’s tone shifted abruptly, "the rules of the Saint Martial Hall absolutely cannot be broken. As a foundational member of the Outer Hall, regardless of your talent, you still cannot receive any resources designated for the Inner Saint Martial Hall."

Qin Fen smiled and acknowledged this, thinking that he already knew this very well. Why did the Chief need to emphasize it repeatedly?

Di Shitian silently watched the tea table, then slowly looked up at Qin Fen again, his gaze imbued with intense affection. "Young man, do not waste yourself. You possess limitless potential on the martial path. Since the Outer Hall foundational status cannot offer you more, and since you clearly know that the Inner Saint Martial Hall can accelerate your progress, why fight against your own best interests?"

Qin Fen stared blankly for several seconds before finally grasping the true purpose of the Chief of the Disciplinary Division, Di Shitian. He was here performing the persuasive work that should have fallen to Ashura of the Martial Theory Division.

"The Saint Martial Hall has many rules, and one of them states that foundational Outer Hall martial artists have the right to apply for a contract revision. If they pass the trial for that revision, they can officially become Inner Saint Martial Hall members." Di Shitian’s excitement grew! His hands, which had been resting on his knees, unconsciously clenched into fists. "Your strength presents no issues; the contract trial will be child's play for you!"

Qin Fen watched Di Shitian’s enthusiasm, feeling suddenly unaccustomed to it. This Achiya, whom Bai Sheng described as having a permanent scowl for everyone—even the Chief who had most fiercely opposed him in meetings—was today so enthusiastic and eager. It seemed he still possessed a deeply fair heart. Otherwise, given Di Shitian’s status as a Chief, he wouldn't need to condescend to visit the room of a mere newcomer, offering analysis and reasoning at length.

A flicker of confusion crossed Achiya’s eyes, followed by a sudden illumination. "I know, I know what you are worried about. According to the Saint Martial Hall regulations, there is a rule before the assessment: the assessment personnel have the right to veto an applicant's request. You are worried that your previous attitude will lead to a veto, aren't you? It’s fine! Apply! If anyone tries to exercise that veto power, I will strongly support you until the very end."

Qin Fen stared at Achiya, momentarily speechless. The Chief Di Shitian, showing genuine emotion, appeared almost boyishly serious and happy. He sincerely hoped Qin Fen would join the Inner Saint Martial Hall. He genuinely looked forward to seeing a young martial artist rise!

Such broad-mindedness even inspired a degree of respect in Qin Fen. Any negative impressions he previously held of this Chief had long since vanished.

"You might have misunderstood," Qin Fen said, striving to keep his tone level so as not to dampen the enthusiasm of this kind senior. "I am not afraid of being vetoed. I truly do not wish to join the Inner Saint Martial Hall."

"The contract has too many restrictions..."

Di Shitian felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, his face etched with incomprehension. "So what if there are restrictions? Qin Fen, you are the most gifted newcomer I have ever seen! Once you join the Inner Saint Martial Hall, you will definitely have free access to the Hall of Ultimate Arts! Don't you want to enter the Hall of Ultimate Arts again? Do you even look down upon the Hall of Ultimate Arts? Do not waste your talent! Do not waste your martial talent in the Outer Hall foundational ranks! Join the Inner Saint Martial Hall."

The Hall of Ultimate Arts? Qin Fen’s eyes instantly brightened. He hadn't finished organizing and summarizing the materials from the past few days, yet the inspiration gleaned was enough for a year, perhaps several years, of arduous contemplation. That place was absolutely the dream sanctuary of any martial artist!

Di Shitian stared at Qin Fen, his tone filled with impassioned persuasion, making even the most persuasive television salespeople look lackluster by comparison.

"The Hall of Ultimate Arts, the Hall of Ultimate Arts..." Qin Fen murmured the phrase several times. The longing in his eyes gradually receded. He looked up at Di Shitian again. "Senior, I genuinely wish to re-enter the Hall of Ultimate Arts. But, I apologize, I cannot join the Inner Saint Martial Hall just to gain entry there."

"Why?" Di Shitian’s expression of confusion deepened into agitation. If such a promising young man ruined his future for this reason, it could become a lifelong regret for Di Shitian himself! If he couldn't persuade Qin Fen to join the Inner Hall, Di Shitian suspected that on his deathbed, he would still regret why he hadn't bent the Saint Martial Hall rules to witness the rise of an unparalleled prodigy, choosing instead to stifle him personally.

"Do you not wish to glimpse the peak of the martial path? Do you not possess a sincere heart for the Martial Dao?" Di Shitian shook his head repeatedly. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! If you did not wish to pursue the pinnacle of the martial path, if you did not possess a sincere heart for the Martial Dao, you would not have reached your current realm."

Qin Fen suddenly felt a surge of genuine respect for this Chief of the Saint Martial Hall. That level of anxiety and worry was impossible to fake; even an Oscar-winning actor couldn't pull off such a vivid expression.

"Senior," Qin Fen quickly handed Di Shitian the nutrient water, intending to soothe the elder’s anxiety first. "Please listen to my personal view, alright?"

Di Shitian took the nutrient water, his hand trembling slightly.

"Senior, the Inner Saint Martial Hall is truly excellent," Qin Fen stated earnestly, interlacing his fingers. "It offers superior conditions I haven't encountered, and the Hall of Ultimate Arts, which every martial artist dreams of. To be honest, all of this is incredibly difficult to resist. But, I am compelled to refuse..."

Di Shitian did not press for an answer, merely staring intently at Qin Fen.

"The contract of the Inner Saint Martial Hall demands too much. If I were to join, I would be subjected to very severe constraints," Qin Fen said seriously. "This isn't just about restrictions on movement; a more crucial point is that my heart would be bound. Since the day I began seriously pursuing the Martial Dao, I walked across Qinghai and witnessed the magnificent grandeur of nature. The Martial Dao I pursue is like the unstoppable force of nature itself. To that end, every fight I engage in mirrors that very momentum."

Di Shitian nodded slowly. The documents about Qin Fen retrieved from the Invitation Division in recent days confirmed exactly what the young man was saying: he didn't just fight with his fists; he fought with an indomitable momentum. It was precisely this irresistible momentum that played an unexpectedly decisive role in the battle against Cai Renying, where an Eleven-Star martial artist defeated a Fourteen-Star opponent—a battle with less than a 0.1% chance of success.

"Tell me, if my Martial Dao heart were restricted, even if my strength could increase rapidly in the short term, what about the future?" Qin Fen spread his hands. "If my Martial Dao heart is confined, can I still pursue the ultimate zenith of martial arts?"

Di Shitian fell silent. As a Martial Master, or even a Grandmaster, how could he not understand the gravity of this matter? Every person’s martial path was different. Some were unaffected by such rules. But others were genuinely constrained by them.

Di Shitian remained silent for a long moment, then looked up at Qin Fen’s eyes, showing no anger or frustration. His violet eyes still held a trace of admiration. To possess a rock-solid Martial Dao heart, unswayed by external temptations at such a young age, was more precious than his current achievements.

His violet eyes also held a touch of disappointment. Without the exceptional conditions of the Inner Saint Martial Hall and the aid of the Hall of Ultimate Arts, this young man’s future path would be fraught with far more hardship, perhaps preventing him from ever reaching the summit.

On one side stood the colossal structure of the Saint Martial Hall, and on the other, a young martial artist brimming with infinite potential. The emotions in Di Shitian’s eyes quickly shifted to sorrow. As the Chief of the Disciplinary Division, he absolutely could not make an exception to the rules.

The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat oppressive. Di Shitian let out a knowing smile that swept away most of the tension. "Qin Fen, what path have you chosen for your martial journey? This current nascent form does not allow me to see its full scope."

"The Divine Path."

"The Divine Path!" Di Shitian’s violet eyes lit up again, and he nodded repeatedly in approval. "The Lesser Divine Path!"

"What spirit. No wonder you cannot join the Saint Martial Hall. A god, sitting high above, is always the one who establishes the rules. If one still has to abide by rules set by others, then one is not a god."

Qin Fen sincerely bowed slightly. "Thank you for understanding, and thank you for thinking of me in this way."

Di Shitian smiled warmly at Qin Fen. At this moment, there was no trace of his usual cold demeanor on his face. No matter how others viewed him, it didn't matter! But when someone understood him so profoundly, his icy heart felt warm.

What a marvelous young man! Di Shitian surveyed Qin Fen. It wasn't surprising that he could gather a team possessing the potential to sweep the world. Although this young man did not exude an immediate aura of approachability, his conduct and manner of speaking did indeed inspire a feeling of closeness.

"Di Shitian, you're quick," a voice laced with four parts provocation and six parts jest suddenly rang out from outside the door.

Qin Fen was startled again by the sudden voice—another martial artist whose approach he had failed to detect! Another one who could enter his room and violate his privacy without needing him to set badge permissions.

The instant Achiya heard the voice, his happy, warm smile vanished, and his face instantly turned cold and displeased, conveying a distinctly grumpy demeanor.

The door slid open automatically, and the middle-aged man stepping in from the corridor had a head of golden-blond hair and two long, sharp eyebrows that extended straight to his temples. His sapphire-blue eyes were like the finest top-grade sapphires in the world; locking eyes with him made it easy to become lost in that blue gaze.

Qin Fen carefully observed the newcomer. His height and build were similar to Di Shitian Achiya's, but his skin was fair, nearly infant-like, brimming with the vigor of life.

The voice, carrying that teasing provocation, was quite pleasant, giving the impression of old friends catching up.

"Kid, hello. Let me introduce myself. Ferrero, from the Invitation Division. People call me Morongara. That’s me."

Chief of the Invitation Division! Qin Fen was slightly stunned. What stroke of luck was this? Two Chiefs, people rarely seen on a normal day, were showing up all at once!

Ferrero was overly familiar. Without waiting for Qin Fen to stand and greet him, he strode over and dropped onto the sofa beside Qin Fen, flanking him between himself and Di Shitian.

Looking at Ferrero, Qin Fen felt a strange sense of familiarity. If this person had black hair and black eyes, he would be an extremely powerful version of Xue Tian! He wondered if this Chief possessed the same terrifying martial talent as Xue Tian.

"What are you doing here?"

Di Shitian looked at Ferrero with a thoroughly sour expression. As a Chief, he strongly disliked Ferrero's personality, especially his habit of immediately praising and complimenting any slightly talented, individualistic martial artist—a practice he viewed with deep disdain.

"That will give the young ones an arrogant streak; it will make them flighty. That kind of praise and commendation is not good!" Di Shitian had told Ferrero this more than ten times, but each time Ferrero would just shrug, turn away, and continue praising the martial arts talents he discovered.

Of course, Ferrero had also told Di Shitian more than once: "Will you die if you praise someone else? Will you lose a piece of flesh? Young people need encouragement, especially encouragement from predecessors who have achieved relative success like us! Only then can they generate real drive."

"They are already outstanding martial arts talents; they've been praised endlessly in the outside world for who knows how long. They already take praise for granted. Your compliments are useless! What they need is my cold treatment."

Countless arguments like this had taken place between the two of them.

As the frequency increased, Di Shitian grew more and more annoyed by Ferrero's habit of complimenting young martial artists. Often, just after Ferrero finished praising a young man, Di Shitian would immediately follow up by dousing him with several buckets of cold water.

This invariably led Ferrero to seek out Di Shitian again, demanding a thorough debate about the matter.

Seeing Ferrero here today made Di Shitian even more displeased. He had already praised Qin Fen. If this man used his big mouth—accustomed to showering praise on everyone—to shower Qin Fen with compliments now, and in doing so damaged Qin Fen's Martial Dao Heart, Di Shitian swore he would fight him to the death! He wouldn't even wait for the Chief Seat Assembly to settle their score.

"What? Just because you can come, does that mean I can't?" Ferrero adopted an expression that dared Di Shitian to strike him. "I know why you're here, aren't you here to invite Qin Fen into the Inner Sacred Martial Hall?"

Di Shitian let out a heavy cold snort, refraining from the usual war of words with Ferrero. While he intensely disliked the invitation-focused Ferrero, he could also see that this time, Mohianluoga was almost certainly here with the same goal: to invite Qin Fen to join the Inner Sacred Martial Hall.

"Qin Fen, are you interested in joining the Inner Sacred Martial Hall? The Hall of Ultimate Arts, that's a decent place, isn't it?"

"Senior." Qin Fen offered a wry smile. When had he become such a hot commodity? Two Chief Seat level lobbyists arriving on the same day—if word of this got out, it would probably shock many people senseless.

"My... my Martial Dao is about transcending."

"Ah," Ferrero nodded repeatedly. "I see. You aren't suited to join the Inner Sacred Martial Hall then. Gods establish the rules; how can one who aims for divinity conform to rules established by others?"

Qin Fen smiled and nodded. Speaking with Martial Arts Masters or Grandmasters was truly comfortable. There was no need for lengthy explanations; one simple statement, and the other party immediately grasped his predicament.

Of course, he felt that explaining himself to Di Shitian was still necessary. His words were too blunt, and it would be terrible to hurt such a senior who, despite his cold exterior, possessed a warm heart.

As for Ferrero? After a brief interaction, Qin Fen had already filed him away into the same category as Xue Tian.

Dealing with people like that required no concern for their capacity to handle the truth.

Di Shitian gazed quietly at Qin Fen, letting out another deep sigh.

In front of Ferrero, Di Shitian loathed showing his emotions, but at this moment, he could no longer afford to hold back. Such an outstanding young man was being barred from the Inner Sacred Martial Hall purely because of rules. Only a sigh could possibly ease the depression churning within him.

"Alas! What a pity for us!"

Ferrero’s casual tone carried not a shred of genuine regret in Di Shitian's ears.

"I'm telling you, Di Shitian," Ferrero craned his neck to meet Di Shitian's displeased gaze, "I told you so. You really aren't suited to remain the Chief Seat of the Department of Law Enforcement anymore..."

"What? Do you want to settle this right now?" Di Shitian suddenly stood up. All the electrical appliances in Qin Fen's room simultaneously emitted a loud pop. A massive fireball erupted from the household electronics; how could they withstand the current pulse from Di Shitian's Heavenly Thunder Art? Even a casual exertion of his power was enough to render these devices scrap metal.

"Settle this? No, no, no." Ferrero leaned back on the sofa, hands clasped behind his head with a grin. "I'm not interested in fighting you today. Before I came, I anticipated that Qin Fen might not join the Inner Sacred Martial Hall, so I planned to discuss something else with him. A way to reasonably circumvent the rules of the Inner Sacred Martial Hall, in a manner of speaking."

"Reasonable circumvention?" A hint of doubt crossed Di Shitian’s brow. Rules were rules; how could they be circumvented?

"That’s what I’m saying! All you ever think about is how to uphold the rules; you have zero flexibility," Ferrero said casually, patting Qin Fen’s shoulder. "Kid, are you interested in becoming my disciple?"

This is the Di Shitian I crave! I know that from the beginning, many people have disliked Di Shitian. But I always feel that some people are inherently inclined to value principles, to uphold them. While adhering strictly to principles can sometimes be incredibly annoying—for example, Di Shitian’s stubborn adherence to principle likely irritates many readers—such people, besides being irritating, also command respect!

As a side note, if all officials were as principled as Di Shitian, corruption would likely cease to exist. Haha, from that perspective, Di Shitian is certainly admirable and deserving of respect. Right?

Of course, I don't object if you continue to find him disagreeable. Today’s update is slightly earlier than usual. Why? Because there’s another chapter coming. Well, it’s that simple.

(Some readers have said they dislike reading these kinds of extraneous comments. Let me state upfront: these words are free. Of course, if you truly despise this section, simply ignore its existence.)

I might truly be accustomed to it, always feeling that everyone is my friend, so I want to share my thoughts and what I encounter with all of you, just like casual chatter between friends. Also, please refrain from commenting on my parenthetical remarks; it's a great destiny that you all like Jìmì Tiān Jiāo. Let's not attack each other. I sincerely hope that all friends who enjoy Jìmì Tiān Jiāo can share the camaraderie of Qin Fen's small team.