After the zither competition ended, Yuan and the others returned to the Royal Blossom Hotel for a moment before checking out of the hotel and making their way back to the Dragon Essence Temple on the sect elders' flying treasures.
Meanwhile, in the real world, many powerful and influential individuals from over a dozen different families from across the world gathered online in a group call.
"We have to do something about this Player Yuan! He's tearing the Legacy Families' reputation to shreds! Every single time his name appears on the announcement, it's a slap to our faces! Even worse, we still don't know his identity!" One of the voices said in a serious voice.
"What do you suggest we do then? We don't know this player's identity, nor does it seem like he wants our money," said another voice.
"No logical being would refuse status and money unless they already have these…" Another person in the group call voiced his opinions.
"Then what can we do? We cannot allow this Player Yuan to continue dominating the game! Cultivation Online has become the most successful and fastest-growing game the world's ever seen before, and it will only continue to grow as more people realize its potential! We cannot allow a single person to monopolize it!"
"Since we cannot contact him from the outside, we can only try to contact him from the inside, right? I heard Player Yuan had appeared in public for the first time day in a music competition, even obtaining a Divine-grade treasure and a Divine-rank technique from it."
"What! Is that true?!"
"Yes, and according to the people that were at this competition, Player Yuan is a disciple at the Dragon Essence Temple in the Eastern Continent."
"Eastern Continent, huh? I have some people from my family in the Eastern Continent who can approach him, but my top player is currently in the Southern Continent so he won't make it," said a new voice that belonged to a female.
"I also have a couple of players in the Eastern Continent that can try to contact Player Yuan," said another voice.
"No disrespect to your families or players, but I wouldn't suggest sending just any players to approach Player Yuan. After all, what if he sees it as a sign of disrespect— that we're underestimating or undervaluing him."
"I agree with Mister Jason. If possible, we should have our top players approach him so that he can feel more comfortable and valued."
"Who here have their top players in the Eastern Continent?"
"What about White Lotus? She's a top player and currently at the Eastern Continent, right?"
"Yes, but she's currently busy in her own sect. I don't think she'll have the time to travel all the way to the Dragon Essence Temple to find him, especially when there's a really important event coming up in the upcoming weeks."
"The Lightning Emperor is also busy with his own sect, so we cannot ask him to meet Player Yuan."
"Most of the top players are all too busy grinding their own strength so they don't fall behind Player Yuan too much. There's nothing we can do."
"Speaking of this upcoming event, what was it called again? Mystic Realm?"
"Yeah, I heard it's one of the biggest events in the Lower Heavens and every top player is aiming for it."
"Does this mean Player Yuan will also be participating in this event? If that's the case, we can simply wait until the top players meet him during this event. It's less than a month away, anyway."
"While I prefer that we contact him sooner than later, if there are no top players that can meet him now, we can only wait until the Mystic Realm. I don't want to risk offending this Player Yuan."
"Furthermore, he must know some secrets about the game that's allowed him to progress so insanely fast. He might even have relationships with the creators of this game that nobody knows about. If we can learn some of these secrets, our own players will also be able to progress as fast if not even faster than him!"
"What about the other families? They will surely do everything in their power to contact him."
"So what? Even if they go to the Dragon Essence Temple, they still need to find Player Yuan amongst the thousands of people there."
"I suggest we send some of our players to the Dragon Essence Temple to investigate. After all, we also don't know his identity. It'll be like finding a needle in a haystack."
"There's no way someone like Player Yuan would be able to hide his identity perfectly. Even if he tries, he's simply too unique."
"Then it's settled. All of us will send some players to the Dragon Essence Temple to investigate. In fact, see if there are any players from our alliance that are already a disciple there. If you receive any new information regarding Player Yuan, notify the rest of us immediately."
The group call ended shortly later, and the people that were in the call began preparing for their investigation in Player Yuan.
In fact, these people were not the only ones in a meeting on this day, as similar conversations between other families had occurred after the zither competition, all planning to approach the Dragon Essence Temple to learn more about this mysterious Player Yuan.
"Welcome back, all of you. I'm relieved to see that all of you have managed to return in one piece." Long Yijun said to Yuan and the others after they returned to the Dragon Essence Temple.
"I have already heard about what happened at the zither competition so you can spare the explanation. Disciple Yuan, Disciple Fei, your achievements have greatly boosted the Dragon Essence Temple's reputation, and for your contribution, the sect will definitely award you appropriately. For now, go home and get some rest. We'll find you once we are prepared to hand the rewards out."
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Fei Yuyan bowed to him, and Yuan followed.
Sometime later, they left the place, leaving Elder Xuan and Elder Shan behind with Long Yijun.