Chapter 346

Chapter 346: Treasure Hunting

In the afternoon, Zhou Luo had already left the family head’s main hall and found Bai Zhi Yan who was talking with her mother.

Due to her cultivation level, her mother was long past her prime, indeed in declining years.

Bai Zhi Yan held her mother’s hand, her beautiful eyes bloodshot, voice choked with emotion, as she recounted experiences from years past.

Zhou Luo appeared silently beside them, momentarily shielding his mental strength, so the mother and daughter did not notice him.

Earlier, he and Bai Chen had already reached a "cooperation."

For the next period, the Lin Family and the Bai family would each send a small contingent of junior members to the other family, signifying their cooperative spirit.

Naturally, this move had to be conducted cautiously and privately, ensuring it did not raise suspicion from either side’s Immortal Sect.

"Mother, take this Lifespan Pill."

Opposite her, Bai Zhi Yan sorrowfully took out a potion.

This Lifespan Pill was originally specifically reserved by Zhou Luo for his own array of wives and concubines.

He hadn’t expected Bai Zhi Yan would choose to take it out at this time.

"Good child, just seeing you again satisfies my heart. You keep this Lifespan Pill."

Perhaps knowing her days were nearing their end, the old woman showed little attachment to the Lifespan Pill and refused it instead.

Bai Zhi Yan wanted to insist, but the other side was equally insistent.

Zhou Luo watched silently.

Not everyone was like him, able to care for all his wives and concubines.

Most people focused solely on their own cultivation; the so-called wives and children were often just supplementary.

Hence, even though Bai Chen had stepped into the Foundation Establishment realm, his woman was still going to die.

Facing lengthened lifespans, this was an inevitable occurrence.

Zhou Luo would have to witness his own women’s deaths; the only thing he could do was strive to let them live longer.

Seeing the mother and daughter were almost done speaking, Zhou Luo pretended to enter from outside.

"Mother, this is my husband."

Bai Zhi Yan immediately introduced him.

Seeing Zhou Luo, the old woman hurriedly stood to pay respects: "I pay my respects to Senior Zhou."

"You’re Zhiyan’s mother, no need for formalities." Zhou Luo motioned for Bai Zhi Yan to help her up.

"Senior Zhou, thank you so much for saving my Yan’er all those years ago," the old woman said, her eyes brimming with tears.

After the brief meeting, they conversed for a while longer.

Until Bai Chen sent someone to notify them to come to the dining hall for the meal.

In the Bai family dining hall, the table was laden with various exotic delicacies, spiritual dishes and fine food.

Besides Bai Chen, there was also an elegant young woman, both beautiful and intelligent, sitting there demurely, her demeanor reserved.

"Yan’er, this is your Fifth Sister’s daughter."

After Zhou Luo and Bai Zhi Yan entered, Bai Chen took the initiative to introduce them.

The young woman immediately stood up to greet them: "Bai Jia Yu pays respects to Senior Zhou, and to Seventh Aunt."

Both nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

After everyone was seated, Bai Chen became warmly enthusiastic.

"Pill Master Zhou, this is my treasured top-grade spirit wine—let’s have a drink." He raised his wine cup.

Zhou Luo concurred and joined him.

Soon, the atmosphere at the dining table grew lively.

Though both were at the Foundation Establishment level, neither put on airs; instead, they remained exceedingly approachable.

Bai Zhi Yan occasionally chimed in with a few words during the conversation.

Amid their talk, through Bai Chen’s deliberate or incidental remarks, Bai Jia Yu also toasted Zhou Luo several times.

The implication was unmistakable.

After several rounds of drinks, as evening deepened, the two stayed overnight at the Bai estate as a natural course of events.

That very night, Bai Jia Yu was escorted to Zhou Luo’s chamber.

The next morning, Zhou Luo opened his eyes.

Clad in sheer silk, Bai Jia Yu knelt silently beside the bed in a posture of humble submission.

Though she was a direct descendant of the main family and possessed Sixth Grade spiritual roots, she was utterly insignificant before a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

All she could do was obey unconditionally—even feeling a trace of fear within.

For she had heard that powerful figures like him were often capricious and indifferent to life.

Though he had appeared amiable yesterday, and was undeniably handsome, who could guarantee his true nature in private?

Thus, Bai Jia Yu remained inwardly uneasy.

"Rise," Zhou Luo said impassively, swinging his legs off the bed.

Bai Jia Yu immediately presented his boots, tending to him with attentive care. Her snowy skin glowed almost dazzlingly in the morning light, revealing expanses of pale flesh as she drew near.

Zhou Luo’s gaze remained indifferent, utterly unmoved.

In the outside world, Bai Jia Yu’s looks and figure would be considered exceptional.

But Zhou Luo had seen too many beauties—be it Lin Xi or Yao Wu at home, or the unforgettable glimpses of Shangguan Qianxue in the past—all far surpassed Bai Jia Yu.

As he donned the black boots, Bai Jia Yu pressed her forehead to the floor, not daring to stir.

Zhou Luo understood her thoughts but offered no further comment. He simply exited the room into the courtyard.

Releasing his Foundation Establishment mental strength, he sensed Bai Zhi Yan had already departed—likely visiting her ailing mother for a final reunion.

As for himself, having no pressing matters, he decided to visit the auction house. Perhaps he might chance upon intriguing finds.

Since mastering the Second Level spiritual appraisal skill, he had yet to leverage its full potential: treasure hunting.

Unlike other cultivators, spiritual appraisal could unveil an object’s essence, revealing hidden qualities overlooked by others—unearthing rare materials concealed within mundane items.

Now, with rare free time and prior word of a major trading market in Snowfall City, this might truly yield discoveries.

He left the Bai family directly.

Though Snowfall City’s climate was frigid, spring reigned perpetually within its walls; snowfall was visible only when one looked skyward.

Thus, the streets teemed with bustling crowds and flowing carriages.

Zhou Luo merged seamlessly into the throng, appearing an ordinary passerby.

At the Foundation Establishment stage, none could perceive him unless he deliberately revealed his power.

Soon, he reached Snowfall City’s largest trading center.

The trading center was actually a commercial district—a forest of structures brimming with diverse wares.

Deeper within lay an open-air plaza packed with stalls of all sizes.

Before these stalls, vendors energetically hawked their displayed goods.

These items were wildly varied, lacking the organized categorization of proper shops.

Yet the plaza remained packed and vibrant, every visitor hoping to uncover treasures amidst the chaotic stalls.

In the cultivation world, tales abounded of mortals stumbling upon transcendent fortunes here—gaining profound opportunities at trifling cost.

This allure of serendipity drew endless seekers.

Arriving here, Zhou Luo refrained from deploying his mental strength. Instead, like any casual browser, he moved calmly among the stalls. The cacophony of shouts and sales pitches left him unperturbed.

Passing each stall, he activated spiritual appraisal with a glance.

Only when an object radiated uniqueness would he pause for closer scrutiny.

After roughly fifteen minutes, Zhou Luo’s steps abruptly halted before a particular vendor’s stand.