Chapter 451

Chapter 451: Encountering Danger

This puppet was something that could significantly enhance one’s power, making it absolutely suitable for use as a secret trump card.

Zhou Luo glanced at his remaining spiritual stones, thinking to himself that winning it at auction might be a good thing.

Then, the disciple from the Ice Snow Sect, who had been silent for quite some time, spoke out with force once more.

He had only spoken twice before, securing the beast bone containing the Golden Core-level technique and the Heavenly Demon spear from the demons. Now, it was clear he was equally determined to claim this puppet.

The moment he spoke, several cultivators who had earlier shown interest wisely grew silent.

Only a few fellow Immortal Sect disciples remained to compete with him.

However, this Ice Snow Sect disciple was of unknown origins but seemed extremely wealthy and powerful, raising bids without the slightest hesitation.

Such dominance intimidated the other competitors, ultimately forcing them to concede the item.

Inside the private booth, after obtaining the Xuanming Jade Essence, Zhou Luo felt little enthusiasm for the remaining items.

After all, blessed with a long lifespan, he viewed things like Golden Core-level techniques, top-tier Foundation Establishment magical artifacts, and peak Foundation Establishment puppets as mere external objects—non-essential—and saw little point in wasting time over them.

"Let us go."

The auction hadn’t concluded yet, but Zhou Luo addressed Ye Qian.

The group rose and proceeded toward the exit. The moment they stepped out, they drew the attention of surrounding cultivators.

Everyone was curious: why would an Immortal Sect disciple spend such a fortune on something the sect itself possessed?

Only when they saw Zhou Luo—a man—emerge from the booth did comprehension dawn for some.

Evidently, it wasn’t the Biquan True Sect disciple who desired the item, but the man instead.

Yet didn’t Biquan True Sect disciples typically keep a respectful distance from men? Why were they appearing together today?

The assembled cultivators were puzzled, even forgetting momentarily the ongoing auction on the stage above.

Ignoring the stares, Zhou Luo walked calmly and confidently toward the outside.

Faced with the imposing presence of the Biquan True Sect, none dared attempt anything.

After walking out of the Jinyun Auction House, no one risked following them.

Back at the Tian Xia Restaurant, Ye Qian arranged her three junior sisters in another room.

The journey back to the Qinyuan Domain required passage near Biquan True Sect territory. Since it lay along the route, these three disciples could conveniently travel alongside them—a plan agreed upon earlier.

"Sister Yao Wu hasn’t arrived yet?"

In the room, Ye Qian inquired.

Earlier, Yao Wu had indicated she would come to Jinyun City so she could accompany Zhou Luo home.

Now the Mountain Master of Lieyang Mountain—though not yet the successor of Master Lieyang—it seemed only a matter of time.

This return trip served three purposes: visiting her eldest son, Zhou Changqing; introducing Zhou Changguang to his father; and supporting Zhou Luo by deterring Long Yu from acting against him if the Qinyuan Sect were defeated in battle.

Initially, she had aimed to arrive before Zhou Luo reached Jinyun City.

Recently, however, sixteen-year-old Zhou Changguang broke through to the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. Hoping not to disrupt his breakthrough progress, Yao Wu delayed her departure.

"She’ll still need a while. We’ll wait further," Zhou Luo responded.

After all, there was nothing to do back home, so it was better to take advantage of this time to see what else needed to be bought in Jinyun City.

After all, compared to Qinyuan City, the goods here not only had a complete variety but also featured all sorts of rare treasures. For instance, the three main ingredients required for the Foundation Establishment Dan weren’t even considered rare items.

"Alright," Ye Qian nodded.

When Zhou Luo and Ye Qian were engaged in dual cultivation, the auction also concluded smoothly.

It was said that the final item presented turned out to be a spiritual artifact.

This was something even Golden Core masters coveted, and it ended up being claimed by the young daughter of Long Yu.

On that day, Zhou Luo took his usual stroll around Jinyun City and acquired another batch of magical artifacts for body refinement.

Just then, someone blocked his path—that very person was Zhu Zhi Feng from the previous day’s auction.

"Friend, could we sit down and have a chat?"

He, dressed in an alchemy robe, bowed with hands clasped as he inquired, expression sincere and earnest on his aged face.

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow, looking at the bustling crowd and then toward the nearby Tian Xia Restaurant.

"Alright, let’s head to the restaurant to chat."

Immediately, the two of them made their way to the lounge on the third floor of Tian Xia Restaurant.

The moment they entered the lounge, Zhu Zhi Feng stood up to bow formally. "I don’t know what to call you, friend?"

"My surname is Xu," Zhou Luo replied.

The other party was both a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Second Level top-level Pill Master. Yet he was being so polite—it seemed he still had an eye on that Xuanming Jade Essence matter.

"Friend Xu," Zhu Zhi Feng sat down and spoke again. "Friend Xu, you don’t seem to be from Jinyun City, do you?"

Zhou Luo nodded. "I hail from the Wan Gu Sect."

With that, he conveniently produced the token of the Wan Gu Sect.

No matter what, today, he absolutely would not hand over the Xuanming Jade Essence.

If the other party still harbored any covetous thoughts, he planned to deter them by assuming another identity.

Zhu Zhi Feng’s cloudy eyes fixed on the unique token of the Wan Gu Sect, flickering with a glimmer of light.

He chuckled lightly. "So, you’re a disciple from the Wan Gu Sect. But friend Xu, since you’re an Immortal Gate disciple, your need for that Xuanming Jade Essence shouldn’t be that urgent, right?"

"I’ll be honest with you—my lifespan is exhausted, and if I can’t reach the Golden Core stage, my days are numbered."

"Since friend Xu is a Wan Gu Sect disciple, could you kindly part with that Xuanming Jade Essence for me?"

He gazed intently at the other, words tinged with a note of pleading.

Initially, when he learned the other wasn’t a Biquan True Sect disciple, he had considered whether they could strike a deal.

But now, discovering the other might belong to the Wan Gu Sect, he instantly opted to play the emotional card.

Zhou Luo appeared conflicted. "My friend, it’s not that I’m unwilling to produce this item; it’s just that a dear friend of mine also needs this thing."

The emotional card had no effect on him, so he chose to lie to avoid revealing himself.

"I can exchange it for something else. Name whatever you need, and I’ll try to provide it if I can. I, Zhu Zhi Feng, have spent over a thousand years in this Immortal City and have acquired some possessions," Zhu Zhi Feng said, voice growing urgent.

Zhou Luo shook his head. He picked up a wine cup. "Friend Zhu, this matter is beyond my power. You should seek out other solutions."

Saying this, he downed the wine in one gulp, stood up, and left the lounge. Before exiting, he added, "I’ve paid for the meal. Friend Zhu, help yourself to whatever you like."

Bang—

When the lounge door slammed shut, Zhu Zhi Feng swung his fist violently at the dining table.

Luckily, the table was sturdy, and he moderated his strength, resulting only in a loud thud that made the bowls and chopsticks skitter.

Back in the room, Zhou Luo was about to bring up this incident with Ye Qian.

Suddenly, a burning sensation seared across his chest. His expression turned grave as he swiftly pulled out the object within.

It was a golden symbol.

At that moment, most of the golden symbol was stained with fresh blood, looking somewhat eerie.

"Yao Wu is in danger."

As this thought formed, his form blurred, transforming into a streak of light that vanished from the spot.

Ye Qian in the room was momentarily stunned, immediately marshaling her magic power to give chase.

Before departing, she sent a message to her three Junior Sisters.

"The situation is critical—come immediately."