120: Wanping

Outside Qingyuan Town, Zhou Leren's figure appeared.

Scanning the area he had traveled, Zhou Leren felt a slight sigh in his heart. After several years of secluded cultivation, Qingyuan Town had actually undergone some changes.

Currently, the market of Qingyuan Town was renowned among the many surrounding towns.

Although the Zhou Family did not heavily manage the affairs, the security was absolute. For so many years, no one had ever heard of anyone causing trouble in the Qingyuan Town market.

The number of people frequenting the market was also increasing day by day.

Loose Cultivators made up the majority of them.

Just now, during his flight, many figures on the ground were heading towards the market of Qingyuan Town.

Within the market, the Zhou Family's Green Spirit Pavilion was still the largest building.

The items sold there did not win based on price, but excelled in comprehensive variety and excellent quality.

After the Zhou Family obtained the Yang Family's first-rank Talisman making Legacy, some third-generation Disciples had begun cultivating Talisman making concurrently.

Over these years, they had made some progress.

Subsequently, the floor in Green Spirit Pavilion that sold Talismans quietly added some first-rank Low Grade Talismans of various types.

Although the types partially overlapped with those sold by the Yang Family, both the quality and price were different.

Therefore, it would not put the Yang Family in a difficult position.

Zhou Leren carefully sensed the changes within, then no longer lingered. He chose a direction, and his escaping light shone, piercing the sky.

Yunzhong Prefecture, outside Guangming Mountain, was the location of Wanping City.

A streak of light in the sky paused, revealing a figure.

Zhou Leren looked at the massive city before him. On the city walls, the two characters for Wanping were like iron strokes and silver hooks, written with the speed of a Dragon, clearly penned by a Great Master of calligraphy.

After a moment of thought, he took out the invitation from his Storage Pouch. The location where the auction was to be held was precisely this Wanping City.

Zhou Leren lowered his figure and walked toward the city gate.

At the city entrance, the guards wore robes marked with the symbol of a black spiritual hammer, identifying them as Disciples of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

They saw Zhou Leren descend from the air and walk towards them.

Although the Artifact Refining Pavilion Disciples guarding the city looked somewhat serious, they did not show the same fear that other Qi Refining Cultivators displayed upon seeing a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator.

"Fellow Daoists, I wish to visit your Pavilion. Might I trouble you for an introduction?"

Zhou Leren handed out the invitation in his hand and spoke to the group.

Seeing the unique pale blue invitation, the expressions of the Qi Refinement Stage Disciples guarding the city finally changed. They exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward, respectfully saluting Zhou Leren, and said:

"Senior, please allow me to take a look."

After speaking, seeing Zhou Leren nod in agreement, he then reached out with both hands and took the invitation from Zhou Leren, his manner extremely respectful.

After opening the invitation and confirming its contents, he respectfully returned the invitation, bowing once more to Zhou Leren.

"Senior, please follow me."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Zhou Leren accepted it, thanking him softly.

The others repeatedly stepped aside, and the Disciple leading the way quickly said he dared not accept such thanks, taking a step sideways to lead the way.

Zhou Leren nodded to the other few individuals before stepping forward to follow.

After the two had walked away, the Artifact Refining Pavilion Disciples began whispering among themselves.

"I thought this was an old Foundation Establishment Stage monster skilled in maintaining his appearance. Now it seems he might even be younger than us..."

One person sighed softly. When Zhou Leren descended from the air, they had all scrutinized him. As Disciples of the Artifact Refining Pavilion, they had seen no small number of Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivators.

Some had white hair and beards, while others looked like middle-aged or young men. Thus, although Zhou Leren looked young, it was not surprising.

"As expected of a Family Disciple, his demeanor is extraordinary."

Another person agreed and praised him. The Artifact Refining Pavilion had broadly distributed invitations for this auction, but the invitations themselves varied. This pale blue invitation was specifically issued to Golden Core Level Powers, which was why their expressions had changed.

"What's so great about that? If it were me..."

One individual, thinking that Zhou Leren was already a high-flying Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator at such a young age, felt a hint of jealousy in his eyes and spoke with some disdain. However, before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the others.

"Watch your words, watch your words..."

More Cultivators entered the city at the gate, and the group fell silent.

Zhou Leren followed the Artifact Refining Pavilion Disciple into the city. Although his Divine Sense was not fully spread out, his eyes continuously surveyed the surroundings.

Wanping City truly lived up to its reputation as being controlled by the Artifact Refining Pavilion; its style was different from what Zhou Leren had seen before.

The buildings constructed were noticeably much more robust, and there were countless Magical Artifact workshops, though other items were also sold.

Before long, the two arrived in front of a pavilion.

Zhou Leren looked up and saw the characters for Treasure Artifact Building written on it.

The two stepped inside, and a young girl who looked like an attendant immediately came forward to greet them.

Before the young girl could speak, the Artifact Refining Pavilion Disciple who had led the way apologized to Zhou Leren, leaned in, and whispered a few words into the girl's ear.

The young girl was slightly surprised, but quickly composed herself and curtsied to Zhou Leren:

"Senior, please follow me."

The Disciple who had led the way stepped back a few paces and stood to the side. However, he did not leave but waited there.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Zhou Leren expressed his thanks, and then proceeded with the young girl up the Treasure Artifact Building.

The first floor of this Treasure Artifact Building sold only first-rank Magical Artifacts, with first-rank Medium Grade Magical Artifacts being the most numerous, High Grade Magical Artifacts second, and Low Grade Magical Artifacts the fewest.

The second floor sold second-rank spiritual artifacts, with Low Grade being the most numerous, Medium Grade second, and High Grade the least seen, with only one or two pieces.

Zhou Leren quickly scanned the area, noting the layout of the Treasure Artifact Building in his mind.

On the third floor, inside a quiet room.

By this time, the young girl had already withdrawn. A Middle-aged Cultivator stood up and asked Zhou Leren with a smile:

"My humble name is Cao Dahua. May I ask Fellow Daoist's esteemed name?"

The Middle-aged Cultivator cupped his hands in greeting, feeling a slight surprise at Zhou Leren's youth.

"Zhou Leren greets Fellow Daoist Cao."

Zhou Leren returned the salute.

"Zhou..."

The Middle-aged Cultivator surnamed Cao understood immediately. The Golden Core Level Powers in each prefecture were limited, and while he did not know everything about every Family, he certainly had a good idea.

"Fellow Daoist, please come this way!"

The Cultivator surnamed Cao thought to himself, and his tone became warmer. This Zhou Leren was probably only around thirty years old, yet he was already at the same cultivation stage as himself. He likely had prospects for the Golden Core Stage in the future. Since he had such an opportunity to make an acquaintance, the Cultivator surnamed Cao naturally wouldn't let it slip by.

The two left the Treasure Artifact Building, exited Wanping City, and then conjured their escaping lights, flying towards Guangming Mountain.

After the two had departed, the Disciple who had led the way finally left the Treasure Artifact Building and walked towards the city gate.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, what is the purpose of your trip?"

As two streaks of light flashed past, the Cultivator surnamed Cao spoke, trying to strike up a friendship.

"To be honest with Fellow Daoist Cao, the purpose of this visit to your sect is to request the Artifact Refining Great Masters of your sect to forge a Spiritual Artifact that suits my needs."

Zhou Leren briefly pondered and replied.

This was not something that couldn't be disclosed.

The Cultivator surnamed Cao nodded; this matched what he had expected.

Subsequently, the two chatted for a while, their escaping lights never stopping. Before long, they arrived at the location of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please!"

The Cultivator surnamed Cao gestured with his hand, leading Zhou Leren to fly into the Artifact Refining Pavilion from the location of the mountain gate.