122: He Ming

Inside the main hall, after Sect Master Li departed.

Elder Cao, as if entrusted with a critical mission, had a slightly solemn expression.

He turned around and gestured forward with his left hand.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please come this way for tea."

On a nearby platform, attendant Disciples had already neatly arranged the items needed to entertain esteemed guests.

Zhou Leren nodded with pleasure.

Compared to Sect Master Li, Zhou Leren was still more willing to interact with Elder Cao.

The two sat opposite each other, sipping tea and discussing the Dao.

Before long, Sect Master Li returned and joined their conversation.

Thus, several hours later, Zhou Leren and Elder Cao stood up, bade farewell to Sect Master Li, and left Yongming Peak.

Following Elder Cao all the way, Zhou Leren arrived at a quiet and elegant pavilion, where he would temporarily reside.

After bringing Zhou Leren to his destination, Elder Cao felt a pang of reluctance; his grand plan to build connections had only just begun to show promise, and now it was ending.

However, he couldn't pester him relentlessly; he had to let things take their natural course.

Moreover, he still had responsibilities, so it was inconvenient for him to linger there.

After Elder Cao left, Zhou Leren briefly surveyed the surroundings, then entered the pavilion, sat cross-legged, and circulated his Qi.

Even with high talent, cultivation is never an overnight success... Two months later.

Inside the room, Zhou Leren slowly ceased the operation of his Cultivation Technique, and the slightly fluctuating Qi on his body gradually subsided.

Afterward, Zhou Leren opened his eyes, having calculated for some time; today was the day the Artifact Refining Pavilion would hold its auction.

After a slight hesitation, Zhou Leren decided to go; many people were sure to attend this time, and it would be a good opportunity to meet Fellow Daoists from other prefectures.

At this moment, a voice came from outside the pavilion.

"Senior, today is the day our sect holds its auction. The Sect Master asked me to inform you. If Senior wishes to attend, this Junior will lead the way."

The voice was respectful, and judging by it, the speaker seemed quite young.

"This Sect Master Li is truly thoughtful."

Zhou Leren thought to himself, then stood up, flicked his sleeve, opened the door, and with a step, flew out of the pavilion, landing in front of a young Disciple dressed in the Artifact Refining Pavilion's standard robes.

"Senior."

Seeing Zhou Leren, the young Disciple quickly bowed in greeting.

"Lead the way."

Zhou Leren made a gesture of support, helped the person up, and nodded to him.

In Wanping City, at the Artifact Refining Pavilion's auction house, Zhou Leren thanked the young Disciple, then walked towards the Disciples at the entrance of the auction house.

At this time, many Cultivators were coming and going in Wanping City, most of them drawn by the news of the Artifact Refining Pavilion's auction.

Zhou Leren took out the pale green invitation, and guided by an Artifact Refining Pavilion Disciple, headed to the third floor of the auction house.

The private rooms on the third floor were set up by the Artifact Refining Pavilion for various Golden Core Level Factions.

Just as Zhou Leren stepped onto the third floor, gazes extended from the private rooms on the third floor; those who could ascend to the third floor were undoubtedly major Factions with Golden Core True Persons in residence, and they had some understanding of each other.

Now, the sudden appearance of such a young new face naturally surprised everyone.

However, despite their curiosity, they did not make any impolite gestures.

Inside a private room.

Two Cultivators were conversing softly, but their gazes changed slightly when Zhou Leren appeared.

"Is that someone from the Zhou Family?"

A Middle-aged Man with a full beard asked, a little uncertainly.

When Zhou Leren ascended to the third floor, he felt a sense of familiarity, but the impression wasn't deep.

After thinking for a moment, he recalled some portraits he had seen before and spoke to an elderly Cultivator beside him.

The elderly Cultivator was also unsure, but hearing the Middle-aged Man's words, a flash of realization crossed his mind.

The Zhou Family was exceptionally low-key in Huichuan Prefecture, and Zhou Leren had only just reached Foundation Establishment, so it was normal for others not to recognize him.

Only these two individuals here, one being an Elder of the He Family in the Foundation Establishment Stage, and the other an Elder of the Ming Family in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Their understanding of the Zhou Family was naturally much greater than that of Factions from other prefectures.

"If my memory serves me correctly, this person should be Zhou Leren."

"Zhou Leren..."

"Hiss~"

"This child is probably only around thirty years old, yet he has already become a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator."

Elder He, the Middle-aged Man, after receiving confirmation from the elderly Cultivator, his expression changed erratically, and he exclaimed in some shock.

"Indeed, around thirty, such talent is truly remarkable."

Elder Ming sighed, thinking that he was now one hundred and fifty years old, yet his cultivation remained stuck at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, and he couldn't help but feel a little despondent.

"I originally thought this Zhou Family was merely a bunch of people who borrowed power and influence, relying on Old Ancestor Mo to be on equal footing with our two families."

The Middle-aged Man's tone was disdainful, clearly not putting the Zhou Family in his eyes; the Zhou Family's current status was merely due to Mo Xuan's prestige.

"But I didn't expect them to have such a Prodigy."

"If left unchecked, perhaps in a few decades, he will become another Golden Core Immortal Master..."

"It would be better if..."

The Middle-aged Man's voice grew softer and softer, and he turned to look at the Elder of the Ming Family, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

Although each private room had the function of isolating Divine Sense, sounds could still be transmitted, which is why the Middle-aged Man acted this way.

"This..."

Elder Ming looked at Elder He's demeanor, knowing full well what he was thinking, and his tone was somewhat shocked.

"Are you not afraid of Old Ancestor Mo? He is a great killer; if we provoke him, I'm afraid the Clan won't be able to protect us."

Although Elder Ming's voice was lowered, it was slightly hurried, and he recalled some rumors about Mo Xuan, his face showing some unease.

"Brother Ming, it seems you don't know about this yet."

At this moment, the ruthless look in Elder He's eyes had disappeared, and he sat back down, his tone gentle, carrying a hint of unknown meaning, appearing confident.

"Don't worry, by the time we return, Old Ancestor Mo will probably be gone from Huichuan Prefecture."

Seeing Elder Ming's puzzled expression, Elder He added another sentence.

"Could it be?"

Elder Ming pondered, seeing Fellow Daoist He's demeanor, he figured it must not be groundless.

Then, the only one who could deal with Old Ancestor Mo would be... Elder Ming seemed to grasp something in his heart and asked Elder He a question.

Elder He picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, and then slowly nodded.

"Since that's the case..."

Elder Ming, having received a positive reply, his eyes were dark and flickering, and he murmured:

"Since that's the case, Brother He, then let this Prodigy of the Zhou Family remain here forever."

Why, why could a mere Junior so easily catch up to him? Elder Ming felt indignant.

Since he no longer had a backer, it was just as well to eliminate a potential disaster for the Clan.

He thought that if he returned to the Clan with this person's head, the Old Ancestor would surely not be stingy with rewards, and perhaps he would even have a chance to advance further in this life.

His thoughts raced, Elder Ming and Elder He exchanged glances, each chuckled softly, and then no longer thought about the matter.

Earlier, while the two were secretly discussing, Zhou Leren, led by the Disciple, arrived in front of a private room.

At the entrance of the private room, two young women stood by, ready to be called upon if anything was needed.

Zhou Leren thanked the guiding Disciple, then quickly pushed open the door of the private room and entered, amidst the starry-eyed admiration of the two young and beautiful women.

Zhou Leren was handsome, young, and powerful in cultivation, and along the way, he had naturally received many such admiring glances.

Although he was used to it, at such close proximity, he still felt a slight discomfort.