503: Chapter 503 Looking for

Hearing that Ling Hao's goal was the kan cauldron, Mu Xiyao's expression tightened slightly, but she quickly returned to her usual demeanor.

She sighed, "Is it also for the kan cauldron? Several months ago, my Mu Family obtained this secondary cauldron at a volcano, but the news leaked, and the Golden Crow Holy Land, the Niding Alliance, and other forces have all set their sights on it."

At this point, she smiled helplessly, "The Mu Family thought it over, and rather than keeping it and inviting disaster, it is better to auction it. Not only can we exchange it for Spirit Stones, but we can also let all parties bid against each other at the auction, allowing the Mu Family to retreat unscathed."

Ling Hao looked at Mu Xiyao, "Aren't you curious? I'm from Cangwu Province, yet I've come all this way to take a secondary cauldron from Fusang Province."

Mu Xiyao looked up to meet his gaze, smiling beautifully, "If Senior wants this Junior to guess, this Junior cannot. If this Junior were truly omniscient and could even fathom the thoughts of a Mahayana Stage Cultivator, the Mu Family would not be stuck in the East Sea Chamber of Commerce, working themselves to the bone in this Fusang Province."

Ling Hao chuckled; this Young Miss of the Mu Family was quite interesting.

Mu Xiyao paused, then added, "However, this Junior can offer a piece of information as a bonus. The Golden Crow Holy Son has come to Fire Turtle Kingdom in person. Among those accompanying him is a black-robed Cultivator with a gloomy and dark aura; this Junior suspects he is a high-ranking member of the Niding Alliance. Furthermore, the four great eighth-rank powers of Fusang Province have all sent people."

"Huogui Mountain is the host, and the Chiling Pavilion has always been at odds with Huogui Mountain. Lutao Island has also sent people, and Qingmu Cliff has come as well, but it seems they only sent Disciples."

The corners of Ling Hao's mouth lifted slightly, "Is this a gesture of goodwill towards me?"

Mu Xiyao's smile was cunning, but her eyes held a hint of seriousness, "This Junior just feels that no matter whose hands this kan cauldron falls into, it would not be as good as it falling into the hands of Senior."

Ling Hao looked at her without speaking.

Mu Xiyao felt a bit uneasy under his gaze, and her fingertips subconsciously flicked the seashell bell on her wrist, emitting a series of faint, tinkling sounds.

Ling Hao took a sip of tea and said with certainty, "No matter the price, the kan cauldron is destined to be mine. Be it wealth or power."

"It has a connection with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle voice came from the doorway.

"What grand ambition; truly worthy of being the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Holy Land."

Ling Hao looked toward the sound. Two figures stood at the door. The leading woman appeared to be in her early thirties, her well-maintained face gentle and refined. Her features were seventy percent similar to Mu Xiyao's, but she possessed an added composure and dignity tempered by time.

She wore an ink-blue dress with wide sleeves, her dark hair pulled up high and secured with a jade coral hairpin. Her earrings were two thumb-sized East Sea pearls, glowing with a warm luster under the light.

Her figure was slender and graceful, her dignified temperament hiding a sharp edge—the kind of woman who could make her opponents feel inferior before a negotiation at the chamber of commerce even began.

Behind her followed an old woman with white hair. Her face was kind, but her aura was as deep as an abyss, and the Spiritual Qi around her was restrained like an ancient well with no visible bottom.

Ling Hao's gaze swept over the two of them, remaining calm.

After entering, Mu Yaoguang bowed slightly and said respectfully, "The current head of the East Sea Mu Family, Mu Yaoguang, greets the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Holy Land."

"Moon Shadow Sect Master, your presence is an honor. Yaoguang should have greeted you immediately, but I was tied up with mundane affairs and could not get away. I have arrived late, and I hope the Sect Master will forgive me."

The old woman then bowed with cupped hands, slightly bending her body, "I am Mu Yunluo, unworthy as the Supreme Elder of the Mu Family. I greet the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Holy Land."

Ling Hao stood up to return the salute, then turned to introduce, "This is Yu Lingshuang, my Dao Companion. This is my..."

He paused when mentioning Yue Xinlan, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, "This is..."

Yue Xinlan looked up at him, expressionless, but her eyes clearly conveyed, "Try saying something reckless and see what happens."

Ling Hao continued without changing his expression, "The Guest Elder of the Moonshadow Sect, Yue Xinlan."

Mu Yaoguang's gaze rested on Yue Xinlan for a moment. Petite stature, deep brown dress, wearing silver ornaments—she looked like an undeveloped little girl no matter how one looked at her.

She had originally thought Ling Hao would say "This is my daughter," and was already prepared to say, "Your daughter is so cute," but Ling Hao said she was a Guest Elder.

She swallowed the words that were about to slip out and changed course, "So she is a Guest Elder, my apologies, my apologies."

Good thing she didn't say it out loud; she almost made a mistake.

Yue Xinlan nodded expressionlessly, which counted as a response.

Her voice transmission pierced into Ling Hao's ears like a needle, "Did you do that on purpose?"

Ling Hao transmitted back, "What do you mean on purpose?"

"You introduced Yu Lingshuang first, saying she is your Dao Companion, and then introduced me. Why didn't you say I am the Deputy Sect Master? That pause—were you intentionally letting people misunderstand that I am your daughter?"

"Ling Shuang is my Dao Companion, did I say anything wrong? I was thinking of an appropriate title for you. The four words 'Guest Elder' have so many characters; isn't it normal for me to pause and think for a moment?"

"You—"

"Alright, alright, I'll buy you candied haws when we get back."

"Get lost!"

Mu Xiyao watched her mother and grandmother appear suddenly from the side, somewhat surprised, "Mother, why are you here? I haven't even—"

Mu Yaoguang glanced at her daughter, "With a figure like the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Holy Land visiting, by the time I waited for your notification, the soup would have already gone cold."

As she spoke, she took a token from her sleeve and presented it with both hands. The token was entirely translucent white, its edges shimmering with a pale golden light, and in the center was engraved a pattern of a vast ocean, completely different in design from ordinary tokens.

"This is the Myriad Phenomena Token of the East Sea Chamber of Commerce. It is one rank higher than the Purple Extreme Token, with equivalent privileges. For this auction, the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Holy Land can use this token to enter and leave any area of the East Sea Chamber of Commerce, except for a few specific locations, without needing to consult anyone else. Although the Mu Family dares not claim that we can be of great help, we will do our utmost to clear away any unnecessary trouble for the Sect Master."

Ling Hao took the token; it felt warm and smooth in his hand, with a faint, deep Spiritual Qi fluctuation like the ocean. He did not decline and tucked it into his sleeve.

Mu Yaoguang asked again, "The auction doesn't begin until seven days from now. Since the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Holy Land has just arrived in Fire Turtle Kingdom, do you have a place to stay? If you don't mind, there are several quiet courtyards in the back of the chamber of commerce. They are usually undisturbed and can also avoid prying eyes. If the Sect Master stays at an inn outside, I fear there will inevitably be some idle people coming to strike up a conversation."

Ling Hao thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, "Then I shall impose on you."

Mu Xiyao summoned a maidservant to lead Ling Hao and the others to the back courtyard of the chamber of commerce. After watching the three figures disappear at the end of the corridor, Mu Yaoguang withdrew her gaze and turned to look at her daughter and aunt.

The door closed, shutting out all sounds from the outside.

Mu Yaoguang walked to the tea table and sat down, her fingertips tapping lightly on the tabletop, "You both know the current situation of the Mu Family within the chamber of commerce. After the two Old Ancestors who were Undergoing Tribulation passed away one after another, the faction of the General President has no more scruples and is encroaching on our Mu Family's business share everywhere. Many people within the clan have already been bought off. If this continues, the management rights of the Fusang Province branch will sooner or later fall into the hands of others."

Mu Yunluo nodded slowly from the side, "And I have received news that the General President's faction seems to have established a connection with the Golden Crow Holy Land. If they gain the support of the Golden Crow Holy Land, the Mu Family will have no foothold left in the East Sea Chamber of Commerce."

Mu Xiyao's expression also darkened. Her usual cunning smile had vanished. She was well aware of the Family's predicament; her mother was working hard to support the Mu Family, walking on thin ice with every step.

And as a daughter, she only had the cultivation of the Nascent Soul Stage and could not provide any substantial help.