Chương 107: Yunmeng Pavilion! Farewell, Elder Miao!

Farewell, Elder Miao!

His mind sank into the unbreakable and mysterious soul connection with Xiao Jin.

Zhou Ding held his breath and focused intently, like a highly skilled physician or a patient explorer, carefully perceiving, exploring, and evaluating every minute and every detail of Xiao Jin's internal changes and external manifestations after advancing to level five.

He was extremely focused on this process, and it took him nearly half an hour to figure out Xiao Jin's current general condition.

As his perception deepened, the look in his eyes gradually shifted from initial relief to surprise, and finally to overwhelming joy and heartfelt amazement.

First and foremost, the most obvious thing is that body, which has undergone a complete transformation and is now terrifyingly powerful after being baptized by both advancement and the Demon Blood Stone.

In Zhou Ding's perception, the power and resilience contained in Xiao Jin's flesh and bones had reached a level that he found somewhat unbelievable.

His initial assessment was that it was comparable to an ordinary level seven demonic beast!

Level 7 is equivalent to the late stage of Core Formation in humans, a true sign of entering the ranks of high-level demon beasts!

To verify this more directly, Zhou Ding subtly moved his mind and took out the Green Radiance Sword, a magical flying sword he had obtained from a Core Formation cultivator of the Yuling Sect and which he had already begun to refine, from his storage bag.

The emerald green blade gleamed with a chilling light in the dim light of the deserted island.

He didn't use any sword techniques, but instead channeled about 30% of his inner energy into the sword. With a flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword transformed into a tiny blue star, and he casually stabbed at the dark golden scales on Xiao Jin's back, where Xiao Jin was lying casually on the ground, his demonic energy peaceful, and he wasn't making any active defense.

"Ding!"

A clear, melodious sound, with a lingering resonance, like the gentle tapping of the finest jade chime, echoed across the silent, deserted island.

Zhou Ding saw it clearly and perceived it distinctly.

The sharp tip of the Green Radiance Sword touched the hard, cold scales, yet it didn't leave even the slightest white mark or scratch!

Instead, a resilient yet incredibly powerful counterforce emanated from the sword, causing the tip to deflect slightly and emit a faint hum.

Its hardness and toughness far exceed expectations.

"This is just the physical defense under normal conditions, without any demonic energy protection..." Zhou Ding retrieved his flying sword, his heart trembling with shock, and his gaze towards Xiao Jin was filled with disbelief.

It should be noted that although the Green Radiance Sword is not a top-tier magic weapon, it is still a legitimate magic weapon flying sword. With the help of his pure magic power at the peak of the early stage of Core Formation, its sharpness is enough to penetrate the defense of ordinary level 5 demon beasts. Even some level 5 demon beasts known for their defense may not be able to withstand it so easily and without any damage.

Xiao Jin, on the other hand, did not mobilize even a trace of demonic energy, but relied solely on the strength of his physical body to achieve this!

He once again manipulated Little Gold, activating its innate divine power—"Golden Armor Technique."

"Buzz—!"

In an instant, something unexpected happened!

Suddenly, a dazzling, intense golden light burst forth from the gaps in the dark gold scales on Xiao Jin's body, a light so intense that it was impossible to look directly at it!

The light was not scattered, but in an instant, it intertwined, condensed, and covered, forming a layer of light gold armor that was extremely solid, as thick as a mountain, and with countless mysterious and complex golden runes flowing on its surface!

The armor seemed to have a life of its own, completely covering every inch of Xiao Jin's enormous body, which was over twenty feet long, from the rugged horns on its head to the tip of its tail, leaving no gaps.

This golden armor no longer feels like a simple energy shield, but more like a divine artifact battle armor tailor-made for him and something he was born with!

A sense of heaviness, solidity, and invulnerability washes over you. Runes flow endlessly across the surface of the armor, accompanied by the faint sound of wind and thunder. The surrounding spiritual energy is drawn and dispersed by its invisible force field, forming circles of tiny, visible vortexes of spiritual energy.

Zhou Ding's eyes narrowed, and he dared not be careless.

He took a deep breath, raising his dantian's magical power to about 50%. The Green Radiance Sword in his hand shone brightly, emitting a clear and melodious sword cry. It transformed into a several-zhang-long emerald streak, carrying a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, and slashed down with all its might towards the thickest part of the golden armor on Xiao Jin's back!

The power of this sword strike is enough to easily injure or even kill an ordinary early-stage Core Formation cultivator.

"clang--!!!"

This time, the sound of the impact was no longer a crisp "ding," but rather like thunder from the heavens and a great bell being struck hard on the same giant bell!

A deafening metallic explosion erupted instantly, transforming into visible sonic waves that spread wildly in all directions, uprooting and blowing away all the remaining rubble and dust on the deserted island!

At the point of impact, ripples spread rapidly across the golden armor, and countless runes, like pebbles thrown into water, burst forth with even more dazzling golden light, easily swallowing, neutralizing, and dissolving the sharp, emerald-green sword light that was powerful enough to split mountains and shatter rocks.

The golden armor itself, apart from a slight increase in radiance before returning to normal, remained as stable as a mountain, its light flowing without moving an inch, as if the terrifying attack just now was merely a gentle breeze.

Zhou Ding clearly felt that the recoil force transmitted from the Green Radiance Sword was more than ten times stronger than before!

"Excellent! What a brilliant Golden Armor Technique! What an impregnable fortress!" Zhou Ding's eyes gleamed, and he couldn't help but cheer again, his excitement beyond words.

After this test, he was 90% certain that with such strength and such profound Golden Armor Technique defense, any attack below the Nascent Soul stage would probably be unable to shake it in the slightest!

Little Gold has practically transformed into a mobile, almost indestructible war fortress!

This undoubtedly gives him near-absolute defensive confidence and the ability to calmly deal with any Core Formation stage enemy in the future.

Even if they are outmatched, with Xiao Jin protecting them, escaping unscathed is by no means difficult.

Next, he once again deeply connected his consciousness with Xiao Jin and tested the upgraded "Heavenly Hearing Technique".

In an instant, that strange, colorful vision that could glimpse the spiritual light and charm of treasures in the world unfolded before his "eyes" once again.

This time, the range of his vision expanded from a stable 100 miles to a steady 150 miles, along with the surge in his own divine sense!

It perfectly overlaps with the current range of his divine sense!

This means that from now on, as long as Zhou Ding's divine sense can reach within a radius of 150 miles, any hidden treasure, no matter how deep it is buried or how cleverly the array is concealed, will not escape the "divine eye" of this Heavenly Listening Technique as long as its "treasure light" essence exists!

The efficiency and safety of searching for rare and precious materials will see a qualitative leap.

Then came "Transfiguration".

A deep rumble, like muffled thunder or the pulsation of the earth, resounded once again from within Xiao Jin's massive body, which was over twenty feet long and already as large as a small mountain!

Muscles, bones, and fascia begin to writhe, stretch, and expand wildly in some mysterious pattern!

Enveloped in a dazzling, almost blinding dark golden light, Xiao Jin's body, like a fully inflated sack, began to grow at an alarming rate once again!

Thirty zhang... thirty-five zhang... Finally, under Zhou Ding's slightly shocked gaze, its size swelled to a terrifying level of nearly forty zhang!

This is no longer a small hill, but a truly moving mountain!

Majestic, imposing, and exuding a terrifying aura of ancient wilderness, it simply stood there quietly. The oppressive feeling brought by its pure physical power made Zhou Ding, a Core Formation cultivator who had seen many storms, feel a tremor in his heart and his breath catch in his throat.

This ultimate combat form, spanning forty zhang, undoubtedly possesses strategic and decisive significance in head-on combat, charging into battle, overcoming skill with brute force, intimidating hordes of enemies, and even serving as a vehicle for high-speed flight or breakout.

Of course, Zhou Ding also knew that maintaining such a huge body would consume an astronomical amount of demonic energy, which could not be sustained and could only be used as a trump card in critical moments.

Looking at the colossal beast before him, which blotted out the sky, with its ferocious scales like inverted divine weapons, its breath accompanied by wind and thunder, and its eyes as red as a blood abyss, Zhou Ding was filled with countless emotions.

It was truly difficult to reconcile the colossal war beast before him, exuding an aura that would chill even Core Formation cultivators, with the tiny, furry, innocent, and adorable treasure-hunting mouse that he had once carefully protected and kept hidden in his arms to avoid danger.

Time flies, and opportunities arise. They truly possess the incredible power to turn decay into magic and turn stone into gold, and they are all striving forward on this path.

Subsequently, Zhou Ding perceived and tested Xiao Jin's other talents and abilities one by one.

The "Light of Breaking Restrictions" is more refined and pure, and its efficiency in penetrating restrictions seems to be even higher.

The "Black Light Claw" grew increasingly deep and black, and its corrosive power became even more vicious and difficult to deal with as the demonic power underwent a qualitative change. Even the protective spiritual light of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator might not be able to completely withstand it.

The "Soul-Capturing Eye" has greatly enhanced its deterrent power and mental impact, and it may have a miraculous effect on monsters of the same or even slightly higher level.

The "Clone Technique" can maintain up to seven realistic clones at the same time, and the strength and duration of each clone have been significantly improved.

These enhancements, which occurred naturally as the total amount and quality of demonic energy surged, have made its tactical options more diverse and varied.

What Zhou Ding cared about most was the dark golden demon core that had recently condensed within his small golden dantian, slowly rotating as if it contained a small galaxy!

The demon core was about the size of an adult man's fist. Its surface was covered with naturally formed, mysterious, dark golden Dao patterns. Inside, it contained an immeasurable amount of pure demon essence. When calm, it was like a deep pool, but when it surged, it seemed to be able to unleash a destructive storm.

The degree of refinement, the quality and total amount of energy contained in this demon core clearly far exceeded Zhou Ding's understanding of ordinary level 5 demon beast cores. Its quality was so high that it probably approached or even reached the threshold of level 6 demon beasts.

After a comprehensive evaluation, taking into account factors such as physical body, defense, talent, and demon core, Zhou Ding came to a conclusion that greatly excited him and even made his blood boil.

With Xiao Jin's current comprehensive strength—a terrifying physical foundation comparable to a level seven demon beast, an almost unsolvable "Golden Armor Technique" absolute defense below the Nascent Soul stage, an ultimate war form that can reach up to forty feet in length, and various strange, hard-to-defend, and greatly enhanced innate divine abilities.

Below the Nascent Soul stage, it can absolutely roam freely! Even those Great Perfection cultivators who have been immersed in the late Core Formation stage for hundreds of years, possess profound magical power and powerful magic treasures, would probably have to think twice and plan carefully before dealing with Little Gold now.

One wrong move and you could suffer a bloody defeat in front of this war fortress, or even capsize in the gutter.

This undoubtedly became an absolute trump card in Zhou Ding's hands, enough to turn the tide, intimidate powerful enemies, and make a decisive move at crucial moments!

It is one of his greatest assets for securing his place and making great strides in this chaotic starry sea, fraught with danger and filled with powerful figures!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhou Ding was filled with pride and exclaimed "Good!" three times. He felt that all his previous efforts, waiting, and even risks had been rewarded in the most generous way.

He stopped testing and took out several jade bottles that he had prepared beforehand from his storage bag. Inside were rare pills that he had specially made for Xiao Jin, used to help demon beasts quickly recover their vitality and stabilize their new demon cores after advancing in rank.

Uncork the bottle and feed all the pills into Little Gold's slightly open mouth.

He then had Xiao Jin lie down again, quietly regulate his breathing, absorb the medicinal power, and consolidate this hard-won new realm.

Once the violent aura surrounding Xiao Jin had completely subsided and its demonic power flowed smoothly and freely, Zhou Ding used his mind to control it, causing it to shrink back to its adorable, harmless form, about a foot long.

Gently holding it in his palm, feeling its still heavy weight and terrifying power even after shrinking, he carefully put it into his personal spirit beast pouch.

He did not immediately ride the escape light back to Kui Xing Island.

Out of his usual caution, he first circled the waters around the deserted island seemingly aimlessly for several times.

At the same time, he fully extended his terrifying divine sense, which was as high as 150 miles, like the finest sieve, repeatedly probing the sky, sea surface, and even the depths of the water within a radius of hundreds of miles.

After confirming that there were no traces of cultivators, residual divine senses, or suspicious surveillance fluctuations, he changed direction, concealed all his aura, and accelerated the speed of the Divine Wind Boat to the level of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, flying unhurriedly towards Kui Xing Island like an ordinary passing cultivator.

……

When we returned to our cave dwelling on Lingmu Peak, the sun was already setting.

Inside the cave, the soft glow of the luminous pearl had already illuminated the room. Xin Ruyin sat alone at a stone table in a corner of the hall, quietly perusing a thick ancient book about the evolution of ancient array runes by the light of the lamp.

Hearing the familiar footsteps, she raised her head. The fleeting concern and hidden worry in her beautiful eyes transformed into a gentle and peaceful sense of relief the moment she saw Zhou Ding safe and sound.

She didn't immediately ask Zhou Ding what he had done. Instead, she put down her book, stood up gracefully, and took out a finely crafted communication talisman that shimmered with a faint light from her sleeve, gently handing it to Zhou Ding.

"Zhou Lang, you're back. This was personally delivered by Steward Feng a few days ago. She said it was an urgent matter that required your personal decision." Xin Ruyin's voice remained gentle.

Zhou Ding smiled slightly at her, took the communication talisman that still retained a trace of the warmth of her palm, and probed it with his divine sense.

Feng Sanniang's familiar voice immediately rang out, her tone filled with obvious respect: "Elder Zhou, I have just received definite news through special channels! The 'Yunmeng Pavilion,' which floats above Tiandu Street and is jointly owned by the four major merchant alliances, will officially open in one month! This is a grand event that occurs only once every fifty years. A large-scale auction will be held within the pavilion, bringing together treasures from all directions.

High-level cultivators from the surrounding seas will likely be drawn by the news! I am reporting this to you so that you may make preparations in advance!"

Yunmeng Pavilion!

Zhou Ding's gaze sharpened, and he put away the communication talisman, already understanding the situation.

Having lived on Kuixing Island for over a decade, he had already thoroughly investigated the details of the "Yunmeng Pavilion," a celestial palace suspended above Tiandu Street and resembling a jade carving, through various channels, both overtly and covertly.

This pavilion is not a local property of Kui Xing Island. Behind it stands the "Four Great Business Alliances," which are powerful throughout the Chaotic Star Sea, have business networks spanning countless islands in the Inner Star Sea, and whose influence is deeply entrenched and unfathomable!

Shops like "Yunmeng Pavilion" on Kuixing Island, which combine luxury, mystery, and power, can be found in the core areas of almost every medium-sized and larger island in the Chaotic Star Sea. They are a symbol of the four major business alliances' pervasive influence and strong financial resources.

The Yunmeng Pavilion on Kuixing Island is not open to the public year-round.

As far as he knew, it followed a fairly fixed cycle, opening only once every fifty years or so.

Each opening basically means that a grand auction of unprecedented scale, extremely high standard, and rare treasures from all over the world will be held!

At that time, not only will all the high-level cultivators on the island come out, but also prominent cultivators, families, and even some sect representatives from tens of thousands of miles of surrounding sea will gather in Kuixing City.

The treasures that appeared at the auction were all the best of the best. Many of them were rare spiritual materials that were hard to find in the outside market, incomplete ancient treasures passed down from ancient times, elixirs with miraculous effects, and even some unorthodox but powerful cultivation techniques and secret arts. Occasionally, one or two items would appear that would make even Core Formation cultivators fight like crazy, and that could be used as the grand finale of a clan or sect's foundation.

"It's finally going to open... It only happens once every fifty years, it's definitely not to be missed." Zhou Ding muttered to himself, a glint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Now that he is wealthy and has partial control over the resources of the Six-in-One Palace, and has also gained a large sum of "unexpected wealth" through the Heavenly Hearing Technique, he needs such a high-level, safe, reliable platform with concentrated treasures to acquire those rare resources that can help him.

Many materials that are hard to find on the list may be found at this auction, or even directly acquired through bidding.

……

Several days later, while Zhou Ding was organizing his belongings in his cave in preparation for a possible participation in the auction, he received another message from Feng San Niang.

This time the news was even more direct: Miao Li, the elder of the Six-Hall Headquarters, had quietly arrived at Kui Xing Island and was currently waiting on the top floor of Bai Shui Lou, hoping to meet with him as soon as possible to discuss important matters.

Zhou Ding felt a slight stirring in his heart, wondering what Elder Miao's sudden visit at this time was for.

After tidying up briefly, he didn't linger any longer and immediately set off, returning to Tiandu Street and stepping into the Baishuilou building that he was already quite familiar with.

In the same elegantly decorated VIP room filled with calming incense, he met Miao Li, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

Miao Li still had that lean and vigorous, otherworldly appearance. His dark blue cloud-patterned robe was spotless, and his eyes shone with a sharp light, making his cultivation seem even more refined and profound than when they last met.

Upon seeing Zhou Ding enter, a warm and sincere smile immediately appeared on his face. He stood up to greet him, his attitude seemingly even more intimate than last time: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, how have you been? I see your divine light..." His aura was deep and resolute, like a mountain, and his every movement exuded Daoist charm. His cultivation must have greatly improved, and his foundation in Dao must be more solid. Truly a cause for celebration! I offer my congratulations in advance!

"Elder Miao, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."

Zhou Ding returned the greeting with a respectful but not arrogant attitude, and a polite smile on his face: "It was just a small gain. I went into seclusion for a while and made a little progress. How could I dare to claim that I have made great progress? Elder Miao, on the other hand, you are full of energy and have a strong Daoist aura. It is clear that your cultivation has also made great progress. You are truly admirable."

The two took their seats again, one as host and the other as guest, and a maid served them fine tea.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and a sip of tea, Miao Li put down his teacup, gently stroking his long, white beard. A concerned smile graced his face as he inquired, like an elder caring for a junior: "Fellow Daoist Zhou has been in charge of the position of Elder of Kui Xing Island in my Six-Linked Hall for quite some time now. How are you finding it? Are the managers and stewards of the six branch stores, as well as Steward Feng and the others, obedient to your commands?

Are the businesses running smoothly? If any of them are tactless, or if you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to speak frankly. Since I introduced you to the Hall, I will naturally support and help you."

Zhou Ding knew this was a routine show of concern and a test. He remained calm, smiled slightly, and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Elder Miao. All the managers of the six shops are experienced, shrewd, and capable, and Steward Feng is also diligent and thoughtful."

Everything ran smoothly. Zhou only coordinated and provided some guidance; the specific operational details were all handled by them.

As for difficulties, none have been encountered yet. The situation on Kui Xing Island is stable, and the reputation of the Six-Linked Temple still carries considerable weight there.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are too modest, too modest."

Upon hearing this, Miao Li clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes filled with even more admiration: "I have long heard of the innovative measures you have implemented, such as the 'VIP Jade Plaque,' 'Waste Replacement,' and 'Customized Commissioning,' even though I live in the Inner Sea. It is said that since their implementation, the customer traffic and profits of the six stores have increased significantly, and it has become a well-known story among colleagues on the surrounding islands."

Fellow Daoist, not only is your cultivation profound, but your skills in managing wealth and controlling people's hearts are also unique and ingenious. You are truly a rare talent in our Six-Linked Palace!

Fellow Daoist, not only is your cultivation profound, but your skills in managing wealth and controlling people's hearts are also unique and ingenious. You are truly a rare talent in our Six-Linked Palace!

The elders in charge of the evaluation within the hall spoke highly of you, fellow Daoist.

His words were half praise and half revelation of inside information, clearly an attempt to curry favor with Zhou Ding and demonstrate that his value had been recognized by higher authorities.

He then changed the subject, his expression becoming slightly more serious. He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, saying, "To be honest, Fellow Daoist Zhou, the main reason I've come here this time, besides the routine inspection of the branch stores on each island, is because of the upcoming opening of Yunmeng Pavilion."

Zhou Ding's expression shifted, and he adopted a posture of attentive listening, already having some guesses in his mind.

Miao Li continued, his tone analytical: "The Yunmeng Pavilion opens once every fifty years, a grand auction event that is a once-in-a-lifetime event for Kuixing Island and even the surrounding seas."

At that time, the four directions will be in turmoil, and all sorts of people will gather. The cultivators who come will have complex backgrounds, including many with profound cultivation levels, such as those who have reached the Core Formation stage, and there may even be some senior experts in the Nascent Soul stage who come in disguise, either out of interest or for a specific treasure.

Although Kui Xing Island is an important stronghold of our Six Linked Halls, which has been operating for many years and has considerable strength, in the past, at this time of year, we have only been able to rely on the existing resources of the branches on the island. We have to seize business opportunities and conduct large-scale transactions, while also guarding against unscrupulous individuals who want to take advantage of the situation and maintaining the safety of the shops and personnel.

It has been quite a stretch, requiring extra caution and putting us under considerable pressure.

He looked at Zhou Ding with sincere eyes and said in a heartfelt manner, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, although you are outstanding in strength and extraordinary in skill, you have not been in charge of this place for long. You may lack experience in dealing with the complex situations that may arise at such a large-scale and high-level event."

I am worried that you, fellow Daoist, may be overseeing the auction alone, and may not be able to handle any unforeseen circumstances or make any mistakes.

Therefore, after much deliberation, I decided to come here in person.

Firstly, I'm here to oversee this auction. With my old face and some cultivation, I might be able to deter some villains.

Secondly, it's also to share some of the pressure with you, so that we can discuss things together and deal with them together when problems arise. What do you think?

Do you think my actions are somewhat excessive?

Zhou Ding understood immediately and instantly realized Miao Li's purpose.

This demonstrates the importance and support that the higher-ups of the Six-in-One Hall place in him as a newly promoted elder, and shows that the organization is his solid backing.

On the other hand, there is probably also consideration of investigating, assisting, and even ensuring that the Six-Linked Temple can operate smoothly and maximize its benefits in this grand event with huge interests.

Of course, it might also contain a hint of unease, a desire to see firsthand his ability to handle big situations.

In any case, the other party made a good impression, gave a valid reason, and took the initiative to help. He could not and did not need to refuse, both morally and logically.

He immediately showed gratitude and solemnly clasped his hands, saying, "Elder Miao's consideration is thorough and considerate of his subordinates. I am extremely grateful! Elder Miao is absolutely right. Such a grand event is full of variables. It is truly our good fortune and the blessing of the six stores to have such an experienced senior as Elder Miao in charge and guiding us."

"Now that I have assumed this important responsibility, I need the elders' guidance. In all matters, I will naturally follow the elders' lead, and I will fully cooperate without hesitation!"

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you flatter me. As elders of the hall, we should work together to overcome these difficult times. Why should we distinguish between primary and secondary roles?" Miao Li smiled even more broadly upon seeing Zhou Ding's understanding and tact, waving his hands repeatedly, clearly very satisfied.

He clearly admired Zhou Ding's attitude of not taking credit, not showing off, and respecting his seniors.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he carefully took something out of the inner pocket of his robe and handed it over.

It was a token about half the size of a palm, with an elegant and noble purple color throughout, and a warm and delicate texture that felt like the finest jade.

The token has an ancient design with flowing cloud patterns on the edges. The front is inlaid with two powerful ancient seal characters, "Yunmeng," in a dark gold color with a lifelike appearance, and a faint spiritual light flows through it. The back is engraved with a cloud pattern that is constantly changing in shape and seems to be slowly flowing on its own. If you sense it carefully, you can perceive that it contains a rather exquisite and mysterious spatial fluctuation restriction.

"This is the 'Purple Cloud VIP Token' issued by Yunmeng Pavilion."

Miao Li pointed to the token and explained, "It is a certificate issued by the four major business alliances to major forces, important clients, and a few high-level cultivators whose strength is recognized, who have close cooperative relationships with them."

The quantity is quite limited, symbolizing status. With this token, on the day of the auction, one can directly enter the private VIP boxes on the third floor and above of the Yunmeng Pavilion without going through cumbersome checks. The boxes are equipped with powerful barriers to prevent divine sense detection, facilitating concealment of identity and quiet participation in bidding, while also avoiding many unnecessary troubles.

Furthermore, before the auction, this token also allows priority access to the catalog of some non-final auction items. I happen to have an extra one here, so I'm giving it to Fellow Daoist Zhou, hoping it will be helpful for your participation in the auction."

Zhou Ding accepted the slightly heavy and spiritually vibrant "Purple Cloud Token," understanding that this was likely another substantial investment and gesture of goodwill from Miao Li, or rather, the Six-Hall faction behind him, towards him, the newly promoted elder.

This gift is far more valuable than a few words of praise. With this token, participating in auctions will undoubtedly be much more convenient, safer, and more discreet, saving him a lot of trouble and making it easier for him to access information about the core treasures.

"Such a generous gift, I am unworthy of it! Thank you, Elder Miao!" Zhou Ding did not feign reluctance, but carefully put away the token and thanked him sincerely again. He would remember this favor.

The two then exchanged in-depth opinions on the hot items that might appear at the auction, the surrounding forces and well-known cultivators that needed special attention, the Six-Linked Palace's own procurement and sales plans, as well as possible unexpected situations and contingency plans, and chatted for about half an hour.

Miao Li was very experienced, and many of his reminders greatly benefited Zhou Ding.

As dusk deepened, Zhou Ding finally rose to take his leave and departed from Baishui Tower.

……

Time is like an arrow, the sun and the moon are like a shuttle.

For cultivators, a month truly passes in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the atmosphere above Kuixing City was noticeably different from usual.

The spiritual energy flowing in the air seemed to become more active and restless, with an inexplicable tension that suggested an impending storm or a grand event.

From the direction of Tianzhu Peak, and even further into the Qingyun Mountains, streaks of light, some strong and some weak, but mostly extraordinary, converged one after another towards Tiandu Street, like birds returning to their nests.

The streets, which are usually quite spacious, were now packed with people, a cacophony of noise that reached the heavens, and many of them were clearly foreign cultivators.

All eyes, whether openly or secretly, were focused on the jade pavilion above the White Jade Square—the Cloud Dream Pavilion, a jade fairy pavilion that floated quietly, its entire body lush and verdant, shimmering with a dreamlike luster under today's bright sunlight.

The day has finally arrived for the opening of Yunmeng Pavilion.

In the quiet chamber of the Lingmu Peak cave, Zhou Ding slowly opened his eyes from the futon. His eyes were deep and calm, as if all his emotions had been calmed down.

He stood up and changed into an inconspicuous, ordinary dark gray robe, perfectly concealing the spiritual pressure of the Core Formation stage around him, revealing only the cultivation fluctuations of the late Foundation Establishment stage.

He tied the pale purple "Purple Cloud VIP Token" with a strong ice silkworm thread and hung it close to his body in the inner pocket of his chest.

He checked his condition one last time, and after confirming that everything was alright, he pushed open the stone door to the quiet room.

"Zhou Lang, be careful."

Xin Ruyin was already waiting in the hall, holding a moon-white inner robe that she had sewn herself, with calming and soothing runes in her hands. She gently gave her instructions, her eyes filled with tenderness and trust.

"Wait for me to come back."

Zhou Ding smiled slightly at her, took the robe and put it into his storage bag, gently squeezed her hand, and then without hesitation, his figure moved and transformed into an inconspicuous gray light, quietly leaving the cave and speeding towards the jade pavilion.

I'm currently reading Chapter 107 of the novel, "Cloud Dream Pavilion! Goodbye Elder Miao!", and I'm completely engrossed in it.