In the dimly lit room filled with the muted sounds of Foundation Establishment cultivators mingling, the conversation nearby turned into a fervent discussion about recent tumultuous events, notably the demise of the Situ family.

"Have you heard about the Situ family's ordeal, Master Liu?"

"Yes, I've heard. The entire Situ family was wiped out by a brutal assailant—thousands perished without a single survivor."

"It's been revealed by the upper sects that it was the work of a demonic monk from the Golden Dragon Temple in Yu Kingdom! They say someone witnessed bursts of Buddha's light emanating from the Situ estate!"

"What? Those bald monks did it? Ha, I knew it! They preach about laying down the butcher's knife to become Buddhas on the spot, but behind the scenes, they commit such acts!"

"Heh, no worries, Golden Dragon Temple won't last much longer! The upper sect initially planned to move against the Mystical Sound Palace and Imperial Spirit Mountain, but they've changed their plans last minute to strike Golden Dragon Temple first!"

"Ha! Whether true or not, Golden Dragon Temple can't refute it!"

The cultivators around Chu Xuan were eagerly exchanging whispers about the big events.

Chu Xuan could only suppress a chuckle hearing how the blame had been conveniently shifted onto Golden Dragon Temple.

'Well, that suits me fine. Golden Dragon Temple is no saint anyway. The things Huikong did... I know all about them.'

"Hey, do you think that demonic monk might target another cultivating family?"

"That demonic monk acts without any limits; ruthless in pursuit of wealth. It wouldn't be surprising if he came after our families too."

"We were forced to migrate north by the upper sect... Hopefully, that monk doesn't find us. If even a late-stage cultivator like Situ Xiong fell to him, I stand no chance."

"Why worry! If our families unite, forming a defensive triangle, what's there to fear from one monk?"

"Exactly! If that monk dares to strike, he won't return alive!"

The family heads, righteous indignation swelling within them, seemed as if they had already dealt with the demonic monk. Their conversation was interrupted by a series of coughs as a handsome and imposing figure strode confidently into the room.

All eyes turned towards the newcomer as they quickly stood up.

"Senior brother Huang!"

"Fellow Daoist Huang!"

Most of these Foundation Establishment cultivators were those who felt they had reached their potential and left the Heaven Burning Sect to establish their own cultivating families.

Unlike them, Huang Wuyang still served within the Heaven Burning Sect and at just over forty years old, he was brimming with potential. If fortune favored him, he might even advance to the Golden Core stage, elevating the Huang family from a mere Foundation Establishment to a Golden Core lineage!

Of course, a family that occasionally produces a Golden Core cultivator isn't considered particularly strong compared to those where each generation has Golden Core cultivators.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

However, enduring Golden Core families in the Yue Kingdom are few, and among these Foundation Establishment families, the Huang family's potential to ascend was enough to overshadow them for at least three hundred years.

This was enough reason for them to curry favor with Huang Wuyang.

Huang Wuyang chuckled lightly, bowing to the crowd. "A pleasure, a pleasure. Huang has the honor of meeting you all."

His gaze swept across the assembly, briefly crossing paths with the silent Chu Xuan, prompting him to smile imperceptibly.

Lv Xiu. The head of the Lv Clan, once his senior brother. Adorned with myriad glories. An injury sustained on an expedition damaged his foundation, compelling him to leave the sect with melancholy and establish a sect of his own in cultivation.

As a result, Lv Xiu underwent a profound transformation, becoming the reclusive figure he was known as today.

However, Huang Wuyang was a man of dignity; he never sought to humiliate Lv Xiu, as that would demean himself. Merely a glance at Lv Xiu was sufficient to evoke a strong sense of superiority within him.

Chu Xuan naturally noticed Huang Wuyang's gaze. Huang An approached his tasks with utmost seriousness, presenting intelligence reports in meticulous detail, including Huang Wuyang's interpersonal relationships within the Heaven Burning Sect.

He naturally understood the enmity between Huang Wuyang and Lv Xiu. His amusement was subtle. Beneath this facade, the Lv senior brother known to Huang Wuyang was nowhere to be found.

The Lord of the Liu Family, with silver-white temples, chuckled lightly. "Junior Brother Huang has also arrived. Shall we commence this small-scale auction?"

Huang Wuyang laughed heartily. "Not yet. I have invited a fellow Daoist to join us. She intends to auction various treasures she holds."

With these words, the cultivators present were quite astonished.

Someone else is coming? Do we know her?

Seeing the perplexity in the eyes of the crowd, Huang Wuyang smiled faintly. "She is not an acquaintance of yours, but she is of mine. However, I'm sure none of you would mind..."

Before he could finish his sentence, there came a knock at the door.

Huang Wuyang smiled faintly. "She has arrived."

He walked over and personally opened the door.

"Junior sister Cao, you've finally arrived!" he exclaimed with a hearty laugh.

Following his gaze, everyone saw a graceful and slender woman.

Cao...

The crowd was momentarily stunned, then recalled the renowned prodigy of the Heaven Burning Sect.

"Cao Zijin!"

"It's actually Cao Zijin?!"

"Isn't she the highly regarded closed-door disciple of the sect master?!"

Foundation Establishment cultivators were astounded.

Huang Wuyang had actually invited Cao Zijin to join them.

What an immense honor it must be!

Though Huang Wuyang was also a genius among geniuses, his aptitude clearly paled in comparison to Cao Zijin's.

Huang Wuyang achieved Foundation Establishment at the age of forty, whereas Cao Zijin, at thirty, had already reached the seventh level of Foundation Establishment!

Even the Nascent Soul ancestor of the Heaven Burning Sect had praised her highly, predicting that Cao Zijin would soon step onto the path of Golden Core. Perhaps she might even glimpse the way to Nascent Soul in the future!

The cultivators immediately voiced their excitement, eager to make an impression in front of this future Golden Core cultivator.

Huang Wuyang observed the shocked expressions of the cultivators and felt a sense of satisfaction. This was the person he had invited!

Facing the enthusiastic Foundation Establishment cultivators, Cao Zijin responded calmly. She scanned the room and finally took a seat at the front.

As she was about to sit down, she noticed Chu Xuan. His face, somewhat familiar yet also unfamiliar, caught her off guard.

She awkwardly smiled, "Senior brother Lv, you're here too."

In the past, Lv Xiu had been both her and Huang Wuyang's senior brother. The sect leader had even intended for her to become Dao companions with Lv Xiu.

Chu Xuan remained silent as if completely unaware of Cao Zijin sitting beside him.

Seeing his lack of response, Cao Zijin's smile stiffened slightly. There was a hint of coldness in her beautiful eyes as she turned her head away.

To put it nicely, he was her senior brother from the past. Less kindly, he was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator with damaged prospects and a dim future. Yet he dared to show her attitude.

Little did she know, Chu Xuan's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of prodigies and precious treasures. He was also contemplating how to deal with this Heaven Burning Sect prodigy as soon as possible. The strongest opponents had to be dealt with first to minimize unforeseen circumstances.

Huang Wuyang clapped his hands satisfactorily and smiled, "Everyone, now that we're all here, let's officially begin this small-scale auction!"

...