217: Chapter 217 Becoming a Guest Elder of the Fengle Alliance! Bloodline Flood Dragon's Excitement!

Chapter 216: Becoming a Guest Elder of the Fengle Alliance! The Bloodline Flood Dragon's Excitement!

After the auction ended, Lu Qiu settled the payment in Spirit Stones and stored the several treasures he had purchased into his Storage Pouch one by one.

The seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core was the size of a fist and deep green throughout. Scale patterns were faintly visible on its surface, and it felt heavy and ice-cold to the touch, with the vast demonic power contained within faintly palpable.

The Level Six illusion-attribute demonic core shimmered with seven-colored light, dreamlike and illusory; merely holding it in his hand caused one's mind to become slightly dazed.

The Nine-Leaf Green Lotus was stored in a specially made jade box. Its nine lotus leaves were a dripping emerald green, emitting a refined and elegant fragrance.

Then there was that mysterious black treasure chest, cold and heavy. The Ancient Restriction upon it seemed to speak of its extraordinary origins.

Every single item was of immense value.

Especially that black treasure chest, which contained a ninth-grade demonic core—that was his greatest harvest from this trip.

He stood up, preparing to leave.

Just then, a soft knocking sound came from outside the private booth door.

The knocking was neither hurried nor slow, three long and two short, carrying a specific rhythm; it was clearly someone from the auction house.

Lu Qiu's brow twitched slightly as his Divine Sense swept out. Standing outside the door was precisely that Elder Zhou who had hosted the auction earlier.

He looked respectful, bowing slightly with a very humble posture, hands hanging at his sides as he waited motionlessly.

Lu Qiu opened the door and said indifferently, "What is it?"

The Elder Zhou hurriedly cupped his hands, his voice full of respect: "Senior, please wait. This Junior has been ordered by our alliance's Vice-Alliance Leader to come and invite you. The Vice-Alliance Leader wishes to meet with Senior; I wonder if Senior would grant us the honor?"

Lu Qiu's heart stirred.

The Fengle Alliance's Vice-Alliance Leader?

That was a high-level figure of the Four Great Merchant Alliances, possessing an exalted status and a cultivation level that was at least at the False Nascent Soul Realm.

Why would such a figure want to see him?

Several thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Did they take an interest in his strength and want to recruit him?

Or was it because the Divine Sense he revealed during the auction just now had caught their attention?

Or perhaps they wanted to test his identity?

His subconscious reaction was to refuse.

He originally didn't want to get involved with too many factions, especially behemoths like the Four Great Merchant Alliances.

The more involvements, the more trouble—this was an iron law of the cultivation world.

But on second thought, as one of the Four Great Merchant Alliances of the Chaotic Star Sea, the Fengle Alliance had numerous channels for treasures, extensive connections, and influence spread across the entire Chaotic Star Sea.

If he could establish a connection with this Vice-Alliance Leader, perhaps he could gather the items he needed through the Fengle Alliance in the future.

There were some things that the Liulian Residence couldn't find, but the Fengle Alliance could.

For instance, those extremely rare nascent soul formation spiritual items, or the primary materials required for long-lost ancient Pill Formulas.

After a moment of deliberation, he nodded: "Lead the way."

The Elder Zhou was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped aside to lead the way, his face full of smiles: "Senior, this way please. The Vice-Alliance Leader has been waiting for a long time."

The two of them walked through a long corridor.

The murals and sculptures on both sides of the corridor appeared exceptionally exquisite under the light of the Moonlight Stones, but Lu Qiu had no heart to admire them.

His Divine Sense remained vigilant, keeping an eye on everything around him.

They arrived before a large hall deep within the auction house. Standing at the hall entrance were two guards at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage; they were burly with solemn expressions, holding Magical Artifacts and possessing sharp gazes.

Seeing the Elder Zhou bringing Lu Qiu, they hurriedly bowed in greeting, their movements perfectly synchronized.

The Elder Zhou pushed open the heavy doors and said respectfully: "Senior, please."

Lu Qiu stepped inside.

The hall wasn't large, but it was decorated extremely elegantly.

The floor was paved with high-quality white jade, warm and smooth, giving off a slight sense of warmth when stepped upon.

Several calligraphies and paintings by famous masters hung on the walls—landscapes, figures, flowers, and birds—each possessing a far-reaching Concept; they were clearly treasures.

Tranquilizing Sandalwood Incense burned on a table, the blue smoke curling up with a refined fragrance that calmed the mind.

Several pots of rare Spiritual Plants sat by the window, their leaves a dripping emerald green, emitting a faint Spiritual Qi.

And in the center of the hall, a beautiful woman sat regally in the main seat.

This woman appeared to be in her thirties, wearing a pale purple palace dress that was perfectly tailored, outlining her flawless curves.

Her hair was swept up high, held by a green jade hairpin; her features were like a painting, and her skin was like congealed fat.

Her appearance was extremely beautiful yet not gaudy; instead, she carried a noble and elegant temperament that commanded respect at first sight.

The most striking feature was her eyes—clear as water yet deep as the sea, as if they could see through one's heart, yet also as if they hid endless secrets.

And the aura she emitted was impressively at the False Nascent Soul Realm!

That aura was restrained and profound, like the water of a deep pool—seemingly calm on the surface, but with surging undercurrents beneath.

Lu Qiu's heart tightened slightly.

A Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivator was only one step away from the Nascent Soul; in the Chaotic Star Sea, they were already top-tier figures.

This Fengle Alliance Vice-Alliance Leader truly lived up to her reputation.

Seeing him enter, the beautiful woman rose to greet him, her movements graceful and composed.

She gave a slight smile that was just right—neither lacking in etiquette nor lacking in friendliness—and her voice was crisp and pleasant, like pearls falling onto a jade plate:

"This mistress is surnamed Ling, and I humbly serve as the Vice-Alliance Leader of the Fengle Alliance. I wonder how I should address Fellow Daoist?"

Her gaze swept over Lu Qiu, wanting to see through his cultivation and appearance.

But Lu Qiu wore the Heaven-Veiling Mask on his face and used the Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art to conceal his aura; she couldn't see through him at all.

That mask was like a layer of mist, completely obscuring his true face.

His aura was even more like deep pool water, making it impossible for her to probe its depth.

She was secretly astonished.

With her False Nascent Soul Realm cultivation, she actually couldn't see through the depth of the person before her.

Either this person practiced an extremely profound concealment secret technique that even she couldn't peer through, or this person's cultivation was above hers—at least a Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivator, or perhaps even a true Nascent Soul Stage old monster.

Regardless of which possibility it was, it meant this person was not to be underestimated.

Lu Qiu cupped his hands, his voice deliberately altered to sound aged and steady: "This one is surnamed Zhou. Greetings, Alliance Leader Ling."

He had intentionally changed his voice to make it sound older and more stable, carrying the dignity of someone who had long held a high position.

Since he was wearing a mask, he naturally had to hide his identity.

Alliance Leader Ling nodded and didn't press further.

She made a gesture of invitation and smiled: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, please sit. Someone, bring tea."

The two of them sat down in the guest and host seats.

A maidservant served spiritual tea; the fragrance was ethereal, a top-grade spiritual tea whose leaves unfurled in the cup like blooming flowers.

Alliance Leader Ling picked up her teacup, took a sip, and smiled: "Just now, Fellow Daoist Zhou displayed such Divine Might at the auction that even Pill King Gu He lowered his head in defeat; this mistress saw it all. Your strength is unfathomable, and I truly admire it."

She spoke these words sincerely, without the slightest falsehood.

She was naturally well aware of Gu He's reputation in Tianxing City.

There were very few people in all of Tianxing City who could make Gu He lower his head in defeat.

Lu Qiu said indifferently, his tone as calm as water: "Alliance Leader Ling overpraises me. That Gu He overestimated himself; This Lu merely administered a slight punishment."

Alliance Leader Ling set down her teacup, looked directly at Lu Qiu, and got straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, this mistress has taken the liberty of inviting you because I have a matter to ask."

Lu Qiu said: "Please speak."

Alliance Leader Ling said: "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zhou is willing to become a Guest Elder of my Fengle Alliance?"

Lu Qiu was slightly taken aback, but then he understood.

So that was it.

This Alliance Leader Ling had taken an interest in his strength and wanted to recruit him as a guest.

This was a common occurrence in the cultivation world; major factions would recruit powerful individuals as guests to bolster their own prestige.

He didn't answer immediately but instead asked: "What are the benefits of becoming a Guest Elder?"

Hearing this, Alliance Leader Ling beamed with a smile that carried a hint of appreciation and satisfaction.

She liked this kind of straightforward personality and disliked those who beat around the bush.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is truly a straightforward person. Good, then I shall speak plainly."

She paused and said seriously, her voice clear and measured: "By becoming a Guest Elder of my Fengle Alliance, you can enjoy the following benefits: First, a flat 30% discount on all purchases at any Fengle Alliance branch; second, you can use the Fengle Alliance's channels to search for required spiritual items, and our alliance will prioritize supplying them to Guest Elders; third, you can receive an annual stipend of Spirit Stones, the amount of which depends on the Guest Elder's cultivation—with Fellow Daoist's strength, it would be at least ten thousand Spirit Stones per year; fourth, you can utilize our alliance's intelligence network and connections, with assistance provided depending on the situation."

After Lu Qiu heard this, he nodded inwardly.

A 30% discount!

That was no small discount.

If he could purchase all the various rare spiritual materials he would need in the future at a 30% discount, he could save quite a lot of Spirit Stones.

For a treasure worth a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, a 30% discount would save thirty thousand—that was an astronomical figure.

The Fengle Alliance's channels were something he valued even more.

Although the Liulian Residence also had channels, they ultimately couldn't compare to the Four Great Merchant Alliances.

The Liulian Residence's sphere of influence was mainly in the Inner Star Sea, while the Fengle Alliance's business spanned the entire Chaotic Star Sea and even extended to the Outer Star Sea.

There were some things the Liulian Residence couldn't find, but the Fengle Alliance could.

For instance, those rare spiritual materials from the Outer Star Sea, or those scarce items that only the Four Great Merchant Alliances could obtain.

An intelligence network and connections were even more priceless treasures.

At a critical moment, a single piece of intelligence could save a life, and a single connection could change the situation.

He asked: "Then what do I need to do?"

Alliance Leader Ling said: "To become a guest, you only need to leave a contact method. When necessary, if our alliance has a request for Fellow Daoist, you may choose to provide assistance at your discretion. Of course, our alliance will also offer generous rewards and will never let Fellow Daoist work for nothing. If the opponent's strength far exceeds expectations, Fellow Daoist also has the right to refuse; our alliance will never make things difficult. My Fengle Alliance understands propriety best and will never put a Guest Elder in a difficult position."

She paused and added: "To put it plainly, it's just a title. Although my Fengle Alliance is powerful, we also need some strong individuals to hold the fort and deter petty people. Fellow Daoist only needs to have your name registered; you can go about your business as usual, and we will never disturb you."

Lu Qiu pondered for a moment and nodded: "I can do that."

Alliance Leader Ling was overjoyed, her smile becoming even more brilliant.

She hurriedly took out a token from her Storage Pouch and handed it to Lu Qiu with both hands, her movements respectful.

The token was purple throughout and about the size of a palm. The front was engraved with the words 'Fengle', and the back was engraved with the word 'Guest'.

The token felt warm in his hand, with a faint spiritual glow circulating—it was clearly a Magical Artifact, and it was also engraved with complex runes used for identification.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, this is the Guest Elder Token. Holding this token, you can enjoy discounts at any Fengle Alliance branch. If needed, you can also use this token to contact our alliance. There is a special mark on the token that members of our alliance will recognize at a glance."

Lu Qiu took the token and placed it into his Storage Pouch.

He also took out a communication talisman and handed it to Alliance Leader Ling.

The communication talisman was pale gold all over, engraved with his unique mark.

“This is my contact information. If there is a need, you can use this talisman to send a message.”

Alliance Leader Ling took the communication talisman, carefully stored it away, and placed it close to her body.

She smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, rest assured, if there is no important matter, this alliance will not disturb you at will. My Fengle Alliance understands the rules best and will never make things difficult for a Guest Elder.”

After the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, Lu Qiu rose to take his leave.

Alliance Leader Ling personally saw him to the door, standing there for a long time as she watched his back disappear at the end of the corridor.

“Who exactly is this Fellow Daoist Zhou?” she murmured to herself, her eyes full of contemplation.

A Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivator is already a top-tier figure in the Chaotic Star Sea.

The Fengle Alliance basically has records of all the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivators from the major powers.

Yet she was unable to guess Lu Qiu's true identity.

This 'Fellow Daoist Zhou' seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

“Could it be some Loose Cultivator who has lived in seclusion for many years?” She shook her head and thought no more of it.

However, she had already made up her mind to maintain a good relationship with this 'Fellow Daoist Zhou'.

It is always better to be on good terms with such a person than to offend them.

...

Lu Qiu left the auction house and circled the streets a few times. After confirming that no one was following him, he quietly returned to the Liulian Residence.

Upon returning to the Liulian Residence, he immediately summoned Xin Ruyin.

A moment later, Xin Ruyin arrived at his room. Today, she wore an elegant long dress; her black hair fell like a waterfall, her features were like a painting, and her temperament was gentle.

Seeing Lu Qiu's solemn expression, she asked softly in a tender voice, “Husband Lu, what's wrong?”

Lu Qiu took out the black treasure chest from his Storage Pouch and placed it on the table.

“Ruyin, take a look at this.”

Xin Ruyin's gaze fell upon the black treasure chest, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

The runes on the chest were dense and layered, interwoven like a spiderweb, emitting an ancient and mysterious aura.

Those runes were extremely ancient, completely different from the style of runes in the current age, carrying a weathered charm.

She stepped closer to take a look, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She reached out her slender jade hand to gently touch the runes, closing her eyes to sense them.

A moment later, she opened her eyes and said softly:

“Such an Ancient Restriction... This is the 'Nine Palaces Origin-Locking Formation' from the ancient era; it is extremely complex. The cultivation of the person who set this Formation was very high, at least at the Nascent Soul Stage. Moreover, this Formation is based on the Nine Palaces to lock away Origin Qi. If one tries to force a breach, it might trigger a self-destruct Restriction.”

Lu Qiu's heart stirred.

He also summoned True Person Ling Yun.

A faint illusory figure floated out from the spirit nurturing tripod; it was indeed True Person Ling Yun.

His gaze fell upon the black treasure chest. After scrutinizing it for a moment, his expression also became solemn.

“It is indeed an Ancient Restriction,” he said slowly, his voice tinged with emotion. “Furthermore, the cultivation of the person who set this Formation was very high, at least at the Nascent Soul Stage. The ingenuity of this Restriction is such that even I might not have been able to set it back then.”

Xin Ruyin and True Person Ling Yun studied the black treasure chest together for a long time.

From time to time, Xin Ruyin would use her finger to trace several runes in the air, calculating the variations of the Restriction; True Person Ling Yun would offer guidance from the side, occasionally offering his own insights.

After a long while, Xin Ruyin looked up at Lu Qiu and said, “Husband Lu, this Restriction is extremely profound and complex. I need time to slowly break it.”

Lu Qiu asked, “How long will it take?”

Xin Ruyin pondered for a moment and said, “At least ten years. This Restriction is too complex; I need to deduce it step by step and cannot be impatient. If I try to force it, the contents inside will likely be destroyed.”

Ten years!

Lu Qiu was overjoyed in his heart.

Ten years is not considered long for a Core Formation Cultivator.

The fact that Xin Ruyin could break a Restriction that even Xuan Kongzi could not proved that her Formation attainments had already surpassed that of the most famous Formation Master in the Chaotic Star Sea!

That old man at the auction had said that Xuan Kongzi personally admitted he could not break this Formation.

Yet Xin Ruyin only needed ten years.

What did this signify?

It signified that her Formation attainments had already far surpassed that so-called 'Great Master' of Formations.

“Good!”

He said, his voice full of joy, “I leave this treasure chest to you. Take your time, there is no rush. If ten years isn't enough, twenty years is fine. As long as the items inside aren't damaged, time is not an issue.”

Xin Ruyin nodded and carefully put away the black treasure chest, placing it into her own Storage Pouch.

Lu Qiu looked at her, a sense of gratification rising in his heart.

From being a minor Formation Master back in the Tianxing Sect Market Town to now being an existence that surpassed the top Formation Master of the Chaotic Star Sea.

Along this journey, how much effort had she put in, and how much growth had she achieved?

She studied Formation scriptures and deduced Formations every day, staying up for countless nights.

She sought guidance from True Person Ling Yun, from him, and from everyone she could.

He had seen all of her hard work.

Lu Qiu believed that with Xin Ruyin's growth speed, in time, she would surely become the number one Formation Master in the Human Realm.

...

Returning to his Quiet Room, Lu Qiu sat down cross-legged.

The Quiet Room was completely silent, with only the sound of his own breathing.

Moonlight spilled through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

He sent his Divine Sense into the gray spatial bead.

Inside the spatial bead, the spirit eye spring gurgled and flowed, and dense Spiritual Qi permeated the surroundings like a fairyland.

The miniature version of the Bloodline Flood Dragon was comfortably soaking in the spring water, with only its small head showing and its eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

Its breathing was steady and rhythmic, and its entire body emitted a faint blood-red light.

With a thought from Lu Qiu, that seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core flew out from his Storage Pouch, turned into a streak of light, entered the spatial bead, and landed in front of the Bloodline Flood Dragon.

The Bloodline Flood Dragon snapped its eyes open!

In those crimson vertical pupils, an uncontrollable excitement instantly erupted!

It looked at the demonic core before it, sensing the majestic demonic power and that trace of pure Dragon pressure contained within; its entire body was trembling slightly!

Its breathing became rapid, its tail wagged incessantly, and it was so excited it almost jumped up!

“Roar—!”

It let out a low growl, a sound filled with longing and excitement.

It opened its mouth and swallowed the demonic core in one gulp!

As the demonic core entered its belly, the Bloodline Flood Dragon's entire body suddenly erupted with dazzling blood-red light!

The light was so intense that it almost dyed the entire spatial bead red!

Its aura began to fluctuate violently, waxing and waning like the rising and falling tide!

Its body was also swelling slightly, and light faintly flowed between its scales!

Lu Qiu watched quietly, his eyes full of expectation.

This seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core came from a true flood dragon, containing extremely pure demonic power and a trace of flood dragon Bloodline.

The Bloodline Flood Dragon was itself a flood dragon; consuming a demonic core of the same origin yielded the best results.

Once it digested this demonic core, even if it didn't reach Level Seven, it would firmly step into the Level Six Peak.

It would be only one step away from Level Seven.

A Level Seven Yao Beast is equivalent to a human in the False Nascent Soul Realm!

He then took out that sixth-grade illusion-attribute demonic core and threw it to the Illusion Spirit Butterfly Swarm in a corner of the spatial bead.

Sensing the aura of the demonic core, the swarm of Illusion Spirit Butterflies instantly went into a frenzy!

Countless butterflies fluttered their wings, and seven-colored light interwove within the spatial bead, as beautiful as a dream, like spirits in a fairyland.

They scrambled to pounce on the demonic core, greedily absorbing its essence.

The seven-colored light grew brighter and denser, almost enveloping the entire corner.

Lu Qiu nodded with satisfaction.

After absorbing this demonic core, the Illusion Spirit Butterflies might evolve further.

Perhaps a few more Level Five Illusion Spirit Butterflies could evolve.

A Level Five Illusion Spirit Butterfly is an existence that can threaten a Core Formation Cultivator.

If there were a few more, his illusion army would be even more terrifying.

His gaze swept across the spatial bead and finally landed on another spirit eye spring.

There, the Infant Carp Beast was soaking in the spring water, revealing only its infant-like face.

Sensing Lu Qiu's gaze, it looked up, let out a “Wuwa” cry, and gently waved its four human-like hands as if greeting him.

That infant-like face carried a bit of fawning and a bit of expectation.

Lu Qiu smiled slightly.

This Infant Carp Beast is more suitable for staying in the sea.

The spatial bead is good, but it is not its world after all.

It was born to roam the vast seas, searching for treasures hidden deep on the seabed.

He rose and left the Liulian Residence, left Tianxing City, and arrived at a sea area about a hundred miles away from Tianxing City.

The sea surface was as calm as a mirror, and the sunlight spilled down, creating shimmering waves like a layer of crushed gold.

In the distance, several seabirds circled, letting out crisp cries and occasionally diving down to catch fish and shrimp in the sea.

A breeze blew by, carrying a faint salty scent.

Lu Qiu hovered in mid-air and released the Infant Carp Beast from the spatial bead.

“Wuwa—!”

As soon as the Infant Carp Beast entered the sea, it immediately began to tumble in the water with excitement.

Its infant-like face was full of joy, and its four human-like hands waved frantically as if celebrating its regained freedom.

It would sometimes dive into the deep sea and sometimes leap out of the water, having a grand time.

Looking at its appearance, Lu Qiu couldn't help but smile.

It seems it had been cooped up in the spatial bead for too long.

He instructed in a gentle voice: “Act carefully. When searching for treasure in the sea, do not easily expose your aura. Although the nearby sea area is safe, high-level Yao Beasts occasionally appear. If you encounter danger, immediately flee to the deep sea or run towards Tianxing City, and I will come to save you. Return to report once every period of time so I know your situation.”

The Infant Carp Beast nodded as if it half-understood, then dove into the sea and disappeared.

Only ripples were left on the sea surface, which soon dissipated.

Lu Qiu looked at the sea surface, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

With the Infant Carp Beast around, there would be another source of wealth in the future.

This vast ocean hides countless rare treasures; with the Infant Carp Beast, they can all be slowly found, significantly increasing his net worth.

Keeping the Infant Carp Beast hidden in the spatial bead was, after all, a waste of great talent.

He then turned around, transformed into a streak of light, and returned to Tianxing City.