He instantly understood.
’I didn’t bother with a disguise when I appeared in public before, so he probably recognized too.’
He offered a polite nod and a smile, then turned back to look at the other auction items.
But in that brief mont he turned his head, Lu Wuqiang, an Elder from the Azure Fla Sect’s Dark Hall, also saw his face.
Half a year ago, the Li Huo Sect had launched a massive crackdown on the Demon Cultivators within its territory, which had incidentally suppressed the Azure Fla Sect’s spies as well.
On top of that, the situation in Hezhou had been tense, with war seemingly on the verge of breaking out.
As a result, Lu Wuqiang had been dispatched to Hezhou to gather intelligence on the Divine Fire Sect.
He had, therefore, only just returned to Li State and hadn’t yet had a chance to check the progress of the tasks he had assigned before he left.
Now, here in the Thousand Bamboo Tower, he saw Xiao Chen still alive and well.
Lu Wuqiang’s eyes widened in disbelief.
’Damn it all. I took every precaution, but it still wasn’t enough.’
’In the end, Xiao Chen still managed to reach Foundation Establishnt.’
Unlike the others before him, he had recognized Xiao Chen’s identity at a glance.
’No wonder. The two groups I sent out before both went silent after a few days, and then I lost contact with them completely.’
’Since Xiao Chen is alive and well, it ans that, barring any surprises, both of those groups failed completely.’
The sect had invested a huge amount of resources into the "Pruning Plan."
Yet, the "branches" of the Li Huo Sect, represented by Xiao Chen, had not been trimd. Instead, they were flourishing more than ever.
This was a stain on his career!
Lu Wuqiang’s gaze toward Xiao Chen was filled with disgust and rage.
’I should have realized it sooner. They were just a bunch of useless oafs. I should have sent soone else to do the killing.’
’At this point, I don’t know if he’s aware that I sent people after him.’
He knew more about Xiao Chen than most, aware that it had taken him a re two years to rapidly break through from the first level of Qi Refining to Foundation Establishnt.
Naturally, a deep sense of apprehension grew within him.
’In just a few years, he might grow to a point where I can’t deal with him anymore.’
’What if Xiao Chen already has clues and is just quietly building his strength to settle the score later? What should I do then?’
A sharp glint flashed in Lu Wuqiang’s eyes.
’The best solution is to find the right opportunity and eliminate this future threat before it can grow.’
’After all, Xiao Chen only has a Lower Grade Spiritual Root.’
’He’s been at the Foundation Establishnt stage for less than a year. No matter how talented he is, he can’t be that strong yet.’
’As long as I deal with him quickly, it’s not too late.’
Lu Wuqiang had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishnt many years ago.
He had also secretly helped the Azure Fla Sect eliminate several Foundation Establishnt Cultivators from disobedient smaller clans.
His combat experience was, to say the least, extensive.
’Of course, the Immortal Ascension Ceremony is definitely not the right ti to make a move.’
But that was fine. Lu Wuqiang resolved to assign more n to keep a close watch on Xiao Chen’s movents afterward.
’Next ti, I’ll act personally. There will be no chance of failure.’
.
Xiao Chen scanned the exhibition hall once more, then ascended the stairs on the other side to the third floor.
The people who had co up earlier had already taken seats at the various square tables, grouped according to their affiliations.
"Junior Brother Xiao, co sit over here."
Steward Chen called out to Xiao Chen. There was a reserved empty seat at the table where he was sitting.
He seed to be quite fond of such occasions.
Steward Chen was in high spirits today and proactively began introducing the Cultivators from the other sects.
"Junior Brother Xiao, to our right are the three major Comrce Associations under the Four Seas Sect. Whether we’ll see any novel and valuable items this ti will depend on them."
Xiao Chen had long heard that just as the Li Huo Sect had its Five Great Clans, the Azure Fla Sect had six great clans of its own.
The Four Seas Sect, however, was unique in that it was divided into three major Comrce Associations.
These Comrce Associations were jointly established by several Foundation Establishnt clans. While they were all part of the sa sect, a certain degree of competition existed among them.
They had previously reaped enormous profits from trade between Li State and the outside world.
After the rise of the Divine Fire Sect, they were also the ones who suffered the greatest impact.
If one were to ask which of the three major sects was most eager to resist the Divine Fire Sect, it would undoubtedly be the Four Seas Sect.
Of course, if one were to ask where in Li State one could find the most novelties, the answer would also undoubtedly be the Four Seas Sect.
As they spoke, attendants ca by and placed a pot of Spirit Wine, a Jade Cup, and a small, hand-painted booklet in front of each Cultivator.
The booklet contained the most up-to-date list of auction items.
Although it wasn’t as vivid as seeing the items in the exhibition hall, its advantage was that the items were simply categorized by their approximate value and type.
Furthermore, so of the less common items were accompanied by brief written descriptions.
No matter what one was interested in, they could directly flip to the corresponding pages to view it.
Additionally, the booklet had another function: it could be taken ho as a souvenir for attending the event.
Xiao Chen had already seen the exhibition hall, and now he gave the booklet a quick flip-through.
He had more or less already selected his targets.
For him, the most important item was undoubtedly a top-quality Tier Two Wood Elent Spiritual Liquid that could aid his cultivation.
Second to that was the Universal Spirit Liquid. Although it might be a bit more expensive, he had to try his best to acquire it.
If his remaining Spirit Stones allowed, he also wanted that Upper Grade Magical Artifact.
Of course, he could also consider buying sothing like Spirit Tea to enjoy a little.
’But I’ll leave these non-essential items for last.’
’End of Volu One?’
Seeing this on the final page of the booklet, Xiao Chen realized it was only the first volu.
He thought back and recalled that so of the items he had seen in the exhibition hall were indeed not listed in the booklet.
Including the ordinary Spiritual Objects, about half were missing.
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