Chapter Sixty-Four: The Four Corners Gather

Anjia, within a side chamber.

Lin Cheng, seated cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes.

Exhaling deeply, he murmured, “At last, I’ve broken through to the twelfth level!”

He felt the surge of newfound strength within his body, a quiet delight in his voice. It had been over a month since he left the sect, and during this time, he had been consolidating his cultivation. Today, unable to suppress the breakthrough any longer, he had finally advanced.

Twelfth Level of the Master of True Qi!

After refining several thousand spirit stones, the spiritual energy within his dantian had been replenished. Yet he found himself somewhat troubled. The sword technique imparted by the white-robed sword cultivator, though indeed formidable, was also exceedingly demanding on spiritual energy. The power he had painstakingly stored was nearly depleted after unleashing “Azure Dragon Surges the River” three times.

Ah, what a drain on resources!

Fortunately, after looting the storage pouches of the Qiu family and the purple-robed man, he had amassed a small fortune—over fifty thousand spirit stones alone. Among these were more than five hundred wood attribute stones and over seven hundred water attribute stones, taken from the Qiu family’s elder and the purple-robed man. As for miscellaneous items, they were too numerous to count. Even after handing a portion to the two young ladies, Lin Cheng’s reserves remained substantial.

Pondering this, Lin Cheng’s spirits lifted once more.

“Brother Lin, are you there?”

“Lazybones, wake up...”

Hearing the two girls’ voices outside, Lin Cheng’s lips curled into a smile. He opened the door.

“What is it? Missed your brother already after just one night apart?”

As he stepped outside, he teased the two young women.

At his words, both girls blushed, casting him a playful glare.

“Hahaha, you two are becoming more and more adorable…” Lin Cheng couldn’t help but reach out and pinch their delicate noses.

“Brother Lin, you’re so bad…” Yingying, who had tried to dodge, could not suppress her bashfulness.

“Brother Lin Cheng is the worst…”

After another round of playful banter, the three made their way to the An clan’s main hall.

By then, several figures were already seated in the grand hall, engaged in lively conversation.

Seeing Lin Cheng arrive, An Zhan immediately rose and approached.

“Nephew Lin, you look especially spirited today. Your aura seems even more vigorous—have you broken through?”

Lin Cheng smiled faintly. “By chance, I’ve advanced to the twelfth level.”

At this, two others stepped forward. Old Master An nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of approval. “Young friend Lin is truly a remarkable person!”

“By the way, allow me to introduce someone…” he continued. “This is An’er’s second grand-uncle, also my younger brother. He’s long remained in the shadows…”

“With the Qiu family now destroyed, there’s no reason to stay hidden in Dragon City,” he added.

Upon hearing this, Lin Cheng turned toward the rosy-faced elder standing beside Old Master An. He cupped his fists and bowed. “Greetings, Second Elder An.”

“Hahaha, no need for such formality, young friend Lin. Though I stayed behind the scenes, I’ve witnessed all that has transpired of late. I must say, your kindness to my An family is as weighty as a mountain…” Second Elder An clapped Lin Cheng on the shoulder, his gaze full of admiration.

“You are too kind, Second Elder. An’an is my friend—what I’ve done was only right,” Lin Cheng replied.

After some further pleasantries, Old Master An said, “Now that everyone is here, let us make our way…”

Lin Cheng naturally understood he referred to today’s Taibai Pavilion auction. Without delay, they set off together.

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They arrived at the street where Taibai Pavilion stood, now teeming with people. Many gathered at the four arched entrances, peering inside, though most were not qualified to enter—today, even entry required a ticket costing ten spirit stones. Private rooms upstairs demanded even greater sums.

As the six of them approached, those with keen eyes immediately recognized An Zhan. Seeing the head of the An clan in person, the crowd quickly parted to make way. Even members of smaller families aligned with the An clan stepped forward to pay their respects.

Waving them off, An Zhan led the group into Taibai Pavilion.

“Isn’t that the An clan’s patriarch? Why is he leading the way himself?”

“That’s right. The ones behind him must be extraordinary as well…”

“I recognize one of the young women as the patriarch’s daughter. The two elders look rather like him too…”

“Could that be Old Master An?”

“It seems today will truly be lively—even Old Master An has left his manor…”

Upon entering, they immediately drew the attention of the assembly.

“The An family has arrived…”

“How could they not? I hear there’s a Profound-rank cultivation technique up for auction today…”

“With the Qiu family’s downfall, it looks like An family will lead Dragon City from now on…”

In the upstairs suites, as the An family’s leaders arrived, many eyes flickered with intrigue, each harboring their own thoughts.

Without pausing, the group ascended to the fifth floor.

Just as they reached the second-floor landing, Zhang Xu hurriedly descended from above.

“Hahaha, Brother Lin, why didn’t you send word ahead? I’d have come down to welcome you!” Zhang Xu’s booming voice preceded him, his rotund figure following.

“We wouldn’t dare trouble you, Brother Zhang. Today’s event must have you overwhelmed,” Lin Cheng replied.

“Indeed, Manager Zhang, don’t trouble yourself over us—we’re all familiar here.”

Under Zhang Xu’s guidance, they entered a private room on the fifth floor.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable. The auction will begin shortly—I must go make a few preparations…” Zhang Xu said, excusing himself.

As the six of them sipped fragrant tea and chatted, they surveyed the hall below. It must be said, today’s auction at Taibai Pavilion had truly drawn a crowd. Every power within ten thousand miles, large and small, must have sent representatives.

As they conversed, a knock sounded at the door.

An’an rose to open it, curiosity in her gaze.

“Thank you, niece An’an…” The visitor nodded in greeting.

“Hahaha, having heard of Old Master An’s presence, we juniors have come to pay our respects…” said the leader of the three guests as they entered.

Recognizing them, An Zhan greeted, “So it’s Brother Ma, Brother Li, and Brother Wu…”

The Ma and Li families were both among the four great powers of Dragon City. As for the Wu family, though once minor, their status had risen rapidly since their patriarch advanced to the Minor Spirit Realm.

Old Master An offered a nod to the three.

“You gentlemen must be interested in the Profound-rank technique as well?” An Zhan asked.

“Hahaha, not at all—with Old Master An present, how would we dare vie with you?” they replied modestly.

“You are too humble…”

Though heads of their families, the three felt considerable pressure before Old Master An.

“In truth, we came not only to pay our respects, but also…”

The Ma family’s head hesitated.

Seeing this, An Zhan understood their purpose. “You wish to know why the Qiu family vanished overnight?” he asked.

The three immediately fixed their gazes on An Zhan, awaiting his answer.

With Old Master An’s tacit approval, An Zhan spoke without pretense.

“The Qiu family has been destroyed.”

“What?!”

All three rose to their feet in shock. Though they had suspected as much, confirmation from An Zhan left them deeply shaken.

Had the mighty City Lord’s manor truly been wiped out overnight? Was the An family truly so powerful?

Waves of astonishment surged in their hearts.

“Was it your doing, Brother An?” the Wu family’s patriarch blurted out.

At this, An Zhan deliberately darkened his expression.

“Hmm?”

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