I've already become a god, and you're telling me about the ancient demon invasion?

The auction ended, and the crowd gradually thinned out.

Wang Tianlong followed the flow of people, walking unhurriedly towards the exit of the hall, his mind preoccupied with refining the Golden Thunder Bamboo and the "Four Flames Fan" in his seclusion. Just as he was about to step out of the "Inquiry Pavilion," a gentle voice sounded from beside him:

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please wait."

Wang Tianlong paused slightly and turned to look. It was none other than Master Qingmu, who had been sitting with him earlier. At this moment, Master Qingmu wore his usual warm smile, but there was a hint of something deeper in his eyes that was hard to detect.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Aoki," Wang Tianlong returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his expression indifferent. "What's there to be happy about? It's just that I was lucky enough to bid on one or two useful items."

Master Qingmu stroked his beard and smiled, taking a few steps closer and lowering his voice, "Fellow Daoist Wang is too modest. That 'Golden Thunder Bamboo' is an extraordinary opportunity, with a promising future." He changed the subject, his gaze seemingly intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Wang Tianlong, and continued, "However, I observed that Fellow Daoist Wang seemed quite interested in that 'Breaking Yuan Pill' earlier. Forgive my bluntness, but Fellow Daoist's aura is as smooth and profound as an abyss, showing signs of breaking through to a higher realm. Perhaps you are truly only one step away from the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm? It's a pity that there was only one Breaking Yuan Pill this time, and it fell into the hands of that outsider cultivator."

Wang Tianlong's heart stirred, but he showed no sign of it on his face, only smiling faintly: "Fellow Daoist Qingmu has keen insight. I have indeed been stuck at the peak of the mid-stage for some time. The Breaking Yuan Pill is a sacred medicine that helps one break through realms, so I am naturally tempted. However, the opportunity has not yet arrived, and I cannot force it."

He understood that Master Qingmu's deliberate waiting here and his pointing out his cultivation bottleneck was not merely for idle chatter or flattery. This old Taoist was well-informed, skilled in alchemy, and adept at cultivating spiritual herbs—could it be…?

As expected, seeing his lukewarm reaction, Master Qingmu stopped beating around the bush. He slightly moved his lips, and a thin, yet incredibly clear, voice transmission was sent directly into Wang Tianlong's ears: "Fellow Daoist Wang, this is not the place to talk. If you have no urgent business, why not move to the third private room of the 'Huixiang Pavilion' for a chat? I recently acquired some... treasures that might be helpful in breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage. Perhaps we can exchange information."

After transmitting his voice, Master Aoki still wore a smile, as if it were just a casual farewell.

Wang Tianlong's eyes narrowed slightly. The "clues" that Master Qingmu mentioned were likely related to some rare natural treasures, ancient relics, or special secret realms. This old Taoist was an expert in this field, and his information often had some credibility. Although he had obtained the Golden Thunder Bamboo, breaking through to the later stage was ultimately the most important thing, and having more options was always a good thing.

"Very well," Wang Tianlong pondered for a moment, then nodded and replied telepathically, "Since Fellow Daoist Qingmu has invited me, I will take my leave. I will arrive shortly."

Master Qingmu's smile deepened, and he cupped his hands, saying, "Then this old man will await your good news at Huixiang Pavilion." After saying that, he transformed into a streak of azure light and disappeared into the night outside the hall.

Wang Tianlong stared in the direction he had left, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. This Master Qingmu seemed to have sensed some opportunity and wanted to recruit him? He wanted to see what this old Taoist was really up to.

Huixianglou, private room number three (Tianzi).

The environment here is serene, with a view of the bustling night scene of Jinjing outside the window. The air is filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, isolating the room from the outside noise. After serving the spirit tea, the waiter respectfully withdrew and activated the soundproofing of the private room.

Wang Tianlong and Master Qingmu sat facing each other.

Wang Tianlong picked up his teacup, gently stirred the tea foam, and asked bluntly, "Fellow Daoist Qingmu, what brings you here in particular?"

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Wang is indeed straightforward, so this old man will not beat around the bush either." Venerable Qingmu stroked his beard and smiled, but did not answer directly. Instead, he asked, "I wonder if you... have ever heard of the 'Azure Mist Fruit'?"

"Azure Mist Fruit?" Upon hearing this, Wang Tianlong paused slightly, a barely perceptible glint of light flashing in his eyes. He set down the teacup, looked at Qingmu Shangren, and asked with a hint of confirmation, "Are you referring to the legendary 'Wind-Element Sacred Fruit,' which grows at the eye of the confluence of the Nine Heavens' fierce winds and requires ten thousand years of baptism by the wind's fierce energy to mature?"

"This is indeed the fruit!" Seeing that Wang Tianlong knew it, Master Qingmu's smile deepened, and his tone became more eager. "This fruit contains the purest innate wind spirit essence and a trace of breakthrough Dao essence. If a cultivator consumes it raw, it will not only greatly increase their chances of breaking through to a higher realm, but for fellow Daoists cultivating wind-attribute techniques, it is an unparalleled sacred object! According to ancient records, its efficacy surpasses even the 'Breaking Yuan Pill'! If Fellow Daoist Wang can obtain this fruit to assist him in breaking through to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, his chances will increase by at least 30%!"

Wang Tianlong's heart pounded faster involuntarily. How could he not know the name of the Azure Mist Fruit? It was indeed a supreme treasure coveted by wind-attribute cultivators for breaking through realms! Its effects far surpassed those of elixirs, and it was much gentler, with virtually no side effects. He suppressed his excitement and asked in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Qingmu, do you... have any information about this item?"

"Haha, to be honest, Fellow Daoist Wang," Venerable Qingmu leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and his expression became solemn, "I invited you here today precisely for this matter! About ten years ago, when I went to the 'Heavenly Wind Sea Area' deep in the Chaotic Star Sea to collect several special wind-attribute spiritual herbs, I inadvertently stumbled into an extremely hidden 'Eye of the Storm'."

A flicker of recollection and amazement crossed his eyes: "In the core area of ​​that storm's eye, the raging winds of the heavens could tear everything apart, yet strangely, a relatively calm void existed at its center. And within that void, a small island floated. On the island, there was nothing else but a strange fruit tree, about ten feet tall, its entire body like carved jade, with wind and thunder patterns flowing among its branches and leaves! On the tree, three vibrant green fruits, each the size of a longan, with tiny whirlwinds swirling around their surfaces, bore fruit! Judging from their shape and spiritual energy, they were none other than the legendary Ten-Thousand-Year Azure Mist Fruit, and nearly fully ripe!"

Wang Tianlong held his breath slightly as he listened, his gaze fixed intently on Master Qingmu.

Master Qingmu gave a bitter smile and shook his head: "However, although the island is located in the calm zone at the eye of the storm, its outer perimeter is shrouded by an extremely terrifying natural barrier formed by a mixture of millennia-old wind energy and spatial fragments! I have tried several times, but with my meager cultivation and lack of expertise in wind-related supernatural abilities, I am simply powerless to break through that barrier. I cannot even approach the island; I can only watch from afar, feeling utterly helpless."

He looked at Wang Tianlong, his eyes filled with sincerity and anticipation: "But Fellow Daoist Wang, you are different! You are recognized as the number one master of wind magic in the human realm. Your understanding and control of wind-based spells have reached a state of perfection. What is a dead end for others may be a perfect place for you! That layer of wind-evil restriction will certainly be far less of an obstacle for you than for others!"

"Therefore," Master Qingmu finally revealed his true purpose, "I have taken the liberty of inviting you here, fellow Daoist, to cooperate with you! I am willing to provide the exact location and a relatively safe path into the Eye of the Storm. As for retrieving the fruit, none of you are more than Fellow Daoist Wang! After the matter is accomplished, of the three Azure Cloud Fruits on the tree, I will only take one to refine a batch of the crucial 'Wind Transformation Pill,' while the other two will belong to you! I wonder what you... think?"

After listening, Wang Tianlong fell silent, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he rapidly weighed his options. What Master Qingmu said made perfect sense; with his cultivation level and technique attributes, obtaining the treasure would indeed be difficult, making cooperation with him the best choice. Furthermore, the reward of two Qinglan Fruits was certainly generous enough to tempt him.

The risk lies in the fact that the "Heavenly Wind Sea" is a notoriously dangerous place in the Chaotic Star Sea, and the "Eye of the Storm" deep within it is an even more perilous place. Could there be other unknown dangers hidden there? And how credible are Master Qingmu's words?

But... the allure of the Azure Orchid Fruit is simply too great! Compared to other elusive opportunities, this is a tangible and visible shortcut to success!

A moment later, Wang Tianlong raised his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Qingmu Shangren: "Fellow Daoist Qingmu, this matter... I am quite interested. If it is indeed true, I am willing to accompany you on this journey!"