Immortality begins with equipping a worn-out talisman pen.

Feeling the gazes cast upon him from all around, Li Mufeng felt his scalp tingle.

It's obvious without even thinking that this young lady from the Bai family did it on purpose.

Two years have passed, but her tendency to stir up trouble hasn't changed at all.

Li Mufeng had no choice but to bite the bullet and bow.

"Miss, please don't flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."

Bai Lingxi blinked, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"What's the big deal? If it weren't for Master Li's guidance back then, how could I have become the leader of Xianmiao Peak so smoothly? As the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a teacher for a lifetime.'"

Before she could finish speaking, Li Mufeng's expression changed, and he quickly reached out to cover her mouth.

"Young Miss, watch your words!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. How dare they cover the mouth of the eldest daughter of the Bai family?

This Master Li is far too audacious.

Bai Lingxi's beautiful big eyes curved into crescents, full of cunning.

A moment later, Li Mufeng realized his rudeness and quickly withdrew his hand.

Bai Lingxi wasn't angry; she just smiled even more happily.

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. After all these years, Fellow Daoist Li is still the same as before, unable to take a joke."

Seeing Li Mufeng's helpless expression, she was clearly very satisfied.

Then, the playful expression on her face faded slightly, and she turned to give Liu Chengshan and Liu Chengyun a graceful bow, her movements dignified and elegant, without the slightest flaw.

"Uncle Liu, Senior Liu. It is an honor for the Bai family that you all could attend this auction."

"My father has already instructed that we must treat you all well today."

"The VIP area has been prepared with spiritual tea, spiritual fruit, and a few kinds of snacks newly produced by Danxia Peak. If there is anything that is not well received, please forgive us, seniors."

As she spoke, she clapped her hands lightly, and immediately several maids came forward carrying jade platters.

The spiritual tea exuded a refreshing fragrance, and the spiritual fruits were crystal clear and plump. Some of the fruits even emitted a faint spiritual aura, making them appear to be quite valuable.

After several maneuvers, the Liu family was given ample face, and even Liu Chengyun couldn't help but nod in approval.

No wonder the Bai family has been able to control Black Stone City for so many years.

Their demeanor and manners alone set them apart from those of ordinary families.

Liu Chengshan laughed heartily.

"My dear niece, you are too kind. It is truly enviable that Brother Bai has been able to teach such a junior as you."

Upon hearing this, Bai Lingxi smiled, neither arrogant nor haughty, and bowed again.

"Uncle Liu, you flatter me."

With every gesture and movement, Bai Lingxi was composed, poised, and graceful, showing no trace of the mischievous little devil she had been when teasing Li Mufeng.

This scene drew the attention of the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining families around them.

They knew this young lady of the Bai family's personality all too well. She was usually arrogant and haughty, and even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators might not catch her eye. When had they ever seen her be so polite to a Qi Refining cultivator?

Liu Chengshan's gaze toward Li Mufeng became more complicated.

He had long heard that Li Mufeng and Bai Lingxi had some connection, but he never expected that their relationship was even closer than rumored.

Even Li Mufeng himself was somewhat baffled at this moment.

Logically speaking, he and Bai Lingxi had only studied the Dao of Talismans together for a month. Although they showed some talent during that time, they always kept a proper distance, which was not enough to attract the attention of a future Golden Core seed.

Li Mufeng wasn't so narcissistic as to think that this future Golden Core seed would fall in love with him at first sight just because he had drawn talismans for a few days. After thinking it over, he guessed it was probably related to the ancient sect ruins beneath Golden Spring Bay.

Thinking of this, he was not complacent because of Bai Lingxi's special treatment; on the contrary, he became more and more vigilant.

The Bai family is still paying attention to them.

......

at the same time.

Bai Lingxi was secretly communicating with a bone ring around her neck using her mind.

"Master, is Li Mufeng really the key to unlocking the ruins? It's been two years since that scroll was sent over, and he hasn't made a move at all. He just stays in the market all day drawing talismans, like a mouse."

An aged voice emanated from within the bone ring.

"It can't be wrong."

"I have personally witnessed his talisman-making techniques, and they are definitely a lineage of the Heavenly Origin Qi. There must be a connection between this person and that ruin."

"As for why there has been no action yet, it is probably because the key has not yet been solved."

The aged voice paused, then slowly continued:

"Otherwise, with the core inheritance of an ancient sect right before their eyes, how many people in the world could resist?"

Bai Lingxi pouted.

"Honestly, you stinky rat."

Not long after Li Mufeng and the others took their seats, Chen Jingyuan, representing the Foundation Establishment Chen family, came over to chat with the Liu family patriarch. He first bowed to the elders, including Liu Chengshan, before smiling and coming to Li Mufeng's side.

"Brother Li, it's been a long time! Your cultivation has improved once again!"

Li Mufeng stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled:

"How can I compare to Brother Jingyuan? Fellow Daoist has now reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, and it seems that you are only one step away from Foundation Establishment. I, Li, would like to offer my congratulations in advance on your success in Foundation Establishment."

Chen Jingyuan smiled upon hearing this, but even a scion of a prominent family like himself wouldn't dare say he could achieve Foundation Establishment in one fell swoop.

Thinking of his family elders who had experienced failure, a complex feeling welled up in his heart.

"Then I'll take your kind words, Brother Li."

Liu Chengshan glanced at Li Mufeng again, secretly marveling at how this man had close ties with so many of the few young talents in the market. He was truly a man of great hidden talent.

In this light, it seems that the ancestor's judgment was indeed astute; bringing him to the Liu family was certainly the right decision.

......

Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous corner of the lower stands, Zhao Lingyue and her family had just taken their seats.

Even though she had lived in Blackstone City for many years, she had never seen such a grand auction.

In order to attend this auction, her Daoist partner went to great lengths. Not only did he spend a lot of money to get two entry slots from a distant cousin, but she herself also contributed two mid-grade spiritual plants to finally achieve her wish.

At this moment, Zhao Lingyue looked around and couldn't help but feel a little reserved.

The cultivators coming and going were all dressed in luxurious clothes, their robes were bright and shiny, and they all exuded a composure that was rarely seen in their daily lives.

Even those late-stage Qi Refining cultivators who are rarely seen in the market on ordinary days don't seem to be considered big shots here.

She subconsciously straightened her back, trying to make herself look more dignified.

How wonderful, is this the world of the upper-level cultivators?

Sure enough, she needed to earn more spirit stones to witness such a sight. For a moment, she felt that she was no different from the fairies in the immortal sect.

She picked up the spirit wine that was provided at each seat, took a small sip, and found it to be incredibly fragrant and mellow.

It truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier auction event!

Her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the VIP stands high above, wanting to see what those important figures, whose names she had only heard of in ordinary times, actually looked like.

In the central area, the Chen family's fiery red robes were flamboyant and noble; the Wang family's purple-gold robes were embroidered with dragon and elephant patterns, exuding majesty; while the Liu family, as a newly emerging Foundation Establishment family in recent years, dressed in low-key attire, yet possessed an air of refined elegance and composure, adding to their mystique.

Suddenly, Zhao Lingyue's gaze sharpened.

With the eyesight of a cultivator, even without practicing pupil techniques, it is not difficult to identify people and objects within a hundred feet.

But the person in front of her was someone she never dreamed would appear there.

Li Mufeng.

Fellow Daoist Li.

How come he's sitting in the VIP section?