Chapter 140: Chapter 132: Encountering the Members of the Azure Flame Sect Again

He instantly understood.

’I didn’t bother with a disguise when I appeared in public before, so he probably recognized me too.’

He offered a polite nod and a smile, then turned back to look at the other auction items.

But in that brief moment he turned his head, Lu Wuqiang, an Elder from the Azure Flame 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 Flame 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 Establishment.’

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 means 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 trimmed. 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 someone 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 mere two years to rapidly break through from the first level of Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment.

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 Establishment 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 Establishment many years ago.

He had also secretly helped the Azure Flame Sect eliminate several Foundation Establishment 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 time to make a move.’

But that was fine. Lu Wuqiang resolved to assign more men to keep a close watch on Xiao Chen’s movements afterward.

’Next time, 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 come up earlier had already taken seats at the various square tables, grouped according to their affiliations.

"Junior Brother Xiao, come sit over here."

Steward Chen called out to Xiao Chen. There was a reserved empty seat at the table where he was sitting.

He seemed 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 Commerce Associations under the Four Seas Sect. Whether we’ll see any novel and valuable items this time will depend on them."

Xiao Chen had long heard that just as the Li Huo Sect had its Five Great Clans, the Azure Flame Sect had six great clans of its own.

The Four Seas Sect, however, was unique in that it was divided into three major Commerce Associations.

These Commerce Associations were jointly established by several Foundation Establishment clans. While they were all part of the same 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 came 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, some 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 home 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 Element 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 something like Spirit Tea to enjoy a little.

’But I’ll leave these non-essential items for last.’ 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

’End of Volume One?’

Seeing this on the final page of the booklet, Xiao Chen realized it was only the first volume.

He thought back and recalled that some 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.