After the auction concluded, Ye Yu, having acquired the necessary herbs, found himself chatting with Feiying backstage.

“If I’m not mistaken, those are the ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills. Are you close to breaking through, Young Master Ye?” Feiying asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she instructed a servant to hand him the herbs.

To be nearing Foundation Establishment after only a few months.

It was an impressive feat.

Ye Yu, feeling a surge of pride at her surprised reaction, maintained a calm facade. He shook his head modestly. “I’m simply returning to Foundation Establishment. It’s only natural for my cultivation to progress faster now.”

He sighed, a hint of regret in his voice. “Unfortunately, I don’t have many Spirit Stones left.”

The bronze shard had gone to Mu Zhi’an.

At least he probably doesn’t know its true value.

That was his only consolation.

“Feiying, are my herbs ready?”

A familiar voice echoed from behind him, pulling him back to reality.

He turned to see Mu Zhi’an approaching, escorted by a servant. The young master had a pleasant smile on his face, his handsome features attracting the attention of the female servants.

Compared to Ye Yu’s “low-key” demeanor, Mu Zhi’an’s confidence and charisma naturally drew more attention.

Feiying nodded. “They’re ready, Young Master Mu. Follow me to the private room.”

Mu Zhi’an casually placed his arm around her slender waist, smiling. “Let’s go now. I have some errands to run.”

“Unless… you’re busy, Feiying?”

Feiying narrowed her eyes, glancing at him playfully.

After a moment, she smiled seductively. “Very well. Let’s go.”

Unlike Ye Yu, who was always trying to appear modest and humble, Mu Zhi’an was more genuine.

He expressed his desires openly.

And she found his use of the term “Feiying” rather endearing.

She glanced at Ye Yu, her red shoes clicking against the floor. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, Young Master Ye. Perhaps we’ll meet again soon. We’ll be on our way now.”

With that, she left with Mu Zhi’an.

Ye Yu watched them go, his gaze lingering on Feiying’s alluring figure and the young master’s hand resting possessively on her waist. His usually calm heart was filled with a sudden turmoil.

He had always believed that women would only hinder his cultivation progress.

However, seeing Mu Zhi’an’s carefree attitude, he couldn’t help but wonder.

Perhaps enjoying life wasn’t such a bad thing?

…

As they walked towards the private room, Feiying glanced at Mu Zhi’an, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

“Had enough, you little rascal?”

“Could I have more?” Mu Zhi’an asked, his tone playful.

“What do you think?” she retorted, swatting his hand away.

Mu Zhi’an sighed dramatically. “I spent a thousand Spirit Stones on a rusty old shard just for you, Feiying. Can’t you at least offer me a little comfort?”

She chuckled, her smile seductive. “That might work on those naive little girls, but not on me.”

“If it wasn’t for you, then why else would I buy it?” Mu Zhi’an asked, feigning seriousness.

Feiying glanced at him, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Who knows?”

As an auctioneer, she encountered all sorts of people. Mu Zhi’an’s sweet talk might work on inexperienced girls, but it wasn’t enough to impress someone of her caliber.

They arrived at the private room, and Feiying instructed a servant to bring Mu Zhi’an the herbs and the bronze shard.

She looked at the pile of items, then removed her ring and stored everything inside.

“You’re giving me your ring?” Mu Zhi’an asked, surprised.

“Don’t get any ideas,” she retorted, rolling her eyes. “It’s just a loan. Have someone return it to me tomorrow.”

“This was a gift from my sister before she entered the sect. If you lose it, you’ll regret it.”

Her willingness to lend him such a valuable item warmed his heart. He nodded, accepting the ring.

Then, he asked, “Speaking of which, who’s your sister? Maybe I know her.”

Feiying’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “She’s beautiful, but you definitely don’t know her.”

“She rarely left home, even as a child. And after joining the Two Polarities Sect, she became even more reclusive.”

“She visits me occasionally, but she always keeps her identity secret.”

“Sounds mysterious,” Mu Zhi’an murmured. Seeing that she wasn’t willing to reveal her sister’s identity, he didn’t press her further.

After chatting for a while longer, Mu Zhi’an took the ring and left.

…

Mu Manor.

After instructing a servant to deliver the herbs to Elder Ren, Mu Zhi’an returned to his room, eager to examine the bronze shard.

He ran his fingers over its surface, feeling its rough, uneven texture.

There was nothing remarkable about it.

“Anything Ye Yu’s interested in can’t be ordinary… But how do I activate it?” he wondered, turning the shard over in his hand.

Unlike Ye Yu, he didn’t have an old man residing within him. And he wasn’t a Chosen One with great destiny. So, accidentally activating the shard and uncovering its secrets was unlikely.

“The First Elder has traveled the world. He’s seen countless treasures. Perhaps he knows something about this shard.”

Mu Zhi’an decided to seek out the First Elder.

However, he was stopped by a spy before he could reach the secret chamber.

“Young Master, the First Elder is in seclusion. He’s not receiving any visitors.”

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes widened. “He’s in seclusion?”

The spy nodded respectfully. “The First Elder rarely sees anyone. He only summoned you the other day because he happened to be awake.”

So, he’s a cultivation maniac… Mu Zhi’an sighed, disappointed. “If he has time later, please inform him that I have a question for him.”

The spy nodded.

Unable to consult the First Elder, Mu Zhi’an returned to his room, determined to unravel the shard’s secrets on his own.

As he passed through the courtyard, he saw Bai Ruoxi.

She stood bathed in moonlight, her white dress clinging to her curves, her shoulders bare, her skin pale and flawless.

A few strands of hair framed her face, lending her an alluring charm she hadn’t possessed before.

Sensing his presence, she turned and smiled. “Good morning, Young Master Mu.”

He nodded and approached her.

“You went to the Morning Glory Auction House this morning, didn’t you? Did you find the herbs?” Bai Ruoxi asked, a flicker of hope in her eyes.

If he had the herbs, her father could be healed within days.

He was the only one who could stabilize the Bai family.

Mu Zhi’an toyed with the bronze shard, a smile playing on his lips. “I did. And I even found something unexpected.”

Bai Ruoxi sighed in relief.

Then, her gaze fell upon the shard in his hand.

Her eyes widened. “May I see it?” she asked.

“Of course. But its origins are a mystery. I haven’t been able to unlock its secrets yet—”

Before he could finish, Bai Ruoxi reached for the pendant at her neck, unfastening it.

Mu Zhi’an’s gaze lingered on her movements, enjoying the view.

From his angle, he had a unique perspective.

Large and white…

But then, his attention was drawn to the pendant in her hand.

It was a crescent-shaped bronze shard, identical to the one he’d acquired at the auction.

As if possessing a mind of their own, the two shards merged in a flash of light.

Behind Bai Ruoxi, an ancient bronze sword materialized, its aura powerful and imposing.

Mu Zhi’an stared at the sword, then at the beautiful woman before him, his voice filled with disbelief. “Ruoxi, where did you get that shard?”

“It’s a family heirloom,” she replied. “My father said it’s been passed down for generations. It’s a protective talisman, a symbol of our ancestors’ blessings.”

She offered him the shard.

“Please accept it, Young Master Mu. While the Meridian Connecting Pill is gone, perhaps this will be of use to you. If you infuse it with spiritual energy, its power will be activated.”

Mu Zhi’an took the shard, turning it over in his hands. He tried to infuse it with spiritual energy.

Nothing happened.

It seems it’s not meant for me. Or perhaps it’s an ancient weapon that can only be wielded by a descendant of the Bai family?

He quickly dismissed his disappointment and stepped behind Bai Ruoxi.

“Young Master Mu?”

She turned to look at him, but he was already fastening the pendant around her neck.

“It’s a family heirloom, Miss Bai. I have no right to claim it. Keep it.”

Bai Ruoxi stared at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions.

When she’d pleaded with him for help, he’d insisted on receiving something of value in return.

But now, even though the Bai family had nothing to offer, he had still helped them.

And he was even giving her the bronze shard he’d acquired.

Thinking about his actions these past few days, she felt a warmth spreading through her chest.

She instinctively placed a hand over her heart, clutching the pendant.

When she looked at him again, her gaze was soft, the last vestiges of suspicion melting away.

“Can you try infusing it with spiritual energy again?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

She snapped out of her thoughts and nodded, channeling her spiritual energy into the pendant.

The bronze sword reappeared behind her, its aura even more powerful than before.

The pendant was formed from two simple shards, yet the energy it emanated was formidable. If she unleashed the sword, it would possess the power of a Core Formation strike.

Mu Zhi’an stared at the sword, then at the beautiful woman before him, speechless.

Could she be the protagonist? He thought to himself, baffled.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay