Cloud Pavilion!
This is a mysterious power of White Stone Dao.
The other party never gets involved in Martial World conflicts; they only conduct business.
On the surface, Cloud Pavilion doesn't seem to have much strength, but in Gu Qingfeng's eyes, Cloud Pavilion's strength must not be taken lightly.
Otherwise,
how could they have the qualification to stand firm on White Stone Dao?
As Gu Qingfeng understood, Cloud Pavilion didn't just have a foundation in White Stone Dao, but their presence could also be found in other parts of the Taixuan Dynasty.
However,
these matters didn't really concern Gu Qingfeng.
At least for now.
They had little to do with each other.
"Mid-level martial arts have appeared, and it's estimated that all major forces will be determined to get them, so we should prepare more Silver Taels to see if we can secure these martial arts!"
Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and had made a decision.
Upon receiving the order,
Meng Peng immediately bowed and withdrew.
——
The location of Cloud Pavilion was in White Stone City, and White Stone Dao referred to the area within five hundred li centered around White Stone City in the Martial World.
However,
it was not easy to gain a foothold in White Stone City.
Like the Gu Family, it was because Gu Qingfeng showed sufficient strength that they were able to establish a foundation in White Stone City.
And Cloud Pavilion,
was located in the most bustling area of White Stone City, and its decorations were also wealthy and magnificent. When Gu Qingfeng arrived with Gu Yang, Meng Peng, and others, the servants of Cloud Pavilion hurriedly bowed and greeted them.
"Gu Family Master has arrived!"
"Mm, I heard about the Cloud Pavilion auction, so I've come to take a look."
Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly with an expression neither sad nor happy.
Upon hearing this,
the servant became even more respectful: "It is an honor for Cloud Pavilion that Gu Family Master could come. Please follow me inside to be seated!"
"Thank you."
Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly, then followed the servant into Cloud Pavilion.
The others who were queuing up at the entrance of Cloud Pavilion looked towards the group being led inside with envy and awe in their eyes.
However,
there were also those who looked dissatisfied.
"Why don't they have to queue?"
"Exactly, can Cloud Pavilion's rules be so easily broken?"
Hearing these people's comments, the others looked at them as if they were fools, and another Cloud Pavilion servant spoke calmly and firmly.
"The one who just entered is the Gu Family Master, whose cultivation has reached Blood Refining Perfection. If you too are a martial artist of the Blood Refining Realm, you may enter early as well!"
With these words,
those who were previously discontent had now completely quieted down.
Blood Refining Realm martial artists!
These were among the top masters in White Stone Dao.
Because the Gu Family had only come to White Stone Dao a few years ago and Gu Qingfeng had always acted low-key, not everyone had heard of the Gu Family's reputation.
Of course,
the appearance of an unknown Blood Refining Realm martial artist and his power would naturally attract the attention of many.
There were still quite a few people who were aware of the existence of the Gu Family.
On the other hand,
in a tavern outside a certain Cloud Pavilion, there were a few people watching the events at the entrance of Cloud Pavilion.
"That must be the Gu Family Master, his vital energy is vigorous, and he seems to be quite young too!"
Among them, one person spoke slowly, his gaze filled with gravity.
A martial artist in the Blood Refining Realm at his prime age is not to be underestimated.
Another person also nodded in agreement, "It's said that the Gu Family Master is not yet forty and has already reached the pinnacle of the Blood Refining Realm. With his talent, he may very well advance even further in the future.
Additionally, the youth by his side is rumored to be the direct heir of the Gu Family, who at a young age has already stepped into the mid-level of Refining Skin.
But from what we see now, this direct heir of the Gu Family is not simple either. The outside world speaks of him being at the mid-level of Refining Skin, yet observing his vitality and demeanor, I fear he's already reached the late stage!"
Upon hearing this,
the others were slightly shocked in their hearts.
At this age, reaching the late stage of Refining Skin.
Even their Heavenly Cloud Sect didn't possess such a demon.
At this time,
everyone turned their gaze toward the person seated at the main seat, who was none other than the Heavenly Cloud Sect Master, Yun Tianxing.
Seeing that everyone was looking at himself, Yun Tianxing said indifferently, "After this auction ends, we could try recruiting the Gu Family."
"What if the Gu Family doesn't agree?"
"If they don't agree..."
Yun Tianxing smiled slightly, his refined and gentle demeanor gaining a touch of a different, icy chill.
"If they don't agree, then they simply have no need to exist in White Stone Dao!"
...
"Gu Family Master, please wait for a bit longer, about half an hour or so. The auction will officially begin!"
The attendant said respectfully, then turned and made further instructions. Shortly after, three court-dressed maidservants entered from the outside, serving on either side of them.
Gu Qingfeng glanced at the three maidservants, then turned toward the window of the private room, which offered a perfect view of the auction stage below.
Moreover, the positioning of the windows in the private room was quite ingenious; from here, one could see the auction stage below but was unable to glimpse the scenes in the other private rooms.
"Mr. Gu, this is the list of items for this auction. Please have a look!"
At this moment, a voluptuous maidservant approached him, holding a booklet with a gold-embossed cover, her voice soft and sweet.
Gu Qingfeng looked at her and asked with a slight smile, "What is your name?"
"Reporting to Mr. Gu, my name is Qiushui!"
The woman's smile grew more bewitching, and as she handed over the gold-embossed booklet to Gu Qingfeng, her slender fingertips subtly brushed against his palm.
Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly, "Qiushui, that's a nice name. How long have you been working at the Cloud Pavilion?"
"I have been at the Cloud Pavilion for about a year."
"Hmm..."
Gu Qingfeng hummed lightly and did not continue the conversation. Qiushui, seeing this, did not say anything more, instead, she just stood beside Gu Qingfeng, pouring tea and water for him.
The other two maidservants, meanwhile, were serving Gu Yang and Meng Peng on either side.
The former was but a lad, blushing as the maidservant attended to him enthusiastically. The latter, however, an old hand in the Martial World, held back, knowing that with Gu Qingfeng sitting there, it was not his place to be presumptuous.
At this time,
Gu Qingfeng flipped through the booklet, whereupon the list of auction items entered his vision. On the last page, he saw a mid-grade Martial Arts technique listed for auction.
Fiery Sun Divine Palm!
Mid-grade Martial Arts!
Created by Master Lieyang in the past, a pinnacle Martial Arts technique that integrates cultivation and moves. If one could reach its peak, one might step into the Blood Refining Perfection realm!
"Fiery Sun Divine Palm—"
Gu Qingfeng's eyes lit up.
There are three categories of Martial Arts in the world. The first is primarily for cultivation, the second is for techniques, and the third combines both.
Mountain Shattering Fist, for instance, belongs to the third category, containing both techniques and methods to strengthen the physique, which allows martial artists to enhance their overall strength.
The Iron Body Skills, on the other hand, lean towards the first category.
The Fiery Sun Divine Palm before him, like the Mountain Shattering Fist, belonged to the third category.
The first two each have their flaws; the former supports techniques, but even with successful cultivation, one lacks sufficient means to counter enemies.
The latter has sufficient means to counter enemies, but with possibly insufficient cultivation.
Therefore,
out of the three categories of Martial Arts, only the third is the most valuable.
Cultivation and techniques combined, complementing each other, acquiring a single technique can lead to a complete legacy.