During the walk to the restaurant, Long Chengkong wisely avoided probing deeply into Lin Feng's artifact repair abilities. Instead, he chatted amiably, outlining their afternoon plans. Biquan City offered numerous diversions for cultivators, including arenas for sparring matches and even beast-fighting pits showcasing demonic beasts battling – popular attractions within the city walls.
Soon, they arrived at the restaurant and entered a luxurious private room. Steaming plates of spirit cuisine began arriving in succession.
Although Lin Feng had enjoyed spirit cuisine consistently back in Qingyun City, the offerings here in Biquan City were noticeably more delicious, varied, and of higher quality. He couldn't help but inwardly marvel at the difference in living standards between larger and smaller cities. If a mere Third-Tier Cultivation City like Biquan was this impressive, he could scarcely imagine what the truly massive, higher-tiered cities must be like. As his horizons broadened and his experiences multiplied, his anticipation for the wider world intensified.
"By the way, Lin Feng," Long Chengkong said during the meal, shifting topics, "there's a fairly large auction happening in the city in a couple of days. Some good items should appear. Would you be interested in attending?"
"An auction?" Lin Feng paused, momentarily surprised, then asked with curiosity, "A cultivator's auction? What kind of things are usually sold?"
"Of course, a cultivator's auction," Long Chengkong confirmed with a smile. "This one is quite significant, hosted directly by the Biquan Sect. The variety of items is immense – practically anything you can think of: rare natural treasures, cultivation techniques, spells, artifacts, pills, even spirit beasts. Rumor has it this auction will feature three Spiritual Artifacts as the final lots. That alone will likely draw every Golden Core cultivator in Biquan City."
"Spiritual Artifacts?!" Lin Feng's eyes lit up. "Then I must definitely see that! But attending such an auction... are there requirements?"
"Without an invitation, you'd need to pay an entry fee," Long Chengkong explained. "But for you, it's no trouble. I can get invitations. I'll have someone deliver yours tomorrow. You can bring Brother Zhang and the others if you wish."
"Excellent. Thank you, Brother Long," Lin Feng expressed his gratitude, then asked another question, intrigued. "Speaking of the city's Golden Core cultivators, Brother Long... how many actually reside in Biquan City?"
"Not many," Long Chengkong replied. "You can count them on your fingers. The City Lord and Deputy City Lord are both Golden Core cultivators, and both are at the late Golden Core stage. They are also elders of the Biquan Sect. Additionally, the Wanbao Lodge has one Golden Core cultivator stationed here, who is also a Fifth-Grade Artifact Refiner. The owner of the city's largest pill shop, 'Miaodan Pavilion,' is also Golden Core. Furthermore, the two largest families within the city each have an elder at the Golden Core stage. Besides these, there are probably two or three Golden Core rogue cultivators."
"That's nearly ten already," Lin Feng thought silently, inwardly astonished. Back in Qingyun City, the appearance of a single Golden Core cultivator could cause a sensation. Here, there were so many. It was genuinely startling for someone like him, a 'small rogue cultivator from a small place.'
...
After lunch, Long Chengkong took Lin Feng and the others on a tour of the city. Unlike their brief walk two nights prior, today Lin Feng truly witnessed the bustling prosperity of Biquan City. Just the Southern District alone surpassed anything Qingyun City had to offer, let alone the Eastern, Western, and Northern Districts. They spent almost the entire afternoon walking and still hadn't covered the entire city.
They visited the sparring arena and beast-fighting pits Long Chengkong had mentioned. They watched an intense duel between two late Foundation Establishment cultivators and a savage battle between two Second-Level demonic beasts. It was thrilling and genuinely captivating entertainment.
As the sun began to set, they found another restaurant for dinner. Long Chengkong accompanied Lin Feng and his group all the way back to the Southern District before finally taking his leave.
On the way back to their lodgings, Lin Feng made a detour to the Wanbao Lodge. First, he purchased the materials needed to repair the artifacts commissioned that day. Then, he sold the batch of artifacts he had repaired the previous night. However, he kept the Supreme-Grade Spirit Treasure greatsword obtained from Li Sha – a precautionary measure. Additionally, he set aside several other Spirit Treasures, gifting them to Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers. After all, as their 'big brother,' it felt appropriate to show some generosity.
Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers had previously owned only pitifully few Magical Instruments. Receiving Spirit Treasures from Lin Feng absolutely delighted them, further cementing their resolve to follow him.
...
Upon returning to the inn, Lin Feng told Zhang Fangzhou and the others to make their own arrangements. He headed straight back to his room alone.
On his way through the inn, he spotted several 'familiar' faces – cultivators he'd seen earlier that day in the Free Bazaar, individuals who had entrusted artifacts to him. Lin Feng chuckled inwardly. It seemed some people still weren't entirely confident and had specifically come to the inn to keep an eye on him. Well, if my shadow is straight, why fear a crooked mirror? He wasn't bothered by their 'surveillance.' His expression remained perfectly normal as he entered his room, closed the door and windows securely, and prepared for his 'work'.
Aware that his movements were likely observed by many, Lin Feng also considered the potential gaps in his story – primarily, the fabricated 'master.' He was in his room all night, yet would produce repaired artifacts tomorrow. This inconsistency might raise suspicions. However, he deemed it unimportant. Suspicion was just that – suspicion. If anything, it might add to his aura of mystery.
After all, he didn't plan to stay here indefinitely. Getting through this period was the main goal.
...
After settling his mind, Lin Feng took out a spatial ring containing the commissioned artifacts. He selected a Supreme-Grade Spirit Treasure, found the necessary repair materials in another ring, and began the repair process.
The damage level of these commissioned artifacts mostly ranged from 30% to 70%. Compared to the heavily damaged artifacts (80-90% damage) he used to acquire and repair for resale, these required significantly less True Essence to fix.
Lin Feng worked almost without pause, repairing over twenty Mid-Grade or higher Spirit Treasures consecutively. His True Essence consumption was still less than half. This efficiency pleased him. It seemed he might be able to repair more artifacts tonight than initially anticipated.
"Chirp..."
During a brief pause while Lin Feng was regulating his breath, a soft sound came from within his robe. Something small and furry stirred beneath the fabric, and a tiny, yellow 'mouse' wriggled its way out.
"Heh, awake now?" Lin Feng smiled, stroking Xiaoqiu's head as it emerged. He'd noticed this little creature seemed to sleep almost constantly, spending nearly the entire day nestled in his robes. Sometimes, he almost forgot it was there – it had slept right through the conflict at the Li family compound yesterday!
"Chirp..."
Xiaoqiu blinked its large, seemingly watery eyes at Lin Feng, extending its tiny paws with an unmistakably pleading expression.
Lin Feng laughed softly and scolded, "Wake up, and all you know is eating. Finish eating, and all you know is sleeping... Are you sure you're a mouse and not a little piglet?"
Gently pinching the scruff of Xiaoqiu's neck, Lin Feng lifted it and placed it on a nearby pillow. He casually took out a few spirit stones and tossed them over. "Eat slowly now. Don't disturb my 'work,' alright?"
"Chirp!!"
Xiaoqiu gave a happy squeak, grabbed one of the stones, hopped to a corner of the bed, and began gnawing contentedly, completely ignoring Lin Feng.
"You little thing..." Lin Feng shook his head, torn between amusement and exasperation. What kind of pet have I ended up with? Putting the thought aside, he refocused his attention and resumed repairing the artifacts...