I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Five days later, in the morning.

The front courtyard of the Ye residence was packed with people, bustling with noise and activity.

As scheduled, the Baiyun City Exchange Conference was being held in the square of the Ye residence.

Groups large and small from all over had gathered to attend this once-a-decade grand event.

Today, the Ye residence's Vermilion Bird Gate was wide open, and all attendees were required to enter through it.

At the gate, Ye family guards were carefully checking each guest's invitation. Anyone without one was strictly denied entry.

High-level experts from the Ye family were stationed on the city walls, ensuring nothing would go wrong.

A long line stretched like a dragon outside the Ye residence, filled with people waiting to enter the exchange.

At the end of the line stood Chu Feng, dressed in a scholar's robe with a folding fan, exuding elegance and poise like a noble young master.

Beside him, Elder Bing wore a sky-blue immortal skirt, holding a folding fan, her face veiled. She radiated a noble, aloof aura.

Even in a world full of beautiful cultivators, the two of them stood out with their refined appearance and temperament.

The only blemish was the large, ordinary-looking eagle behind them, completely out of place with their aura.

In no time, Chu Feng's group reached the front gate. He casually took out his invitation. The guard inspecting it instantly showed a respectful expression and quickly said:

"Honored guest, please head to the left. Someone will receive you there."

"Mm."

Chu Feng gave a light response.

After passing through the gate, they were soon greeted by a middle-aged man from the Ye family. Upon seeing Chu Feng's invitation, he hurried forward and respectfully asked, "May I know which esteemed lord you represent?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't. Just lead the way," Chu Feng replied coolly.

"Yes, sir."

The man answered respectfully. As the Ye family's Ninth Elder, he clearly recognized the invitation—one issued by one of the top ten heads of Wendao Academy.

Even though the heads themselves never attended, anyone holding their invitation represented them.

All he could do now was guide the way.

Soon, the group arrived at the main square of the exchange. It was already filled with countless stalls, overflowing with dazzling goods of every kind.

Chu Feng asked, "What kind of good stuff do you have at this year's exchange?"

The Ninth Elder replied, "May I ask what kind of treasure the honored guest is looking for, so I may provide some suggestions?"

Chu Feng thought for a moment. "I prefer rare and unusual items."

The Ninth Elder: "..."

He had no idea how rare or strange Chu Feng's tastes were supposed to be.

Even so, he forced himself to answer, "If the honored guest prefers the rare and strange, I suggest visiting the Myriad Treasures Zone. But items there require sharp eyes to tell good from bad."

Chu Feng flicked his folding fan. "Alright, lead the way."

—

Meanwhile, Cao Youqian and the others were also walking toward the Myriad Treasures Zone.

Xiao Chen and Ye Beixuan were wandering casually around the square, while Nie Xiuyuan and Xu Caichen headed straight for the spiritual medicine section.

The Ninth Elder began introducing, "Honored guest, this is the Myriad Treasures Zone. All sellers here have been approved by the Ye family. Their wares may not fully match their boasting, but generally, there's no major issue."

Chu Feng gave a slight nod and began browsing the stalls. Whenever he spotted something interesting, he would quietly observe it with the Eye of Destruction.

But after each inspection, he moved on without purchasing.

After a while, a familiar voice called out from ahead.

"Little Yi, look at this purple hairpin. Doesn't it match your outfit perfectly?"

Chu Feng instinctively looked over and saw two familiar figures at a jewelry stall.

Cao Youqian held a luxurious, exquisitely crafted hairpin in his hand, smiling brightly.

Beside him, Song Zhaoyi had a faint smile on her lips, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

"Brother Qian, you really have a good eye. I didn't even say anything, and you already knew what I liked."

The stall owner eagerly chimed in, "Esteemed guest, this is a top-grade spiritual treasure. Though its artifact spirit is currently dormant, it awaits a fated person to awaken it.

Since the young lady is so fond of it, the set price is fifty thousand lower-grade spirit stones. Or you could trade it for a thousand-year-old spiritual herb."

Cao Youqian toyed with the hairpin and said, "Fifty thousand lower-grade spirit stones? That's way too cheap. If you ask me, it should be worth five million."

The stall owner gave an awkward smile. "Honored guest, please don't joke with me like that."

Cao Youqian's face turned cold. "You were the one joking with me first. A top-grade magic tool, and you dared call it a top-grade spirit treasure? I may be a playboy, but I'm not a fool."

The stall owner: "..."

Ye Lingkun gave him a thumbs-up. "Young Master Qian has sharp eyes."

Cao Youqian tossed the hairpin back onto the stall. "I'll name a price. See if it works for you."

The stall owner, now caught red-handed, smiled awkwardly. "Honored guest, you really do have a keen eye. I must have misjudged it earlier. Name your price."

Cao Youqian spoke directly. "Fifty thousand lower-grade spirit stones."

"T-That's far too low..."

The stall owner looked distressed. He had hoped to fleece an easy mark, but instead ran into an expert. Now he felt uneasy.

"Hmm?"

Cao Youqian's lips curved into a cold smile. The pressure in his eyes made the stall owner's skin crawl.

"A-Alright, fifty thousand it is."

Overwhelmed by Cao Youqian's aura and knowing he was in the wrong, the stall owner had no choice but to agree.

Cao Youqian casually pulled a pouch from his waist, counted the stones, and tossed it onto the stall.

"Check it."

The stall owner scanned it with his spiritual sense and saw five hundred middle-grade spirit stones inside. Smiling, he said, "Everything's in order. Safe travels, honored guest."

Cao Youqian didn't respond. He simply turned around and placed the hairpin in Song Zhaoyi's hair.

"Thank you, Brother Qian."

Song Zhaoyi smiled sweetly.

Cao Youqian chuckled and took her hand, continuing through the stalls.

As they turned, they suddenly caught sight of several familiar figures.

"M-Master... Mistress..."

At those words, both Ye Lingkun and the Ninth Elder of the Ye family froze. Their gazes snapped straight to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng smiled. "No need for formality. It's been a while, but you're still the same arrogant young master as before."

Elder Bing, standing beside him, didn't refute what Cao Youqian said. Her veiled face flushed faintly, and her gaze toward him grew much softer.

Cao Youqian scratched his head awkwardly, lowering it. "Master, there are a lot of people here. Please don't embarrass me."

Chu Feng laughed. "So you've got a reputation to protect now? Come, it's been a while. Let's walk together."

"Yes, sir."

Cao Youqian led Xiao Yi to Chu Feng's side. Ye Lingkun followed behind, bowing his head like a chick, and respectfully said, "Disciple greets Head Chu."

Chu Feng glanced at him with mild surprise. "You know who I am?"

Cao Youqian quickly explained, "Master, he's an old friend of mine—Ye Lingkun from the Beast-Taming Institute."

"Oh."

Chu Feng didn't press further and kept walking ahead.

Trailing behind them, the Ninth Elder of the Ye family was utterly shaken inside. Staring at Chu Feng's back, he thought:

'C-Chu Half-Saint has actually come in person to the Ye family's exchange conference...'

'Damn it, why didn't we receive any notice of his arrival beforehand? And the family only sent someone like me to receive him...'

'Will Chu Half-Saint hold it against the Ye family?'

'What do I do now?'

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