Chapter 2863: Great Compassion Zen Master

Half a month passed, and Qingjiao Valley became increasingly lively as a large number of high-level cultivators arrived.

One morning, just as dawn broke, a magnificent pagoda saw a long queue of cultivators waiting to enter. Du Xueyao and Wang Yidao were among them.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, since your Wang family helped organize this auction, can you tell me what treasures will be available?" Du Xueyao asked.

"I don't know," Wang Yidao replied.

Wang Yidao's demeanor was rather aloof. For the past half month, Du Xueyao had stayed by his side, attending various gatherings and exchange events, and discussing cultivation with other Void Refinement cultivators. Du Xueyao was a true chatterbox, her words never ceasing, while Wang Yidao was a man of few words, even with his own family—a complete opposite. At first, he would offer a few polite replies, but he eventually gave up trying to keep up with her endless conversation.

"I heard there'll be a treasure blade at this auction, but I doubt you'd be interested, given how many high-level artifact refiners your family has. Fellow Daoist Long told me that a seventh-tier spirit wine, 'Golden Branch Jade Liquid,' will be featured, which can enhance one's magical power. I've never tasted a seventh-tier spirit wine before!" By the end of her speech, Du Xueyao's face was filled with longing. She was a brewer, belonging to the Du family, who were renowned for their brewing skills.

Wang Yidao paid no attention to Du Xueyao, but she didn't seem to mind, continuing to discuss brewing techniques with him.

Soon, they reached the pagoda's entrance. Since the Long and Wang families were co-hosting the auction, members of the Wang family were exempt from paying admission. Du Xueyao followed Wang Yidao, and the Long family guards granted them immediate entry. As co-organizers of the auction, the Wang family had access to private viewing boxes.

An attendant in a green robe led Wang Yidao and Du Xueyao to a private box. Inside, a scrying mirror provided a clear view of the auction hall. Du Xueyao produced an exquisite white flask and two blue cups, pouring two servings of spirit wine.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this is my Snow Mulberry Dew, brewed using snow mulberry fruits found on ten-thousand-year-old glaciers as the main ingredient. Please, have a taste!" Du Xueyao picked up a cup, offered it to Wang Yidao, her face alight with anticipation.

Wang Yidao frowned. "I don't like to drink," he said.

"My spirit wine is unlike any other you've tasted. Please, just try it. This is the first jar of sixth-tier spirit wine I've ever brewed," Du Xueyao coaxed him.

Wang Yidao took the cup and drank it in one go.

"How was it? Is it good?" Du Xueyao pressed, gazing at Wang Yidao with eager anticipation.

"Mm-hm," Wang Yidao grunted in acknowledgment.

"If you like it, please have more. I've brewed many jars." Du Xueyao smiled brightly and poured Wang Yidao another cup.

In a sprawling estate, Wang Changsheng and Long Tianheng sat in a green stone pavilion, chatting with solemn expressions.

"According to our plan, the Five-Yin woman we located has revealed some clues. Assuming they aren't too foolish, they should discover her. The rest is up to you," Long Tianheng spoke gravely. All three Five-Yin women are now in Qingjiao Valley. Any intelligent culprit would sense a problem; having failed at least twice, they must be highly vigilant. They located three Five-Yin women and intentionally allowed one to be exposed, while keeping Wang Shenfeng and Du Xueyao concealed. The reason the Long family's discovery was chosen for exposure was primarily due to her low cultivation, only at the Core Formation stage. Since the perpetrator is at the Void Refinement stage, a Five-Yin woman at Core Formation would be easily targeted if she wasn't careful. Wang Shenfeng and Du Xueyao have higher cultivation levels, so even a Void Refinement cultivator wouldn't be able to instantly kill them.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "We'll proceed as planned," he said. "After the auction, send people to discreetly follow and protect her. We still need to be cautious; they might make a move on that woman. As for Shenfeng and Xueyao, we'll let them leave the market only after some time has passed. I refuse to believe they won't be tempted by any of the three Five-Yin women."

According to intelligence gathered by Wang Chuanming, at least eighteen Five-Yin women have been killed, though the true number is undoubtedly higher. It's also unknown how long the perpetrator has spent collecting their spirits.

Long Tianheng was about to speak when he pulled a pale gold ritual disc from his robe, performed an incantation, and a look of delight spread across his face. "A friend has arrived. Fellow Daoist Wang, allow me to introduce you."

Long Tianheng rose and stepped out. Shortly after, he returned with a tall, slender monk in a green robe. The monk had a square face, large eyes, wore a string of green Buddhist beads around his neck, and carried a green staff. His aura clearly indicated he was an early Body Integration cultivator.

"A Buddhist cultivator!" Wang Changsheng was slightly taken aback. Wang Chuanming had gathered portraits of all renowned Body Integration cultivators on the Xuanling Continent, yet he had never seen this green-robed monk. Could he be a newly ascended Body Integration cultivator?

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this is Zen Master Daren. He's an old friend who saved my life in the Myriad Volcano Range. Without him, I would have perished at the hands of the Lizard Tribe," Long Tianheng made the introduction.

"This humble monk, Daren, greets Fellow Daoist Wang." The green-robed monk clasped his hands and spoke courteously.

"Zen Master Daren? May I inquire where Zen Master Daren cultivates in seclusion?" Wang Changsheng asked, curious.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Zen Master Daren naturally shuns fame and fortune. He rarely attends gatherings or celebrations, so few fellow Daoists are aware of his existence. However, Lady Liao and Immortal Li both know him." Long Tianheng, sensing Wang Changsheng's confusion, explained.

Wang Changsheng realized the situation and didn't press for more details.

"Oh, Zen Master Daren, are you here for the auction? It's about to start, so if you go now, you'll be just in time," Long Tianheng said with a smile.

"While on my travels, this humble monk discovered evil cultivators harming innocent female cultivators. I managed to injure one of the culprits, but unfortunately, the villain self-destructed, yielding no useful information. I came here specifically to inform you, hoping you will gather forces to apprehend the murderer and bring peace to the departed." Zen Master Daren's expression was solemn.

"Harming female cultivators?" Long Tianheng frowned and requested details, which Zen Master Daren truthfully provided.

"To be frank, Master, we've also discovered evil cultivators harming female cultivators. We suspect it's the work of demonic cultists, but they operate very secretly. We've devised a plan to lure them out of hiding," Long Tianheng stated seriously.

"Luring them out? Does this humble monk's assistance? Eradicating demons and upholding righteousness is the duty of cultivators like us." Zen Master Daren's face was filled with righteousness.

"Not at the moment. If your assistance is required, we will ask," Wang Changsheng said politely.

Zen Master Daren nodded, then shifted his tone. "I heard Fellow Daoist Wang and your esteemed wife jointly slew a mid-Body Integration stage alien. Was the alien you defeated a Spiritfire Tribe cultivator?"

"That's an old matter; there's no need to bring it up." Wang Changsheng was reluctant to elaborate. If the news spread, the two Body Integration stage aliens he had slain also had family and friends. There was no telling if their kin would seek revenge.

Noticing this, Zen Master Daren did not press the matter further. After chatting for over half an hour, Zen Master Daren departed.