Zhou Chun's expression shifted slightly under his hat, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
He had been more or less prepared for this outcome ever since he bid for the Sun Glare Wheel.
Even at an underground auction where identities were kept confidential, a Foundation Establishment cultivator showing such wealth would have trouble not attracting attention.
However, with the Fire Divine Jackal at his side, Zhou Chun wasn't too concerned about those who were eyeing him.
His gaze involuntarily drifted towards the cultivator suspected to be Master Jiang, actually hoping that the other party would indeed come after him later.
The auction continued to be lively, with every treasure sparking intense bidding wars among the cultivators.
The final highlight, a third-tier inferior Magic Artifact, was auctioned off for the high price of thirty-five thousand Spirit Coins.
After the underground auction ended, Zhou Chun and a few other cultivators who had won items were individually escorted out of the Underground Cave Hall first.
Then, just like the last time he had attended such an event, they would let them go one by one at set intervals.
"I wonder how many foolish fellows will really come knocking on my door, bringing their own deaths!"
In a forest, Zhou Chun looked up at the sky, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
With a step, he immediately employed the Wind Control Skill and swiftly began to stride across the ground.
This wasn't because he was afraid flying in the sky would expose him, but rather because flying openly through the sky would make others suspect he had something to rely on, making them even less likely to approach.
After rushing through the forest for twenty to thirty miles, Zhou Chun's Divine Sense tingled, and he detected a Foundation Establishment cultivator flying towards him.
"Just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
He watched the approaching cultivator and shook his head repeatedly.
Then he straightforwardly called out, "Fellow Daoist, are you looking for me?"
Hearing this, the Foundation Establishment cultivator came to a halt in midair.
Soon after, he spoke hesitantly, "You've misunderstood, fellow Daoist. I'm just passing by. Do you know where this is?"
Zhou Chun heard this and immediately nodded, "Oh, what a coincidence, I'm also looking for someone to ask for information. How about we go together?"
"No, no need, fellow Daoist. Take your time. I have other matters to attend to and will take my leave first, goodbye!"
The Foundation Establishment cultivator spoke and, without waiting for Zhou Chun's response, quickly turned and left.
An abnormal occurrence betrays a demon's presence; a Foundation Establishment junior like him taking the initiative to greet someone must have a backing of some sort.
So he, who was originally just trying his luck, immediately decided that it was best to leave at once.
Of course, he had prepared a second plan; while fleeing, he kept an eye on Zhou Chun.
But Zhou Chun seemed unconcerned about his moves, only visibly shaking his head slightly before turning and disappearing into the forest.
This behaviour made the fleeing cultivator feel even less secure, prompting him to leave the area at full speed.
"Although you were greedy, at least you had some sense. I'll spare your life!"
Inside the forest, Zhou Chun watched the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator flee and muttered to himself, then walked away.
While it felt thrilling to use the Fire Divine Jackal to "fish out the lawbreakers," he had to consider the consequences of killing.
Killing an Elder of the Zhang Family from Tiantai Mountain had already established the Zhang Family as an enemy for the Zhou Family.
If he now started a massacre relying on the protection of a third-tier Demon Beast, the Zhou Family alone might not be able to withstand the retaliation from so many powers.
It was why he had taken the initiative earlier to scare off the other party.
Luckily, the other party was sensible and didn't make things difficult for him.
Afterward, Zhou Chun continued through the mountains for dozens of miles, and just as he was about to exit the range, he was found again by someone—actually by two people coming together.
"Two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
Zhou Chun's expression darkened slightly as he suspiciously looked up at the sky.
Soon, two figures in black robes appeared in his field of view behind him.
One of them was indeed the cultivator suspected to be Master Jiang, while the other's face was concealed by a wolf head mask.
The aura radiating from both was of late-stage Foundation Establishment.
"Master Jiang, you've finally arrived!"
After a shift in his countenance, Zhou Chun preempted them with a loud declaration.
Upon hearing this, the two cultivators who were ready to take action against him both paused in their motion.
Then, the cultivator suspected to be Master Jiang's face lit up with blue light, revealing a face of a man with white hair and a youthful complexion—it was indeed Master Jiang!
Master Jiang's eyes filled with surprise and doubt as he looked at Zhou Chun and demanded sternly, "Who are you exactly? Why did you deliberately lure Jiang here?"
He wasn't foolish at all; he instantly understood Zhou Chun's intention in competing with him for the eight-hundred-year-old Red Essence Ganoderma.
Meanwhile, the cultivator wearing the wolf head mask also stared intently at Zhou Chun, his eyes equally filled with astonishment and suspicion.
He was brought in by Master Jiang to help, and they had agreed that after the deed was done, Master Jiang would take the Spiritual Medicine while he would take the Sun Glare Wheel Artifact, and they would split the other treasures on Zhou Chun's person.
But now, listening to the conversation between Zhou Chun and Master Jiang, he had a terrible feeling.
"Who am I? Well, Master Jiang, you better look closely!"
Zhou Chun said as he reached up and removed the hat from his head.