Yan Ruyan: Senior Brother Han, Could You Offer Some In-depth Guidance!

Yan Ruyan gave a bright smile and, following Han Feng's lead, called out crisply.

"Alright, then I'll do as Elder Brother Han says!"

"When you have time, Elder Brother Han, would you come to my cave dwelling and give me some deeper guidance on cultivation matters..."

Her smile was overflowing with charm.

Her proactive display of goodwill made many of the surrounding male disciples stare straight.

This woman was no simpleton.

At such a young age, she already knew how to read the situation and use her own advantages.

As a prodigy from a top-tier cultivation clan, she was far from an ignorant novice; she was well-versed in the ways of the world.

She understood that building a good relationship with a genius of Han Feng's caliber would bring nothing but benefits.

But this scene, as it fell on Xiao Yue's eyes, instantly made her tense up.

Alarm bells rang!

Although her own talent was decent, and she had a Core Formation grandmother with a high position in the sect, Yan Ruyan's background was no less impressive!

She was a direct descendant of the Yan Family, the number one cultivation clan in Yue Country!

And like Elder Brother Han, she had a Heavenly Spiritual Root!

Her face was also impossibly beautiful!

This was the fiercest rival she had ever encountered in her life!

"Elder Brother Han, weren't you going to collect your spirit salary? Let's go over there first..."

Xiao Yue could no longer care about restraint. She grabbed Han Feng's sleeve, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

She didn't want Han Feng to exchange another word with this 'vixen'!

"Since Elder Brother Han has matters to attend to, this junior sister won't disturb you any longer. We'll meet again next time!"

Yan Ruyan moved with light, graceful steps as she withdrew, but that final "meet again next time" stabbed into Xiao Yue's heart like a needle.

What did she mean by "meet again next time"!

There would be a next time?

Xiao Yue puffed out her cheeks in anger and, almost instinctively, directly hooked her arm around Han Feng's.

She pressed her full body tightly against him, as if using the action to declare her sovereignty.

"Yueyue, slow down..."

Han Feng hadn't expected Xiao Yue to react so strongly. Her sudden intimate gesture made him a bit uncomfortable.

Under the varied gazes of the many disciples, the two quickly walked toward the Foundation Establishment Hall.

Arriving at the hall, they saw a middle-aged cultivator with a steady aura sitting inside. His cultivation was already at Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Senior Brother Liu, I've come to collect my spirit salary!" Han Feng said with a cupped fist salute.

"So it's Junior Brother Han. Wait a moment!"

Senior Brother Liu was quite polite to Han Feng, clearly having heard of his reputation.

He counted on his fingers, then opened the restriction behind the counter and took out a neatly stacked pile of spirit stones, handing them to Han Feng.

"Junior Brother Han, this is your spirit salary for the year, along with the sect's Foundation Establishment reward. Please count them."

Han Feng swept his spiritual sense over them and felt a stir in his heart.

There were five Mid-grade Spirit Stones and one hundred and twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones here.

This was the first time he had obtained Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

One Mid-grade Spirit Stone could be exchanged for one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, a considerable value.

Even the Moongazing Sect only issued one per year to cultivators who had broken through to Foundation Establishment.

The extra four were a special reward for the first breakthrough.

In total, these spirit stones amounted to six hundred and twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones.

For any cultivator who had just reached Foundation Establishment, this was a substantial fortune.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Liu."

Han Feng stored the spirit stones into his Storage Bag. After collecting his spirit salary, he didn't linger.

He summoned his flying tool, the White Cloud Boat, carried Xiao Yue aboard, and turned into a streak of white light, flying toward the market at the edge of the Thousand Moon Mountain Range.

On the White Cloud Boat, Xiao Yue had shed her earlier gloom, her small face full of joy.

Being able to ride the same tool as Han Feng made her feel that the bond between them had grown much closer.

A day later, the two finally arrived at their destination.

The market before them was far more magnificent in scale than the one they had seen at Spirit Beast Mountain. The streets were wide, and people came and went—all cultivators—bustling with lively activity.

The two of them didn't wander the streets but headed straight for the tallest and most luxurious pavilion at the center of the Market.

On the pavilion's plaque, three large characters were written in bold, flowing strokes.

Star Moon Pavilion!

This was the 'official' shop opened by the Moongazing Sect in the Market, backed by formidable influence.

As soon as they stepped inside, a middle-aged steward quickly approached them.

This man was also at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, his face wearing the amiable smile characteristic of a seasoned merchant.

"Miss Xiao has arrived... And this is..."

The steward clearly recognized Xiao Yue, but his expression showed slight confusion when he noticed Han Feng beside her.

"Steward Li, this is my Elder Brother Han, Han Feng." Xiao Yue introduced him quite naturally.

"So it's Young Master Han... Please, come inside!"

Steward Li was sharp-witted. Seeing that even Xiao Yue, a notoriously headstrong young lady, was acting demurely as if deferring to Han Feng, he quickly sized up the situation and grew even more respectful and courteous.

He led the two into an elegant Quiet Room, served them Spirit Tea, and spoke with a smile.

"You two have arrived at just the right time. The pavilion is hosting an auction tonight, featuring many rare treasures seldom seen."

Xiao Yue's eyes lit up at this.

She had already heard about this news, which was precisely why she had insisted on dragging Han Feng along today.

"Elder Brother Han, shall we stay and watch tonight?" she asked, looking at him with eager anticipation.