When the time came, Chen Lin returned to the Zhao Family Firm.
The attendant had a good memory. As soon as he saw Chen Lin, he led him upstairs and handed him a mask in advance.
"This is a special magical tool that can block probing spells. If you don't want anyone to know your identity, honored guest, you can put it on."
The attendant placed the mask in Chen Lin's hand, then added after a moment's thought, "A word of warning, fellow Daoist: this mask can only block probes from Qi Condensation cultivators. It is useless against the divine sense of experts in the Foundation Establishment Realm."
"Oh? Will Foundation Establishment experts be attending too?"
Chen Lin put on the mask and asked in surprise.
The attendant shook his head. "It's hard to say. They might come, but it's very unlikely."
Chen Lin nodded and asked no more questions, heading straight inside.
The upstairs room was spacious, with tables and stools arranged throughout. A raised platform stood to one side, with another table on it, presumably for the Zhao Family Firm's auctions.
There were already some people inside, most of them wearing masks.
Some wore no masks, but every one of them radiated a powerful aura. They were clearly in the Qi Condensation Late Stage, and outstanding cultivators even among those at that stage.
In a place where Foundation Establishment Cultivators were scarce, the strongest late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators truly had little to guard against. Besides, Foundation Establishment Cultivators would hardly covet the possessions of Qi Condensation cultivators.
Chen Lin picked a seat near a corner and sat down, discreetly observing the speech and behavior of each cultivator.
Three people stood out in particular.
One was a Burly Man with a thick beard and an absurdly large saber strapped