Senior Brother, Don't Go!

After the auction ended, Lu Qing'an prepared to leave.

As soon as they stepped out of the private room, they were surrounded by dozens of figures.

Li Muchen, Zhang Shundao, Li Wensong, and the others almost instantly formed a triangular formation, warily watching the uninvited guests who had suddenly surrounded them.

Surprisingly, the group showed no hostility whatsoever; instead, their faces were full of smiles.

"Sect Master Lu, please wait!" The first to speak was a middle-aged man in a brocade robe, exuding an air of elegance. He cupped his hands and smiled, "I am Fang Qingyuan, the Pavilion Master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion of the Purple Firmament Domain. I am truly impressed to witness the grandeur of the Eternal Night Sect today!"

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist."

Lu Qing'an remained calm, already having made his decision.

"Sect Master Lu!" Another white-haired old woman stepped forward, leaning on a dragon-patterned wooden staff. Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

"I am Liu Ruyan, the master of the Heavenly Secrets Tower in the Dark Nether Domain. Your esteemed sect's extravagant spending today has truly broadened our horizons. I wonder if your sect is interested in cross-domain intelligence trading?"

Lu Qing'an: "I'm somewhat interested."

Following closely behind, the third, the fourth... a total of seventeen or eighteen people surrounded them, all of whom were leaders of powerful forces in the Nine Directions and Ten Domains, though not ranked in the top ten.

They chattered amongst themselves, introducing themselves in a warm and friendly manner.

"I am Zhao Yan, the city lord of Lava City in the Heavenly Fire Domain, and I wish to cooperate with your sect in the trade of fire-attribute materials!"

"Our Northern Nether Domain Cold Ice Palace is willing to exchange three millennium-old mystic ice veins for a long-term cooperative relationship with the Eternal Night Chamber of Commerce!"

Li Muchen and the other two exchanged glances, their tense nerves finally relaxing.

It turns out they weren't there to cause trouble, but to build relationships.

Zhang Shundao whispered to Lu Qing'an, "Sect Master, these people are very shrewd. After today's auction, the names of the Eternal Night Sect and the Eternal Night Chamber of Commerce will surely resound throughout the Ten Domains. They are trying to get our names known before we are completely won over by those top powers."

Lu Qing'an nodded slightly.

He naturally understood what these people were thinking.

The wealth and power displayed by the Eternal Night Sect today are astonishing, especially considering they showed no sign of backing down even in front of Chaos Sage.

This is no longer a simple emerging force, but a behemoth destined to shake up the landscape of the Nine Directions and Ten Domains.

If you don't befriend them now, it will be much harder to curry favor once the Eternal Night Sect has fully risen to prominence.

Moreover, even a small amount of resources that the Eternal Night Sect casually releases would be enough for these forces to consume for several years.

Following behind such a wealthy person, even picking up scraps would be enough to greatly increase the sect's strength.

Lu Qing'an turned his gaze to Xue Tianfei beside him.

She wore a snow-white long dress today, as serene and elegant as the moon. Although she didn't say much at the auction, her calm and composed demeanor had already attracted a lot of attention.

"Xue'er," Lu Qing'an transmitted his voice, "You will be fully responsible for all of the Eternal Night Chamber of Commerce's external business dealings. Build good relationships with them, and the Eternal Night Chamber of Commerce's reach will soon extend to every corner of the Nine Directions and Ten Domains."

Xue Tianfei's beautiful eyes brightened slightly, and she nodded gently. "I understand."

Having received instructions, Xue Tianfei stepped forward, her voice clear and melodious.

"We appreciate your kind intentions, Eternal Night Sect. However, the occasion is too rushed for a detailed discussion today. If you are truly interested in cooperation, you may exchange telepathic tokens with me."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

What they feared most was that the Eternal Night Sect was arrogant and disdainful of associating with them.

Now that Xue Tianfei has taken the initiative to offer to exchange marks, she has already given them a tremendous amount of face.

In an instant, everyone took out their own communication jade talismans and exchanged marks with Xue Tianfei.

Xue Tianfei calmly dealt with the situation, noting down the characteristics and demands of each faction, and began to plan the layout of future trade routes.

Just as the atmosphere was getting heated, a vast and unfathomable aura suddenly pressed down from afar.

The previously noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.

The Chaos Sage has arrived.

He was still dressed in a gray robe, his expression calm, but when his unfathomable eyes swept over everyone, they felt a chill run down their spines.

Behind him followed seven or eight people, the leaders of several top forces who had cooperated with the Chaos Sage at today's auction but were ultimately crushed by the Eternal Night Sect with their financial power.

They didn't look too good.

The Chaos Sage's gaze fell on Lu Qing'an, and after a three-breath pause, he slowly spoke, "Congratulations on the rise of the Eternal Night Sect."

His voice was flat, revealing no emotion.

Lu Qing'an smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist flatters me."

"However," the Chaos Sage changed the subject, "The waters of the Nine Directions and Ten Domains run deep. I hope the Eternal Night Sect can maintain its current momentum and not... be a flash in the pan."

These words already carried a veiled warning.

Having said that, the Chaos Sage said no more and turned to leave.

The leaders of the various factions behind him also gave Lu Qing'an a cold look before leaving.

One of them even snorted coldly before leaving.

Clearly, today the Eternal Night Sect not only slapped the Chaos Sage in the face, but also offended these top forces that stood on the same side as the Chaos Sage.

Or rather, the rise of the Eternal Night Sect is destined to squeeze out some top forces from the top power rankings!

But Lu Qing'an just smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned.

The rise of the Eternal Night Sect was inherently defying the will of Heaven.

If you hesitate and timid because you're afraid of offending people, then there's no point in talking about the future.

not to mention...

He still has many unclaimed Heavenly Mandate Soul Stone veins that he hasn't had time to collect yet!

Once fully under its control, the Eternal Night Sect will undoubtedly become the wealthiest sect in the Nine Directions and Ten Domains!

At that time, not to mention these top-tier forces, even the Chaos Sage will have to show deference to the Eternal Night Sect!

After all, who wouldn't call someone with both power and money "Big Brother"?

"Gentlemen," Lu Qing'an said, pulling himself out of his thoughts and looking at the still-lingering crowd, his voice clear and resonant, "In three days, the Eternal Night Sect will officially begin recruiting disciples and guest elders. Anyone of upright character is welcome to give it a try. Our sect has abundant resources, complete Cultivation Method, and even guidance on the Great Dao leading to the Eternal Realm."

These words were like a boulder thrown into a lake, creating ripples that spread far and wide!

The words "Eternal Realm" made everyone's breathing quicken.

Nine Directions and Ten Domains, those who have reached the Eternal Realm are all powerful figures in their respective regions.

The Eternal Night Sect dares to openly claim to be guided by the Great Dao; if not arrogant, then they truly have the confidence!

This statement instantly attracted the attention of those geniuses who were unable to break through to the Eternal Realm.

In an instant, everyone's eyes burned even brighter.

Many faction leaders who originally only wanted business cooperation are now considering whether to have their clan members join the Eternal Night Sect to solidify the relationship between the two sides.

Having finished his explanation, Lu Qing'an left the auction house without lingering, leading Xue Tianfei, Li Muchen, and the others.

Just as he stepped out the door, Zhang Shundao suddenly stopped and telepathically told Lu Qing'an that he had some private matters to attend to.

Lu Qing'an nodded slightly.

Then, Zhang Shundao's figure blurred, transforming into a streak of light, and sped off in a certain direction.

From the distant horizon, a furious roar could be faintly heard, "Zhang Shundao! Don't come any closer!"

"Senior brother! Don't rush off! Wait for me!"

Two figures chased and fled, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.