Liu Xuanji had never seen Zhang Chonglou so agitated before.

Ever since becoming Zhang Chonglou's disciple, Liu Xuanji always felt that everything was under Zhang Chonglou's control, and his master always exuded a confident, calm, and composed aura.

But upon hearing that Ye Guichen had actually jumped into the Spiritual Spring, Zhang Chonglou lost control.

With fists clenched tightly, Zhang Chonglou exuded an inexplicable aura of hostility, and his overwhelming aura made it difficult for Liu Xuanji to breathe.

For so many years, Liu Xuanji had never seen his master take action.

Because, in this world, the number of people who could compel Zhang Chonglou to act seemed to be few and far between.

Yet now, Zhang Chonglou seemed as if he was going to tear the entire world apart.

"Master, Master." Struggling to suppress the terror in his heart, Liu Xuanji called out tremblingly.

Zhang Chonglou slowly gathered his thoughts, as if a wave of endless fatigue washed over him, and he sat powerlessly on the cushion, "That young man, I know he's a genius, a prodigy, but sometimes he's too arrogant. He... he actually jumped into the Spiritual Spring. If Li Fengxian finds out, how... how can I explain it to that mad old man?"

His eyes slightly reddened, as if he was about to cry.

However, Zhang Chonglou quickly calmed himself, raising his head to look at Liu Xuanji: "Lao Wu, have you investigated the people who have come to Lingquan Villa?"

The triennial auction of the Spiritual Spring was about to begin, and every family and sect with some capability wanted to compete for it.

After all, for these martial arts families, the Spiritual Spring was like a panacea, not only improving one's physique but also providing obvious benefits for martial cultivation.

Although Medicine King Valley had controlled the Spiritual Spring for some years, every family and sect still held on to the hope that if they could successfully win it, it would be an opportunity to rise.

Liu Xuanji quickly replied, "Master, it seems more prominent families and major sects have arrived compared to previous years. The benefits of the Spiritual Spring are evident, and I've also learned that this year, Medicine King Valley is determined to win again, reportedly bringing over a thousand pills to exchange for continued usage rights of the Spring."

Due to the unique nature of Medicine King Valley, in previous years, they've traded pills for the usage rights of the Spring.

And this has been a shared understanding among many sects and families.

If the Spiritual Spring were in the hands of Medicine King Valley, it could be used for medicine refining and would be more effective.

So, even though the Spiritual Spring is at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, Heavenly Master Tao has never forcefully claimed it, but rather shared it to allow all martial artists to benefit the most.

But now, the situation has changed.

Even though there's no concrete evidence, it is almost certain that Medicine King Valley has colluded with Eternal Life Hall. Allowing Medicine King Valley to acquire the usage rights again would be a critical blow to the righteous sects.

Zhang Chonglou pondered for a moment before speaking, "The Spiritual Spring is, after all, on our Qingcheng Mountain. We of Heavenly Master Tao have always been reasonable and do not engage in coercive dealings. However, this time the auction may have many unexpected events. You should remain hidden in the shadows, avoid rash actions, secretly gather intel, and especially monitor Medicine King Valley's interactions. Remember to thoroughly investigate their backgrounds. Also, quickly summon your senior brother from his retreat; I have important matters to instruct him."

"Master, do you intend for the senior brother to oversee this Spiritual Spring auction?" Liu Xuanji was startled.

His senior brother was the foremost in Heavenly Master Tao, second only to Zhang Chonglou and mostly remained in seclusion.

Not only was his senior brother highly skilled in cultivation and Taoist arts, but he had reached the Grandmaster Realm three years ago and was now striving for the Great Grandmaster Realm.

Ah, Great Grandmaster. It's said that once this breakthrough succeeds, he would transcend the Innate Realm and enter the true path of cultivation as told in legends.

Liu Xuanji really couldn't fathom why an auction for a mere Spiritual Spring required his senior brother's involvement.

However, Liu Xuanji dared not defy Zhang Chonglou's orders and hurriedly nodded, "Master, Lao Wu understands. I will inform the senior brother immediately."

With that, he bowed and quickly exited.

After Liu Xuanji left, Zhang Chonglou's expression gradually dimmed. He slowly stood up, clasping his hands behind his back to gaze out the window.

Zhang Chonglou's residence was right on a cliff edge, offering a panoramic view of the entire Qingcheng Mountain.

Where his gaze landed was the location of Lingquan Villa.

Though it was a considerable distance away, rendering the villa barely visible, Zhang Chonglou seemed to envisage Ye Guichen and his voice unconsciously choked, "Young Ye, though we met early, I have always treated you like my own grandson. I felt you conducted yourself with discretion and knew when to advance and retreat. Yet I never expected you to be so arrogant. The Spiritual Spring, a place even I dare not tread, you simply jumped into it, sigh..."

With a long sigh, the corners of his eyes glistened.

Lingquan Villa.

Unprecedentedly lively.

The people Gong Cheng had stationed near the Spiritual Spring for surveillance were all withdrawn.

After three days without any sign, Gong Cheng was convinced Ye Guichen was surely dead.

However, he did not disclose this information, instead strictly commanding everyone to remain silent.

The triennial Spiritual Spring auction proceeded as planned.

Even though Gong Cheng lost three barrels of spiritual spring water, Medicine King Valley did not punish him but instead tasked him with doing his utmost to secure another three years of usage rights as atonement.

Gong Cheng soon learned that Zhang Chonglou personally ordered the senior brother of Heavenly Master Tao, Yang Hongfu, to host the auction this time.

Early in the morning, Gong Cheng, dressed properly, led his people to stand at the entrance of Lingquan Villa, ready to welcome Yang Hongfu.

Around nine in the morning, Yang Hongfu appeared at the entrance of Lingquan Villa, clad in a gray robe and holding an iron fan.

Yang Hongfu looked about thirty years old, seven feet tall, with a fair complexion, akin to a scholar, always wearing a gentle and courteous smile like that of a neighborly elder brother.

Though he rarely descended the mountain, no one dared underestimate Yang Hongfu.

Being Zhang Chonglou's first disciple, his wisdom and cultivation were undoubtedly exceptional.

Beside Yang Hongfu were a man and a woman, the man being Zhang Chongchen, and the woman, appearing in her thirties with a cool demeanor, was Zhang Chonglou's second disciple, named Luo Hongyi.

Everyone knew Zhang Chonglou had seven disciples, but very few were aware that his second disciple was a woman.

Nobody knew Luo Hongyi's origins, but like Yang Hongfu, being accepted as Zhang Chonglou's second disciple undoubtedly meant she had extraordinary qualities.

The trio reached the entrance of Lingquan Villa.

Yang Hongfu nodded courteously to Gong Cheng, "Elder Gong, greetings."

Though Gong Cheng had never met Yang Hongfu, he had heard the news and quickly deduced, returning the courtesy, "Master Yang, you're too gracious. This time, having Master Zhang send you is a great honor for Lingquan Villa. Please, come in!"

The tone suggested Lingquan Villa was already their Medicine King Valley's private property.

But everyone knows that the Spiritual Spring has seemingly existed since the founding of Heavenly Master Tao, and for the first few hundred years, it was the exclusive property of Heavenly Master Tao.

It was during those few centuries that Heavenly Master Tao flourished, with outstanding talents and a multitude of experts, even averaging the lifespan of Taoists to ninety years.

After a devastating battle with Eternal Life Hall, Heavenly Master Tao realized that having only the Daoist sects strong wasn't truly strong; only with all righteous sects united could they seek greater peace.

Thus, they offered the Spiritual Spring for public benefit, hoping it would maximize its effect.

However, if the Spring fell into the wrong hands, it would be a disaster.