C5 Old Master Ye's Invitation

While Lin Hann was deep in his meditation, the tranquility was shattered by the ring of his phone.

He picked up the device, noting an unfamiliar local Hui City number on the display. Puzzled, Lin Hann answered the call. "Hello, may I ask who's calling?"

"Haha, little brother, remember me?" A robust laugh echoed through the speaker.

Lin Hann recognized the voice; it took him a moment, but he realized it was Elder Ye, whom he'd encountered on the old street days before. "Elder Ye? Is there something you wish to advise me on?" Lin Hann mused internally that Elder Ye had managed to obtain his number so quickly; it seemed his privacy was an open book to the elder.

"Oh, it's nothing serious. This weekend, I'm hosting a collection exhibition at my home, inviting many friends to appreciate the pieces. You seemed quite interested when we met. Would you honor us with your presence?"

After a brief pause, Lin Hann responded cheerfully, "You flatter me, Elder Ye. Since you hold me in such regard, I'll certainly be there to show my support!"

"Excellent, I'll arrange for someone to pick you up."

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Hann ended the call.

Reflecting on the conversation, Lin Hann realized he had much to learn about the elite circles of Hui City. He decided to seek Lau Ruyan's insight.

"The Ye family has invited you to their event?" Lau Ruyan inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Lin Hann recounted his experience at the antique street to Lau Ruyan. Once she had heard the story, she pondered for a moment before replying with a smile, "Lin Hann, are you familiar with the power dynamics within Hui City?"

He shook his head.

"Hui City may be small and not widely recognized beyond its tourism appeal, but," Lau Ruyan stressed, "there's a force here that not even the capital's four major families would dare to cross – the Ye family."

"The history of Hui City is ancient, and the Ye family, having been rooted here for millennia, possesses a profound legacy. This includes the world's elite power – the paranormals. The Ye family's direct lineage often inherits their ancestral ability: 'Elemental - Water'."

Lau Ruyan gave Lin Hann a moment to process the information before she continued, "Based on your description, Elder Ye must be the current head of the Ye family—'Strong Waves' Ye Botao! He may appear to be in his forties, but he's actually of our grandfathers' generation, at least sixty-five years old. He's a prominent figure from the past."

"Since you've accepted Elder Ye's invitation, you're obviously going to attend. Besides, the Ye family has a solid reputation, so they're unlikely to give you a hard time. Tell you what, I'll accompany you. I wouldn't want you to accidentally offend someone due to inexperience!"

Lin Hann felt a wave of gratitude. Lau Ruyan seemed like an older sister to him, always looking out for his well-being.

Three days flew by, and the evening of the Ye family's gala arrived.

Lin Hann had made a special trip to the mall earlier that day. Upon returning home, he quickly changed into a sharp suit. As he was getting ready, Lau Ruyan knocked on his door. Opening it, Lin Hann was greeted by the sight of Lau Ruyan in an elegant long gown, her casual demeanor replaced by the refined grace of aristocracy.

The two descended the stairs to find a business car waiting at the curb. A suited man greeted them with a warm smile, "Mr. Lin, Miss Lau? The Master sent me to escort you." He graciously opened the car door for them, and after expressing their thanks, Lin Hann and Lau Ruyan settled into the vehicle.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a villa set amidst a one-kilometer radius of solitude, surrounded by gentle hills and a small river that meandered past the property. Lin Hann couldn't help but marvel, "This is the epitome of wealth."

Catching his expression, Lau Ruyan leaned in and murmured, "The Ye family's eminent position in Hui City is just one aspect. The sparse population here is another reason they can afford such expansive grounds. In the capital, even with boundless wealth, such a luxury would be unattainable."

After Lau Ruyan explained the situation, Lin Hann gained a clear understanding. He adjusted his attire and made his way toward the villa.

Ye Botao and a young man were greeting guests at the entrance. Upon noticing Lin Hann, Ye Botao greeted him with a smile, "Little brother, glad you could make it!"

Lin Hann responded promptly, "I'm hardly your peer, Old Master Ye. Just 'Little Lin' will do."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lin Hann and Lau Ruyan stepped into the villa.

The ground floor spanned roughly 170 to 180 square meters, with dozens of tables arranged in a circle, each showcasing an array of cultural artifacts. The center of the room featured an assortment of pastries and fine wines. About thirty elegantly dressed individuals mingled in the space, some admiring the antiques, others engaged in hushed conversations in small clusters.

Lin Hann and Lau Ruyan entered unnoticed and, following Lau Ruyan's lead, Lin Hann picked up a glass of wine and began to leisurely peruse the room.

"Elder Ye's fondness for antiques was something I'd heard about, but seeing it firsthand, it's even more impressive than the rumors suggested," Lau Ruyan remarked with a sense of wonder.

"Lin Hann, each of these dozens of items is a rare treasure! Take a look at those plates; they're Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, and that bronze cauldron is clearly from the Shang or Zhou dynasty. And there's more..." Lau Ruyan pointed out.

Listening to Lau Ruyan casually highlight a few pieces, Lin Hann was amazed. The value of the Ye family's collection seemed to surpass that of many museums.

Then, Lin Hann spotted the Flying Sword that Elder Ye had purchased on the antique street. He gestured to Lau Ruyan, and they approached the table where it was displayed.

"This is a Spirit Weapon," Lau Ruyan observed, then whispered to Lin Hann, "It appears to be a Middle Rank Spirit Weapon, which isn't particularly rare. Elder Ye likely placed it here not for its grade, but simply because it's an ancient Spirit Weapon, a relic worth collecting."

Lin Hann's interest was piqued. "A Middle Rank Spirit Weapon? What level of strength is required to wield one?"

"There aren't any hard and fast rules," Lau Ruyan replied, taking a delicate sip of her wine. "You could use it, but how long your Spiritual Energy would last is another question. To truly harness a Spirit Weapon's power, you need substantial personal strength. In our world of superpowered individuals, you won't find a toddler wielding a large sword to cut down a grown man. For instance, if you tried to use a Spirit Weapon against me, I could instantly wrest control of it from you and turn it against you! However, if two people are closely matched in strength, a Spirit Weapon can be a significant advantage."

"You're too weak at the moment. Only when you've reached the peak of the Body Tempering Stage will a Middle Rank Spirit Weapon like this sword truly show its potential in your hands."

Hearing this, Lin Hann couldn't help but wish he could rush home and not venture out again until he had achieved the Body Tempering Stage. The realization struck him hard.

Lau Ruyan felt a secret thrill at the impact of her words. She wanted to take advantage of Lin Hann's inexperience before he grew too strong, knowing that before long, he might surpass her in strength.

Their conversation was interrupted by Elder Ye's voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's collection appreciation event. I am deeply grateful for your presence!" Elder Ye announced from a central podium.

Without the aid of any amplification, Elder Ye's voice resonated clearly with every attendee. Lin Hann was impressed by Elder Ye's profound cultivation.

As Elder Ye concluded his welcome, the crowd responded with laughter, playfully suggesting that Elder Ye was being overly modest.

With everyone's attention, Elder Ye added, "I trust you've all come to the Ye Family's home for the Exchange Conference. However, tonight we have an additional special Exchange Conference, which I'm sure will make your visit all the more worthwhile!"

Everyone, except Lin Hann, seemed intrigued. It was evident that they were aware of this special Exchange Conference, and some had come specifically for it.

Noticing Lau Ruyan's knowing expression, Lin Hann inquired about the Exchange Conference.

"I've found out that these Exchange Conferences happen periodically here in Hui City," Lau Ruyan explained. "They're primarily for superpowered individuals to exchange information, items, and more. Look around—these thirty-plus people are all superpowered. Aside from the Ye family, it's pretty much the entire superpowered community of Hui City."

Lin Hann had just realized that there were so many individuals with supernatural abilities present today. As Elder Ye took the stage, he announced, "The Exchange Conference will now commence. Who would like to step up first?"

A rotund figure hurried onto the stage as soon as Elder Ye finished speaking, grinning broadly. "I'll go first," he declared. "My name is Wang Deqi, but I'm known to all as Fatty Wang. Today, I'm seeking three Tranquil Heart Pills and am willing to offer a low-level Spirit Weapon in exchange."

A dapper man let out a scoff and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses before retorting, "Fatty Wang, do you really think we're all fools here? Tranquil Heart Pills are the best aid for breaking through to the next realm. They're even slightly effective for reaching the Acquired Stage. You can't possibly expect to trade them for a low-level Spirit Weapon."

The rest of the crowd wore expressions of amusement, clearly not easily deceived. They were all savvy to the ways of the world.

On stage, Fatty Wang's demeanor became slightly awkward, but he persisted, presenting the Spirit Weapon he intended to trade. With a forced smile, he inquired, "Is there truly no one interested in making a trade?"

Fatty Wang was holding a jade pendant, which piqued the curiosity of many. They each took a moment to examine it, only to shake their heads in disappointment. It was clear to them that the pendant did not equate to the value of three Tranquil Heart Pills.

Undeterred, Fatty Wang protested, "This jade pendant may be a low-level Spirit Weapon, but it can withstand a full-force strike from a late-stage Body Tempering warrior. Consider its worth as a lifesaver in a dire situation!"

The man with the gold-rimmed glasses interjected once more, "While that may be true, my years of experience in treasure appraisal tell me this pendant has only a single use left. With that in mind, its value is significantly diminished."

Deflated, Fatty Wang's enthusiasm waned. The pendant had been a Middle Rank Spirit Weapon in his early years, capable of replenishing its energy. However, after a clash with an Acquired Stage expert, although it had saved his life by blocking an attack, it had degraded and was now limited to a single use.

Lin Hann couldn't help but reflect on the complexities of the situation, recognizing his own lack of experience in these matters.

As Lin Hann was lost in thought, Lau Ruyan suddenly broke the silence, "Fatty, two for one, do we have a deal?"

Fatty Wang, upon hearing this, burst out with excitement, "A trade! Yes, let's trade! The lady has an excellent eye!"

Lau Ruyan then produced a small bottle, tipped out two pills, handed them to Fatty Wang, and gracefully descended from the stage with the jade pendant in hand.

Lin Hann was puzzled but remained silent.

Subsequently, a stream of people approached the stage. Some, like Fatty Wang, engaged in trades, while others put items up for auction. There were also those who sought information, contributing to a bustling and spirited atmosphere.

Over an hour later, Lau Ruyan gestured that it was time to leave. Lin Hann and Elder Ye exchanged farewells, and then he and Lau Ruyan hailed a taxi to return home.