Fang Hao held the warm Jade Slip of the fragment of the heavenly craft puppet manual in his hand, his heart surging. He was about to immediately enter secluded meditation to comprehend it and begin repairing the golden puppet. However, just as he sat down cross-legged in the quiet room, the protective Formation outside the courtyard transmitted a slight fluctuation. It wasn’t an attack, but rather someone touching the doorbell restriction.

Immediately after, a slightly low but undeniably majestic voice transmitted through the Formation; it was the very same voice from the central booth at the auction that had fiercely competed against him!

"Fellow Daoist inside the courtyard, I am Gong Mingliang, come specifically to visit. Please open the door for a chat."

Gong Mingliang? Fang Hao’s brow furrowed slightly as he quickly searched for the name in his mind. He had heard this name before while gathering information in teahouses and inns. Gong Mingliang was the Third Elder of the number one Family in Black Rock City—the Gongming Family. His cultivation was at the Middle Golden Core Stage, and he was skilled in Formations and Puppet techniques. He held a respected status and significant power in the city.

"Sure enough, he’s come knocking." Fang Hao understood clearly. He had intercepted the fragment of the heavenly craft puppet manual that the other party was determined to get at a high price during the auction; how could they just let it go? He just hadn’t expected them to come so quickly and so directly.

If it’s a blessing, it’s not a disaster; if it’s a disaster, it can’t be avoided. Fang Hao’s thoughts raced. Since the other party hadn’t directly attacked but chose to visit instead, it meant they at least wanted to maintain some level of decorum on the surface. He couldn’t show weakness either.

He straightened his robes, his expression returning to calm, and waved his hand to open the courtyard gate.

Standing outside the courtyard was an elderly man dressed in brocade robes, with a lean Face and sharp eyes; it was indeed Gong Mingliang. Behind him followed two Late Foundation Establishment Stage guards with disciplined auras and arrogant expressions.

"So it is Elder Gong Ming’s arrival. Please excuse me for not greeting you sooner," Fang Hao said at the door, neither humble nor arrogant as he cupped his hands, without directly inviting the other party inside.

Gong Mingliang’s gaze was like lightning as he sized Fang Hao up, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. He had originally thought that someone who could produce 2.6 million Spirit Stones for an auction would at least be a fellow Golden Core peer or a representative of some major power. He hadn’t expected it to be such a young Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, who moreover had a steady aura and showed little fear in his presence.

"How may I address you, Fellow Daoist?" Gong Mingliang suppressed the doubt in his heart and asked indifferently.

"I am Fang Hao, a mere Loose Cultivator," Fang Hao said frankly.

"A Loose Cultivator?" The surprise in Gong Mingliang’s eyes deepened. Could a Loose Cultivator have such financial resources? His suspicions grew, but he remained calm on the surface. "Fellow Daoist Ning, I’ll get straight to the point. That Jade Slip of the fragment of the heavenly craft puppet manual you won at the auction is of vital importance to me. It is something I have sought for many years and pertains to an important research project of mine. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Ning would be willing to part with it? I am willing to buy it back for 2.7 million, adding 100,000 Spirit Stones to the original price, ensuring you won’t lose out."

Gong Mingliang’s tone seemed polite, but it carried a condescending undertone, as if his willingness to pay a higher price to buy it back was already giving Fang Hao immense Face.

Fang Hao sneered inwardly. An extra 100,000? It sounded good, but for such a rare Legacy that was priceless and unavailable elsewhere, it was essentially an insulting offer. The other party clearly wanted to use their influence to pressure him into returning it at a low price.

"I appreciate Elder Gong Ming’s kindness," Fang Hao replied, his expression unchanged as he calmly refused. "However, this item is also of great use to me, so I’m afraid I cannot comply."

Gong Mingliang’s Face immediately darkened, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Ning, do you know that this item is a secret transmission from the ancient Tiangong Sect, involving profound Puppet techniques that ordinary Cultivators cannot comprehend? You are young and your cultivation is shallow; I fear you’ll find it difficult to grasp its mysteries, and forcing yourself to study it might even harm you. Why not fulfill my wish and forge a good relationship? In this Black Rock City, my Gongming Family still carries some weight."

His words already carried a clear hint of threat. Forge a good relationship? The subtext was: if you don’t agree, we become enemies!

A hint of anger rose in Fang Hao’s heart, but he remained calm on the surface. "The Elder is mistaken. There are three thousand Daos, each with its own destiny. Since I have purchased it, I naturally have the confidence to comprehend it. As for the rules of Black Rock City, I also understand them: the highest bidder wins, with no deception for the old or young. I presume the Gongming Family also respects the auctions of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion."

His words were a needle hidden in silk, both pointing out his confidence in comprehension and bringing up the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and auction rules, implying the other party shouldn’t use Family influence to break the rules.

Hearing this, Gong Mingliang’s Face became even more unsightly. He hadn’t expected this Foundation Establishment junior to be so stubborn, even daring to contradict him to his Face! A pressure of the Middle Golden Core Stage involuntarily emanated, enveloping Fang Hao. "Fang Hao! Do not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! I am negotiating in good faith to give you Face! Do you think that with your Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, you can protect such a heavy treasure?"

The terrifying pressure bore down like a mountain. If it were an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, their mind would have already trembled, and they would be kneeling for mercy. But Fang Hao had a powerful Divine Soul, a firm Dao Heart, and the protection of Chaos Qi. His body only swayed slightly before he steadied himself, his gaze remaining clear and calm.

"Is Elder Gong Ming planning to bully the weak and take by force?" Fang Hao’s voice turned a few degrees colder. "Black Rock City is a city of Qingzhou and has its own laws. Aren’t you afraid this action will ruin the reputation of the Gongming Family? Besides, since I dared to bid, I naturally have the confidence to keep it."

These words hinted that he might have a background or a life-saving trump card, making the other party hesitant.

Gong Mingliang’s eyes flickered as he stared intently at Fang Hao. He was indeed somewhat wary of the consequences. A Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator who could produce over two million Spirit Stones and remain unfazed by Golden Core pressure either possessed a heavy treasure or had a backer. Either way, acting rashly could lead to trouble. Especially since the Spirit Treasure Pavilion had a deep background; if he publicly broke auction rules in the city and snatched an item, it would definitely be a blow to the Family’s reputation if word got out.

But the fragment of the heavenly craft puppet manual was truly too important to him! He had been stuck at the Middle Golden Core Stage for a long time, and the natal puppet he had painstakingly researched was only one crucial step away from a Breakthrough, which would greatly increase his strength and even give him hope of reaching the Late Golden Core Stage! He was absolutely unwilling to give up just like that!

After a moment of stalemate, Gong Mingliang suddenly withdrew his pressure, a stiff smile appearing on his Face. "Haha, Fellow Daoist Ning misunderstands. How could I be that kind of person? I was merely eager to see talent and was reminding you. Since you are determined to have it, I won’t force the issue."

He changed the subject, seemingly yielding but actually hiding a sharp edge. "However, Fellow Daoist is new to Black Rock City and might not know. The ’Black Wind Abyss’ three hundred miles outside the city has been frequently active lately. It’s said that a strange treasure has appeared, but it’s also exceptionally dangerous. If you wish to study the Jade Slip, you should find a safe and secluded place; do not risk yourself lightly. Farewell!"

After saying that, Gong Mingliang gave Fang Hao a deep look, a trace of undetectable coldness in his eyes, before turning to leave with his two guards.

Watching Gong Mingliang’s departing back, Fang Hao’s brow furrowed tightly. Those last words seemed like a reminder but were actually a warning, even... a threat! ’Black Wind Abyss’,’strange treasure appearing’, ’exceptionally dangerous’? This was clearly hinting that if he didn’t leave the city, he might encounter an "accident"!

"It seems I won’t be able to stay peacefully in Black Rock City anymore." Fang Hao closed the courtyard gate and reactivated the Formation, his expression solemn.

The Gongming Family had immense power in Black Rock City. As an outsider Cultivator, open attacks were easy to dodge, but hidden arrows were hard to guard against. The other party didn’t dare to act openly in the city, but if he left the city, he would likely be intercepted immediately!

Entering secluded meditation to comprehend the Jade Slip and repair the golden puppet required absolute safety and quiet. Staying in the city meant he could be harassed at any time or even targeted by the Gongming Family through other means. Leaving the city, however, was fraught with danger.

"I must leave this place of trouble as soon as possible!" Fang Hao made a decision instantly. But he couldn’t just leave the city directly; that would be like walking into a trap.

He pondered for a moment, a glint of insight flashing in his eyes. There it was! He could use the time-dilation function of the qiankun ring!

He acted immediately, checking out of the inn courtyard. Then, he changed his appearance and aura, renting several short-term small courtyards in other remote parts of Black Rock City to set up a diversion. At the same time, he purchased a large amount of supplies needed for secluded meditation.

Afterwards, he chose one of the most inconspicuous courtyards, set up layers of protective and concealment Formations, and then sank his consciousness into the qiankun ring.

Inside the qiankun ring, the flow of time was slow. He could gain enough time to initially comprehend the Jade Slip and attempt to repair the golden puppet! As long as the golden puppet recovered part of its combat power, he would have the confidence to deal with the Gongming Family!

"Gong Mingliang... if you really dare to come, I’ll let you taste the power of a nascent soul puppet!" A cold light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes. Without further hesitation, he devoted himself entirely to the comprehension of the fragment of the heavenly craft puppet manual.

A hidden contest had already begun. And Fang Hao’s response would determine whether he could carve out his first foothold in this land of Qingzhou.