Chapter Thirty-Two: I Wonder If You Have the Appetite for This?

“Ding-dong, congratulations to the host, Wang Ran, for delivering a powerful shock to the disciples of all sects, earning five Dao Attainment Points as a reward!”
“Ding-dong, congratulations to the host, Wang Ran, for delivering a powerful shock to the disciples of all sects, earning five Dao Attainment Points as a reward!”

A string of system notifications sounded in his mind one after another, but Wang Ran’s expression did not change. He stood tall and straight, proud as a sword.

Behind him, the burly man coughed violently a few times before staggering to his feet. His gaze toward Wang Ran was full of awe. He clasped his fist and said, “Thank you, Senior, for showing mercy.”

He knew very well that anyone who could break the Falling Cloud Armor with a single move must possess cultivation far above his own—a depth unfathomable, likely reaching the legendary Nascent Soul stage. Using just a tree branch as a weapon was not arrogance or contempt, but an act of mercy.

After all, if a mere twig could inflict such dreadful harm, then had it been a real sword—even the most ordinary iron blade—he would surely have been decapitated on the spot.

At this thought, cold sweat streamed down the burly man’s back, and his reverence for Wang Ran deepened.

Huang Huifeng, the person in charge at this place, was equally shocked. That was a sixth-grade spiritual artifact, after all, yet it was as if nothing in the hands of this mysterious cultivator! It was clear that the man’s cultivation far surpassed the Golden Core stage.

At the same time, bitter regret filled Huang Huifeng’s heart. Why hadn’t he noticed this man before? Now the Falling Cloud Armor was as good as gone.

Facing a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was pointless to speak of regret—he didn’t even dare utter a single word of protest.

He swallowed with difficulty and, filled with unease, clasped his fist. “Senior, it is an honor to have you grace the Falling Cloud Pavilion. Please forgive us for failing to welcome you properly. Might I ask your esteemed name?”

Wang Ran raised his gaze slightly, looking up to the sky at a forty-five degree angle with a cool, aloof air, and spoke in a most ostentatious manner, “Worldly affairs rise and fall, all is vanity. You may call me Chen Wangran.”

“Chen Wangran? What a fine name!” Huang Huifeng stepped forward, bowing obsequiously. “Senior Chen, please, allow me to escort you to the inner chambers for a proper conversation.”

With that, he led the way. Wang Ran’s gaze flickered as he pondered, then followed.

No sooner had the two departed than the cultivators nearby erupted in a frenzy.

“Who is this extraordinary figure, able to break the Falling Cloud Armor in a single move?”

“Chen Wangran? Never heard of him!”

“Judging by his techniques, he must be at least a Nascent Soul cultivator!”

“Indeed. When he struck, I couldn’t even begin to see how he did it.”

“And there was no detectable fluctuation in his spiritual power. That kind of control is the hallmark of a true master!”

---

“Someone with such cultivation, yet appearing in Falling Cloud City—could he also be here for the auction?”

“He seems to be a sword cultivator.”

“I’ve heard that sword cultivators are fierce and battle-hungry. Best not to provoke them lightly!”

...

Within the crowd, Beiming Lie, who had concealed himself all along, had his eyes flashing and his breath quickening. He had thought this man to be, at most, a Golden Core cultivator, but the reality far exceeded his expectations—he had reached the Nascent Soul stage.

If he could befriend him and receive even a little guidance, his own cultivation would surely improve by leaps and bounds.

With this in mind, he resolved to win over Chen Wangran by any means necessary, whatever the cost.

After all, beings of the Nascent Soul level were nearly impossible for those at the Foundation Establishment stage to encounter. The sect did have Nascent Soul elders, but they were as elusive as dragons—rarely seen within the sect, like Grand Elder Feng Yazhi, who spent most of his days in seclusion. Even when he presided over the recent Enlightenment Ceremony, he hurried back to isolation as soon as it ended.

As for his own grandfather, the formation elder, he was merely at the Golden Core stage.

This time, Beiming Lie felt that the auction in Falling Cloud City no longer mattered; meeting this Chen Wangran was his true opportunity.

His heart pounding, he readied all the spirit jades in his storage bags, determined to establish a connection with Chen Wangran at any cost.

Meanwhile, inside the inner chambers.

Wang Ran followed Huang Huifeng down a corridor into an opulently decorated room.

As the two sat down, a group of sweet-faced, alluringly dressed maids appeared, carrying trays of tea and filling their cups.

Huang Huifeng waved his hand. “You may leave us.”

“Yes, sir.”

The maids retreated, closing the door softly behind them.

Once they were alone, Huang Huifeng smiled and said, “Please, Senior Chen, have some tea.”

Wang Ran picked up the cup and said calmly, “Tea can wait. Steward Huang, I wonder if your earlier promise still stands? Is the Falling Cloud Armor ready?”

Huang Huifeng seemed prepared for this. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Senior, though you have indeed won the contest, the item in question is of great value, and I fear I cannot authorize its transfer without consulting the city lord.”

“Oh?” Wang Ran’s eyes narrowed at these words. Instantly, an aura of overwhelming dominance burst forth from him, sweeping through the entire chamber. Vases trembled and curtains shook as if in a sudden storm.

---

Huang Huifeng’s expression froze. For a split second, despite being at the first level of Golden Core, he felt a wave of panic and confusion.

In truth, Huang Huifeng had invoked the city lord as an excuse to test the depths of Wang Ran’s power—and the answer was now clear. Even a mere trace of his presence was enough to inspire terror. Without a doubt, this man was at the Nascent Soul stage and must not be offended!

Little did he know, however, that Wang Ran’s fearsome aura was but the result of a technique specialized in projecting dominance—impressive in appearance, but lacking true substance.

That said, this Overlord’s Aura was truly a divine skill, flawless for intimidating others.

Of course, having the aura was not enough; the performance had to match. Wang Ran’s face grew cold, his gaze filled with displeasure, as he lightly rubbed his right pinky with his left hand—a gesture as if he could destroy heaven and earth at any moment.

Sure enough, Huang Huifeng was alarmed, believing he had crossed the line. He quickly forced a smile, slapped his own face in apology, and said, “Oh dear, Senior Chen, forgive my poor memory! It just occurred to me—the city lord is currently in seclusion and cannot be consulted.”

“But rest assured, I will take responsibility for this matter. The sixth-grade spiritual artifact, the Falling Cloud Armor, will be presented to you with both hands.”

As he spoke, a golden light flashed in his hand, and he drew a gleaming piece of armor from his storage pouch. “This is the Falling Cloud Armor. It can adapt to the shape and size of the wearer, suitable for both men and women.”

“And please accept this token as well. From now on, you are an honored guest of Falling Cloud City—should you require anything, simply give the word.” With that, he produced a token.

Sensing the aura of the sixth-grade spiritual artifact at his side, Wang Ran’s heart raced, though his face remained calm. “Since the city lord is away, then I must have misunderstood.”

“By the way, Steward Huang, I have some useless Dao techniques here. I wonder if you accept such items?”

Huang Huifeng tensed at being addressed, but upon hearing the full question, he relaxed. “Of course, our pavilion offers such services. Rest assured, Senior, we will offer a fair price.”

“That’s good. However, I have quite a lot to sell—are you able to manage them all?”

At this, Huang Huifeng patted his chest confidently. “You need not worry, Senior. The Falling Cloud Pavilion has been in business for many years. There’s no Dao technique we haven’t handled. Even if there are fifty or sixty, it’s nothing we can’t manage.”

“Excellent.” Wang Ran smiled faintly and, with a wave of his hand, a myriad of spiritual lights flashed. Countless Daoist scrolls appeared, filling the entire chamber.

With a soft thud, Huang Huifeng stood stunned, his mind buzzing. Staring at the countless scrolls hovering overhead, he was struck speechless. Even the teacup in his hand slipped and spilled tea across the floor.