Chapter Thirty-Three: Here to Beg Forgiveness!

Within the Falling Clouds Pavilion.

Gazing at the dazzling array of techniques before him, lined up densely like the Milky Way itself, Huang Huifeng was utterly dumbfounded.

As the steward of the Falling Clouds Pavilion, his influence in Falling Clouds City was second only to the city lord’s; moreover, he had already attained the first stage of the Golden Core realm. Such cultivation would grant him the status of sect leader among lesser factions, and even in the Only Me Sect, he could comfortably serve as an elder—so he prided himself on his broad experience and knowledge.

Yet even so, the scene before him left him speechless with shock.

Never in his life had he seen so many techniques gathered in one place!

The spiritual energy emanating from the scrolls was nearly tangible, washing over him in waves.

A glance revealed at least over a hundred techniques!

To bring out more than a hundred techniques in one breath—what kind of audacity was this?

Huang Huifeng’s heart was shaken to its core, and yet Wang Ran’s expression remained calm and unruffled, as if he didn’t care in the slightest. This only deepened Huang Huifeng’s awe and respect for the mystery and strength gathered here.

His voice trembled as he finally managed to speak, “Senior, are you intending to sell all of these techniques?”

Wang Ran raised his teacup, took a light sip, and replied, “That’s right. Don’t be overwhelmed by the quantity—most of these are merely two-star or three-star techniques of lesser grade. I wonder if your pavilion has the capacity to take them all?”

At these words, Huang Huifeng stroked his chin thoughtfully. “If they’re only two or three stars, it should be manageable.”

“Good, then let’s go through them one by one.” As soon as Wang Ran finished speaking, the floating scrolls shifted into neat order in midair. He took one at random, glanced at it, and read aloud, “Three-star technique, ‘Cold Arrow Art’.”

He then handed the scroll to Huang Huifeng, who examined it closely and mused, “Yes, it’s indeed a genuine three-star technique, and a practical one at that—suited for combat and killing. According to the prices prevailing in the marketplace, it’s worth about five hundred spirit jades. However, since Senior Chen is an honored guest of our city, I can offer a higher price. We are willing to pay six hundred spirit jades for this technique. What do you think?”

The value of a technique depended on its type and power, so prices varied. For ‘Cold Arrow Art’, five hundred spirit jades was already generous; six hundred was a windfall.

Wang Ran had no objection and nodded slightly.

Thereafter, the two of them went through the remaining techniques, listing and discussing each price one after another.

Huang Huifeng was tactful, doing most of the talking while Wang Ran simply listened.

When the two-star and three-star techniques had all been priced, fewer than ten scrolls remained—each of four-star or higher quality, including two five-star and one six-star technique.

Wang Ran picked up the six-star scroll, a barely perceptible glimmer of curiosity flickering in his eyes. He had not realized there was such an advanced technique when he’d discovered the subterranean ruins.

His gaze swept over the scroll, and spiritual energy surged from it, forming a description in Wang Ran’s mind:

Six-star Technique—“Righteousness Manifested.”

Heaven and earth contain vital energy, nurturing all life. Humans, too, possess ‘qi’—the energy of a clear conscience, known as ‘Righteousness’. Righteousness endures through the ages.

This technique does not cultivate spiritual power or the body, but only ‘qi’! Once mastered, qi can be projected outward, its force as overwhelming as a mountain or sea.

“Righteousness Manifested” consists of two incantations—upper and lower. There is no difference in power between them, except that when a practitioner of the lower incantation faces one who knows the upper, it is like a vassal before an emperor: all fighting spirit disappears.

Only one can practice the upper incantation, but countless may practice the lower. Used within an army, the effects are extraordinary.

Led by the upper incantation’s practitioner, the lower incantation’s followers can jointly unleash the battle formation ‘Song of Righteousness’, whose power depends on their number.

If a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators join in the ‘Song of Righteousness’, its might equals a full-powered strike from a Nascent Soul expert.

The description in his mind was lengthy, and after Wang Ran finished reading, he could not suppress the tremor in his heart.

Could there truly be such a wondrous technique in this world?

If the scroll’s words were true, then six stars was an understatement—it deserved at least eight!

For this was a technique that truly cultivated ‘qi’!

Much like his own Overbearing Aura, “Righteousness Manifested” could be projected outward to intimidate or slay foes. But unlike the Overbearing Aura, it could be cultivated by many in concert, and the more practitioners, the greater the power!

Wang Ran’s heart skipped a beat. Ignoring Huang Huifeng’s puzzled look, he quietly put the scroll away without a word.

He then pointed to the remaining four- and five-star techniques. “All these are for sale. Give me your best offer.”

Huang Huifeng hesitated, stroking his chin. “Senior Chen, for these mid-grade techniques, I recommend putting them up for auction. The price should be much higher than what I could offer here.”

Wang Ran agreed this was sensible, and nodded gently.

The auction was about to begin anyway. Huang Huifeng tallied up the sales for the previously agreed techniques: over fifty thousand spirit jades—a fortune nearly equal to Falling Clouds City’s savings over two years.

But how could Huang Huifeng dare hold back? He respectfully presented the spirit jades with both hands.

Looking at the storage pouch before him, Wang Ran remained outwardly composed, though inwardly his spirits soared.

More than fifty thousand spirit jades!

For Wang Ran, who once received just fifteen spirit jades a year, this was a staggering wealth.

But fate has its twists—within a few months, those fifteen pieces now meant little to him.

Collecting himself, he and Huang Huifeng left the inner hall and made their way upstairs to the second floor, where the auction was to be held.

As they walked together, Huang Huifeng carried himself with extreme deference, his lower status clear for all to see.

Many glanced their way; seeing the steward’s obsequious behavior, everyone immediately understood that this mysterious cultivator must be a person of great importance, and none dared approach uninvited.

On the second floor was a vast circular hall, already filling with cultivators.

Naturally, Wang Ran would not sit among the common crowd. Huang Huifeng led him to a third-floor VIP suite, from which he could overlook the entire auction hall.

After handing Wang Ran a numbered plaque, Huang Huifeng excused himself—his responsibilities as steward called him elsewhere.

Wang Ran didn’t mind. Seated, he absentmindedly toyed with the plaque while surveying his surroundings.

His gaze paused for a moment—across in another VIP suite, he saw a familiar silhouette: Ye Cang.

Yet after only a moment’s hesitation, Wang Ran stilled any ripple of emotion, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips as he unobtrusively shifted his gaze away.

By now, the auction was nearly ready. All the cultivators below had taken their seats.

As Wang Ran waited quietly for the event to commence, a figure approached from nearby. The newcomer’s steps were somewhat hesitant, his expression respectful and cautious as he came before Wang Ran.

“Senior Chen, I am Bei Minglie of the Only Me Sect. I was rude at the city gates earlier, and I have come to apologize. I hope you will not take offense.”

With that, Bei Minglie bowed deeply, his humility so pronounced that Wang Ran could not help but be taken aback.