Chapter Thirty-Six: For the Sake of Ye Cang’s Reputation!

After Beiming Lie’s voice echoed through the hall, a peculiar expression crossed the faces of the crowd. A hint of sympathy crept into their eyes as they glanced at the cultivator from the Vajra Sect who had bid earlier.

Beiming Lie’s offer of five thousand spirit jades far exceeded the value of the Sun-Splitting Bow, and at such a high price, the Vajra Sect simply could not compete. The burly man’s expression shifted several times upon hearing this, but in the end, he sat down with a disgruntled, unwilling sigh, no longer raising the bid.

After all, five thousand spirit jades was a sum he could not produce. In the world of auctions, wealth speaks louder than anything; it’s a fair competition, and there’s no need for anyone to yield to another.

Huang Huifeng’s eyes gleamed; the price was about what he had expected, even slightly higher, leaving him quite satisfied. He immediately asked, “Number Sixteen has offered five thousand spirit jades. Is there anyone who wishes to bid higher?”

His words fell into silence; no one raised the price further. Number Sixteen referred to the token held by Wang Ran.

Huang Huifeng surveyed the room once more and repeated, “Five thousand spirit jades, once. Five thousand spirit jades, twice. Is there truly no one willing to bid higher? Remember, this is a fourth-grade spiritual weapon!”

Seeing that no one intended to increase the bid, he struck his small hammer heavily.

“Five thousand spirit jades, three times—sold!”

With those words, the second treasure fell into Wang Ran’s hands.

As he watched the attendant bring forth the longbow from backstage, Wang Ran felt somewhat dazed. Throughout the entire process, he hadn’t spent a single coin; somehow, these two treasures had ended up in his possession.

Wang Ran couldn’t help but sigh quietly. It seemed he had chosen his disciple well indeed; this spirit of forcefully presenting gifts to his master was enough to move one to tears.

He picked up the Sun-Splitting Bow and examined it closely. The bow was a fiery red throughout, exuding a domineering aura; it was quite imposing. At both ends of the bow, black patterns were etched, adding an air of mystery and making it even more extraordinary.

He swung it up and down in his hands, and it proved to weigh a thousand pounds—already a heavy weapon for ordinary cultivators. Yet to Wang Ran, it was far from being truly handy; his body-tempering technique was of eight-star grade, and he had already forged his physical foundation. This bow could only serve as a secondary weapon.

Nonetheless, though the weight was light for Wang Ran, its power was undeniable. As a fourth-grade spiritual weapon, if the bow was drawn to its fullest, it could injure even a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm.

Satisfied, Wang Ran put away the longbow, and the auction continued.

The third item was no longer among the nine main lots, but rather a jade pendant that could calm the mind during cultivation, starting at eight hundred spirit jades.

The crowd competed fiercely, the price climbing steadily amid an animated atmosphere.

Several more items followed, each sold for a high price. Meanwhile, Beiming Lie, eager to please Wang Ran, spared no effort; whenever something valuable appeared, he immediately helped secure it, until by the end, Wang Ran felt almost embarrassed.

The two of them became the center of attention, with Beiming Lie constantly raising his hand, busy beyond measure.

“Three thousand spirit jades—my master wants this!”

“Five thousand spirit jades—this is for my master!”

“Six thousand spirit jades—no one else should fight for it, my master wants this!”

“…”

All the cultivators present watched Beiming Lie’s endless bidding with strange expressions, eyes wide and incredulous.

Wang Ran, too, began to feel uneasy, glancing at the growing pile of treasures in his hands. He coughed twice and pretended to be calm, saying, “I haven’t misjudged you; your filial devotion is truly gratifying.”

Hearing Wang Ran’s praise, Beiming Lie’s eyes shone with joy. He seized the moment to say, “As long as master is happy! Yet, on the path of cultivation, your disciple still has many uncertainties. I hope master can guide me through some of them.”

Wang Ran’s expression did not change; he adopted the manner of a true expert. “Speak, then.”

Beiming Lie hurriedly clasped his hands in respect: “It’s like this, master. Though I am considered a prodigy in the sect, my days are not happy. There are two other prodigies who trouble me greatly—one named Ye Cang, the other named Wang Ran.”

“They are the most vicious disciples in our sect, bullying and oppressing others, seizing all the cultivation resources meant for me. Their reputation for wickedness is such that everyone wishes them gone! With the selection for true disciples coming up, I fear I cannot compete with them. I hope master will grant me some techniques for self-defense, so I won’t lose too badly and damage your reputation.”

Wang Ran’s expression grew subtly strange at Beiming Lie’s complaint. He asked, “If you learn these skills, how will you treat those two?”

Beiming Lie’s eyes flashed with hatred. “I’ll give them a thorough lesson and rid the sect of their menace—especially that Wang Ran, who has gotten me and my brother locked up time and again. If I truly learn from you, he’ll be the first I trample underfoot!”

Wang Ran showed a hint of displeasure, clearing his throat. “Cultivators should cultivate purity and detachment. If everyone were as obsessed with rivalry as you, what sort of example would that set?”

Beiming Lie paused, puzzled. “But isn’t the pursuit of immortality all about avenging grievances and seeking pleasure? Besides, master, you’re a sword cultivator, walking the path of slaughter. Isn’t it odd to say such things?”

Wang Ran blushed at this retort, but quickly recovered, snapping, “Insolence!”

Beiming Lie jumped in fright and lowered his head, “Forgive me, master! I know my mistake!”

Wang Ran rolled his eyes and, after a moment’s reflection, decided to continue playing the role of a masterful expert. Suddenly, an idea came to him, and his eyes brightened. “I will teach you a technique that can enhance your aura. Master it well, and you need not even strike—your mere presence will be enough to kill. Do you wish to learn it?”

Beiming Lie immediately recalled Wang Ran’s thunderous shout at the city gate, the sheer force of it still vivid in his memory. His heart stirred with excitement.

“I wish to learn it, master! May I ask what grade this technique is?”

Wang Ran paused thoughtfully and replied, “Eight-star. Its name is ‘The Righteous Aura Formula.’”

Originally a six-star technique, it had risen two grades in Wang Ran’s telling. He reasoned that, as a Nascent Soul cultivator named Chen Wangran, presenting a six-star technique to his disciple would seem beneath him. After all, a man like Ran-ge cared for appearances—he couldn’t afford to do anything too undignified. Raising the grade made it more befitting his current persona.

At that moment, Beiming Lie’s breathing grew rapid. To him, an eight-star technique was worth far more than all the spirit jades he’d spent; such a technique was rare and precious, almost unattainable.

He was moved to tears, nearly kowtowing to Wang Ran.

Wang Ran, amused inside, maintained a stern demeanor as he taught Beiming Lie the ‘Righteous Aura Formula’—though only the basic incantation.

Beiming Lie, oblivious, received it as if it were a priceless treasure, overjoyed.

Meanwhile, the auction reached its finale.

On the high platform, Huang Huifeng produced the last item—the most precious among the nine main lots.

It was an ordinary-looking, round, green fruit, seemingly unimpressive.

Yet, the moment it appeared, the entire hall erupted.

Huang Huifeng’s breathing quickened as he stood and solemnly announced, “Fellow cultivators, the last lot is called the Golden Spirit Fruit. I need hardly explain its value. The starting price is… eight thousand spirit jades!”

His words ignited a frenzy among the crowd.

This was the highlight, the climax of the event!

At that moment, a voice rang out in the auction hall, proud and lofty, echoing in all directions.

“Fellow cultivators, I am Ye Cang of our sect. Please, grant me this favor—I claim this item!”

“My bid is… ten thousand spirit jades!”