Chapter Thirty: Such a Good Fortune?

Within the city.

Wang Ran strolled leisurely along the path paved with bluestone. Brilliant sunlight poured over the green-tiled roofs and red walls, the jutting eaves, the fluttering banners of the shops, the shimmering carriages and horses, and the endless stream of pedestrians—all these spoke of the prosperity of Luoyun City. Above, cultivators occasionally soared by on swords, adding a touch of dreamlike wonder to this place.

On the road, many people cast curious glances at Wang Ran, sizing up his attire, though none approached him; their attention was brief and fleeting. It was clear that everyone on this street shared a common goal: they were all headed toward the auction center.

Luoyun City was home to the Luoyun Pavilion, the most bustling place in the city, and today's auction was being held there. Along the way, one could see disciples from various sects and many unaffiliated cultivators walking together, chatting and laughing as they made their way to the pavilion.

Wang Ran moved among the crowd, unhurried, taking in the scenery as he advanced. Before long, a grand and spacious hall appeared in his line of sight, already surrounded by many cultivators.

This auction had drawn great attention from the nearby sects. It was said that the treasures on offer were many and varied, and the cultivators had all prepared for this event, eager to compete.

At the auction, wealth was the only language. Wang Ran had come not only with the spirit jade he had obtained from the underground ruins, but also with numerous Dao techniques—these could all be sold for spirit jade, so he had no worries about his finances.

Dao techniques were the most wondrous things in this world; they could be cultivated or traded. There were two types: practical and cultivation-based. Practical techniques could not elevate one's realm, but could enhance one's combat abilities—for example, Wang Ran's Overlord Aura, which, though it did not raise his cultivation, was a powerful means of attack.

Such practical Dao techniques were usually self-realized—once someone comprehended them, only they could use them, unless they chose to give up their insight and condense their Dao technique into a scroll imbued with the energy of the Heavenly Dao, thus allowing it to be transferred to others.

In this way, Dao techniques gradually became tradable. It was common for powerful cultivators to emerge from seclusion with insights they did not desire; they would then condense and record these techniques to sell to others.

Cultivation Dao techniques, on the other hand, could be used to elevate one's realm—essentially, they were cultivation methods. There were ordinary cultivation methods and those known as Life Dao techniques. The latter were comprehended during the foundation-building stage; once someone chose to learn such a technique, it became the method they would cultivate for the rest of their life.

Thus, Life Dao techniques were of great importance—a Life Dao technique with immense potential could allow a cultivator to go much farther in their journey. This was why prodigies like Zhao Xiaobai hesitated to build their foundation, choosing again and again to abandon and re-comprehend, hoping to obtain a stronger Life Dao technique.

These Life Dao techniques could not be condensed and recorded; if the cultivator chose to abandon them, they would truly vanish from the world.

Similarly, once a cultivator truly comprehended a Life Dao technique, only they could use it—no one else could cultivate it. This was why Wang Ran dared to proclaim he had comprehended a ten-star Dao technique without fear of powerful cultivators coveting it, for Life Dao techniques could not be stolen!

Ordinary Dao techniques, however, were not so strict and could be recorded, passed down to disciples, or gifted to others just like practical techniques.

Opportunities for comprehending Dao techniques were everywhere—a cultivator could, while passing through a forest, suddenly gain insight and realize a Dao technique, though it might be useless or awkward. Such techniques would then be sold to those who needed them.

The Dao techniques Wang Ran had obtained in the ruins were all of this condensed and recorded variety, likely left behind for the sect’s successors. But the Thirteen Towers of the Azure Sea had long since fallen into ruin, and their sect had ceased to exist, leaving these Dao techniques to Wang Ran.

Since he had no use for them, he could now sell them at the Luoyun City auction, exchanging them for spirit jade.

As Wang Ran approached, the Luoyun Pavilion grew ever more imposing in his eyes. The hall was tall, three stories high; entering the first floor, he found it spacious and filled with cultivators, their voices a cacophony.

Both sides of the hall were lined with stalls displaying all manner of items: Dao techniques, spiritual artifacts.

Wang Ran walked forward, observing with interest. The first floor was much like a marketplace, with many shops within.

As he continued, a raised platform appeared ahead, surrounded by a crowd.

Upon the platform stood a burly man with fierce eyes, clad in golden armor—he looked quite extraordinary.

Beside him stood a shrewd middle-aged man, his eyes sharp, speaking confidently to the crowd.

“Fellow Daoists, I am Huang Huifeng, chief strategist of Luoyun City and the manager of Luoyun Pavilion. It is our honor to receive so many distinguished guests today, making our city shine all the brighter.”

“Before the auction begins, allow me to show you one of the treasures we have prepared for bidding: the Luoyun Armor!”

He gestured toward the burly man’s armor and continued, “This armor was acquired unexpectedly during the recent campaign against the mountain bandits. Its origins are unknown, and as it had no name, we bestowed upon it the title Luoyun.”

“This armor is one of the highlights of the auction—it is extremely sturdy, with exceptional defensive power. After our tests, we believe it is at least a sixth-grade spiritual artifact!”

“As you all know, spiritual artifacts above the fifth grade are rare, and defensive types are even rarer among them. This sixth-grade Luoyun Armor is a treasure indeed—at the very least, even cultivators at the Golden Core stage cannot harm it. If put up for auction, it would not go for less than ten thousand spirit jade.”

At his words, the surrounding cultivators erupted in astonishment.

“A sixth-grade defensive artifact!”

“This kind of artifact is incredibly precious!”

“The key is its defensive power—wear it, and even Golden Core cultivators are helpless against it!”

“So whoever gets it can swagger about below the Nascent Soul stage?”

“Incredible—this is truly a lifesaving treasure!”

“It seems Luoyun City spared no expense to publicize this auction.”

The crowd buzzed with excitement; the artifact before them truly tempted the eye.

Wang Ran looked twice, realizing these two were promoting the auction’s goods.

Just as he was thinking this, someone stepped forward from the crowd, questioning loudly, “Is it really as good as you say? Words are not proof—you should let us see for ourselves!”

At this, others quickly echoed:

“Yeah, is it really true?”

“Is the armor really that miraculous?”

“Are you exaggerating?”

The voices grew more chaotic.

On the platform, Huang Huifeng smiled and pointed to the burly man beside him. “If you don’t believe it, you are welcome to come up and try—use your strongest attack. If anyone can injure him, I will give you the armor on the spot, no lies!”

His words caused the surrounding cultivators to grow excited, eyes shining. Even Wang Ran, who had originally planned to leave, was taken aback and turned his head with an odd expression.

If anyone could injure him, the armor would be theirs?

Good heavens, could such luck truly exist?