Chapter Thirty-Four: You Are Capable of Great Things

The Beiming Lie before him was utterly unlike the arrogant and domineering figure Wang Ran remembered. Now, he stood obediently, almost like a student, with a hint of nervousness as he faced Wang Ran.

Ignoring Wang Ran’s surprised gaze, Beiming Lie bowed low again and spoke with utmost respect, “I hope you will not blame me, senior. I was too rash before. I have come today to apologize with sincere remorse, and I beg you to grant me a chance to make amends.”

Wang Ran’s eyes flickered strangely at these words. It seemed Beiming Lie was trying to curry favor with him. Naturally, Wang Ran wouldn’t expose him. He snorted coldly, maintaining his air of authority, “At least you’re sensible. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be walking out of Luoyun City alive.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a chill that struck Beiming Lie like thunder, exploding in his mind.

Beiming Lie’s face instantly turned pale, fear overwhelming him. “Please spare me, senior! It was all a misunderstanding… You are a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator, why trouble yourself over a mere Foundation Establishment ant like me?”

Seeing Beiming Lie’s rare expression of terror, Wang Ran felt a surge of satisfaction. He lifted his head, tossed his hand, and mused, “What you say isn’t without reason. Indeed, as a dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, I would sully my status by stooping to your level. Very well, since you’re so earnest, give me two kowtows, and I’ll let the matter drop.”

As soon as Wang Ran finished, Beiming Lie, without the slightest hesitation, knelt and pressed his head to the ground, delivering two thunderous kowtows. The sound was so loud and forceful that the floor seemed to dent beneath him, making Wang Ran’s heart race.

Yet it wasn’t over. After two kowtows, Beiming Lie pressed himself down again and knocked his head three more times.

Wang Ran was bewildered—was kowtowing becoming an addiction now?

Before he could voice his confusion, Beiming Lie lifted his head, his forehead bruised and swollen, yet he seemed not to care. Instead, he spoke with heartfelt sincerity, “Senior, the first two kowtows were for my apology; the last three are my offering as a disciple!”

“Please, accept me as your apprentice!”

Beiming Lie was anxious and hopeful, bowing deeply to Wang Ran.

Wang Ran was genuinely stunned. He hadn’t expected Beiming Lie’s purpose was to seek him out as a teacher.

Yet, accepting such a disciple under the guise of Chen Wangran’s identity—should they meet in the sect later—might be quite amusing.

Wang Ran stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with intrigue, growing more excited by the moment.

Glancing at Beiming Lie still prostrate at his feet, Wang Ran cleared his throat. He maintained a composed facade and said, “With such determination, you’re a promising seedling. Fine, I’ll accept you; but I wander the world, with little wealth, and am only staying in Luoyun City for a brief respite. I fear I can’t teach you much…”

Beiming Lie immediately understood the implication. Overjoyed, he respectfully handed over a storage pouch, “Master, your disciple is not talented, but I do have some savings. Here are some humble spirit jades, a token of my respect.”

Wang Ran’s eyes lit up, though he feigned reluctance, “This… isn’t appropriate, is it?”

“Master! How could it not be?” Beiming Lie stood, placing the storage pouch in Wang Ran’s hand as he spoke. “Master! Once a mentor, always a father. Consider this my filial offering—please accept it without worry!”

“If you ask me, you’ve been too honest all your life. That habit needs to change. After all, spirit jades are mere objects; what matters is your disciple’s sincerity.”

—

Wang Ran listened to Beiming Lie’s flattery and praise, secretly amused.

Yet outwardly, he maintained his demeanor as an unrivaled master. After a moment’s consideration, he spoke, “True honor resides in the heart, not in outward forms… Very well, I’ll reluctantly accept it.”

Taking the storage pouch, Wang Ran discreetly scanned it with his spiritual sense, feeling a slight shock—inside were five thousand spirit jades.

As expected of the descendant of a formation elder; his foundation was substantial, incomparable to ordinary disciples.

Wang Ran couldn’t help but reflect—the difference between common outer disciples and such prodigies lay not only in cultivation talent, but also in financial backing.

Ordinary disciples received only fifteen spirit jades a year as salary; relying solely on the sect, they could never amass such wealth in a lifetime.

This disparity in wealth among disciples was something even the sect was powerless to change, given the sheer number of members.

For the sect, giving fifteen jades to one person was trivial, but for ten or twenty thousand disciples, the cost became significant, even for the sect.

Through selling techniques, exploring ruins, and now Beiming Lie’s offering, Wang Ran’s own fortune had grown dramatically, making him, by chance, a minor wealthy man.

Suddenly, Wang Ran felt the attitude of a nouveau riche, looking down on everyone.

He swept his gaze across the entire auction hall.

At the central stage, Huang Huifeng came forward, cupping his hands to the crowd, signaling that the auction was about to begin.

The cultivators below were filled with anticipation, their expressions excited, ready to spend lavishly during the event.

“Greetings, fellow Daoists. I am Huang Huifeng, the organizer of this auction. Welcome to Luoyun City.”

Huang Huifeng spoke loudly, cupping his hands to all sides. “This auction features nine main items; there are also various techniques and spiritual tools, all sold for spirit jades. If you have items of equal value, they may be exchanged as well.”

“I now declare the auction officially open! Without further ado, bring up our first item—one of the nine main lots: the Spirit Core!”

At his words, a maid stepped forward, carrying the first item—a ball of dazzling light, like a miniature sun, brimming with spiritual energy. Even a faint trace was enough to flood the hall, as though everyone were bathing in a sea of spiritual power.

Many cultivators below stared with shining eyes, fixated on the stage.

“I didn’t expect the first lot to be the Spirit Core!”

“They say Spirit Cores are only born during the tides of the Spirit Sea, and not always fully formed. Out of ten Spirit Sea tides, only one core appears!”

“Indeed, the Spirit Core contains nearly all the essence of a Spirit Sea tide—the spiritual energy inside is astonishing!”

“If one could absorb and refine it, their cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds!”

—

The appearance of the Spirit Core stirred excitement throughout the hall.

Huang Huifeng smiled, “No need to rush, fellow Daoists. You all know the value of the Spirit Core, so the price is not low. Starting bid: one thousand spirit jades!”

“I bid one thousand three hundred!”

Immediately, someone called out from below. Most cultivators attending the auction were either wealthy or influential, aside from a few spectators.

Thus, bidding rose quickly.

“I bid one thousand five hundred!”

“One thousand eight hundred!”

“Two thousand—I must have it!”

Within moments, the price had doubled.

In the VIP room, Wang Ran watched the Spirit Core with interest, considering whether to make a move.

Meanwhile, Beiming Lie, who had been watching Wang Ran’s reactions closely, suddenly saw hesitation in his eyes. His own eyes brightened and he abruptly stood up, declaring, “I bid three thousand spirit jades—my master wants this item!”

The hall fell silent for a moment, countless eyes turning toward them.

Wang Ran was stunned. He’d merely been thinking about it, not decided, and Beiming Lie had acted on his own?

He frowned, “You—”

But before Wang Ran could finish, Beiming Lie cut him off, bowing respectfully with a fawning expression, “Master, this Spirit Core seems perfect for you. Your disciple is willing to pay for it as a gift!”

Hearing that Beiming Lie intended to use his own money, Wang Ran was once again at a loss for words.

After a moment, he could only clear his throat, pat Beiming Lie on the shoulder, feeling a mixture of guilt, shyness, and awkwardness, and said with heartfelt emotion,

“You… truly have the makings of greatness…”