Chapter Thirty-Eight: Quenching the Thirst

Auction House.

The atmosphere was eerily silent. The cultivators glanced left and right, their gazes shifting back and forth between Ye Cang and Chen Lie.

These two were both outstanding figures among the younger generation of Yun Province, and both hailed from major sects. A showdown between them was bound to be interesting.

At this moment, Ye Cang’s expression grew slightly grave. He looked toward the opposite VIP room and sneered, “Chen Lie, must you insist on opposing me?”

On the other side, Chen Lie let out a hearty laugh. “I’ve already said, treasures of heaven and earth go to those with fate. We’re all bidding fairly—who’s opposing you? Or is it that when Young Master Ye takes a fancy to something, the rest of us aren’t allowed to compete?”

Hearing this, the onlookers nodded in agreement.

Ye Cang found himself momentarily unable to retort and could only force a cold laugh. “Hmph, fair competition is fine—let’s see if you have what it takes!”

“Steward Huang, I offer twenty thousand spirit jades for this item! Bring it to me!”

But before Huang Huifeng could respond, Chen Lie mocked, “What a joke! The illustrious Golden Thunder Fruit, and you want to take it for twenty thousand? I bid twenty-five thousand! Steward Huang, bring it here!”

With every word, the rivalry between the two grew more intense, and the cultivators watched, dumbfounded.

“It’s already at twenty-five thousand!”

“No wonder they’re disciples from great sects—such wealth!”

“Exactly, and each bid increases by five thousand spirit jades!”

“Five thousand spirit jades—that’s at least ten years of my savings!”

“It seems the Golden Thunder Fruit isn’t meant for the likes of us.”

“I just wonder which of the two will emerge victorious.”

As the crowd murmured, Ye Cang and Chen Lie continued their fierce contest.

In the meantime, Wang Ran observed in secret, searching for the proper moment to make his move.

He had heard of Chen Lie, known as Lord Nether Thunder of the Purple Sky Sect. Three years ago, with an eight-star Dao foundation, Chen Lie had shaken Yun Province and become the most outstanding disciple of the current generation in Purple Sky Palace.

It was said that during his enlightenment, daylight vanished for miles, blue energy surged, blocking out the sun, and endless black thunder circled in the heavens, causing all things to tremble.

That black thunder was no ordinary lightning but the legendary Nether Thunder, the most violent of all thunder powers, born only in the void rifts.

When it struck, it could gouge deep pits several meters into the earth, its power truly terrifying—everyone fled from it, save for Chen Lie, who not only stood his ground but welcomed it, bathing himself in the black thunder.

This alone spoke to his extraordinary physique. Some even rumored he was the reincarnation of a Nether Thunder fiend, hence his fearlessness.

Later, during duels, his opponents were often severely wounded by thunder, lending further credence to the tales. At the mere mention of Chen Lie from Purple Sky Palace, all turned pale, and he was given the moniker—Lord Nether Thunder.

Compared to Ye Cang, he might not be quite as formidable, but he was certainly a match. Both were paragons of the younger generation, and their rivalry naturally became the focus of attention.

Ye Cang’s face darkened. Things had developed beyond his expectations. He had originally planned to secure the Golden Thunder Fruit for less than twenty thousand spirit jades, but with Chen Lie’s intervention, that plan was obviously ruined.

After a moment’s thought, he had no choice but to raise his bid. He spoke in a deep tone, “Thirty thousand!”

An uproar followed—thirty thousand spirit jades! A truly staggering figure, the highest of the day.

Chen Lie clapped his hands. “Impressive, Young Master Ye—thirty thousand spirit jades, what generosity!”

Ye Cang snorted, “Will you match it or not? If not, spare me your sarcasm. Steward Huang, this item—”

“Wait,” Chen Lie interrupted before Ye Cang could finish. “Who said I’m out? I’ll top your bid by three thousand—thirty-three thousand! That’s all I have. If you can bid higher, Young Master Ye, then it’s yours!”

Ye Cang’s eyes narrowed. Thirty-three thousand was already beyond his highest expectation.

He had brought fifty thousand spirit jades, but for certain reasons, twenty thousand of those were untouchable public funds. Yet, at this point, even the backup funds had to be used.

His expression shifted. “Fine, then I’ll add two thousand more—thirty-five thousand spirit jades!”

At this, Chen Lie’s pupils contracted, and after a moment, he said no more. It seemed he had truly reached his limit.

The cultivators were all astonished.

“Thirty-five thousand spirit jades!”

“Astronomical! Ye Cang truly deserves his reputation as a nine-star Foundation Establishment prodigy—such extravagance!”

“This round goes to Ye Cang!”

“Though it seems he’s reached his limit, too.”

“At over thirty thousand, no one else here could possibly bid higher.”

“It looks like the Golden Thunder Fruit will ultimately go to Ye Cang.”

The crowd was in awe, all convinced that Ye Cang would emerge the victor. Even Huang Huifeng thought so, believing no one could outbid him. He struck the table and called out, “Thirty-five thousand spirit jades, once! Thirty-five thousand, twice! Thirty-f—”

As Huang Huifeng’s voice rang out, Ye Cang finally allowed himself a smile, regaining his usual air of superiority, savoring the thrill of imminent victory.

But just then, a voice rang out in the hall, clear and unbidden.

“Forty thousand!”

Just two simple words, yet as they echoed throughout the hall, even the air seemed to freeze.

All eyes turned in unison to the VIP room, where the mysterious cultivator, Chen Wangran, who had remained silent all this time, had finally spoken.

This time, it was his own voice, not that of his disciple, Bei Minglie.

Everyone was stunned. Even Bei Minglie stared at Wang Ran in shock, while Ye Cang’s body stiffened, his smile frozen on his face.

“Senior, I am Ye Cang, inner disciple of Weiwo Sect and a future core disciple. I truly need this Golden Thunder Fruit; I hope you might show some mercy.”

Ye Cang narrowed his eyes, uncertain how to gauge Wang Ran, but his words carried a faint note of warning.

Wang Ran only scoffed inwardly, especially at the added “future core disciple,” which made him roll his eyes.

“Apologies, but I happen to be thirsty. This fruit looks appealing; I thought it might quench my thirst.” Wang Ran’s expression remained unchanged, his tone calm.

The crowd was dumbfounded.

Thirsty?

Planning to eat a Golden Thunder Fruit to quench his thirst?

Good heavens, was this man not a little too overbearing?

The cultivators were so shocked by Wang Ran’s words that their minds buzzed, some even beginning to doubt reality.

Ye Cang’s expression darkened further. “Senior, must you set yourself against me? This benefits no one.”

Wang Ran simply raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. I’m not short on money.”

Ye Cang fell silent, and after a long pause, he forced himself to bid, “Forty-one thousand spirit jades.”

“Fifty thousand!”

Ye Cang had barely finished when the next bid came—without even an instant’s hesitation, a jump of nine thousand spirit jades, as if spirit jades were of no consequence.

The audience was utterly stunned; the silence in the hall was deafening.

Where they had assumed Ye Cang, after such a fierce contest, would be the final victor, who could have foreseen Chen Wangran would emerge out of nowhere?

Fifty thousand spirit jades—offered just like that!

And all to quench a thirst!

How wealthy did one have to be to act so nonchalantly?

Just who was this Chen Wangran?