Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Meek Have Many Schemes

When Wang Ran called out that number, he appeared indifferent, but in truth, his heart was bleeding. Fifty thousand spirit jades—nearly equal to the total value of all the cultivation techniques he’d sold before—was a staggering sum by any cultivator’s standards.

He had no choice but to grit his teeth; no matter how much it pained him, this item was simply too precious to let go. To outsiders, it seemed as though Wang Ran, a Nascent Soul cultivator, had made a casual decision on a whim, just as he’d said—merely to quench his thirst!

After all, the Golden Spirit Fruit offered no benefit to someone at the Nascent Soul stage, and yet he tossed out fifty thousand spirit jades as if it were nothing. This only added to the crowd’s sense of his mysterious power; the hall was abuzz, hearts thundering with awe.

“Ding! Congratulations to Host Wang Ran for causing a profound shock to the gathered cultivators. You have been awarded ten Dao Points!”

“Ding! Congratulations to Host Wang Ran for causing a profound shock to the gathered cultivators. You have been awarded twenty Dao Points!”

Several notifications sounded, but Wang Ran’s expression didn’t change. With a faint smile, he looked confidently at Ye Cang, as if unconcerned by any further bids.

Ye Cang’s heart sank. He realized that, no matter how much he raised the price, this man’s wealth would allow him to match it easily. Though anger simmered within him, he dared not show it. After all, the other party was a Nascent Soul cultivator—one of the top experts in all of Cloud Province. Even the leader of the Sole Will Sect was only at the Nascent Soul stage.

The vast gulf between them left Ye Cang with a sense of helplessness. After a long moment, he sighed, accepting his poor luck, and refrained from bidding further.

Huang Huifeng, meanwhile, was elated. He hadn’t expected the Golden Spirit Fruit to fetch such an extravagant price—far beyond his expectations. His desire to befriend Wang Ran only grew stronger.

With a crisp sound, Huang Huifeng brought down his small gavel. “Congratulations, Senior Chen! Congratulations! You have won the Golden Spirit Fruit, enough to quench anyone’s thirst—truly the envy of us all!”

When everyone heard this—especially the phrase “to quench one’s thirst”—the room fell silent. Wang Ran’s cheeks flushed for a moment, and he coughed lightly.

But the matter was settled: the Golden Spirit Fruit now belonged to Wang Ran.

Everyone looked on in envy, their gazes fixed on the fruit, some even tempted to snatch it right there and then. Yet thoughts of Wang Ran’s terrifying cultivation quickly suppressed any such intentions.

Against a Nascent Soul cultivator, even a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators combined wouldn’t pose a threat. At that level, numbers were meaningless.

Compared to the Golden Spirit Fruit, their lives were worth more.

And so the auction drew to a close, with Wang Ran undoubtedly the greatest victor—he had acquired the Golden Spirit Fruit, along with various other spiritual artifacts and techniques.

As the crowd dispersed from the auction hall, Ye Cang’s face was dark and he left, sword beneath his feet, flying away in frustration.

Wang Ran also stood, intending to leave without delay, but as he turned, he saw someone approaching with a smile: Chen Lie.

From afar, Chen Lie gave a respectful bow. “Senior Chen, please wait. I am Chen Lie from the Purple Sky Palace. I wonder if you would honor our sect with a visit?”

Wang Ran was momentarily taken aback, but maintained a calm facade. “I am but a wanderer, roaming the land. I have no wish to visit your esteemed sect.”

Chen Lie seemed prepared for this response and continued, “Senior, you misunderstand. Our Purple Sky Palace is one of Cloud Province’s top sects. Your presence would be a great honor and bring glory to our halls.”

Wang Ran saw through his intentions—Chen Lie would not approach without purpose. He decided to be direct. “If you have something to say, speak plainly. I’ve no patience for guessing games.”

“Haha! Senior Chen, you are indeed straightforward,” Chen Lie replied with a hearty laugh. “It’s like this: with your formidable cultivation, you would be a great asset to the Purple Sky Palace. Would you consider joining us as an Elder, if only for amusement?”

Wang Ran frowned inwardly. Purple Sky Palace was filled with experts; becoming an Elder there would be risky, his true identity easily exposed. The concealing cloak he wore might not fool a true master.

Thinking quickly, he feigned displeasure. “What a joke! I am a peerless sword cultivator, roaming Sword Province for years. No sect has ever been able to keep me. What is your Purple Sky Palace to me? I have no interest!”

With that, Wang Ran struck an invincible pose and turned to leave. Those nearby who witnessed this were stunned.

“This Chen Wangran really is extraordinary—he even scorns the Purple Sky Palace!”

“He’s proud and forthright, just like the sword cultivators of legend!”

“With the strength to challenge the Purple Sky Palace, he has every right!”

“Ah, to be as free as a Nascent Soul cultivator. When will I ever achieve such liberty?”

“Chen Wangran—after today, his name will be known throughout Cloud Province!”

The crowd was abuzz, all deeply admiring Wang Ran’s refusal to bow to power, his pursuit of freedom.

Chen Lie was momentarily taken aback, then sighed with some regret. “Actually, Senior, if you were to become an honorary Elder, it wouldn’t hinder your travels. We would even provide you with a stipend of one hundred thousand spirit jades. But alas…”

Though his voice was not loud, Wang Ran heard every word. He stopped abruptly, turned back, coughed lightly, and said with feeling, “In truth, I’m not as carefree as I seem. I’ve traveled the Nine Provinces enough to grow weary. Now that you put it this way, I see your point. Very well, I’ll humble myself to serve as your honorary Elder for a few years.”

He tried to appear reluctant, but those around him couldn’t help twitching at the corners of their mouths.

Who had ever seen anyone so shameless?

“Humble himself? If it weren’t for the hundred thousand spirit jades, would he have turned back?”

Chen Lie stared in disbelief, his expression growing odd. “If that’s so, then nothing could be better.”

Wang Ran waved his hand. “Your sect must be busy. I won’t keep you. Just give me the stipend now.”

Hearing Wang Ran ask for money outright, Chen Lie nearly stumbled, but nonetheless turned to the elder behind him. “Elder Sun, give Senior Chen his stipend.”

Elder Sun, a somewhat stooped old man, responded and pulled a storage pouch from his sleeve, tossing it to Wang Ran.

Elder Sun was responsible for Chen Lie’s protection on outings. As Chen Lie was the sect’s young prodigy, the sect was never at ease letting him travel alone. Elder Sun was at the Golden Core stage, about on par with Huang Huifeng, and thus saw nothing amiss.

He then produced a talisman. “Senior Chen, this is our token. Should our sect need to consult you, we will burn this talisman, and you will receive the message.”

Wang Ran nodded, pocketed the pouch, and with an untroubled expression, took his leave.

Chen Lie could only offer a wry smile. For the Purple Sky Palace, a hundred thousand spirit jades was a trivial expense—especially in exchange for the right to use Wang Ran’s name. Even in a powerful sect like theirs, Nascent Soul cultivators were exceedingly rare. With Wang Ran’s dramatic appearance at the auction, the name Chen Wangran was certain to spread across Cloud Province.

Now, with his honorary status, the Purple Sky Palace could claim to outsiders that the mighty Nascent Soul cultivator Chen Wangran belonged to their sect. This would bolster the sect’s prestige and deterrent power.

In Chen Lie’s eyes, the hundred thousand spirit jades were well spent—especially since it wasn’t his own money but the sect’s, and he’d likely be rewarded for arranging this.

As for Wang Ran, he felt it was a bargain as well—where else could one so easily swindle a hundred thousand spirit jades?

When it came to schemes, how could the Purple Sky Palace hope to match Wang Ran?

After all, in this world, no one could match Brother Ran when it came to cunning!