Chapter 14: A Cultivation World Where Strength Reigns Supreme |
When Yulou learned that the Patriarch and Wang Rongwen were taking him to the legendary Ghost Market Auction, he was thrilled.
The Ghost Market Auction. The name alone sounded extraordinary.
Having read countless web novels in his past life, Yulou was intimately familiar with the auction house exploits of Immortal Venerable Han, Great Emperor Lin, and Divine King Wang.
Now, was it finally his turn to attend an auction?
However, things did not unfold as Yulou expected.
"Uncle Rongwen, don't we need to cover our faces?"
"What? Cover our faces?"
"Shouldn't we hide our identities at this kind of auction? Hasn't our Wang Clan always prioritized prudence?"
"It doesn't matter. For an event like this, it's useless for someone in the Qi Induction realm to cover their face. You can't afford anything good anyway.
As for us, there's even less need. This auction was organized by the Patriarch and the Town Guardian Cultivator, Jiang Baobian."
Well, well, well. So this was how they played it?
So it turned out that he, Wang Yulou, was with the house?
"The Town Guardian Cultivator is even involved in this?" Yulou asked.
He couldn't fathom just how greedy Jiang Baobian was. From Unity Fees to Ghost Market Auctions... he really wanted a cut of every single spirit stone.
"Clear Stream Market's revenue belongs to the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. For a Town Guardian Cultivator like him to scrape together extra spirit stones, there are only a few methods available.
Do you know where the Ghost Market Auction is being held?"
Leading the two boys, Wang Rongwen asked without looking back. He figured Yulou wouldn't be able to guess.
"Could it be... the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor?"
"Good boy! Hahaha, correct, it's the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor!"
Wang Rongwen explained.
"Smaller Ghost Market Auctions can be held privately, but larger ones must take place in the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor.
Regardless of his methods, he is still the Town Guardian Cultivator for the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, which gives him the right to take a cut.
It also prevents idiots from recklessly selling things that shouldn't be sold."
Looking at the flow of people in the streets, Yulou found the situation slightly absurd.
If Clear Stream Market was a city, then the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Town Guardian Cultivator was its mayor.
But now, the mayor was running the black market...
What was this?
The organic integration of grassroots management and deep grassroots exploitation?
It was hard to judge. In a world where immense power was concentrated in individuals, the organizational and managerial structures naturally differed from the modern mortal world Yulou had known in his previous life.
"What do you mean by 'things that shouldn't be sold'?"
Yu'an asked from the side.
"Items prohibited by the Immortal Alliance. For example, spiritual items above the sixth grade, Demon King cubs, unverified cultivation techniques, and so on... None of these can be traded."
Wang Rongwen listed the examples as if enumerating his family heirlooms.
"Demon King cubs? People actually sell those?"
In the cultivation novels Yulou had read, buying spirit beast eggs or cubs was a very common occurrence among cultivators.
Certain protagonists would buy a divine beast cub, only for its parents to come hunting them down. The protagonist would kill them in return, and the enemies would send more people to hunt them.
Those authors were quite creative. Plotlines like that were a great way to pad the word count.
"You wouldn't know this, but over a decade ago, a disciple of the Sky Serpent Sect bought the egg of a Great Demon from the West Sea—a Demon General-level Mountain-Overturning Flood Dragon.
That Mountain-Overturning Flood Dragon slaughtered its way from the West Sea all the way to the Sky Serpent Sect. It caused such an uproar that even the True Persons of the Sky Serpent Sect were deployed."
Upon arriving at the gates of the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor, Wang Rongwen didn't even need to speak. His face was recognized immediately, and the young cultivator guarding the door hurriedly ushered him inside.
The two inexperienced youths followed him into the Town Guardian Cultivator's luxurious manor.
Yulou observed the furnishings and formation arrays inside the manor, taking note of the auction attendees who had already arrived.
But Yu'an was still fixated on the story his uncle had told.
"Even Golden Core True Persons were deployed. That Mountain-Overturning Flood Dragon probably couldn't escape, right?"
"What do you know? The Sky Serpent Sect is ranked as an Upper-Path Sect and one of the top three among the Ten Sects of Wunan because they venerate a celestial snake.
That celestial snake has a profound cultivation base and is closely related to the Mountain-Overturning Flood Dragon. It stepped forward and took the flood dragon in as a guest elder of the Sky Serpent Sect."
A cultivator's sect was attacked by a Demon King, yet instead of fighting back, they chose to make the demon beast an elder.
Yulou was somewhat speechless.
Was this the cultivation world where strength reigned supreme?
Here, as long as one was strong enough, even a Demon King could become an honored guest among human cultivators.
"How powerful must that flood dragon and celestial snake be..."
Yu'an looked a bit captivated.
The spiritual materials on such demon beasts had to be incredibly valuable!
Their hide could bear top-tier talismans, their spirit bones could be forged into magic treasures, and even their flesh and blood were likely highly nourishing.
"Alright, go sit behind the Patriarch. I still have matters to attend to."
After settling the two youths into their seats, Wang Rongwen disappeared into the crowd.
The Wang Clan was one of the organizers of today's event, so he still had a lot of things to coordinate.
——————
"Brother, look, Master is over there!"
Sitting behind the Patriarch, Yu'an was no longer nervous despite this being his first time attending such a grand event. He scanned the crowd and suddenly spotted Hongmei.
"It seems Senior Martial Sister didn't come, though," Yu'an said with some regret.
"You can tell her about everything we see today when we get back."
Yulou's suggestion made Yu'an's eyes light up.
Hearing the brothers' conversation, Wang Xianmao, who was sitting in front of them, broke into a smile.
He thought back to the days when he and Wang Xianhe used to cultivate and fight side by side.
How wonderful.
A Qi Refining cultivator with his figure tightly concealed stepped into the center of the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor's front hall.
Clang—
He struck a gong, then bowed to the guests from all directions.
"Without further ado, the exchange gathering begins!
Would the seniors in the Foundation Establishment stage please step up first!"
Brothers, even if the sky falls, the Foundation Establishment seniors will hold it up. Everyone can spend their money with peace of mind.
Following the host's introduction, the Town Guardian Cultivator, Jiang Baobian, slowly rose from his seat.
Only then did Yulou notice him.
Even though the Town Guardian Cultivator had been sitting right there, Yulou hadn't noticed the man at all. He had even completely forgotten about his existence.
And yet, before coming here, Yulou had been extremely curious about this famously greedy Town Guardian Cultivator!
"Hidden Form in Stillness. It is Jiang Baobian's divine ability. Don't be alarmed."
The Patriarch's voice rang out. Without turning around, Wang Xianmao explained it to the two youths behind him via sound transmission.
This was the whole point of bringing them out to see the world. It allowed them to experience how vast the world was and witness the extraordinary abilities of other cultivators, so they would be more vigilant when encountering them in the future.
"You don't need to answer. Just watch carefully. If you are curious about anything, blink your eyes, and I will explain it to you through sound transmission."
Yu'an hurriedly widened his eyes, not daring to blink recklessly anymore.
It was just like middle schoolers. The teacher would tell them to come ask questions if they didn't understand something, but middle schoolers rarely took the initiative. Yu'an was exactly the kind of student who refused to ask the teacher.
"Everyone, I am Jiang Baobian, the Town Guardian Cultivator of Clear Stream Market under the Red Lantern Illumination Sect.
You may have already heard my name, but you aren't familiar with me yet.
I am someone who loves making friends the most. By coming here today, all of you Fellow Daoists have given me face.
An eighth-grade spiritual material, Water Jade. It goes to the highest bidder.
Fellow Daoists, you may begin."
Even though they were standing so close, Yulou simply couldn't make out Jiang Baobian's face.
So... was this Town Guardian Cultivator very powerful?
However, the clamor from the auction venue interrupted his musings.
Jiang Baobian was only selling a piece of eighth-grade Water Jade, but all the cultivators attending the auction seemed to go completely wild.
"If even Golden Core True Persons were deployed, that Mountain Overturning Flood Dragon probably couldn't escape, right?"
"What do you know? The reason the Sky Serpent Sect ranks as an Upper-Path Sect and is one of the top three among the Ten Sects of Wunan is because they revere a celestial snake.
That celestial snake possesses profound cultivation and is closely related to the Mountain Overturning Flood Dragon. So, it stepped forward and accepted the Mountain Overturning Flood Dragon as a guest elder of the Sky Serpent Sect."
A cultivator's sect had been attacked by a Demon King, and instead of resisting, they chose to recognize the demon beast as an elder.
Yulou was somewhat speechless.
Was this the reality of a cultivation world where strength reigned supreme?
Here, as long as one's strength was great enough, even a Demon King could become an honored guest of human cultivators.
"Just how powerful must that Mountain Overturning Flood Dragon and the celestial snake be..."
Yu'an felt a sense of longing.
The spiritual materials on such demon beasts must be incredibly valuable!
Their hide could bear top-tier talismans, their spirit bones could be forged into magic treasures, and even their flesh and blood were likely massive tonics.
"Alright, you two go sit behind the Patriarch. I still have matters to attend to."
After arranging seats for the two boys, Wang Rongwen disappeared into the crowd.
The Wang Clan was one of the organizers of today's gathering, so he still had many things to coordinate.
——————
"Brother, look! Master is over there!"
Sitting behind the Patriarch, Yu'an, who was attending such a grand event for the first time, was no longer nervous. Looking around at the crowd, he suddenly spotted Hongmei.
"It's just a pity that Senior Martial Sister doesn't seem to be here," Yu'an said regretfully.
"You can tell her what you saw today when we get back."
Yulou's suggestion made Yu'an's eyes light up.
Hearing the brothers chat, a smile appeared on the corners of Wang Xianmao's mouth as he sat in front of them.
He thought back to the days when he and Wang Xianhe used to cultivate and fight side by side.
It was wonderful.
A Qi Refining cultivator, his figure completely concealed, stood in the center of the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor's front hall.
Clang!
He struck a gong, then bowed to the guests in all directions.
"Without further ado, let the exchange meet begin!
We invite the Foundation Establishment seniors to come up first!"
Fellow brothers, if the sky falls, there are Foundation Establishment seniors to hold it up, so please spend with peace of mind.
Following the host's introduction, Town Guardian Cultivator Jiang Baobian slowly rose from his seat.
It was only then that Yulou noticed him.
Even though the Town Guardian Cultivator had been sitting right there all along, Yulou hadn't noticed the man at all. He had practically forgotten his existence entirely.
This was despite the fact that before coming, Yulou had been extremely curious about this Town Guardian Cultivator who was so highly skilled at extorting wealth!
"Hidden Form in Stillness, Jiang Baobian's divine ability. Don't be surprised."
The Patriarch's voice rang out. Wang Xianmao didn't turn around; he simply explained it to the two youths behind him via voice transmission.
This was the whole point of bringing them to expand their horizons—to let them see how vast the world was and to witness the extraordinary traits of other cultivators, so they could be more vigilant when encountering them in the future.
"You don't need to reply. Just watch carefully. If you are curious about something, blink your eyes, and I will explain it via voice transmission."
Yu'an quickly widened his eyes, not daring to blink carelessly again.
It felt just like being a middle school student. Teachers would always tell their students to ask questions if there was anything they didn't understand, but middle schoolers rarely took the initiative to do so—and Yu'an was exactly the kind of student who didn't want to ask the teacher.
"Everyone, I am Jiang Baobian, the Town Guardian Cultivator of Clear Stream Market for the Red Lantern Illumination Sect.
You all might have heard my name before, but you aren't familiar with me yet.
I am a man who loves making friends above all else. By coming to my place today, all you Fellow Daoists are giving me face.
Eighth-grade spiritual material, Water Jade. It goes to the highest bidder.
Fellow Daoists, you may begin."
Even though the distance between them was very close, Yulou simply couldn't see Jiang Baobian's face clearly.
So... was this Town Guardian Cultivator very powerful?
However, the clamor in the auction hall interrupted his reverie.
Jiang Baobian had only put up a piece of eighth-grade Water Jade for sale, but all the cultivators attending the auction seemed to boil over with excitement.
Comments 1