Chapter 733: Each Person’s Desire
Chen Wentian glanced at the two men who sat to either side of him. They were Immortal Wolf Hunter Nan Lang and Immortal Sky Monkey Gu Lan. They were within the most exclusive private box in the center of the Grand Auction House that overlooked all the action. It was one of three such boxes with one reserved for the immortals of the lion faction while the last one was left empty. It was a symbolic gesture as it used to be the snake lord’s seat.
Nan Lang was the same as before, a meat mountain of a man, covered in thick muscles and not ashamed to show them off. His attire was like a mountain bandit, a simple sleeveless shirt that barely covered anything.
Gu Lan’s appearance was akin to a wizened daoist from children’s tales, with a long wispy white beard and white hair. His body was so frail that a casual gust of wind might cause him to topple over. However, his eyes contained a bright glint, with ample intelligence and experience gathered from his long life.
At this time, the auction was about to start. Most of the participants had gathered and they were just waiting for the last stragglers. A ray of spiritual energy suddenly flew through the balcony and landed on the small table in front of the three immortals. It transformed into a small crimson bird and then disappeared.
Nan Lang let out a barking laugh, “Looks like our lord and the lion lord are about to fight again. Finally.”
He made an eager face as he wanted it to happen.
Gu Lan slowly sipped a cup of tea and said to Chen Wentian, “Heh, little brother Nan is always looking for a good fight.”
“That’s right!” Nan Lang said, raising a large fist.
Chen Wentian shook his head, “Aren't you worried? If your two factions fight, won’t the streets of Beast God City see blood again? It has not even been a year since the insect siege.”
Gu Lan smiled, “Little brother Chen, you misunderstand. Our two sides, we won’t fight it out in the streets. We will instead fight it out in all other aspects. Our disciples will clash in the wild during missions and training outside. Our people will compete in various business ventures and resources. And especially during this auction, we absolutely cannot lose to the lion faction.”Nan Lang laughed and pitched in, “This time, we have Brother Chen. Although victory today is not assured, I think we are off to a good start.”
These two men were disciples of the eagle lord Qu Shen. Thus, they had similar personalities. There was no need to question their loyalties. Unlike the mortals that could be turned to support the rebirth of a third faction, there was no point even trying with these two.
Chen Wentian also smiled, “Brother Gu, Brother Nan, I will humbly accept your good impressions of me. It makes me glad that came to this city. Speaking of which, are there any items that Brother Gu and Brother Nan are specifically looking out for? We can coordinate our efforts and give the lion faction a good beating.”
He had brought along a large amount of money to this venture. All of it came from the compensation he had received from the gift duel at the Virtuous Order. He had to thank that idiot Yang Gehu for the absolute windfall. Ten Thousand Flower Valley had a lot of expenses, especially since they had to support so many extra provinces. Even so, they had barely made a dent in the massive fortune.
The two other immortals glanced at each other and it was Nan Lang who spoke first. He was still in his prime with an age of no more than one hundred or so. He was hotblooded and a man of action.
“My interest is definitely in spiritual weapons and spiritual armor. During chaotic battles in the wild and during tough missions where unexpected things can happen, what can make the difference for mortals and immortals alike are weapons and armor. A man without a good weapon is not a man at all, just a piece of meat waiting to be devoured.”
Chen Wentian nodded along as the man kept talking about the various weapons and armor that were in the catalog. Many of them were good items with excellent quality. Although they were not at the Spirit Lord Realm, there were quite a few that had broken through to the Lesser Realms. They were suitable weapons even for immortals as not every Spirit Lord was fortunate enough to obtain a Spirit Lord Realm item.
“What about you? Brother Gu?” Chen Wentian asked.
The old immortal was thoughtful and said in a soft, steady voice, “A person of my age has to consider the next generation. My cultivation path is at an end but there will always be youths to take up the challenge and shoulder the responsibilities. It is the responsibility of old farts like me to help them along.”
Chen Wentian nodded. This man was more open-minded than most immortals of equal age. Others would struggle for one last chance to break through or give up and retreat into closed-door meditation, seeking to prolong their life as long as possible. This Gu Lan was thinking not for himself but for the sect as a whole.
Gu Lan continued, “This time around, several treasures that improve fertility and birth have appeared in the auction. Some have come from the southern ocean while some…”
He glanced at Chen Wentian with a small smile, “…have come the Martial Brilliance Continent to the north. I supposed this was the handiwork of little brother Chen?”
“Correct, I also have similar thoughts to Brother Gu,” Chen Wentian said, “Developing disciples and the next generation is indeed important for the future of a sect. On this matter, the Virtuous Order of Chunzhen can be considered an expert among experts. Their pills not only improve the chance of conception for high-level female cultivators, they also increase the chance the offspring will receive their parents’ talents. Of course, there are more powerful methods but they are reserved for their sacred daughters.”
“I see. Then I will not hold back and compete for these items.” Gu Lan said.
“Haha, good. Then, what about you, Brother Chen?” Nan Lang asked, “What do you desire from this auction?”
Chen Wentian scratched his head and laughed in embarrassment, “Actually, I am not sure.”
The two men looked at him with strange expressions.
He chuckled and explained, “It is like this, my disciples all cultivate differently. My own Dao is something that encountered by chance and thus, it is impossible for me to pass on them. I am helping each of them to make progress on unique paths of cultivation that are suitable for them. Therefore, what I need from this auction, I really don’t know. If I see something good, I will buy it. If I don’t see anything, maybe I won’t buy anything. Weapons and armor are good but they have little to do with one’s Dao unless they are specifically cultivating a weapon or armor Dao. I am also not interested in having offspring at this moment. I am solely focused on my disciples for the moment.”
Nan Lang and Gu Lan’s expressions became better upon hearing Chen Wentian’s words, especially the part about him not being able to pass on his cultivation art. This was unfortunate for him but suited the Beast God Sanctum just fine. He had some talented disciples but they were few in number. He could be a useful ally but his influence within their faction could never surpass theirs.
For Chen Wentian, he had told no lies just now. Everything was the harmless truth. It just so happened that it had the intended effect, making him seem frivolous and unassuming.
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