Chapter 345: Things Are Becoming More and More Absurd
At the Wanbao Pavilion auction, the moment a Great Sage spoke, countless voices echoed in agreement.
"Indeed. Since fellow Daoist is a Great Sage, you should know how difficult it is to break through from Nirvana to Half-Saint. Do not let a careless boast ruin your reputation."
"Words to trick juniors may be said casually in private, but speaking them in public is nothing short of a joke."
"..."
Inside the private room, Chu Feng slowly opened his eyes. The words from outside flowed unceasingly into his ears, yet his expression did not show the slightest hint of surprise.
He simply let his gaze fall upon the Golden-Winged Great Sage. Without speaking, just one look was enough for the latter to understand instantly.
With Chu Feng's backing, the Golden-Winged Great Sage immediately retorted, "Just because you all cannot do it, does not mean my elder brother cannot. If you have the ability, keep raising the bid. If you do not, then stop spouting nonsense here."
These words directly mocked every Great Sage present.
"Hmph!"
From another private room came a cold snort, and with it, a powerful pressure surged forth, enveloping Chu Feng and his group.
Normally, Elder Liu, the auctioneer, would have stopped such behavior, but today, for some reason, he subconsciously wished to see how the strong man in that room would respond.
After all, to aid a Nirvana cultivator in breaking through to Half-Saint—such a feat was not something even a Great Sage could achieve easily. Even Saints would have to expend significant effort.
Clap!
Chu Feng casually snapped his fingers, and the oppressive force dissolved instantly.
The Great Sage who released it never expected his pressure to be dispelled so effortlessly. He quickly said, "Pardon the disturbance. This old man withdraws from the bidding."
Chu Feng still said nothing, calmly closing his eyes again as though nothing had happened.
The Golden-Winged Great Sage turned to Elder Liu, the auctioneer. "Old man, have you forgotten your duty?"
Elder Liu, one of the prominent faces of Wanbao Pavilion, had never been treated this way before. A trace of displeasure flickered in his eyes, but it vanished quickly.
"Fellow Daoist speaks true. It was my negligence."
He gave an apologetic nod before continuing the auction.
"Now then, is there anyone else willing to raise the bid?"
The Great Sages present fell silent. None of them were fools. That near-silent clash between two Great Sages had not escaped their eyes.
Clearly, the person in that private room was no ordinary Great Sage. Though supreme saint artifacts were rare, offending such a figure for one was not worth the risk.
"Three Enlightenment Pills, plus assistance in helping a Thunderclap Manor King-level expert break through, once."
"Twice."
"Sold!"
As Elder Liu's gavel struck, the entire hall fell into stunned silence. None had expected the auction to conclude in such a manner.
Yet curiosity burned stronger than disappointment. Everyone wanted to know who exactly was seated inside that private room.
"Those who secured today's item, please follow me to the rear courtyard to complete the final transaction."
"Wait."
A Great Sage's voice rang out from another private room.
Elder Liu smiled politely. "I wonder what else fellow Daoist requires?"
The Great Sage replied, "It is not that we doubt Wanbao Pavilion's integrity, but we wish to witness this transaction with our own eyes."
Another Great Sage echoed, "Yes. We are not unreasonable. We only wish to concede defeat wholeheartedly."
"Heh."
The Golden-Winged Great Sage chuckled. "This is the first time I have seen anyone lose so poorly."
"You!!!"
Several Great Sages trembled with fury, nearly unable to restrain themselves from striking out.
Even Elder Liu could not help but feel tense, quickly interjecting, "This matter requires the consent of both parties. What do the two parties involved say?"
Just then, a booming voice resounded from another private room within the auction hall.
"We of Thunderclap Manor are willing to let everyone bear witness."
Inside the room, two elderly men were both excited and nervous. Excited because their manor had the chance to gain a new Great Sage, nervous because they were uncertain if this was truly reliable.
This time, the Golden-Winged Great Sage did not speak immediately. Instead, he looked to Chu Feng, who made an "OK" gesture.
Only then did he say, "No problem. But the location will be decided by you."
Elder Liu of Wanbao Pavilion said, "Our Wanbao Pavilion can provide a palace hall."
For Wanbao Pavilion, this was an immense opportunity to boost its reputation. Even if the one making the move was not from their pavilion, through this auction alone, a new Great Sage might emerge. Their influence would certainly rise to new heights.
The cultivators present had never expected things to develop this way. Many who had considered leaving early, or even ambushing outside to seize resources, abandoned their original plans.
To witness the birth of a Great Sage—this was a once-in-centuries opportunity. Perhaps, by basking in such fortune, they too might gain a breakthrough.
At the same time, the auction finally drew to a close.
Apart from the cultivators who went backstage to complete their transactions, the rest remained behind, eager to catch a glimpse of the Great Sage.
Before long, the door to the private room opened. A man wearing a golden eagle mask stepped out first, his body radiating Great Sage pressure, causing many to immediately avert their eyes.
Next came a man and a woman, accompanied by two young girls.
The man and woman both wore white robes and wide-brimmed hats veiled with white gauze. The two girls at their sides wore masks—one a fox, the other a rabbit.
No one dared extend their divine sense to spy on them. To provoke a Great Sage would be to invite death, and even Wanbao Pavilion could not protect them.
As Chu Feng's group emerged, Elder Liu hurriedly came forward to greet them. "Fellow Daoists, I have already prepared carriages. Do you wish to proceed to the palace hall now, or rest for a while first?"
The Golden-Winged Great Sage replied, "We are pressed for time. Let us go now."
Elder Liu: "..."
Could you not be so absurd? This was guiding a Nirvana expert to break through to Half-Saint.
From your mouth it sounded no more difficult than eating or drinking water.
The other cultivators present harbored the same thought, though none dared voice it aloud.
The most exasperated were the Thunderclap Manor cultivators. They now seriously suspected that the Great Sage might be toying with them.
"Very well, please follow me."
Suppressing his helplessness, Elder Liu could only proceed according to plan.
Before long, Chu Feng's group boarded the carriage prepared by Wanbao Pavilion and set off toward the designated palace hall.
Behind them followed several more carriages, each carrying a Great Sage.
At the rear trailed the cultivators of Thunderclap Manor.
After about an hour, the convoy halted before a grand palace hall.
"Honored guests, we have arrived," came a respectful voice from outside.
"Hm."
The Golden-Winged Great Sage answered indifferently, then opened the carriage door and stepped down. Yet he did not enter first. Instead, he quietly stood beside the carriage, waiting.
To onlookers, his bearing resembled that of an old servant awaiting his master's descent.
Though the sight was strange, no one commented. They all chose to watch silently.
Chu Feng alighted unhurriedly, casting a glance at the palace before him. He murmured, "This place is quite suitable for preserving one's health. When I grow old, I shall have one built as well."
The cultivators: ???
Amid their bewildered stares, Chu Feng and his group entered the palace.
Naturally, they chose the most luxurious and spacious hall as their residence.
The other Great Sages each took up quarters in different palaces, all sharing one trait—every hall chosen was far from the one occupied by that masked Great Sage.
The reason was simple: no one wished to endure further mockery from that "golden bird-man."
The Thunderclap Manor cultivators, meanwhile, stood uneasily at Elder Liu's side.
King of the Thunderblade said, "Elder Liu, I must trouble you to accompany me inside later."
Having seen much in his lifetime, Elder Liu had steadied his heart during the carriage ride, though earlier events had been absurd.
"Of course. I shall send someone to inquire, and then we can pay our respects to that Great Sage together."
"Many thanks, senior."
The King of the Thunderblade breathed a long sigh of relief. His original plan had been to purchase the Thunder God's Sacred Hammer and immediately return to Thunderclap Manor to enter seclusion.
Never did he expect events to unfold like this. After all, who attempted a breakthrough without choosing a quiet, secluded place?
And now he was to attempt it under the eyes of numerous Great Sages. What sort of madness was this?
A short while later, the King of the Thunderblade and Elder Liu arrived outside the hall where Chu Feng's group resided.
Inside, Chu Feng sat leisurely with Bing Yan, sipping tea.
The Golden-Winged Great Sage was receiving visitors outside. Upon seeing them, he asked at once, "Who is it that seeks to break through to Half-Saint?"
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