Chapter 87: The Mercy of Blacksmith Young Lin!
"Master Young Lin is too kind! He really… I'm gonna cry!!!"
"He was worried we'd fall to our deaths, so he's giving away the flying technique for free!!"
"I hereby declare that I am now Master Young Lin's loyal dog! Woof! Woof woof woof!"
There was no doubt that Jiang Lin's "buy the flying device, get the flying technique free" bundle had earned him massive goodwill among the major powers of Wutan City. From now on, regardless of whether someone had purchased Jiang Lin's Dou Devices or not, they'd have to show him some respect—or risk offending others in the city who had benefited from his generosity.
'Bunch of fools. I only gave you the technique because I didn't want you crashing and dying, then coming back to haunt me. Now, if you fall to your deaths, I can at least say you deserved it, and not get blamed as the guy who sold you the wings,' Jiang Lin silently cursed, sitting at the edge of the backstage area, watching the chaos and dog-like cheering in the auction hall, his face twitching.
Jiang Lin absolutely hated when people got overly sentimental toward him. The moment someone thanked him sincerely, he'd feel like Xiao Yan was crawling up his spine, or Ying Jiang was burrowing into his blankets—completely uncomfortable.
At this point, most people who could afford the Dual-Blade Feather Sheath Wings had some level of influence. If the weaklings died using it, their powerful elders might come looking for revenge. Jiang Lin had to think ahead.
"That kid… he's got some decency in him after all," Yao Chen commented within Xiao Yan's mind, giving what he considered high praise.
"No more chatter—let the bidding begin for the Dual-Blade Feather Sheath Wings. Starting price: 50,000 gold coins." Gu Ni carefully removed the folded wings and solemnly placed them into a sandalwood box, which Ya Fei held in both hands.
No sooner had he spoken than a voice from the floor called out loudly:
"100,000 gold coins!"
"What the—?! Doubled right away? It's just a Tier-One Dou Device! Does this guy even know how to play?" Gasps erupted across the auction hall, and everyone turned to look at the bidder.
Under the stares, Mu Yun of the Mu Clan let out a cold chuckle. "A Tier-One flying Dou Device that comes with a matching flying technique—no need to hold back, everyone. Let's finish this up and go home."
Normally, a Tier-One Dou Device went for a few thousand gold coins. But a flying Dou Device? For anyone below Dou Wang, it was practically equivalent to a Beast Shaping Pill—or rather, it was a "Dou Wang Experience Pill" for the under-leveled.
"200,000!" A calm middle-aged man called out next. Mu Yun turned and recognized him—it was Lin Hong, president of the Wutan City Mercenary Guild and a seven-star Da Dou Shi. Usually absent from public events, his appearance alone showed just how tempting flight was for those below Dou Wang.
Noticing Mu Yun's glance, Lin Hong smiled. "Gentlemen, how about letting me take this one? When the next batch arrives in three months, I'll gladly offer some flying tips for free."
The crowd booed in response. Who the hell wanted his lousy flying tips? The Mercenary Guild was permanently neutral and didn't get involved in secular affairs. Lin Hong was just a paper tiger in most people's eyes.
"250,000!" shouted the Ao Ba Clan's patriarch. He had intended to say 210,000 but feared offending Lin Hong, so he gritted his teeth and bumped it higher.
On stage, Ya Fei's eyes sparkled with surprise and joy. Who would've thought a mere Tier-One Dou Device could fetch such a sky-high price? But Gu Ni frowned—he knew this was a bad sign.
So he quickly added, "Buy early, enjoy early. Wait too long, and you'll miss out. The Dual-Blade Wings are not a unique item—there will be more."
But no one paid attention. Mu Yun, representing the Mu Clan—one of the three great families—furrowed his brows and declared, "300,000!"
That was Mu Yun's limit. If anyone went higher, he'd have to give up. The wings were important to the Mu Clan. He wanted to bring one back to the Jia Ma Holy City to prove to the clan elders that they should partner with the Miteer Family early. Of course, having the device in hand would be more convincing. Without seeing it today, he would never have believed something this simple and effective existed.
'In that case, that crimson-gold streak I saw in the Magic Beast Mountain Range… must've been Jiang Lin testing his flying device,' Mu Yun thought to himself.
"310,000," Lin Hong said again, then offered Mu Yun a bitter smile. "Brother of the Blood Beast Team, I'm low on coin too—please don't push the price just to mess with me."
The auction hall quieted. Ever since Mu Yun jumped the bid to 100,000, most people had been priced out.
Neither the Jia Lie Patriarch nor Xiao Zhan made a move. Though both were tempted, the Jia Lie Clan had recently spent 300,000–400,000 gold, draining their reserves. As for Xiao Zhan, he knew the Xiao Clan could only scrape together about 300,000. Between the wings and the Dragon Flame Art, he had to choose. From a clan perspective, the fire-type technique was the clear winner.
The Xiao Clan severely lacked high-level fire-type techniques. For some reason, although many had been passed down by their ancestors, they always seemed to mysteriously go missing. Now, their best one was only a high-tier Huang technique...
In another booth, cloaked and veiled, a delicate silhouette had some thoughts about that.
Sigh... The Xiao Clan is still so reckless. If any of you reach Dou Wang, with that surname, you're likely finished. Under the black hood, Xiao Xun'er had arrived at the auction with Ling Ying. She was there to intercept the Dragon Flame Art if no one challenged Xiao Zhan. If needed, Ling Ying would bid on it directly.
I remember Father once said he'd let them change their surname. Becoming a powerful clan in a remote region wouldn't be impossible... But the Xiao Clan's ancestors would rather die than change their name. So be it—live on as a fringe clan.
Long ago, the Xiao Clan had ties with the Gu Clan. The Gu Clan had once promised to protect them. If the Xiao Clan had agreed to change its name and go into hiding, the Gu Clan would've raised them as royalty. But they refused.
So Gu Yuan's version of "protection" was simply turning them into an insignificant little clan no one would associate with the name Xiao.
(END CHAPTER)
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