I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 117 - 115: Utterly Domineering

Li Changfu was dumbfounded, but as an Elder, he quickly composed himself. "Wang Meng, please describe this sword’s function."

Wang Meng ignored the strange looks and jeers from the crowd. He unwrapped the sword, took it out, and smiled faintly. "This sword doesn’t have a name. As for its function... it’s just for display."

A dead silence fell over the audience. The moment Wang Meng revealed the sword, Yan Yuyue’s mind went blank.

’This sword... How is this possible? How... can it be so similar???’

’And the Sword Intent contained in this sword is so...’

Just when it seemed no one would bid, Li Tianyi stood up with a wry smile. "Why do you have to make things so difficult? Would it kill you to lower the price a little!"

Wang Meng shook his head. "Do you think it’s worth it?"

Li Tianyi shrugged helplessly. "I’ll take it."

Ning Zhiquan’s gaze had not left the sword for a single moment. The Senior of Dao Guang Hall, the number one disciple of Holy Hall Jiufen Hall, stood up for the first time. "I offer three hundred Middle-Grade and two Top-Grade Spirit Stones!"

Li Changfu was dumbfounded. He had hosted auctions for many years and had seen grander events, but he had never witnessed a more shocking one.

"Brother Ning, was that really necessary?" Li Tianyi grumbled.

"Junior Brother Tianyi, it seems you knew all along. That’s not very sporting of you," Ning Zhiquan said with a faint smile.

Now that Ning Zhiquan had made an offer, Li Tianyi hesitated.

But before the two could compete again, Yan Yuyue stood up. "I want this sword. Name your price!"

Now that was a power move. Could you get any more forceful than that?

Name your price!

Yan Yuyue was representing the Evil Lord. Whatever price you named, she would pay!

Wang Meng felt a headache coming on the moment he saw Yan Yuyue. At the same time, the way she was looking at him changed completely.

’Judging by that look, does she know something?’

Wang Meng’s heart began to pound. "This sword can only be sold to a Saint Cultivator."

The crowd immediately burst into another round of discussion. More strange things had happened today than in the past several years combined. First, they thought no one would pay such an exorbitant price. Then, people started fighting over it. And as if that weren’t enough, now the seller was refusing to sell.

What in the world was going on?

Yan Yuyue did her best to compose herself, then gave Wang Meng a thoughtful look. "Brother Ning, do you stand by what you just said?"

Although Ning Zhiquan had his own suspicions, as the Senior, he was a man of his word. How could he possibly take back what he’d said?

"Wang Meng, since you’ve put this sword up for auction, it must go to the highest bidder. You can’t break the rules of the auction. Isn’t that right, Elder Li?"

Ning Zhiquan felt compelled to speak.

Li Changfu nodded. "Wang Meng, you cannot place restrictions on the buyer. Anyone with the right to be here has the right to purchase."

Wang Meng was worried that someone connected to the sword would see it. He had no idea how Yan Yuyue had recognized it. He had forged this sword while thinking of the Silence Sword, and the Sword Intent it contained would give him away... But as he looked down at Yan Yuyue’s determined gaze, Wang Meng suddenly smiled. ’What’s wrong with me? I can just blame this whole thing on that "mysterious old man."’

"Since Brother Ning has spoken up, then... five Top-Grade Spirit Stones it is."

As soon as Wang Meng spoke, the bidding ceased. Even Li Tianyi sank back into his seat, resigned. ’This guy is ruthless.’

Zhang Liang’s mind buzzed. ’I’m rich! I’m rich!’

’Top-Grade Spirit Stones! Even the Elders have a hard time getting their hands on those. They’re treasures that even the Ancestral Masters use, and he just asked for five of them!’

Yan Yuyue, however, did not hesitate for a second. She walked up, handed over the Spirit Stones, and picked up the sword. She stared at it intently for a long moment. Wang Meng took the opportunity to try and slip away, but Yan Yuyue suddenly asked, "Your name is Wang Meng?"

Wang Meng reluctantly stopped. "What can I do for you?"

"I’ll come looking for you."

Yan Yuyue said it softly, but her tone held an undeniable finality.

Now there was a story. There was gossip to be had!

Wang Meng was speechless. There was nothing he could do. He could only hope his little ploy would work.

The auction ended, but the trades that followed were no longer the center of attention. Everyone was talking about Wang Meng, wondering about his origins. Frankly, none of them could believe he was just some kid at the Second Layer of Life Mark.

Zhou Qian and the others were particularly thrilled. They had witnessed Wang Meng’s performance firsthand. Wang Meng was one of them, and to be honest, they had never thought he was particularly incredible. Yet, he had remained so calm when facing Yan Yuyue. If it had been them, their mouths would probably have been trembling uncontrollably.

This auction once again brought glory to Thunderlight Hall, and at the same time, it shrouded Wang Meng in an aura of mystery.

But only Zhang Xiaojiang knew that Wang Meng was a genuine member of the Thunderlight Hall. While he might not have known his family tree going back eight generations, he was quite clear on what Wang Meng’s family had been doing for the past several.

This time, Thunderlight Hall had made another huge profit. It had also made a name for one person: Zhang Liang.

As the one who had set this all in motion, Zhang Liang had definitely made the right bet. His ten percent cut was an enormous sum. Most importantly, Zhang Liang had established his position in the field of intelligence. Who could match such foresight and courage?

Naturally, Li Changfu had to mention this matter to Ning Zhiquan. After all, Ning Zhiquan was destined for great things, and Li Changfu knew he was always on the lookout for new talent. This Zhang Liang could be considered an unconventional find.

After the auction, Ning Zhiquan did, in fact, summon Zhang Liang. His admiration for the man wasn’t because he was a daring risk-taker, but because of his sharp eye. So many people had misjudged the situation, yet he had picked the winner. Whether by deduction or true insight, it was a genuine skill.

"Greetings, Brother Ning." Zhang Liang still hadn’t calmed down from his excitement, his face flushed red.

"Wuqing, I recall our Dao Guang Hall has had dealings with Junior Brother Zhang before, correct?" Ning Zhiquan asked.

Gongsun Wuqing nodded. "Yes, Junior Brother Zhang often provides us with timely intelligence."

Although Gongsun Wuqing didn’t think much of someone of Zhang Liang’s caliber, he grasped Ning Zhiquan’s intentions perfectly.

"Junior Brother Zhang is a talented man," Ning Zhiquan said. "We should make things easier for him from now on. Zhang Liang, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come find me."

Zhang Liang was overcome with excitement. "Thank you, Senior! If you ever have need of me in the future, just say the word!"

Ning Zhiquan nodded in satisfaction and left with Gongsun Wuqing. For a minor figure like Zhang Liang, this level of acknowledgment was more than enough.

Watching the departing figures of Ning Zhiquan and Gongsun Wuqing, Zhang Liang’s smile slowly faded, replaced by a calm expression.

’They still see me as nothing more than a lackey to be beckoned and dismissed at will.’ Zhang Liang knew his own worth. ’Even if I have to sell my services, I’m going to sell them to the right master!’

"Zhang Liang, did Brother Ning need you for something?" Qiao Qian asked.

As the Hundred Herbs Hall was second to last in terms of strength but controlled immense wealth, Qiao Qian was very careful about managing his relationship with Ning Zhiquan.

"Senior," Zhang Liang said respectfully, "Brother Ning encouraged me to continue working hard and use my unique skills to serve the Holy Hall."

"Haha, good! Since Brother Ning thinks so highly of you, you mustn’t let him down. However, you are a disciple of our Hundred Herbs Hall. Don’t forget where your true loyalties lie."

"Please rest assured, Senior. I’m not one to bite the hand that feeds me. As it happens, a business opportunity has just presented itself, and I’d like to ask for your guidance," Zhang Liang said.

(Started writing after dinner tonight. I messed around for ages, and by nearly 9 p.m., I’d only written a few hundred words. I was about to go home, but then I thought, ’I have to at least earn back my coffee money.’ And then I ended up writing over five thousand words in one go. Life is just so full of comedic twists, hoho.)