Chubby and Oily Chen Chang'an

Chen Chang'an was a man who believed in fairness—how others treated him, he would treat them the same in return. Since Elder Ma couldn’t speak politely, Chen Chang'an saw no reason to hold back. That simply wasn’t his style.

Chen Chang'an’s words instantly darkened Elder Ma’s expression. So, the rumors were true—this brat really was arrogant, thinking his potential gave him the right to act without restraint?

"Good, good, good."

"The rumors don’t lie. Chen Chang'an, you truly are as insolent as they say!"

"But do you even know where you are? You dare cause trouble here?" Elder Ma sneered.

"All I know is that this is an auction house—a place of business."

"Is this how you treat your guests?"

"Is this your so-called hospitality?" Chen Chang'an retorted with a cold laugh.

His words made Elder Ma frown. He couldn’t deny that he had been the one to provoke Chen Chang'an first.

He had simply taken a dislike to the young man’s attitude, but he hadn’t expected the other party to show no fear at all.

For a moment, Elder Ma was at a loss. After a brief pause, he spoke indifferently, "The item you want is here."

"However... the auction for it has likely already begun. Recently, this is the only one of its kind available."

"Whether you can secure it depends entirely on your own means."

"If there’s nothing else, you may leave."

The auction had already started?

Without hesitation, Chen Chang'an turned and strode straight toward the auction hall.

"Hmph, act all high and mighty now. The day will come when you’ll weep."

"If it weren’t for the uproar over the event three days from now, I’d have taught you a proper lesson today."

The matter of Chen Chang'an attempting to challenge for the Violet Gold Medal in three days had caused too much of a stir. At this moment, no one would dare lay a hand on him.

After all, everyone wanted to see whether Chen Chang'an would succeed—or how miserably he would fail. Acting now would only spoil the spectacle.

In the auction hall, the item Chen Chang'an sought—the Soul Restoration Herb—was currently being auctioned.

"Fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones! The current bid stands at fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones! Are there any higher offers?"

"Esteemed guests, while the Soul Restoration Herb may not be a supreme treasure, its effects on healing the soul are remarkably potent."

"As cultivators, we all know that a damaged soul can halt our progress for life."

"This item is far from useless. Our auction house currently has only this single herb in stock. A rare opportunity—once missed, who knows how long you’ll have to wait for another?"

"Sixty thousand! I bid sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"

"Seventy thousand! Seventy thousand here!"

"Hmph, I offer one hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"

The auctioneer certainly knew how to stir the crowd. Though the Soul Restoration Herb was valuable, its price shouldn’t exceed one hundred fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

Yet, thanks to his persuasive words, the bids kept climbing, now reaching two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

"Two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones! Are there no further offers?"

"Truly, no one else wishes to bid?"

The auctioneer’s gaze swept across the room, gauging the reactions of the attendees.

Seeing no further interest, he decided not to drag it out.

"Two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones—going once!"

"Two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones—going twice!"

"Two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones—"

"Ten thousand!"

Huh?

Ten thousand?

The bid left everyone stunned. Was this some kind of joke?

Causing trouble at this auction house? This was an establishment under the City Lord of No Return City. Did this person have a death wish?

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice—and then widened in shock.

A Platinum Medal holder… this young?

"Who is this guy? Such audacity!"

"Holy—Chen Chang'an?"

"Eh? That’s Chen Chang'an?"

"This kid’s getting more reckless by the day. He dares to disrupt things here?"

"Just a fool with no sense of self-preservation. Let’s see how he plans to get out of this mess."

Even the auctioneer turned to look, finally getting a glimpse of this infamous figure.

"Esteemed guest, the current bid for the Soul Restoration Herb stands at two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

"Your offer of ten thousand… is insufficient."

"If you truly wish to purchase it, you may place a new bid," the auctioneer said with a polite smile.

"Ten thousand it is."

"However, I meant ten thousand high-grade spirit stones."

Hiss—

The second part of his statement sent a collective gasp through the crowd.

Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones? Had this kid lost his mind?

This was sheer extravagance! Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones equated to one million mid-grade spirit stones.

And he was spending that much on this overpriced herb?

"You… you’re certain about ten thousand high-grade spirit stones?" Even the auctioneer was taken aback by Chen Chang'an’s wealth.

"I’m certain," Chen Chang'an replied coolly.

"Very well!"

"Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones—going once!"

"Ten thousand premium spirit stones, going twice."

"Ten thousand premium spirit stones, going thrice."

"Sold!"

"This Spirit-Nourishing Herb now belongs to the esteemed guest."

"Please proceed with the payment."

"Very well."

"Ah, since you hold a Platinum Medal, you are entitled to a twenty percent discount. Thus, you only need to pay eight thousand premium spirit stones."

At this moment, even the auctioneer felt a pang of regret—two thousand premium spirit stones, equivalent to two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones! The discount alone surpassed the highest bid before Chen Chang'an's appearance.

After paying the eight thousand premium spirit stones, Chen Chang'an took the Spirit-Nourishing Herb and left the auction house without delay.

It wasn’t until he had departed that the crowd finally snapped out of their daze.

"Damn, how does he have that much wealth?"

"Does this kid even know the meaning of discretion? 'A common man’s wealth is his own ruin'—isn’t he afraid of being targeted?"

"Hmph, riding high on recent fame, he’s grown reckless. Once he fails the Violet-Gold Medal challenge, plenty will come for him."

"Let him bask in his arrogance for now. Soon enough, he’ll learn the price of his recklessness."

No one expected that after leaving the auction, Chen Chang'an would immediately head straight for the city gates.

"Eh? Isn’t that Chen Chang'an? Where’s he going?"

"That looks like the direction to the city exit!"

"What? Chen Chang'an is leaving the city? Is he running scared?"

"Hard to say. Maybe he has urgent business."

His sudden departure puzzled many, yet no one could guess his intentions.

As a Platinum Medal holder, Chen Chang'an possessed the privilege of freely entering and exiting the City of No Return.

However, when he reached the gates, he encountered the same guards who had been on duty when he first arrived.

"Y-you… you’ve already attained the Platinum Medal?"

The lead guard stared at Chen Chang'an in shock. After all, this man had been in the City of No Return for less than three full days.

Could it be…?

"You wouldn’t happen to be the Chen Chang'an from the recent rumors, would you?" the guard stammered.

"Indeed, it’s me."

"I—by the heavens! Aren’t you about to compete for the Violet-Gold Medal? Why leave the city now?" the guard asked, bewildered.

"I have matters to attend to."

"Matters? May I ask… where exactly are you headed?"

"The Forest of Life and Death."

"What?! You’re going to the Forest of Life and Death?"