Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 377: Chapter 212: Heavy Stone, Zhenjin Soft Armor - 2

The elder of the Mad Saber Sect revealed a somewhat resentful expression upon hearing these words: ”Since the Governor Mansion also desires this Heavy Stone, we shall yield it to you. We only hope that when the time comes to enter the Red Cloud Secret Domain, you could look out for us, the Mad Saber Sect.”

The chief steward, seeing the Mad Saber Sect display such understanding, responded with a smile but did not give a direct answer.

After the Mad Saber Sect backed out, the Giant Sword Sect and the Thousand Poison Sect followed suit.

Mu Yingyou’s expression became a bit uneasy at this, and she directly ignored the chief steward’s signaling glance, focusing her gaze on the Haoyang Sect and Wen Mingyan.

”You two, this Heavy Stone is quite the rare treasure. If you were to purchase it and craft a restriction with it, it would surely become an excellent place for your disciples to temper their movement techniques!”

Although the Haoyang Sect did not fear the Governor Mansion, their sect already had a similar place for tempering movement techniques, so they were willing to show the Governor Mansion some courtesy.

The elder of the Haoyang Sect glanced at the Governor Mansion’s chief steward and then smiled: ”Our Haoyang Sect holds no interest in this item, so we won’t be bidding. Better to inquire with Peak Master Wen.”

The Governor Mansion’s chief steward narrowed his eyes and stared at Wen Mingyan, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the sofa. A silent pressure emanated from him.

”Master... Should we bid?” Gu Sheng whispered hesitantly, sensing the tense atmosphere.

Wen Mingyan smiled faintly: ”Of course we need to bid! The Water Cold Sword I gifted you could gain even greater effects if refined further with this Heavy Stone. Others might fear the Governor Mansion, but I don’t!”

Wen Mingyan raised his hand, ”Five million one hundred thousand!”

The Governor Mansion’s chief steward’s expression immediately darkened. While reluctant to part with the Heavy Stone, his previous words had already been spoken. To bid again now would mean publicly contradicting himself. He chuckled coldly, ”Hah! Then congratulations to Peak Master Wen! I hope this item helps produce disciples in your Holy Pill Sect that are worth some attention, or else, in a few years, your sect might struggle to even retain the standing of the two sects.”

The chief steward’s words were sharp and laced with mockery toward the Holy Pill Sect.

In the past, Wen Mingyan might have responded timidly, but now, with Gu Sheng present, Wen Mingyan was sure that Gu Sheng would showcase the brilliance of the Holy Pill Sect in the upcoming Red Cloud Secret Domain. Thus, he had no need to act submissively anymore.

Wen Mingyan grinned, ”Chief Steward, did you grow up drinking seawater? Taking concern even for the matters of my Holy Pill Sect?”

Seeing Wen Mingyan so boldly refusing to show face, the chief steward’s face instantly flushed red.

Mu Yingyou held back a chuckle and struck the small hammer in her hand: ”Congratulations to the Holy Pill Sect on acquiring the Heavy Stone!”

Soon after, a beautiful woman presented a tray. This time, Mu Yingyou did not tease but directly lifted the red cloth from the tray, revealing a set of golden soft armor inside.

Mu Yingyou called over two staff members to lift the soft armor and display it to the crowd.

The soft armor consisted of a top and pants, entirely golden in color. It was unclear what material it was forged from, but it exuded a subtle and understated charm.

”This item is called the Vibrant Gold Battle Armor. Don’t be deceived by its current fabric-like softness—once it takes a hit, it instantly hardens! Even someone at the first or second layer of marrow refining would struggle to break through it in a short time! This item comes from Helian Zhengyi of the Helian family, and its grade is Low Grade Mystical Level! I won’t elaborate any further: the starting bid is five million taels, with each increment no less than twenty thousand! Let the bidding begin!”

A Mystical-level Treasure of Low Grade was a highly valuable asset for any faction.

Even the Helian family, Red Cloud Prefecture’s strongest artifact refining clan, only managed to produce a few Low Grade Mystical-level Treasures each year.

Whenever such treasures became available, fierce competition was inevitable.

The Governor Mansion also understood the importance of a Mystical-level Treasure to sects and refrained from issuing threats this time.

Mystical-level Treasures required no prompting from Mu Yingyou; the Governor Mansion, two sects, three sects, and the three major powerful families—excluding the Mu family—all fiercely competed among themselves.

Within mere minutes, the price of the Vibrant Gold Battle Armor had already surpassed the eight million mark.

This price was already nearing the peak value of a Low Grade Mystical-level Treasure. Now, each bidding party began exercising restraint, as the next auction item was still to come, and their budgets could only accommodate one selection.

The highest bid at the moment came from the Wu family at eight million two hundred thousand. During this time, Wen Mingyan had not made any bid, leaving Gu Sheng to assume that they wouldn’t be participating. However, just as Mu Yingyou was about to strike her hammer, Wen Mingyan suddenly raised his hand and softly called out, ”Eight million eight hundred thousand!”

This immediately added sixty thousand to the bid. Considering the market price, this amount was close to what even Mystical Mid Grade Treasures could fetch.

Although the other factions could afford this price, after some comparison, they all chose to withdraw. The Vibrant Gold Battle Armor ended up in Wen Mingyan’s hands.

The final auction item was a Mystical Mid Grade spear.

Weapons generally had better acceptance than armor, and after a brief introduction by Mu Yingyou, the various factions began bidding aggressively.

Wen Mingyan showed no interest in this item and didn’t even glance at it.

Eventually, the spear was claimed by the Governor Mansion for the hefty price of one million one hundred forty thousand!

After the auction ended, the factions gradually left, while Wen Mingyan and Gu Sheng stayed behind to wait for Mu Yingyou to finish her tasks.

When Mu Yingyou finally wrapped up her work, spotting Wen Mingyan and Gu Sheng still lounging leisurely, a hint of delight flickered in her gaze.

As Mu Yingyou approached, Gu Sheng immediately stood up, as Wen Mingyan had taught him, and respectfully bowed to her, addressing her, ”Disciple Gu Sheng greets Master’s Wife.”

Mu Yingyou froze for a moment upon hearing this: ”What did you just call me?”

Gu Sheng managed his expression carefully and repeated, ”Disciple Gu Sheng greets Master’s Wife!”

Mu Yingyou looked over at Wen Mingyan—who was nonchalantly drinking tea—and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

”Alright, alright! Wait here, I’ll fetch your greeting gift!”

Watching Mu Yingyou’s innocent, child-like smile, Gu Sheng felt a pang of guilt: ”Master, is this really okay?”

Wen Mingyan flicked Gu Sheng’s forehead, ”Why are you overthinking this? Tarnishing my reputation benefits you—if I’m fine with it, why shouldn’t you be? You wait here; I’ll head to the outskirts of town first. Later, tell her I’ve gone ahead to Yuxiang Building to reserve a table for dinner, then find some excuse to slip away on your own.”

With that, Wen Mingyan darted off without giving Gu Sheng a chance to stop him.

Fifteen minutes later, Mu Yingyou returned with a wooden box, smiling brightly.

”Huh? Where’s your master?” Mu Yingyou’s brows furrowed upon noticing Wen Mingyan’s absence.

Gu Sheng quickly composed himself, saying, ”Oh, Master mentioned that he’s missed you after all these years apart, so he headed to Yuxiang Building to reserve a table for dinner to catch up with you.”

”Really?” Mu Yingyou asked excitedly.

Although Gu Sheng felt pangs of guilt, he had no choice but to nod: ”Of course it’s true! Master even said you’re dressed too formally today and that he’s still fond of how you looked before.”

Gu Sheng had completely fabricated that last remark to give himself a chance to escape.

Mu Yingyou, hearing this, was as happy as a child. She handed the wooden box to Gu Sheng: ”This is my greeting gift for you! Wait here, I’m going to change into something else!”

As soon as Mu Yingyou left, Gu Sheng already clutching the box, bolted from the scene.

Back in her room, Mu Yingyou sifted through several dresses before settling on a flowing celestial blue gown.

After changing, she sat at her vanity and carefully redid her makeup. Once fully prepared, she returned to the auction hall.

”Hmm? Where is everyone?”

When Mu Yingyou arrived at the auction hall, Gu Sheng was nowhere to be found either. Frowning, she asked around and learned that Gu Sheng had already left Mu’s Trading House.

”Could he have gone directly to Yuxiang Building?”

With this thought, Mu Yingyou quickly headed for Yuxiang Building.

Yuxiang Building was the most upscale restaurant in Red Cloud Prefecture’s city, frequented by prominent figures.

The attendants here were quite familiar with the notable experts of the region. Upon seeing the elegantly dressed Mu Yingyou, one immediately stepped forward to greet her.

”Honorable Mu, the Tianzi Room No. 8 is still reserved for you. Shall we keep the menu as usual?”