Daqian Martial Saint

”Elder Lan, Miss Lan, we’ve arrived.”

Liu Gongxi said respectfully, giving a slight bow.

”Thank you, Lord Liu,” Lan Yingying replied, her tone placid and faintly distant.

”It’s no trouble at all! It’s my duty,” Liu Gongxi said with a smile. ”It is my honor to be of service to Elder Lan and Miss Lan!”

Lan Yingying gave a slight nod and, without further pleasantries, stepped into the private box before them. Lan Yingjun followed close behind.

”The auction will last three days. I hope you both acquire many wonderful treasures!”

At the door to the box, Liu Gongxi offered a couple more compliments, then clasped his hands and took his leave.

He was the Defense Commander of the Beicang Garrison, a position at the Deputy Commander-in-Chief level, and considered a prominent figure within the Governor System. Yet, with Xue Kunsheng’s precedent, he dared not show the slightest arrogance in the face of a Pseudo Grandmaster like Lan Yingying. Throughout the entire process, his posture and tone remained exceedingly deferential.

As the most prestigious spot in the auction hall, the top-floor box was lavishly decorated in a magnificent, opulent style. The front of the box featured a massive, transparent crystal that served as a one-way window. From the inside, one had a panoramic view of the entire auction hall, but from the outside, it looked like nothing more than a reflective surface.

”Ying’Er, is something on your mind?” Lan Yingying asked, looking at Lan Yingjun with a hint of concern in her eyes.

She’d noticed that Lan Yingjun had seemed distracted for a while now.

”It’s not that, Mother. It’s just... there’s something I can’t figure out,” Lan Yingjun said charmingly.

”Tell me about it. Perhaps I can help you sort it out,” Lan Yingying said, her interest piqued.

Although she was Lan Yingjun’s master, their relationship was less like that of a typical master and disciple and more like that of a close mother and daughter. In fact, that was precisely how Lan Yingjun addressed her. Of course, given her age, this ”Mother” could have easily been Lan Yingjun’s great-great-grandmother.

In response to Lan Yingying’s question, Lan Yingjun didn’t hold back and immediately shared what she was thinking.

Just moments before, as they were approaching the special entrance, she had glimpsed Mang Blade Chen Ping’an from behind. The young man’s figure was gallant, standing as tall and straight as a pine tree.

He had the air of a gentle scholar, yet also that of a peerless general.

Watching from a distance, she saw the young man speaking with a woman at the entrance, his expression humble. The morning light bathed him in a golden glow, making him seem all the more handsome and remarkable.

Whether it was the impact of the scene or something else, a flicker of doubt suddenly sparked in Lan Yingjun’s mind.

’Could a young prodigy like him really be so burdened by his fame?’

”Mother, looking back, he was far too composed when he refused my challenge. There was no fear, no restraint—just a serene and peaceful calm. He didn’t seem at all like someone worried about their reputation, calculating every move,” Lan Yingjun expressed her thoughts.

Lan Yingying listened intently to Lan Yingjun’s explanation, waiting until she was finished. She didn’t offer any judgment, but simply asked her a question.

”Ying’Er, do you still think he was lying back then?”

”Of course he was lying! There wasn’t the slightest scent of medicine on him. It’s just... I’m wondering if he had some other, hidden reason for refusing my challenge!?”

”You seemed to have it all figured out before! Why the change of heart after just a glimpse of Mang Blade’s profile? My dear Ying’Er, has your little heart been stirred?” Lan Yingying teased.

”Mother!” Bells jingled. Instead of blushing shyly like most girls, Lan Yingjun retorted angrily, ”I’m being serious!”

”Alright, alright,” Lan Yingying said with a gentle smile. ”Ying’Er, whether he’s burdened by his reputation or has some other secret, I want you to know that it’s none of our concern. The only thing truly worth spending our time and energy on is what we ourselves want. Everything else is just a triviality. Instead of trying to guess what’s on someone else’s mind, it’s better to focus on yourself.”

”’What I myself want... Instead of guessing what’s on someone’s mind, it’s better to focus on myself...’” Lan Yingjun’s expression grew pensive as she mulled over the words. After a long moment, she suddenly looked up at Lan Yingying and said, ”Mother, your words are so profound! I don’t think I fully understand!”

”Hahaha... You’ll understand one day!” Lan Yingying laughed heartily, her heart swelling with joy as she looked at the disciple who was her greatest pride.

She couldn’t care less about Chen Ping’an. The only person she cared about was Lan Yingjun. She was old now; everything she had—her mantle, her legacy—would be passed into Ying’Er’s hands.

She was willing to sheathe her claws and play nice with the likes of Xue Kunsheng and Liu Gongxi. It was all for Lan Yingjun’s sake—to pave the way for her one and only successor!

In the years to come, this disciple of hers was destined to become her greatest pride, the most brilliant and defining achievement of her life.

Lan Yingjun had the potential to become a Grandmaster!

’Not a Pseudo Grandmaster like me, but a true Grandmaster! A Jade Balance Grandmaster!’

...

An endless stream of people flocked to the Blessed Land for the Beicang Auction. A full month and a half had passed since the initial announcement, and now, the Beicang Auction was finally set to begin.

Despite the massive crowds flocking to the Blessed Land, the Beicang Garrison’s coordination kept everything in order, and guests entered the auction hall in a smooth, organized fashion.

It was worth noting that to prevent mere gawkers from crowding the venue, the Beicang Auction had a strict rule: all attendees had to prove they possessed at least ten Yuan Crystals to gain entry.