Stranger Danger

As Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou duo chatted, Zui Yun was narrating the story of Mister Four Arts, the Feng Sage and Wine Sword Celestial to the guests on the Lampfire Tower as well. Not only that, the surrounding flames slowly took the shapes of little men and acted out their life stories. It was an interesting but excellent addition that made Zui Yun’s narration a lot more wonderful and fascinating.

“Would you happen to know the origin of the ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, Qingyou?” Ye Qing asked while enjoying the performance happening outside the window.

“No, but there are plenty of rumors.”

Feng Qingyou replied in an indifferent tone, “There are rumors claiming that ‘Impenetrable Clouds’ is a celestial paradise where actual celestials live within. Some people think that it is the hidden abode of a secluded master. Others believe that it is really a powerful Strange Artifact that could be traced all the way back to the ancient ages, and the so-called celestials were really artifact spirits. There were also rumors stating that ‘Impenetrable Clouds’ is an Anomaly, and the celestials are its creations.”

“What are the chances that this painting is this so-called ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, Qingyou?”

Ye Qing paused for a moment before continuing, “What I’m trying to say is, ‘Impenetrable Clouds’ do not really exist in our world. It is the world in the painting. The mountain, the temple, the three men, they all exist inside the painting.”

“It is possible.” Feng Qingyou wasn’t surprised by Ye Qing’s guess. “In fact, a lot of people share the same thought as you.”

“Unfortunately, it is ultimately just a guess. There is no proof, and no one was able to prove it to this day.”

Ye Qing lifted his eyebrows but said nothing more.

It was at this moment Zui Yun finally finished narrating the story of Mister Four Arts[1], the Feng Sage and Wine Sword Celestial.

“If I may be so bold, Miss Zui Yun, where did you obtain this painting?” Someone asked.

“My apologies, honored guest, but that is not an answer we can give you.” Zui Yun smiled sweetly. “However, I can promise you that this painting is a hundred percent authentic. In fact, you don’t need to believe me. I’m sure you can sense it yourself that this painting is real. There is no one in this world who can forge ‘Impenetrable Clouds’’s essence and air of divinity.”

“Alright, I’m sure you’re all getting anxious, so I shan’t dilly dally any longer. The starting bid is one silver, and all bids must be ten thousand silver higher than the previous bid. You may begin!”

There was a moment of silence in Lampfire Palace. Then, someone spoke up, “One hundred thousand silver.”

That callout was like the ant’s nest that finally breached the dam. Everyone started calling out their bids in a hurry. For a time, the entire room was filled with a cacophony of yells and shouts.

“I bid three hundred thousand silver!”

“You think you can buy ‘Impenetrable Clouds’ with just three hundred thousand silver?! Keep dreaming! Five hundred thousand silver!”

“‘Impenetrable Clouds’ is mine! Seven hundred thousand silver!”

“Run home and play with your mud, bumpkin! One million silver!”

“I bid one point five million silver!”

“Two million silver!”

……

Ye Qing’s brain quickly became desensitized by the ludicrous bids being thrown about the Lampfire Palace. “Impenetrable Clouds”’s price had climbed to three million silver in just the span of breaths, and it was still skyrocketing at an unbelievable rate. Truly, the number of wealthy people in this world was incredible.

Of course, he was one of them.

“Are you interested in ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, Qingyou?” Ye Qing glanced at Feng Qingyou and asked.

“Oh? Do you plan to give it to me?” Feng Qingyou’s eyes curled into crescents when she heard this.

“If you want it, why not?” Ye Qing smiled. It wasn’t like he was poor.

“Haha…” Feng Qingyou let out a cute giggle but shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but this opportunity may or may not be a good thing. I’d rather give it up than accept the risk that comes with its ambiguity.”

“That’s true. Never mind then,” Ye Qing echoed in agreement.

There was no doubt that “Impenetrable Clouds” was a once-in-a-lifetime, never-before-seen opportunity to everyone in the palace. If they could enter “Impenetrable Clouds” and become the chosen one to receive a celestial fortune, then they would join the likes of Mister Four Arts, the Feng Sage and Wine Sword Celestial and be remembered for all eternity.

The guests were bidding for the painting like they had gone mad, but to be honest, their reaction was perfectly understandable. After all, who could remain calm before the promise of fame and glory unlike anything they had ever seen before?

This, was the reward.

However, it was a reward only if you possessed that so-called “celestial fortune” that would allow you to “Impenetrable Clouds”. Otherwise, it would only bring misfortune.

After all, not only would you be wasting your money for a fortune that would never be yours, countless people would be coming after your head to claim the painting for themselves.

This, was the risk.

This was why Feng Qingyou said that the painting was ambiguous. It was impossible to say if this painting represented fortune or misfortune.

Barring those with absolute confidence and strength, it would be absolute folly to lay one’s hands on this hot potato.

Besides, Ye Qing personally wasn’t really invested in the “Impenetrable Clouds” at all. He was the man in possession of the Three Origin Hammers, the Earthly Sovereign Bell, and the “Earthly Sovereign Scripture”. Why would he care for some “celestial fortune”?

If the celestials truly existed, they were the ones who should be jealous of him!

Since he had made up his mind to steer clear of the bidding, Ye Qing relaxed into his chair and enjoyed the show outside.

By now, the bidding for “Impenetrable Clouds” had reached its climax. The bidding price had climbed to a stunning five million silver, and the number of bidders had dwindled to just a handful.

Thanks to Lampfire Palace’s excellent identity obfuscation, there was no real way for a bidder to oppress another bidder via force or influence. Therefore, this was a pure contest of wealth where the richest person would walk away with the prize.

Besides, anyone who could give away this much money could not possibly be weak.

“Nine million silver…”

When the final bid sounded, the entire Lampfire Palace fell as silent as death. However, it was just the calm before the storm.

On the Lampfire Tower, Zui Yun was breathing hard and shaking a little. Nine million silver was no joke.

“Nine million silver… is there anyone else who would like to bid for the ‘Impenetrable Clouds’? If you do, you might just become the next Mister Four Arts, the next Feng Sage, or the next Wine Sword Celestial. This is an opportunity that you will not come by again in this lifetime, or maybe even the next. Are you sure you are okay with missing it?”

“Nine million once… nine million twice… nine million thrice… and sold!”

“Phew… that was insane!”

Inside his pavilion, Ye Qing let out a sigh he didn’t know he was holding. Was it worth it spending nine million silver to buy an ambiguous opportunity?

Only the person who won the bid could answer that question.

Ye Qing was also surprised that the organizers had chosen to kick off Dragonmount Meet with such an exciting start. He had to admit that it was effective though. Now, he was looking forward to the auction more than he ever had before. He couldn’t wait to see what else the Dragonmount Meet had to offer him.

After the transaction for the “Impenetrable Clouds” was complete, the auction proceeded as usual. Zui Yun would show off a Strange Artifact, a martial arts manual, a spirit material, a strange item, and even a larva known as the Skyreaching Dragon Silkworm.

The Skyreaching Dragon Silkworm was a Disaster-class Stranger. It was over thirty meters long, bright yellow in color, and had golden patterns on its forehead. It looked a little like a divine dragon, hence the name.

The Skyreaching Dragon Silkworm enjoyed consuming clouds and fog. It also possessed a spatial Magia that allowed it to swim through the void like nothing and explore many worlds. Wherever it appeared, clouds would spread like crazy, and the sky would turn as dark as a storm.

The silk spat out by the Skyreaching Dragon Silkworm was immune to most weapons and natural elements. Not only that, it was imbued with the Skyreaching Dragon Silkworm’s spatial Magia as well. It was an outstanding Strange Artifact spirit material.

1. I just wanna point out that author’s brain went kapoof and he put Mister Three Arts here. ☜