Chapter 381

Chapter 381: The Guardian (Part One)

"Brother Wang, aren’t you planning to take a chance?"

Zuo Xiaomo had bid several times but failed to secure the ancient sealed jade he desired. Instead of feeling disheartened, he grew even more eager.

He noticed Wang Chen merely observing the scene without any intention of participating and couldn’t help but say, "If you have your eye on something, I’ll help you bid. If it appreciates, it’s yours; if it depreciates, I’ll bear the loss!"

Such a bold and generous offer!

Wang Chen smiled, "There’s no need."

The essence of gambling on stones and jade lies in the word "gamble." Once one gets entangled in it, their fortune is bound to dwindle eventually.

Though it appears thrilling, it is, in reality, a bottomless pit. Wang Chen had no desire to plunge into such a trap.

So, he preferred to simply watch.

"Ah."

Wang Chen’s unyielding resolve left Zuo Xiaomo somewhat helpless. He shook his head and said, "Alright then, I’ll give it one more try. If I can’t get it this time, I’ll let it go."

As he spoke, the stallholder unveiled a new piece of ancient sealed jade.

This piece was exceptionally beautiful, radiating spiritual light and concealing treasures within. Even the true seal characters engraved on its surface appeared more refined than the previous ones, giving off an extraordinary aura.

Being a seasoned player, Zuo Xiaomo’s eyes immediately lit up, "Ten thousand spirit stones!"

Without waiting for the seller to announce a base price, he boldly declared a high bid.

"Eleven thousand spirit stones!"

"Thirteen thousand!"

However, the other bidders were not easily intimidated and quickly followed with their own offers.

"Twenty thousand spirit stones!"

Zuo Xiaomo exuded an air of unwavering resolve, his eyes gleaming with a hint of killing intent.

"Twenty-five thousand."

"I bid thirty thousand!"

"Thirty-five thousand!"

Seeing that he couldn’t deter his competitors, Zuo Xiaomo’s determination only intensified: "Fifty thousand spirit stones!"

At this, the surrounding chatter instantly ceased, and the few cultivators bidding against him hesitated.

Although this ancient sealed jade appeared to be of exceptional quality, there was no guarantee that it contained anything valuable. It might very well be a trap that could drain one’s resources.

What if it held a spirit pill of immense value or rare heavenly materials and treasures?

Yet, after such a long period of storage, the pill might have degraded into mere residue, and the spiritual materials could have decayed, rendering it worthless!

For ancient sealed jade like this, wagering thirty or forty thousand spirit stones was reasonable. Fifty thousand was pushing it.

Zuo Xiaomo glanced around, a confident smirk playing on his lips, exuding the certainty of victory.

"Fifty thousand one hundred."

At that moment, a sharp voice suddenly rang out from nearby.

Upon hearing this voice, Zuo Xiaomo’s expression changed dramatically.

He saw several young cultivators part the crowd as they approached, all wearing the standard robes of Outer Sect Disciples from the West Sea Sect.

The leader, a handsome man with a proud demeanor, sneered at Zuo Xiaomo, "Little Seventeen, no matter how much you offer, I can outbid you by a hundred."

Zuo Xiaomo’s eye twitched, "Zuo Qingcheng, don’t be too arrogant!"

"Arrogant?"

Zuo Qingcheng looked surprised, "How am I being arrogant? Is this celestial market yours? Do you think only you can bid and others can’t compete?"

The other Outer Sect Disciples with him laughed heartily, their eyes filled with mockery as they looked at Zuo Xiaomo.

Meanwhile, the people around them skillfully made space, allowing these fellow disciples from the same family to battle it out freely.

Zuo Xiaomo closed his mouth.

He knew well that he couldn’t argue against them; speaking out would only be humiliating.

Zuo Qingcheng was right; he could raise his bid, and others could do the same. This was how the rules of the celestial market worked.

"Sixty thousand spirit stones!"

Zuo Xiaomo squeezed the words out between his teeth.

"Sixty thousand one hundred."

Zuo Qingcheng said impatiently, "I already told you, no matter what you bid, I will add a hundred. Do you really want to compete with me?"

Zuo Xiaomo genuinely wanted to slap him in the face.

But fighting was a major taboo at the celestial market; acting impulsively would only cause great trouble for him and his family.

He also understood that if he raised the price again, there was an eight or nine out of ten chance Zuo Qingcheng would back off.

To accuse him of being inconsistent would only invite cruel laughter—it’s just talk!

After thinking it over, he gritted his teeth and decided to give up. Let Zuo Qingcheng take it for sixty thousand one hundred.

He would lose face, but at least his storage bag wouldn’t bleed.

"Fine, you can—"

"Sixty-one thousand."

To Zuo Xiaomo’s surprise, before he could finish speaking, Wang Chen suddenly interjected.

He actually raised the bid!

Everyone’s attention immediately focused on Wang Chen.

Zuo Qingcheng’s expression darkened, and he said, "I am Zuo Qingcheng, a disciple of the Zuo family from the West Sea. May I ask your esteemed name, senior?"

He noticed the identity token at Wang Chen’s waist and recognized that he was a Purple Palace master.

However, his tone showed no sign of weakness.

"I only know one Zuo family disciple from the West Sea."

Wang Chen patted Zuo Xiaomo’s shoulder and smiled, "What’s wrong? Is this celestial market yours? Do you think only you can bid and no one else can compete?"

It was as if Zuo Qingcheng had just slapped Zuo Xiaomo across the face with his own words of mockery!

Zuo Qingcheng’s face turned bright red, "I dare not, junior brother. I have learned my lesson!"

Before his words faded, he quickly turned and left, not wanting to linger for another moment.

But after taking just a couple of steps, Zuo Qingcheng suddenly turned back, staring at Zuo Xiaomo and asking, "Is he the guardian you chose?"

Zuo Xiaomo sneered, "What does that have to do with you? Mind your tone; don’t let anyone think we Zuo Family disciples don’t know our place!"

"Good, good, good!"

Zuo Qingcheng repeated the word "good" three times, "We’ll meet in the Nine Dragons underground palace!"

This time he truly left.

He walked away with his companions, looking quite embarrassed.

Meanwhile, the stallholder smiled as he handed the ancient sealed jade to Wang Chen, "This esteemed master, the total is sixty-one thousand spirit stones."

After watching a good show and making a handsome profit, he felt like a winner.

"I’ll pay."

Zuo Xiaomo immediately pulled out his storage bag, ready to cover the cost for Wang Chen.

Wang Chen had backed him up earlier, helping him take a stand; he wouldn’t mind spending even double the sixty thousand spirit stones for that.

Wang Chen reached out for the sealed jade, blocking Zuo Xiaomo, "I’ll buy it, I will pay for myself."

Even though his wealth had decreased quite a bit, he could still easily afford a few tens of spirit stones.

Zuo Xiaomo felt both touched and ashamed, "Brother Wang…"

Wang Chen paid the spirit stones but had no intention of unsealing it right then. He led Zuo Xiaomo away.

Zuo Xiaomo still wanted to hand over spirit stones to Wang Chen.

Wang Chen shook his head and said, "I really want this sealed jade. Think of it as a little game. If you feel awkward about it, just take me out for a meal."

Zuo Xiaomo scratched his head, "Then I’ll treat you to the best in Wailing City… uh, let’s go to Qianshan Pavilion."

The best tavern in Wailing City required reservations, and with his status, he couldn’t possibly secure a private room there.

Almost boasting that, he felt a flush of heat on his face.

Wang Chen didn’t mind at all, "Alright, let’s go to Qianshan Pavilion. It’s rare to come here; let’s drink well."

Zuo Xiaomo let out a long sigh, "Yes, today we won’t stop until we’re drunk!"