Chapter One Hundred

Chapter One Hundred

Facing the man's unpleasant expression, Shen Wang simply yawned lazily, his gaze drifting casually towards the door.

The man, utterly ignored, gripped his wine glass tightly, his face alternating between red and white.

The first to step forward and provoke was rebuffed. Observers exchanged glances in silence, communicating wordlessly with their eyes.

Bo Yu, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents in the room, displayed the poise of a host and said with a slight smile, "Fellow Shen's talisman art is unparalleled. May I ask which sect or school it hails from? Such extraordinary talisman art, and yet I've never heard of it, shows my ignorance."

"Indeed," Shen Wang nodded earnestly. "You are really out of the loop. Don't you use the internet? I'm quite famous online."

Bo Yu's gaze darkened slightly, then he smiled nonchalantly, "I've been focused on cultivation and haven't paid much attention to online gossip."

Overhearing their conversation, someone suddenly scoffed, "Online fame is just fishing for compliments."

"Serious cultivators don’t have enough time for practice, let alone keeping up with online squabbles... Only those half-baked charlatans seek attention online, deceiving ordinary people who don’t know the truth."

Shen Wang turned to the one who scoffed, "And you are?"

The man tilted his head up proudly, "I'm from Taihe Mountain, Luo Tian."

"Never heard of it, seems not very famous," Shen Wang nodded, then asked, "How about your cultivation? What rank did you achieve in the preliminary competition?"

The other person's face stiffened, unable to swallow or spit out his breath, utterly frustrated.

Taihe Mountain is a well-known sect in the metaphysical world, but Luo Tian's cultivation is mediocre and he's not well-known. This competition was particularly fierce, and he barely advanced.

Shen Wang: "I've seen your name on the scoreboard... a few places below mine?"

After speaking, he clicked his tongue lightly, sizing up Luo Tian with a few glances before sighing and shaking his head.

He seemed to say nothing, yet everything at the same time.

Luo Tian's face changed colors before he suddenly slammed the table and roared, "Shen Wang! I challenge you!"

Startled by Luo Tian's sudden outburst, Shen Wang was full of question marks.

What challenge?? Challenge what???

Shi Yan, standing behind him, rubbed his forehead and quietly reminded, "Private fights are forbidden in the metaphysics competition, but friendly exchanges and sparring are allowed."

With so many competitors and inherent rivalry during the competition, friction is inevitable.

A group of young and spirited youths can't always be restrained, so while brawling is officially forbidden, the competition officials tend to turn a blind eye to personal vendettas disguised as friendly spars.

After hearing this, Shen Wang didn't hesitate: "I refuse."

"In competitions, he works diligently to earn points and other rewards. What else can he gain outside of them? He isn't interested in putting in effort for nothing."

"Especially in these childish 'sparring' sessions, Shen Wang couldn't be less interested in playing such juvenile games of one-upmanship."

"When Luo Tian proposed the challenge, he was brimming with confidence, never expecting Shen Wang to reject him outright. His enthusiasm was suddenly stifled, leaving him staring in disbelief."

"You... you coward!" Luo Tian, infuriated, burst out in anger.

Shen Wang lazily lifted his gaze, saying indifferently, “Ah, I'm getting old, not as energetic as you young folks.”

Others: “…”

"During the competition, he was anything but indifferent."

Luo Tian, fuming, was about to explode in anger when a voice interrupted him: "I'll give you a spiritual herb if you accept my challenge."

Everyone turned towards the voice, their surprise turning into schadenfreude.

Even Luo Tian's anger subsided, replaced by a malicious grin as he made way for the newcomer.

Shen Wang also looked over, pausing when he saw the man’s face: "Who are you?"

"The man speaking was impressively tall, at least 1.9 meters, with a well-proportioned and muscular build, the very image of a male model. Unfortunately, his face seemed to have been marred by some injury, covered in scars almost entirely."

"He made no attempt to hide it, sporting a buzz cut and boldly displaying his face, which was quite intimidating."

"Chou Yin." With such a face, his eyes remained calm and resolute, a faint excitement flickering within them, "Will you accept my challenge?"

"Seeing him, Shi Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly warned Shen Wang: 'This is the fourth-ranked youth; he's very strong.'"

Shen Wang pondered, "Is that the ranking where... Gu Dongting is number one?"

Shi Yan: "...Is that all you remember?"

Shen Wang innocently countered: "What else should I remember?"

The two exchanged glances, both feeling speechless, and simultaneously turned their heads away.

"Chou Yin, unfazed by being ignored, simply repeated, 'I'll give you a spiritual herb. Will you accept my challenge?'"

"Do you all really want to challenge me that much?" Shen Wang mused, stroking his chin, "I didn't realize I was so charming that you all like me this much."

The others: "..."

Luo Tian, grinding his teeth, spat out through clenched teeth, "If wanting to beat you to a pulp means liking you, then yes, we really, really, really like you!"

Shen Wang pretended not to hear him and suddenly stood up, walking to the center of the banquet hall, clearing his throat.

Capturing everyone's attention, Shen Wang spoke seriously: "Since so many of you want to challenge me, and constantly avoiding it isn't a solution, I've decided..."

Everyone: "???"

Under their expectant gazes, Shen Wang smiled slightly and leisurely said, "I've decided to auction off the opportunity to challenge me!"

"Three slots available each day, highest bidders win!"

The others: "..."

"Damn."

Everyone was speechless, feeling like they were back in the competition, dominated by the fear of Shen Wang's auction, that damn familiar feeling.

"Talk about profit before anything else! Everyone present felt they had their eyes opened to a new level of pragmatism, beyond words to describe."

"Those who knew Shen Wang silently lowered their heads, recognizing such a tactic... it was indeed very Shen Wang."

"Now, starting with Chou Yin's bid of one spiritual herb, is there anyone else who wishes to raise the bid?" Shen Wang casually clinked two cups together as an improvised gavel, "One spiritual herb once, one spiritual herb twice..."

"One spiritual herb three times, sold!"

The two cups chimed together, producing a melodious sound, and Shen Wang was visibly disappointed: "I can't believe there were so few bids."

"What a loss."

Chou Yin hadn't expected Shen Wang to pull this move. After securing the challenge, he took out a rectangular wooden box from his bosom and handed it to Shen Wang in front of everyone, saying, "Here!"

The spiritual plant... Shen Wang's eyelids twitched.

Someone grumbled, "Putting a spiritual plant in a plain wooden box without any special preservation techniques, letting the spiritual energy dissipate... such a waste."

Shen Wang glanced at the speaking youth, sighed deeply, and accepted the spiritual plant with a furrowed brow.

"What a big loss!" Shen Wang consoled himself, thinking it was still good to have this as the first deal of the day.

Normally, cultivators would go elsewhere for a sparring match, but Shen Wang glanced at Chou Yin and proposed, "Let's do it right here, quick and decisive. Alright?"

"Fine," Chou Yin agreed immediately, "I can fight without weapons or spiritual power."

Understanding, Shen Wang nodded, and in the next second, Chou Yin charged at him with fists clenched.

The audience, stepping back to give them space, watched the duel intently, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.

"Chou Yin, the battle maniac, doesn't rely on spiritual power, which hardly affects him. Looks like Shen Wang is in for a beating."

"He only said he wouldn't use spiritual power. He didn't say Shen Wang couldn't use it."

"...Chou Yin is refraining from using spiritual power. In front of so many people, would Shen Wang really stoop to using it, such a shameless act?"

"...Seems like he might."

The speculators closed their mouths and nonchalantly moved past the topic, continuing to watch their contest.

At first, everyone was expecting Chou Yin to thoroughly thrash Shen Wang, but as they fought, even the least discerning spectator could see that Shen Wang was holding his own against Chou Yin!

Chou Yin was ranked fourth among the young generation, but his strength was beyond just that position.

An independent cultivator without any sect or faction backing, Chou Yin had made it to the rankings with his reckless fighting style in a mystic world dominated by various clans and sects.

Though he was only fourth in the youth rankings, with Gu Dongting first, Bo Yu of the Mystic Association second, and Shen Feijie of Dragon Tiger Mountain third – all renowned and backed by significant power, wielding numerous powerful artifacts.

In terms of solo combat ability, Chou Yin could definitely be in the top two, even trading blows with Gu Dongting.

Now, facing the formidable Chou Yin, could Shen Wang really match him without using any spiritual energy?

It was evident that Chou Yin's attacks were broad and forceful, every punch and kick creating a fierce wind, whereas Shen Wang's moves were more agile, seemingly mundane but always narrowly dodging Chou Yin's attacks as if he had the ability to foresee them.

Shen Wang thought: A joke. The combat prowess I honed in the brutal world of cultivation is not something you peace-era kids can compare with.

After fighting for over ten minutes, feeling he had earned off the value of that spiritual herb, Shen Wang dodged Chou Yin's attack, stepping back and quipping, "Your paid time is up. If you wish to continue, please join the next auction round."

The captivated audience was stunned, then shockingly realized: Had he been holding back all this time, appearing evenly matched but not using his full strength? Impossible!

"Chou Yin's gaze darkened, his eyes filled with unwillingness as he looked at Shen Wang."

"Others might not see it, but he could distinctly feel that Shen Wang was not only holding back, but also deliberately exposing his moves!"

"In just these ten minutes, Shen Wang had pointed out every unnoticed flaw in his technique!"

"He's so strong." Chou Yin knew he was no match, and in a surge of defiance, he attacked more fiercely. Shen Wang sighed, effortlessly grabbing Chou Yin's wrist and pinning him to the ground.

Shen Wang said, "I already told you, if you want to continue, you'll have to join the next auction. Why won't you listen?"

The previously animated crowd fell suddenly silent.

After Shen Wang released Chou Yin and dusted off his hands, he signaled, "The second round of the auction begins. Any takers?"

No one made a sound.

The ease with which Shen Wang had just pinned Chou Yin, as if he were restraining an ordinary person, sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"Just moments ago, everyone was thinking that after the match, they would show Shen Wang the true strength of the prestigious sects, to curb his arrogance and show him the real power in the mystic world."

"Instead of teaching Shen Wang a lesson, they were the ones who got a stern lesson from him, leaving them feeling the sting of embarrassment, their earlier provocation gone."

"How is this possible..." someone muttered in disbelief, "Isn't he just someone who relies heavily on talismans to overpower others?"

"Yeah, isn't it just because he has more talismans?" The crowd was lost in thought.

Shen Wang waited, but with no response, he shook his head in disappointment. Had he been too harsh, scaring them off from challenging him?

"A miscalculation." Shen Wang touched his nose in annoyance, feeling innocent since he had been gentle and even fed his opponent moves.

Shen Wang's gaze tentatively fell on Luo Tian: "Weren't you eager to challenge me?"

"Luo Tian's face paled, and he involuntarily stepped back."

"He had challenged Shen Wang believing that Shen relied solely on talismans for strength. At this banquet, Luo Tian thought Shen wouldn't have as many talismans, which emboldened him to challenge."

"But seeing even Chou Yin defeated by Shen Wang, Luo Tian no longer dared to challenge."

"He had a feeling that if he dared to challenge, Shen Wang would surely beat him black and blue."

"Paying to get beaten up... Luo Tian slowly lowered his head, avoiding Shen Wang's gaze like a student fearful of being called out by a teacher."

"Just as Shen Wang was about to announce the end of the auction, a woman stepped forward, 'I will.'"

"Shen Wang, pleasantly surprised, quickly asked, 'What will you offer?'"

"The woman pondered and then pulled out a talisman from her bosom."

"At the sight of it, Shen Wang almost burst out laughing, 'Where did you get this from?'"

"The familiar spiritual energy, the recognizable traces of the talisman lines, the perfunctory runes... it was a talisman he had drawn himself!"

"The woman confidently said, 'I got it from your store.'"

"Shen Wang: '...'"

"Rarely at a loss for words, he could only rub his forehead and weakly ask, 'Is there anyone else bidding?'"

"'Really, no one else?'"

"'Truly, is there no one else bidding?'"

"After asking three times and receiving no response, Shen Wang reluctantly took back his own talisman, asking the woman, 'How do you want to compete?'"

"The woman was not tall, with neat and tidy short hair. Her features were plain, the kind that would blend into a crowd, wearing tight clothes that outlined her graceful muscular figure."

"She slammed down a large case resembling a violin case from her back, pulling out two broadswords from within."

"Recognizing the familiar twin blades, Shen Wang recalled seeing this woman in the competition."

"Back then, her swords whirled fiercely, chasing after opponents with a blade so formidable it struck terror into hearts."

"Dao Chunyan." The woman nodded, her eyes the only striking feature on her face, shining brightly, "I'll use my swords."

"Shen Wang looked around and casually picked up a pair of chopsticks from the table: 'Then I guess I'll use these.'"

"Dao Chunyan's expression hardened as she glared at Shen Wang: 'Are you mocking me?'"

"Shen Wang protested his innocence: 'Not at all.'"

"Dao Chunyan snorted coldly, swinging her swords fiercely to cleave through the air, aiming straight at Shen Wang's face: 'Whether you are or not, you'll pay for underestimating me!'"

"Seeing Dao Chunyan's formidable presence, the onlookers' eyes lit up, crowding closer to watch carefully."

"Now, with Dao Chunyan armed and Shen Wang effectively unarmed, surely he would get a beating?"

"This simple hope was shared by all spectators."

"Dao Chunyan, a top ten ranking expert, wielded her specialty twin swords, while Shen Wang only had a pair of short wooden chopsticks. In such a scenario, surely Shen Wang couldn't turn the tables?"

"Like his earlier duel with Chou Yin, the two exchanged several moves in a blink, lively and intense."

"But as the crowd watched, their hearts gradually sank."

"Despite the absolute disadvantage in weaponry, Shen Wang was still holding his own. It was as if his entire body had eyes, effortlessly dodging Dao Chunyan's attacks from any direction without even lifting his gaze."

"The ordinary pair of wooden chopsticks, in his hands, became as nimble as sharp little swords, even finding their way through Dao Chunyan's impenetrable sword defenses to reach her."

"The more Dao Chunyan fought, the more astonished she became."

"She had always considered her dual sword technique nearly unbeatable among her peers, but here was Shen Wang, a few years her junior, predicting her moves just like her master, always finding the flaws in her swordplay."

"To others, her attack seemed impeccable, but to Shen Wang, it appeared riddled with flaws."

"What alarmed Dao Chunyan the most was how Shen Wang effortlessly dodged her strikes while manipulating the trajectory of her blades with those ordinary chopsticks!"

"Following Shen Wang's force, she could feel a significant reduction in the strain on her wrists."

"Being able to snatch a talisman from his store meant she was a fan. Adhering to his principle of favoring fans, Shen Wang fed her moves for twice as long as he did with Chou Yin."

"After a while, Shen Wang stepped back, announcing, 'Time's up.'"

"Dao Chunyan's rapid swordplay ceased abruptly. Breathing heavily, she gazed at Shen Wang with sparkling eyes, not attacking further but sheathing her swords and respectfully bowing to him: 'Thank you for the guidance.'"

"Shen Wang raised an eyebrow: Girls are indeed more courteous."

"In just half an hour, Shen Wang had successively bested two renowned young talents."

"By now, no matter how reluctant the onlookers were, they had to admit that Shen Wang was strong, exceptionally strong."

"His ability to dominate the preliminary rounds, making a plaything of all the contestants, wasn't just luck or reliance on talismans, but his own overwhelming strength compared to most participants."

"His absurd auction was not about playing mind games; it was actually giving other contestants a chance."

"Everyone felt a mix of emotions."

"Seeing Shen Wang, who hadn't even broken a sweat after two bouts, left the crowd with indescribable feelings."

"Someone in the corner, watching Shen Wang steal the show, clenched their teeth in the shadows: 'It shouldn't be like this! It shouldn't be!'"

"In the eerie silence, a cold female voice rang out: 'A crowd-pleaser, a mere clown, not worth mentioning.'"

"The crowd frowned in unison. Though their feelings about Shen Wang were complex, his prowess was undeniable and certainly not describable by those words."

"When they saw who had spoken, there was a moment of surprise, followed by a sense of inevitability."

"In the face of Shen Wang's overwhelming dominance, leaving everyone breathless, only one person could possibly dampen Shen Wang's sharp edge. Only one person had the right to utter the words 'not worth mentioning.'"

"Gu Manling's brother, the foremost figure in the mystic world, the sword cultivation genius, Gu Dongting!"

"Indeed! The previously subdued atmosphere suddenly seemed invigorated, as if injected with a shot of adrenaline. No matter how much Shen Wang tried, he was like the Monkey King, unable to escape from Buddha's palm."

"Everyone was thinking, 'It'll be better when Master Gu arrives!' They were all looking forward to it with great anticipation."