Chapter 43: Old and Young Compete

Chapter 43: Old and Young Compete

“Lan Chang'an, how many years have you been with the Mu Family?”

Mu Renlong's presence was formidable, his voice resonant and authoritative.

“Twenty years,” Lan Chang'an answered.

“It's been that long?” Mu Renlong couldn't help but sigh, “Over the years, you've made significant contributions to the Mu Family, and you're considered one of our own now.”

“If you fancy any girl in the clan, no matter who she is, I'll make the decision for you!” Mu Renlong's encouraging gaze carried a hint of dominance.

Without waiting for Lan Chang'an's response, he got up and headed to the auction.

Lan Chang'an understood the implication of Mu Renlong's words: he supported Lan Chang'an marrying Mu Xiuyun. Even if Mu Maode disagreed, he would have to comply.

After all, the Foundation Establishment Realm Mu Renlong was the undisputed authority in the Mu Family, even more domineering than the previous ancestor.

Mu Maode's face showed a trace of discontent, feeling disappointed.

His exceptional daughter, with her stunning beauty and superior-grade talisman skills, had been taken by someone who seemed like a harmless pig.

But on second thought.

If it was a marriage into their family, Lan Chang'an, being an outstanding talisman master with a distinguished appearance and steady conduct, was quite suitable. This way, both talented individuals would remain with the Mu Family, firmly tied to them.Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

Previously, he was blinded by his fatherly emotions. In contrast, Mu Renlong, with his broader perspective, was more rational, directly supporting Lan Chang'an.

...

The Bamboo Leaf Mountain auction was held near the mountaintop in a newly constructed hall.

The auction was of high standard, requiring participants to verify possession of two hundred spirit stones or items of equivalent value. This instantly ruled out some of the poorer wandering cultivators who were just there for the excitement.

The Mu Family, as invited VIPs, naturally didn't need verification and used a special passage.

“Brother Renlong! Your presence brings great honor to Bamboo Leaf Mountain." An elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Huang Family greeted Mu Renlong warmly.

“Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Huang Family, Huang Changling." Seeing the elderly man with prominent cheekbones, Lan Chang'an recognized him. After all, he had been in the market town for years and had seen or at least heard of the important figures of the Huang Family.

The Huang Family had three Foundation Establishment members; Huang Changling's cultivation wasn't the highest, but his seniority was high, and had been guarding the Bamboo Leaf Market Town all year round.

Hosting this significant auction, the Huang Family certainly brought more than one Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The auction hall was semi-circular and very spacious. The floor was covered with mats, each maintaining a distance of more than two zhang(1zhang=3.33meter).

The Mu Family’s VIP stand resembled a floating terrace, accommodating ten people.

Besides the high-ranking cultivators, the Mu Family also brought two young talents to broaden their horizons.

Lan Chang'an sat in the VIP stand, enjoying the spirit tea and spirit fruits served by a female attendant.

He looked down at the auction hall, observing the details.

Lan Chang'an noticed Li Ergou, Zhao Siyao, and Lin Yi sitting on adjacent mats.

Li Ergou grinned, also seeing Lan Chang'an on the VIP stand.

“Lan Chang'an has really clung to a powerful thigh!”

Seeing Lan Chang'an sitting with Mu Xiuyun and the Mu Family's high-ranking members, Lin Yi sighed inwardly.

Lan Chang'an might marry the Mu Family’s eldest daughter in the future, even if he was to marry into her family, it was enviable.

“Two hundred and eighty!”

“Three hundred!”

In no time, the price of the Life Extension Pill soared fifty percent above the starting bid.

“Three hundred and ten!”

“Four hundred!”

A young, incongruous voice joined in, causing a momentary silence among the bidders.

An increase of nearly one hundred!

“Brother Lan?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Li Ergou was stunned, looking towards the VIP stand above.

The Mu Family's high-ranking members, including Mu Renlong, Mu Maode, and Mu Xiuyun, were all surprised, looking at Lan Chang'an.

“Lan Chang'an, did you practice some secret technique that drastically reduced your lifespan?” Mu Maode coldly stared at Lan Chang'an, then glanced sympathetically at his daughter.

“Maode, Lan Chang'an is in his prime and has plenty of vitality, definitely not going to die anytime soon.” Mu Renlong chuckled, also curious.

“This junior's late introduction to cultivation led to a lack of potential. Purchasing the Life Extension Pill is to make up for the lost years” Lan Chang'an was prepared, answering calmly.

“Eh... Is that the reason?” The Mu Family members looked at each other, unable to refute this reason.

However, normal cultivators, unless nearing the end of their lifespan, wouldn't pay such a high price for purchasing the Life Extension Pill. With those spirit stones, it was better to buy precious elixirs to improve cultivation as much as possible.

Moreover, whether a cultivator could advance to higher realms was often determined in their youth. Losing or gaining five years wouldn't change much.

Lan Chang'an bidding for the Life Extension Pill was because the Evergreen Technique required drawing on the Qi of the passing years and using healing secret spells would consume lifespan.

Life Extension Pills, with the word longevity, were closely related to the Evergreen Technique. He wanted to test what effect the Life Extension Pill would have on him.

“Four hundred and ten!”

A cold humph came from a certain aged late stage Qi-Refiner, adding ten spirit stones.

No Foundation Establishment cultivators participated because most had already used the first-rank Life Extension Pill, rendering repeated use ineffective.

“Four hundred and fifty!” Lan Chang'an's bid was aggressive, indicating he was determined to win.

This scene made the elderly cultivators glance at him, their fierce gazes locking onto him.

A young man with no worries about lifespan competing with them, who had one foot in the grave, for Life Extension Pills?

The group was instantly outraged!

However, Lan Chang'an was too young, just a rash youth, likely not the main bidder, so it wasn't necessary to get angry with him.

This person was sitting in the Mu Family’s VIP stand?

“Mu Maode! What's going on with your Mu Family? Sending a young man to compete with us centenarians for longevity?”

“Mu Renlong! Your father and I were close friends. How can you disregard your Foundation Establishment status and be so ruthless, trying to force us old folks to die early?”

These white-haired elderly cultivators gritted their teeth, directing their anger at the Mu Family's high-ranking members.

(End of Chapter)