The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1385: Fairy Qingping
While Ling Feng was still in deep sleep, news that he planned to auction off the Yin-Yang Soul Jade spread exactly as he had expected. The moment the news broke, it stirred up a massive uproar throughout the two realms of heaven and earth in Dongling Immortal Pool.
After all, to ordinary people, a treasure of this level was something that no one would ever hand over willingly once it fell into their grasp.
Still, when people considered that Ling Feng was nothing more than a minor outer sect disciple with no backing behind him, the decision began to make sense.
There was no denying that Ling Feng's strength was impressive. He had defeated Wang Ruquan, who ranked seventy-second on the Creation Star Ranking. Even the upper echelons of the sect had been shaken by that battle and were forced to acknowledge his ability, allowing him to replace Wang Ruquan and become the only outer sect disciple to ever stand on the Creation Star Ranking.
However, the matter was quickly suppressed. None of the Eight Halls stepped forward to promote Ling Feng into the inner sect.
In other words, his value still was not enough to truly move the sect's highest authorities. No matter how talented he was, he was only called a genius within the outer sect.
For a mere outer sect disciple with no background to speak of, trying to hold on to the Yin-Yang Soul Jade under the covetous gazes of countless inner sect disciples and elders would come at an unbearable price.
One only had to look at the thick stack of challenge letters to see how fierce the pressure was. If Ling Feng insisted on keeping the Yin-Yang Soul Jade, what awaited him would be endless trouble.
Under such circumstances, auctioning off the Yin-Yang Soul Jade was, comparatively speaking, the wiser choice.
At the very least, it shifted the struggle from a confrontation between Ling Feng and the inner sect elders and disciples into a competition among those people themselves.
Ling Feng could also make a huge profit in the process.
"So Ling Feng finally came to his senses!"
When Ye Xiong heard the news, he let out a long sigh of relief. What he feared most was that Ling Feng's stubborn nature would drive him to clash head on with the inner sect. If that happened, even if Ye Xiong wanted to help, a mere outer sect elder like him would be powerless.
"Don't worry, I will help spread the word as soon as possible. Leave the auction venue to me as well."
Ye Xiong agreed without hesitation. Thanks to Ling Feng's improved pill refining methods, the efficiency of the Dan Ding Grand Hall had increased severalfold. Among all the daily tasks in the outer sect, the Dan Ding Grand Hall had actually become the most relaxed department. The disciples there now had ample time to handle the preparations.
"Thank you, Master Ye. I will go back and inform Senior Brother Ling."
Fang Wen bowed to Ye Xiong before turning and taking her leave.
With Ye Xiong pushing things along, everything unfolded exactly as Ling Feng had anticipated, proceeding in an orderly manner.
Within the outer sect, the news quickly became a topic of discussion.
"In the end, outer sect disciples really have no standing. Even Senior Brother Ling has to compromise and auction off the Yin-Yang Soul Jade!"
"There is no helping it. Compared to the alternatives, this is still the smarter choice. No one can afford to offend so many inner sect elders!"
"Senior Brother Ling is auctioning the Yin-Yang Soul Jade? Haha, I have to make time to see what kind of price it fetches!"
As for Yan Guying, he was momentarily stunned when he heard the news.
It had been his suggestion in the first place that Ling Feng auction off the Yin-Yang Soul Jade. At the time, Ling Feng had said that he had other plans. Now it seemed that Ling Feng could no longer withstand the pressure and had no choice but to put the jade up for auction.
"This is probably for the best. At least Junior Brother Ling will not make too many enemies in the inner sect."
What Yan Guying did not know was that although the Yin-Yang Soul Jade was still the Yin-Yang Soul Jade, it had already undergone a subtle change.
Once he truly came to know Ling Feng better, he would realize that this fellow was not someone who would ever allow himself to take a loss.
Up in the Heavenly Realm, the inner sect was also thrown into quite a stir by the news.
The angriest of all was Yuwen Changkong.
He had already handed over ten thousand sect contribution points just to secure the right to challenge Ling Feng first. Now, out of nowhere, Ling Feng suddenly decided not to accept any wager duels and instead chose to auction off the Yin-Yang Soul Jade!
When it came to financial power, Yuwen Changkong had no confidence that he could compete with those old monsters within the sect. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Damn it, he played me!"
Yuwen Changkong was grinding his teeth in fury and was just about to go find Fang Wen to settle the score. However, wager duels could only be arranged with the consent of both parties. No matter how angry he was, there was nothing he could change.
The thought of his ten thousand contribution points going down the drain made his heart ache.
"Damn brat!"
Yuwen Changkong was cursing under his breath when a graceful figure drifted over from afar.
It was Fairy Qingping, Yu Qingping, whose bearing was as ethereal as a fairy's.
Yu Qingping's infatuation with the Unrivaled Young Emperor was common knowledge throughout the inner sect, so anything related to him naturally drew her attention.
"Fairy Qingping..."
Yuwen Changkong's gaze froze for a few seconds before he hastily reined in the inappropriate thoughts in his eyes and said in a low voice, "Why has Fairy Qingping come here?"
"I heard that the one called Ling Feng has chosen to auction off the Yin-Yang Soul Jade."
Yu Qingping spoke calmly, her red lips parting slightly as she did so.
"That's right!" Yuwen Changkong clenched his fists and said bitterly, "That brat is slippery as an eel! He hid himself in the Earth Emperor Pool early on. I waited for ten days, only to find out that he did not accept a single wager duel and put the Yin-Yang Soul Jade up for auction instead. It's infuriating!"
"There is nothing infuriating about it. He is only a small outer sect disciple. It is only natural that he cannot withstand the pressure and chooses to auction it off."
"Yes... yes..." Yuwen Changkong nodded repeatedly. Naturally, he could not bring himself to mention the ten thousand contribution points he had used to bribe the little girl by Ling Feng's side.
Yu Qingping's expression remained cool as she spoke slowly. "Once the Yin-Yang Soul Jade goes to auction, it becomes difficult to control the outcome. Senior Brother Qin is currently in seclusion, and I do not wish for any complications to arise. Very well, I will cover the resources needed to bid for the Yin-Yang Soul Jade myself first."
"With Senior Sister Yu's help, that would be perfect!"
Yuwen Changkong finally let out a breath of relief. He lifted his gaze to look at Yu Qingping. If only she could treat him with even one ten thousandth of the care she showed toward the Unrivaled Young Emperor, he would die without regrets.
"Then it is settled."
With that, Yu Qingping had already drifted away. In her heart, only that figure who dominated the world had any place. Every other man was utterly unworthy of notice.
On another front, Lin Mu, who delighted in stirring up trouble, also received the news at once. He had little interest in the Yin-Yang Soul Jade itself, but when it came to making a scene and helping Ling Feng drive the price higher, he needed no prompting at all.
After all, this fellow was a born troublemaker!
As for Ning Guichen, Li Fei, Feng Ling, and the other companions Ling Feng had in the inner sect, it seemed they would have to make another trip down to the Earth Realm as well.
Come to think of it, ever since getting to know Ling Feng, the number of times they had gone to the Earth Realm had probably surpassed the total of the past several years combined.
Without even realizing it, Ling Feng had quietly become the central figure among them.
...
