Free Web NovelChapter 78: Chapter 72: Tense Standoff, Tit for Tat
His few, nonchalant words left Drunken Thousand Cups practically choked, unable to utter a word for a long time.
Just then, Yao Chengjie’s voice, filled with killing intent, echoed from the Holy Light Sect’s private room. "Kid, you’re so arrogant. Do you have any idea what the consequences of that arrogance are?"
"When I meet an arrogant person, I’m simply more arrogant than they are. It’s that simple," Shen Lang replied with a smile.
Mo Liusheng, who had been silent in their private room, finally spoke up. "I must say, you’re all reputable Profound Iron Level Influences. Aren’t you ashamed, ganging up on a young man in a place like this? If you have the ability, then let your money do the talking. What’s the point of all this useless chatter?"
"Old man, where did you pop out from? Do you think you’re qualified to speak to our Young Sect Leader? Get lost!" a member of the Holy Light Sect roared.
Shen Lang’s expression darkened. "Who the fuck do you think you are, daring to speak to Elder Mo like that?" he said coldly. "If you’re going to be a henchman, then be a good little dog. Stop fucking trying to talk like a person!"
"You... you’re courting death!"
The atmosphere grew even more tense, stretched taut like a drawn bowstring.
The people of the Holy Light Sect were the type to look for trouble, whether they had a reason or not.
But while Shen Lang had patience, he wasn’t the type to accept a major loss without a fight. If he was going to be put at a disadvantage, there had to be a good reason for it.
"Alright, alright. You are all here for the auction, so why get hung up on such trivial matters? This is the Treasure Pavilion. How about you do this old man a favor?" Sima Qing walked out unsteadily and stood beside Lian Ruoshui on the stage.
The Treasure Pavilion, which had been silent until now, had finally made its position clear.
The situation finally stabilized. As arrogant as the members of the Holy Light Sect were, they knew who held real power and didn’t dare to act too presumptuously.
"Since Elder Sima has spoken, it would be unreasonable not to give him face. Miss, down on the stage, since Shen Lang has won the bid for that item, shouldn’t we be moving on to the next? You may continue." The voice from Leng Hui’s private room was enchanting and elegant, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.
As the attendant brought the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf eyeball up to Shen Lang, Xue Dangdang shot a cold glare toward the private rooms of the Holy Light Sect and the Evil Wind Valley. For a split second, a bolt of lightning flashed in her eyes...
Meanwhile, Shui Qingwu, who had remained silent, watched Shen Lang with a complicated expression, feeling increasingly certain that her initial judgment was correct.
This mysterious young man was very likely the Ghost-faced People who had saved her that day.
It was just that she hadn’t found any concrete evidence yet.
The auction continued, and after that, no one from the Shen Family dared to make another sound.
Shen Lang, meanwhile, began to study the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf’s eyeball inside the private room.
"This thing might be rare, but it doesn’t seem valuable enough for you to place so much importance on it. What’s really going on?" Xue Dangdang couldn’t help but ask as she watched him examine the eyeball from every angle.
The eyes of both Shui Qingwu and Lanlos were also filled with questions.
"Take a guess..." Shen Lang said, holding the Jade Box in his hand.
Xue Dangdang puffed out her cheeks. "I’m not guessing! You’re being so secretive, I have no idea what you’re up to..."
"How could a single Howling Moon Celestial Wolf eyeball possibly be worth that much money? You must all be wondering, thinking that I’m either a fool with too much money or just impulsive, insisting on spending so much to compete with the Holy Light Sect just to let off some steam..."
"And you’re not?" Shui Qingwu said with a light chuckle.
"Of course not. Because in reality, this isn’t an eyeball from a Howling Moon Celestial Wolf at all..." Shen Lang held the object in his hand, his mood soaring now that he was completely certain.
"What? Young Master Lang, you’re saying this isn’t an eyeball from a Howling Moon Celestial Wolf?" Lanlos finally couldn’t help but speak up.
He had to say something. After all, he was from the Treasure Pavilion, and this item had been authenticated by the Treasure Pavilion’s chief Appraiser, Sima Qing. If there was a mistake, it would be a significant blow to the Treasure Pavilion’s reputation.
Shen Lang smiled and shook his head. "No need to be so surprised. I have no intention of disrespecting Elder Sima. Just keep this among yourselves, and don’t let it spread."
As he spoke, he placed the Jade Box on the table, made a "please look" gesture, and said, "Take a closer look. What’s different about this eyeball compared to the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf eyeballs you know of?"
The three of them immediately leaned in, examining it from all angles.
After a long moment, Shui Qingwu was the first to speak. "There doesn’t seem to be any difference. If I had to point something out, there’s a faint, blood-red line in the very center of the eyeball, and the area around the iris is a pale cyan. In theory, the area around a Howling Moon Celestial Wolf’s eyeball should be black. However, such a tiny detail isn’t enough to prove this isn’t a Howling Moon Celestial Wolf’s eyeball. All of its other features, including its aura and even the faintly visible blood moon within the pupil, are a perfect match."
"That’s all common knowledge. Don’t be so serious... acting like you’re the only one who knows," Xue Dangdang couldn’t help but jeer, annoyed that Shui Qingwu had beaten her to the punch.
Lanlos was silent for a moment before asking cautiously, "Then... what kind of Demon Beast does Young Master Lang believe this eyeball belongs to?"
He had learned his lesson now. Even though he was full of questions, he wouldn’t act so chaotically as he had before.
Shen Lang gave a knowing smile. "Legend has it that among the wolf races, there is a species called the Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf. These wolves aren’t native to this world; they are descendants of the Celestial Wolves from the Celestial Realm. The Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf is extremely rare and possesses the ability to hide in the void. They enjoy mingling with packs of Howling Moon Celestial Wolves, and because their coloration and appearance are so similar, most people find it impossible to tell them apart."
"I’ve never heard of such a Demon Beast... So how did you tell the difference? Was it just by seeing the blood-red line in the eyeball and the blood moon in the pupil?" Shui Qingwu asked in surprise.
Shen Lang fell silent. ’I really don’t know how to explain this,’ he thought. freewёbnoνel.com
’It was because a fragmented, disjointed memory told him so. In that memory, he had traveled far and wide, even venturing deep into a Space Rift, all to study the Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf.’
’His goal had been to obtain the third eye from a Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf’s forehead in order to practice a particular Cultivation Technique.’
’Shen Lang didn’t know where this Cultivation Technique came from, but he was certain it was incredibly heaven-defying. By using it in conjunction with the trace of the Space-Time Law contained within the third eye of a Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf, it was said one could cultivate the Silver Eyes of Truth.’
’These Silver Eyes of Truth possessed the ability to shatter all illusions, allowing the user to perceive the fundamental Origin and Rules of all things.’
’If cultivated to its peak, one could not only see through all falsehoods and every type of Invisibility Spell in existence but also glimpse the Heaven and Earth Laws that only the most supreme experts could ever hope to touch!’
’Now, that complete Cultivation Technique resided within his mind, and the third eye of a Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf was right in front of him. How could he not be ecstatic!’
It was just that these secrets were far too astonishing. Even if Shen Lang trusted the people with him, he could hardly reveal such things to them in a place like this.
"You’re right. I did primarily rely on the two features you mentioned to determine that this is the eyeball of a Hidden Moon Celestial Wolf. Of course, apart from those two things, the most important factor is the feeling the eyeball gives off. Haven’t you noticed? When you stare at it for even a short while, you start to feel as if the eyeball is coming alive, compelling you to keep looking."
