Chapter 86: The Charm of the Small Town

If not for the impending auction, Zhang Pu, caught in a moment’s whim, would have gone to see those golden woods himself. The Jinmu region was, in fact, the most remote area of the province where Zhang Pu currently resided. It was a mountainous expanse, and Wulong Town lay at the very heart of these mountains.

Though Wulong Town appeared prosperous on the surface—thanks to the presence of a large underground auction house, its facilities even surpassing those of the county—it was, in truth, nestled deep in the mountains, far from the reach of people. Beyond the town sprawled dense, ancient forests, and deeper still, the wilderness thickened, bordering two other provinces. This vast swath of woodland and wetlands was truly deserted. In fact, the area was so expansive—larger than the original Wulong Town itself—that even the local authorities of all three provinces could not precisely define the boundaries. Few, if any, lived within its depths.

Why did no one settle in such a wide expanse of mountains and wetlands? Besides the difficulty of access and the challenges of development, the landscape was unremarkable, almost inhospitable, devoid of scenic beauty. Had it been picturesque, it might have attracted tourism and generated income. But who, after all, would journey to Wulong Town simply to see Jinmu? Few came each year, and Jinmu itself was hardly attractive.

If Zhang Pu were to set off now, he knew that even with his swift pace, he might not return in time for tomorrow’s auction. Moreover, the minor wind-manipulation techniques he’d learned from the cultivation world were far from perfected—suitable for amusing athletes on the sports field, perhaps, but not for a rapid round trip to the golden woods. Time would run short, especially since he wished not merely to visit, but to study them in depth.

He decided to wait until the auction was over. There was no need to rush. Comforted by this thought, Zhang Pu settled into sleep, for the night was already deep.

The next day, the auction began. Zhang Pu, adhering to a principle of discretion, led his companions in quietly, avoiding any ostentatious display.

Yet, at one entrance, someone recognized Liu Yingde. Zhang Pu mused inwardly: The Witch Ghost Sect’s reputation truly travels far.

That person addressed Liu Yingde as "Master," much like the hotel owner from the previous night, displaying great respect. Witnessing this, Zhang Pu could not help but wonder why someone of Liu Yingde’s stature would so readily act as his subordinate—was he truly willing?

But, recalling the unwavering loyalty in Liu Yingde’s expression, Zhang Pu realized that the few techniques he had revealed must have utterly astonished the man. It was Zhang Pu who was the true master, though those who revered Liu Yingde had yet to see it.

The previous auction at Yueyao Manor had taken place at night, but this time, the Wulong Town auction was held during the day. Both, however, were underground affairs. The scale and excitement here far surpassed Yueyao Manor’s—where only the Qingwu region participated—whereas now, half the province, five regions combined, had gathered.

Normally, Zhang Pu kept a low profile in Qingwu, and only a handful of elites there knew him. Even though a few from Qingwu might be present, he recognized few faces. Liu Yingde, on the other hand, was well-known—his Witch Ghost Sect was prominent in Qingwu, and many people greeted him, recognizing his status.

Zhang Pu did not know how many from Qingwu had come, but from the exchanges between Liu Yingde and others, he could easily glean glimpses of the crowd’s composition. Still, he thought: What does it matter?

He harbored no ambition to become the foremost figure in Qingwu; yet, faintly, he sensed that the wheel of history, set in motion by his rebirth, was inexorably steering him in that direction, whether he wished it or not.

Soon, they entered the auction hall. Through some connections, Liu Yingde had secured a seat—not too close to the front, nor too far behind, and not conspicuous—precisely suiting Zhang Pu’s wish for modesty. Clearly, Liu Yingde understood his moods well.

Shortly after they settled in, the underground auction of Wulong Town in Jinmu began. The auctioneer, like the one Zhang Pu had seen at Yueyao Manor, was a young, beautiful woman.

The previous auctioneer at Yueyao Manor had worn a vivid red dress, which Zhang Pu had jokingly thought was meant to symbolize prosperous business. But this time, the auctioneer wore a dress of dark golden hue—reminiscent of the color of Jinmu itself!

Zhang Pu’s heart skipped a beat. Upon closer inspection, despite the distance from the stage, the bright lights and his cultivated vision allowed him to see clearly: the dark golden gown was subtly embroidered with a dragon—Wulong.

What a creative touch! Zhang Pu found himself silently admiring it. The dragon-emblazoned dark gold dress suited the auctioneer perfectly—not at all out of place, but rather imbued her with a unique, striking beauty.

This was the spirit of Jinmu’s Wulong Town, Zhang Pu thought, once more moved.

The auction officially commenced.

The first item was, unexpectedly, a work of art—a sculpture depicting a miniature town, featuring prominently a dragon and the golden woods.

Though perhaps not crafted by a master sculptor, it was remarkably lifelike and skillfully made, capturing the essence and charm of Jinmu’s Wulong Town.

The golden woods and dragon were the heart of the piece.

A warm round of applause burst forth from the audience, delighting in the originality with which the auction was opened.

Moreover, the art was not merely for display. It was said to have been sculpted by a young artist from a poor family, who hoped to sell his work to fund further studies and pursue his artistic dreams.

As the auctioneer introduced him, applause erupted again; it was clear most attendees supported the young artist’s endeavor.

Some, perhaps, were even moved to sponsor this talented yet impoverished youth.