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"Shopkeeper, wrap up this painting for me!"
Chu Ming turned his head. The speaker was a fat man with a wealthy expression, dressed luxuriously and extravagantly, with all ten fingers adorned in rings, looking very much like a newly rich businessman, extremely impatient.
Chu Ming glanced at the painting in his hand; it was just an ordinary painting, signed by Qi Feiyang, the painting sage from five hundred years ago. However, Chu Ming could see that it was most likely a forgery, with the ink on the painting not yet fully dry, indicating it had been painted recently. But Chu Ming did not speak out to avoid disrupting Yibao Pavilion's business and breaking the antique street's rules.
Redirecting his attention to the antiques he wanted to pick out, Chu Ming couldn't help but lose interest. Despite the many antiques, none caught his eye.
Just as he was about to call Chu Qiweng and leave, he paused, his gaze falling on a palm-sized, yellowish beast hide not far away. Just now, as he passed by it, Chu Ming clearly felt a slight vibration from the white light plate within his body.
Feigning great interest, Chu Ming approached the yellowish beast hide again. Instantly, the white light plate in his chest vibrated lightly once more. Chu Ming's eyes narrowed as he gently picked up the beast hide; the frequency of the light plate's vibrations continued to increase.
Chu Ming took a deep breath. The white light plate had always been very mysterious. Although he did not know its origin, its power was undeniable. The reaction when approaching the beast hide indicated it was something extraordinary. He pondered over this repeatedly in his heart.
"Shopkeeper, how much for this beast hide?" Chu Ming gently asked, holding the beast hide, determined to buy the palm-sized hide at any cost.
Hearing Chu Ming's question, the shopkeeper immediately smiled and walked over. After seeing what Chu Ming was holding, he slowly said, "Fifty thousand silver taels, no bargaining!"
Chu Ming was shocked. Items in Yibao Pavilion were all non-negotiable, whether profitable or a loss, depended on one's luck. Although fifty thousand silver taels were a lot, it was not unaffordable for Chu Ming. Given the reaction of the white light plate, if he didn't buy it, he would surely regret it.
Without changing his expression, he handed the silver notes to the shopkeeper. Chu Qiweng, putting down a vase, walked over with a puzzled look and asked, "Chu Ming, why did you buy a defective beast hide?"
"I suddenly felt the urge to research it," Chu Ming replied with a light smile. Chu Qiweng did not believe this for a second, but no matter how he looked, he could not find anything unusual about the yellowish beast hide. He had no choice but to give up.
Although the shopkeeper kept smiling, he felt utter disdain for Chu Ming's explanation. All items displayed here were appraised by Yibao Pavilion's master appraisers beforehand. Valuable items had already been taken, leaving only discarded items outside.
In the end, Chu Qiweng also chose a vase and a painting, spending eighty thousand silver taels. Given these amounts, Yibao Pavilion's annual profit was astronomical, considering some antiques might only cost a dozen silver taels to buy.
When the two left Yibao Pavilion, it was already noon.
"Chu Ming, let's go to Chaofeng Tower for a meal. My treat!" Chu Qiweng, possessing a storage ring gifted by his master, had already stored his painting and vase inside.
Chaofeng Tower was the largest restaurant in Great Yan City. The last time Chu Ming visited was a year ago. He immediately nodded in agreement.
A quarter of an hour later, the two arrived at Chaofeng Tower and were led by a waiter to the second floor.
"Sirs, would you prefer a private room or to dine in the main hall?" the waiter asked respectfully.
"The main hall will do," Chu Ming responded.
"Alright, there's a table by the window. This way, please." The waiter first gestured with his hand before quickly running over to wipe the table with a towel slung over his shoulder.
Sitting down heavily, Chu Qiweng looked at the street outside and said, "Great Yan City still feels so familiar. You wouldn't believe it, my master and I travel through the Celestial Realm, from one small town to another across vast distances. Sometimes, with bad luck, we encounter desolate places and have to endure the elements."
"Have you encountered any danger?" Chu Ming asked.
"Of course! We were chased by a Seventh Level Demon Beast in Black Wind Forest, nearly losing our lives. We've also been besieged by experts from Demonic Organizations and faced a Third Level Demon, but we still managed to escape."
Recalling these events, Chu Qiweng's heart still throbbed with fear.
Chu Ming had a bit of admiration for Chu Qiweng. The latter was clearly a wandering soul, as was his master; no wonder they became mentor and disciple.
The food arrived, and they also ordered a pot of wine, enjoying themselves thoroughly. After they ate and drank to satisfaction, Chu Qiweng paid, and they headed back to the Chu Family together.
Prompted by Chu Qiweng's tales, Chu Ming also wanted to explore the Celestial Realm. However, without reaching the True Dao Realm, it was impossible to even protect himself there.
Back in his room, Chu Ming took out the yellowish beast hide. No matter how he examined it, he could not find anything special about it. It merely appeared to be a partial map, with a considerable missing portion. Otherwise, Yibao Pavilion would not have put it on display.
Helpless, Chu Ming decided to store the beast hide away and wait until he grew stronger to investigate further.
Time flew by, and the day of the family competition arrived.
Early morning.
The Chu Family courtyard was filled with Chu Family descendants. Although the Chu Family was just a family clan, it had five or six hundred members, plus stewards and guards, rivaling a small sect.
At this moment, most of the Chu Family descendants stood quietly. Chu Ming, standing at the back, was inconspicuous.
Before long, Chu He, the Chu Family Elder, and the elder generation walked over. As they passed through the crowd in the center, Grand Elder Chu He paused slightly, looking sternly at the many Chu Family descendants.
Led by the Chu Family stewards, one by one, martial artists with extraordinary auras and steady steps entered the Chu Family courtyard.
"Hahaha, Brother Chu, congratulations! Your Chu Family descendants are truly exceptional!"
A middle-aged man laughed heartily as he strode toward Chu He. The man's aura was equally imposing, with cultivation no less than Chu He's.
Chu He laughed aloud and said, "Prince Fourth, you flatter us! Please come inside!"
One by one, extraordinary martial artists with powerful auras were arranged by the stewards to sit in their designated seats.
Soon, the VIP seats around the Chu Family courtyard were filled with representatives and leaders of various forces. The Yang Family and Zhang Family sent their patriarchs, while the Bai Family sent only their Grand Elder, showing considerable disdain. However, having been the patriarch for many years, Chu He managed to contain his anger, maintaining his composure.
After everyone settled, Patriarch Chu He, Grand Elder Chu Ziping, and others sat in the main seats.
Seeing this, an early-stage True Dao Realm Elder walked to the center of the courtyard, paused briefly, and loudly announced, "All participants of the family competition, please come forward to draw lots!"
Using spiritual power when he spoke, his voice seemed to resonate right next to the ears of the Chu Family descendants.
The family competition was open to all Chu Family descendants under eighteen. As soon as he finished speaking, a group of Chu Family youths stepped forward to draw lots. Each pair then became opponents for that round.
Chu Ming glanced at his lot. His first opponent was Chu Li, who had one of the best talents in the family, with cultivation at the Third Layer of the Transcendence Realm. In the past, if Chu Ming met him, there would be no point in competing.
"The useless one turned normal, but it's a pity he won't get past the first round!" Chu Ziping glanced at Chu Ming and said disdainfully to the person beside him.
Hearing this, Chu He immediately changed his expression, angrily saying to Chu Ziping, "Watch your words!" Although Chu Ziping was not the Chu Family patriarch, his status was no less than Chu He's because he was an Inner Sect Elder of Burning Fire Valley, holding significant sway there. In the past, during the patriarch competition, Chu He narrowly won, leaving Chu Ziping resentful and causing ongoing friction between them.
"Today is the Chu Family's annual competition; don't make a joke of us. Brother Ziping, let me treat you to a drink in a few days!" The Fourth Prince, seeing the tension, immediately acted as a mediator, smiling at Chu Ziping.
"How could I refuse the Fourth Prince's invitation?" Reluctant to argue with Chu He, Chu Ziping accepted the prince's intercession.
Chu Ming's turn came up. Chu Li, dressed in black and wielding a large saber, looked quite formidable, exuding a sharp aura.
"How many moves do you think Chu Ming can withstand?"
"Not even one, I wager. He'll probably be scared senseless by Chu Li's imposing aura!"
"Heh heh, this should be entertaining!"
Seeing Chu Ming step onto the stage, the Chu Family descendants below couldn't help but jeer.