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Another absolute silence in the hall interrupted Chen Mo’s thoughts.
“Junior Brother.” Jiang Yuezhuo gently tugged Chen Mo’s clothes.
“Hm?” Chen Mo lifted his head.
The girl subtly hinted.
Three women walked into the entrance. Just like when the Lü Clan Spring And Autumn came, when they entered the auction hall, no one said a word. Everyone looked at them, some with astonished expressions, others with admiration, others with envy.
The three women were beautiful, but they were all dressed differently. One wore a scholarly long skirt and flowers upon her shoulders. Her black hair cascaded down her back, and her pupils wore an abyss. Another wore a half armor-gown, a very popular attire for martial generals in Star World. The last woman’s eyes were like water, her skin like snow. A water-blue see-through muslin one-piece dress and short skirt. Her skirt was pleated, embedded with golden immortals. Black phoenix pattern boots extended up above her knee. The woman’s figure was tall and slender, very enchanting.
“These are people from the Wang Clan of Langya.” Little Yun exclaimed under her breath.
“Wang Clan of Langya?”
They were once one of the most flourishing clans in Chinese history and during the time of Wang Xizhi in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. They split the Eastern Jin evenly with the Sima Clan of the time. Later, because the Wang and Xie Clans’ Wang Dao and Xie An, as well as their successors, held overwhelming power over the court and commoners, their outstanding talents and achievements were featured prominently in the annals of history. Theirs were accomplishments and glory that later generations and clans had no hope of reaching. They became the envy of all later generations and hence were commonly known as “Wang-Xie.” Liu Yuxi even had a poem, “Wuyi Lane”1 – Swallows of the Wang and Xie who were once so great, now fly in search of commoner promenade.2 The Wang and Xie of the poem referred to none other than them.
Much like what Chen Mo knew, the Wang Clan of Langya in Star World was also a sect-like influence, dominating the Langya Star Field next to the Cangwu Star Field. The Wang Clan of Langya’s “Orchid Pavilion Book Sage” Wang Xizhi and “Langya Emperor” Wang Dao were famous in the Inner Star Field. While Star World’s Star Names changed with the “calendars,” the Wang Clan of Langya from start to finish had maintained the same line. This was extremely rare in Star World.
The three people from the Wang Clan of Langya also came to the third floor, sitting down in a VIP booth with a screen.
The three girls had inherited the Wang Clan’s grace and refinement, quite in the style of Wu Daozi’s painting, “Wu Brings the Wind, Cao’s Clothes Leave the River,” making everyone feel ashamed of their inferiority. A thousand years of history. This was not something the average sect, or even the Lü Spring And Autumn, could compare to. Each and every single one of these girls’ movements were modest and mild.
The Spring And Autumns’ Lü Meng sneered: “Wang Xianzhi,3 what wind surprisingly blew you here today. Can it be that your Wang Clan Of Lanya also wants to purchase calligraphy and paintings in the Cangwu Star Field.”
Saying this, Lü Meng laughed.
“Lü Meng, the Spring And Autumn dispatched you to the Thousand Gold Pavilion. I assume that the illustrious Spring And Autumn did not have you appear here simply due to a lack of people.” The girl in the blue see-through skirt expressionlessly hit back.
Her elegant, light gold hair showed her nobility and grace, and her ocean blue eyes contained a unique detachment and mystery. Compared to the warmth of the Wang Clan of Langya, the girl had an additional ice-cold indifference. Contrarily, she appeared even more attractive.
Against the Heavenly Star Great General Lü Meng, the girl was neither servile nor overbearing despite not being a Heavenly Star herself.
Lü Meng smirked: “Little Sister, what is your name.”
“Earthly Mingjun Star ‘Commandery Princess Of Lanling’ Wang Yuanji.”4 The girl’s teeth were spotlessly white, her words like a string of pearls.
Lü Meng nodded and slightly grinned. Next to her, Lü Xiang disdainfully said: “Wang Yuanji? How have we never heard of this Star Name in the Wang Clang of Langya before.”
“What business has the gossip of lowborns have to do with Yuanji.”
Lü Xiang’s expression turned unsightly. Lü Meng laughed aloud: “A nimble mouth, however, you had best have the strength to support that.” The last few words were filled with Lü Meng’s killing intent.
“Our Wang Clan Of Langya is strength embodied.” The Wang Clan’s martial generals were imposing, and the perfectly still woman calmly answered.
“Wang Dun, your words are reasonable.”5 Wang Xianzhi softly chuckled.
“The Cangwu Star Field is but the territory of our Lü Spring And Autumn. Wang Xianzhi, you had best be self-aware.” Lü Xiang slammed the table in an angry outburst. The Lü Clan disciples standing behind her each showed furious gazes like flames.
The Wang Clan’s side was still mild and calm as running water.
One truly was like fire, the other like water, and the two did not mix.
The Lü Clan and the Wang Clan were the greatest forces in their respective Star Fields, and their philosophies were very similar. Lü Zhi, when she had the inspiration to gather all the clan’s Star Generals in Star World, even was rumored to have done so because of the Wang Clan, as they each competed in secret.
The Wang Clan was not very willing to see a force similar to their own copy them.
“Forget it, noisy words are merely the bravery of cowards. If the Wang Clan truly also wants to go to the Connecting Valley, then we will need to see if they are lucky enough.” Lü Meng waved her hand, her impatience making the Lü disciples settle down.
“Exactly, even an actual hero general who wants to leave their name behind in the annals of history requires us spiritual power Star Generals. Lü Meng, let us see this time whether or not someone can achieve it.”
Wang Xianzhi leisurely set down her white jade teacup.
Lü Meng guffawed.
“Femininity overpowering masculinity, we are unfortunate.”
Chen Mo watched both the Lü Clan and the Wang Clan. Both people who traded sharp-tongued words were women; there was basically no man to speak of. He then looked through the third floor booths, which had many tables of people. There were some male cultivators, but they appeared to be not worth a mention compared to the Star Generals.
Chen Mo sighed, then glanced at Wang Yuanji.
She was different from the other Star Generals. Other than her very gorgeous blue see-through clothes, “Commandery Princess Of Lanling” Wang Yuanji’s water and ice-like personality was a bit reminiscent of Auntie, making Chen Mo somewhat long for her.
Wang Yuanji’s gaze glanced over. Her blue pupils were like a frozen pond. No cultivator dared to make eye contact with her.
Chen Mo retracted his gaze. He unflinchingly smiled and cupped his fist.
Wang Yuanji was taken aback. She was a bit surprised at Chen Mo’s warm attitude. The girl snorted and continued to stare.
“Yuanji, what is the matter?” Wang Xianzhi followed her gaze to spot Chen Mo’s table.
Jiang Kui, who was in brocade and palace dress, was even more eye-catching, but the man beside her had a restrained presence that made Wang Xianzhi unable to help but take even more notice of him. In Star World, very few men could have such a situation with Star Generals..
“Nothing.” Wang Yuanji shook her head.
“En, this man’s, Star Energy is apparently very reserved.” Wang Xianzhi muttered.
“Men are all insignificant, yet I actually have mind about that table. Presumably, the Spring And Autumn has also noticed him.” Wang Dun said in a low voice.
In the third floor’s farthest private booth, there sat two people. However, the two of them were wrapped up in cloaks that hid their appearances. These movements were quite a bit conspicuous, which contrarily made people pay even more attention to them.
“But there are only two people. They probably did not come from the Central Star Field, otherwise there would be no need to do this.” Wang Xianzhi said.
“In short, pay a bit more attention.”
…
Not long after, the auction formally began.
Crystalline lights suddenly dimmed, and an abundantly charming woman delicately walked up to the auction hall’s platform. The beautiful woman wore tight, gorgeous white silk clothes, and she wore a lake green sleeveless jacket as well as a lake green long skirt that trailed along the floor. Her brows were like umber, giving off a mature charm.
After the beautiful lady appeared, she immediately one the cheers of all the men present.
“I never expected that Lady Wei6 herself would actually appear for this Great Auction.”
“Is there a good treasure?”
Lady Wei’s smiled with heavenly charm: “Today, there is a special item. Both the Lü Clan Spring And Autumn as well as the Wang Clan of Langya have come. How can This Lady be so rude.”
“Lady Wei, thank you. You are rumored to be an Ancient Star Name, and you have even taught calligraphy sages.” Wang Xianzhi replied with etiquette, unmoved by the woman’s charm.
During ancient times, indeed, there were many records that the “Orchid Pavilion Calligraphy Sage” received personal instruction in calligraphy from Lady Wei in the past, laying a deep foundation. However, those were the Star Names of a few different generations, and they had no relationship to the present. Still, on account of this, the Wang Clan was polite to Lady Wei.
“I didn’t expect the Thousand Gold Pavilion’s owner to be Lady Wei.” Chen Mo admired the beauty’s grace.
Chen Mo was aware of the name, “Lady Wei.” In history, she enjoyed quite the reputation, for she was a famous calligrapher of the Western Jin Dynasty. In addition to her Picture of Ink Brush, rumor had it that she was the master of Wang Xizhi.
In this Star Field where calligraphy was eminent, only she could control the venue.
“Lady Wei is known as the ‘Miracle Brush Famous Concubine.’7 They say that her works engross immortals, gather mists, are endlessly admirable, that they are red lotuses reflected in the water, crimson clouds in the green lake. That is considerably outstanding.” Jiang Yuezhuo said in admiration.
“Has Senior Sister Yuezhuo not collected her True Works?” Chen Mo asked.
“Lady Wei very rarely writes inscription tablets, so her True Works are very difficult to collect.”
“If there’s a chance, you should seize one. This way, Senior Sister’s ‘Thousand Inscriptions’ will have even more prestige.” Chen Mo considered that since he was helping Jiang Yuezhuo and cast a unique Astral Treasure, then they could not let go of any True Works.
Jiang Yuezhuo blinked: “Junior Brother, in reality, Lady Wei caught your fancy, didn’t she.”
“Mine?” Chen Mo looked at Lady Wei’s fully mature and curvaceous elegance. It had quite the fatal destructive power against a man. “I may fancy her, but she won’t fancy me.” Chen Mo smiled.
Jiang Yuezhuo covered her smile with her hands, feeling her junior brother was too modest.
Lady Wei made some opening remarks while bodyguards already occupied the platform’s surroundings. Two maids presented a treasure chest. The auction had officially started.
The first item was a very large stone tablet, a turtle and stele style. This was a True Work inscription of Yan Zhenqing – Abundant Treasure Pagoda Stele!
“Another True Work of Yan Zhenqing.” This was the third one that Chen Mo saw.
In Star World’s calligraphy schools, Yan Zhenqing had a hobby, which was her great fondness for engraving stone steles. Legend said that she carried many precious “turtle and stele.” She traveled through every Great Star Field and often expressed her sentiments in her inscriptions, leaving behind a plethora of True Works. On that topic, Jiang Kui and Mi Fu had each collected her works.
This Abundant Treasure Pagoda Stele was very intact, the calligraphy bold and rigorous, the lines of little characters meticulous and outstanding.
Because this was a True Work, the inscription tablet contained some Star Energy that had seeped into it. Just smashing it made it akin to an Astral Treasure, the thing that cultivators were most fond of. This one in particular contained Yan Zhenqing’s True Work. If someone was lucky enough, they could even comprehend some abilities. Since ancient times, the calligraphy of Star World’s spiritual energy Star Generals had this capability.
This Abundant Treasure Pagoda Stele started at “twenty thousand Astral Dollars.”
Cangwu Star Field’s cultivators all bid madly for it, and Jiang Kui was a bit interested as well.
However, in the end, it was purchased by the nearby Nian Xuesong for thirty-eight thousand Astral Dollars.
“Thank you, everyone. Master has always been very fond of Master Yan’s works.” Nian Xuesong cupped his and spoke very gratefully.
“Elder Under The Pine should obtain such an intact True Work.”
“Please send our regards to Elder Under The Pine.”
A group of cultivators flattered him.
“Did Elder Under The Pine not attend today?” Lady Wei smiled.
“Master is currently playing go with a friend, so he let me represent him this time.” Nian Xuesong said apologetically.
Lady Wei grinned: “Elder Under The Pine is one the Cangwu Star Field’s virtuous and prestigious Lords Of Heaven. This Abundant Treasure Pagoda Stele is quite appropriate for the old man.”
Chen Mo glanced over. It seemed this Elder Under The Pine had quite the background.
The first auction was concluded, and now came the second item. Similarly, it was an inscription tablet, but it was not intact; only a small portion was here. But with a closer look, it suddenly made people gasp in amazement.
The brush strokes on the tablet were continuous and unbroken, wielding the brush with vigor and strength, spiraling with pure skill. The row of strokes were perfect, giving people myriad feelings. The strokes broke off, but their intent continued, making people lose themselves in endless reverie.
Jiang Kui’s breathing also became rapid.
“Senior Sister, you seem to not have this True Work.”
Chen Mo said.
“Yes, her True Works are too hard to get.” Jiang Yuezhuo sighed.
The second inscription tablet was none other than “Supreme Mad Brush” Zhang Xu’s masterpiece.
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