Chapter 444 - 442: I’ll Tell You a Story

Chapter 442: Let Me Tell You a Story

"You... You’re the Little Ghost?" someone asked, staring uncertainly at the figure who had suddenly appeared before them.

The figure who had suddenly appeared beamed. "The one and only," he said. "I am the Little Ghost, and the Little Ghost is me."

Everyone exchanged glances, staring at the person who had just appeared. The situation felt absurd. When they heard about the "Little Ghost’s auction," many had assumed the host would be a Ghost Envoy from Fengdu City.

However, the person who had just materialized didn’t fit that image in the slightest. He was an elderly man with a burly build—not "little" at all. His hair and beard were both snow-white and long. With a kind face and gentle eyes, he looked just like a benevolent grandfather.

No one could possibly connect this man with the name "Little Ghost." He wasn’t a Little Ghost at all; he was clearly just a kind, ordinary old man.

Many of the young Cultivators present opened their Celestial Eyes, trying to see if the old man was human or ghost. However, no matter who tried, none could see through him. It was impossible to determine his nature.

"Are you a human or a ghost?" someone couldn’t help but ask.

"That’s a secret!" the Little Ghost replied with a beaming smile, his tone deliberately mysterious. This only piqued the curiosity of the young Cultivators even more.

Although their Celestial Eyes couldn’t determine if he was human or ghost, he didn’t look like a ghost in any way. But if he wasn’t a ghost, what was he? Everyone knew that cultivators of the older generation, no matter how powerful, would never willingly enter Fengdu City. The only ones who did were those with a death wish.

If he was human, why would he enter Fengdu City? Besides, anyone could see that the city seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. It was common knowledge that anyone with a declining Blood Qi would be affected upon entering Fengdu City, and the effect was even more pronounced on older Cultivators. Yet, the Little Ghost seemed completely immune.

This raised doubts in many people’s minds. Qiu Rong Wanxue, sitting beside Li Qiye, couldn’t help but whisper, "Is he really a ghost?"

To be honest, Qiu Rong Wanxue had initially pictured the Little Ghost as a short, perhaps even child-like, Ghost Envoy. She never imagined he would be a benevolent old man.

"Him..." Li Qiye glanced at the Little Ghost, a smile touching his lips. He gently shook his head. "Well, that’s hard to say. I’m afraid nobody knows."

Qiu Rong Wanxue knew Li Qiye must know something; he simply wasn’t willing to say it.

"Alright, enough talk. The auction begins now!" the Little Ghost announced with a grin. "The rules are simple. I don’t want things like Treasure Soldiers, nor do I want Essence Jade or Night Sun Fish. I will present an item, and any of you can offer something in exchange. I will trade with whoever offers the item I like the most."

Hearing the Little Ghost’s terms, many in the crowd exchanged confused looks. What kind of auction was this? It was just bartering. And a strange method of auctioneering, at that.

The Little Ghost then produced a Small Coffin. It wasn’t large, about the size of a chest. The entire coffin looked as if it were carved from a single, seamless piece of jade, and it radiated a cool, crisp aura.

The Little Ghost gently opened the Small Coffin. The moment he did, an emerald light shone from within, accompanied by a clear, crisp chime—like the sound of Golden Pearls rolling across a Jade Disc.

Everyone looked and saw a cocoon inside—one about the size of a fist. The entire cocoon was a vibrant green, as if woven from Jade Silk. It was a truly wondrous sight.

"This is the cocoon of a Cyan Heaven Cicada! The larva is still inside. Once it hatches, the cicada will emerge," the Little Ghost explained with a grin. He then closed the Small Coffin. "Now, present your treasures."

At his words, many people exchanged glances. Most had never even heard of a Cyan Heaven Cicada, let alone consider trading their treasures for it.

"The Cyan Heaven Cicada... legends say they come from the Ancient Immortal Lands!" a young Cultivator from an Ancient Family finally exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion.

At this revelation, everyone present was stirred. Every Cultivator knew that simply entering an Ancient Immortal Land was a miracle, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It didn’t matter which of the Six Great Ancient Immortal Lands it was; anyone fortunate enough to get inside was guaranteed to have a great harvest.

The fact that this Cyan Heaven Cicada came from an Ancient Immortal Land was enough to leave everyone stunned.

"I have an Outer Daoist Soldier here, called the Star Meteor Bell..." one young Cultivator hurriedly said, taking out a Treasure Bell.

"I said no weapons!" Before the young Cultivator could finish his sentence, the Little Ghost grabbed him with one hand and tossed him straight out of the Central City.

The ease with which the Little Ghost had tossed him out of the Central City sent a chill through many hearts. They now knew the auctioneer’s power was unfathomable.

"I have a gem I’d like to trade," another Cultivator said, taking out a Treasure Box. He opened it just enough for a few wisps of Divine Light to escape, gave the Little Ghost a quick look, and then snapped it shut, afraid others might see the gem inside.

"Not interested," the Little Ghost said with a single glance and a shake of his head.

"I have an Ancient Bone." At this, Qing Jinzi of the Ten Thousand Bones Sacred Clan took out a palm-sized bone. It appeared to be a skull fragment, pitch-black in color. The moment he revealed it, sinister, ghostly wails filled the air, chilling everyone to the bone.

"Now this is interesting." The Little Ghost glanced at the Ancient Bone and nodded in approval.

Qing Jinzi’s heart leaped with joy. It seemed he had a real chance of trading for the Cyan Heaven Cicada.

"How about I tell you a story instead?" Li Qiye said leisurely at that moment.

When Li Qiye spoke, Qiu Rong Wanxue froze for a second. ’This is absurd! Everyone else is offering treasures, and he wants to trade a story?’

"Hmph. If you don’t have a treasure, stop causing trouble and get out of the way," Qing Jinzi sneered, looking at the human Li Qiye with disdain.

"Acceptable," the Little Ghost said, nodding eagerly. "But be warned. If your story is just nonsense you’ve concocted, I’ll throw you out. Of course, if I enjoy your story, the Cyan Heaven Cicada is yours."

Everyone was incredulous at the Little Ghost’s words. Trading a story for a treasure? It was utterly preposterous. They had never witnessed anything like it.

"Don’t you worry, it’s an excellent story," Li Qiye said with a smile. He cleared his throat and began. "A long, long time ago, there was a Crow that could speak. Also a long, long time ago, there was a man named Gongyang, who was from the Nether Realm. One day, the Crow met Gongyang. The Crow told Gongyang that in a place called the Immortal Cave, there lived an Immortal. This Immortal was Undying. Moreover, this Immortal grew an Immortal Herb, and whoever ate it would also become Undying..."

"What kind of nonsense story is this..." Prince Shen Ran scoffed.

"Shut up!" The Little Ghost, however, was listening with rapt attention. He cut Prince Shen Ran off, and the prince obediently fell silent.

"...However, obtaining the Immortal’s herb was extremely difficult. The Crow told Gongyang he had a way for him to get the Immortal Herb, as long as he followed the Crow’s plan. And so, Gongyang trusted the Crow..."

Li Qiye continued his tale at a slow, deliberate pace, telling what sounded like a very dull story. Many in the audience were practically dozing off; they had no interest in listening. ’What a jumbled mess of a story,’ they thought. ’Even a child wouldn’t want to hear this.’ For Cultivators who experienced wondrous and magical things daily, such a boring and nonsensical tale was tedious beyond belief.

In truth, even Qiu Rong Wanxue found the story uninteresting. The legend of any Immortal Emperor would be far more captivating than this little tale. This was the kind of story one might tell to children in the Mortal World. For Cultivators, Li Qiye’s story was even more mundane than their own daily experiences.

"...Gongyang followed the Crow’s advice. He met the Immortal and saw the Immortal Herb. Gongyang then asked the Immortal for the herb, but the Immortal..." Li Qiye trailed off, pausing his story.

"And then what?" In stark contrast to the bored crowd, the Little Ghost was completely engrossed. Most of them couldn’t understand what was so captivating about such a dull story.

"Then Gongyang’s clan was annihilated," Li Qiye said, and then he chuckled.

The first person to be left speechless was Qiu Rong Wanxue. ’What kind of story is that? His whole clan is suddenly wiped out? The ending has nothing to do with the beginning! It’s a complete mess! What was that?!’

"A bullshit story with no beginning and no end," someone grumbled. They felt that Li Qiye’s abrupt ending was ridiculous. While the story had been boring and bland, it had at least followed some kind of order. To suddenly blurt out that Gongyang’s clan was annihilated was completely disjointed and nonsensical.

The Little Ghost, however, closed his eyes and began to sway his head, muttering to himself. No one could understand a word he was saying.

"A fine story! A fine story indeed! Marvelous, truly marvelous! A miracle for the ages! The only one of its kind!" After a long moment, the Little Ghost exclaimed in admiration, clapping his hands.

The Little Ghost’s praise left everyone, including Qiu Rong Wanxue, completely dumbfounded. It was too preposterous. A messy, nonsensical story with no real beginning or end had been lauded as a fine tale. The whole thing was absurd beyond belief.

"This Small Coffin is yours!" The Little Ghost seemed thrilled, tossing the Jade Coffin containing the Cyan Heaven Cicada to Li Qiye.

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