Chapter 2379: Chapter 2383: Didn’t Suffer Any Loss
Upon hearing Tan Ming’s words, Jiang Chen reflexively glanced at Mu Wanqiu.
Noticing Jiang Chen’s gaze, Mu Wanqiu proudly said, "If you wish to show allegiance to my Mu Royal Mansion, you must offer the Five Elements Emperor Slayer Array."
Fan Buzhuo was slightly taken aback, furrowing his brow lightly, and murmured, "Wanqiu."
Mu Wanqiu’s words clearly indicated a desire for Jiang Chen’s Five Elements Emperor Slayer Array, which displeased Fan Buzhuo somewhat.
"Brother Fan, I know he’s from your Academy, but please understand, it’s not worth it for our Mu Royal Mansion to offend the Qingwang Residence over a Mid Divine Infant Realm cultivator!"
Mu Wanqiu softly explained.
"I never intended to rely on your Mu Royal Mansion’s influence."
Jiang Chen responded indifferently.
He had no personal ties with Mu Wanqiu and had never planned to seek her help. It was merely a reflexive glance, yet it provoked such a cold and arrogant response.
Mu Wanqiu’s brows knitted slightly after hearing this, and she murmured softly, "Ungrateful!"
Jiang Chen cast Mu Wanqiu a glance and ignored her further.
Fan Buzhuo’s expression shifted slightly, but he did not insist, turning to the entrance of Box 2 and shouting to Tan Ming, "Daring to target a student from our Changling Academy, Tan Ming, you have quite the nerve!"
Tan Ming’s expression changed briefly, then he smiled gently, "I’m not planning anything harmful. Just inviting him as a guest to my Qingwang Residence, which your Academy has no say in, right?"
"I’m sorry, but the academy’s entry competition is in a month, and I don’t have the time or interest to visit your Qingwang Residence!"
Jiang Chen cast a cold glance at Tan Ming, then turned his gaze to Mu Wanqiu and finally fixed it on Fan Buzhuo, "Senior Fan, the task introduction outlined that you are someone who values loyalty and integrity. As a junior, I advise you, someone who prioritizes family interests above all else isn’t suited for you!"
Mu Wanqiu’s face changed, and she turned to angrily glare at Jiang Chen.
Fan Buzhuo was momentarily surprised, glancing at Mu Wanqiu with a pondering look in his eyes.
"You think you can decide not to go?"
A cold and harsh voice rang out.
"Gentlemen!"
Before Jiang Chen could respond, a deep voice came from the auction stage, "This is an auction venue!"
"I apologize!"
Tan Ming immediately folded his hands in apology, performing the gestures with great familiarity.
Jiang Chen glanced at Tan Ming without engaging further, turned and clasped his hands with a fist toward Zhang Qiushan, "President Zhang, my apologies for the disruption. I have one more matter to address, and I will not disturb the order of the venue again."
With those words, Jiang Chen lifted his identity token, infusing it with his Divine Sense to activate a hidden power within.
Buzz!
A monumental aura emanated from the identity token.
"A Saintly Aura!?"
"What is happening?!"
"What is he up to?!"
The audience’s expressions changed dramatically.
Tan Ming on the second floor also frowned deeply, staring intently at the identity token in Jiang Chen’s hand.
"Everyone, please remain calm. This is merely a Teleportation Array activated by the academy to ensure that students participating in assessments are not delayed for the entry competition due to prolonged assessment times. It’s not the arrival of a Saint!"
Jiang Chen explained loudly.
The Saintly Aura caused panic; if someone appeared and turned out not to be a Saint, it could lead to anger and resentment. Thus, Jiang Chen preemptively explained the situation.
"Haha... you brat, completed the task so soon?"
Laughter erupted as an arcane radiance shot from Jiang Chen’s identity token, landing beside him. When the radiance dissipated, a figure appeared out of thin air.
"Master, let’s discuss after the auction."
Jiang Chen spoke softly.
Hu Yiqiu was taken aback by this, scanned his surroundings, rolled his eyes at Jiang Chen, and respectfully bowed toward Zhang Qiushan on the auction stage in apology.
"No wonder the kid is so bold, he can summon a Unity Realm Stage powerhouse at any time!"
"I see, that was his hidden card!"
"It won’t be easy for the Qingwang Residence to deal with him now!"
The crowd observed Hu Yiqiu, who appeared suddenly, and murmured in low voices.
Hu Yiqiu, hearing the murmurs, swept his gaze around before resting at length on Tan Ming on the second floor, then turned to Jiang Chen.
"Didn’t suffer any losses."
Jiang Chen smiled slightly.
"That’s what’s important."
Hu Yiqiu nodded, not inquiring further, fully displaying his protective nature as a mentor.
Zhang Qiushan cast Jiang Chen a glance, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. If anyone else disrupted the venue like this, they would surely face punishment, but this one was a friend of that person, so it was better to let it go.
Coughing once, Zhang Qiushan regained the audience’s attention and resumed hosting the auction.
Fan Buzhuo and Mu Wanqiu each gave Hu Yiqiu a glance, then looked at Jiang Chen, their eyes filled with thought.
They had heard Jiang Chen address Hu Yiqiu as Master.
Suddenly, Fan Buzhuo’s eyes shone with a keen light, and he whispered, "Could this be the illustrious Elder Jiu, the Wine and Sword Madman of Changling?"
"What?"
Mu Wanqiu exclaimed in surprise, looking at Hu Yiqiu with astonishment.
Hu Yiqiu gave Fan Buzhuo a glance, then turned to Jiang Chen.
"Master, this is Fan Buzhuo, a senior at the Academy, and also the target of my individual assessment task."
Jiang Chen chuckled a bit as he introduced, amusement evident in his eyes when mentioning the task.
"You’re the one, I heard Ouyang mention you. To have the Inner Court Elder assign a task to find you, you’re surely one of a kind in our Academy."
Hu Yiqiu chuckled slightly, nodding.
"Greetings, Elder Jiu."
Seeing Hu Yiqiu nod, Fan Buzhuo’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he bowed respectfully.
"Mu Wanqiu greets Elder Jiu."
Mu Wanqiu also offered a bow.
Hu Yiqiu looked over curiously.
"Wanqiu is also a student at the Academy, but had to temporarily leave due to family matters."
Fan Buzhuo softly explained.
"She’s also a student at the Academy?"
Before Hu Yiqiu could respond, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, looking at Mu Wanqiu with surprise, his eyes showing a touch of indifference.
Apparently, Mu Wanqiu’s earlier attitude left a bad taste. Knowing she was also from the Academy, while aware she had no obligation to help, still filled him with some displeasure.
Noticing Jiang Chen’s demeanor, Hu Yiqiu glanced at Mu Wanqiu indifferently, ignoring her greeting.
Mu Wanqiu’s expression changed, looking at Jiang Chen with a hint of hesitation and biting her lip.
Having heard of a connection between Hu Yiqiu and Princess Chang, if she could win him over, her Mansion’s troubles might be easily resolved!
Taking a deep breath, Mu Wanqiu clasped her hands towards Jiang Chen, "Junior Jiang, I apologize for my poor attitude earlier."
