Chapter 407

Night fell completely, and the ornate lanterns were just being lit.

"Xing Er, do you think Wuhen and Fu Hanxiu look somewhat alike?"

Ye Qingran sat in the Courtyard, looking at the scattered stars across the sky, and suddenly asked.

Leng Yue was not at the residence; the two children had played all day and were already in dreamland.

In the Courtyard, only Ye Qingran and Han Xing remained.

The stars glittered, the moonlight was like water, and the winter night sky exuded a sense of loneliness.

Han Xing's motion of pouring tea paused.

She recalled briefly, shook her head slowly, "I don't think so. Wuhen is a nameless youth from Cangzhou City, while Fu Hanxiu is an Emperor Sovereign renowned across the continent; they have nothing in common. Moreover, their appearances are vastly different. Miss, why did you ask that?"

Han Xing felt that, no matter how she tried, she could not associate the two together.

Ye Qingran shook her head; she didn't know why she had asked that question.

Perhaps it was because Fu Hanxiu and Wuhen had both left without saying goodbye, giving her the illusion that there might be a connection between them.

Or perhaps she felt similar emotions toward both of them?

"Maybe I'm overthinking it,"

In fact, upon closer thought, she realized she herself didn't know why she chose Wuhen over Fu Hanxiu.

She told herself it was because Wuhen could give her a sense of security.

But, could Fu Hanxiu really be unsuitable?

Or perhaps it was simply that, before knowing Fu Hanxiu's true identity, she thought he was not ordinary; after learning his true identity, she found his status somewhat complicated.

People inevitably resist the unknown to some extent.

She too could not escape this custom.

However, come to think of it, doesn't she also know nothing about Wuhen?

Ye Qingran gave a self‑deprecating laugh, feeling that she could be quite double‑standard at times.

But the human heart and emotions are already the most complicated things in this world.

Who can claim to understand them well?

"Miss, I've tracked down the whereabouts of the Magic Cloud Fruit!"

Leng Yue pushed the door open, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Magic Cloud Fruit?"

Han Xing's eyes flashed.

The Magic Cloud Fruit is one of the most essential ingredients for forging pills that restore Spiritual Roots.

The Miss currently lacks only the Magic Cloud Fruit and the Five-colored Emperor Flower.

The Five-colored Emperor Flower is at Guoshi Fu, which means it is effectively in their hands.

As for the Magic Cloud Fruit...

Ye Qingran looked at Leng Yue, signaling her to continue.

"Just now, news came from Wuji Hall that a Magic Cloud Fruit will be sold to the public tomorrow; any cultivator in need may go to Wuji Hall to bid."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingran's eyebrows lifted.

"Wuji Hall?"

Leng Yue nodded.

A hint of amusement curved Ye Qingran's lips.

"I just offended the Holy Envoy of Wuji Hall, and now they're immediately selling the Magic Cloud Fruit? Does the world really have such coincidences?" Ye Qingran clearly didn't believe it.

Han Xing nodded, "There's definitely something fishy about this!"

Ye Qingran tapped the table with her fingers, "I have no Spiritual Root, and the fact that I'm an eighth‑rank Alchemist is no longer a secret. Those at Wuji Hall must have known this long ago. If I want to restore my Spiritual Root, I must forge a pill for that, and the Magic Cloud Fruit is indispensable. By releasing it now, they're merely trying to humiliate me."

Ye Qingran thought for a moment and grasped the underlying scheme.

"Miss, it must be that Xu Kong Gongzi felt we gave him no face today, so he wants to regain his standing."

"Perhaps he came prepared!"

"Then, Miss, shall we still go tomorrow?"

Leng Yue asked.

"Go! Why wouldn't we?" Ye Qingran answered without hesitation.

"Huh? That Xu Kong Gongzi and Mu Qingrou made it clear they want to embarrass us; if we still go, wouldn't we be bringing disgrace upon ourselves?"

Ye Qingran shook her head lightly.

Han Xing asked, "Miss, Xu Kong Gongzi must know we can guess his intention; what if we don't go? Wouldn't his scheme be wasted?"

Ye Qingran smiled, "That's why this plan is the cleverest. They've counted on me knowing it's a trap yet being forced to go. After all, the Magic Cloud Fruit is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime find; once this village is passed, there won't be another shop selling it."

"But we can't let them humiliate us, can we?"

"Who said that? Since we're going, we certainly won't return empty‑handed!"

Han Xing's eyes lit up at the mention; how could she have forgotten that the Miss possesses Jiu Tian Xi Rang, and with a single Magic Cloud Fruit she can create many!

The Magic Cloud Fruit belongs to an extremely rare class of spiritual fruits, historically a treasure that can be encountered but not sought.

Consequently, the next day, crowds jostling shoulder to shoulder headed to Wuji Hall, packing the massive hall to the point of being completely clogged.

"Xiao Hu, Xiao Chen, stay nearby and play; don't go too far, understand?"

"Mother, we understand!"

When Ye Qingran appeared in Wuji Hall, she didn't know how many eyes she attracted.

She still recalled that the last time Ye Qingran was here was when she had just returned to Xiliang City.

At that time, their impression of her lingered on her having consorted with a Wild Man, bearing Wild Offspring, and being a useless person without a Spiritual Root...

But now...

As time passed, they only then realized that the clown had always been them!

I, Ye Qingran, sleep beside the Emperor Sovereign of the Peak of the Hunt, bear a Spiritual Root, can refine Eight-grade Elixir, am a Guest Minister Elder of the Divine Medicine Sect, possess Xuan Zun cultivation, and am unrivaled in swordsmanship!

In just half a year, she had already become an object of their admiration.

Many even clearly recall that Qingyun Grand Event, when Ye Qingran, in Wuji Hall, faced everyone's scorn and left a line: "How can sparrows know the ambition of a swan," then departed gracefully, astonishing countless people.

So it turned out, this wasn't a tall tale!

She, like a swan, spreads her wings across the nine heavens.

Amid the crowd's complex gazes, Ye Qingran stepped into Wuji Hall.

Mu Qingrou had been waiting for a long time; when she saw Ye Qingran, a malicious smile appeared on her face.

"Ye Qingran, you also came for the Magic Cloud Fruit?"

"Why I came seems unrelated to you."

Ye Qingran replied coolly, unceremoniously, causing her to lose face in front of others.

Mu Qingrou's complexion darkened, she squinted, and recalling today's plan, she gradually calmed down.

Ye Qingran, then let you strut a bit; later you'll have a sight to behold!

Wuji Hall frequently hosts similar events.

Cultivators who have heavenly spirit treasures or divine weapons and wish to sell them can have Wuji Hall handle it, taking a ten percent commission from the transaction.

Today it is said that Magic Cloud Fruit is for sale, but there are also some other items on sale. Yet with the Magic Cloud Fruit jewels taking the spotlight, the other items seem to lack any presence.

The way Wuji Hall sells items is similar to an auction. However, unlike an auction, there is an extra condition: after buyers submit bids, the seller may choose the buyer themselves. Of course, most sellers pick the highest bidder. Some sellers, wishing to sell to a destined person, are a different case.

Soon, it was the Magic Cloud Fruit's turn to appear.

Today's auction is overseen by Mu Qingrou.

The Magic Cloud Fruit was carried onto the stage, covered with a red cloth, looking full of mystery.

"Today's final item for sale is a Magic Cloud Fruit, provided by our Holy Envoy Xu Kong Gongzi of Wuji Hall."

Xu Kong Gongzi sat in the VIP seat, nodding toward the crowd.

The crowd gazed at Xu Kong Gongzi, their eyes full of envy.

Probably only a Holy Envoy like Xu Kong Gongzi, who comes from Xi Ji Shengyu, can take out a Magic Cloud Fruit without blinking an eye.

"Everyone knows that the Magic Cloud Fruit is an extremely rare spiritual fruit, brimming with potent vitality, and also possesses the effect of curing a hundred poisons."

Mu Qingrou said, lifting the red cloth to reveal the lustrous red fruit on the jade platter.

Its shape resembled a peach, its surface smooth as a mirror, vivid to the point of dripping, making anyone who saw it salivate.