Chapter 718 Drinking Contest

(Whoops, I messed up the previous chapter number. Correcting it to the proper Chapter 699. My apologies.)

Wang Meng once again sensed that his Life Seed had gained something. He submerged his Heart Spirit to examine it closely and saw several new patterns emerge on the Fate Grid Seed. The vibrant life force of the Life Seed had also grown stronger. It seemed that with continued accumulation, the Life Seed was bound to have a breakthrough one day.

Inside the Five Elements Spirit Holding Bracelet, Big Mouth and Little Jia both started clamoring. Seeing that Little Flower the Snake-tailed Flower, who was once the weakest, was getting stronger and stronger, they were eager to try as well. They had to get stronger too!

Nine Discount had already advanced to the Fifth Transformation. Although Big Guy the Golden-Horned Ape, the first to experience the Divine Sealing Tower, was still in a dormant state, the benefits had gradually become apparent over this period. When it came to cultivation, Big Guy was the fastest.

Wang Meng smiled. “No rush. We have to clear the Tower one floor at a time. It’ll be Big Mouth’s turn soon. Little Jia, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

The Armored Turtle was a little sad, but there was nothing to be done about it. It could only hold back its energy and wait for its turn to go all out. It would definitely do better than anyone else.

The five little guys were now incredibly active, each one brimming with pent-up fighting spirit.

On the Fifteenth Layer, Little Flower unleashed her Divine Power, unexpectedly defeating the space’s original Spiritual Sense and seizing control of that world’s domain.

Sometimes, that’s just how it is. Although the power in the subsequent spaces was stronger, Little Flower had already broken through that final barrier. As a Plant-type True Essence Beast, she could directly borrow the power of the Wood of the Five Elements. As long as she gained its acknowledgment, it was equivalent to gaining the support of the entire space’s power. She was simply too invincible.

A Little Flower fighting for her life was terrifying. She smashed through the remaining five layers of space in one go.

However, Little Flower was also exhausted from fighting all the way, though of course, it felt incredibly satisfying.

After casting a Rain Dew Technique on Little Flower, Wang Meng withdrew from the Divine Sealing Tower. He had already anticipated this outcome. Once she broke through, the current level couldn’t stop Little Flower; after all, the previous tower floors were merely for building up her foundation.

Since it was Little Flower doing all the fighting in the Divine Sealing Tower, Wang Meng wasn’t in a hurry to leave the Divine Space. Instead, he decided to buy some refining materials for the little guys’ new home.

This time, he went directly to the Divine Artifact Pavilion’s core headquarters in the Divine Space.

The Divine Artifact Pavilion wasn’t as particular as the Pill Immortal Alliance; there were no restrictive formations along the way.

However, after entering the Divine Artifact Pavilion’s headquarters, Wang Meng sensed an extremely vast power suspended in mid-air.

Wang Meng looked up at the sky. A white cloud…

But hidden within the cloud was that power. Wang Meng swept his Divine Sense over it and discovered a huge floating castle… No, the entire castle was an incredibly grand Magical Artifact, perhaps even a Divine Artifact.

‘To be honest, it’s truly magnificent, truly imposing… and also truly stupid… What a waste.’

“Welcome, Lord Golden Wolf. It is an honor to have you. This humble one is named Weii, an Elder Steward of the Divine Artifact Pavilion. How may the Divine Artifact Pavilion be of service to you, Lord Golden Wolf?”

At that moment, an Elder from the Divine Artifact Pavilion came forward to greet him, speaking with a smile.

After killing the Reincarnation Immortal Venerable, Golden Wolf’s reputation in the Divine Space had reached its zenith. Even the White Bone Sect didn’t dare to rashly extend its claws again. Of course, this didn’t mean they had given up on revenge; rather, they were gathering even greater strength.

The Divine Artifact Pavilion sending Elder Weii to greet him was a clear indication of their stance.

Since the other party was showing him respect, Master Wang replied politely, “Brother Weii, you’re too kind. I’m just here to buy some refining materials.”

Elder Weii was visibly stunned. Golden Wolf was here to buy refining materials?

‘Could it be that Golden Wolf is also an Artifact Refiner?’

“Then please, this way to the First-Grade Refining Materials Hall. Aside from the rarest materials, it has everything you could possibly need.”

Wang Meng nodded and followed. Besides the sky castle hidden by the clouds, the Divine Artifact Pavilion also had numerous palaces below, the vast majority of which were places for trading with Cultivators.

Wang Meng didn’t need any top-tier materials. In his hands, even some ordinary items were enough to forge a Spirit Containing Artifact that could be continuously upgraded. He had been mulling over this issue for the past few days, and now it was about time to get started.

The Divine Artifact Pavilion had clearly learned a lesson from the Pill Immortal Alliance’s previous experience. They led Wang Meng directly to a private VIP room and presented him with various samples of refining materials and catalogs to choose from.

After finishing his shopping, Wang Meng was about to leave when he suddenly spotted Boss Yue, the owner of the refining materials shop where he had purchased materials last time. Master Wang had a good impression of people who offered him a discount of their own accord.

Yue Chong was truly suffering in silence. After more than a decade of diligent work, a single miscalculation had sent him right back to where he started.

“Elder Hong, I’ve worked here for so many years! Even if I have no great achievements, I’ve certainly put in the hard work. How can you just shut down my shop like that?”

Yue Chong pleaded with Elder Hong Buyun. Within the Divine Artifact Pavilion, Hong Buyun was in charge of Outer Disciples like Yue Chong.

Just then, Hong Buyun waved his hand in disgust and said, “Yue Chong, it’s not that I’m trying to screw you over and shut down your shop. Honestly, just look at everyone else’s results, and then look at your own. Have you acquired anything good recently?”

Yue Chong gritted his teeth and said, “Last time, I turned in that Ancient Puppet Scroll…”

“A puppet scroll from the Fifty-First Floor of the Tower in exchange for a Master Level Artifact from our inventory. You think that was a great deal, don’t you?”

“I…”

“Fine, whatever. In terms of value, we didn’t gain or lose. But what’s the deal with this sale? The discount you gave was completely nonsensical. And that’s just what’s recorded in the ledger. What about the unrecorded ones? The Divine Artifact Pavilion may be a large enterprise, and small mistakes like trading a Master Level Artifact for a scroll from the fifty-first floor can be forgiven. But there is one thing we will absolutely not tolerate: we will not harbor parasites!”

Yue Chong was fuming. This Elder Hong’s words sounded nice, but everyone knew the truth. It was because Yue Chong was too honest and refused to collude with Elder Hong to siphon off the Divine Artifact Pavilion’s profits that Hong Buyun was targeting him like this. Yue Chong immediately argued loudly, “That discount was for Lord Golden Wolf! I have absolutely not siphoned off a single copper coin from the Divine Artifact Pavilion.”

“You say the discount was for Golden Wolf, so it must be true? Why not just say you gave it to the Water Emperor? Who is Golden Wolf? Would he buy this kind of stuff?”

“I have a witness! Huang Yixin, he can testify for me,” Yue Chong continued to argue.

“Huang Yixin? Isn’t he the guy who traded that puppet scroll from the fifty-first floor for a Master Level Artifact? Who knows if he’s your accomplice.”

This was a serious accusation.

“Find a more reliable witness. Otherwise, you have three days to settle your accounts with the Divine Artifact Pavilion and close up shop!” The number of Outer Sect shops for the Divine Artifact Pavilion was limited. By closing Yue Chong’s shop, Hong Buyun could arrange for someone he controlled to open a new one under the Pavilion’s banner.

Yue Chong was about to argue further when a voice suddenly interjected, “I’ll be his witness. If I heard correctly, that discount was indeed for Golden Wolf.”

“Who dares to spout such nonsense…”

Hong Buyun turned around in a rage, about to unleash a torrent of curses, but what met his eyes was a Golden Wolf Mask… Instantly, the words caught in his throat.

Yue Chong turned his head, looked at Wang Meng, and was also stunned. ‘How is this possible? Who is Lord Golden Wolf? How could he possibly speak up and testify for a small fry like me?’

“This… Golden Wolf, are you perhaps mistaken?” Hong Buyun stammered, still trying to salvage the situation.

“Are you questioning me?” Wang Meng asked coolly.

Beside them, Elder Weii, who had been receiving Wang Meng, shot Hong Buyun a fierce glare, then quickly said with a smile, “What Lord Golden Wolf says is, of course, correct. Brother Hong, didn’t you say you had business to attend to? How do you have the time to be dawdling here?”

A shadow passed through Hong Buyun’s eyes, but he still left quickly.

Yue Chong was completely at a loss. The courage he had just summoned to argue with the elder had vanished without a trace.

Wang Meng smiled faintly and said to him, “Brother Yue, when I come to sell things at your place in the future, remember to give me a good price.”

“I… Yes!” Yue Chong felt like he was walking on clouds, his mind a complete mess. A feeling of being acknowledged filled his heart with immense gratitude, and he could only nod vigorously.

Elder Weii, however, chuckled. “Hehe, Lord Golden Wolf, with your status, you can come directly to us. We have better treasure appraisers who will guarantee a fair price.”

Wang Meng smiled. “I have a good feeling about Brother Yue. I trust his prices will be just as fair.”

After speaking, Wang Meng turned and left.

He had just stepped out of the Divine Artifact Pavilion headquarters when Yue Chong caught up from behind. “Lord Golden Wolf…”

“Don’t call me ‘Lord.’ Just call me Golden Wolf.”

“…Lord Golden Wolf, this humble one wouldn’t dare. Thank you for testifying for me just now, Lord Golden Wolf. You’ve saved my ten years of hard work. However, you must be careful, my Lord. Elder Hong Buyun’s strength may be ordinary, but behind him…”

Wang Meng waved his hand, cutting Yue Chong off. “Don’t worry about it.”

Yue Chong froze, watching Wang Meng’s back as he walked away. Then it suddenly occurred to him: ‘That’s right, who is he? He’s Golden Wolf, someone even the Fire Emperor takes seriously, the man who single-handedly destroyed the Reincarnation Immortal Venerable. What does Hong Buyun even count for?’

Wang Meng had spoken up for Yue Chong simply on a whim; it was a casual effort for him.

But to Yue Chong, it was a profound act of kindness and a debt he could never repay.

Wang Meng left the Divine Space, organized his things briefly, and then headed for the Divine Artifact Pavilion.

Although he could also forge things in the Divine Space, among the Three Major Conferences, Wang Meng had a better feeling about the Divine Artifact Pavilion. Perhaps it was a continuation of his feelings from the Small Thousand Realm, always reminding him of Yue Shan and the Treasure Artifact Sect. Besides, Pang Hong was there now too. He had called him his senior, after all, so Master Wang felt he had to go and see him.

Arriving at the Divine Artifact Pavilion, the staff all recognized Wang Meng and hurried over to greet him warmly.

“Is Pang Hong in?” Wang Meng asked directly.

“Master Pang is here, but… he’s currently helping Grandmaster Liu Yulong…”

Wang Meng smiled. “Then I won’t disturb them. I need an Artifact Refining Room.”

Wang Meng was a Guest Minister of the Wang City Branch and was also registered with the Artifact Refining Pavilion. This meant he could use their facilities even in Haojing. But of course, the key thing was that he was Wang Meng, the man of the hour, someone who had even refused the Fire Emperor. No matter what, he couldn’t be underestimated.

Moreover, the reputation of his Drunkard Wine was now massive.

The Steward of the Artifact Refining Pavilion naturally agreed with a beaming smile, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

Wang Meng thought this was pretty good; it saved a lot of trouble. Even at Master Wang’s level, he really didn’t want to deal with a constant stream of problems.

And yet, just as Master Wang was refining his items, trouble arrived anyway.

Drunkard Wine had become a huge hit, especially sought after by nobles and high-level Cultivators. Many were influenced by the Fire Emperor; his sway was just too formidable.

But Wang Meng still ran into a problem.

The Wine God was famously stubborn. He didn’t care about money, but everyone was saying that Drunkard Wine was better than Wine God Wine—more fragrant… and more expensive.

This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

So, the Wine God wanted to have a Drinking Contest… with the Drunkard!

Another chapter is coming later today!)