Chapter 293: This Venerable Wants Money!

Chapter 293: This Venerable Wants Money!

Chen Huaian had imagined a lot of possible rewards Li Qingran might ask for.

But the one thing he didn’t expect… was for her to want his underwear size.

What, was she planning to design some super-stretch, black-tech undies for him after all the clothes-tearing incidents lately?

Given what he knew about Li Qingran, that was… actually pretty likely.

Wearing underpants hand-made by your girlfriend—wasn’t that the ultimate male fantasy?

“No problem,” Chen Huaian agreed without a second thought.

In a voice like a dozen tractors stalling at once, he dramatically declared, “As long as you get it right, a measly size? I’ll tell you in a flash!”

“Really?!” Li Qingran couldn’t believe her Master actually said yes.

It was such a bold request—she’d already mentally prepared herself for rejection.

Truth be told, she’d long had a plan: in the future, everything her Master ate, used, or wore would be made by her.

Once he got used to it, he’d never be able to leave her.

That was the double insurance plan.

Her "rebellion against master and ancestors" would begin with learning his underwear size!

Nearby, several Ascender disciples were practically gagging on yesterday’s dinner.

After setting up the formation in front of the pair, they ran off to work on the next one.

“Master-disciple relationships these days... the morals are just falling apart!”

“Tell me about it. A Golden Core cultivator calling a Foundation guy ‘Master,’ and now they’re flirting? Pfft!”

Li Qingran completely ignored the snark from those Ascenders. She just crouched down, face flushed, big eyes focused as she studied the formation. It started as a way to cover her embarrassment—but the more she looked, the more confused she got. Her elegant brows drew into a frown.

“What’s up? Any ideas?” Chen Huaian noticed her expression and gently asked.

“Mm... didn’t Master say the formation’s function is to infuse power into a cultivator?”

“That’s right.”

Li Qingran bit her lip, hesitating.

Seeing this, Chen Huaian immediately leaned in, putting his ear next to her.

And then he heard Li Qingran whisper tightly: “After a close inspection, I think the core function of this formation is... exchange.”

“Exchange?” Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. “Explain.”

“The person using the formation has to give something up to get something in return. But as for what exactly needs to be given, I can’t tell until the formation is activated.” Li Qingran looked at him expectantly. It wasn’t a perfect answer, but it was everything her knowledge could offer.

If it were Master, he’d probably understand the entire function of the formation at a glance.

He’d know what the user needed to give up and what they would receive.

“Not bad!” Chen Huaian nodded sagely, then raised his chin and folded his hands behind his back, coolly saying, “But as this Venerable One’s disciple, the bar is high! I’ll give you another chance—once the formation starts, observe it again.”

“Master, you’re the best!” Li Qingran’s face lit up with joy. She hadn’t expected a second chance at all.

Neither of them noticed the burning glare coming from someone in the crowd—Wang Debiao, grandson of Wang Rui, patriarch of the Wang Family.

Previously, Wang Rui had spent 150 billion RMB to buy a few Demon-Sealing Boxes from Chen Huaian. In reality, they were just ordinary wooden containers.

Three of them were gifted to his most beloved grandson, Wang Debiao, in hopes that he would shine during the Monster Hunting Tournament.

If those boxes had any redeeming features, it was probably that they were handmade by disciples of the Sword Pavilion, maybe carrying faint traces of Sword Intent.

Anyway, during the tournament, Wang Debiao had used one of the Demon-Sealing Boxes—and nothing happened.

He threw it at a big demon, expecting it to get trapped inside like some kind of Pokémon.

What actually happened: the demon got pissed.

The beast was way out of his league to begin with. He got chased all over the place until an Ascender finally showed up and saved him once the tournament ended.

Even after barely escaping with his life, he still wondered if he’d used the box wrong.

Until one of the other Ascenders bluntly told him: “Dude, that’s just a block of wood.”

Wang Debiao instantly lost it.

He hated Chen Huaian, but… he didn’t have the strength to do anything about it. All he could do was sulk and shoot daggers with his eyes from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Hong Li had already reviewed everyone’s data and selected the top three scorers to receive the transmission of techniques reward.

Thanks to mooching off Li Qingran, Chen Huaian naturally ranked number one.

But just as Hong Li began arranging things, he started shaking his head.

“This Venerable One refuses this reward. Can I trade it for something else? Like... money or something?”

“You’ve lost your mind,” Hong Li froze, her cold gaze locking onto Chen Huaian. “Do you even know how many people dream of standing before the Ascension Pillar to receive this transmission? Only three slots were released for this tournament—and you’re turning it down?!”

“Fine, then this Venerable One accepts it,” Chen Huaian suddenly turned to face the surrounding Ascenders and announced loudly: “But since it’s this Venerable One’s reward, I should be allowed to use it however I want, right? Name your price! Highest bidder gets the transmission slot!”

Instantly, Mount Taishan erupted in uproar.

Wang Shouyi, who ranked third, was stunned all over again.

The first time was seeing Chen Huaian take first place.

The second time... was now.

He quickly rushed up to stop him: “Brother Chen, don’t! Not only is auctioning such a rare reward basically blasphemy—it’s the Ascension Pillar’s power! One-in-a-million chance! You really gonna throw that away?!”

Chen Huaian just shook his head. His eyes turned distant, and his voice choked with emotion:

“How could this Venerable One not know the value of such an opportunity? But I also know my own talent.

Giving this to me is a waste. Better to give it to someone truly gifted.

All this Venerable One needs is a bit of money and resources. A carefree life, that’s enough for me.”

“So you think you’re unworthy of the opportunity, is that it?” Hong Li raised her eyebrows in surprise, then nodded slowly. “Well, at least you have some self-awareness. Technically, there’s no rule against auctioning a reward—though it’s never been done before.

If you truly want to pass this on to someone more suited, then fine. I’ll allow it.

But what exactly do you want for it? What should everyone use to bid?”

The crowd fell silent.

All eyes fixed on Chen Huaian, eyes sparkling.

Some had already begun pulling out all sorts of treasures—cultivation pills, spiritual artifacts, talismans—regardless of value, they laid them out first, talk later.

Meanwhile, the family clans and Exorcist Division Awakened could only sigh in frustration.

This kind of opportunity was always based on item-for-item trade.

Ascenders had sect support and treasures to offer.

But the rest of them? What could they give?

And then...

They heard something heavenly.

That ridiculously handsome man flamboyantly raised one finger to the sky.

His lips moved:

“This Venerable wants money! I want RMB!”

…

…