Chapter Eighty-Nine: How Embarrassing

“Heavenly being? I’ve become a heavenly being again?” Ye Qiu’s lips twitched, then slowly curled into a wicked grin, growing ever more unrestrained.

Listen to those voices, the endless stream of flattery—how could it be that the more he heard, the more intoxicating it became? I’m doomed. I’ve fallen, lost myself in this sea of praise, drifting ever further from who I once was.

“Senior, please accept our bow. With you here in the Great Wilderness, we’re certain to survive this disaster…” The crowd spoke with reverence, then bowed deeply to Ye Qiu, offering him the highest honors.

Ye Qiu felt a bit embarrassed—though his skin was thick, this much adulation was almost too much even for him.

“Ahem… Let’s keep it low-key. I’m really not as impressive as you all imagine—just a little bit remarkable, that’s all. No need to be so formal…” Ye Qiu’s grin blossomed like a lotus as he spoke, clearly satisfied within.

Yes, just like this—go on, flatter as you please. I have no intention of explaining anything anymore; you may understand however you wish.

“A little bit? Senior, you truly are not humble!” The crowd sucked in their breath, misunderstanding him completely, but Ye Qiu made no attempt to correct them. Let them think what they will.

“All right! Enough idle talk—let’s get back to the matter at hand…” Having enjoyed his fill of praise, it was time for business. Ye Qiu had been wondering how to promote his stock of herbs, but to his surprise, his books were now a sensation as well.

Damn, it’s as if fortune insists on finding you, even when you don’t seek it.

Fine, in that case, I’ll just open a general store—selling herbs, books, weapons, anything and everything.

But making money wasn’t Ye Qiu’s ultimate aim—his true goal was the battlefield overhead. If the Great Wilderness fell, no matter how much gold he amassed, there’d be nowhere left to spend it.

So, he had to find a way to have both—wealth and survival.

Clad in white, ethereal and transcendent, Ye Qiu walked forward and surveyed the crowd with a serene air: “I’ve made my decision. In honor of your enthusiasm, from today onward, my tavern will officially establish an auction house! Each day, at random times, books, weapons, and herbs in my possession will be up for auction. In addition to the auction house, there will be a Merit Exchange Society! For every enemy slain on the battlefield, you’ll receive merit points, which can be used to exchange directly for goods—no need to bid.

Of course, if you have no merit points, you’ll have to compete in the auction with gold.

Let me be clear: the prices at the Exchange Society and the auction house are worlds apart. If you want bargains, you’ll have to slay more foes and hold our lines in the Great Wilderness.”

At Ye Qiu’s explanation, the crowd erupted with excitement.

“All of these treasures will appear in the auction and the exchange?” they asked eagerly, pointing to the trove laid out before them.

“That’s right! Everything will be available through the Exchange Society and the auction house. And don’t worry about shortages—there will always be plenty in stock. So, go forth and give it your all,” Ye Qiu replied with confidence, glancing back at Cao He, suddenly realizing his workforce might be too small.

Looks like I’ll need to hire more hands—at least enough to build the basic structure of the auction house and exchange. Also, set up a farm for herbs, apples, peaches, and the like. There’s no way to lose on this venture.

Ye Qiu had already monopolized the entire industry; his wares had become hotly sought after by all.

If he wished, he could found a superpower—something like the Celestial Court, with himself as its lord, followed unwaveringly by these people.

What a delightful thought—three thousand beauties in the harem, reclining in comfort each day, waited on hand and foot.

Though Ye Qiu had yet to realize this, it was only a matter of time.

At Ye Qiu’s promise, the crowd’s excitement surged.

With fevered eyes, the Withered Tree Daoist stared at the immortal peaches on the ground, his heart pounding with longing: “These are true treasures. My lifespan is all but spent; the oil in my lamp nearly gone. Though I’ve made a breakthrough, it hasn’t added much to my years. Perhaps this is the price of sealing myself away all those years ago. If I could obtain one of these peaches and gain several thousand more years, might I not still have a chance to ascend to the Immortal Lord’s realm?”

At this thought, the Withered Tree Daoist was overwhelmed—this was his lifelong desire.

What does a cultivator seek, if not supreme power and endless life? The former must be earned, but the latter… Ye Qiu could grant it to them directly. How could they not be utterly devoted?

Moreover, each of Ye Qiu’s immortal fruits and herbs was of the purest quality—consuming even many would not destabilize one’s foundation. They were truly divine medicines.

While the Withered Tree Daoist coveted the peaches, others had their eyes on the immortal herbs scattered across the ground.

“Each of these herbs possesses astonishing effects. Take this Windgrass, for example—eat it, and not only will your physique be transformed, but your understanding of the Dao will deepen. It’s a treasure for any cultivator!”

“And this one—Violet Immortal Orchid! Its power is immense. I’ve been stuck at the Supreme Realm for a hundred years; with this, I could shatter my shackles and ascend to the highest peak…”

Excitement swept through the crowd—some gazed rapturously at the herbs, others buried themselves in reading, enraptured.

If Ye Qiu were to bring out the weapons and paintings from his storeroom now, they’d probably faint with joy.

“Inconceivable—what sort of being is Senior? Alone, he possesses what a holy land could not amass in millions of years. A true heavenly being, beyond measure…”

“Could it be, as the legends say, that he’s an immortal who has descended from the heavens to wander the mortal world?”

“It hardly matters. I’m just thankful I never offended him, or I wouldn’t be standing here now, witnessing such a spectacle.”

“Yes! Who would have thought that in this humble tavern, such a peerless master was hidden?”

“Have you noticed—even the tavern’s errand boy is a master at the Supreme Carefree level, and just a step away from the Heavenly Realm!”

“What?”

At this, the crowd erupted again.

“Even an errand boy is a Supreme Carefree master? My god, I was just wondering whether to stay and help out—turns out I’m not even qualified!”

“Damn, I suddenly feel utterly humiliated. After thousands of years, am I not even the equal of an errand boy? Too shameful…”

All eyes turned to Cao He, standing bewildered in the corner, looking more and more like a simpleton—frozen, blank-faced.

Everyone felt their faces flush with embarrassment. How mortifying…

An errand boy, and a fool at that? What a situation.

Not much harm, but the insult runs deep…