Transcending Dreams - D2 - Chapter 54

“Even knowing that the egg was in there doesn’t stop my amazement at actually seeing it,” Lan Yang commented as he stared.

“Ten thousand Spirit Stones,” Wang Xiaoling daydreamed.

William was aware of what they were saying, but almost all of his focus was on the egg itself. There was no surprise at seeing the egg. However, surprise was an understatement at the status it had.

[Species: ? | Level: 1]

“Senior Yang, was something done to the egg after it was won?” William asked without taking his eyes away. This was the first time there was a question mark in the area for the name or species with the level showing.

“The auction house doesn’t touch the sold items,” Lan Yang disproved one of his theories. “Is there something wrong?”

He shifted to let him have a better look at the egg. However, nothing looked physically different from when they saw it on the stage before the auction started.

“… Looks fine to me,” Lan Yang shrugged.

“You know, I think I see the issue,” Wang Xiaoling moved closer with narrowed eyes. “I think it’s damaged.”

William and Lan Yang both gave her a short glance. It was an easy decision to dismiss her words.

“Let me guess, you think I should sell it because of that,” William said dryly as he closed the chest and locked it.

“I thought about it, but I’m sure the prince would be fine with you getting rid of a broken gift,” Wang Xiaoling advised. “Back me up, Yang.”

He picked up the chest and smirked at the incredulous look on Lan Yang’s face. He had to admit this was a bit far, even for Wang Xiaoling. There was a decent chance this was her way of getting back at him for whatever imagined slight she assumed he had done.

That was fine. He would be happy if small prods at his patience were her way of payback.

“No, Sister Xiaoling. I won’t sell the egg,” William replied before addressing Lan Yang. “Let’s make a detour to my dwelling before heading to the Jade Cauldron Peak. I can leave the egg there instead of carrying it everywhere, and Sister Xiaoling can stay behind if she wishes to.”

Of course, he could store the egg in the upgraded spatial stone hanging around his neck, but that would immediately reveal its existence to Lan Yang. After what Elder Yu said about the rarity of such a stone, the fewer people that know about it, the better for his continued life.

“Hm, that’s fine,” Lan Yang nodded. “I guess we’ll have to go through the common grounds after all and deal with the rush.”

“What the big deal about that, Yang?” Wang Xiaoling asked as they exited the room. “You’re a cultivator. Crowds are minor annoyances at worst with your speed.”

“So? Just because it is mildly annoying doesn’t mean I must accept it. Merchant Wang, you need to open your mind. Being mortal has limitations, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.”

William held back his smile as he followed them a few steps behind. Looked like he was wrong about assuming Lan Yang couldn’t be bothered with any mortal. All that was necessary was to annoy him enough and live despite that fact.

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Yet, he hadn’t forgotten that just like his sister Lan Yin, Lan Yang would readily kill a mortal if given the slightest of reasons. Wang Xiaoling was protected only due to her relationship with him.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the residential area, even with the increased foot traffic due to the end of the auction. Most gave way when they saw Lan Yang increasingly irritated expression, though that was more the responsibility of Wang Xiaoling.

“Is it the same entry system as in the Outer Court?” William asked as he stared at one of the more utilitarian buildings in the area. It was still a step above anything in the Outer Court, but there was much to be desired compared to the others around it.

“Yes,” Lan Yang confirmed.

William nodded, holding his purple jade pass over the blank slate beside the door. It pulsed a dull green.

“The door will now lead to your dwelling. Do you want me to come in with you?” Lan Yang didn’t seem too interested in doing so. “Dwellings without any upgrades are slightly better than those in the Outer Court because of the quality of the Qi refining room. You’ll find nothing else new in there.”

He glanced at Wang Xiaoling and realized this was an opportunity to get her to air out whatever concerns she might have.

“Sounds like you have something to do, Senior Yang,” William commented. “I can do this alone, but how do I give Sister Xiaoling access? And what do you mean by upgrades?”

“I assume she’s staying due to whatever happened during the talk with Elder Yu?” Lan Yang asked rhetorically. “If she’s staying there, a pass will be assigned to her. I will ask them to include access to your dwelling. As for the upgrades, use the catalog and browse your options.”

Right, the catalog. He kept forgetting about that. In his defense, he spent most of his time out of the sect, and even when he was, he was penniless until, well, now.

“Sounds good,” William nodded before opening the door and motioned to Wang Xiaoling, who had been patiently waiting. “After you, Sister Xiaoling.”

She glanced at him and entered. He had a feeling she knew what was coming.

“Would an hour be enough to finish whatever you’re being secretive about?” William asked, not forgetting that Lan Yang hadn’t answered one question.

“Nothing secretive. It simply isn’t any of your business.”

He wanted to comment that was just a longer way of saying secretive, but let it go. The time from Lan Yang’s death threats to now was still a little too close to push his luck.

“That’s fair,” William shrugged. “I’ll see you in an hour, Senior Yang.”

“Hm, we’ll go to Jade Cauldron Peak then,” Lan Yang smiled, walking away in good spirits. If he had to guess, whatever the older cultivator was going to do had to deal with the bracelets.

“That’s your mentor, right?”

William turned in surprise to see a boy who looked a few years older staring at him. It looked like he was leaving the building next to his. The most eye-catching thing about him was his bald head.

William’s eyes immediately went to the sleeves.

The circles weren’t important. The two red stars were. The disciple was a budding alchemist, though he actually didn’t know the specifics of what those stars meant. All he knew for sure was that a practical test had to be passed with near perfection.

“Yes, he is. I’m Wei Liang.” William smiled, resisting the temptation to see the boy’s basic status. He wanted to get into the habit of learning names normally when there was no danger. “I’m guessing we’re going to be neighbors?”

“Looks like it.”

They stared.

“So, what’s your name?” William spoke when it seemed there would be nothing else from him.

“Kae.”

They stared.

“… Alright,” William nodded carefully, unsure why Kae spoke to him in the first place if he was this uninterested. “Uh, I’m going to head inside.”

“Okay. I’ll be training.”

They stared.

William was getting tired of it, to be honest. And of the useless conversation. This is what he got when he tried not to use the system.

[Name: Kae | Level: 133]

He hadn’t thought Kae was the boy’s entire name, but it was fitting. A strange name for a strange kid.

William resolved to put this encounter out of his mind and was about to enter his dwelling.

“Do you want to come train with me?”

He stopped to look at Kae again with confusion. “… Maybe later, I’m a little busy right now.”

“I’ll remind you tomorrow,” Kae replied before leaving the stilted conversation abruptly.

“What was that?” William asked himself as he shook his head. Xu Feng was still the only normal one around his age. Or maybe he just attracted the crazies.