Chapter 234
The Marriott gathering had ended, but the events at the auction were still the talk of the town.
Several ability-users from the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities gathered to discuss it.
“That spiky ball Chu Feng got at the auction—what exactly is it?”
“He spent twenty witch stones on it. Must be something good.”
“I don’t think Chu Feng was the one who wanted it—it was Illya’s younger brother. Gray just made one phone call, and Chu Feng came straight to the gathering. He really gives that kid face! The Zhuang family calls him and he can’t even be bothered to answer.”
“Well, he is Illya’s brother, and Chu Feng and Illya are practically inseparable. They seem to get along really well. Of course he’d give his in-laws some face.”
“So what’s that Blood Spike Ball thing anyway?”
“It’s creepy. It drained that tiger into a dried-up husk in seconds.”
“When Cang Lin’s mercenary team got that tiger, it was already dead. Maybe it died from bad food… or maybe because of that thing.”
“If it’s that dangerous, why would Chu Feng want it?”
“We don’t know how it works, but I bet Chu Feng does.”
“True. Gray must’ve recognized it before bidding on that tiger. Since he knew it, he should know how to use it.”
“Definitely something valuable.”
“Or maybe Chu Feng just wanted to spoil the kids. Didn’t you see him toss a box with over a hundred witch stones to those two brats? Talk about filthy rich.”
“Oh right—didn’t that guy who bought the butterfly orchid end up in the hospital?”
“Yeah.”
“Dead?”
“No, just had his stomach pumped. Should be fine.”
“So it was poisonous?”
“Seems so.”
“Lots of beautiful things in nature are poisonous. That orchid was so pretty, it already seemed suspicious. What was that guy thinking?”
“Some of these businessmen are desperate to become ability-users. They’re willing to risk anything.”
The Zhuang Family
Zhuang Ming frowned, sounding sour. “Chu Feng really is loaded, huh?”
Zhuang Zhiyuan pressed his lips together. “Yeah.”
He had long suspected Chu Feng had plenty of witch stones, but he hadn’t expected him to casually throw out over a hundred.
Zhuang Zhiyuan had also attended the earlier banquet, but few paid him any attention.
Before the anomaly occurred, wealthy businessmen and politicians like them sat at the top of the world.
But now, things had changed. More and more ability-users were rising to prominence, and ordinary rich men like them were slowly being pushed to the sidelines.
At the previous Marriott banquet auction, money had been useless in the second half—the organizers only accepted witch stones. Without them, one didn’t even have the right to bid. Thinking back to how Chu Feng had dominated the event, with everyone vying to curry favor with him, and then comparing himself, Zhuang Zhiyuan couldn’t help but feel humiliated…
Crescent Castle District
Shaman Qiu Luo examined what Chu Feng had brought and said gravely, “A Blood Thorn Fruit!”
Chu Feng glanced at him. “I heard from Gray that this thing is… very nourishing?”
Shaman Qiu Luo looked back at him. “The medicinal potency of Blood Thorn Fruits varies greatly. The one you’ve brought is of very high grade.”
“Really?” Chu Feng tilted his head.
“Yes,” Qiu Luo nodded.
A Blood Thorn Fruit could disguise itself as a spirit fruit, tricking fierce beasts into swallowing it, and then absorb the beast’s energy in return.
The more flesh energy it absorbed, the more powerful it became.
The one Chu Feng had brought was brimming with vitality—obviously it had absorbed quite a lot of blood and flesh.
In fact, some juvenile Blood Thorn Fruits were so weak that even disguised as spirit fruit, they were directly digested; many fierce beasts had powerful digestive abilities.
“How exactly is it used?” Chu Feng asked.
“You just soak it in the juice of Moonmate Grass to soften its surface, then cut open the skin and collect the blood.”
“I see,” Chu Feng nodded.
“I don’t recommend using it up at once,” Qiu Luo said. “It can be a sustainable resource.”
“You mean using it repeatedly to refine beast blood and flesh?”
“Exactly. Just extract a portion of essence blood with a needle each time,” Qiu Luo nodded.
Chu Feng had been spending a lot of time in the mountains lately, inevitably encountering fierce beasts. Many that he couldn’t finish eating, he sent to the other world for Shaman Qiu Luo to handle.
Food was abundant in Crescent Village now. Chu Feng was sending more and more beasts, but their meat was so rich in energy that eating too much could over-nourish and even harm the body. Shaman Qiu Luo had been at a loss about what to do with the excess—this Blood Thorn Fruit arrived at just the right time.
“You people have an endless supply of treasures,” Qiu Luo remarked.
Chu Feng smiled. “I’m just as surprised.”
“I really do want to visit your world sometime,” Qiu Luo admitted.
“You’re welcome anytime,” Chu Feng said.
Qiu Luo’s lips curved slightly. “Actually, I recently awakened a branch ability that might come in handy.”
Not many ability-users could awaken branch powers—usually they were exceptional individuals. Awakening a plant-type ability was already something Qiu Luo felt lucky about; he had never expected to awaken a branch ability as well.
“Oh? What kind of branch ability?” Chu Feng asked curiously.
“With just a touch, I can know a plant’s properties and effects,” Qiu Luo said, a hint of pride in his tone.
“That’s basically a cheat code!” Chu Feng was surprised.
Qiu Luo chuckled. “It’s not that exaggerated.”
Though he spoke modestly, he was secretly very proud. Even Jocelyn was envious—normally, the value of herbs could only be discovered through repeated testing. Some plant ability-users had to test them personally, and many had accidents in the process. This touch-and-know branch power was something all elf ability-users dreamed of.
“Congratulations, Shaman!” Illya’s eyes sparkled.
Even the highs of the Elf Tribe likely couldn’t possess such a miraculous gift.
“With this branch ability, if you go to the Elf Tribe, you should receive special treatment,” Illya said.
Pure-blooded elves usually disdained half-elves, but if a half-elf proved outstanding and rendered great service to the tribe, they could be accepted. Throughout history, however, such cases were extremely rare.
“What would I do in the Elf Tribe?” Qiu Luo said with a small smile.
In the past, he had longed to go there—but those days were gone.
“True,” Illya nodded. Their Crescent Village was far more comfortable to live in than the Elf Tribe.
“My ability requires contact with a wide variety of plants to be useful,” Qiu Luo added.
“That’s great,” Chu Feng agreed.
The National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities had recently collected many unknown plants, most with unclear effects or uses. If Qiu Luo went now, he might pick up some hidden treasures.
“Well then, no time like the present,” Chu Feng suggested.
“Wouldn’t arriving suddenly disrupt your work?” Qiu Luo frowned.
“Of course not,” Chu Feng smiled.
“Then let’s go.”
Last time, they had planned to visit the human world, but an incident occurred and Qiu Luo gave the spot to Jocelyn. Ever since, he’d regretted it.
Chu Feng took Illya and Qiu Luo into the headquarters of Crescent Group. Standing atop the building, Qiu Luo looked out over the surroundings, feeling awestruck.
“It really is as Sterling described—the human world is amazing.”
“What did Sterling say?” Chu Feng asked.
“He said there are many tall buildings here, all kinds of vehicles, and luxurious shopping malls…” Qiu Luo replied.
“…That’s all?” Chu Feng thought Sterling’s eyes only lit up for erotic books.
Hearing the commotion, Zhuang Feixue walked over—and froze when she saw Shaman Qiu Luo.
“Chu Feng, this is…?”
“Divine Doctor,” Chu Feng replied.
Zhuang Feixue froze for a moment, then her eyes widened sharply. “Divine Doctor—ah! Divine Doctor!”
She had always wondered what kind of person the Divine Doctor behind Chu Feng might be. At most, she imagined an elderly man in his seventies or eighties. She hadn’t expected the person to be far younger—and far more attractive—than she’d imagined.
The man appeared to be around thirty-four. Although he didn’t have the youthful brilliance of Jocelyn, he carried a refined warmth that only came with the passage of years, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
Zhuang Feixue thought to herself: As expected, anyone connected to Illya is beautiful. Jocelyn’s beauty is otherworldly, enough to make others feel ashamed of themselves, while this Divine Doctor’s gentle demeanor makes him even more likable. If he were to walk outside, who knows how many people he’d captivate?
Rubbing her hands, Zhuang Feixue said, “Why so sudden?”
There hadn’t been any time to prepare at all! When the Divine Doctor came, there should at least have been a welcome ceremony.
Chu Feng smiled. “I happened to have some free time, so I brought him over.”
Zhuang Feixue smiled back. “I see!”
…
“I’ll take the Divine Doctor to the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities. You go ahead and get busy, Sister,” Chu Feng said.
Zhuang Feixue nodded. “Alright.”
Chu Feng arrived at the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities with Illya, Delice, and Shaman Qiu Luo. Shen Yutong immediately led a group to greet them.
“Master Chu, why the sudden visit without any notice?” Shen Yutong asked.
Chu Feng smiled. “It’s only surprising if it’s sudden, right?”
Shen Yutong: “…” Well, it was certainly surprising—though it left them completely unprepared.
All the major powers had racked their brains trying to uncover the Divine Doctor’s identity, and now he appeared out of nowhere, catching everyone off guard.
Looking at the Qiu Luo, Shen Yuxing asked curiously, “Is this truly the Divine Doctor?”
Chu Feng nodded. “Indeed.”
Shen Yutong was a little stunned. “This is truly unexpected!”
Chu Feng smirked. “Let me guess—you thought it would be some disheveled old man on the brink of death?”
Shen Yutong: “…”
Illya pinched Chu Feng and said irritably, “What are you saying?”
Chu Feng, unfazed, replied, “It’s fine—the Shaman doesn’t understand anyway. Besides, I’m complimenting him.”
Illya: “…” Was Chu Feng just running his mouth because the Shaman couldn’t understand?
Delice stood with her hands on her hips, cheeks puffed out. “Want me to translate for you?”
Chu Feng glanced at her and thought: This silly girl has no sense of timing. “This has nothing to do with you. Go cool off somewhere.”
Shen Yuxing smiled. “Divine Doctor, you’re elegant and charming—truly beyond expectation.”
Chu Feng crossed his arms and blinked. “Even if you praise him, he still won’t understand you.”
Shen Yutong: “…” There was no way to continue this conversation! “This way, please.”
