105: Chapter 105 Let's Give Each Other a Little Sweetness

When Zhang Mu arrived at the hall, the auction seemed to have just begun.

The parking lot in front was filled with luxury cars, and social elites in suits and leather shoes were chatting with each other as they walked side by side into the automatically sliding glass doors.

After glancing around for a moment, Zhang Mu didn't dawdle and walked toward the automatic doors.

"Brother Mu!"

Song Lan, wearing a bright red formal dress that revealed one shoulder, happened to be walking out from inside. Seeing him from a distance, she waved happily in greeting.

"Song Lan." Zhang Mu reached the door, responded with a smile, and entered the lobby with her.

The spacious lobby was crowded with many people, including local citizens who came to see the world and streamers holding phones or selfie sticks to leech off the hype.

To the left and right of the background wall directly opposite the main entrance were two curved stone staircases leading to the second floor, while a huge high-definition screen hung in the middle.

Song Lan told him that the auction hall was on the second floor and only those who had received a number plate could enter.

The screen was for the local citizens and various streamers who were there for the spectacle to watch the auction in real-time.

Nodding, Zhang Mu intended to wander around casually. Song Lan patted her small chest and offered to take him to the VIP room, but he politely declined.

What could he see tucked away in a small room? He mainly wanted to see the level of discussion about the "Immortal" among those who came from out of town and the local citizens.

After several refusals, Song Lan finally stopped insisting and went up to the second floor to attend to her business, looking a bit sullen.

Zhang Mu, with his hands behind his back, wandered around among the groups of people.

After a round of walking, he found that everyone was talking enthusiastically about the "Immortal," with brief arguments occasionally breaking out.

Most of these occurred between local citizens who had personally witnessed the Immortal's tribulation and out-of-towners who had seen videos afterward and came to see the novelty.

The latter were basically skeptical. No matter what evidence the local citizens presented—the spires currently under repair in the city, the videos on their phones, the Immortal granting elixirs to heal people in the deep mountains on the outskirts—they simply refused to believe it.

They claimed that if there really was an Immortal, they would only believe it if he showed his face.

The local citizens arguing with them replied with disdainful tones, "What do you think an Immortal is? Someone you can see just because you want to?"

The two sides argued incessantly. Zhang Mu listened for a few moments and then drifted toward the side.

He wasn't too surprised by the skepticism of the latter.

Before he obtained the portal, if someone had told him there were Immortals in the world, he would likely have had a "seeing is believing" attitude as well.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

First, these things couldn't be rushed; his plan for the "Blessed Land" was still missing many things.

Second, as his magical strength gradually increased and the commotion he caused on Blue Star grew large enough, they would naturally become firm believers.

For example, the Great Roc soaring beyond the nine heavens mentioned by his Senior Brother.

Zhang Mu mused that flying to the nine heavens sounded impressive, but if others—or only a few people—could see it, it wouldn't be very meaningful.

He should have a Kunpeng in the sky, traversing the land of Huaxia.

Flying at low altitude from the far east of Huaxia to the far west in full view of everyone—that would be effective.

By then, when the Magic Academy in the West made its own noise simultaneously, and all countries across the globe became convinced of the existence of the supernatural, his plan to exchange resources could officially begin.

Thinking of this, Zhang Mu pondered the magic of Puppet Art.

According to the skill description, to create a puppet, one first had to use suitable materials to smelt parts and then assemble them into the desired shape.

Then, one had to use magic power to trace a special Magic Array on the surface of the core located in the puppet's abdomen to successfully activate it.

Obviously, the larger the puppet created, the more materials were required.

Zhang Mu didn't expect to accomplish everything at once by creating the Sect Master, elders, and disciples of the "Blessed Land," along with the principal, teachers, and students of the Magic Academy, all at the same time.

With so many puppets, just collecting the materials would exhaust him.

But after thinking for a while, Zhang Mu felt he could first make some small puppets to build momentum for the Magic Academy.

Recalling movie plots, the choice for the puppet was undoubtedly the Owl.

He would find time to go abroad and use Owls to send out a few interview letters.

Hmm... and then drive an old car around the skies of London.

However, if he did that, he would have to speed up progress domestically, otherwise the version would fall too far behind.

How should he do it... maybe take an unofficial disciple and then give them a little sweetness.

The chatting of the crowd around him was a bit noisy, so Zhang Mu walked quickly to a quieter corner passage and leaned against the wall in deep thought.

What things would make people instinctively believe it's an "Immortal's method" at first glance...?

Based on the general public's perception of Immortals in Huaxia, Zhang Mu quickly thought of—Remolding the Body.

Of course, he certainly wouldn't do a real "Body Remolding," as that would require teaching a Meditation Method.

This contradicted his main keynote of "never allowing Blue Star to glimpse the supernatural."

But creating a similar effect was a piece of cake.

Body remolding, after all, was nothing more than skin becoming delicate, temperament becoming ethereal and otherworldly, and strength greatly increasing.

Zhang Mu had plenty of potions that could achieve these things.

The plan was set; next, he had to find a suitable candidate.

Song Lan?

No, she should be put off until later, otherwise, if all the people who obtained "immortal fate" in the early stages had personal relationships with him, it would inevitably cause trouble.

"Hello there, handsome."

While he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly came from beside him. He instinctively looked up and was stunned.

It was the outdoor streamer he met in the mountains yesterday—Luo Xiling.

At this moment, Luo Xiling wasn't holding her selfie stick, and her eyes were fixed straight on Zhang Mu's face.

Good grief, as expected of Su City, which is near the Immortal's residence; you can run into a handsome guy just by coming out of the restroom!

After Zhang Mu regained his senses, his expression became strange. They really were fated, to meet twice... since it's fate, then it'll be you.

Based on their brief contact yesterday, Zhang Mu's impression of her was acceptable, so he didn't bother looking for someone elsewhere.

With an idea in mind, he replied with a smile: "Hello, I'm Zhang Mu."

"Luo Xiling." She gave her name and immediately struck up a conversation, "What are you doing here by yourself?"

"Didn't an Immortal undergo tribulation in Su City a few days ago? It reminded me of some mystical stories my grandmother told me when I was a child."

As soon as these words came out, Luo Xiling, who was wondering how to ask for his number, instantly forgot her purpose, her eyes shining: "Is it convenient to tell me?"

Zhang Mu nodded: "Grandmother said there's a hill on the outskirts of Su City that isn't high but is very steep. An Immortal lives up there.

Anyone who climbs up can receive the Immortal's blessing.

Back then, I just treated it as a made-up story, but looking at it now, it doesn't seem that simple. I'm thinking of going to climb it tomorrow to see.

Maybe the Immortal really does live on that mountaintop."

After listening, Luo Xiling didn't care about the handsome guy anymore. She turned around, lifted the hem of her formal dress, and ran out the door: "Thanks, handsome! If I succeed in becoming the Immortal's disciple, I'll definitely share some of the benefits with you!"

This...

Zhang Mu shook his head with a smile and looked toward the large screen lighting up on the background wall; the gemstone auction had begun.

In the auction hall, on the platform opposite the rows of occupied seats, the auctioneer stood by the display stand, enthusiastically introducing information about a gemstone.

However, the atmosphere among the audience below was not very warm.

After all, their purpose for coming here was all for that grand finale gemstone with the rabbit-shaped inclusion.

As time passed, gemstones were brought up one by one on trays. About half an hour later, finally, Zhang Mu's gemstone made its grand debut.

The instantly tense atmosphere in the auction hall almost burst through the screen.

The bidding began; as soon as one person lowered their hand, another immediately raised theirs, until the price was pushed up to 130 million and was taken by an ordinary-looking Chinese man.

On the screen, he stood up and returned the gestures of the surrounding people who were clapping and congratulating him.

Seeing that the matter was over, Zhang Mu, with the creation of the Owl puppet on his mind, immediately took out his phone to send a message to Song Lan and turned to leave.

Hurrying home, he summoned the portal and stepped inside.