Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1458: Warped sense (1)

Seeking to participate more fully in the atmosphere, Yang Qing relocated from his window perch to the central table. There, he was met with the delightful embrace of the frost jade lotus and spirit pearl peonies, their forms shimmering like polished gemstones, exuding a cool, refreshing aura.

The transformations of these celestial flora did not particularly surprise Yang Qing; such alterations had become commonplace for him. His unique physique and cultivation art meant that his cultivation, meditation, or even the slightest release of his qi invariably influenced his surroundings. This effect was especially pronounced on living things, such as plants and animals, and even extended to the very earth, affecting everything from soil to stone. Prolonged exposure to his qi or simply proximity would lead to significant changes, particularly in elements aligned with yin or yang, like the two plants before him.

Indeed, he would have found it far more peculiar if they had remained unchanged.

A gentle smile graced Yang Qing’s lips as his gaze fell upon the small sapling resting on his shoulder. It appeared to be in a deep slumber, or perhaps a state of hibernation.

"Little one," Yang Qing murmured, softly prodding one of its iridescent leaves. The leaf pulsed with a brighter glow at his touch, and slowly, more leaves began to illuminate from their subdued state. "There's no need to awaken," he coaxed gently, noticing the intensifying luminescence.

"You can alter your form, can you not?" he inquired softly. The slumbering root spirit oak sapling responded by shifting from its sparse, leafy sapling appearance into a miniature, fully mature oak. Its crown of leaves became dense, its branches spread wide, though the entire tree remained no taller than Yang Qing’s face and its canopy no wider than his hair. Moments later, it morphed again, resembling a bouquet akin to the spirit pearl peonies. However, instead of snow-white flowers centered with pearls, this bouquet was composed entirely of snow-white leaves, emanating the same pure, refreshing coolness as the spirit pearl peonies, with fleeting refractions of light dancing through them.

Then, another moment passed, and the bouquet transformed into a verdant vine that encircled Yang Qing’s shoulders. It formed a partial cloak of iridescent leaves, underscored by a bright silver sheen that complemented the lustre of his attire. A second after that, both the leaves and the vine deepened to a rich green, harmonizing perfectly with his hair color and entirely mirroring his life-infused aura. Merely gazing upon him evoked the sensation of being immersed in an endless, vibrant forest overflowing with life.

"I suppose you can," Yang Qing remarked, a smile of amusement playing on his lips as the root spirit oak sapling slowly reverted to its original form.

"You may rest here," he said kindly, smoothly lifting it from his shoulder. He adjusted his outer coat slightly and settled the vine back onto his shoulder. "You can assume the vine form you had earlier," Yang Qing whispered, gradually covering the sapling with his coat. As he did, the resting root spirit oak sapling diminished in size and form, becoming a single vine that coiled around his shoulder, with leaves sprouting left and right. When Yang Qing fully concealed it, a few of its iridescent leaves emerged from the edges of the coat, adding an extra touch of charm to the garment bestowed upon him by Mao Yunru.

Yang Qing offered a wry smile, musing inwardly that he now resembled a true dandy. He imagined Mao Yunru would lavish him with praise, declaring him an impeccable immortal and likely capturing countless recordings with her jade talisman. Feng Xin, he suspected, would sneer in disdain, lamenting the squandered resources that could have been used for food. Yi Jie would undoubtedly mock him with his characteristic stoicism, perhaps with a wine cup in hand, his sarcasm so dry it would masquerade as sincerity. Su Jinjing, with the blissful, almost cruel innocence he had come to expect, would vocalize her thoughts without reservation. Zhang Yu, on the other hand, would erupt in laughter, rolling on the ground. Luo Meili, the sole ray of light amongst that peculiar group, would smile and affirm his dashing appearance. As for Ellie, she would likely echo Feng Xin’s sentiments.

But Kang Huilang… truthfully, he was the one Yang Qing felt most wary of. Fortunately, the yellow-haired gambling enthusiast was currently in seclusion.

Yang Qing poured himself another cup of wine, humming contentedly as he savored the memory of his recent acquisitions and the profound transformation this unexpected fortune was poised to bring to his life.

"Tang Xiadan," he whispered with gratitude after downing the drink. Perhaps it was because the auction had concluded, releasing the tension that had gripped him during the event, but Yang Qing's smile shifted into a contemplative expression as he uttered Tang Xiadan's name again, this time with a significantly deeper tone.

"Why would he purchase them at such a price?" Yang Qing pondered, taking another sip as his thoughts began to churn furiously.

Now that he was more relaxed, his inherently suspicious nature immediately surfaced. He started to question if there was more to the bidding than what was apparent, wondering if the bids were less about the items themselves and more about him.

While he doubted Han Bai or Meng Song would reveal his true identity to an outsider, Yang Qing could not completely dismiss the possibility, particularly with Fan Jie involved. Given Fan Jie's demeanor towards both him and Tang Xiadan, Yang Qing wouldn't be surprised if Fan Jie exposed him, especially if there was something to gain. Moreover, beyond any tangible benefits, Yang Qing had a hunch the founder would find amusement in such a revelation.

Yang Qing mused, a wry smile gracing his lips as he reached for the wine gourd. He examined it closely, as if the answer to his suspicion, whether right or wrong, was etched onto its surface, suggesting:

Yang Qing admitted to being somewhat unrestrained in adding his personal interpretations to the message, but on the whole, he felt it was largely accurate. If it turned out that Fan Jie had indeed used him to secure some advantages for the Vast Blue, then certain aspects would shift, most notably the underlying reasons for the bids.