Chapter 957: Ning Chen'en

When Tang San heard Radiant Dragon King Xu An'yu call out to him, he put on an obsequious smile and walked over past the dividers between rooms. The two met in front of Room Nine.

"Brother Xu, what can I do for you?" In spite of his ever-so-pleasant smile, Tang San didn't have a favorable impression of this young dragon. The reason was simple: he had tried to make a move on Mei Gongzi. That was also why Tang San had subtly targeted him during the auction earlier, even ignoring Crystalline's take on the matter.

Xu An'yu scanned Tang San's blue skin and dorsal spines for a moment, then smiled in return. "Clan Leader Jin, you were truly generous today! I'm deeply impressed. The Blue Gold Tree clan's deep foundations are certainly admirable."

Tang San shook his hand dismissively. "Actually, Brother Xu, you're the one who made the most bids today. We were merely seizing a timely opportunity."

Xu An'yu said, "What I wanted to say was, there was one item a bit earlier that one of my companions needs very badly. I wonder if you might be willing to part with it? We're prepared to offer an extra hundred amethyst coins on top of your winning bid. That item shouldn't be of much use to you anyway."

Tang San tilted his head in feigned puzzlement. "Which item are you referring to?"

"The Throne of Frost. Would you be willing to sell it to us?"

Hearing this, Tang San's face turned apologetic. "I'm truly sorry. While it's true that we Blue Gold Trees don't really need the Throne of Frost, I was asked by a friend to bid on it. He needs it very much, so I'm afraid I can't give it up."

Standing a short distance behind Xu An'yu was the Ice Dragon Sun Honghao, who couldn't help but say, "Is that friend of yours also participating in the tournament?"

Tang San shook his head. "No, he's still just a Nymph King. He's not participating."

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Then he definitely doesn't need it more than I do. Why not let me have it? Consider it a favor I owe you. I'm Sun Honghao, the leader of the Ice Dragon clan. The Throne of Frost is crucial to me, whether in this tournament or later."

Tang San looked taken aback. "Then why didn't you keep bidding during the auction, Brother Sun? I was actually ready to give up, but when there was no further competition, I won it. Now that my friend knows I've secured it, it would be awkward for me to give it away. Truly, I'm sorry."

Sun Honghao's face darkened. "Clan Leader Jin, are you really unwilling to part with it?"

Tang San smiled awkwardly. "Brother Sun, though I don't have high hopes in the Battle for the Throne, I'm also a participant. You've said this throne is important to you for this tournament. That makes us opponents, doesn't it? I can't exactly strengthen my enemy, can I?"

"As if someone like you is qualified to be our opponent..." muttered Tang Mohuang.

Xu An'yu immediately snapped at him. "Mohuang, watch your tone! Apologize to Clan Leader Jin,

now

."

Tang Mohuang showed a hint of disdain but didn't want to disobey Xu An'yu, especially in public. He gave a slight nod toward Tang San and said, "Apologies, I misspoke."

Tang San was not angered. He simply smiled. "No worries; truth cannot be impolite. In fact, I don't really think I am able to compete with you all, but since I'm representing the Blue Gold Tree clan, I must give it my all. Otherwise, wouldn't that shame the Ancestral Tree?"

Just as Xu An'yu was opening his mouth to retort, a low-pitched and honest-sounding voice rang out, drawing both sides' attention. "My, you all sure are having a lively conversation! Don't you feel that you might be disturbing your neighbors?"

From VIP Room Nine emerged a man. He was exceptionally burly, around two meters tall, and with a stocky yet slightly chubby build that gave him a harmless appearance. His honest face, framed by short hair, appeared entirely human. But with just one glance, Tang San immediately recognized what this youthful-looking figure was.

A Golden Mammoth!

Indeed, this was the newly appointed leader of the Golden Mammoth clan and Lord of Golden City. In fact, his evaluation had taken place just before Mei Gongzi's. The Golden Mammoth Demon Emperor had stepped down from his positions and passed both titles to this young man.

Tang San quickly searched his memory and recalled his name: Ning Chen'en!

He was quite a peculiar figure. Before becoming the Golden Mammoth clan leader and the Lord of Golden City , he was completely unknown; in fact, he wasn't even a direct descendant of the Golden Mammoth Demon Emperor. Precisely because of that, no one dared to underestimate him. For a person who was not a direct descendant of an Emperor to win the position over those who were direct descendants, he had to be truly extraordinary.

"Greetings, Clan Leader Ning," Xu An'yu clearly already knew him and nodded politely.

Ning Chen'en nodded back and said, "I really envy you guys! I got nothing out of this auction. Poverty is a sin."

Indeed, Room Nine had hardly participated in any of the bidding, as though it didn't exist. That was why Xu An'yu hadn't paid them any mind during his talk with Tang San.

Xu An'yu chuckled. "You just didn't see anything you liked. You're competing too, right?"

Ning Chen'en nodded. "Like our fellow Jin Miaolin here said, I have to give it a try. Otherwise, the clan won't be satisfied. If I don't, my old man might even beat me up. I'll just do my best. Don't worry, I'm not a threat to you guys."

Looking at his cheerful demeanor, Tang San kept smiling on the surface, but he didn't believe the man's words for a second. At least the Blue Gold Trees had a reputation for being completely peaceful and lacking all combat abilities. The Golden Mammoth clan, on the other hand, was a powerhouse. And despite being in a VIP room right between Tang San and the dragons, this Ning Chen'en appeared utterly unbothered. That composure alone was noteworthy.

Ning Chen'en laughed. "I heard your chat just now. I think Clan Leader Jin made a good point. Old Sun, if you didn't go hard during the auction, it's not fair to ask for it afterward. As fellow contestants, we definitely can't support that. Right?"

Seeing him laugh so heartily, Sun Honghao grumbled, "Fatty, cut the act. Even if I got the Throne of Frost, I still couldn't beat you. Others might not know what you're like, but I sure do. Xu An'yu, don't be fooled, his fatty is bad news. He's one of the few with two top-tier bloodlines. He's insanely strong."

Xu An'yu nodded, and his smile didn't falter. "I've heard as much. I was told that Clan Leader Ning is one of my biggest rivals this time."

Ning Chen'en's smile faded, and he looked at Sun Honghao with a bitter expression, raising a finger toward him. "Must you be like this, Old Sun? We've known each other for years. How could you betray your old buddy like this?"

The Ice Dragon King let out a cold snort and said nothing more.

Listening quietly, Tang San felt a stir in his heart. He discreetly scanned with his divine consciousness, and his surprise deepened. If Sun Honghao hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have realized Ning Chen'en possessed two different bloodlines, let alone two first-tier ones.