Wang Yuting, Young Master Chen is truly wise.
The auction was hosted by a female Cultivator from the Fire Cloud Merchant Guild named Bihong Xiu.
She wore a fiery red cloud brocade gown, with translucent shark-silk wide sleeves, her alluring features subtly revealed. As she moved, she exuded charm. The System rated her 77.
In the seats below, many Cultivators eyed Bihong Xiu with greedy gazes.
Mr. Zuo was about to whistle but realized Chen Yuan was beside him and forcefully stopped himself.
On the stage, Bihong Xiu exchanged a few pleasantries with everyone, and the auction officially began.
The first item up for auction was simple: an ordinary Yellow Rank Flying Sword, with a starting bid of 2,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Each increment could not be less than 500.
Only two people bid, and it was ultimately bought by a thin, dark-skinned man for 3,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Immediately after, the second, third, and fourth items were brought out consecutively. To Chen Yuan, they were all minor trinkets.
At this moment, on stage, Bihong Xiu cleared her throat, a smirk playing on her lips, and said mysteriously, “The next item is a High Grade Earth Rank Magical Artifact, temporarily consigned for auction by a Young Master from a prominent Family.”
Hearing that it was a High Grade Earth Rank Magical Artifact, Chen Yuan's eyes lit up, showing an interested expression.
Mr. Zuo, seeing this, immediately sat up straight, ready to pay a high price to acquire it.
Below, many Cultivators' eyes dimmed. Earth Rank Magical Artifacts cost thousands of High-Grade Spirit Stones, affordable only to Families above the Soul Transformation Realm.
A moment later, a maid walked onto the stage holding a tray and placed the exquisite brocade box from the tray onto the display table.
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Bihong Xiu slowly opened the brocade box.
“A High Grade Earth Rank Soul Protection Magic Treasure, capable of blocking a True Lord's Divine Sense. Starting bid is 3,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment not less than 1,000.”
Upon hearing this, gasps immediately erupted from below.
“Heavens! It's actually a soul protection Magic Treasure!”
“I thought that soul recovery pill was the main event; turns out there was an even bigger surprise hidden.”
Some newly established Soul Transformation Families were very eager, but their Family assets were limited, and they were short on funds.
Those old Soul Transformation Families pounded their chests in frustration, regretting not bringing enough Spirit Stones, otherwise they could have competed.
Some clever individuals were very open-minded: even if you managed to win the bid, would you truly live to use it?
Mr. Zuo's eyes gleamed. A soul protection Magic Treasure! It was a rare and highly sought-after item.
To exchange this for a favor from a Direct Disciple of a first-grade Sect was worth it!
Such a thought was normal, as there was a huge chasm between the two Sects. The Tianqing Sect only had four Void Return Dao Lords, while the Xuantian Sect had over thirty Dao Lords.
He turned to look at Chen Yuan, and seeing Chen Yuan nod, he immediately raised his bidding paddle, “4,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones.”
Then he stood up and cupped his hands to the guests at the auction.
“I am Mr. Zuo; I presume you all know me. Would you all please give me Face, and not contend with me for this item?”
Because this auction was held in a fourth-grade city and the Fire Cloud Merchant Guild hadn't done much promotion, the strongest backgrounds present were only third-grade Void Return powers.
The Tianqing Sect was a top-tier Family among third-grade powers, so naturally, everyone was willing to give Young Master Zuo Face.
“Give you Face? You're nothing!” A sharp voice came from the side.
Mr. Zuo's Face instantly darkened, and his gaze fell on a corner to the side.
He saw a woman dressed in white robes, holding a feather fan, looking at him with disdain.
Chen Yuan immediately sent out a probe.
“Name: Wang Yuting.
Gender: Female.
Affection: 0.
Charm: 91.
Realm: Golden Core Eighth Layer.
Current status cannot be bound.”
“Young Miss Wang, what do you mean by that?” Mr. Zuo gritted his teeth and growled.
“What do I mean? Naturally, you're not worthy.” Wang Yuting disdainfully glanced at Mr. Zuo, raised her bidding paddle, and said, “5,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones.”
Bihong Xiu immediately beamed with joy. The more people bid, the higher her commission would be.
She struck her gavel and loudly announced, “Young Miss Wang bids 5,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones! Are there any further bids?”
Mr. Zuo raised his bidding paddle: “I bid 6,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones.”
Without giving Bihong Xiu a chance to react, Wang Yuting quickly interjected, “I bid 8,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones.”
Afterward, her disdain grew even stronger as she provocatively looked at Mr. Zuo, “Young Master Zuo only adds 1,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones? Isn't that a bit too stingy?”
Mr. Zuo, being short-tempered, was already filled with rage. He had only brought 9,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones this time. If Wang Yuting continued to bid, he truly wouldn't be able to afford it.
At this moment, an indifferent voice sounded beside Mr. Zuo, “No need to argue.”
Mr. Zuo glared fiercely at Wang Yuting, then unwillingly sat down.
“I'm sorry, Young Master Chen, it is my incompetence.”
Chen Yuan waved his hand and asked, “What is your relationship with that woman?”
“This woman is named Wang Yuting, the Eldest Young Miss of the Wang Family, a third-grade Family. Our Tianqing Sect has a generational feud with them.”
Chen Yuan immediately became interested, “A generational feud? How long has it lasted?”
Mr. Zuo thought for a moment and replied, “Over four thousand years, it started from my grandfather's generation.”
Chen Yuan nodded, said nothing, but had a plan in mind.
Soon, the last item was brought up, which was the fifth-grade Medicinal Pill, the soul recovery pill.
The starting price was 300 High-Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment not less than 100.
“You bid 600 first,” Chen Yuan instructed.
Mr. Zuo nodded, immediately raised his paddle, and loudly announced, “I bid 600 High-Grade Spirit Stones.”
As Chen Yuan expected, Wang Yuting immediately followed with a bid, “I bid 800 High-Grade Spirit Stones.”
Mr. Zuo was about to curse when he saw Chen Yuan already standing up.
“Young Master Chen, what are you doing?” Mr. Zuo cautiously asked.
“No more bidding, let's go!” Chen Yuan's tone was calm.
“But...” Mr. Zuo wanted to say something more, but saw Chen Yuan already walking towards the staircase, so he could only quickly follow.
On the street, Chen Yuan led the Cloud Chasing Steed towards the South Gate. Mr. Zuo, initially arrogant but now respectful, cautiously said, “Young Master Chen, it is my incompetence!”
“It's fine, that Wang Yuting clearly came prepared.” Chen Yuan's eyes were calm, then he asked Mr. Zuo, “Is there a necessary path that Wang Yuting takes on her way back to her Family?”
Mr. Zuo quickly took out a map to examine it. After a moment of scrutiny, he pointed to a mountain range and said, “Young Master Chen, about two hundred thousand li from Mufeng City, there is a mountain range called Purple Lightning Mountain Range, which is her necessary route back to her clan.”
Chen Yuan nodded slightly, “Let's go.”
Mr. Zuo was a bit confused, not knowing what Chen Yuan meant.
A terrifying thought swept through his mind, and he exclaimed, “Young Master Chen, you're not planning to rob her, are you?”
Mr. Zuo quickly waved his hand, “Absolutely not! I just saw that Wang Yuting has three Nascent Soul True Lord guards by her side. If we try to rob her, it'll be a dead end.”
Chen Yuan, hearing this, looked at him speechlessly, “Throw away your brain! Did you forget who I am? When the time comes, I'll reveal my identity and offer an equivalent price. Even if she's foolish, she'll still give me Face.”
Mr. Zuo suddenly realized, “That's right! Young Master Chen is truly wise.”