104: Chapter 104 Elder of the War Beast Sect?!

Five billion!

This number seemed to possess a certain magic.

It plunged the entire auction house into a state of absolute, dead silence for more than ten seconds.

Everyone's expressions froze on their faces.

They were all filled with the same emotion.

Unbelievable shock.

They even doubted if they were having auditory hallucinations.

Five billion federal currency?

This had exceeded the limits of most people's imaginations; it wasn't just a number, it was a mountain of gold capable of crushing many families in C City!

Perhaps only the Su Family could contend with such a sum!

Jiang Yun's heart pounded wildly, the sound of blood rushing through his veins booming in his ears.

He had thought the forty billion Su Chengtian called out was the limit, but he hadn't expected this old man to stay silent until now, only to strike with earth-shattering force, raising the price by a full billion!

It was as if money meant nothing to him.

He subconsciously looked toward VIP Room No. 1.

The curiosity and wariness he felt toward that mysterious old man climbed to a peak.

This was not just a matter of financial strength.

It was a posture of looking down on everyone present.

"Just... just what is the background of this person?"

"Five billion... my god!"

"Crazy... truly crazy..."

After the dead silence,

Came a tidal wave of buzzing discussion, erupting after being suppressed to the extreme.

Everyone's gazes, woven with shock, awe, and scrutiny, focused on the tightly closed curtain of VIP Room No. 1.

On the exhibition stage,

The experienced female host was also stunned for several seconds before she barely managed to find her voice, which carried an uncontrollable tremble: "Fi... five billion! The guest in VIP Room No. 1 has bid five billion! Is... is there any other guest who would like to bid?"

Her gaze swept across the VIP rooms of the Su Family, the Xiao Family, and the Mayor, and then toward Pavilion Master Chen Feng.

The response she received was silence.

Su Chengtian's face was ashen, his fists clenched so tightly his nails almost pierced his flesh, but in the end, it turned into a powerless sigh.

Forty billion was already the Su Family's limit. Five billion?

He couldn't even summon the thought of competing.

Five billion would already shake the Su Family's industrial Foundation!

If he used five billion to compete,

It would be fine if he won.

But if the other party continued to raise the price,

It would be a complete waste of effort.

Mayor Zhang Qing slumped back into his seat with a bitter smile; this price completely cut off any possibility of the City Federation obtaining the item.

Principal He, Principal of Bedrock Middle School, Lei Lie, and the others

Could only shake their heads in amazement.

Pavilion Master Chen Feng's eyes were complex, filled with both shock at the astronomical price and a hint of realization, becoming increasingly certain that the old man's background was staggering.

"Five billion... going once!"

"Five billion... going twice!"

"Five billion... going three times!"

"Sold!"

Bang!

The golden gavel fell with a crisp sound that echoed like a great bell, finalizing this transaction that was enough to shake all of C City.

"Congratulations to the guest in VIP Room No. 1 for successfully winning the Diamond Rank Aptitude beast, the Giant Stone Spirit!"

The auction concluded amidst a wave of shocked discussion that was difficult to calm.

People filed out with complex emotions, but the gazes of many powerful figures remained firmly locked on VIP Room No. 1 and the direction of the backstage.

Backstage,

Inside a heavily guarded secret room,

The atmosphere was solemn and slightly tense.

The jade box containing the Giant Stone Spirit cub was placed solemnly on the central table.

Jiang Yun, Pavilion Master Chen Feng, and the mysterious old man

The three parties gathered.

The old man still looked unremarkable, but at this moment, no one dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

He swept his calm gaze over the jade box and nodded.

The transaction process was concise and efficient.

Under the highest-level notarization of the Myriad Beast Pavilion,

The staff operated directly through portable devices.

Two federation cards interacted.

After deducting the transaction service fee

And the cost of purchasing the wind god stone essence,

4.9 billion federal currency entered Jiang Yun's federation card.

Even with Jiang Yun's firm resolve,

He felt extremely excited and moved at this moment.

Five billion!

This meant that for his plans to head to the Provincial Level stage,

He now had an incredibly solid and firm Foundation regarding resources in the short term!

He had an incredibly solid and firm Foundation!

The old man gently put away the jade box.

He looked at Jiang Yun with a warm smile on his face: "Friend, you have a good eye. Thank you."

Jiang Yun suppressed the excitement in his heart and bowed slightly, maintaining his mystery and composure: "Senior is too kind, it was merely a fair trade."

Just then,

There was some movement outside the room.

Chen Feng frowned, and just as he was about to go out and check, the door to the secret room was gently knocked.

After receiving permission, the door was pushed open, and several figures entered together; it was Su Chengtian, the Mayor, and Principal He, who had come to investigate out of unwillingness.

As soon as the three entered, their gazes first fell upon the mysterious old man, followed by the masked Jiang Yun.

"Pavilion Master Chen, excuse the intrusion."

Su Chengtian stood at the front and spoke first, respectfully cupping his hands in a salute to the old man.

"Presumably, this is the Senior who bid for the Giant Stone Spirit? Junior Su Chengtian, Su Family Head of C City."

The Mayor and Principal He followed closely behind,

Offering their greetings with humble attitudes.

"I am the Mayor of C City, Zhang Qing. Greetings, Senior."

"Principal of Qingquan No. 1 Middle School, Principal He. Greetings, Senior."

Facing these three powerful figures who could make C City tremble just by stomping their feet, the old man merely gave a faint nod as a return greeting, his posture calm yet naturally exuding a sense of transcendence.

The hearts of the three tightened even more.

Turning their gazes toward Jiang Yun, their attitudes were equally respectful: "This must be the Great Master who appraised the Diamond Rank beast? Great Master, your insight is truly admirable!"

"Um..."

Hearing what they said,

Jiang Yun was taken aback.

Being respectfully called 'Great Master' and 'Senior' by these powerful figures he usually had to look up to made the corners of Jiang Yun's mouth twitch slightly under his mask, and a hint of strange awkwardness rose in his heart.

He could only maintain his aloof persona, nodding slightly and responding simply in a lowered, deep voice: "You flatter me."

However, Principal He's gaze lingered on Jiang Yun for a moment longer, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.

This build... why does it feel vaguely familiar?

But the other party's unfathomable aura and mysterious mask caused him to immediately dismiss that unrealistic thought, treating it as a trick of his senses.

Mayor Zhang Qing could not contain his curiosity.

He asked with an increasingly respectful attitude: "May I ask for Senior's identity? Where are you from? We Juniors would like to properly fulfill our duties as hosts."

The old man heard this,

Stroked his beard and smiled, seemingly unconcerned about revealing his identity, and said calmly: "This old man is Lin Tianhong, from the War Beast Sect, an Elder of the War Beast Sect."

An Elder of the War Beast Sect!

Those simple words

Exploded in the room like a clap of thunder!

The pupils of Su Chengtian, Zhang Qing, and Principal He constricted, and their faces were instantly filled with unprecedented shock and awe!

The War Beast Sect!

That was a colossus that dominated the Nanling Province,

A truly top-tier Sect that ruled an entire region!

Its power was immense, and its heritage was profound!

The Sect was filled with experts; Amethyst Rank Beast Tamers were by no means rare, and it was said that there were even radiant Sun-Level experts overseeing it!

Never mind C City; even the Beast Tamer Academies under the Provincial Level federation had to show the War Beast Sect great respect!

An Elder of the War Beast Sect had actually come to C City in person.

If this news were to spread,

It would be enough to make the entire city tremble!

"So it is Elder Lin who has graced us with his presence! We Juniors failed to welcome you from afar; we hope Elder will forgive our offense!"

The three spoke almost in unison,

Their tones several times more respectful than before, even carrying a hint of fear.

The slight doubts they had earlier about the five billion price tag

Vanished into thin air at this moment.

To an Elder of the War Beast Sect,

Five billion might truly be nothing.

"We did not know Elder Lin was visiting; what is your purpose? If there is anything you need, we will certainly cooperate fully!"

Su Chengtian immediately stated his position.

Lin Tianhong waved his hand, his tone still flat: "This old man's trip was originally just for casual travel, and incidentally to look for some promising beast cubs for the Sect. I didn't expect to find such a pleasant surprise here in C City; I must thank this young friend."

He looked at Jiang Yun again,

His gaze carrying a hint of appreciation.

Jiang Yun understood.

Although he didn't know what kind of power this War Beast Sect was,

Judging from the reactions of the Principal and the Mayor,

This organization must be extremely powerful.

He also responded politely: "Elder Lin's words are too heavy; this Junior was just lucky."

Seeing that Lin Tianhong didn't seem to want to talk further, Su Chengtian and the others didn't dare to disturb him too much. They again respectfully invited Lin Tianhong to visit their respective families or the city hall, but were all politely declined by Lin Tianhong on the grounds that he preferred peace and quiet and had other matters to attend to.

Immediately,

Lin Tianhong did not stay longer. He gave a slight nod to everyone and then drifted away.

However, upon leaving,

Lin Tianhong extended an invitation to Jiang Yun.

"Young friend! If you have time, you can come to my War Beast Sect as a guest. My War Beast Sect loves to make friends with such outstandingly talented Appraiser Great Masters as yourself!"

With those words, his figure disappeared from their sight.

However, these words added a few more points of weight to Jiang Yun's status.

As soon as Lin Tianhong left, the gazes of Su Chengtian and the others immediately focused fervently on Jiang Yun again.

The value of a Great Master who could accurately appraise a Diamond Rank beast was, in some ways, no less than that of an Elder of the War Beast Sect!

If they could form a relationship with him, it would bring incalculable benefits to the development of their Family's power.

"Great Master!"

Su Chengtian spoke first, his tone carrying the sincerity of wanting to make a connection, "To see the Great Master's style today is truly a fortunate event. I wonder if the Great Master could do me the honor of visiting my Su Family so that I, Su, may fulfill my duties as a host?"

"If the Great Master has any spare time, the City Federation government also welcomes you with open arms."

Mayor Zhang Qing also immediately followed suit.

Although Principal He did not directly invite him,

His eyes were also full of expectation.

Being surrounded and addressed as 'Great Master' by these top figures of C City who were vying to invite him, Jiang Yun only felt his scalp go numb. Just as he was wondering how to politely decline, Pavilion Master Chen Feng, who was by his side, stepped forward at the right time.

"Haha, Patriarch Su, Mayor Zhang, Principal He."

Chen Feng smiled and cupped his hands, blocking the path in front of Jiang Yun.

"Great Master Dong Xuan and I still have some important matters to discuss, so I'm afraid he won't be able to get away for the time being. I'll accept everyone's kindness on behalf of the Great Master. Once this matter is settled, we'll find another opportunity to talk with you all, how about it?"

He said this politely,

But the meaning was clear.

I received him first, so don't try to snatch him away.

Hearing this, a flash of disappointment crossed the faces of Su Chengtian and the others, but since Chen Feng had already spoken, they couldn't force it. After all, behind the Myriad Beast Pavilion was the Chamber of Commerce.

It was also a major power with direct connections to the Province.

They could only express their respect to Jiang Yun once more, leaving behind words that they would surely visit him in the future, before departing one after another with regret.

In the room, finally, only Jiang Yun and Chen Feng remained.

Chen Feng breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Jiang Yun with an apologetic smile: "I've made the Great Master laugh."

Jiang Yun shook his head, indicating it was no problem.

Chen Feng's expression turned serious as he said: "The wind god stone essence I promised the Great Master earlier has been prepared. I've only charged the cost price of fifty million, which has already been deducted in the transfer transaction just now."

He handed over an exquisite jade box.

Jiang Yun took it and confirmed it was correct.

He placed the jade box into his storage ring.

In this way,

His card balance was now exactly 4.9 billion.

"Thank you, Pavilion Master."

Jiang Yun said.

"Great Master is too polite."

Chen Feng waved his hand.

Then, a hint of appropriate difficulty appeared on his face.

"Well then, regarding the matter I mentioned earlier, hoping for the Great Master's assistance..."

Jiang Yun was in a great mood, and since the other party had acted so efficiently, he said directly: "Please speak, Pavilion Master, what do you need me to help with?"

Chen Feng took a deep breath, his gaze becoming solemn.

He lowered his voice and said:

"A few days ago, my Myriad Beast Pavilion accidentally acquired a strange object. The energy fluctuations of this object are extremely peculiar; it's like stone but not stone, like wood but not wood. Several Appraisers in my pavilion, and even appraisal experts I consulted from the Provincial Pavilion, have been unable to determine its origin or use, or even explore its internal structure. This object... seems to be able to isolate itself from all conventional detection methods."

He looked at Jiang Yun with burning eyes: "I would like to ask the Great Master to step in and help... appraise this object!"