54: Energy Beads

“Heh heh, is that really necessary?”

Shen Xi sneered, giving Kong Wen a meaningful look, as if he had already seen through the other person’s thoughts.

“Hmph! As the Captain of the Judgement Squad, I naturally have to maintain order in Zhu Feng City. The auction house is currently filled with important figures from the Outer City. If they were to get injured due to a conflict between you and me, it would go against my duty.”

Kong Wen spoke loudly, adopting an official and impartial demeanor.

Upon hearing this, many people couldn't help but secretly praise him.

“As expected of Lord Kong Wen, he is always so thoughtful and thorough in his actions.”

“Unlike some people who only know how to fight and kill, without considering the consequences of their actions.”

“That’s why Lord Kong Wen is the Captain, while some people… well, their identity is unknown.”

A barrage of comments targeting Shen Xi emerged.

Aside from those he had scammed and who had disliked him from the start, many were deliberately belittling him to curry favor with Kong Wen.

After all, one was in the Yuan Qi Transformation Realm, while the other was merely in the Minor Completion of Vital Energy. Everyone naturally had a clear understanding of who was stronger.

Even with Shen Xi’s direct challenge, not many people favored him.

Shen Xi completely ignored these discussions.

He cast a cold glance at Kong Wen and continued, “What? You’re not planning to snatch the number one seat anymore? If you don’t defeat me, I won’t give up my spot.”

As he spoke, Shen Xi even deliberately crossed his legs.

“It’s just a seat, what if I give it to you!”

Kong Wen said without changing his expression.

It must be said, his Face was as thick as a city wall.

Before, he had used the number one seat as an excuse to make trouble for Shen Xi.

Now, because Shen Xi wanted to fight him to the death, he was afraid of losing Face and postponed the time to three days later.

Now that Shen Xi brought up the number one seat again, he changed his rhetoric.

This ability to change one’s stance faster than flipping a book made even Shen Xi admit he was inferior.

“Hahahaha, ‘what if I give it to you?’ How grand! But I don’t want you to give it to me. If you’re not convinced, then kill me!”

Shen Xi still maintained his boundless arrogance.

This finally made Kong Wen lose Face.

He didn’t want to fight Shen Xi at this time, especially with Chen Fang eyeing them from the side.

But being pushed to this point, if he kept retreating, his prestige would be completely eroded.

Other people wouldn’t consider Kong Wen’s current predicament; they would only know that Shen Xi provoked Kong Wen again and again, yet Kong Wen dared not fight.

At this moment.

Ye Zirou finally appeared.

“Honored guests, today’s main purpose is the auction. Let’s not cause any more trouble. For my Face, how about we let this matter rest?”

Seeing Ye Zirou, Shen Xi finally pouted and said nothing more.

It was already enough that she could provide information about the White Robe Two People at the auction.

It was clearly unrealistic to expect her to openly conflict with Kong Wen for his sake.

Merchants pursue profit.

Ye Zirou was just a merchant; she valued profit, not getting involved in these fights.

“Fine, then. Three days from now, I will take your life.”

Shen Xi returned to his seat, not even bothering to glance at Kong Wen, as if he hadn't been the one in conflict with the other person just now.

“Then, for Young Miss Ye’s Face, I will no longer pursue this matter. Three days from now, I will make you regret ever appearing in this world.”

Kong Wen also found a random seat and sat down.

Anyway, the number one seat was gone, so it made no difference where he sat.

This commotion ended just like that.

Chen Fang looked at Shen Xi with some surprise, then at Kong Wen, and without saying anything more, returned to his original seat.

Soon, the host of the auction walked onto the stage.

“Esteemed guests, thank you very much for attending this auction.”

“This auction is jointly organized by merchants from various cities. Because of this, specialties from different cities will be featured at the auction.”

“I declare, the auction now begins!”

The auction officially began.

One by one, items were brought to the stage, and under the host’s introduction, many people became eager.

The very first item was auctioned for five million.

And this was just the beginning.

As for Shen Xi, he did not make a move. He wasn’t particularly interested in most of the items and had no intention of bidding.

Time passed bit by bit.

It wasn’t until the fifty-first item that Shen Xi’s eyes lit up.

He saw the host holding a crimson pearl, which he introduced: “This item, I believe many are familiar with, especially Martial Artists in the Yuanqi Realm, who should covet it even more.”

“This item is called a Yuanqi Pearl. It can store the Origin Qi cultivated by a Martial Artist.”

“When a Martial Artist’s Origin Qi is depleted, using the Yuanqi Pearl can instantly restore their state. Not only that, but it is also a highly offensive weapon. When the Yuanqi Pearl shatters, the Origin Qi contained within will instantly explode. The specific power is related to the Origin Qi it contains.”

This was indeed a good item.

Shen Xi was somewhat tempted.

On one hand, it could help him with his endurance. If he experienced a major battle, using the Yuanqi Pearl could instantly restore his strength to its Peak state.

On the other hand, it was also a trump card, capable of catching an enemy off guard at a critical moment and severely wounding them.

“Bidding for the Yuanqi Pearl begins, with a starting price of one hundred million!”

Good items naturally came with a high price.

The starting price alone deterred many guests.

Of course, those guests with Golden Invitation Letters wouldn’t be deterred by one hundred million.

After all, those who could obtain a Golden Invitation Letter had a net worth of over one billion.

“I bid one hundred and fifty million.”

“Two hundred million!”

“Two hundred and thirty million!”

“...”

The price quickly rose to five hundred million.

Even so, many people continued to bid.

After all, a Yuanqi Pearl might not be used on a daily basis, but once it was, it was for saving one’s life.

It could be said that possessing a Yuanqi Pearl was equivalent to having an extra life, so naturally, many people were willing to spend a fortune to purchase it.

“One billion!”

At this moment, Shen Xi finally spoke.

As soon as he made his bid, he doubled the auction price.

Many people couldn't help but gasp. Buying a Yuanqi Pearl for one billion was a bit too extravagant!

“One point one billion!”

On the other side, as soon as Shen Xi finished bidding, Kong Wen followed with his own bid.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xi gave the other person a cold look.

Kong Wen, however, showed no weakness, even smiling provocatively, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.

This was directed at him.

Shen Xi instantly realized.

Kong Wen was deliberately trying to provoke him in this way.

But what did it matter?

Shen Xi returned a smile, hoping that the other person would still be able to smile later.