170: Lin family patriarch, let's compete in the auction!

The City Lord of Zhenyuan City had always been mysterious and unpredictable; it was said that his strength had long ago reached the Peak Middle Stage of Void Refining.

He remained in seclusion year-round, so no one expected him to actually send a representative to this grand ceremony.

With the appearance of this big shot... the atmosphere inside the venue was instantly pushed to a climax.

Dang!!!

A crisp, melodious chime of a bell echoed throughout the hall, instantly suppressing all the clamor.

At the center of the auction stage, a pillar of light descended.

A beautiful woman wearing a bright red qipao, with a hot figure and lingering charm, slowly rose up.

She was the chief auctioneer of Tianbao Pavilion, Hong Niangzi. Not only did she possess an Early Stage of Soul Transformation cultivation, but she was also widely renowned in Zhenyuan City for her silver tongue and sophisticated social skills.

“Welcome, Fellow Daoists, to the Tianbao Pavilion Centennial Grand Ceremony.”

Hong Niangzi's voice was charming and carried a hint of seductive power, clearly reaching everyone's ears. “I won't waste words; there are many treasures today, and I certainly won't let you all return empty-handed.”

“The first item, a Rank Five Low Grade Ancient Treasure, the Blazing Sun Mountain-Splitting Seal!”

With a wave of Hong Niangzi's delicate hand, a crimson Dharma Seal floated in the air, emitting waves of scorching heat.

“This seal was the personal Magic Treasure of Perfected Lord Blazing Sun three hundred years ago. Its power is immense. The starting price is fifty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

“Fifty-five thousand!”

“Sixty thousand!”

“I bid eighty thousand!”

The atmosphere below the stage was instantly ignited as bidding voices rose one after another.

Chen Xu leaned back on the soft couch, his fingers lightly tapping his knee, showing no interest in these so-called 'treasures'.

Time passed bit by bit.

One rare Medicinal Pill, Magic Treasure, and Cultivation Technique after another were auctioned off, and the closing prices continued to climb.

The Lin Family occasionally intervened, securing several high-rank Spiritual Plants with an extremely overbearing posture; basically, once they placed a bid, others didn't dare to compete.

“Next is this auction item, which is a set of extremely rare Artifact Refining Materials.”

Hong Niangzi gave a mysterious smile and unveiled the red cloth on the tray.

Three fist-sized pieces of black metal lay quietly on the tray, their surfaces bearing patterns like ripples of water, emitting a heavy yet sharp aura.

“Rank Five Top-Grade material, Deep Sea Mysterious Water Gold!”

Hong Niangzi introduced, “This item is an excellent primary material for refining water-attribute flying treasures or strengthening defensive Magic Treasures. It possesses extremely strong spiritual energy conductivity and self-repair capabilities. Starting price, one hundred thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones!”

The originally lethargic Chen Xu's fingers tapping his knee suddenly stopped when he heard the words 'Deep Sea Mysterious Water Gold'.

The tapping stopped abruptly.

Although the thunderbolt void-piercing shuttle was primarily lightning and wind attribute, if he wanted to engrave a more profound 'Water Mirror Refraction Formation' on its hull to enhance its stealth and defensive capabilities...

This Deep Sea Mysterious Water Gold was precisely an indispensable core material!

“Finally, something interesting.”

Chen Xu sat up straight.

At this time, the bidding below had already begun.

“One hundred and ten thousand!”

“One hundred and twenty thousand!”

But the price increase wasn't fast; after all, high-rank water-attribute Materials were relatively niche.

The demand wasn't that large.

When the price stalled at one hundred and fifty thousand, the room went a bit cold.

“One hundred and fifty thousand once...”

Hong Niangzi was preparing to drop the gavel.

Inside Private Box Number Two, Lin Tianci suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of arrogance in its laziness: “Two hundred thousand. This Young Master wants to refine a piece of protective inner armor recently, so I’m taking this.”

Hearing Lin Tianci's voice, the two Loose Cultivators who had wanted to raise the price immediately shut their mouths. Their Faces showed a hint of unwillingness, but they could only shake their heads helplessly.

Competing with the Lin Family was simply seeking death.

Lin Tianci gave a smug snort and scanned the hall provocatively.

He seemed to greatly enjoy the pleasure of using status to pressure others.

Just as the auction hammer in Hong Niangzi's hand was about to fall, and everyone thought the matter was settled.

On the crystal wall of Private Box Number One, a bright red number suddenly lit up.

“Four hundred thousand.”

No nonsense, no explanation.

Directly doubled!

Boom!

The whole place erupted in an uproar.

Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned toward that Private Box Number One, which had remained silent until now.

Four hundred thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones for three pieces of Mysterious Water Gold?

This was simply treating money like dirt!

What kind of spendthrift was this, or... was this a deliberate provocation against the Lin Family?

Inside Private Box Number Two, the smugness on Lin Tianci's Face instantly froze.

Followed by a flush of red.

Lin Overlord also frowned, looking toward the opposite side with a cold gaze.

Private Box Number One? Who was sitting there?

In Zhenyuan City, there was actually someone who dared to deny the Lin Family Face like this?

“Four hundred and fifty thousand!”

Lin Tianci shouted again. Although the Lin Family lacked liquid capital, they weren't so destitute that they couldn't produce this much; the main thing was that they couldn't lose Face!

However, as soon as he finished speaking.

That bright red number jumped again.

“Nine hundred thousand.”

Still doubling it.

This time, even Hong Niangzi was stunned. Her hand holding the hammer hung in mid-air, and for a moment, she actually forgot to speak.

Nine hundred thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones—this had already far exceeded the value of the Materials themselves by several times!

“You!”

Lin Tianci suddenly stood up, pointing at the opposite box and roaring, “Friend, are you intentionally trying to cross my Lin Family? If you have the guts, state your name!”

Faced with Lin Tianci's exasperation, a voice came from Private Box Number One. It had been processed by a Formation, sounding somewhat low and raspy, yet filled with mockery.

“If you have no money, then shut up.”

These seven words weren't very damaging, but they were extremely insulting.

Lin Tianci was so angry that his whole body trembled, nearly spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Lin Overlord pressed down on his son's shoulder, stopping him from continuing to make a fool of himself. However, in those hawk-like eyes, Killing Intent had thickened to the extreme.

“Good, very good.”

Lin Overlord laughed out of extreme anger. “Since Your Excellency likes it, then I'll let you have it. I hope Your Excellency has the life to buy it and the life to use it!”

This was a blatant threat.

But the only response he got was a light chuckle from Chen Xu.

And the sound of Hong Niangzi's hammer falling with a tremble.

“Nine hundred thousand! Sold! Congratulations to the distinguished guest in Private Box Number One!”

...After that round of confrontation filled with the smell of gunpowder, the atmosphere of the entire auction venue became somewhat eerie.

Everyone realized that the person sitting in Private Box Number One was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

To dare humiliate the Lin Family so openly in Zhenyuan City, this person was either a powerful 'crossing dragon' with a background reaching the heavens, or a madman who didn't know the heights of the heavens and depths of the earth.

Meanwhile, Lin Overlord sat there with a dark Face the entire time, never placing another bid.

The auction continued.

After this, several more finale-level treasures were auctioned off, including even a fragmented Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique, which caused quite a stir, but Private Box Number One remained quiet throughout.

It was as if the person who had just spent money like water had fallen asleep.

Until two hours later.

The sky had turned completely dark, but the lights in the venue suddenly brightened.

All the light beams concentrated on the very center of the auction stage.

Hong Niangzi's expression became solemn. She scanned the hall, took a deep breath, and said loudly:

“Everyone, next is the true grand finale of this Centennial Grand Ceremony, a peerless divine object that countless Seniors and experts have sought in vain!”

As her voice fell, four burly men together carried up a jade platform locked by layers of Restrictions.

Even across the Restrictions and the sturdy crystal walls, every Cultivator present who had practiced spatial Spells...

...felt a throb from the depths of their Souls at this moment.

It was a sense of insignificance when facing the vast Void Realm.

Hong Niangzi carefully performed a hand seal and released the first layer of Restrictions.

Buzz!

A silver-gray halo instantly spread out, and the space around the entire auction stage actually showed visible distortions and folds, as if that area no longer belonged to this world.

In the center of the jade platform, a fist-sized, irregularly shaped gray stone floated quietly.

It looked simple and unadorned, but if one gazed closely, they would discover that its interior seemed to contain a deep starry sky, with countless tiny silver runes appearing and disappearing within it.

It emitted the purest power of Spatial Law.

“This is... the legendary tai xu realm stone!”

Hong Niangzi's impassioned voice rang through the hall: “This stone is born in the most violent parts of void storms and takes ten thousand years to form. It is not only a supreme primary material for refining spatial-type divine weapons, but also the stabilizing pillar for constructing cross-Realm teleportation Formations and fixing spatial coordinates!”

“Even just carrying it can allow a Cultivator to make rapid progress when comprehending Spatial Law! For Seniors in the Soul Transformation Stage or even the Void Refining Stage, what an Opportunity this is!”

Boom!

This time, the entire venue completely boiled over.

Even the representative from the City Lord's Mansion in the Heaven Rank box, who had been silent, couldn't help but take a step forward.

His eyes were fixed on that stone.

Inside Private Box Number One.

Chen Xu stood up.

He looked at that tai xu realm stone.

“I've finally waited for you.”

He murmured in a low voice, his fingers lightly stroking the storage ring on his hand.

Inside this ring was everything he owned, representing his determination to secure this item.

“tai xu realm stone, starting price, five million Top-Grade Spirit Stones!”

Hong Niangzi announced an astronomical figure.

This price was enough to buy a medium-sized Sect!

But for the top-tier forces present, this was merely the beginning.

“Five million one hundred thousand!”

“Five million two hundred thousand!”

“Five million five hundred thousand!”

The price soared crazily as if on a rocket, surpassing the ten million mark in the blink of an eye.

The parties involved in the bidding were all illustrious major powers from Zhenyuan City or the surrounding great domains.

“Eight million!”

The representative from the City Lord's Mansion finally spoke, his voice raspy.

Yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

This bid instantly eliminated more than half of the competitors.

“Eight million five hundred thousand!”

Lin Overlord also finally bared his fangs, following up with a cold voice.

For this grand ceremony, and for this stone, the Lin Family had even sold off many of their properties.

They had gathered a massive sum and were determined to get it.

“Nine million!”

Another powerhouse from an outer domain refused to be outdone.

The price continued to be fought over, soon climbing to a suffocating ten million Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

At this stage, the only ones left who could still follow the bidding were the Lin Family and that outer domain powerhouse.

Even the representative from the City Lord's Mansion, after weighing the options, helplessly chose to give up.

After all, although the City Lord's Mansion held a transcendent status, in terms of cash flow...

...they might not be able to compete with these established families that had been entrenched for many years.

“Ten million five hundred thousand!”

The outer domain powerhouse gritted his teeth and shouted his final bottom price, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

The whole hall went dead silent.

Everyone looked toward Private Box No. 2.

Lin Overlord slowly stood up, not in a hurry to place a bid.

He walked to the crystal wall, hands behind his back, his oppressive eyes scanning the entire hall before finally stopping on the private box of the foreign powerhouse.

“Twelve million!”

Lin Overlord coldly announced the price, then changed his tone, saying grimly, “Everyone, this tai xu realm stone is of vital importance to my Lin Family.”

“I, Lin Overlord, will put my words here today: my Lin Family is determined to have this item! I ask my Fellow Daoists to give me, Lin, some Face.”

“If someone insists on competing with my Lin Family...”

He paused, and the Killing Intent of his Soul Transformation Perfection Realm was released without reservation.

The temperature of the entire auction hall seemed to drop by dozens of degrees instantly.

“Then it means you do not want my Lin Family to live well in this Beiming Wilderness. Consider the consequences for yourselves.”

This was a blatant threat!

Openly using power to pressure others at an auction was a major taboo.

But in Zhenyuan City, on the Lin Family's home turf, who dared to say a single word of dissent?

The foreign powerhouse's Face turned pale and then green, his fists clenched until they cracked.

If it were a fair bidding war, he might have fought for it, but Lin Overlord was clearly serious, even showing Killing Intent.

It wasn't worth risking his life and fortune for a stone.

“Hmph! Clan Master Lin sure is imposing!”

The powerhouse sat down resentfully, flicking his sleeves, and spoke no more.

Seeing this, a smug, cruel smile appeared on Lin Overlord's Face.

He looked around, and wherever his gaze landed, no one dared to meet his eyes.

“Hong Niangzi, no one else is bidding. Why haven't you dropped the gavel yet?”

Lin Tianci shouted arrogantly from the side.

Hong Niangzi's expression was somewhat unsightly.

The Lin Family's actions were undoubtedly breaking the rules of Tianbao Pavilion, but a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. She hesitated for a moment before raising her gavel.

“Twelve million once...”

“Twelve million twice...”

Just as the gavel was about to fall and the smiles on the Faces of the Lin father and son were about to bloom.

Chen Xu's voice abruptly rang out from Private Box No. 1.

It instantly spread throughout the deathly silent hall.

“Twenty million.”

It wasn't a gradual increase.

It was twenty million!

As soon as this number came out, everyone was stunned.

The cruel smile on Lin Overlord's Face instantly froze.

Lin Tianci's mouth hung open, his eyes nearly bulging out.

Twenty million Top-Grade Spirit Stones!

What kind of concept was that?

It was enough to buy half of Zhenyuan City!

It was enough for a Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator to use until the day they died!

Thousands of pairs of eyes in the hall instantly turned in unison.

They stared fixedly at the mysterious Private Box No. 1.

Inside the box, Chen Xu was still sitting steadily on the soft couch, his posture not even changing.

He took a small sip of the slightly cooled tea and said calmly, “My apologies, but I've taken a liking to this stone.”

“This Face you speak of, to me...”

Chen Xu set down his teacup, a faint, mocking smile on his lips, “...is not worth a penny.”

“You... what did you say?”

Lin Overlord felt like something was wrong with his ears, or perhaps the world before him had gone mad.

On this small patch of land in Zhenyuan City, it had always been his Lin Family who humiliated others.

When had it ever been someone else's turn to step on his head?

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the violent Killing Intent that was about to erupt from his chest.

This was Tianbao Pavilion after all, with a massive merchant union backing it. If he were to act directly, even he would have to weigh the consequences.

“Friend...”

Lin Overlord's voice was low, each word squeezed out from between his teeth: “Some things cannot be said recklessly. My Lin Family has operated in Zhenyuan City for centuries, and our foundation is deeper than you can imagine. These twenty million Top-Grade Spirit Stones are no small amount. Do not court disaster just for a moment of verbal satisfaction.”

These words were both a warning and a test.

He truly couldn't gauge the background of this mysterious person. Twenty million Top-Grade Spirit Stones was not something even the Elders of top Sects could just take out casually.

“You talk too much.”

Chen Xu's calm voice came out again, carrying undisguised annoyance: “This is an auction. We're comparing who has more Spirit Stones, not who has the loudest voice or who has lived longer. If you have the money, keep bidding; if you don't, shut your mouth. It's irritating to listen to.”

Total silence.

Everyone stared dumbfoundedly toward Private Box No. 1.

This was no longer just a slap in the Face; this was peeling off Lin Overlord's skin and stomping on it on the ground!

“Good! Good! Good!”

Lin Overlord laughed out of extreme anger, saying 'good' three times. Spiritual energy surged around him, shaking the tables and chairs in the box into powder: “Since Your Excellency insists on clashing with my Lin Family, then I, Lin, will accompany you to the end! I want to see if you can truly produce so many Spirit Stones!”

“Twenty-one million!”

Lin Overlord roared through gritted teeth.

This was the limit of the funds the Lin Family could currently mobilize. Any higher would cause serious damage, perhaps even requiring the mortgaging of core Family assets.

But he didn't believe it!

He didn't believe the other party truly had that much cash!

As long as the other party couldn't produce it, it would be malicious bidding. At that time, Tianbao Pavilion would never forgive this person, and he could take the Opportunity to strike!

However, before his words had even fully landed, that voice he hated to the bone rang out again.

“Twenty-five million.”

Five light words, like five great mountains, crashed heavily onto Lin Overlord's heart.

Twenty-five million... this wasn't bidding anymore; it was practically burning money!

Lin Overlord's body swayed, and his temples throbbed wildly!

He went completely silent!

“What? Not following?”

Boom!

The entire auction hall was like a powder keg being lit, instantly exploding into chaos.

A madman!

This person was absolutely a madman!

“You...”

Lin Overlord felt a metallic taste of blood in his throat.

Hong Niangzi took a deep breath, the snowy white of her chest heaving violently.

“Twenty-five million once!”

“Twenty-five million twice!”

“Twenty-five million thrice! Sold!”

With a heavy strike of the gavel, this thrilling high-stakes gamble finally came to an end.

Seeing this, the Killing Intent in Lin Overlord's eyes almost overflowed.

“Go investigate! Even if you have to turn the Beiming Wilderness upside down, find out this person's origins!”

Lin Overlord growled at the Elder behind him: “Also, notify the Old Ancestor. No matter what, the tai xu realm stone must be retrieved! Even if... we have to wash the outskirts of Tianbao Pavilion in blood!”

The auction did not end because of this disturbance.

Regarding the subsequent remnant map... Chen Xu wasn't polite either.

Since he was 'stocking up,' he might as well take it all.

Under the awe-filled gazes of the entire hall, he spent another five million Top-Grade Spirit Stones to casually take the legendary Remnant Map of the Ancient Immortal Abode.

With that, the auction came to a successful conclusion.

The door to Private Box No. 1 slowly opened.

Chen Xu wore a mask, his sleeves fluttering, followed by that mangy dog that was still yawning. Surrounded by a group of Tianbao Pavilion guards, he walked toward the backstage.

Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically parted to form a path.

Those Clan Chiefs of great families, who usually held their heads high, now lowered them, not even daring to breathe loudly.

This was the power of money.

Or rather, it was the deterrence brought by strength sufficient to crush rules.

Backstage at Tianbao Pavilion, in an extremely secret room.

Besides Qian Tong, there was also a refined middle-aged man in a green scholar's robe standing there with a smile.

He had no spiritual energy fluctuations on him, looking just like an ordinary schoolteacher.

But with just one look, Chen Xu's eyebrows twitched slightly!

Returning to simplicity.

This was a genuine Void Refining Cultivator!

“I am the branch head of Tianbao Pavilion in Zhenyuan City, Liu Yunsheng. Greetings, Fellow Daoist.” The middle-aged man bowed slightly, his attitude humble and without any air of superiority.

“Han Li.”

Chen Xu casually gave that eternal pseudonym, having no intention of removing his mask.

Liu Yunsheng didn't mind either, smiling as he said, “Fellow Daoist Han's grand gestures today have truly added luster to the grandest auction my Tianbao Pavilion has held in a century.”

“We each get what we need, that's all.”

Chen Xu didn't want to exchange more pleasantries and got straight to the point: “Where are the items?”

Liu Yunsheng waved his hand, and Qian Tong immediately stepped forward carrying two exquisite brocade boxes.

Opening the boxes, inside was indeed that tai xu realm stone emitting spatial fluctuations,

as well as that ancient remnant map.

“A total of thirty-five million Top-Grade Spirit Stones, plus the previous material fee of nine hundred thousand!”

Chen Xu took out a storage ring and casually tossed it on the table.

“Fellow Daoist Han is indeed straightforward.”

Liu Yunsheng put away the Immortal Jade, pondered for a moment, and suddenly lowered his voice: “However, there is something I must remind you of.”

“The Lin Family suffered such a great loss this time; they will certainly not let it go.”

“As far as I know, Lin Overlord has already mobilized the Family's elites and may have even alerted that Old Ancestor who has been in seclusion for years, setting up an inescapable net outside the city.”

At this point, Liu Yunsheng paused and said sincerely: “If you don't mind, you can stay at my Tianbao Pavilion for a few days. Or, as long as you are willing to pay an 'escort fee,' I can use the pavilion's secret teleportation Formation to send you directly to another major region tens of millions of miles away.”

This was showing goodwill, but it was also doing business.

Tianbao Pavilion never made a losing trade. Since Chen Xu had shown sufficient financial power and a mysterious background, he had the value of being befriended and invested in.

Chen Xu gave a light laugh upon hearing this.

“Thank you for your kindness, Pavilion Master Liu.”

He reached out and took the two brocade boxes containing the treasures, casually stuffing them into his robe as if he were stuffing in two steamed buns.

“They're just a few buzzing flies, why go to such great lengths?”

Chen Xu turned toward the door of the secret room, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

“It just so happens this old man has been a bit short on cash lately and was worried about where to find more stock. Since someone is rushing to deliver themselves to my door, how could I not accept?”