163: Chapter 163: Planning to have a long talk with me?

But three breaths passed.

There was still no movement from Sky Box One.

Xiao Zhe's Face, originally full of mockery and smugness, gradually became stiff and distorted as time went by.

"Why aren't you bidding?"

An ominous premonition rose in his heart for no reason.

Five breaths passed.

Forget about raising the price, the box next door didn't even let out the sound of a single breath.

Zhao Wuji's hand stroking his beard paused, his brows furrowing slightly.

What was going on?

Wasn't this kid's bidding just now incredibly arrogant and smooth?

Why had he suddenly gone mute?

Just as Xiao Zhe couldn't resist opening his mouth to mock him and goad Cao Kun into continuing his bids,

Cao Kun's unrestrained laughter suddenly erupted from Sky Box One.

"Hahahaha! As expected of the Taichu Holy Land!"

"How bold!"

With the enhancement of the grand Formation, Cao Kun's voice echoed throughout the entire auction house.

It sounded like heartfelt admiration.

But to Xiao Zhe's ears, it sounded incredibly piercing.

"Since our friends from the Taichu Holy Land want this piece of scrap metal so badly that they're even willing to pay nine hundred thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones..."

He paused, his tone full of playfulness and mockery.

"Then I'll give you some Face."

"This scrap metal belongs to you. No need to thank me."

Boom!

These words were like a bolt from the blue, striking hard atop the heads of Xiao Zhe and Zhao Wuji.

Xiao Zhe was completely stunned.

He stood blankly before the crystal wall, his mouth slightly agape, his mind a total blank.

This plot isn't right!

Where was that arrogant posture from just now, acting like you were going to fight me to the end and that you weren't short on money?!

How could you just stop following the bid at the most critical moment?!

"You... you played me?!"

Xiao Zhe's eyes nearly split with rage as he slammed both hands against the crystal wall, causing the Formation to shake.

Beside him, Zhao Wuji was even more furious to the extreme.

If it weren't for the fact that Treasure Pavilion had always...

He would have thought this was a shill specifically brought in by Treasure Pavilion to trap their Taichu Holy Land!

"You brat! This is too much!"

Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth, his Half-Step Body Integration Stage Spiritual Pressure raging inside the box, knocking the two maidservants unconscious instantly.

The Cultivators below were also stunned as they listened.

Then, someone couldn't hold it in and let out a "pfft" of laughter.

Immediately after, the entire venue erupted in uncontrollable, low laughter.

"Hahahaha! I'm dying! What a twist!"

"Taichu Holy Land got played hard!"

"Spending a million Top-Grade Spirit Stones to buy a piece of scrap metal! This is freaking legendary!"

"The guy in Sky Box One is a ruthless one!"

The Taichu Holy Land, a dignified top-tier giant of the Central Province,

was actually played like a monkey in public at an auction in Yuheng Province.

If this news reached the Central Province, it would definitely make the front-page headlines of the Cultivation World.

On the display stage,

Pei Qinglan looked at the violently fluctuating Formation of Sky Box Two, struggling to suppress her laughter.

This Young Master Cao's methods were truly vicious.

This move of turning the tables was played beautifully.

He appeared arrogant and brainless,

but in reality, he planned every step, grasping the Taichu Holy Land's psychological state perfectly.

He not only scammed the Taichu Holy Land ruthlessly, making them lose Face,

but also set a terrifyingly high sales record for Treasure Pavilion.

She no longer hesitated and decisively raised the Gavel.

"One million Top-Grade Spirit Stones! Sold!"

"Congratulations to the distinguished guest in Sky Box Two for winning this mysterious fragment!"

The Gavel fell.

The Taichu Holy Land had to swallow this bitter pill in silence.

"Tonight's auction has reached a successful conclusion. Thank you all for your patronage."

Pei Qinglan bowed slightly and announced the end of the event.

The Cultivators rose to leave, still wanting more.

They discussed the brilliant overt and covert struggle that had taken place tonight in small groups.

Everyone knew that tonight in Yuheng Province, things would likely not be peaceful.

After suffering such a huge loss, the Taichu Holy Land would absolutely not let the matter rest.

If that 'honored father' in Sky Box One couldn't show a decent backing,

he probably wouldn't live to see tomorrow's sun.

...

Inside Sky Box Two,

Zhao Wuji stared at the wall next door with venomous eyes.

"Good! What a 'giving the Holy Land Face'!"

He gritted his teeth, squeezing out the words from between them.

"Zhe'er, go settle the Spirit Stones. Take the item, and we'll wait for him outside!"

"If I don't skin him alive and pull out his tendons today, I'm not human!"

...

Top floor of Treasure Pavilion, Sky Box One.

Cao Kun sat leisurely in the main seat.

Yu Linglong knelt beside him, using her slender fingers to massage his shoulders.

"Master, your move just now was really wicked," she said with a giggle. "You didn't see those two guys downstairs; their Faces turned green."

Cao Kun gave a cold laugh.

"They're already exploding with rage?"

"Then when they find out the thing they bought for a sky-high price has to be handed over before they can even get it warm, won't they die of anger on the spot?"

Cao Kun had calculated everything clearly in his heart.

As for the fragments of the chaos remnant sword, even if the Taichu Holy Land put them in a Storage Ring, as long as the distance was close enough,

he could directly summon them with a single thought.

Spending money to buy it? Non-existent.

Letting these idiots pay out of their own pockets to buy it,

and then going for a 'zero-dollar purchase'—that's called being thrifty!

Half an hour later,

"Knock, knock, knock."

A soft knock came from outside the box door.

"Young Master Cao. Qinglan has brought your auction items. I wonder if it's convenient right now?"

Cao Kun inwardly praised her for being quite sensible,

then patted the soft flesh of Yu Linglong's waist, signaling her to open the door.

The door opened.

A unique, lingering fragrance that made one's heart flutter wafted in.

Pei Qinglan walked in gracefully.

She had already changed out of the dark red qipao she wore on the display stage,

and put on a soft, light green silk dress.

The fabric of the dress was extremely thin and clung to her curves.

As she moved, the hem swayed slightly, even faintly revealing the contours of her long, fair legs.

She had lost some of the sharpness of a trade association manager and gained a touch of a domestic woman's gentleness.

Clearly, this was a carefully designed little scheme.

Pei Qinglan held an exquisite jade box in her hands.

Behind her followed two maidservants carrying other small items.

"Young Master Cao." Pei Qinglan dismissed the maidservants and personally placed the jade box on the table in front of Cao Kun.

"These are all the items you won tonight."

"After deducting the thirty percent discount we agreed upon, the total is four hundred and fifty thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones."

She leaned over slightly, displaying a world-class view before Cao Kun's eyes.

"Additionally, to thank you for your patronage of Treasure Pavilion tonight,"

"I've taken the liberty to give you that ice soul immortal jade for free."

Pei Qinglan looked up, her eyes like autumn waters showing admiration and an intent to win him over.

Seeing this scene, Yu Linglong's teeth itched with anger.

This old woman! She's finally showing her fox tail!

She's not even hiding it anymore!

Yu Linglong immediately pressed close to Cao Kun's arm and said sarcastically:

"Oh my, Manager Pei is truly generous. But there's no need for freebies; the one thing my master doesn't lack is money."

"Right, Master?~"

Cao Kun pulled Yu Linglong into his arms, his gaze lingering on that patch of snowy white for two seconds.

Only then did he reach out and pull the jade box toward himself.

"Since Manager Pei is being so polite, I'll accept it then."

Cao Kun put the jade box into his Storage Ring.

Inside his Purple Mansion, Feng Jiuyou was already howling with impatience, but he had no time to deal with her now.

"Fairy Pei personally delivered the goods to my door and even changed into such a convenient outfit."

"Are you planning to have a heart-to-heart talk with me?"

Pei Qinglan covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Young Master is truly witty. I would love to stay and accompany you for a long talk, but I'm afraid the beauty by your side would draw her sword to drive me away."

She stopped the joking at the right moment, her expression becoming more serious.

"To be honest, my main purpose for coming here is to remind you of something."

"The Taichu Holy Land acts overbearingly and is vindictive over the smallest grievance."

"Zhao Wuji is a Half-Step Body Integration Stage powerhouse, and Xiao Zhe is also an Early Void Refinement Stage Prodigy."

"You just made them suffer such a huge loss; they will never let it go."

Pei Qinglan took out a jade talisman.

"This is a Teleportation Talisman for the main headquarters of Treasure Pavilion."

"If you need to, you can leave Yuheng Province directly via the Teleportation Formation."

"They won't dare to make a move there."

This was a gesture of goodwill, and also a way to further bind the relationship between Cao Kun and the Great Yan Dynasty.

However, Cao Kun smiled.

He looked at the mature and beautiful Head Manager of Treasure Pavilion before him.

"Flee?"

"In my, Cao Kun's, dictionary, that word doesn't exist."

"How could I be embarrassed enough to let them take back something they bought for nine hundred thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones to the Taichu Holy Land?"

A flash of bone-chilling killing intent crossed Cao Kun's eyes.

"Naturally... I'm going to take the things back."

Pei Qinglan