83: Chapter 83 Head-to-Head, Showdown of Wealth

"Clang!"

Accompanied by a crisp and lingering bell chime, the huge circular auction venue, which had been bustling with noise, instantly fell silent.

Everyone's gaze was fixed squarely on the circular high platform in the very center of the venue, which was carved from a single piece of white jade.

An elderly man dressed in fine robes, with a cultivation base that had reached the Late Stage of Qi Refining and an elegant temperament, slowly walked up to the high platform.

He cupped his hands and spoke loudly to the VIP boxes all around, as well as the ordinary seats below.

"Welcome, Fellow Daoist, to the annual top-tier auction of our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce!"

"I am Duobao, the host for this auction. Without further ado, let us now present our first lot!"

As his voice fell, a maid with a graceful figure walked onto the high platform, holding a jade tray covered with red silk.

The auction officially began!

Inside the Heaven No. 1 box.

Gu Yan leaned casually against a soft sofa made of Yao Beast fur, holding a glass filled with purple nectar in one hand, while his other hand gently tapped rhythmically on the armrest.

His expression was leisurely yet focused.

He did not pay attention to the so-called "lots," but instead quietly released his powerful Divine Sense at the Level 9 Qi Refining Great Perfection.

In an instant, the aura of everyone within the entire venue was laid bare before him.

Vice Commander Li from the City Lord's Mansion had a condensed aura; his cultivation had actually reached Level 9 Qi Refining.

The Second Master of the Li family appeared weak, but in reality, he harbored an extremely sharp Talisman power within his body; his cultivation was at Level 8 Qi Refining.

The head of the Zhang family... Level 8 Qi Refining.

And...

Not far away in the adjacent "Heaven No. 3" box, there was an aura of Level 8 Qi Refining filled with resentment and tyranny.

It was precisely Chen Xuanfeng!

The corners of Gu Yan's lips slowly curled into a meaningful arc.

...

The first few lots were mostly Yellow Grade Medium or Low Grade Magical Artifacts, or ordinary Spirit Medicine that was a hundred years old.

Although they sparked intense bidding in the ordinary seats below, the big shots in the VIP boxes upstairs were all uninterested, and no one made a move.

Gu Yan also remained completely still.

He was just waiting.

Waiting for the right opportunity, and also waiting for... a fish that could no longer hold back to take the bait on its own.

"The next lot is a Yellow Grade Medium Grade magical sword, 'Qingfeng'! This sword is forged from hundred-year cold iron, is incomparably sharp, and even comes with an 'Armor-Piercing' Talisman! The starting price is 300 Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Each bid increment must not be less than ten!"

As the auctioneer's voice fell.

Gu Yan's eyes brightened slightly.

He was currently in need of a handy weapon.

This "Qingfeng Sword" was... passable.

"350."

He calmly announced his first price.

However, just as his voice faded.

From the adjacent "Heaven No. 3" box, an arrogant voice filled with provocation immediately came through!

"500!"

Chen Xuanfeng!

He didn't even look at the properties of the sword before directly raising the price by a large margin!

The entire venue went quiet for a moment.

Then, everyone's face revealed an expression of watching a show.

Anyone could see it.

This Young Master of the Chen family was... clearly setting out to go against the newcomer, "Great Master Gu"!

Inside the Heaven No. 1 box.

Jin Feiyan's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly: "This Chen Xuanfeng is truly like a lingering ghost!"

Beside her, a cold chill flashed in Leng Yuechan's clear Phoenix eyes.

Yet, Gu Yan's face remained wearing a light and breezy smile.

He simply shook his head gently toward the window.

"I give up."

Huh?

Gave up?

Everyone was stunned.

They had expected to see a fierce bidding war like a battle between a Dragon and a Phoenix.

But they didn't expect this "Great Master Gu" to be so... decisive and simply admit defeat?

Chen Xuanfeng in the next room was also stunned, and then, he erupted into even more triumphant and rampant laughter!

"Hahahaha! I thought he was some incredible figure! It turns out he's just a poor wretch!"

"Scared off by 500 Spirit Stones? Truly... laughable!"

In the end, the "Qingfeng Sword" was acquired by Chen Xuanfeng at a price far exceeding its actual value.

And this was just the beginning.

In the subsequent auction, a strange scene that left everyone dumbfounded unfolded.

"The next lot is a Yellow Grade High Grade defensive magical robe, 'Golden Silk Armor'! Starting price, 500 Spirit Stones!"

Gu Yan's gaze lingered on the magical robe for just a moment.

"1,000 Spirit Stones!" Chen Xuanfeng's voice rang out immediately.

Gu Yan shook his head and gave up.

"The next item, a 300-year-old 'Red Blood Ginseng'! Starting price, 800 Spirit Stones!"

Gu Yan picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

"1,500 Spirit Stones!" Chen Xuanfeng's voice became increasingly arrogant.

Gu Yan continued to drink tea and gave up.

...

No matter what item Gu Yan showed even the slightest bit of interest in.

Even if his gaze lingered on a lot for just an instant longer.

Chen Xuanfeng would, without hesitation, follow the price and raise it in a manner that was almost insane!

His purpose was obvious.

He wanted to make Gu Yan leave empty-handed at this top-tier auction where all the prominent figures of Baifeng City were gathered!

And lose face!

[Here it comes, here it comes! The classic villain brainlessly raising prices to give away money segment!]

In his mind, the System's gloating voice sounded again.

[According to my database, the final result of this stupid behavior is 99.9% likely to be digging one's own grave!]

[Host, the opportunity is here! Hurry, find something he can't use at all, but looks awesome, and prepare to dig a huge pit for him!]

Inside the venue, the atmosphere became increasingly strange.

Everyone looked toward the "Heaven No. 3" box with expressions one might use for an idiot.

As for Gu Yan, the crowd was filled with sympathy.

In their view, while this "Great Master Gu" possessed formidable strength, his financial resources were ultimately... far too inferior compared to a behemoth with deep foundations like the Chen family.

"Young Master Gu..."

Inside the box, Jin Feiyan looked at Gu Yan with a worried expression, "Are... are you okay? Should I... "

She wanted to say that she could use the Chamber of Commerce's funds to support Gu Yan.

However, her words were interrupted by Gu Yan raising his hand.

She was surprised to find that Gu Yan's face not only lacked any anger or frustration at being humiliated.

Instead...

Deep within his profound eyes, there was a flickering light...

A fox-like glint, indicating that a scheme was about to succeed!

He looked down at Chen Xuanfeng, who was becoming increasingly carried away and arrogant to the extreme because of his repeated "admissions of defeat."

The corners of his lips slowly curled into a meaningful smile.

The fish...

Had completely taken the bait.

Next, it was time...

To pull in the net.