604: Asking price

Yang Xizhi looked around; indeed, the only available spots were next to the Four Major Chambers of Commerce. He knew they wanted to see Anyun Chamber of Commerce make a fool of itself, but thinking of Su Chen's help today, his heart steadied slightly.

"Then I shall accept your hospitality."

With that, Yang Xizhi actually walked over and sat down next to the Four Major Chambers of Commerce.

President Liuheng's brow furrowed slightly. He hadn't expected Yang Xizhi to actually sit there. Shouldn't he have declined and found a corner to stay in by himself?

However, he didn't pay it much mind and asked with a smile, "President Yang is so confident; it seems you are determined to win Sanyang Street today."

Yang Xizhi fell into silence. He actually didn't have much confidence. When he heard Yang Lan say Su Chen was willing to help them buy Sanyang Street, his heart was full of disbelief.

Sanyang Street was worth a fortune; even an Immortal King Cultivator would likely have to empty their pockets to afford it.

Since their chamber had been operating for so long, the wealth they possessed certainly exceeded that of an ordinary Immortal King Cultivator, but even so, they would still have to drain their entire family fortune.

Would Su Chen really help?

Or was it just lip service? Or perhaps this Su Chengqian didn't know the value of Sanyang Street at all, thinking it was something ordinary when he made the promise to Yang Lan.

Seeing Yang Xizhi's expression, President Liuheng immediately knew that he lacked confidence. He sneered inwardly, but his Face remained full of smiles as he spoke to the three presidents beside him:

"It seems that taking Sanyang Street today won't be that simple. President Yang is quite capable; he's a formidable rival for us."

The other three also had smiles on their Faces and nodded one after another.

Those in business were all old foxes. Even if they felt utter disdain for Yang Xizhi in their hearts, how could they let such emotions show on their Faces?

President Liuheng suddenly said to the person beside Yang Xizhi, "Why, President Yang, you're attending an auction, yet you've brought your whole family along?"

"Then again, an auction like this is a rare sight. It's good to bring the younger generation to such an auction to broaden their horizons."

Just as he finished speaking, President Wangyue, one of the Four Major Chambers of Commerce, spoke up:

"President Yang probably hasn't attended an auction of this scale before either, has he? He can broaden his own horizons. I heard Anyun Chamber of Commerce hasn't been doing well lately; I'm afraid you won't have a chance with Sanyang Street this time."

"Pah, pah, pah! How could I say such a thing directly? There are so many people here. President Yang, look at me, I'm so blunt, I've made you lose Face."

President Wangyue mocked him immediately, not leaving Yang Xizhi any Face at all.

The other two presidents sneered but did not speak.

In their eyes, Anyun Chamber of Commerce was not on the same level as the Four Major Chambers of Commerce, so they didn't even bother to mock them.

Time passed quickly, and the auction began as scheduled. The middle-aged man on the stage slowly opened his eyes, and a terrifying pressure instantly swept out.

"I assume everyone has received news about the items being auctioned this time. You all know my identity, so let the auction begin."

He was an Immortal King who managed the commerce within the Imperial City. Basically, anyone who ran a chamber of commerce knew him.

"I don't need to explain Sanyang Street, do I? You should all understand its importance. The foot traffic there is immense; any chamber of commerce that secures it will see massive profits."

"The Imperial Family will also provide protection for the successful chamber. For ten thousand years, no matter what happens, Sanyang Street will belong to the winning chamber, and the Imperial Family will also protect this merchant for ten thousand years."

For core locations within the Imperial City, the Imperial Family's methods were always the same.

This was mainly to reduce infighting between chambers of commerce, ensuring the Imperial City's economy wouldn't fall into turmoil and maintaining steady development.

Hearing these words, everyone present looked moved. This was a death-exempt gold medal issued by the Imperial Family. If they could seize Sanyang Street, they could develop steadily for ten thousand years.

At least for ten thousand years, no one would dare touch them.

"Starting price: one hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals."

One hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals!?

This starting price immediately silenced countless people. With such an expensive price, even if they had the desire, they simply lacked the power.

It was simply too expensive.

Yang Xizhi also sighed helplessly. One hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals—this starting price was already the limit of what he could bear. The actual final price would likely be at least five times that.

Five hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals was something Anyun Chamber of Commerce could never produce.

President Liuheng spoke directly: "Two hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals!"

He spoke with a smile, his tone nonchalant. Two hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals excluded most chambers of commerce, including Anyun Chamber of Commerce.

The hall instantly fell into silence. He had increased the bid by one hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals in one go.

President Liuheng turned his head, narrowing his eyes at Yang Xizhi, then said with a faint smile, "President Yang isn't bidding?"

Yang Xizhi said nothing.

However, someone else in the hall spoke up.

"Two hundred and ten million Top-grade Immortal Crystals."

Sanyang Street was of great importance. If they could take it, even the Four Major Chambers of Commerce wouldn't dare do anything to them. Ten thousand years was enough for many things to happen; with luck, they could even overturn the Four Major Chambers of Commerce or become the fifth.

It was said that there were only two major chambers of commerce at first, and those who squeezed in later all used similar methods.

President Liuheng said calmly, "Two hundred and fifty million Top-grade Immortal Crystals!"

"Two hundred and sixty million!"

"Three hundred million!"

President Liuheng spoke again. Each price increase was not low. Just his display of immense wealth intimidated everyone else.

"Three hundred and ten million!"

"Three hundred and fifty million!"

President Liuheng spoke once more, his eyes full of calm. He was determined to get Sanyang Street.

On the other side, Yang Lan tightly held Su Chen's hand. Su Chen could feel her palms were covered in sweat; she was even gripping him with force.

Yang Lan looked toward Yang Xizhi: "Father, can we bid?"

Yang Xizhi sighed and said nothing, only silently shaking his head.

He had only brought one hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals. Three hundred million was completely beyond his range. If he sold Anyun Chamber of Commerce to the Four Major Chambers of Commerce, it might be worth one or two hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals.

The Four Major Chambers of Commerce had previously mentioned wanting to buy Anyun Chamber of Commerce, but he hadn't agreed.

But now, even if he agreed, they still couldn't afford it. Moreover, the Four Major Chambers of Commerce knew his intentions and certainly wouldn't buy it now.

Yang Xizhi glanced at Su Chen and sighed inwardly.

As expected, after hearing how expensive the price was, he no longer intended to help?

Su Chen didn't look like he was planning to make a bid.

However, the instant this thought appeared, he saw Su Chen speak, his voice spreading through the entire auction:

"Five hundred million Top-grade Immortal Crystals!"

...