CHAPTER 220: MASTERCARD, AUCTION WON!

"This, esteemed guests, is the Heavenly Lightning Rock — a peak heaven-grade ore!" the auctioneer’s voice rang clear, her excitement almost electric.

"Though it has not yet reached the immortal grade, if refined properly, its power rivals may even the lowest-tier immortal ores. And, if you are fortunate enough to find a master blacksmith then one might even forge the greatest weapon below the immortal rank itself!"

Her words sent a thrill through the hall. With a dramatic gesture, she unveiled the ore. The curtains of spiritual light shimmered away, revealing the treasure.

A deep black stone floated above the stage, arcs of blue lightning crawling across its surface. Every crackle of light carried pressure and power that made the air tremble.

Even through the auction’s protective barrier, the oppressive energy was palpable. The air buzzed; cultivators’ robes fluttered as if stirred by an unseen storm.

"Really pulling this thing out, huh..." someone muttered below.

"Who in their right mind would auction something like that?"

"The one who sold it must’ve been desperate or an idiot."

"Still," another said with awe, "this doesn’t beat the last auction. Remember that painting that increased comprehension?"

"Ha! With this and that painting, it’s starting to feel like the Golden Age of Auctions!"

The chatter spread like wildfire. The Unrivaled Fortune Consortium hadn’t just attracted bidders they had attracted money itself.

Yu Xuan leaned back slightly, eyes narrowed in thought. The faint crackle of lightning reflected in his pupils as he mused,

’A peak heaven-grade treasure, right after that comprehension painting last month as people say... no way in heaven, this is coincidence.’

He tapped his fingers on the armrest.

’A heaven-chosen is definitely here, right? Or just dumb luck? Either way, it smells like plot armor.’

He sighed quietly.

’If that’s true... befriending them might not be a bad investment. But seriously, what’s the story here?’

Of course, Yu Xuan had no intention of bidding himself. His father had already given him a heaven-grade weapon — he wasn’t going to spend millions for bragging rights.

He glanced at his companions. Ming Tianmei simply watched with detached interest, but Lingluo’s gaze... it was glowing with a dangerous glint of desire.

"Don’t tell me..." Yu Xuan started—

But before he could finish, a booming voice thundered through the hall.

"GIVE ME THAT ROCK! I’ll pay five hundred thousand sect points!"

It was the dog-headed cultivator. His ears twitched, tail flicking like a blade, his jawline glinting under the auction lights.

"One million sect points!" came a cold voice from one of the VIP rooms.

Another voice followed almost instantly.

"One and a half million!"

The dog-headed man froze, his tail drooping slightly. His tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, as if it could somehow strengthen his resolve but he stayed silent.

Even his confidence and money had limits.

Then, from the crowd below, a calm, melodic voice echoed—

"Two million sect points."

The crowd turned.

It was Bing Ying, the icy beauty Yu Xuan had seen in the arena earlier that day. Her frosty aura shimmered faintly, as if the surrounding air itself was afraid to approach her.

Yu Xuan blinked, recognition dawning.

’Oh, of course... of course it’s her.’

He smiled faintly, amusement curling at his lips.

’A heaven chosen indeed.’

He turned toward Lingluo, whose eyes were locked on the ore like a predator stalking prey.

"Sister, you’re not actually planning to bid, right? I’m seriously telling you, I can’t afford this right now."

She didn’t respond. Not even a blink.

Instead, her gaze followed each shout from the crowd with growing intensity.

"Two million thirty thousand!" someone from another VIP room called.

"Two million sixty thousand!" came another voice almost instantly.

Then Bing Ying’s calm, unhurried tone cut through the noise:

"Three million."

The crowd gasped collectively. For many, that amount was enough — or at least a lifetime’s worth of savings.

"Whoa, isn’t that the mysterious beauty who won the painting last month!?"

"When did she even appear?!"

"Do you think she has a secret backer?"

"Probably some old eccentric Elder who’s smitten!"

Whispers filled the hall. The name Bing Ying had already become a legend since she’d won the Enlightenment Painting at the previous auction.

Up in his VIP room, Yu Xuan sighed.

’Yup. Confirmed. Heaven chosen plotline, Chapter two — miraculous luck and bottomless wallet.’

He glanced toward Lingluo again, watching her expression every second.

’Well... maybe even those born with golden spoons need to taste defeat once in a while.’

And then, because his mouth sometimes worked faster than his brain — he leaned forward and said aloud, voice calm but carrying across the hall,

"Three million fifty thousand."

Lingluo froze. The temperature in the room dropped by several degrees.

A wisp of Chaotic Qi flared from her palm and smacked him squarely on the forehead.

"Ouch! What the—?!" Yu Xuan yelped, clutching his head.

Lingluo turned toward him slowly, her eyes gleaming with dangerous amusement. Her tone dripped with quiet, murderous promise.

"I was waiting for the last moment to make my entrance. You. Ruined. Everything."

Yu Xuan swallowed hard, cold sweat forming on his neck.

Then, mercifully, another voice rang from a different VIP room.

"Four million sect points!"

The pressure in the room eased as Lingluo’s attention snapped back toward the auction stage.

Yu Xuan exhaled silently, relief flooding him. He had escaped his sister’s wrath, for now.

Then she went completely still, eyes fixed on the Heavenly Lightning Rock.

"Four million fifty thousand!" another bidder from a VIP room called out.

"Five million!" a new voice joined in, confident and powerful.

"Five million fifty thousand and you should know my ba—"

The bidder’s attempt to flaunt his background was abruptly cut short as the entire formation around his room shimmered.

Yu Xuan blinked.

’Wait... did the plot just self-correct?!’ he thought, genuinely baffled.

’Since when do formations have censorship filters?’

"Six million," said Bing Ying calmly, her voice soft yet carrying through the hall.

The bidding continued, climbing like a fever.

"Six million thirty thousand."

"Six million ninety thousand."

"Seven million," Bing Ying said again, firm this time.

A hush fell over the crowd. Even the auctioneer hesitated, her expression a perfect mask of reluctant disappointment.

"It seems this is the end..." she began wistfully, clearly hoping for more drama.

"Ten million sect points."

Lingluo’s voice echoed through the hall, clear, proud, and dripping with nonchalance.

For a second, it was silence.

Then, chaos.

"WHAT?!"

"Did I mishear that?!"

"Ten... million?! Am I hallucinating?!"

"Bro, slap me no wait, never mind, that’s real!"

"Who the hell is this big shot?!"

Yu Xuan buried his face in his hands.

’Oh no... she actually did it. I don’t even have that much on me. Am I about to be sold into free labor? Wait... I can always use MasterCard.’

If Yu Xuan’s system had a sense of sarcasm, a golden black pop-up would have appeared before him.

[MasterCard (Legendary Grade)]

Description: Summons a shameless Master who, in any situation, ensures the disciple escapes crisis.

Effect: Solves money problems, cultivation problems, enemy problems, resource problems and much more.

Warning: Summoned Master may be erratic.

Tip: Subscribe to Master for additional benefits (???).

Note: Add Master to Library for continuous mentorship.

Alas the system was a bit useless.

He peeked between his fingers at his sister, whose expression was perfectly calm serene, even — as if spending ten million sect points were not concerning.

Across the hall, Bing Ying frowned. Her original plan had been to gift the Heavenly Lightning Rock to someone important, but now the price had soared far beyond reason.

’Ridiculous,’ she thought, eyes narrowing slightly toward the VIP room.

Meanwhile, the auctioneer’s lips curved ever so slightly. Inside, she was already celebrating.

’Ten million sect points... tonight’s profits will make them jealous for sure!’

"Any higher bids?" she asked sweetly, though her tone already carried victory.

Silence.

"Then sold! To the esteemed guest in VIP Room Seven for ten million sect points!"

Applause rippled through the hall, mingled with disbelief and gossip.

"Ten million... for a rock?!"

"Maybe it’s the prodigal son of some Elder."

"Or a hidden young master or fairy from some another peak."

"Still, the Heavenly Lightning Rock depends on the user, if a genius forges it, it’s a divine weapon; if a fool does, it’s just... a shiny paperweight."

Meanwhile, in VIP Room Seven, Lingluo leaned back with the elegance of a monarch returning from conquest.

A satisfied smirk tugged at her lips, her aura radiating smug triumph as though she had just subjugated an entire world with a single bid.

"Haha," she chuckled softly, basking in her self declared victory.

Ming Tianmei and Yu Xuan exchanged a look — the kind shared by people who had long accepted that resistance was futile.

Ming Tianmei sighed.

"She’s enjoying this way too much."

Yu Xuan nodded wearily.

"You should’ve seen her after she won that argument with the old cook last time."

Both turned back toward Lingluo, who was still admiring her invisible crown of glory.

’How are we going to pay?’ Yu Xuan thought.