CHAPTER 272: CHAPTER 271: PLAYING AROUND_1

As time passed, the atmosphere in the Golden Jade Pavilion grew increasingly tense, and the value of the auctioned treasures soared.

"The next item we have, no one will be unfamiliar with. It once shook the Martial World; it is the famous Jianghu blade, the Blood Slayer."

The Golden Jade Pavilion was suddenly in an uproar. The appearance of a famous Jianghu blade in the first part of the auction was a rare occurrence; no wonder Steward Xie was so confident.

"A famous Jianghu blade, even the most inferior one, is an extremely precious item. I didn’t expect the Golden Jade Pavilion to auction off such a thing."

Ling Chen’s eyes flashed with surprise.

"After the recent Beast Tide attack on the city, various treasures have flowed into our Black Market in large quantities. With so many items, naturally, we have to sell them," Lin Ya replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen gained a better understanding. The surge of the Beast Tide had plunged the surrounding five thousand miles into chaos. Not only had many Exotic Beasts died, but in the ensuing confusion, many people were also killed through treachery and sneak attacks. Naturally, the number of treasures flowing into the Black Market would be much higher than usual.

"The starting price of the Blood Slayer is 200,000 taels; bids must be in increments of no less than 50,000 taels. Anyone interested can start bidding!"

"250,000 taels!"

"300,000 taels!"

Within a few breaths, the price of the Blood Slayer soared, reaching 500,000 taels, and it showed no signs of stopping.

In the end, the Blood Slayer fell to an Eighth-Realm Martial Artist, with the final bid being 550,000 taels of gold.

"The next item up for auction is a Third Grade Spiritual Medicine, known as the Heavenly Snow Lotus," Steward Xie’s voice echoed from the stage.

Here it comes.

Ling Chen’s eyes gleamed. What he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

His current Mental Power was at level thirteen. With this Heavenly Snow Lotus, he had a good chance of advancing to the fourteenth level.

This guy’s interested.

A look of joy appeared on Wang Lun’s face. After such a long wait, he finally saw an opportunity to make Ling Chen pay.

If Ling Chen were to bid later, he would definitely drive up the price, ensuring Ling Chen made a loss.

"Everyone should know the benefits of the Heavenly Snow Lotus, so I don’t need to explain them. Although it can’t improve one’s Martial Realm, it can increase one’s Mental Power. The importance of Mental Power should be well-understood by all. The starting price for this Heavenly Snow Lotus is 300,000 taels, and bids should increase by no less than 50,000 taels each time."

Steward Xie looked out at the crowd with a beaming smile.

Ling Chen estimated that the cost of this Heavenly Snow Lotus stalk would probably be much higher than the previously auctioned Blood Slayer.

After all, something like Mental Power was heavily reliant on talent and very difficult to improve. Yet, its effects were immense, so many warriors were willing to spend a fortune to enhance their Mental Power even by a tiny bit.

The starting bid of 300,000 taels wasn’t considered high, but the rule of increasing bids by a minimum of 50,000 taels each time made many hesitate and abandon the idea.

"400,000 taels!"

"500,000 taels!"

There were many bidders, all of them affluent, and they quickly drove up the price.

Ling Chen remained patient and didn’t make a move right away, realizing it was not yet the right time.

When Lin Ya saw Ling Chen’s steady breathing, he couldn’t help but regard him more highly. In harsh environments, this young man’s strength increased rapidly, he had strong survival capabilities, and he was extremely calm. Such a genius was not just uncommon but absolutely rare.

He was so impressed he wished he could immediately recruit Ling Chen into the Black Market. If it were possible, he would even petition the Black Market Master to designate Ling Chen as the Black Market’s fourth Young Master.

If the Black Market Master knew about Ling Chen, he would certainly agree.

Soon, the bidding price for the Heavenly Snow Lotus had risen to 800,000 taels, more than double its starting price.

At this price, those who could continue to bid and compete were essentially all Great Master Level Powerhouses.

However, even though the Great Master Level Powerhouses were wealthy, they were not willing to spend too much money on increasing their Mental Power.

"1,000,000 taels!"

Ling Chen decided not to remain silent any longer; he intended to make a decisive bid, setting the final price.

His current net worth was in the tens of millions. Spending one million taels on a Heavenly Snow Lotus wouldn’t cripple him financially. Wealth was transient; converting it into true strength was the ultimate path.

Once the bid of 1,000,000 taels was announced, no one else continued to compete.

One million taels of gold? Does this guy really have so much money?

Wang Lun was shocked by the bid. His entire City Lord Mansion probably only had assets worth two or three million taels. How could this Ling Chen afford to offer 1,000,000 taels of gold in one go?

"1,050,000 taels!"

A reckless impulse overcame him. Wang Lun, after a moment’s thought, gritted his teeth and called out a price higher than Ling Chen’s.

Immediately after, he looked triumphantly at Ling Chen, seemingly quite pleased with himself.

"1,100,000 taels," Ling Chen replied calmly.

"1,150,000 taels!"

Wang Lun smirked. He increased the bid by only fifty thousand taels each time, just to irritate Ling Chen.

Is the City Lord Mansion that wealthy? Can he just casually squander millions of taels of gold like that? Ling Chen frowned slightly, a hint of surprise in his thoughts.

"If my information is correct, the total assets of the entire City Lord Mansion do not exceed three million taels, and their liquid assets are at most seven or eight hundred thousand. This Wang Lun must bear some deep-seated hatred for you to risk something like this," Lin Ya said with a smile.

I only met this person today. How could there be any deep-seated hatred?

Ling Chen shook his head, then glanced at Wang Lun and sneered, "Since he wants this Heavenly Snow Lotus so badly, then let him have it."

Having said that, Ling Chen chose to back down and did not increase his bid.

This fellow wants to make me waste my money. Why would I be foolish enough to fall for his trick?

Why didn’t this guy continue to bid?

Wang Lun looked a bit panicked.

"The highest bid for the Heavenly Snow Lotus is currently from Young Master Wang Lun of the City Lord Mansion. Is there anyone else who wants to bid higher?" On the stage, Steward Xie looked at the crowd with a smile and asked.

"1,150,000 taels, going once!"

"1,150,000 taels, going twice!"

"1,150,000 taels, sold!"

"Congratulations to our Young Master Wang Lun for winning the Heavenly Snow Lotus with a bid of 1,150,000 taels of gold!"

WHOOSH!

As Steward Xie’s voice fell, Wang Lun’s mind went utterly blank, and he nearly fainted.

"Young Master, Young Master, are you okay!"

An attendant quickly supported him.

1,150,000 taels of gold! If my father finds out, he’ll probably kill me!

Although Wang Lun was merely a profligate young master, he understood the gravity of the situation. He didn’t have that much money himself and could only have the City Lord Mansion pay. But for the mansion to produce such a sum, it would likely have to sell off assets.

The Golden Jade Pavilion was backed by the Black Market. Whoever dared to default on payment for treasures auctioned at this Treasure Appraisal Fair was courting death.

At this moment, Ling Chen signaled to a nearby attendant. He whispered something into the attendant’s ear.

"Yes." The attendant nodded and approached Wang Lun.

"Young Master Wang, someone wishes to purchase the Heavenly Snow Lotus in your possession. I would like to ask if you have a need to sell?" the attendant inquired.

"Yes! Of course, yes!"

Hearing this, Wang Lun felt as if he were clutching a life-saving straw, and a look of ecstatic joy flooded his face.