After examining it carefully and confirming there was nothing wrong with the item, Liu Yuanbai respectfully returned the jade pendant to Chen Yuyang, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
“May I ask, young friend, where did you obtain this jade pendant?”
“From my family.”
Chen Yuyang took a sip of his clear tea and replied.
A simple answer, yet it caused Liu Yuanbai’s body to tremble slightly.
That was an incredibly significant piece of information.
From his family.
So, was it passed down from his family, or was that so-called family member the true owner of this jade pendant…
If it was the former, it could at least indicate that this young man’s background was extraordinary.
But if it was the latter, then the implications were quite frightening.
“This jade pendant should be qualified for auction at our esteemed establishment, correct?”
Seeing the elder’s silence, Chen Yuyang proactively asked.
“Of course, no problem. However, if you’re not in a hurry to sell, there will be a larger auction in a month’s time, at which…”
“I’m just here to make a bit of pocket money, and I can’t wait that long. I’ll participate in today’s auction.”
Chen Yuyang shook his head to refuse.
Pocket money…
The choice of words caused Liu Yuanbai’s pupils to contract once again.
He estimated the starting bid for this jade pendant would be at least five hundred top-grade spirit stones.
Yet this young man claimed it was just to make some pocket money…
Either he didn’t know the actual value of this item, or he simply didn’t care about a few hundred spirit stones.
Which one it was, Liu Yuanbai didn’t bother to guess—it was unnecessary.
All he needed to know was that the auction house itself would gain enough profit from this transaction.
Even if this young man had no background, no backing, no strength, sabotaging guests with underhanded tactics would be the dumbest choice for an auction house that stood on its reputation.
“Very well!”
Agreeing, Liu Yuanbai respectfully took the jade pendant again and ordered a maid outside.
“Escort these two guests to Room No. 3, labeled with the Heavenly Character. Do not neglect them.”
Liu Yuanbai immediately left to prepare the jade pendant for temporary inclusion in the auction.
Meanwhile, Chen Yuyang and his companion followed the maid to a finely decorated private room.
From here, through the glazed window, they could clearly see the current state of the auction house.
The auction was halfway through, and on the stage was a fourth-grade spirit weapon spear.
Gu Qiushui, who had never witnessed such a scene before, watched with sparkling eyes.
Chen Yuyang relaxed comfortably in his chair, at ease.
The items passed one by one.
“Junior Brother Yuyang, do you think we can find a good deal here?”
Watching the lively auction, Gu Qiushui couldn’t help but fantasize.
Finding a bargain like that.
Chen Yuyang smiled wryly.
According to worldly standards, his senior sister was already of considerable age, but she spent most of her time cultivating within the sect and had few external experiences.
She only grew older in years, not in wisdom, which left her with the innocence of a young girl.
She still didn’t know a simple truth—that most bargains are carefully set up in advance.
“Maybe.”
Not wanting to discourage the girl, Chen Yuyang casually agreed.
However, even until the auction neared its end, there was no bargain for Gu Qiushui to find.
“Honored guests, may I take a moment of your time? Due to special circumstances, we will be temporarily adding one more item to this auction. Your understanding is appreciated.”
Just as the originally scheduled items ended and some guests began to stand to leave, the auctioneer, Liu Yuanbai, briskly stepped onto the auction stage.
Although he said this, the crowd showed little interest.
A last-minute addition was rare, but what good could be added at the last minute?
If it were a good item, the news would have been released ahead of time, allowing interested parties to prepare sufficient spirit stones.
Now, as the auction neared its close, most buyers had fewer spirit stones on hand.
Suddenly throwing out an item—even a good one—might fail to fetch a good price.
Still, seeing Master Liu Yuanbai take the stage, those about to leave begrudgingly took their seats again.
Liu Yuanbai waited for the crowd to quiet, then clapped his hands.
Immediately, a maid stepped forward holding a delicate jade box.
The box opened, revealing a seemingly ordinary jade pendant resting quietly inside.
“Please allow me to introduce.”
“This is a personal jade pendant of a Semi-True Immortal cultivator from the ancient times.”
“The pendant itself has no grade, but it contains not only the leftover rule force of that great being but also an extremely pure and dense force of Supreme Yang, as well as a wisp of Haoyang Flame.”
The moment “Haoyang Flame” was mentioned, the crowd erupted in astonishment.
Haoyang Flame was a fire even higher in level than Solar Flame.
If one could comprehend, understand, or even evolve their own Haoyang Flame…
At this moment, every fire-attribute spirit root in the crowd felt their breath grow heavy.
“This item’s starting price is five hundred top-grade spirit stones. Let the bidding begin.”
Liu Yuanbai finished speaking and left the floor to the auctioneer.
“Five hundred top-grade spirit stones!”
Upon hearing the price, Gu Qiushui’s mouth remained agape for quite some time.
“Is this thing really worth that much, Yuyang?”
Chen Yuyang said nothing, quietly watching the stage.
The auction hall remained silent.
For more than ten breaths, no one spoke.
“The price is just too high. Yuyang, look, not a single bid so far…”
Just as Gu Qiushui finished speaking, a voice shouted from the auction floor.
“Seven hundred!”
Someone broke the ice, and others eagerly started bidding higher.
“Eight hundred!”
“Eight hundred fifty!”
“One thousand!”
“One thousand two hundred!”
The price began to climb at a surprisingly fast pace, even beyond what Chen Yuyang had expected.
Back when he first earned money, a jade pendant like this would have sold for a thousand top-grade spirit stones at best.
Now, at this auction, the price not only surpassed a thousand but was rapidly approaching fifteen hundred.
“One thousand four hundred.”
“One thousand four hundred fifty!”
“One thousand three hundred eighty!”
The price increase finally slowed.
Just when Chen Yuyang thought the price would stabilize here, a deep, steady voice suddenly rang out from the adjacent room.
“Two thousand!”
With that bid, the entire auction hall fell silent for a moment.
Gu Qiushui, hearing the price, could no longer remain calm.
She jumped up from her seat, wide-eyed in disbelief as she stared at the auction floor.
But only moments later, from the other side room, another bid echoed.
“I offer two thousand three hundred top-grade spirit stones.”
After a brief pause,
“Three thousand!”
Another number was thrown out.
Chen Yuyang raised his brow, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
“Who might you be, sir? Could you give Qian Kun Sect some face? This jade pendant is of great use to our sect. Three thousand one hundred top-grade spirit stones!” The voice that had just bid now spoke loudly.
“Sorry, Beiyuan Ju, my disciple has a Pure Yang Supreme Body, and I am determined to acquire this jade pendant! Three thousand five hundred!”
However, the voice from the next room showed no intention of backing down.
“Nie Qi, is that you!”
The other side clearly recognized the voice’s owner immediately, somewhat stunned.
“Beiyuan Ju, Nie Qi…”
Hearing these two names, Gu Qiushui felt her legs weaken, and she collapsed onto Chen Yuyang’s lap.
“Who are they?”
Chen Yuyang had never heard these names before.
Supporting the weakened girl, he asked.
Gu Qiushui swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and continued:
“Beiyuan Ju is the Second Elder of Qian Kun Sect.”
“Nie Qi is the Vice Sect Master of Sword Gate Mountain.”
“They are both highly renowned figures in the Northern Domain cultivation world.”
Chen Yuyang nodded, finally understanding.
Three thousand five hundred top-grade spirit stones—this already far exceeded the jade pendant’s value.
But what they truly coveted was not the pendant itself but the wisp of Haoyang Flame inside it—or rather, the Xuanyang True Fire.
Qian Kun Sect specialized in refining techniques.
Such a special flame, if properly used, might allow them to forge seventh-grade or even eighth-grade treasures.
And Nie Qi’s disciple possessed a Pure Yang Supreme Body.
Long-term exposure to Haoyang Flame could significantly aid cultivation and even help transform their physique into the Haoyang Body.
No wonder both sides were willing to push the price above three thousand.
“I didn’t expect, Junior Brother, that the jade pendant you brought out would provoke such a fierce dispute.”
Gu Qiushui murmured, her gaze fixed on the boy who still showed no sign of surprise.
That was three thousand five hundred top-grade spirit stones!
Junior Brother wasn’t shocked at all?
Even thirty-five spirit stones would be a considerable sum.
Once their identities were revealed, both sides fell silent, simply continuing to raise the price.
When both sides are equal in status and demand is high, verbal disputes become meaningless.
Now, it was a contest of wealth and determination.
“Three thousand seven!”
“Four thousand!”
“Four thousand one…” The Qian Kun Sect’s bid hesitated.
“Four thousand five!” But the Sword Gate Mountain Vice Sect Master’s voice remained firm, increasing by a large margin.
Finally, Qian Kun Sect stopped bidding.
They had likely reached the limit of their available spirit stones or the maximum value they could bear for the jade pendant.
With the auctioneer’s wooden hammer falling,
The “Great Being’s Personal Jade Pendant” was sold to the Sword Gate Mountain Vice Sect Master for the high price of four thousand five hundred.
“Senior Sister, when do you plan to get off me?”
Seeing the girl still stunned by the price, Chen Yuyang cleared his throat and asked.
Shaken by the four thousand five hundred figure, Gu Qiushui finally reacted, awkwardly standing up from Chen Yuyang’s lap.
“Junior Brother, give me a slap and tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“Smack!”
Without hesitation, Chen Yuyang delivered a light slap on the girl’s rear.
“Ah!”
The sharp sting made her cry out, and realizing where the slap landed, her delicate face immediately flushed a light pink.
“You’re so mean, Junior Brother~ I never said to hit me there~”.
“Then should I really hit your face?”
Chen Yuyang teased, raising his palm as if he really intended to strike.
“No, no, no, Senior Sister, I’m just joking.”
Gu Qiushui hurriedly dodged backward.
Chen Yuyang shook his head helplessly and sighed, “See, you don’t like it when I really hit you.”
“Hmph, I don’t care. Junior Brother is so perverted~”
Gu Qiushui snorted coquettishly and turned her face away.