520: Chapter 520: Tangyu’s Price Increase 520: Chapter 520: Tangyu’s Price Increase “The first treasure is ‘The Pharaoh’s Scepter’, the scepter of the greatest Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, symbolizing the sacred power of Ancient Egypt, making the bearer the spokesperson of the gods.
The Pharaoh’s Scepter is 163 centimeters long, made entirely of pure gold, and is inlaid with one hundred and eight rubies and one ‘Star of Ancient Egypt’.
The scepter has been authenticated by the most authoritative archaeologists and proven to be genuine, with a history of nearly eight hundred years and remaining in perfect condition—a true miracle.
The value of the scepter itself is incredibly high, and it is the only Pharaoh’s Scepter of its kind preserved in the world today.
Owning such a scepter is also a tremendous honor.
I won’t say much more, as I believe everyone has their thoughts.
So, let’s start the bidding.
The starting bid is fifty million, with each increment not less than one million.
Let’s begin,” the host elaborated grandly.
As Tangyu was examining the scepter, he almost spat out his water—just the starting bid was fifty million, and the final price would definitely be in the hundreds of millions.
Right from the start, it was already an impressive item.
Tangyu shook his head, knowing he could only look.
“Sixty million,” the host barely finished speaking when someone immediately shouted an increase, directly adding ten million.
“Seventy million.”
“Eighty million.”
Bidding followed one after another, and it was increasing by ten million each time.
In no time, the bidding had exceeded one hundred million, and the fervor had hardly subsided.
Only after reaching two hundred million did it slightly diminish.
“Tsk tsk, over two hundred million and not yet finalized.
It might even break three hundred million,” Tangyu remarked.
Huangfu Jing said, “I don’t know, but it’s very possible.
I think the value of this Pharaoh’s Scepter should top out at two hundred million, but this is the first auction, and many like to set the pace and aim for luck.
So, they’re willing to spend more.”
Sure enough, the final transaction price indeed reached three hundred million, exactly.
This transaction price, even if placed in the context of global auction history, would rank at the top.
And for this auction, it was just the beginning.
To Tangyu, this kind of auction didn’t hold much appeal, even though each treasure auctioned was a rare item, with a variety of categories up for offer, not just antiques, but also artworks, properties, and ancient castles.
The pace of the auction was also fast, with deals sealed every two to three minutes.
In just an hour, more than twenty items had sold, with the lowest transaction not falling below ten million.
For Tangyu, it was essentially like watching a show.
“Now let me introduce the twenty-fourth treasure, named ‘Century Beauty’, crafted by the world’s top jeweler, Master Ailock, entirely by hand, and unique in the world.
This one-of-a-kind platinum necklace is centered with a historic ruby, which is all naturally formed and untouched by any processing.
This ruby is said to have once been the energy core on a great wizard’s scepter five hundred years ago, possessing magical powers.
This ‘Century Beauty’ was previously exhibited abroad but not for sale.
Even an Arab tycoon offered one hundred million to buy the necklace from Master Ailock but was rejected.
Now, without further ado, the starting bid is fifty million, with each increment not less than one million.
Let’s start bidding,” the host said.
Tangyu glanced at Huangfu Jing, who was focused on the ‘Century Beauty’, and asked, “Interested?”
Huangfu Jing turned to Tangyu and said, “Sort of, but not exactly.
I like it a bit, but it’s not something I must have.
It doesn’t really move me.”
“If you like it even a little, you should bid for it.
Otherwise, I doubt you’ll find anything that truly excites you,” Tangyu remarked.
“If you like it, I’ll give it to you,” Huangfu Qingyun suddenly turned, offering Huangfu Jing an elegant smile.
“Thank you, but no.
If I really want it, I’ll buy it myself.
I don’t like others buying such expensive items for me,” Huangfu Jing replied.
Huangfu Qingyun still smiled elegantly, “We don’t need to be so formal with each other, but if you don’t like it, then never mind.”
“Okay,” Huangfu Jing nodded.
The bidding remained spirited, quickly exceeding one hundred million.
“One hundred and ten million,” Liu Dingyang bid.
Tangyu looked over; Liu Dingyang gave Tangyu a cold smile, “What, are you interested too?”
“Not interested,” Tangyu replied.
“Hmph, right.
Not everyone can afford to bid,” Liu Dingyang mocked coldly.
Tangyu immediately felt annoyed, not willing to be so blatantly disrespected.
He smirked, “You hadn’t mentioned it, and I wasn’t interested, but now that you have, I’m somewhat interested.
Since you want it, I’ll just make sure you don’t get your way.” After saying that, Tangyu also raised his bid card, offering one hundred and twenty million.
His bid drew many surprised glances.
Liu Dingyang’s expression cooled, and he chuckled, “Oh, interesting.
Want to compete with me?
Then let’s see if you have the capability.
But I’m curious, can you afford it?”
“You don’t need to worry about my money.
If I dare to bid, I have the money.
What, scared I’ll default?” Tangyu retorted.
As for money, Tangyu wasn’t short on it.
He still had the one hundred million from Dali Group, plus half the shares of Signal Fire Platform from Wei Yaoye, probably worth another one or two hundred million.
Two to three hundred million, Tangyu could manage.
If really necessary, he could also ask Xiao Yu for some help, who wasn’t doing badly either—a hundred million should be manageable.
“That’s not it.
After all, you are the future son-in-law of the Lin Family.
Even if you don’t have the money, the Lin Family would cover for you, which doesn’t worry me,” Liu Dingyang implied that Tangyu was relying on the Lin Family’s money.
“Don’t worry, I don’t need the Lin Family to pay for my purchases,” Tangyu countered.
“Oh is that so?
Then I’m even more eager to see,” Liu Dingyang stated, then raised the bid to one hundred and thirty million.
These two had already sparked a hint of gunpowder between them, drawing the attention of other bidders who now watched with interest.
Liu Dingyang was also a prominent figure in Donglin City, only second to the Five Young Masters of Donglin, so his reputation spoke for itself.
As for Tangyu, he had recently gained some notoriety too, thanks to the affairs at Linshan Middle School which had made him quite famous these past few days—thus, many knew of him.
Naturally, the clash between these two was enough to make spectators adopt a watchful excitement.
Not far away, Sun Wukong noticed the tension and a peculiar expression flickered across his eyes.
“Tangyu, do you really want to buy this ‘Century Beauty’?” Huangfu Jing asked.
Tangyu nodded and said, “Yes, how about I buy it and give it to you?”
“…I don’t need it,” Huangfu Jing said.
“Whether you want it or not, I’ll buy it first,” Tangyu said.
Huangfu Qingyun and Xiao Yu also focused their gaze on Tangyu, squinting with a smile without saying a word.
“One hundred and fifty million,” Tangyu raised the bid once again, adding twenty million at once.
“Two hundred million,” Liu Dingyang said with a devilish grin.
It was no longer just a battle over the treasure but a struggle for face.
Having been bested by Tangyu several times before, Liu Dingyang harbored a grudge and was not about to show any weakness in this direct confrontation.
Spectators were astounded by such fierce bidding, suspecting that today would indeed be filled with exciting developments.
“Three hundred million,” Tangyu said calmly, raising the bid by a hundred million in one go.
This bold move astounded many and changed the way they looked at him.
Although ‘Century Beauty’ was exquisitely unique and the best gift for a woman if one could afford it, its price usually ranged between one to two hundred million, with two hundred million already being astronomical.
A hundred million was a fairly standard price.
Now, Tangyu’s offer of three hundred million far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Although the event was a grand gathering where people were expected to spend lavishly for face-saving, there was still a limit, and throwing money around recklessly was definitely frowned upon.
The mischievous smile on Liu Dingyang’s face thickened as he looked at Tangyu, his eyes hard with killing intent.
He knew Tangyu was pushing the price on purpose, even suspecting Tangyu couldn’t actually afford the three hundred million.
If he stopped bidding now, Tangyu might just end up embarrassing himself.
He was pondering how likely this might be.
Liu Dingyang did not rush to raise his bid but said coldly with a sneer, “Well played, three hundred million.
But I wonder, can you even afford it?”
Tangyu grew angry, “Funny, really funny!
What, you think so little of me?
I think you should know I own half the shares in Signal Fire Platform.
If I liquidate that into cash, do you really think I can’t come up with three hundred million?”
Liu Dingyang’s face turned cold; Tangyu’s words clearly had a double meaning.
Firstly, he was stating he could afford the bid, and secondly, he was hinting to Liu Dingyang that he knew about the ploys in Linwu County.
Normally, no one would know what the Signal Fire Platform even was.
“Humph, I wouldn’t know,” Liu Dingyang said.
Tangyu also sneered, “What’s the matter, too scared to raise the bid?
If you’re scared, just admit your loss, and the necklace will be mine.”
“Humph, provocation.
Do you think that will work on me?
Three hundred million, do you think I’d continue playing with you?” Liu Dingyang replied with a cold laugh.
Tangyu knew Liu Dingyang was testing him, gauging whether he was deliberately inflating the price.
Tangyu said, “Forget it, you can’t play at this level.
Let the host drop the hammer.”
“Humph, I’m more worried you can’t handle it, four hundred million,” Liu Dingyang snapped, immediately adding another hundred million.
The bidding war between the two was intensely heated, stirring the auction into a frenzy.
After all, an auction is more flavorful with a bit of drama to watch.
Seeing Liu Dingyang raise the bid, Tangyu laughed; Liu Dingyang was still too concerned about saving face, too eager to best him.
Tangyu could barely come up with three hundred million; any higher was out of the question for him.
“Alright, you win, congratulations,” Tangyu shrugged.
Liu Dingyang’s face instantly turned cold, realizing he had been played all along.
From start to finish, Tangyu had been deliberately driving up the price, and even though he knew it was a trap, he had no choice but to jump in.
“Oh, and by the way, just so you know, I was indeed jacking up the price because I dislike you, especially after you started acting all high and mighty in front of me.
I was uninterested in dealing with you at first, but you had to show off.
Don’t blame me.
I bet you enjoyed that extra few hundred million,” Tangyu said with a smug smile.
Liu Dingyang’s expression darkened.
Huangfu Jing also snickered softly.