"Five million spirit stones, are there any higher bids?" the auctioneer shouted immediately, his eyes lighting up at the remark.
In the number three VIP private room, the old man in grey was livid. He hadn't expected someone to snatch from him even after revealing his background.
This time, he truly desired the Rejuvenating Jade. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I bid five million one thousand spirit stones!"
But no sooner had his voice fallen than a young girl's voice from VIP private room number eleven rang out again.
"Six million spirit stones."
"I bid seven million spirit stones!"
"Eight million spirit stones."
"I bid nine million spirit stones!"
"Ten million spirit stones."
The girl calmly raised the price to twice the auction's expected value, making it seem as if spirit stones were free.
In the public seating area, many couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed the Black Demon Sect had indeed stumbled upon a tough opponent this time.
Meanwhile, inside the VIP private room, the old man in grey was truly enraged.
Ten million spirit stones, that was far beyond the actual value of the Rejuvenating Jade. He only bid so high because he needed it. But what about the other party?
He had reason to suspect they were deliberately raising the price against him, but at this point, he couldn't continue bidding and chose to withdraw.
In his heart, he had already marked VIP private room number eleven as an enemy.
Thus, room number eleven successfully acquired the Rejuvenating Jade.
Inside the private room, Ye Yun smiled and said to Lin Xueyan, "How was it? Is it fun to smash people with spirit stones?"
He wasn't particularly interested in the Rejuvenating Jade initially, but he was annoyed by the Black Demon Sect's arrogance, especially with his disciple present.
So, he let Lin Xueyan have her fun at the auction.
Lin Xueyan timidly replied, "But... won't this waste your spirit stones, Master?"
"What's there to worry about? Spirit stones are meant to be spent, and even more so to stand up for my disciple. It's worth any amount!"
Ye Yun said with a smile, putting on a righteous front. After all, he had so many spirit stones, more than he could ever spend.
But to Lin Xueyan, this was incredibly touching. For her, having such a master in this life was enough, even if she were to die.
Gu Xiaoyue, standing beside them, felt a pang of envy. Elder Ye was so good to his disciple. She really wished she could be his Dao companion...
"No... I must work hard!"
Gu Xiaoyue secretly encouraged herself.
The auction continued. After the Rejuvenating Jade, several other good items were presented, but none caught Ye Yun's eye.
In a blink of an eye, only three items remained.
One was a top-tier Xuan-rank profound technique as the final item, another was the Nine-Leaf Exquisite Flower as the second to last item.
The remaining item was a black fragment of a map, the item just before the final two.
"This remnant map of an ancient ruin was provided by a peak Emperor-level expert. It cannot be burned by fire or cut by blades. After our appraisal, we estimate it may contain the location of a Saint's遗迹 (yíjì - relic/ruins)."
"The remnant map of the ruins starts at forty thousand spirit stones. Each bid must be no less than one thousand spirit stones. Bidding starts now!"
The auctioneer struck his gavel, but for a long time, there was silence in the hall.
No one here was foolish. Many things, once involving speculation, could have questionable true value.
Moreover, a peak Emperor-level expert wouldn't offer it for auction if they hadn't researched it. They didn't believe they were smarter than the original owner.
Without certainty, bidding forty thousand spirit stones meant one was either a fool or had too many spirit stones to burn.
The auctioneer sighed. They had little confidence in selling this item, especially given how vague it was.
Just as he was thinking this, a voice suddenly rang out.
"I bid fifty thousand spirit stones."
Everyone looked up. Seeing that it was VIP private room number eleven, they wondered which noble's prodigal son was in this room. Was this how spirit stones were spent?
First, ten million for a Rejuvenating Jade, and now fifty thousand for a remnant map of unknown origin.
They were puzzled. The auctioneer, however, was delighted. Just as he was about to strike the gavel, a stern voice from VIP private room number three rang out.
"I bid sixty thousand spirit stones!"
"Seventy thousand spirit stones."
"I bid eighty thousand spirit stones!"
Inside the private room, Ye Yun frowned. This fellow didn't bid initially, and now he was closely following his lead. Was he trying to maliciously drive up the price?
Thinking this, a smile crept onto his lips. Since you want to play, I'll play with you to the end!
He then glanced at Lin Xueyan, who immediately spoke.
"Ninety thousand spirit stones!"
As expected, the person from room number three, the Black Demon Sect, followed suit.
"I bid one hundred thousand spirit stones!"
"One hundred and ten thousand spirit stones."
"I bid one hundred and twenty thousand spirit stones!"
"One hundred and thirty thousand spirit stones."
...
"I bid two hundred thousand spirit stones!"
In a short time, the grey-robed old man had raised the price to four times the starting bid, which was quite high.
Many people in the auction hall now realized that this fellow was clearly maliciously driving up the price to get revenge for what happened earlier. Everyone felt contemptible.
Unfortunately, even if there was malicious bidding at the auction, as long as the bidder could afford it, the auction house wouldn't say anything.
"Stupid girl, do you know who you're messing with now!"
Inside the number three private room, the grey-robed old man laughed ferociously.
You have a lot of spirit stones, don't you? Then spend more!
Just as Ye Yun had thought, he was indeed deliberately raising the price, not wanting Ye Yun to get it at a low price.
However, he wasn't foolish either. He felt it was about time to stop, lest he backfire.
"Fine, I'll end it when he bids again."
He smiled, waiting for VIP private room number eleven to bid.
After a long time, there was still silence in the hall. No new bid appeared.
The grey-robed old man was stunned. Even the auctioneer and the guests were taken aback, looking up at VIP private room number eleven in surprise, as if asking why they weren't bidding anymore.
After a while, a young man's confused voice echoed from the VIP private room.
"Why are you all looking at us? Didn't the person in room number three bid two hundred thousand? Hurry up and strike the gavel!"
Then, he couldn't help but sneer, "I just can't believe that someone who couldn't even afford ten million spirit stones for the Rejuvenating Jade could spend two hundred thousand spirit stones on a piece of scrap paper."
"Your logic is truly strange."
He had only been curious about the remnant map initially. Coupled with having a lot of spirit stones, he planned to buy it for amusement, not because he truly needed it.
But since he encountered malicious bidding, Ye Yun simply decided, I'm not bidding anymore!
He even deliberately enticed the other party, driving the price up extremely high before letting go.
Everyone in the hall quickly understood his intention, and the auction hall erupted in laughter.
"Awesome! Who is this guy? So damn cunning, but I like it!"
"Exactly! The Black Demon Sect is in for a huge loss this time!"
"Two hundred thousand spirit stones, how tragic..."
...
The crowd below murmured. Inside the number three private room, the grey-robed old man was also dumbfounded.
How could he not see that he had been toyed with? His expression instantly turned as dark as water. He slammed his fist heavily on the table.
"Kid, you're seeking death!"
Consumed by rage, he let out a furious roar, his peak King-level aura erupting.
The laughing crowd immediately fell silent, their expressions changing slightly.
This guy was actually a peak King! He was likely a high-ranking member of the Black Demon Sect.
Instantly, no one dared to mock him anymore, except, of course, for Ye Yun.
"Oh, angry? How scary! I just wonder if you have the guts to make a move here?"