"Director Xue, our Miraculous Treasure Pavilion has always respected your Order Hall. Over the years, we have adhered to the rules set by the Order Hall and have never done anything out of line..."
Ming Xuanyuan said earnestly to Xue Qiao'er, "Director Xue, I hope you can give me some face today!"
He clearly wanted Xue Qiao'er to turn a blind eye and not interfere with what was happening.
Before Xue Qiao'er could respond, Ming Xuanyuan continued, "If Director Xue gives us face today, our Miraculous Treasure Pavilion will certainly not treat Director Xue poorly!"
He was blatant in his attempt to bribe Xue Qiao'er!
Xue Qiao'er didn't even hesitate for a moment. Instead, she asked with a hint of amusement, "Protector Ming, what kind of person do you take me, Xue Qiao'er, for?"
Ming Xuanyuan's expression froze, unsure of what to say.
His eyes darted back and forth between Xue Qiao'er and Qin Yi.
To be honest, at this moment, he truly wished he could just make a move and eliminate both of them.
However, with so many people watching, if he dared to lay a hand on Xue Qiao'er, he would be making an enemy of the Order Hall!
Their Miraculous Treasure Pavilion would be in great trouble!
Therefore, after careful consideration, despite his unwillingness, Ming Xuanyuan ultimately did not dare to confront Xue Qiao'er!
And with Xue Qiao'er so protectively shielding Qin Yi, he also dared not act rashly against Qin Yi.
After a moment, a smile suddenly appeared on Ming Xuanyuan's face. He waved his hand at the Miraculous Treasure Pavilion martial artists who were radiating killing intent towards Qin Yi, signaling them to sheath their weapons and stand down.
Then, he looked at the box in his hand and said, "Alright, since Director Xue has personally spoken, I will naturally give you this face..."
With that, he infused a surge of internal energy into his palm, channeled it into the box, and hurled it forcefully at Qin Yi.
"Here's your item!"
Whoosh...
The box flew through the air with a piercing whistle, as if tearing through the very fabric of the atmosphere.
Xue Qiao'er and Luo Dexuan, standing beside Qin Yi, watched the box hurtle towards him. Their pupils contracted, and they could clearly feel the immense power contained within it!
Luo Dexuan instinctively wanted to warn Qin Yi to be careful, but before he could even open his mouth, he saw Qin Yi reach out and effortlessly catch the box.
His action was as casual as catching a falling leaf, as if the internal energy and force that Ming Xuanyuan had infused into it simply didn't exist!
"!!!"
Seeing Qin Yi casually catch the box, Ming Xuanyuan's eyes widened, his pupils filled with astonishment.
No one knew better than he did how much power was contained in that box when he threw it at Qin Yi.
Even a Grandmaster would be injured if struck by it!
Yet, Qin Yi had caught it so easily, as if it were as simple as eating and drinking. How could he not be shocked?
Seeing that Qin Yi was unharmed, Luo Dexuan and Xue Qiao'er breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Qin Yi caught the box, opened it, and glanced at the crimson-red, flame-like Lingzhi within. He then closed it and said to Ming Xuanyuan, "Thank you, Protector Ming, for returning my item! I also hope that Protector Ming will discipline your subordinates more strictly in the future, so they don't engage in such shameless acts that damage the reputation of the Miraculous Treasure Pavilion!"
Ming Xuanyuan gritted his teeth in anger, wishing he could tear Qin Yi to shreds!
Qin Yi sensed his burning rage but paid it no mind.
With the Lingzhi now in his possession, he had no interest in lingering. He asked Luo Dexuan, "Pavilion Master Luo, do you have anything else? If not, we'll be leaving!"
"Ah? I, I don't. Let's go!"
Luo Dexuan, still dazed, responded.
Thus, without any further delay, Qin Yi, holding the Lingzhi, turned and swaggered out.
Luo Dexuan followed in his footsteps.
He completely ignored the gazes and expressions of Ming Xuanyuan and the others present.
"Third Protector, are we just going to let him leave like this???"
A martial artist from the Miraculous Treasure Pavilion asked, staring intently at Qin Yi's retreating back.
Not only had the man left, but he had also taken their Lingzhi, an item worth five billion!
Ming Xuanyuan glanced at Xue Qiao'er, who was still standing there, and retorted in a low voice, "What else can we do? The Order Hall is protecting him. What can we do?"
The Miraculous Treasure Pavilion martial artist had no answer.
Xue Qiao'er, from her position below the stage, noticed the conversation between Ming Xuanyuan and the other man. Although she couldn't hear the specifics, she could grasp the general idea.
Therefore, she waited until Qin Yi and Luo Dexuan had completely departed before leaving herself.
Seeing this, Ming Xuanyuan knew she was protecting Qin Yi and cursed, "Bitch!"
Later, because the Lingzhi had been taken by Qin Yi, the Miraculous Treasure Pavilion's auction was hastily concluded.
Patriarch Zhuge and the others dispersed with various emotions.
Shen Banian, who had previously offered fifty billion for the Lingzhi, also left the scene. However, he did not go home but instead headed in the direction Qin Yi and Luo Dexuan had taken.
At Qin Yi's instruction, Luo Dexuan drove them to Xu Jingliang's home.
Qin Yi had returned to Xu Jingliang's house specifically to inform him that the Lingzhi had been recovered.
Then, after some discussion between Qin Yi and Xu Jingliang, Qin Yi paid Xu Jingliang one billion and purchased the Lingzhi himself!
Although, if Qin Yi had not recovered the Lingzhi and informed Xu Jingliang, the latter would have had no idea and could have kept the Lingzhi without spending a penny!
However, Qin Yi was not affiliated with the Miraculous Treasure Pavilion and would not engage in such bullying and unethical behavior!
Qin Yi paying Xu Jingliang one billion was a fair price; he did not take advantage of Xu Jingliang in any way, and even deliberately offered him a little more!
After all, this Lingzhi was only a thousand years old. When Ming Xuanyuan and the others claimed it was five thousand years old, they were deliberately deceiving people!
Of course, Qin Yi did not have one billion himself. He had called Han Xin and borrowed the money from her!
Upon receiving Qin Yi's call and hearing that he needed money, Han Xin transferred it without a second thought.
After the transfer, she even generously stated that if he needed more later, he should just call her...
Qin Yi found himself feeling both amused and touched!
As Qin Yi and Luo Dexuan emerged from Xu Jingliang's house, Qin Yi suddenly stopped and called out in a particular direction, "Come out!"
Then, to Luo Dexuan's bewildered gaze, Xue Qiao'er emerged from a corner.
"Director Xue, you've been following us all this way. How long do you intend to keep following us?"
Looking at Xue Qiao'er approaching, Qin Yi spread his hands and asked with some helplessness.
"Qin Yi, you are a good person!"
Xue Qiao'er walked up to Qin Yi and stopped, saying.
Clearly, she was referring to Qin Yi paying Xu Jingliang for the Lingzhi.
Qin Yi replied, "It's only right! The Lingzhi rightfully belongs to Xu Jingliang!"
"But you gave him a billion. Under normal circumstances, a thousand-year-old Lingzhi should be worth seven or eight hundred million!" Xue Qiao'er said.
A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Yi's eyes, "You recognized that this Lingzhi is only a thousand years old too?"