Chapter 98

"No."

Yan Kang let out a cold snort and finally held back.

"In that case, the robe goes to that fellow Daoist." Huang Yan hammered the final decision.

"Tsk tsk tsk."

The audience clicked their tongues, amazed at how many wealthy people there were!

"Damn old man."

Yan Kang's face twisted with ferocity, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. He had intended to put on a show of arrogance, but his pose didn't quite work out, and instead, he lost face.

"You damn old man."

Yan Kang cursed, and so did Zhao Yun.

A robe worth three thousand taels was bid up to ten thousand taels, causing them both heartache!

No, I have to make him bleed a little.

"An unexpected pleasure."

Huang Yan chuckled, the robe he least expected to sell well ended up fetching the highest price.

Yeah, the Pavilion Master had good foresight.

If the Pavilion Master were here, he would say, "A chicken rib auction item, just to make a bit of money, it doesn't matter how much. Who knew it would turn into such a surprise."

The commotion quickly subsided.

The auction continued, and a servant brought a jade box onto the stage.

Inside the box was a piece of black jade.

Those with a keen eye could already see that the black jade had the ability to nourish the body when worn. It was a mutual benefit, as the person would nourish the jade, and the jade would nourish the person. Such items generally had this effect.

"Starting price: three thousand taels. Bidding begins."

Huang Yan yawned; it was a standard auction item, and he lacked motivation.

"Five thousand."

"Eight thousand."

"Ten thousand."

The bidding was still quite lively, but compared to the robe, it lacked the same intensity. Not just the black jade, but the subsequent auction items, whether rare flowers, secret manuals, or other items, were all minor affairs, with the highest price being fifty thousand taels.

Zhao Yun sat comfortably, eyes closed, pretending to rest.

Losing ten thousand taels hurt, and he needed time to recover. He was also conserving his strength, as their barracks had been bombed last night, and he needed to find a way to get back at them.

An opportunity came just as he expected.

On the stage, a woman's rainbow-colored gown was hung high, with clouds swirling and colorful mist surrounding it, like a celestial garment, untouched by the dust of the mortal world. At first glance, it seemed dreamlike, with both the craftsmanship and the material being perfect. If worn by a woman, it would make her appear pure and beautiful.

"What a celestial garment."

The bidders couldn't help but admire it.

"It must be from Peach Fairy."

"Who else could weave such a splendid gown?"

"To be honest, it's not very useful."

There were many comments, but more people were appreciating it as an art piece. Women like Chi Yan, You Lan, and Qing Yao looked at it with shining eyes, the celestial gown was truly beautiful, and they couldn't help but be entranced. Similarly, Liu Ruyue, who had heard of Peach Fairy's reputation, was also captivated by the craftsmanship.

"Who is Peach Fairy?" Niu Hong poked the little money lover.

"Royal embroidery artist." Bai Rimen casually replied, "She once embroidered a pair of phoenixes and peaches so vividly that she became known as Peach Fairy, famous throughout the land."

"What's the use of being beautiful if you can't eat it?"

The little fat boy pouted, in his view, chicken legs were more practical.

The little money lover didn't speak, just glanced at Niu Hong.

He had a point; he was a man and didn't understand the thoughts of women. A celestial gown was not just a symbol of status but also a symbol of beauty. Which woman wouldn't be moved by it? Even the little money lover was entranced.

"Double phoenix embroidery."

Zhao Yun murmured, his brows slightly furrowed. The embroidery technique of the celestial gown was similar to his mother's, but his mother used a single needle for a double phoenix, while this used a double needle for a single phoenix. He couldn't help but think that his mother and the legendary Peach Fairy might have been from the same school. Such divine embroidery techniques were always passed down in a single line.

"This gown is called 'Evening Glow,' crafted by Peach Fairy."

Huang Yan smiled, some could see it, others couldn't, but he had to throw out a big name. An auction! Hanging the name of Peach Fairy made a significant difference.

Indeed, the name made it seem more prestigious.

"Starting price: ten thousand taels. Each bid must be at least one thousand taels higher."

Huang Yan's words were leisurely, but this starting price alone eliminated many bidders.

Embarrassingly, there was almost no response.

This was within his expectations. At this moment, the Evening Glow celestial gown, like the previous Buddhist robe, was a chicken rib item. Apart from being beautiful when worn, it was basically useless, especially for martial cultivators, who found it far less practical than medicinal pills.

But, the Evening Glow was not like the robe.

Wait! This celestial gown would definitely be fought over, and the price would not be low.

"Ten thousand, I'll take it."

As Huang Yan predicted, someone bid, the young lord of Canglang City, Han Ming.

"Eleven thousand."

After Han Ming, it was Yuwen Hao, with a playful and teasing smile.

"Fifteen thousand."

Han Ming sneered.

"Twenty thousand."

Before Yuwen Hao could speak, a voice came from another private room, also from a noble family. Money was no object; they mainly liked the celestial gown. To be precise, Liu Ruyue liked it. If he could take this celestial gown to the Liu family, he would have a lot of face, and might even win her heart.

"Twenty-five thousand."

"Let's make it thirty thousand, young lord."

"Thirty-one thousand."

"I really like this celestial gown, forty thousand."

"Five thousand more than you."

The bidding voices rose and fell, mostly from the third floor, where the noble families were competing. They were not fools; all women, including Liu Ruyue, loved the Evening Glow celestial gown, so they had to bid and take it to the Liu family to propose.

"Damn, they're so rich."

"Liu Ruyue likes it, so it's different."

"That's true."

Many people clicked their tongues. In the past, a hundred taels for a garment was considered luxurious. Now, a rainbow-colored gown for tens of thousands of taels was a testament to Peach Fairy's reputation. If not for a gold mine, who would dare to spend so much?

"Getting better at business."

Zhuge Xuandao sighed, knowing the auction house's intentions. He knew why the noble families were there, and creating such a celestial gown was bound to make them fight over it, to win Liu Ruyue's favor and increase their chances of proposing.

He could see it, and so could the others in the room.

Listening to the bidding, most people were looking at the Liu family's private room. They didn't need to look inside to know that Liu Cangkong was already floating on cloud nine. So many noble family heirs bidding for a celestial gown for his daughter, he couldn't help but be elated. Indeed, the head of the Liu family was sitting straight, not just floating but almost flying.

"Ten thousand."

Amid the noise, the bidding among the noble families came to an end.

The winner was Yan Kang.

Indeed, he showed great courage, at least that's what the people in the room and the Liu family thought.

"Add, keep adding!"

Yan Kang sneered, his laughter was so satisfying. This was directed at the other noble families. After being mocked earlier, he had finally turned the tables.

"You have guts."

The noble families snorted, their faces dark. It wasn't that they wouldn't bid or that they didn't have the money; they were saving their strength. Excessive spending would put them at a disadvantage later.

Satisfying!

Yan Kang's expression was content. Since coming to the ancient city, he had never felt so comfortable. He had finally succeeded in showing off and performed well, letting Liu Ruyue see that he was willing to go to great lengths for her.

"This show of arrogance is quite good."

Zhuge Xuandao said with a deep sigh. The young man had been through a lot, beaten at the city gate, bombed at the Moon Tower, and tricked at the City Lord's residence.

This time, he had finally raised his head.

"Ten thousand, any more bids?"

Huang Yan looked around, his gaze finally landing on the third floor.

"Stop shouting, move on to the next item."

Yan Kang said calmly, giving him a step up, and he climbed up. This statement was full of prestige, with the implication of pointing to the mountains and rivers, telling everyone: I am very rich, if you don't believe it, come and try.

"I don't like him."

Niu Hong said.

The little money lover, counting silver, casually added, "Me too."

Not just them, most people in the room were unhappy.

"Since no one is bidding, then..."

"Eleven thousand."

Zhao Yun suddenly spoke, interrupting the old man's words and drawing everyone's attention back to the corner. His tablemates also turned their heads.

"This is getting interesting."

Many people sat up straight.

The previous robe was also bid by these two. A robe was bid up to ten thousand taels, and now, with Yan Kang bidding on the Evening Glow celestial gown, the other person had jumped out again. Daring to compete with a noble family, he must have some background. It didn't matter who he was, what mattered was that he had bid.

Another unexpected pleasure.

Huang Yan chuckled, thinking that ten thousand taels was the limit, but it turned out there was still room for improvement. He couldn't help but look at Zhao Yun, like most people, he couldn't see through Zhao Yun's identity, only knowing that he was deep and very rich.

Zhao Yun sat still, not even opening his eyes.

How to put it! Finally, the opportunity came. If he didn't thoroughly ruin Yan Kang, he wouldn't be Zhao. Most importantly, he had a god-level advantage. The Moon God could detect Yan Kang's limit, so he wasn't afraid. As long as he didn't exceed the limit, he could bid as much as he wanted. The bombing of his barracks would cost Yan Kang blood.

"Old man, are you looking for death?"

Yan Kang snorted, rising abruptly, his teeth grinding.

"Young man, anger is bad for your health."

Zhao Yun said calmly, his voice old.

"Good, very good." Yan Kang sneered, "I'll bid twelve thousand."

"Add a thousand more." Zhao Yun countered.

"Thirteen thousand."

"Add a thousand more."

"Fourteen thousand."

"Add a thousand more."

This was a very strange auction. Yan Kang's voice grew more excited with each bid, while Zhao Yun remained unmoved, adding only a thousand taels each time, not a single more.

Just a thousand more.

Zhao Yun's closed eyes and calm demeanor perfectly conveyed this message.

"Twenty thousand."

Yan Kang shouted, his face twisted with ferocity.

Sighs of shock filled the room. Many people looked up and gave Yan Kang a thumbs up. Twenty thousand taels! You really dare to bid!

"He's a tough one."

The bidders looked at Zhao Yun, who had bid ten thousand taels up to twenty thousand.

One word: Well done.

Most people were happy, especially seeing the noble families lose.

"Any more bids?"

Huang Yan looked at Zhao Yun.

Everyone in the room looked at him.

"Add, if you have the guts, add more."

The loudest voice was still Yan Kang's, his teeth grinding, even the Blood Eagle Elder couldn't hold him back. It seemed the young lord was a bit hot-headed today.