Chapter 59

"Next, everyone, please take a good look at the item up for auction."

Yao Nianqian's alluring face was adorned with an extremely confident smile. She extended her jade-like hand, and in it appeared an object.

It was a thin booklet. The moment it appeared, the entire hall fell into a brief silence, followed by a burst of exclamations.

Most people in the hall knew that every three years, the final item auctioned by the Huayun Pavilion was a martial technique. This year, it was the third year, and the time had come.

If it were an ordinary martial technique, it wouldn't have caused such a stir, but this was an Earth Rank martial technique.

Earth Rank martial techniques existed only in legends, said to be held by some secluded sects, and were rarely seen in the outside world.

It was rumored that the national treasure of the Phoenix Cry Empire was an Earth Rank cultivation technique, and only the imperial disciples had the qualifications to practice it.

Thus, people had only heard of Earth Rank secret techniques in legends. Now, seeing one with their own eyes, even though they knew it was basically out of their reach, their hearts still raced uncontrollably.

"Earth Rank martial technique—Three Styles of Wind Departure. Starting bid: twenty million. Bidding—now begins."

"Boom."

There was no need for further introduction of the Earth Rank martial technique. The two words "Earth Rank" were enough to make the crowd below boil.

"Thirty million."

Xia Changfeng's voice came from a private box. This was the first time he had bid, aside from the golden battle armor.

And when he did, he directly added ten million, a move that was undeniably astonishing.

Long Chen looked at the martial technique and couldn't help but feel his heart race, but he knew he didn't have the ability to compete. Xia Changfeng's thirty million was nothing to scoff at.

"Fifty million."

An elderly voice came from another private box. The door of that box had never been opened, clearly indicating that the person did not want to reveal his identity.

Long Chen thought to himself: It seems that the old man was specifically here for this martial technique. Now, it was time for the fierce competition.

"Sixty million."

A sharp voice, like the scraping of metal, which was very unpleasant to the ear, came from a corner of the crowd.

In that corner, a middle-aged man with a goatee, the one who had spoken in that strange tone, was the source of the voice.

"Eighty million."

A gentle voice came from the private box of Duke Ying, who had finally spoken.

The hall was very quiet. Apart from Xia Changfeng, the mysterious old man, the goatee, and Duke Ying, no one else bid, as the price had far exceeded their total wealth.

"One hundred million."

Xia Changfeng took a deep breath and loudly announced this price. These two words hit the hearts of the crowd like a hammer.

Long Chen couldn't help but sigh. The Huayun Pavilion's ability to amass wealth was truly terrifying. A handwritten Earth Rank martial technique could sell for over a hundred million.

What was even more speechless was that they could make countless copies and auction them in different places, and those who obtained the technique would hide it tightly, wishing to eliminate everyone who knew the secret.

This made Long Chen increasingly interested in the background of the Huayun Pavilion. To auction such a treasure and not fear others' envy was quite something.

Xia Changfeng's bid of one hundred million was shocking, but it only lasted for a moment.

"One hundred and ten million."

The voice came from the private box of the mysterious old man, who clearly was not willing to give up the martial technique easily.

"One hundred and thirty million."

The goatee man was not to be outdone, also shouting his bid. Now, the bidding increments were in the tens of millions.

The entire scene was silent, with only the astronomical bids echoing in the hall.

"One hundred and fifty million."

"One hundred and sixty million."

"One hundred and eighty million."

These voices tested the psychological endurance of the crowd. Although it wasn't their money, even people like Fatzi felt a bit breathless.

Sweat appeared on Xia Changfeng's face. He had received "inside information" that an Earth Rank martial technique would be auctioned at this event.

So he had exchanged all his gold coins into auction credits, totaling two hundred million. Now, the bid had already reached one hundred and eighty million, and he was worried that two hundred million wouldn't be enough.

"Baichi, how much auction credit do you have?" Xia Changfeng asked Xia Baichi.

Looking at the crystal card in his hand, Xia Baichi replied, "I have over three hundred and sixty million."

Xia Changfeng was delighted. "Good sister, if I run out of money, lend me some. I'll pay you back when we return to Daxia."

Xia Baichi hesitated for a moment and said, "I can lend you the money, but you must hand over Long Chen's head to me in a short time."

Xia Changfeng was a bit embarrassed. Chu Yang was still there, and it was a bit excessive to talk about this in front of the First Prince.

"Baichi, let's discuss this when we return."

"No, if you don't agree, I won't lend you the money." Xia Baichi coldly snorted, giving her brother no face at all.

Chu Yang smiled. "I also don't like Long Chen. Besides, you will be my brother-in-law in the future. Whatever you say, I won't hear it."

Hearing this, Xia Changfeng's expression eased, and he bowed to Chu Yang. "Thank you, Brother Chu, for your understanding."

"Alright, I agree. Give me the crystal card."

Xia Changfeng then took Xia Baichi's crystal card and swiped it on his own. The credits from Xia Baichi's card were transferred to his, giving him over five hundred million in total.

"Three hundred million."

Seeing the price continue to rise, Xia Changfeng decided to bid a round number to show his determination and scare off the competition.

After hearing this price, the others were silent for a moment. To be honest, an Earth Rank martial technique, though extremely rare, had its own price.

And the usual price was much lower than here. However, the difference was that the Earth Rank martial techniques obtained normally were copies, meaning they were second-hand.

The Earth Rank martial techniques auctioned by the Huayun Pavilion were unique to this region, which was why they were so highly bid.

However, when the price exceeded three hundred million, it became daunting. After all, if one had enough gold coins, they could travel to distant regions and have a chance to obtain it at a much lower price.

When everyone fell silent, even the mysterious old man, the goatee, and Duke Ying hesitated.

"Prince Xia Changfeng has bid three hundred million. Is there a higher bid? Three hundred million, first time, three hundred million, second time—" Yao Nianqian, with an excited voice, began the countdown.

Today's auction had already exceeded her expectations, especially the Earth Rank martial technique, which had been bid up to three hundred million, making her extremely excited.

So after reaching three hundred million, Yao Nianqian thought it was the peak and began the countdown.

"Four hundred million."

To everyone's surprise, a lazy voice suddenly came from nowhere.

The voice was very young, and it was Long Chen's. The entire hall was stunned, including Yao Nianqian, who was also taken aback.

Before she could react, a small earring in her ear moved slightly, and Yao Nianqian regained her composure, a smile appearing on her face.

"Damn it."

Just as he was about to secure the Earth Rank martial technique, Long Chen suddenly interfered, making Xia Changfeng furious.

"Long Chen, I don't believe you have that much money. You're just causing trouble," Xia Changfeng roared.

"Idiot, if I didn't have the money, would I bid? Don't forget, I am a Dan Disciple," Long Chen's voice came.

In fact, Long Chen had been using his divine sense to monitor their movements. The two private boxes were only a dozen meters apart, and although he couldn't hear what they were saying, he could read their lips to understand the general content of their conversation.

Seeing Xia Changfeng's determination to get the Earth Rank martial technique, he bid four hundred million without hesitation.

However, to be honest, although Long Chen appeared calm, he was extremely nervous inside. If he scared Xia Changfeng away, he would have to pay for it himself.

Four hundred million was a huge sum, enough to make a Dan Disciple work until death and still not pay it off. But thinking about how Xia Baichi had blackmailed him into spending twenty million on the Melting Star Grass, he felt he had to take revenge to avoid getting sick from frustration.

"Five hundred million, if you have the guts, follow me."

Xia Changfeng roared, almost going mad, though he didn't know why Long Chen had so much money.

According to the rules of the Huayun Pavilion, if the bid exceeded the credit on the crystal card, it was considered troublemaking and would result in expulsion.

However, after this bid, there was no reaction, indicating that Long Chen really had that much money.

Xia Changfeng's roar echoed in the hall, like a wild beast's roar, making people's ears ring.

"No need to be so agitated. I only have this much left in my card. Actually, if you add just ten thousand, you can take it.

I, Long Chen, rarely admire anyone, but you, Xia Changfeng, are one of them. Treating a hundred million as ten thousand, you are a true tycoon."

Long Chen's voice was full of admiration and sighs, but to Xia Changfeng, it sounded like the most vicious mockery.

"You... pfft."

Xia Changfeng had just shouted a word when he spat out a mouthful of blood, partly from anger and partly from heartache, causing a commotion in the private box.

The faces of the people in the hall were a bit strange, unsure whether Long Chen was telling the truth or just trying to anger Xia Changfeng.

"Since no one is bidding, congratulations to Prince Xia Changfeng for obtaining the Earth Rank martial technique." Yao Nianqian didn't bother with the countdown, as no one would be as foolish as Xia Changfeng.

Seeing the Earth Rank martial technique sold, the crowd slowly stood up to leave. Just then, Yao Nianqian's sweet laughter echoed.

"In the past, the Earth Rank martial technique was the final auction item, but this year is different. We have an even more unique item as the finale."

The crowd was surprised. Could there be a treasure more precious than an Earth Rank martial technique? They quickly sat back down, their eyes fixed on the stage.

Long Chen smiled slightly. Hehe, the real show is about to begin.