Jiu Hang

Tian Yi halted his steps and turned around, spotting Meng Ling rushing towards him with a pale face.

"Please, Young Master, wait a moment," Meng Ling pleaded, her voice filled with desperation. "There has been a misunderstanding. Our Jade Phoenix's Auction House is willing to assist you in selling your treasure. Please, allow us to handle it!"

Lao Bai smirked and chimed in, "Ah, Young Lady, it's not that we are unwilling. However, your little worker over there told us to piss off and even threatened to sell my Young Master as a male prostitute!" He pointed accusingly at the pretty girl, who stood there in shock.

The girl's face flushed with anger, and she nearly spat blood. When did she say such words? Male prostitute? Tian Yi didn't even possess the looks for such a profession!

"This is nonsense! How can we trust your words?" she retorted, refusing to believe that these two mortals possessed something as valuable as a Peak Grade Immortal Treasure. "Look at yourselves in the mirror before spewing such ridiculous claims! You're only trying to make us look bad with your fabricated stories!"

Meng Ling furrowed her brows, contemplating her Junior Sister's words. She couldn't fathom how these mortals could possess such a treasure. Perhaps they were indeed trying to save face with their lies.

"Is that so? In that case, I apologize for the commotion," Tian Yi replied calmly, ready to continue walking away.

Meng Ling watched him depart, biting her red lips in hesitation. "Please, Young Master, wait a moment! Whether you truly possess a Peak Grade Immortal Treasure or not, please come with me inside. Let us examine the treasure. If it is indeed genuine, we can guarantee you the highest selling price! Even if you choose to sell it elsewhere, you won't receive even half of what we can offer!"

Despite the possibility of it being a fake, Meng Ling couldn't afford to take the risk. Even if there was a 99.99% chance of it being false, the consequences of missing out on such a lucrative opportunity were too severe. She might even lose her life.

Tian Yi stopped once more, his expression still composed. "Do you believe I am a monk simply because I have remained silent and endured this humiliation? It doesn't matter if your Auction House can fetch a higher price. If you do not show respect to your customers, who would want to sell to you?"

"How dare you disrespect our Jade Phoenix's Auction House? Who do you think you are?" The pretty girl couldn't contain herself any longer. This swindler not only fabricated a treasure he didn't possess but also showed disrespect towards their establishment. She was determined to drive him away.

"You should keep your mouth shut! You are speaking beyond your authority! How will you take responsibility?" Meng Ling finally snapped at her Junior Sister, her patience wearing thin.

Meng Ling was already losing face by pleading with a mortal to stay, and her Junior Sister's actions only worsened the situation.

"Senior Sister, I apologize for overstepping, but this kid disrespected our Jade Phoenix's Auction House and attempted to swindle us. We must punish him," the Junior Sister defended herself, feeling justified in her actions.

Meng Ling was at a loss for what to do with her stubborn Junior Sister. Lao Bai couldn't contain his anger any longer. "You insolent woman! How dare you call my Young Master a swindler? Are you looking for a fight?" he growled, rolling up his sleeves as he approached her.

However, before he could take more than a couple of steps, a hand intervened, halting his advance.

"Young Master, please don't stop me! I won't leave until I give her face a good beating!" Lao Bai exclaimed to the person who had restrained him.

Tian Yi's brows furrowed. He had hoped to avoid causing a scene, but this girl continued to humiliate him. He had only wanted to make some quick money and was even prepared to leave to avoid any trouble. However, the other party refused to let him go.

"Very well! Since you insist, don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!" Tian Yi declared, reaching into his Storage Pouch.

Meng Ling's heart sank as she felt a sense of impending disaster. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Tian Yi glanced at the well-dressed nobles surrounding him and smiled. "I possess a Peak Grade Immortal Treasure! The highest bidder will have the opportunity to obtain it!" With that proclamation, he drew a sword from his Storage Pouch.

As soon as the sword emerged, a domineering aura enveloped the entire area, causing those who laid eyes on it to feel their souls tremble. Even their lower-ranked treasures shook in awe, as if they wanted to kneel before the sword.

"A Peak Grade Immortal Sword!"

"No, it's even more powerful than any I've seen before. C-could this be a Half Step Sovereign Treasure?"

The crowd erupted into a frenzy, their eyes filled with desire. What was a Sovereign Treasure? It was a treasure reserved for those at the Sovereign Realm, above the Immortal Realm. Only the Four Ancient Lands possessed one, considering it their sect's sacred heirloom.

What was once an unattainable dream for ordinary individuals now presented a chance to obtain a Half Step Sovereign Treasure. Even if it wasn't a genuine Sovereign Treasure, it was still incredibly close.

Who wouldn't want something that only the Four Ancient Lands possessed?

"I am willing to offer my entire middle-ranked city!"

"I offer two billion High Ranked Immortal Stones!"

"I will give you my high-ranked family!"

The bids poured in, each person vying to outbid the others. The most commonly offered currency was Immortal Stones, which held great value in the Immortal Realm. These stones not only allowed for the purchase of goods but also served as a source of cultivation, containing potent Spirit Power.

Meng Ling, who watched this spectacle unfold, turned pale as a corpse. However, the most frightened individual was the pretty girl who had initially tried to shoo Tian Yi away. Overwhelmed by fear, she lost consciousness and collapsed onto the cold marble floor. Yet, no one paid her any attention, leaving her to sleep undisturbed.

"I'm doomed! I'm as good as dead!" Meng Ling cried silently to herself. He had deceived them all. It wasn't a Peak Grade Immortal Treasure but a Half Step Sovereign Treasure!

Within moments, the bidding had surpassed ten billion High Ranked Immortal Stones, a sum that was enough to frighten even high-ranked families. With this amount, one could purchase more than two Peak Grade Immortal Treasures. But could two of those treasures even compare to the value of a single Half Step Sovereign Treasure?

***

A few more minutes passed.

"16.9 billion High Ranked Immortal Stones. Any higher?" Lao Bai asked, wearing a wide grin.

Silence filled the air. Everyone had already pushed their bids beyond their limits. Unless they were willing to sell everything they owned, there was nothing more they could offer.

Lao Bai counted to three and declared, "Very well! This treasure shall be sold to the noble sir who bid that price!" He began making his way toward the red-faced elderly man who had made the highest bid.

"Hold on! I am willing to pay 20 billion!" an old voice resonated through the surroundings.

All eyes turned towards the source of the voice, looking up to see an elderly man with long gray hair and a friendly face, resembling a grandfatherly figure.

"It's Senior Hang!" some exclaimed.

"Greetings, Senior!" others respectfully greeted him.

Senior Hang, the current head of the Jade Phoenix's Auction House and an elder of the Azure Phoenix God Sect, nodded in acknowledgement and landed in front of Tian Yi.

"Young man, my name is Jiu Hang. I am the current head of the Jade Phoenix's Auction House, and I am willing to pay you 20 billion High Ranked Immortal Stones for that treasure!" he declared, retrieving a Storage Pouch.

Tian Yi observed the friendly-looking old man before him. There was no trace of Spirit Power emanating from him, indicating that he was here solely for business and not to cause trouble.

"I apologize, Senior, but the auction has already concluded, and the treasure belongs to that Senior over there," Tian Yi pointed at the old bidder.

Jiu Hang turned his gaze towards the old man.

"Oh, no, no, no. I haven't paid for it yet, so it doesn't belong to me!" the old man shook his head, feeling hesitant.

Although he had won the bid, he didn't have the audacity to refuse Jiu Hang's offer and not give him face.

Lao Bai's anger flared instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting? You had the highest bid, so take this and pay up!" He held the sword in front of the old man, urging him to accept it.

"... Aiya! Stupid me, I forgot to bring my Immortal Stones! Apologies, but I am unable to pay for it, so please disregard my bid..." he exclaimed, rummaging through his Storage Pouch before hastily turning to flee.

Lao Bai and Tian Yi exchanged dumbfounded glances. What in the world? If he didn't have the money, why did he even bid in the first place? He had wasted everyone's time...

Jiu Hang smirked and turned back, "Since the bid is now void, may I bid my 20 billion High Ranked Immortal Stones?"

Tian Yi looked at Jiu Hang apologetically, "I'm sorry, Senior, it's not that I don't want to sell to you, but I simply can't."

Jiu Hang furrowed his brows and questioned, "What? Why not? Who said you couldn't? I'll take care of it."

Lao Bai interjected, "Senior, my noble Young Master patiently waited in line for hours only to be cursed at before he could even speak. Not to mention, your Jade Phoenix's Auction House explicitly stated that even if my Young Master begged them, they wouldn't buy it and chased us away. That's why we're selling it out here."

Upon hearing this, Jiu Hang's friendly expression instantly transformed into fury. "What?! Who said that? Tell me immediately, and I'll make them pay!"

His face flushed with anger. Which imbecile had the audacity to declare not to buy it even if he begged? That fool had single-handedly ruined the Jade Phoenix's Auction House's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! When was the last time they had sold a Half Step Sovereign Treasure? Never!

If he discovered the culprit, he would personally eliminate them! No, even if he didn't, the Azure Phoenix God Sect would take care of it!

Each of the Four Ancient Lands possessed their own Sovereign Treasure, and now their Sect had the chance to acquire another one that was close in quality. But some idiot had to come along and ruin it! What if the other three Ancient Lands got their hands on it? That would be a significant loss for their Sect!

Suddenly, Jiu Hang caught sight of Meng Ling. He glared at her with anger, demanding, "Meng Ling! You've been here for a while! Tell me exactly what happened!"

Meng Ling, her mind blank, snapped out of her reverie and hurriedly went to pay her respects to Jiu Hang. "Little Ling greets Master Hang," she said, bowing.

"Get on with it and tell me what transpired!" Jiu Hang dismissed her greetings, urging her to continue.

*Dong*

Meng Ling kowtowed and sobbed, ".... Master Hang, I was wrong. I failed to prevent it when I had the chance!"

Jiu Hang grew even angrier upon learning that his most beloved and trusted girl was involved. "Stop crying and tell me!"

Meng Ling wiped her tears and began recounting the events that unfolded when she first arrived, her attempts to stop the Young Master from leaving, and how her Junior Sister exacerbated the situation, leading to this point.

Jiu Hang felt like he would vomit blood from anger.

It all started because this girl had become too arrogant and tried to drive away an ordinary-looking boy!

All this chaos caused by a mere servant? How absurd! If the Azure Phoenix God Sect lost a Half Step Sovereign Treasure because of a servant, they would become a laughingstock for years to come!

Jiu Hang looked at the unconscious girl lying on the floor and spoke coldly, "Take her away and execute her tonight in the city square for abusing her position and causing harm to my Azure Phoenix God Sect!"

"Yes, Master!"

Servants swiftly arrived to bind and haul away the unconscious girl. Jiu Hang let out a sigh and turned to face Tian Yi.

"Young Sir, may I inquire about your name? I would like to extend my apologies for this unfortunate incident and hope that we can discuss it further," he requested.

Jiu Hang was determined to do whatever it took to mend their strained relationship.

Tian Yi maintained his composed demeanor. He understood that the entire Jade Phoenix's Auction House couldn't be blamed for the actions of one individual.

"You may call me Song Shu!" he replied, offering a smile.