Chapter 10: The Auction

The grand auction hall was a spectacle of opulence, its air thick with the scent of wealth and power. The attendees, all hailing from illustrious and affluent families, were seated in anticipation, their eyes gleaming with the promise of rare treasures. Among them were Butler Shen, Brother Tiger, and the formidable Xuen Ye, whose presence alone commanded a quiet reverence.

"Mr. Xuen," Butler Shen murmured with a respectful bow, "I have secured a private room for your comfort. Shall we proceed to the second floor?"

With a nod, Xuen Ye led the way, his companions following closely. They ascended to the second floor, where they settled into their secluded cabin, a sanctuary amidst the bustling crowd.

"Mr. Xuen," Butler Shen began, his voice low, "this auction boasts an array of ancient artifacts and rare herbs. However, I must warn you, the prices may be exorbitant."

A faint smirk played on Xuen Ye's lips as he replied, "Worry not, Shen. When I dismantled the Song Family, I claimed all their wealth and assets. This auction shall pose no challenge to my coffers."

As their conversation lulled, the auction commenced. The host, a striking woman in her mid-twenties with cascading light blue hair, stepped onto the stage. Her presence was magnetic, her voice a melody that captivated the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, her tone both elegant and commanding, "we begin tonight's auction with a truly extraordinary item. Behold, the rare elixir adorned with four dragon patterns. Legend has it that this elixir possesses the power to aid one in breaking through to the master realm. The bidding starts at one million yuan, with increments of no less than ten thousand yuan."

The room buzzed with excitement, the air electric with the promise of power and prestige. The auction had begun, and the stakes were nothing short of monumental.

The auction hall buzzed with anticipation as the bidding war began. A man on the first floor opened with a confident shout of 1.1 million yuan. Another quickly countered with 1.2 million, and the price swiftly climbed to 1.5 million. The atmosphere grew tense, the air thick with the clinking of glasses and murmured calculations. Then, from the second floor, a voice cut through the noise like a blade—2 million yuan. The room fell silent. No one dared to challenge the bidder from the second floor, where the VIPs sat in their privileged seclusion. The gavel struck, and the item was sold for 2 million yuan. The first round had ended, but the real spectacle was yet to come.

The next item up for auction was an ancient sword, unearthed at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains. Its blade was fractured, its edge dulled by time, and its former glory seemed lost to the ages. The auctioneer announced the starting price at 1 million yuan, with bids to increase by no less than 10,000 yuan. The crowd murmured in disinterest; few saw value in a relic so damaged it could scarcely be wielded. Yet, amidst the skepticism, one man saw potential where others saw ruin. Xuen Ye, a figure of quiet determination, recognized the sword's hidden brilliance. With a calm resolve, he placed a bid of 2 million yuan. Gasps rippled through the room. Who would pay such a sum for a broken blade?

But the shock had only just begun. From the shadows of the second floor, a mysterious man emerged, his presence commanding attention. Beside him stood an elderly master, their eyes sharp with knowledge. They, too, had discerned the sword's true worth. The mysterious man raised his hand, his voice steady as he declared a bid of 3 million yuan. The crowd erupted in whispers. Xuen Ye, undeterred, countered with 5 million. The bidding war escalated, each bid met with widening eyes and hushed exclamations. At last, Xuen Ye's voice rang out once more—10 million yuan. The room fell into stunned silence. The gavel struck, and the sword was his.

As the auction concluded, the attendees exchanged incredulous glances. To them, it seemed madness to spend such a fortune on a relic of questionable utility. But Xuen Ye and the mysterious man from the second floor knew something the others did not—a truth hidden in the sword's fractured steel, a secret worth far more than gold. The crowd dispersed, shaking their heads at what they perceived as folly, while the true masters of the game departed with the quiet satisfaction of those who had glimpsed the unseen.

The auction continued its relentless pace, with nearly all the items finding their new owners. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and greed, as the host stepped forward to announce the second-to-last item.

"Now, we present our penultimate treasure," the host declared, his voice resonating through the grand hall. "This is an elixir of unparalleled potency, adorned with five intricate dragon patterns. It is said that this elixir can propel a Master to the middle or even the peak stage of their cultivation. But its power is not limited to cultivators alone—even those who do not tread the path of cultivation can benefit. Consuming a small amount daily promises a long and healthy life. The starting price for this elixir is 5 million yuan, with bids increasing by no less than 10,000 yuan."

Xuen Ye, seated in his private room, showed little interest in the elixir. His mind was elsewhere, his focus reserved for something far greater. The bidding war erupted swiftly, with the price soaring to 15 million yuan in mere moments. Then, a voice from the second floor called out, "20 million yuan!" The elixir was sold, and the hall buzzed with murmurs of admiration and envy.

The host raised his hands, silencing the crowd. "And now, the moment you have all been waiting for—the final item, the true crown jewel of this auction!" He paused, allowing the tension to build. "This is no ordinary artifact. It is an ancient relic, unearthed from the tomb of a long-forgotten emperor. It radiates the aura of heaven and earth, and legends say that possessing this relic grants one the chance to break through to the Grand Master Realm. The starting price is 50 million yuan, with bids increasing by no less than 1 million yuan. Let the bidding commence!"

The room erupted into chaos. The first room on the second floor opened with a bid of 60 million yuan. The second room countered with 70 million, and the first room swiftly raised it to 80 million. Not to be outdone, the third room entered the fray with a bid of 90 million. Xuen Ye, his eyes gleaming with determination, joined the battle, calling out, "100 million yuan."

The bids escalated rapidly, each one met with gasps and murmurs from the crowd. The third room pushed the price to 120 million yuan, but Xuen Ye, undeterred, raised it to 150 million. The auctioneer's voice rang out, "150 million, going once, going twice... sold to the gentleman in the private room!" The relic was his.

Xuen Ye knew the value of what he had acquired. The relic was not just a tool for cultivation; it held the key to restoring the ancient sword he had been seeking. Its aura would also aid him in his own journey toward greater power. But he was no fool. He was well aware of the dangers that came with such a prize.

As the auction concluded, the other bidders began to stir. Whispers spread like wildfire as they sought to uncover the identity of the mysterious buyer. Some even began to plot, their intentions dark and treacherous. They would stop at nothing to seize the relic for themselves.

But Xuen Ye was already steps ahead. He had discreetly completed the transaction and slipped away from the auction house, vanishing into the night like a shadow. The relic was safe in his possession, and his path forward was clear. The storm of greed and ambition would come for him, but he was ready. For Xuen Ye, this was only the beginning.