As the price soared, only two teams remained in the fray.
“I, from the Han family, bid 12 million spirit crystals,” a man in the VIP area, dressed lavishly with cloud-like sideburns and an air of elegance, declared.
“Young Master Han truly has deep pockets, but this weapon has caught my eye too. I bid 12.5 million,” an old man in green robes from the VIP area countered.
“Old Master Lu, this weapon is mine, and you can’t snatch it. I bid 14 million,” Young Master Han said, leaning back in his chair, legs crossed.
At Lin Yun’s spot.
“Great Elder, who’s this Young Master Han?” the flat-headed man asked curiously.
“The Han family is no small matter. In this capital, they’re absolutely a top-tier clan. Their ancestor is an Immortal under His Majesty’s command. What kind of existence is the Han family? Utterly transcendent!” the Lin family elder explained.
“Hiss, a family with an Immortal? That’s a truly formidable clan!” the flat-headed man gasped.
To them, Immortals were utterly unattainable.
An Immortal named Han?
Lin Yun pondered. On the Heavenly Gods List, there was a Han Zhen, ranked in the eighties. He was the only Han on the list, so it must be him.
The white-haired Lin elder continued, “As for the old man vying with Young Master Han, he’s a Tribulation Realm cultivator named Ji Guang, serving the empire. He’s a notable figure, and his family is considered first-rate even in the entire Tianqian Empire.”
“Watching these true imperial titans fight over treasures makes this trip worthwhile. It’s like gods clashing!” Lin Qing sighed.
In the VIP area ahead.
“Since Young Master Han is set on it, I won’t steal his prize,” the Tribulation Realm elder Ji Guang said.
“Thanks for that,” Young Master Han smirked, knowing no one dared challenge him, especially with his generous bid.
“Young Master Han bids 14 million. Any higher offers?” the host raised the hammer.
The room fell silent. This was Young Master Han’s prize, and he’d made his intent clear. Who would dare bid against the Han family?
And at such a steep price, even other major Tianqian Empire clans in the VIP area hesitated to cross the Hans.
“I bid 16 million spirit crystals!”
Just as the hammer was about to fall, a crisp voice rang out from the common area.
“Someone else is bidding?!”
“And it’s a cultivator from the common area!”
Murmurs erupted as everyone turned to see who this bold ‘big shot’ was.
“Who’s that?!”
Young Master Han frowned, standing and turning towards the common area.
All eyes fell on Lin Yun.
He was the one who’d called out the bid.
“Who is this guy?”
“Some nobody in the common area, daring to bid for a holy spirit-grade weapon?”
…
The cultivators present clearly didn’t know Lin Yun.
Especially those in the VIP area, familiar with the Tianqian Empire’s renowned figures, drew a blank on him.
The three Lin family members beside Lin Yun gaped at him in disbelief.
“Kid, what are you doing? Are you mad? This isn’t something a rogue cultivator like you can vie for!” the flat-headed man growled at Lin Yun.
The elder urgently advised, “Young friend, retract your bid. Forget whether you can afford those spirit crystals, the Han family alone is beyond your reach!”
“Exactly, friend, take it back!” Lin Qing winked repeatedly at Lin Yun.
“I’m an Immortal. What’s beyond my reach?” Lin Yun said with a playful smile.
“You think you’re Lin Yun or something?” the flat-headed man scoffed, finding him absurd.
By now, Young Master Han was glaring at Lin Yun, demanding, “Kid, you really want to bid?”
“Of course. Isn’t this treasure auction about the highest bidder?” Lin Yun smiled.
“Hmph, can a nobody like you even produce that many spirit crystals?” Young Master Han sneered.
“That’s not your concern, Young Master Han, but the host’s. Your concern is whether to raise your bid,” Lin Yun said calmly.
“I bid 17 million spirit crystals!” Young Master Han sat back down, fuming as he called out.
“19 million spirit crystals,” Lin Yun countered, leaning back casually.
“Such a high price?”
The crowd buzzed. This price was clearly far beyond the item’s value.
Young Master Han’s face darkened at the figure.
“Uncle Yuan, do you know that guy’s background?” he asked a greying man beside him.
“Don’t recognise him, but those beside him are from the Lin family of Pingcheng Prefecture in Qi Mansion. Not sure if they’re together,” Uncle Yuan replied.
Hearing this, Young Master Han stood again, turning to Lin Yun.
“Hmph, a measly Pingcheng Prefecture family dares to challenge me? Have you eaten a bear’s heart or a leopard’s gall?” he demanded coldly.
His words sent the Lin family trio into a panic, nearly falling off their chairs.
“Honoured Young Master Han, our Lin family… we don’t know this guy at all! He’s not with us, just… just a rogue cultivator who happens to sit next to us!” the flat-headed man explained frantically, voice trembling.
If the blame fell on their Lin family, how could they bear it?
The Lin elder added urgently, “Young Master Han, this man truly isn’t from our Lin family. He’s just a rogue cultivator.”
“Just a rogue cultivator? And you dare cross me?” Young Master Han’s gaze bore into Lin Yun coldly.
All eyes were now on Lin Yun.
Still leaning back, Lin Yun said composedly, “Young Master Han, as I said, I’m just here for the treasure, not targeting anyone.”
“This gentleman bids 19 million spirit crystals. Any further bids?” the host called.
Young Master Han snorted, sat down, and made no further offer, clearly deeming the price too steep.
After a three-count, the host slammed the hammer.
The first item went to Lin Yun.
