Chen Tian looked down at the host, finding it interesting that this person was in charge of the auction. It suggested the event was no ordinary affair.
His gaze settled on a fragment lying below, its presence in the real world a mystery to him. However, Chen Tian was unwilling to let such an opportunity pass. He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Young master, what can I do for you?" a venerable voice answered. Chen Tian spoke calmly, "Check how much wealth I have."
"Yes, young master. I'll check right away. You have a total of..."
Chen Tian was stunned. His fortune had grown so much in four years? He hadn't been responsible for anything, just drifting along!
He hung up the phone. The money was abundant, but was it enough? After all, the wealth of cultivators was not to be trifled with.
Chen Tian's eyes gleamed. He looked at Lin Mo and said, "Old man, help me bid for that fragment. Consider it a favor owed to you."
Lin Mo naturally wouldn't refuse. A favor from a Grandmaster was not something to be lightly dismissed. He nodded, "Don't worry, young friend! I will certainly help you secure this item."
The auction officially began. The host was an elder with a weathered face and white hair, appearing aged but still possessing a vibrant spirit. He announced, "This is a special fragment, imbued with a unique power. Our experts have determined that if absorbed by a martial artist, this power can help them break through a major realm. However, the power is also difficult to control. It is only out of necessity that we bring it to auction. The starting bid is fifty million. Highest bidder wins!"
The previously silent auction hall erupted in a buzz. An item that could advance a major realm was something every martial artist craved. Cultivation took years; why not take a shortcut if one was available?
Instantly, numerous martial artists and families began to bid. Qing Ling, indignant, exclaimed, "What a waste! This item, even as a fragment, shouldn't be used like this."
Chen Tian heard Qing Ling's voice. It seemed she knew the origin of the fragment, but he wouldn't pry if she chose not to disclose it.
The bidding soon reached a hundred million, with martial artists desperately competing for the fragment.
Lin Mo decisively declared, "One hundred and eighty million!"
A hush fell over the auction hall. The reason was simple: the bidder was Lin Mo, the elder patriarch of the Lin family. The Lin family was a titan, beyond the reach of these minor families. And an increment of eighty million was something they dared not contemplate.
Then, another voice emerged: "Two hundred and thirty million!" It was Li Yuan of the Li family, who shot a challenging glance at Lin Mo. Lin Mo understood the look. Beside Li Yuan, a young man slowly opened his eyes and stated, "The Li family will take this fragment. The Lin family should cease bidding."
His domineering tone resonated throughout the auction hall. Chen Tian opened his eyes and replied, "This fragment is a must-have for me. Do you think I'll let you have it?"
"Boy, who do you think you are? Just a brash youngster. Your words have no place here," Li Yuan retorted, a hint of anger in his voice. The young man beside him had an extraordinary background; he was not someone a mere child could challenge so brazenly.
Lin Mo intervened, "Old Li, why get agitated? The young friend's words are our Lin family's words."
"Three hundred and seventy million!" Lin Mo declared grandly. Li Yuan was taken aback, then countered, "Four hundred and seventy million!"
The bids continued to escalate, the prices soaring until the item reached eleven billion. Both Lin Mo and Li Yuan were desperately bidding to please the young men beside them. Who was this young man with such influence?
Both Li Yuan and Lin Mo were sweating profusely, their bids reaching their limits.
Chen Tian then spoke, "Elder Lin, let me take over. You must be at your limit, and you still have a family to support. Don't overspend."
"Thirteen billion!" Chen Tian said casually, with an air of ease. Frankly, thirteen billion was a trifle for his assets, posing no pressure whatsoever.
The young man in white then spoke, "Fifteen billion!"
"Eighteen billion!"
"Twenty-three billion!"
...
Chen Tian's expression remained calm as he stated, "Thirty-six billion. That's my final offer."
The young man in white fell silent. He hadn't brought that much money with him, and he still needed to purchase a quest item later. He remained quiet. Finally, the fragment was successfully acquired by Chen Tian for thirty-six billion.
The young man in white slowly stood up, took a step, and instantly appeared in Chen Tian's private box. He said calmly, "After the auction, there will be a spar. Would you care to compete with me?"
"Certainly!" Chen Tian's interest was piqued. The other party had no hostility, merely a desire for a friendly spar. Chen Tian wouldn't refuse, especially since he wanted to gauge the strength of a cultivator. The young man's figure vanished as quickly as he appeared, leaving the box as if he had never been there.
The next auction item was brought out: a broken short blade, with black energy swirling around it.
Chen Tian and Qing Ling were stunned. Qing Ling exclaimed, "Why is this thing here!"
"This is a weapon from that battlefield. I believe most martial artists are aware of it. Although this weapon is incomplete, its power is still formidable. Once repaired, it can be world-shattering. The starting bid is one hundred million!"
"Wait, this weapon must not be bid on! If you don't wish to die, destroy it immediately!" Chen Tian's voice boomed across the auction hall. Some martial artists who had been tempted by the item became angry, questioning if he was there to cause trouble.
"Steward Chen, isn't this fellow meddling too much? Or have your auction house rules become ineffective?" Li Yuan scoffed. Chen Lie felt a flush of embarrassment. He was about to speak to Chen Tian's box when Chen Tian's voice cut through, "Chen Lie, it's been four years, have you become so bold? Take this item and destroy it."
With a roar, Chen Lie froze. The familiar voice made him tremble. He bowed, "My apologies, it will be taken down and destroyed immediately!" He then announced to the auction attendees, "My apologies, everyone, this item will no longer be auctioned. We move to the next item."
The auction hall fell silent. Chen Lie's submission was astonishing. He, who held such authority, had chosen to yield to a mere youngster. The youngster's true identity was a mystery.
The shock wasn't limited to the attendees. Lin Mo and Lin Xue were equally bewildered. Chen Tian's single command had led to the withdrawal of an auction item. This was an individual whose status commanded respect even from the highest authorities, yet here he was, showing fear towards Chen Tian's words.
Chen Tian slowly returned to his seat. Qing Ling said, "Thankfully, this item wasn't auctioned. Otherwise, it would have been a disaster."
Chen Tian nodded. The weapon had emanated the aura of the Evil Spirit Race, which was why he and Qing Ling had reacted so strongly. It was best for such weapons not to fall into human hands; otherwise, assimilation by the aura would lead to disaster.
Chen Tian then inquired about the battlefield. Lin Mo asked in confusion, "Does Grandmaster Chen not know? Most martial artists who reach the Grandmaster realm go there to earn merits and exchange for desired resources."
Chen Tian shook his head. Lin Mo understood and began to describe the battlefield. Once Chen Tian had a grasp of the information, Qing Ling saw through his intentions and said, "Brother, you cannot go there now. You need to master your power first. It's not yet time."
Chen Tian nodded, indicating he understood. He doted on his sister and was content to obey her.
The auction concluded. Chen Tian rose and said to Lin Mo, "Elder Lin, take me to the sparring venue. My hands are itching for a fight, and I'm quite looking forward to it."
"Gladly!" Elder Lin was pleased. This was the very reason he had invited Chen Tian. He hadn't even had to mention it, as Li Yuan had already issued a challenge, saving him the trouble. He wasn't sure how he would have approached Chen Tian otherwise.
At the auction house entrance, Chen Tian and his companions entered an elevator. The display showed a "-1" floor. Lin Mo pressed it.
Good heavens, there was another level below the underground city. How vast was this place?
The elevator descended with a rumble. When it stopped, the doors opened, revealing a wide plaza and a stage. Chen Tian looked at the scene, a sense of familiarity washing over him.
Then, a voice called out, "I thought you were too afraid to come."
Chen Tian retorted, "Same here. It seems we had the same idea."
"Enough talk. Shall we spar?"
"Alright!"
Qing Ling gently held Chen Tian back. "Brother, you don't need to. I'll do it." She looked at the young man in white. A cultivator, a Golden Core cultivator, was not worthy of her brother's attention. She feared her brother might accidentally kill him. Although her brother wielded two percent of his power, that was enough to contend with a Golden Core cultivator. But if he lost control of his fighting spirit, he might be too powerful and end a life.