"This auction house..."
Ji Xueyun said solemnly, "The circles it circulates in are very small. It was only because I served as the Domain Lord of the Southern Region that I received an invitation."
This made Bai Zihe secretly astonished.
The Domain Lords of Great Xia were few and far between.
This meant that those who could attend this auction were of a status comparable to Domain Lords. They were clearly no ordinary individuals, but rather figures of immense power, the cream of the crop.
"The items auctioned within are all priceless treasures."
"Therefore, this auction is also known as the 'Rare Treasures Auction'."
Ji Xueyun thought of something and cautioned Bai Zihe, "Furthermore, there is a special rule here: they only accept cash transactions."
Cash transactions. That wasn't a significant issue.
With a single command from Bai Zihe, the Longchen Chamber of Commerce could output an endless stream of cash.
"Alright!"
Bai Zihe chuckled, "Since Second Senior Sister speaks so mysteriously, I must go and see it."
To think that at his current stage...
Few things could stir his heart.
What he truly needed were those supreme treasures that could be called peerless.
"Miss Liu..."
Ji Xueyun looked at Liu Jiaojiao beside them and said with a smile, "I'll take Little Junior Brother away tonight, and I'll return him to you next time."
The way she put it...
Bai Zihe forced a sheepish smile, wisely choosing not to respond.
Liu Jiaojiao, though willing, was powerless. She could only manage a strained smile, "Since it's Brother Bai's important business, you should go attend to it first."
Following that, Bai Zihe and Ji Xueyun left.
Liu Jiaojiao watched their retreating figures, a bitter feeling churning in her heart.
She desperately wanted to keep Bai Zihe here.
But compared to Ji Xueyun, apart from her looks, which she believed were not much inferior, everything else – her status, position, demeanor, figure, personal strength...
She was no match for Ji Xueyun. How could she possibly retain him?
"Brother Bai..."
"I will absolutely not give up!"
"I will become a woman like the Domain Lord in the future, and then I can rightfully stay by your side."
Liu Jiaojiao silently vowed in her heart.
After they left.
Bai Zihe immediately instructed Ji Changqing to prepare one hundred billion in cash.
One hundred billion!
This was undoubtedly the largest cash withdrawal in history.
The sheer amount was unprecedented, astonishing.
Therefore, at Bai Zihe's command, not only did Ji Changqing spring into action, but the entire provincial capital was mobilized.
A single bank would certainly not have such reserves of cash. Thus, all banks in the provincial capital were involved in the withdrawal...
Armored vehicles were responsible for the escort...
Elite soldiers under Ji Xueyun's command were tasked with security...
A convoy of vehicles stretched for over ten miles, with tens of thousands of soldiers deployed!
It was truly a spectacle of unprecedented scale.
Such a massive operation quickly drew the attention of those with discerning eyes.
The Rare Treasures Auction House.
It appeared unremarkable, and its scale was not particularly large.
However, the two golden nanmu pillars at the entrance were enough to signify the opulence of this place!
Upon entering.
Countless luminous pearls hung from the ceiling, illuminating the hall as bright as day.
Gold-plated walls were adorned with various colored glazed lamps, their radiant glow intertwined, dazzling the eyes.
Even the floor was made of jade!
It was excessively luxurious, overwhelmingly magnificent.
In the center of the auction hall stood a crystal platform, serving as the auction stage.
The remaining...
White jade seats were scattered around like stars.
On the second floor were even more luxurious private boxes, where luxury knew no bounds; if one couldn't imagine it, it simply didn't exist.
At this moment, within one of these private boxes.
"Sir, I just heard that Ji Changqing, the president of the Longchen Chamber of Commerce in the provincial capital, withdrew one hundred billion. Could it be for this auction as well?"
"I heard that too."
"It is said that the Southern Region's soldiers are responsible for the escort, and they are on their way here."
"More than that..."
The Japanese individuals in the private box, upon hearing this news, were left with nothing but shock.
One hundred billion!
What did Ji Changqing intend to do?
The Longchen Chamber of Commerce was wealthy, but they weren't supposed to squander money like this!
"It matters not!"
The Japanese leader, Shirao Sanno, waved his hand dismissively, saying nonchalantly, "This is the 'Rare Treasures Auction.' One cannot do as they please simply by having money."
"That one treasure..."
"Has already reached the standard for 'bartering.' More money would be of no use."
The numerous Japanese individuals breathed a sigh of relief.
This was their third time attending the Rare Treasures Auction, and they knew more secrets than ordinary people.
The vast majority of treasures at the Rare Treasures Auction were auctioned for cash.
However, a very small number, due to their immense value, were difficult to quantify with money. Thus, they adopted the auction method of 'bartering.'
The treasure they wished to obtain this time fell into this category!
Because...
This treasure could continuously produce Grandmaster powerhouses in batches!
A single Martial Grandmaster was enough to dominate a region!
And countless Grandmasters...
What a terrifying force would that be!
"Have you prepared what I asked you to prepare?"
Shirao Sanno scanned the Japanese individuals, his gaze turning solemn. "This treasure is of great importance and allows for no mistakes. We must secure it in one fell swoop."
"We are ready!"
"We are ready."
"I am also ready."
Suddenly.
A beam of light descended from above, landing on the table of the auction stage, illuminating everything in exquisite detail.
This was used to display and project the treasures.
The host, dressed in a black qipao, elegantly stepped onto the stage.
Without the usual pomp and show of other auction houses, the host surveyed the hall and directly announced, "The Rare Treasures Auction Conference officially begins."
"The first item, the Blue Jade Goblet!"
"Its magical properties lie in..."
After a brief introduction, bids began to be made.
Bai Zihe glanced casually and found its function to be mediocre, so he paid it no mind.
The preceding few items were all similar.
Bai Zihe simply closed his eyes to rest, until the next item appeared.
"Next to be auctioned is 'Chen Chuan Wood'."
The host took out a piece of withered wood and displayed it to everyone. "I believe everyone is quite familiar with this item, so I will not introduce it further."
"The starting bid is one hundred million, with increments no less than ten million each time."
As her voice fell, the hall quieted down significantly.
Chen Chuan Wood...
It was first discovered by a master named "Chen Chuan" in ancient times. The incense made from it could help martial arts experts calm their minds.
Burning a piece while in seclusion could greatly enhance cultivation speed.
However, this item had a significant effect on martial artists below the Grandmaster level, but its effect on Grandmasters, and even Great Grandmasters, was minimal.
Therefore, those present were not particularly interested.
"I bid three hundred million!"
Bai Zihe immediately called out a price.
He could sense that this was no ordinary Chen Chuan Wood; it contained a potent lightning force!
"Hiss..."
"Isn't that a bit much?"
"Chen Chuan Wood... is worth three hundred million?"
"This person's voice doesn't sound loud, but their bid is quite substantial."
Many were stunned.
Some even thought Bai Zihe was rather foolish.
Spending three hundred million on a piece of Chen Chuan Wood was undoubtedly a classic example of someone being "silly and rich."
But at this moment.
"I bid four hundred million!"
Another voice echoed, with an almost domineering tone, directly increasing the price by another hundred million!
It was Shirao Sanno of the Japanese!