Chapter 140: The Auction Begins — Golden Jade Fragrance

“Wow! Such an enchanting voice!”
“What a beautiful voice!”
“My goddess is still my goddess!”
“I want to have a baby monkey...”
...
...

The moment Liu Qingqiao began to speak, the entire hall erupted into chaos, with all kinds of random and unreasonable voices filling the air.

The whole venue was thrown into an uproar.

Below, people from all walks of life were discussing excitedly, eagerly anticipating today’s auction items.

Meanwhile, in the VIP rooms sat the wealthy elites and the leaders of the strongest sects. There were ten VIP rooms in total, usually occupied by members of the five great sects.

Among those present were the sect master of Sword Profound Sect, Jian Xuan; the sect master of Demon Fiend Sect, Mo Sha; the sect master of Valley Martial Sect, Gu Wu; and representatives from the Tianba Sect, including Tian Yi.

The only notable absence was Ling Tianba, the leader of Ling Tian Sect.

Tian Yi, who had just entered the Tian Di Pavilion, looked around but did not see his old brother Ling Tianba. He raised his eyebrows in puzzlement and murmured quietly, “Strange, why haven’t I seen Brother Ling?”

In his memory, Ling Tianba had always attended the annual Tian Di Pavilion auction, and they would meet at the start, laughing and chatting.

He then instructed his disciple beside him, “Send someone to the Ling Tian Sect and find out why the sect master hasn’t come.”

“Yes, Sect Master!” the disciple replied respectfully and left promptly.

“Father, I wish to see my fiancée, Ling Xuanting,” said a young man standing nearby. He wore simple white embroidered robes, his hair falling slightly on both sides, his expression blank, his voice calm and devoid of emotion. For him, this was merely a formal relationship; having never met his fiancée since childhood, he felt no affection.

This young man was Tian Yu Han, the son of Tian Yi, sect master of Tianba Sect.

What shocked everyone most was that such a young man was already a Seven-Star Dou Saint—a terrifying fact.

Upon hearing his son’s words, Tian Yi froze for a moment but quickly regained composure.

“My son, I’m afraid this engagement cannot continue,” Tian Yi said with some difficulty, recalling a message his old brother Ling Tianba had secretly sent him, which caused him a headache.

Tian Yu Han frowned and became intrigued. How could the engagement suddenly be called off?

“Father, I want to know the reason. Could it be that Ling Tian Sect thinks I am unworthy of their daughter?” Despite everything, Tian Yu Han was a Seven-Star Dou Saint and naturally carried an air of pride.

“Tian Yu Han, this isn’t about you. It’s because...” Tian Yi explained what Ling Tianba had told him.

Tian Yu Han’s usually calm demeanor flickered with anger. “What? She’s had a child with another man? Isn’t this an insult to me?”

“I told your old brother that you young ones have your own affairs to handle. You should be responsible yourselves and not ruin my relationship with Brother Ling.”

“The elders won’t interfere in your youthful matters. Besides, you’re a Seven-Star Dou Saint. I doubt the scoundrel who got Ling Xuanting pregnant is one. When the time comes, you can teach him a lesson.”

Tian Yi sighed helplessly; the matter had come suddenly.

“That’s fine by me. I’ve never met Ling Xuanting, so there was no affection to speak of. Since she has a child, this is the perfect excuse to break off the engagement. I’ve always been immersed in cultivation. But if that man is so audacious, then he’s provoking me, Tian Yu Han. I’ll show him that I’m not someone to be trifled with.” Tian Yu Han’s voice grew increasingly fierce as a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

“My son, the latter part of what you said is correct, but the former is wrong. You are my only son, and you must carry on the family line! If not Ling Tian Sect, then find someone else. Seek out a woman you love. Nowadays, no woman can resist a strong man.” Tian Yi reprimanded his son, pointing out his mistake.

“Yes, Father, I understand. But since Uncle Ling hasn’t come, Ling Xuanting probably hasn’t either, right?” Tian Yu Han asked.

“I’m not sure. Their VIP room in Sword Profound Sect is also empty. Could it be that none of them have come? That’s unlikely,” Tian Yi found it strange.

Below, five members of Sword Profound Sect sat separately. Leading them was Ling Mu, who suddenly recalled that their sect master had mentioned they had a VIP room. He felt uneasy.

Turning to Ling Huayu beside him, he said, “Huayu, didn’t the sect master say we have a VIP room? Shouldn’t we go there?”

“You want me to go? Ling Mu, why didn’t you say so earlier!”

“Of course. We’re one of the five great sects. How could we not have a VIP room?”

“Yeah, I’ve been feeling strange about it.”

With Ling Huayu’s shock, the three men behind her began to speak in agreement.

“Let’s go ask the staff upstairs,” Ling Huayu suggested. Just as she was about to rise, Ling Mu stopped her.

“Ling Mu, what’s wrong?” Ling Huayu asked, puzzled.

“Ah, never mind. Sit down. The auction is about to start anyway. It doesn’t matter where we sit,” Ling Mu said nonchalantly.

Ling Huayu was displeased and said helplessly, “Ling Mu, that’s not right. We have status here. How can we not sit in our place?”

“Heh, if you don’t want to get trampled by the crowd ahead, then go ahead,” Ling Mu said calmly.

Ling Huayu glanced toward the chaotic crowd in front of them, swallowing nervously. There might be people stronger than her in there. If she accidentally got stepped on, who would she complain to?

“Ahem, well, it’s fine here. It’s lively, haha...” Ling Huayu awkwardly sat back down.

Everyone else was silent.

“Status? Gone now?”

“Look, that lady up there is quite beautiful. So envious,” Ling Huayu quickly changed the subject, pointing to Liu Qingqiao on stage.

Everyone was speechless.

...

“All right, everyone, please quiet down. Our auction is about to begin,” Liu Qingqiao announced from the stage.

“Ladies, get ready to bid on whichever item you fancy. If you like all ten, I’ll help you buy them,” said Qian Mo from the VIP room, holding two ladies close.

“Just watching isn’t fun. Let’s have a barbecue. It’s been a long time,” Qian Mo stretched and said.

“Sure! I haven’t had barbecue in ages either!” Yun Yi’s eyes brightened.

Ling Xuan thought to herself, Didn’t we just eat this morning?... but didn’t bother to say anything.

Qian Mo moved the sofa closer to the glass wall, and the three sat down. He took out a barbecue grill.

Instead of using charcoal to light the fire, he placed a wisp of Pure Origin White Flame on it.

He was probably the first to use a supernatural flame for barbecue.

From his inventory, he took out a large pile of skewers and placed them on a nearby table.

The glass in the VIP room was one-way—inside could see out, but outside could not see in.

Qian Mo took out some seasonings and three brushes. Spreading his legs, he put the skewers on the grill and began to brush on oil vigorously. Because the flame was a supernatural fire, it consumed all the smoke and fumes, so the sealed room had no smoke, only the aroma of grilled meat.

The skewers sizzled as the fragrant oil boiled on the meat, filling the room with a mouthwatering scent.

Since there were slight gaps at the door, the aroma slowly seeped out.

“All done.” Qian Mo placed the first batch of skewers on a plate.

“Wow, finally. I can’t wait,” Yun Yi said, swallowing his saliva.

“I want some too! Me too!” The little one was already starving and scrambled eagerly to eat.

“Be careful, or you’ll burn your mouth,” Ling Xuan warned.

Ling Xuan gently blew on the skewers to cool them before feeding the child.

...

Below, as Liu Qingqiao’s voice faded, a screen appeared at the center of the stage. Each VIP room also displayed a screen.

Everyone stared intently as a pillar rose at the center of the stage, revealing today’s first auction item.

The object was concealed inside a wooden box, shrouded in mystery.

Qian Mo and his companions continued to enjoy their skewers while watching the screen, finally able to look up without bowing their heads.

They chewed leisurely. Feeling warm, Qian Mo produced some Primordial Water to cool the room.

A golden item appeared on the screen.

“What is that?” voices from below echoed repeatedly.

“Today’s first auction item—Golden Jade Incense, which aids physical cultivation,” Liu Qingqiao announced.

Her words sparked astonished murmurs below.

“What? Golden Jade Incense?”

“That’s a legendary artifact for body forging!”

“Never thought Tian Di Pavilion would have one!”

“Looks like coming here wasn’t a mistake. The first item is so precious; the rest will be even better!”

“Really looking forward to it.”

Excitement surged among the crowd.

“Since it’s Golden Jade Incense, it’s excellent for the body. Yu Han, you should bid on this. It will help your cultivation,” Tian Yi said in the VIP room, surprised.

“What is Golden Jade Incense, Father?” Tian Yu Han asked uncertainly. Though highly skilled, he had never heard of it.

“Golden Jade Incense? I heard some family members mention it by chance. It’s said to temper the body, strengthen physique, and enrich the bloodline. The simplest use is to place it in a bath, absorbing its power directly. It’s easier than your usual body cultivation methods. Importantly, it works for both men and women. Nowadays, many who train their bodies are of both genders. This Golden Jade Incense is a rare artifact that appears only once in many years,” Tian Yi explained thoughtfully. “Looks like many will spend a fortune on today’s first item.”

As Tian Yi’s voice fell, Liu Qingqiao’s voice rang out again: “Golden Jade Incense, a precious item for body cultivation, suitable for both men and women. The auction starts at 500,000 Crystal Stones! Each bid must increase by at least 10,000 Crystal Stones!”

Crystal Stones were a currency superior to gold coins. Gold coins were only for transactions, whereas Crystal Stones could be traded and absorbed for cultivation—highly sought after.

500,000 Crystal Stones could exchange for nearly five million gold coins.

“Seems like this isn’t for us,” some murmured.

“The wealthy families have far more money than we do.”

...

Voices rose below. Everyone knew the auction only accepted Crystal Stones; gold coins were worthless here.

“600,000!”
“650,000!”
“700,000!”
...
“900,000!”
“1,000,000!”

The bidding grew fierce. Though some could not win, they did not want others to get it cheaply and kept raising the price.

Until it reached the critical point of 1 million Crystal Stones.

“All right, the bid is now one million Crystal Stones. Anyone willing to go higher?” Liu Qingqiao asked.

Tian Yi’s brow furrowed as the price soared swiftly.

“Tianba Sect, 1.5 million!” Tian Yi pressed a button and shouted.

“What? The Five Great Sects have finally made a move!”

“Tianba Sect!”
“Tianba Sect! Didn’t expect them to be the first to bid!”

The crowd below grew restless upon hearing Tian Yi’s voice.

...

In another room sat the leaders of the Five Great Sects’ Demon Fiend Sect.

“Sect Master, the old man from Tianba Sect has placed a bid.”

A man surrounded by demonic energy spoke.

Lying with his head raised on the sofa was the sect master of Demon Fiend Sect, Mo Sha.

He opened his eyes slightly and said, “Didn’t expect the first item to be Golden Jade Incense. It’s not very useful to us, but we won’t let it go so cheaply. Raise the bid.”

“Yes!”

“Demon Fiend Sect, 2 million!” The man pressed the button and shouted.

“This... Demon Fiend Sect!”

“The most sinister and mysterious of the Five Great Sects!”

“Rarely do they show up at auctions, but this time...”

The crowd below was stunned.

“Damn it! If it’s the sect master Mo Sha himself, that’s serious.” Tian Yi’s face darkened.

The Demon Fiend Sect was on par with Tianba Sect in strength.

Moreover, Mo Sha’s cultivation method was extremely evil and difficult to counter.

“Father, Demon Fiend Sect is clearly provoking us,” Tian Yu Han said angrily.

“Two million Crystal Stones is nothing to us. Let’s try again,” Tian Yi said, pressing the button.

“Tianba Sect, 2.1 million!” Tian Yi shouted.

Demon Fiend Sect smiled, “Keep raising!”

“Demon Fiend Sect, 2.2 million!”
“Tianba Sect, 2.3 million!”
“Demon Fiend Sect, 2.4 million!”

The auction hall echoed only with the voices of Demon Fiend Sect and Tianba Sect bidding against each other.

“Heh, looks like Demon Fiend Sect and Tianba Sect are butting heads,” said Gu, leader of Sound Bamboo Valley, smiling at the situation.

“Makes sense,” a man sitting nearby nodded.

“Shouldn’t we help Tianba Sect?” an elder from Sword Profound Sect asked.

“Not a chance. Are you rich? Besides, treasures go to the highest bidder. Let them fight it out. Although Golden Jade Incense is precious, I’m more interested in the items coming up,” another elder scoffed.

Sword Profound Sect members looked at the elder as if he were foolish.

“My mind’s rusty,” the elder said awkwardly.

“Damn it! Demon Fiend Sect is being too arrogant!” Tian Yi shouted angrily.

“Father, Golden Jade Incense is valuable, but there are better treasures later. Let’s not waste energy here,” Tian Yu Han said, also angry. Demon Fiend Sect was clearly looking for trouble.

“Hmph, don’t think you can bully me,” Tian Yi snorted coldly and pressed the button.

“Sect Master, Tianba Sect hasn’t budged. Should we take it?”

“Don’t worry. That old bastard Tian Yi won’t give up easily. After he bids, we’ll stop. Our goal isn’t this item, so save money for later,” Mo Sha smiled.

Just as Mo Sha’s words ended, Tian Yi’s voice rang out: “Tianba Sect, 2.5 million!”

“Looks like these two sects will fight to the bitter end.”

“One won’t back down; the other keeps going.”

The crowd thought silently.

In the VIP room, Qian Mo munched on his skewers while watching this farce. He had just looked up Golden Jade Incense in the World Encyclopedia. It wasn’t impressive—just junk in his opinion.

No interest.

“Looks like Tianba Sect and Demon Fiend Sect are at each other’s throats,” Yun Yi said, savoring his skewer.

“Tianba Sect...” Ling Xuanting hesitated, murmuring to herself.

She thought about her fiancé, Tian Yu Han, son of the Tianba Sect master.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Qian Mo, who nonchalantly chewed his skewer, lying on the sofa.

Suddenly he spoke, “You have some connection with Tianba Sect, don’t you?”

Ling Xuanting nodded obediently, “My father arranged the betrothal with their sect master's son, Tian Yu Han.”

Hearing this, Yun Yi choked on his meat and looked at them jokingly.

“Enough, eat your food and keep quiet.” Qian Mo shoved a skewer into Yun Yi’s mouth, who gave him a resentful look.

Qian Mo looked at Ling Xuanting and said, “Don’t worry. If that stubborn Yu Han from Tianba Sect comes looking for trouble, I can send him to his death. If Tianba Sect is so obstinate and messes with me, I don’t care if they’re Tianba or Earthba, I’ll teach that guy a lesson with one stick.”

“Ah, that’s not good. Uncle Tian Yi and my father have a good relationship...” Ling Xuanting said cautiously. If she really angered Tianba Sect, it would be bad.

“That’s men’s business. You women shouldn’t interfere! Eat!” Qian Mo waved it off. “If he doesn’t come looking, I won’t make a move.”

Yun Yi looked at him helplessly. Isn’t this because you snatched someone else’s fiancée? And now you’re talking like that...

“Come on, sister, let’s ignore him and enjoy our skewers,” Yun Yi said, putting his arm around Ling Xuanting.

“Dad, Dad, the golden thing up there looks so beautiful!” the little one ran up to Qian Mo.

Qian Mo picked the child up and asked, “Do you like it, Ling’er?”

“Yes, yes!”

“If you like it, Dad will win it for you, okay?”

“Yay!” the child clapped happily.

...

Outside, after Tian Yi’s bid of 5.5 million, no one else bid.

“2.5 million, any higher bids?” Liu Qingqiao asked, seeing no response.

“2.5 million, first call!”
“2.5 million, second call!”

“Tch, playing with me? It’s mine for sure,” Tian Yi sat on the sofa sipping tea, lightly shaking it.

Inside, he was a bit anxious—couldn’t the bidders speak faster? What if someone interrupted? But he thought no one would dare.

Tian Yu Han relaxed hearing this but felt a bit reluctant to have spent an extra 500,000. He sat down and sipped tea to calm his nerves.

“2.5 million, third call!…”

“Reincarnation Hall, 3 million.”

Just as everyone thought Tianba Sect would win, a lazy young man’s voice sounded.

Qian Mo lay lazily on the sofa, holding a skewer, his tone indifferent, as if bored and unconcerned.

The two drinking tea in the room almost spat out their drink upon hearing this.

“Cough! Cough!”

Someone else was bidding? And immediately raised by 500,000?

Reincarnation Hall? What sect was that? A newly established one?

Daring to challenge Tianba Sect?

“Reincarnation Hall? What sect is that?”

“No idea, probably a small sect.”

“Daring to go against Tianba Sect? That’s asking for death.”

...

Below, people sneered, thinking the Reincarnation Hall was a bunch of fools.

Members of the Five Great Sects whispered, “Reincarnation Hall? What kind of sect is that?”

“Heh, looks like the sect master doesn’t need us to make a move now that someone else has spoken,” said a Demon Fiend Sect member, smiling.

“I’m curious too. Who exactly is this Reincarnation Hall that dares to bid like this? And it seems the voice came from one of the VIP rooms,” Mo Sha smiled.

...

Liu Qingqiao raised her small wooden hammer to strike but paused mid-air. Reincarnation Hall? She had never heard of it before.

Turning to the source of the voice, she saw it came from the most luxurious VIP room—a room that had been empty all these years. This year, however, someone occupied it. According to Pavilion Master Long Aogu’s earlier words, the person inside was a super VIP, someone the Tian Di Pavilion dared not offend!

Who or what kind of power was this person? As vice pavilion master, she was eager to meet them.

“3 million, any higher bids?” Liu Qingqiao asked.

“Sect Master, I request to speak with the person from Reincarnation Hall who bid,” Tian Yi shouted. This might be a newly established sect lacking manners!

“That depends on whether they’re willing to talk,” Liu Qingqiao said, looking toward that VIP room.

“Sirs, I’m Tian Yi, sect master of Tianba Sect. Are you from Reincarnation Hall trying to go against my Tianba Sect?” Tian Yi frowned.

Qian Mo, chewing his meat with rising interest, responded lightly, “Oh.”

His voice echoed throughout the hall: “Oh—”

Everyone was stunned.

Tian Yi was embarrassed, his face flushing red.

“How dare you! My father spoke to you politely, and you’re so arrogant!” Tian Yu Han couldn’t stand it.

“Hey, isn’t that Tian Yu Han, the genius of Tianba Sect!”

“Yeah! Yeah!”

“Didn’t expect Tian Yu Han to come this time!”

Hearing this, Tian Yu Han raised his head proudly, radiating extraordinary aura.

“Who are you, kid? Adult matters are no place for children,” Qian Mo sneered, showing no mercy.

His words exploded across the hall!

“Wow! This guy’s awesome!”

“Daring to insult Tian Yu Han? He must be looking for trouble.”

“He’s impressive!”

...

The entire hall was in uproar. Even Liu Qingqiao was startled by his words.

Qian Mo’s remark had completely offended Tian Yu Han.

“I, I... damn... bastard!” Tian Yu Han immediately grew furious, clenching his fists, his anger soaring. Being humiliated in front of so many people, he was determined to settle the score no matter what.