Volume Two: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 0053: The Auction

The members of the Pan family were expelled, leaving everyone exchanging bewildered glances. Being thrown out was a minor issue; the real trouble would come afterward. Offending a master of the Profound Realm and having the audacity to flirt with Chen Tian’s sister was tantamount to seeking death in the most reckless way.

For a full hour, he and Chen Tian discussed only polite, high-sounding topics—utterly bland and devoid of substance. When he finally emerged, Wang Kun and the others approached, expressing their concern.

By now, the auction had already begun. Chen Momo, elegantly dressed and radiant, stood at the front with a microphone in hand, clearly serving as the host for this event. Her appearance was sweet and her voice as melodious as an oriole.

People around took their seats, smiling kindly as they watched the girl on stage.

“Esteemed elders, dear brothers and sisters, let us now look at the first treasure.”

“The Golden Silk Feather Fan contains a thousand strands of gold thread and is inlaid with Geng Stone. Gold is soft, but with Geng Stone added, the effect is entirely different—both its flexibility and hardness are greatly enhanced. The starting price is one million.”

“Heh, such a fine item should fetch at least ten million. I bid five million.” Several people began to call out prices, evidently optimistic about the fan.

In no time, the price was driven up, ultimately selling for fifty-six million.

Martial artists are rarely short of money; either they belong to large conglomerates or have powerful financial backers.

Chen Momo was stunned at the final price. She had hosted the auction at her brother’s request, never expecting such astronomical figures.

Ten treasures had been prepared for this auction; if each fetched such prices, the total would be several hundred million.

The auction continued, lively and bustling. Tian Ding Auction House only offered the finest goods—one exceptional blade was bid up to a staggering one billion, leaving him speechless.

Truly, only the wealthy could afford to play this game.

Shao Bing glanced at Qin Yang, his face filled with surprise. “Qin Yang, is there nothing here that catches your eye?”

Shaking his head, Qin Yang replied—these items were excellent, but none were of use to him.

Time passed swiftly, and soon they arrived at the final event—the highlight of the auction.

This last treasure had a starting price of one hundred million.

Chen Momo, now numb after her initial shock, quickly calculated that the total proceeds thus far amounted to roughly seven billion. She had always known her brother was wealthy, but never realized the extent—each auction brought in tens of billions.

Two men carried a blade onto the stage. To call it a blade was a misnomer, for it was broken—only half remained, a fractured sword.

The broken blade was inscribed with two characters: Starfall. This was the Starfall Blade, found by a martial predecessor in an ancient ruin. Its original owner remained a mystery—no ancient record could identify them.

The Starfall Blade weighed a thousand pounds. If it were whole, it would likely weigh between two and five thousand pounds, but the other half was lost.

The blade was pitch black, etched with faint blood-red veins, resembling the intricate network of human arteries.

Qin Yang’s heart skipped a beat as he gazed at the blade. For reasons unknown, it felt strangely familiar.

“Hehe, the Starfall Blade must have been forged from extraterrestrial meteorite. It’s incomparably tough—buying it won’t be a loss. In fact, it’s worth collecting, since meteorite is not easily obtained.”

Suddenly, a jolt went through his spirit. No wonder the blade seemed familiar—the Starfall Blade had belonged to his master. It was a divine weapon once used in battle against the Heavenly Dao, shattered and lost ever since. He never imagined he’d encounter it here.

A weapon of the Immortal-Slaying Emperor was not something the ordinary could hope to wield.

Everyone stared at the Starfall Blade, but no one called out a bid. Spending a fortune on a broken blade seemed unwise.

Seeing the awkward silence, Chen Tian stepped forward, smiling. “Haha, it seems no one is interested in the Starfall Blade. Let me say two things. If you’re still not interested, I’ll simply keep it for myself.”

“First, the Starfall Blade was discovered by me and another Profound Realm master. When we first approached, it radiated immense repulsion. It took extraordinary effort to retrieve it. We’ve studied it for years, yet its secrets remain hidden.”

“Second, considering its weight, what kind of person could wield a five-thousand-pound blade with ease? And who could break such a blade? It would require enormous strength.”

“In summary, the Starfall Blade must have a remarkable origin, though we have not uncovered it.”

“One hundred million,” Qin Yang intoned, raising his bidding paddle.

The crowd was clearly tempted by Chen Tian’s words. Still, if even Chen Tian could not unlock the blade’s secrets, how could they hope to?

“Two hundred million.”

No sooner had Qin Yang spoken than another voice sounded from the crowd. Everyone turned in astonishment—it was Wu Jian, a core disciple of the Sword Sect and one of the Four Elites, showing interest in the broken blade.

“Five hundred million,” came a bid from afar. A tall woman rose, clad in a black leather jacket that accentuated her figure.

“Leng Qianyou.”

The crowd grew excited; now two of the Four Elites had entered the fray.

Watching their bids, Qin Yang frowned. He had expected no competition, but evidently underestimated these people.

Wang Kun, Shao Bing, and Yang Cong looked at Qin Yang, surprised that his first foray into bidding had drawn such fierce competition—even more intense than usual.

“Haha, this blade is mine,” declared a wild, untamed voice. All eyes turned to the entrance—there stood a youth with fiery red hair.

“It’s Zhang Kuang, leader of the Four Elites!”

“Isn’t he supposed to be at the Tianwu Sect? What’s he doing here?”

“I bid one billion.” The speaker, in a white suit and black shoes with impeccably smooth hair, was Yu Chen, the fourth and final Elite.

Zhang Kuang’s face darkened. He had just claimed the blade, only to be outbid. His eyes narrowed. “Yu Chen, are you here just to provoke me?”

Yu Chen was undaunted, meeting Zhang Kuang’s gaze with icy calm. “Treasure goes to the fated, and to the highest bidder. If you want it, raise your bid—I’m not stopping you.”

“Courting death,” Zhang Kuang growled, barely containing his rage. But the setting was not suited for a fight; murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

“Fifteen hundred million!”

The bid came swiftly. The room fell silent. Qin Yang’s expression was grim—he had barely over three hundred million. If he wanted to win the Starfall Blade, he would need to go all out.

Wang Kun and the others saw Qin Yang’s longing for the blade. After a moment’s thought, they joined Shao Bing and Yang Cong in offering him a loan of three billion.

Grateful, he now had three billion plus his own three hundred million—enough for a total of three billion three hundred million. Whether it would be enough, he could not say.

Chen Tian’s smile never faded; fifteen hundred million was well beyond his expectations. He had hoped the broken blade might fetch a billion, given its toughness but uncertain origin—a fact that diminished its value.

“Two billion.”

Swish!

Everyone looked at Qin Yang, especially the Four Elites. They knew nothing of him until the chatter revealed he was a renowned martial artist from Xishan County.

Qin Yang of Beihai.

Zhang Kuang’s eyes burned with battle spirit. Yu Chen fanned his feather fan with the effortless grace of a wealthy heir. Wu Jian sat in his chair, his aura sharp as if a mighty sword were hidden within, ready to erupt.

Leng Qianyou regarded Qin Yang without surprise. Around her, no one dared stand close; the air was chill and forbidding.

Everyone was bewildered, staring at the Starfall Blade and wondering: could it truly be so extraordinary? Why else would these figures compete so fiercely?

But at this point, no others joined the bidding. The price was already sky-high, and competing with the Four Elites would be suicide.

Zhang Kuang’s eyes narrowed. “Two billion three hundred million.”

“Two billion five hundred million.”

“Two billion seven hundred million.”

“Three billion three hundred million.” It was his final bid, his body tense with anxiety—this was his limit. If the price went higher, he would let it go; without special means, the Starfall Blade was just a tough broken blade.

“Three billion five hundred million.” Instantly, the price was surpassed. Qin Yang slumped back in his chair, clearly withdrawing from the bidding. Failing to win the auction also brought him relief.

——————

Wu Jian stared at the Starfall Blade. Its blood-red veins resembled the patterns described in an ancient text, suggesting it had been forged by blood refinement.

The price was already astronomical; if bidding continued, no one knew where it would end.

Especially with Zhang Kuang, Yu Chen, and Leng Qianyou—who could tell what they knew?

His face clouded. “Five billion.”

Wow!

“Unbelievable, such a high bid.”

“Five billion—damn, the Four Elites really are loaded.”

Wu Jian stood, smiling at the crowd. The other three fell silent, clearly unwilling to continue. It wasn’t worth it.

Zhang Kuang eyed Wu Jian, lips curled in scorn—he’d see him in the ruins.

With that, the three withdrew from the bidding.

“Congratulations to Sword Sect disciple Wu Jian for winning the Starfall Blade.”

“Next, we’ll discuss the ruins. The Four Elites and those who won treasures need not pay the entry fee.” Chen Tian looked at his sister and then at Qin Yang, smiling. “Brother Qin need not pay either—you’ve done my sister a great favor.”

Chen Tian’s words placed Qin Yang squarely among the Four Elites, as if roasting him over coals.

Qin Yang of Beihai.

Male.

Age: Twenty-two.

Background unknown, identity mysterious. He possessed a technique that boosted his strength, with no apparent side effects. Many people were already eager for it; some had coveted it for quite some time.

Among them were several renowned figures of the ancient martial world.

Chen Tian began to explain the ruins and marked dangerous areas within.

He announced that the journey to Xishan was finally entering its main phase.

The mountains were filled with swamps and fog, and fierce beasts lurked within, though such dangers meant little to martial artists.

A thousand strong surged forward, leaping like agile monkeys as they traversed the mountain under cover of night.

Qin Yang followed, his pace steady but each step spanning more than ten meters. It was a contest of speed, and a covert competition.

He watched the Four Elites closely. Each was of the Daoist Realm, their inner dao perfectly concealed; without action, their depths remained hidden.

With such a mighty group, even spirits would flee—let alone lesser beasts.

Wu Jian was wild and ruthless, his hands moving as beasts fell in pools of blood. He was ferocious, even glancing back at Qin Yang, revealing a trace of murderous intent in his eyes.

This man harbored deadly intent toward him. Qin Yang realized the truth at last.

Xishan County.

Baihe breathed a sigh of relief as the crowd departed. With such unruly figures around, they feared trouble might break out. Luckily, Chen Tian’s deterrent was strong—he came swiftly and left just as fast. Watching the pensive enchantress, Baihe teased, “What’s wrong? Worried about him?”

“Master, not at all...”