Chapter 1178: Unexpected Developments

Ye Chen murmured to himself, "There's actually Dun Jia Tian Zi." His eyes shone with intense light, and he was determined to get that bronze furnace at all costs. Even if he had to spend his entire fortune, he would get it, as it was truly a divine treasure among treasures.

Below, exclamations of awe rose one after another. "What a treasure."

Many with keen eyes narrowed their gaze slightly. "Truly extraordinary."

"Tian Dun Tong Lu, starting bid is fifty thousand yuan shi," Zhang Shan Zhenren's voice was ethereal.

"Sixty thousand."

As soon as Zhang Shan Zhenren finished speaking, Ye Chen's voice rang out.

"Alright, we're out of the running." Many people sighed in disappointment, not forgetting to glance at the private room where Hua Tiandu was, thinking, Ye Chen has made his move—what are you waiting for? Get up and keep bidding!

However, after waiting for a long time, no sound came from that private room.

Inside, Hua Tiandu was still restrained, though he was behaving himself, his eyes had turned blood-red and ferocious, filled with endless killing intent. If not for the elders watching him, he would have risen to fight again.

The two elders from the divine dynasty stood on either side like statues, occasionally glancing at Hua Tiandu.

They had been sent from above specifically to keep an eye on their precious divine son.

The mysterious force had commissioned the Wangu Xing auction, and the commission fee was substantial, but it still wasn't enough for you to exploit like that.

Zhang Shan Zhenren glanced upward before speaking slowly, "Lingxiao Gong bids sixty thousand. Is there anyone else raising the price?"

"Want to bid, but don't dare," someone muttered while scratching their ear.

"Want to bid, but afraid it's a trap," another said while picking their nose.

"Spot on." Those simple words captured the sentiment of everyone present.

What kind of existence was Lingxiao Gong? Everyone knew it was one of the three major powers in this star domain. Who would dare compete with them for items, aside from Tianfu Shenchao and Gui Huang Zong?

Moreover, as for Ye Chen, everyone had seen his true colors—he was the epitome of a schemer. Hua Tiandu, the divine son, was a bloody example of that, having been outmaneuvered until he spat up three liters of blood.

As a result, the atmosphere at the auction turned awkward. What should have been a heated event was now eerily quiet. A valuable artifact worth several hundred thousand yuan shi had no takers.

Even Zhang Shan Zhenren's expression grew awkward; this strange scene was a first for him.

In his private room, Ye Chen couldn't help but smile. This outcome was perfect.

Bi You smiled too, understanding the reason, just as those below had said—they were all intimidated by Lingxiao Gong and Ye Chen.

Ahem!

After a moment, Zhang Shan Zhenren cleared his throat lightly. "Lingxiao Gong bids sixty thousand. Is there anyone else raising the price?"

"One hundred thousand."

No sooner had Zhang Shan Zhenren spoken than a mocking laugh came from the Gui Huang Zong private room.

"The Gui Huang Shenzi is making his move?" All eyes turned sharply toward it.

"Earlier, Ye Chen and Hua Tiandu were locked in a fierce battle, and that guy stayed silent the whole time. Now that they're done, he jumps in. It seems Ye Chen has quite a few enemies."

"This is going to be quite a show."

"Lingxiao Gong versus Gui Huang Zong—it's bound to be spectacular." Everyone sat up straight, ready to witness the drama.

Ye Chen looked toward the adjacent private room with a smile. "Does the Gui Huang Shenzi want to join the fun?"

"What's the matter? Got a problem?" The Gui Huang Shenzi reclined on his couch, smirking playfully.

"No objections here. May the best win." Ye Chen chuckled leisurely. "I'll bid two hundred thousand."

"Three hundred thousand." The Gui Huang Shenzi's words were casual.

"Four hundred thousand." Ye Chen quickly followed; this was something he was determined to have and wouldn't give up.

"One million."

"One million?" Below, sounds of sharp intakes of breath filled the air.

"Adding six hundred thousand in one go—that Gui Huang Shenzi is bold indeed."

"This is turning into a massive gamble."

"One million one hundred thousand." Ye Chen sat steadily, sipping his tea leisurely.

Bi You looked at Ye Chen with concern. "Ye Chen, the Gui Huang Shenzi has probably seen through your strategy."

"So be it. Let him enjoy himself fully." Ye Chen replied with a faint smile, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth. He had already calculated the Gui Huang Shenzi's limit, which was well within his own range. Money wasn't the issue—he truly wanted that Dun Jia Tian Zi.

"Two million." The Gui Huang Shenzi raised the bid again, shocking those below into spitting out their tea.

"I'll add one hundred thousand more." Ye Chen remained completely unfazed.

"You're really loaded, aren't you!" The Gui Huang Shenzi eyed Ye Chen's private room with interest.

"Blame it on my love for that bronze furnace." Ye Chen's laughter was ethereal.

"If you want it that badly, I'll let you have it." The Gui Huang Shenzi laughed, revealing two rows of stark white teeth.

"In that case, thank you, Shenzi." Ye Chen laughed too, his expression full of amusement.

"From what I can tell, the tension is thick." Below, some of the old folks started playing the fortune-teller again.

"What's going on with the schemer this time? Even bidding two million."

"Looks like even the schemer is slipping up."

"Two million one hundred thousand. Any further bids?" Zhang Shan Zhenren scanned the room, but no one responded.

"In that case, the Tian Dun Tong Lu goes to Lingxiao Gong." Zhang Shan Zhenren waved his hand to retrieve the bronze furnace, then swept his sleeve again to reveal an ancient scroll emanating an aura of antiquity.

"This is a secret manual of array formations, recording thirty-six offensive arrays and seventy-two defensive arrays. Starting bid at one hundred thousand."

"What a remarkable item." Someone commented, not forgetting to glance at the private rooms of Ye Chen, Hua Tiandu, and the Gui Huang Shenzi.

"One hundred ten thousand." In the silence, someone made a bid, drawing everyone's gaze—and Ye Chen's—as the bidder was the scholar disguised as a man.

"He hasn't spoken, and I almost forgot about him." Those sitting near the scholar muttered.

"One hundred twenty thousand." After the scholar, another bid came from none other than Hua Shi Hua Tian Laozu.

"Two hundred thousand." The scholar raised again.

"Two hundred ten thousand."

"Three hundred thousand."

"You're impressive; it's yours." Hua Shi Hua Tian Laozu took a deep breath and gave up.

"Thank you, fellow daoist." The scholar replied lightly, still flipping through his ancient book as if spending three hundred thousand yuan shi on an old scroll was no big deal.

"That person is no ordinary individual." In the private room, Bi You murmured.

"I can't discern his cultivation; he's definitely not just an ordinary Zhun Sheng—could even be a Sheng Ren." Ye Chen pondered.

"Truly a gathering of hidden masters."

"Absolutely not simple." Ye Chen added thoughtfully, his gaze on the scholar growing even deeper.

"By the way, was that bronze furnace really worth over two million yuan shi?" Bi You turned to Ye Chen.

"Of course it's worth it." Ye Chen smiled, glancing at the adjacent private room, his lips curving with amusement.

"What are you? How dare you spy on me?" The Gui Huang Shenzi seemed to sense Ye Chen's gaze and snorted coldly, his entire body glowing with divine light to conceal his aura.

"Shenzi, that young man is quite cunning; you'd best be cautious." At his side, a black-robed elder warned.

"I know he's cunning." The Gui Huang Shenzi smiled eerily. "That Bi Bo wench chose him over Hua Tiandu, which proves it well. I'm getting more and more interested in him."

"No matter what, Shenzi, you should still be careful. Our purpose here is the Qiong Qi Jing Gu; before it's auctioned, don't waste any more yuan shi on useless items."

"Do I need you to teach me?" The Gui Huang Shenzi scoffed. "Whatever the Shenzi wants, he gets."

"Qiong Qi Jing Gu." In his private room, Ye Chen, who had his eyes slightly closed, suddenly opened them, a smile playing on his lips—he had secretly overheard something.

"If you want the Qiong Qi Jing Gu for rebirth, then prepare nine million yuan shi." Ye Chen stretched his neck comfortably. "For making me spend an extra two million, you'll pay double the price."