Chapter 48: Bankruptcy

## Chapter 48: Stripped Bare

At this moment, the fourth auction item was presented by Elder Yang. It was still a spirit tool, an exquisite tower emitting seven colors of divine light. Around it, seven-colored divine radiance swirled like wandering dragons, surging with power.

"The Seven-Colored Exquisite Tower, starting bid of eighty thousand."

The Seven-Colored Exquisite Tower seemed to possess greater influence than the previous three spirit tools. The moment it was revealed, the atmosphere in the Heavenly Pavilion instantly heated up, especially with the participation of the cultivation world's prominent families.

"One hundred thousand."

"One hundred and fifty thousand."

"Two hundred thousand."

With the cultivation world families entering the fray, the auction became exceptionally lively.

Particularly the families with longstanding animosities, finally finding a reason to confront each other. Howls of contention echoed throughout the Hidden Dragon Pavilion.

Beyond the competition, a thick scent of gunpowder permeated the Hidden Dragon Pavilion. Cold glares shot out in every direction. If fighting were not prohibited here, these major sects would likely have leaped out to engage in a chaotic battle long ago.

In this land, cultivation world families emerged in endless succession, their various grudges stretching back through time. The auction at the Netherworld Black Market brought them together, providing an excellent platform. Though they couldn't spill blood, they could at least engage in a life-or-death struggle over prices. The prerequisite, of course, was having the necessary funds.

"Thirty thousand." From below, a white-haired old Daoist gritted his teeth and finally called out a price.

"What? Do you wish to be annihilated?" From an elegant room above, a sinister laugh resonated. Listening closely, it originated from the Bloodthirsty Hall's elegant room. The words carried an extreme threat, instantly making the white-haired old Daoist tremble.

"No, I don't want to." The white-haired old Daoist hastily withdrew, fearing to incur the wrath of the Bloodthirsty Hall and bring calamity upon his family.

"Consider yourself sensible."

The auction continued. The next few items were all spirit tools.

Round after round of bidding unfolded, the excitement rising and falling. Terrifying spirit tools were presented one after another, causing the voices of the onlookers below to boil over.

Soon, a rusty black iron rod was brought onto the high platform.

"An iron rod, starting bid of ten thousand. Let the bidding begin." Elder Yang seemed tired, letting out a yawn, and spoke very casually.

Hm?

The moment this iron rod was presented, Ye Chen, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the corner, suddenly opened them. His True Fire trembled.

A treasure!

Ye Chen's eyes became dazzlingly bright.

He couldn't help but glance at the iron rod. To be more precise, it was just an iron rod, entirely black, speckled with rust, uneven and dented. Several parts were even damaged. No matter how one looked at it, it didn't appear extraordinary in the slightest.

Just like Ye Chen, the cultivators below also widened their eyes, scrutinizing the iron rod.

"What is this?" someone questioned, looking at Elder Yang with suspicion.

"Didn't I say? An iron rod." Elder Yang glanced at that person. "Of course, you can also treat it as firewood."

Upon hearing this, not only that person, but everyone's mouths twitched. You're being too casual!

Elder Yang's casual words caused the cultivators below to curl their lips.

"So worthless, definitely not a treasure!"

"The appearance is too ugly."

"Even if I had money, I wouldn't buy it."

"Does no one want it?" Looking below and seeing no response, Elder Yang was about to retrieve the iron rod.

"Wait." Just at this moment, a voice came from the corner. "I want this iron rod."

Eh?

The sudden declaration caused everyone present to turn their heads.

Naturally, the speaker was Ye Chen. Rarely encountering a treasure that caused his True Fire to tremble, he would never let it go.

"Senior, ten thousand spirit stones, I want it."

"Are you sick! Spending ten thousand spirit stones on a broken iron rod?" Xiong Er, standing beside him, couldn't help but scold.

"It's cheap!"

"I rely."

Their exchange instantly provoked a burst of laughter. The old folks were all amused by Ye Chen and Xiong Er.

"If no one adds to the price, then this iron rod belongs to this young friend…"

"Wait." Elder Yang's words were interrupted by a voice. "Eleven thousand. This iron rod, my Zhengyang Sect will take."

Eh?

A chorus of surprised sounds filled the hall. Everyone looked towards the source of the voice. The one who had called out the price was none other than Elder Wu Changqing of the Zhengyang Sect. His posture was arrogant, and the meaning in his words seemed to declare that this iron rod was already in his grasp.

In the corner, Ye Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He added to the price again, "I'll bid twelve thousand."

Upon hearing this, another wave of surprised sounds rippled through the crowd.

"Who is this kid!"

"Daring to compete with the Zhengyang Sect, and over a rusty black iron rod at that."

"Eight out of ten his brain is waterlogged."

Amidst the noise, Wu Changqing let out a leisurely laugh. "Boy, do you know who you are competing with?"

"Elder, are you trying to scare me?" Ye Chen glanced at the elegant room on the second floor.

"Very good, you have backbone." Wu Changqing's laugh was tinged with playfulness. "It's been a long time since anyone dared to compete with my Zhengyang Sect. Since that's the case, I'll humor you. I'll bid twenty thousand spirit stones."

"Twenty-one thousand." Ye Chen's voice immediately rang out.

"Thirty thousand."

"Thirty-one thousand." Ye Chen followed immediately, a cold smile playing on his lips. He had already planned to stake his entire fortune and go head-to-head with Wu Changqing, even if not for the iron rod, then at least to get back at them for being heartlessly driven down the mountain that day.

"Very good, I'll bid forty thousand." Wu Changqing's words still carried a mocking tone. Several tens of thousands of spirit stones were truly not worth mentioning in his eyes.

"One hundred thousand."

Cough, cough…!

Ye Chen truly spoke with a shocking disregard for consequences. His single sentence nearly choked everyone present.

"I rely, are you crazy?" Xiong Er couldn't help but scold Ye Chen.

Ye Chen ignored him, but couldn't help but raise his head, looking towards the elegant room on the second floor. He smiled. "Elder, are you still enjoying playing this way?"

"Only one hundred thousand." Wu Changqing evidently didn't expect Ye Chen to immediately bid a hundred thousand. This caused his face to turn somewhat somber. He was an elder of a sect, yet his bidding momentum was being suppressed by a junior. How could he not be angry?

"One hundred and ten thousand." Wu Changqing let out a cold laugh. "Boy, if you have the guts, bid higher."

"Two hundred thousand."

Pfft!

I pfft…!

The moment these words were spoken, the sound of spitting water filled the air below.

"Whose kid is this!"

"Two hundred thousand, what great momentum!"

At this point, Ye Chen had thoroughly become the focus.

Even Elder Yang on the high platform couldn't help but reveal a look of shock. A junior daring to compete with the Zhengyang Sect was something he couldn't ignore.

Presently, too many people couldn't help but turn around and look over.

Ye Chen, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened, leisurely sipping his tea.

He knew that when it came to wealth, he was no match for Wu Changqing. However, for that treasure, he still decided to gamble with Wu Changqing. Even if he couldn't acquire the treasure, he wanted to make Wu Changqing spend more spirit stones.

Of course, two hundred thousand was his limit. This was even including the jade spirit liquid. He had originally planned to use it to buy profound steel and profound iron. Now, it seemed he was going to go wild here.

Looking at Wu Changqing again, his face had already turned iron-blue.

How could he have imagined that a junior would dare to openly compete with the Zhengyang Sect and bid two hundred thousand?

He wasn't short on money, but using two hundred thousand to buy a broken iron rod was indeed very unreasonable.

Now he was in a dilemma. To buy it was not worth it, but not to buy it would mean losing face, not just for himself, but the entire Zhengyang Sect would become the laughingstock of everyone present.

"Two hundred and ten thousand, if you have the ability, bid higher!" Under the gaze of countless eyes, Wu Changqing still gritted his teeth and added to the price.

Now, it was Ye Chen's turn to be in a difficult position. Two hundred thousand was his limit.

"Boy, do you really want that iron rod?" Seeing Ye Chen's predicament, Xiong Er whispered.

Ye Chen lightly nodded.

Seeing this, Xiong Er immediately took out a storage bag from his pants. "I only have three hundred thousand here. I'll lend it to you. Remember to return it to me a thousand times over."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen was somewhat taken aback. He had never expected Xiong Er to be so loyal at such a crucial moment. This caused a warm current to flow through his heart.

"Worst case, I'll come again next time!" Xiong Er shrugged.

"Thanks." Ye Chen gave a grateful smile.

"Three hundred thousand." As his voice rang out, it again caused a sensation throughout the hall. At this moment, even the perpetually cold and indifferent Ji Ningshuang couldn't help but cast a surprised glance. Upon seeing Ye Chen wearing a mask, her beautiful eyebrows still slightly furrowed.

Looking at Wu Changqing's face again, it was already terrifyingly somber. A cold light flashed in his eyes, revealing a clear killing intent.

"If you harbor killing intent again, don't blame me for being impolite." Sensing Wu Changqing's killing intent, Elder Yang couldn't help but say in a deep voice.

Being publicly rebuked, Wu Changqing's fists in his sleeves clenched, making a crackling sound. He gritted his teeth and said, "I'll bid three hundred and ten thousand."

"Five hundred thousand."

"This kid wants to defy the heavens!" Immediately, the gaze of everyone in the hall shot over.

Who would have thought that an iron rod, considered junk, would be bid up to the sky-high price of five hundred thousand? Throughout this auction, perhaps only this one item had reached such a high price.

Bang!

A table and chair were smashed in the Zhengyang Sect's elegant room. Wu Changqing was thoroughly enraged.

But ultimately, he didn't add to the price again. Several tens of thousands of spirit stones were not worth mentioning, but five hundred thousand spirit stones was not a small sum. Although he was a sect elder, he ultimately didn't have the audacity to spend five hundred thousand spirit stones on a broken iron rod.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Wu Changqing did not speak further. This caused Ye Chen to let out a deep breath. "Five hundred thousand, I hope you won't disappoint me."

Saying this, Ye Chen still didn't forget to glance at the iron rod on the platform.

"Since no one has added to the price, this iron rod belongs to that young friend." Elder Yang struck the hammer, sealing the deal.

Several more spirit tools were auctioned afterwards. Although the prices were not low and the bidding was lively, none were as thrilling as the bidding for that iron rod.

As the sun set in the west, today's auction came to a close.

"Today's auction ends here. It will continue tomorrow. Those who have won bids, bring your money and return to the hall to claim your items."

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