Chapter 108: A Broken Stone?

The lights at the auction hall suddenly dimmed.

Only the spotlight above the auction podium remained lit, drawing everyone's gaze to the center.

A beautiful hostess in a red mermaid‑tail dress gracefully walked onto the stage.

Her makeup was exquisite, her smile appropriate; she was Su Qing, the Yitian Pavilion's official auctioneer.

Her voice was clear and melodious, resonating through the speakers across the whole venue.

"Tonight we have prepared more than ten treasures for everyone, and we're sure they'll satisfy you all. Without further ado, let's see the first lot, the Red Silk Sword!"

As her words finished, two staff members wearing white gloves pushed a transparent display case onto the stage, inside which lay a long sword horizontally.

The blade was entirely tinged red, as if quenched in a layer of scarlet mist.

Fine dragon patterns were carved on the blade, and the hilt was wrapped with dark‑red shark‑silk rope, giving it an excellent grip.

Most notably, under the spotlight the blade emitted a faint red glow, instantly marking it as no ordinary weapon.

"This sword is called Red Silk, forged from western Red Iron over three years; its blade contains a faint fire‑type Spiritual Energy that can stir the air when swung, making it especially suitable for female warriors."

Su Qing gestured, and the display case slowly opened; even those in the front row could feel a slight warm breeze brushing their faces.

"The Red Silk Sword opens at one hundred million, with each bid increasing by at least ten million. Now, the auction begins!"

"One hundred twenty million!"

As Su Qing's words fell, someone in the first row downstairs raised a paddle—it was Lin Wenbo, the scion of the Lin family, a local magnate of Jiangcheng.

His tone carried a hint of casualness.

"This sword would suit my sister well; I'll start the price, and everyone, don't try to outbid me!"

"Heh, Young Master Lin, this sword isn't meant to be a trinket."

In the second row, a Nine-Grade Martial Artist named Duan Jian raised his paddle, his tone steady.

"One hundred fifty million; I'm in need of a handy weapon."

"Two hundred million!"

Another paddle was raised, and someone recognized the son‑in‑law of the Bai family from the Provincial Capital, Wang Ziguì.

He smiled and said, "This red iron is rare; buying it as a gift for my wife's collection would be worthwhile."

Wang Ziguì's wife is the eldest daughter of the Bai Family.

Everyone says he is an Upper Son‑in‑law, and it now seems truly so.

Nie Qianxue sat in the VIP Private Room, eyes fixed on the Red Silk Sword.

The sword's style and attributes were practically tailor‑made for her!

She inhaled deeply and shouted toward the outside, "Two hundred fifty million!"

The words caused the downstairs crowd to fall silent for a moment.

Only big‑shots could enter the VIP Private Room; many instinctively glanced toward the second floor, and no one immediately matched the bid.

But after a few seconds, a bodyguard in a black suit suddenly stood up, his voice booming, "Three hundred million! My lady wants it!"

"It's someone from the Du Family of the Provincial Capital!"

Someone let out a low exclamation; the Du Family is one of the Jiangnan Nine Great Families, stronger than the Ma Family, and no one wishes to offend them lightly.

Lin Wenbo and Duan Jian exchanged glances and both lowered their paddles.

Though wealthy, they were not bold enough to contest the Du Family for items.

Just as Su Qing thought the deal was sealed, Wang Ziguì kept raising his bid.

"Three hundred fifty million!"

"Five hundred million!"

The Du Family's bodyguard added his bid without hesitation.

"My lady has said she wants this sword! Please, Lord Wang, give us some face?"

Wang Ziguì frowned, hesitated for a few seconds, and then lowered his paddle.

The Du and Bai families are evenly matched in strength, yet Miss Du's standing within the Du Family is far higher than his.

Even if he fails to buy the Red Silk Sword and gets scolded by his wife, actually contending with the Du Family's eldest daughter would be even more troublesome.

Su Qing asked with a smile.

"Five hundred million for one! Any higher?"

The hall fell silent; Su Qing called out several times, yet no one responded.

After all, five hundred million is already a hefty sum for a single sword.

Moreover, it meant competing with that reckless Du Family's eldest daughter.

Seeing no competition, Su Qing loudly declared, "Heaven Seven Booth, five hundred million, sold!"

The moment the auction gavel fell, Nie Qianxue's hopeful expression collapsed instantly.

She leaned back in her chair, her tone tinged with disappointment.

"What a pity, five hundred million already exceeds my limit."

Jiang Feng turned his head toward her, unable to hold back.

"The Red Silk Sword is fine, but its fire‑type Spiritual Energy is too intense; you've just advanced to Six Grade Martial Artist, your inner power is still unstable, and wielding this sword could lead to a fire‑spirit mishap. When you have time later, I'll forge you an ice‑type long sword suited to your constitution, ten times stronger than this Red Silk Sword."

"Divine Doctor Jiang? You can also refine artifacts?"

Nie Qianxue sat up sharply, her eyes flashing instantly.

"Mr. Jiang, you're not joking, are you? Artifact‑refiners are rarer than Alchemists; there are hardly any in the whole Jiangnan Province! You really can?"

She had only known Jiang Feng's superb medical skill and prowess, never expecting him to also refine artifacts.

This is the ability to forge top‑tier weapons, even harder than alchemy!

Jiang Feng gave a faint nod, as if stating something perfectly ordinary.

"I previously studied under Master, and as long as we find suitable materials, forging a sword for you is not difficult."

Nie Qianxue's mood instantly shifted from disappointment to Excitement.

"Really? That's great! You don't need to worry about the materials; I'll have Nie Ying search for them. No matter how rare the materials are, I can find them!"

Li Lao, standing nearby, was also very surprised; he only knew that Jiang Feng could refine elixirs, and didn't expect him to also forge artifacts.

This is simply an all‑round genius!

Fortunately I specially applied for Jiang Feng to become a Royal Diamond Member.

Now that I look at it, Jiang Feng's value is even higher than he imagined!

While the two were talking, Su Qing had already begun introducing the second auction item.

This Time the staff pushed up not a display case but a black tray, covered with a red cloth.

"Esteemed guests, let's view the second auction item."

Su Qing reached out, lifted the red cloth, and revealed a palm‑sized black Stone.

The Stone's Surface is rough, without any luster, looking just like a casually picked pebble from the roadside.

"This Stone's origin is mysterious; it was discovered by Yitian Pavilion in an ancient tomb. After appraisal by several experts, its material and purpose remain unknown, but they can Certainty that it is not an ordinary Stone."

She paused briefly, then added.

"Considering that everyone knows little about it, this auction item has no minimum starting price, no limit on bid increments; you may bid as you wish!"

The moment those words were spoken, a wave of discussion instantly rose in the venue.

"What is this? It looks like a broken Stone!"

"Why is Yitian Pavilion bringing out this kind of thing for auction? Could it be a scam?"

"Anyone who buys it is foolish! Spending wasted money on a broken Stone is worse than buying the Red Silk Sword we just saw!"

No one raised a sign; everyone thought the Stone was worthless.

Su Qing waited a few seconds, the smile on her face was a bit Stiffening, and it seemed she was about to break down.

Su Qing was thinking how to smooth things over when Jiang Feng suddenly said to Li Lao, "Fifty million, I'll take it."

Jiang Feng's Tone could not hide his Excitement.

Because he Recognition that it was exactly the Langhuan Jade Master Xuan Yuan Zhenren had mentioned!

Li Lao Immediately shouted to Outside, "Tianzi No. 1 Box bids fifty million!"

"What? Fifty million for a broken Stone?"

"Is the person in this VIP box crazy?"

Su Qing also froze, hesitating for a moment.

"Fifty million at once! Is there anyone to raise the price?"

The venue still remained silent, only the ebb and flow of mocking voices.

At that moment, a cool female voice suddenly came from the second floor.

"I'll bid one hundred million."