Royal Auction

"An oath?"

At Lin Langtian's words, everyone in the hall was taken aback, and surprise appeared on their faces.

None of them had expected Lin Langtian's gift upon meeting them to be such an intangible promise.

Of course, it was not because promises had no value. Rather, the value of a promise depended primarily on who made it; it varied from person to person.

A promise from a top expert could be called priceless. Take Mo Jingtian, Emperor of the Great Yan Empire—one promise from him could instantly transform a beggar, elevating him into a respected member of the empire's upper class.

But if it were a beggar's promise, it would naturally be worthless and beneath anyone's notice.

As the Lin Clan's foremost genius, Lin Langtian's promise was indeed quite valuable within the Great Yan Empire. But what value could it possibly hold for Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a Super Sect?

Moreover, the promise required that it be within his capabilities and not violate his principles. Was that not simply an empty check?

Huangpu Ying sneered from the side. "Brother Langtian, your gift truly is unique. I fear none of the gentlemen present have put as much thought into their gifts as you have.

"But who is Qingzhu? She is a disciple of a grand Super Sect. Why would she need your help?

"I think Brother Langtian should not think too highly of himself and say things that only make everyone laugh."

As his words fell, the geniuses present all looked at Lin Langtian with strange expressions.

Some had met Lin Langtian before, while others had merely heard of his reputation. Yet in everyone's impression, this foremost genius of the Lin Clan should have been calm and powerful.

Why did he now seem like such a freeloader?

Was he not afraid of angering Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a major sect, and losing even his chance to participate in the Hundred Dynasties War?

Yet under everyone's gaze, Lin Langtian merely looked at Ling Qingzhu calmly, neither elated by favor nor dejected by disgrace.

Everyone else believed his promise held no value for Ling Qingzhu, but Lin Langtian did not think so.

After all, he was a man determined to step into the Ancestral Realm.

He had even thought of his title already: Lin Langtian's Heaven, known as the Heavenly Ancestor.

A promise from a dignified Heavenly Ancestor like himself could certainly be called priceless.

Naturally, this was merely Lin Langtian's spur-of-the-moment fantasy. The reason he had offered a promise was not only because he truly had no gift to give, but also because he wanted to test Ling Qingzhu.

If she had truly seen through some of his secrets and recognized his potential, she clearly would not consider his promise worthless.

And if Ling Qingzhu dismissed it with disdain, that would reassure Lin Langtian even more. It would mean his hidden cards were disguised perfectly, and even the Young Palace Mistress of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace had noticed nothing amiss.

Looking at the green-robed youth before her, as tranquil and rippleless as a lake, a thoughtful look appeared in Ling Qingzhu's beautiful eyes.

As the next Palace Mistress of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she cultivated the palace's supreme martial art, the Supreme Induction Art. It was an enigmatic art that only each generation's Palace Mistress and successor of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace could cultivate.

This martial art possessed no offensive power and could not be used to repel enemies. Yet strangely, it was a compulsory course for every Palace Mistress throughout the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace's history.

The moment she had seen Lin Langtian earlier, she had sensed, through the Supreme Induction Art, an endless expanse of terrifying Black Flame within him.

Although Ling Qingzhu suspected that she might have sensed it wrongly, she would rather believe it existed than believe it did not. Thus, Lin Langtian had indeed left an impression unlike anyone else in her mind.

At that thought, Ling Qingzhu smiled faintly at Lin Langtian, as breathtakingly beautiful as a blooming Green Lotus.

"Hehe, although Young Master Langtian's gift is unusual, it is the most precious gift Qingzhu has received today.

"If Qingzhu requires help in the future, I hope Brother Langtian will not forget the promise he made in the Imperial Palace of the Great Yan Empire."

As Ling Qingzhu's words fell, the geniuses in the hall all revealed astonished expressions.

No one had expected Lin Langtian's mere verbal promise to truly win the favor of Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a Super Sect.

Qin Shi, standing not far from Lin Langtian, wore a bitter smile upon hearing this.

Did this not mean that Lin Langtian's intangible promise was actually more precious than his Earth-grade Spirit Treasure?

However, he was easygoing by nature. Though Lin Langtian had overshadowed him during the gift-giving, he harbored no jealousy.

In contrast, when Huangpu Ying saw Ling Qingzhu's special attitude toward Lin Langtian, intense envy and hatred flashed through his dark eyes as he looked at Lin Langtian.

As Ling Qingzhu's devoted admirer and pursuer, he would never allow the goddess he yearned for to be tainted by anyone.

Not even if that person was Lin Langtian of the Lin Clan!

While everyone marveled at Lin Langtian's good fortune in winning Ling Qingzhu's favor with nothing more than a promise, Lin Langtian himself began to speculate.

Could it be that Ling Qingzhu really saw what makes me different...

Lin Langtian knew well that without the various fortuitous encounters he had experienced after his rebirth, he would never have gained the attention of Ling Qingzhu, the favored daughter of heaven on the Heavenly Profound Continent.

Ling Qingzhu's attitude toward Lin Langtian in the original timeline proved precisely that.

Thinking of this, Lin Langtian felt a faint sense of worry.

Fortunately, judging from Ling Qingzhu's attitude, she did not seem to harbor any ill intentions toward him.

As Lin Langtian pondered, Mo Jingtian clapped his hands, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"Hehe, everyone, in order to welcome my niece Qingzhu, I have specially arranged a Royal Auction. You may participate enthusiastically later.

"However, I have only one request. If Qingzhu sees anything she likes at the auction, none of you are to compete with her for it," Mo Jingtian said with a hearty laugh.

Hearing this, Ling Qingzhu smiled slightly at Mo Jingtian. "Thank you for your consideration, Uncle Mo."

The geniuses in the hall also responded in unison, "We naturally will not compete with Miss Qingzhu."

They all knew that this auction was originally part of the Imperial Clan's welcoming ceremony for Ling Qingzhu, and Ling Qingzhu was undoubtedly its true protagonist.

Besides, if Ling Qingzhu truly took a liking to any auction item, they neither had the means nor the confidence to compete with her. It was better to go along with it.

Seeing this, Mo Jingtian nodded, then summoned an Imperial Clan attendant to lead everyone toward the auction venue.

After following the crowd through a long passageway, Lin Langtian found himself before a luxurious venue capable of accommodating several thousand people.

Lin Langtian swiftly led Lin Ke'er and the others to a good spot near the auction platform and sat down.

Yet to Lin Langtian's surprise, just as he sat down, Ling Qingzhu took a seat not far from him.

Shaking his head, Lin Langtian stopped paying attention to her. Instead, he found himself greatly looking forward to the auction that was about to begin...