Auction Turmoil

Ya Fei carefully held the jade bottle containing the Purple Crystal Source, feeling the vast energy within it and barely able to contain her excitement.

She took a deep breath, suppressed her turbulent emotions, and restored the breathtaking professional smile to her face. Softly, she said to Mo Lin, "Please rest assured, sir. Ya Fei will certainly do everything in her power to make this item shine at the auction. May I ask how I should address you? And after the auction, how should the payment be delivered?"

From beneath his cloak, Mo Lin's voice remained hoarse and indifferent. "There's no need for a name. After the auction ends, I'll come find you myself."

His tone carried an unquestionable confidence, as though he were certain the auction would succeed and everything was firmly under his control.

That inscrutable attitude only made Ya Fei feel that he was even more unfathomable.

She asked no further questions and gave a slight bow. "In that case, Ya Fei will await your good news, sir. The auction will be held three days from now. I hope you will honor us with your presence."

Mo Lin nodded slightly, then added in a casual yet unyielding tone, "Oh, and for this auction, my commission can be calculated at ten percent of the final price."

He had directly lowered the commission rate to far below industry convention, as if the enormous fee meant nothing to him.

A flicker of astonishment crossed Ya Fei's beautiful eyes before it turned into even deeper respect. She hurriedly replied, "Yes, Ya Fei understands. Everything will be handled according to your wishes, sir."

Mo Lin said no more and turned to leave. His black cloak swept out in a crisp arc behind him, without the slightest hint of reluctance.

Watching his departing figure vanish beyond the door, a sharp gleam flickered in Ya Fei's peach-blossom eyes. Gently rubbing the warm jade bottle, she murmured, "Companion Purple Crystal Source... He casually brought out something this precious, and lowered the commission without a second thought... This man is far from ordinary. Perhaps... he is the key to breaking my deadlock in Wutan City?"

She had already placed this mysterious man in an extremely important position in her heart.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Over those three days, Wutan City was thrown into a complete frenzy by the news that the Mietel Auction House would be auctioning off the "Companion Purple Crystal Source"!

Ya Fei used every channel at her disposal to spread the news not only throughout Wutan City, but also to several surrounding cities. Even some major families and factions in the Jia Ma Sacred City caught wind of it.

To Fire Attribute cultivators, the Companion Purple Crystal Source was an invaluable treasure that could only be encountered by chance. Its allure was deadly!

On the day of the auction, the Mietel Auction House was packed to the brim, and the atmosphere was heated to its peak.

Not only were all the patriarchs of Wutan City's three great families present, but even some rarely seen independent Da Dou Shi cultivators, along with mysterious buyers who had come from other cities and even the Imperial Capital, appeared at the venue. The scale of the auction and the tension in the air far surpassed anything seen before.

The local forces of Wutan City, such as the Gale Family and the Ouba Family, could not help but feel enormous pressure in the face of these powerful outsiders. Some practically trembled with fear, and their confidence in securing the treasure was shrouded in gloom.

Still dressed in black, Mo Lin silently appeared in an inconspicuous private room in a corner of the auction house's second floor.

Through the specially made glass window, he looked down at the noisy, unfamiliar crowd below. His gaze remained calm, as though none of the commotion had anything to do with him.

Ya Fei personally hosted the auction. Today, she wore an even more dazzling red cheongsam threaded with gold, outlining her graceful figure in a breathtaking fashion. Every smile and frown carried endless charm, yet she also exuded an unquestionable air of control that firmly drew the attention of everyone present.

One precious auction item after another was brought forth, and bids rose and fell as the atmosphere grew increasingly feverish.

Mo Lin had little interest in the earlier items and merely rested with his eyes closed, until the auction neared its end and the atmosphere had been driven to its highest point.

At last, in a voice that was bone-meltingly seductive yet solemn, Ya Fei grandly presented the finale—the Companion Purple Crystal Source!

The moment the jade bottle containing the purple orb of light appeared on the display platform, the entire auction house fell silent. Then, earth-shaking cries of surprise and greedy gasps erupted.

Rich fire energy swept through the entire hall. Even through the protective barrier, those seated in the front rows felt a wave of scorching heat!

"The Companion Purple Crystal Source. Starting bid: eight hundred thousand gold coins!" Ya Fei declared, her red lips parting to announce a sky-high price that made countless people gasp.

Yet that price did not frighten off the frenzied bidders in the slightest. The true contest had only just begun!

"Nine hundred thousand!"

"One million!"

"One million one hundred thousand!"

"One million two hundred thousand!"

The price soared madly as if riding a flying magical beast! Not only did the patriarchs of Wutan City's Gale and Ouba Families bid desperately, but buyers from other cities and even the Imperial Capital also joined the fray. Before long, the price broke through the one-million-five-hundred-thousand mark!

The auction house was filled with nothing but successive bids and heavy breathing.

In his private room, Mo Lin's lips curled into a cold smile. This was precisely the effect he wanted. Only by muddying the waters could he test their depths, and it would also allow Ya Fei's reputation to reach its peak.

In the end, after a nearly brutal struggle, this bottle of Purple Crystal Source was won by a mysterious black-robed man from the Imperial Capital for the staggering price of one million seven hundred eighty thousand gold coins!

This price not only set a new record in Wutan City's auction history, but would have caused a sensation even in the Jia Ma Sacred City!

The entire venue erupted! Standing on the stage, Ya Fei's lovely face was flushed with an enchanting red from excitement, her chest rising and falling slightly. She had succeeded!

Through this auction, she had not only established a firm foothold in Wutan City, but also dropped a bombshell within the entire Mittel Family!

Once the auction ended, the crowd gradually dispersed amid shock and discussion.

Mo Lin quietly left his private room. Rather than going backstage, he merged into the departing crowd like Gui Mei. He removed his black robe and returned to the appearance of an ordinary young man.

As he walked along the bustling street, preparing to return to the inn, he suddenly noticed that Wutan City was especially lively today. Many young faces, filled with excitement and anticipation, were streaming toward the central plaza.

Special banners had also been hung along both sides of the street.

"I heard today is the day Jia Nan Academy is recruiting students!"

"Yeah, the testing site is at the central plaza! Hurry and take a look. Maybe we'll get to see some geniuses!"

The discussions of passersby reached Mo Lin's ears.

Jia Nan Academy recruitment? Mo Lin's heart stirred.

He remembered that in the original work, Xiao Yan had successfully challenged an instructor during this recruitment event and shown off. And Xiao Xun'er, the Ancient Clan young lady hidden within the Xiao Family, would certainly be there as well.

"Going to take a look wouldn't hurt." Mo Lin's lips curved slightly as a hint of interest flashed through his eyes.

He changed direction and followed the crowd toward Wutan City's central plaza.

He wanted to see what the Xiao Family was like now, and what kind of sight Xiao Xun'er, who hid her true depths so well, would present.

This could be considered one last little bit of "after-show entertainment" before collecting his money.

He did not know that while he headed toward the plaza, Ya Fei was anxiously yet expectantly waiting backstage at the auction house for the mysterious Black Robe Man to appear again, her heart filled with endless fantasies and ambition for the future.