Royal Auction House

"A promise?"

Hearing Lin Langtian's words, everyone in the Great Hall was stunned for a moment before looks of surprise appeared on their faces.

They had never imagined that Lin Langtian's gift upon their first meeting would be such an intangible promise.

Of course, it was not that promises held 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, the emperor of the Great Yan Empire—one promise from him could instantly elevate a beggar into a distinguished noble of the empire.

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

As the Lin Clan's foremost Genius, Lin Langtian's promise was indeed extremely 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 own principles. Wasn't that practically a blank check?

Huangpu Ying sneered from the side. "Brother Langtian, your gift is certainly unique. I'm afraid 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 dignified Super Sect. Why would she need your help?

I think Brother Langtian should refrain from overestimating himself and saying things that make everyone laugh."

As his words fell, the assembled Geniuses 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 ought to have been calm and powerful.

Why did he seem more like someone trying to get something for free now?

Wasn't he afraid of angering Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a superior sect, and ending up unable to even participate in the Hundred Dynasties War?

Yet under everyone's gaze, Lin Langtian merely looked calmly at Ling Qingzhu, utterly unruffled by favor or disgrace.

Everyone else believed that his promise was worthless to Ling Qingzhu, but Lin Langtian himself did not think so.

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

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

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

Of course, that was only a momentary fancy on Lin Langtian's part. The reason he offered a promise, aside from truly having no gift to give, was also 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 put Lin Langtian even more at ease. It would mean his Trump Card was disguised perfectly—even the young mistress of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace had not detected the slightest clue.

Gazing at the Green Shirt Youth before her, as calm and rippleless as a lake, Ling Qingzhu's Beautiful Eyes revealed a thoughtful look as well.

As the next Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she cultivated the palace's supreme martial art, the 'Supreme Induction Art.' It was an unfathomable martial art that only each successive Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace and their heir could cultivate.

This martial art possessed no power whatsoever and could not be used to repel enemies. Yet strangely, it was a compulsory course for every Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace throughout the generations.

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

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

With that thought, Ling Qingzhu looked at Lin Langtian and smiled faintly, breathtakingly beautiful like a blooming azure lotus.

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

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

As Ling Qingzhu's words fell, the Geniuses in the Great Hall all wore astonished expressions.

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

Upon hearing this, Qin Shi, who stood not far from Lin Langtian, revealed a bitter smile.

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

However, he was mild-tempered. Although Lin Langtian had overshadowed him during the gift-giving, he harbored no jealousy.

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

As Ling Qingzhu's loyal admirer and pursuer, he would never allow the goddess he yearned for day and night 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 was secretly speculating.

Could it be that Ling Qingzhu has truly seen what makes me different...

Lin Langtian knew well that, if not for the various fortuitous encounters after his rebirth, he would never have drawn the attention of Ling Qingzhu, Tianxuan Continent's favored daughter of heaven.

Ling Qingzhu's treatment of Lin Langtian in the Original Timeline proved exactly that.

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

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

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

"Hehe, everyone, to welcome my niece Qingzhu, I have specially prepared a Royal Auction House event. You may all participate enthusiastically later.

However, I have only one request: if there is anything my niece Qingzhu takes a liking to 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 Great Hall also responded one after another, "We naturally will not contend with Miss Qingzhu."

They all knew that this auction was originally part of the welcome ceremony the Imperial Family had prepared for Ling Qingzhu, and Ling Qingzhu was unquestionably its protagonist.

Besides, if Ling Qingzhu truly took a fancy to any auction item, they neither had the means nor the confidence to compete with her. In that case, they might as well go along with it.

Seeing this, Mo Jingtian nodded. He then summoned a royal attendant and had him lead everyone toward the Auction House.

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

Lin Langtian quickly led Lin Ke'er and the other person to a good seat near the auction platform.

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 felt no small amount of anticipation for the auction that was about to begin...