Xue Beng Picks a Fight? Qian Renxue: Watch How You Die Later! (Seeking Follow-ups!)

As expected, under the prestige of the Crown Prince's Residence, this ten-thousand-year Snow Silkworm was successfully secured.

Immediately following, the main event took center stage.

The auctioneer lifted the red silk, revealing a piece of jade marrow that radiated a bone-chilling cold and was crystal clear.

"Next is one of the grand finales of this private auction: ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow! The starting bid is five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

Just as Xue Qinghe was about to bid, an arrogant and deliberate voice rang out from the neighboring box: "This Prince bids six hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins! This item, I, Xue Beng, must have!"

Shui Bing'er frowned, her voice low: "Xue Beng? He doesn't even possess an ice-attribute Martial Soul, so why is he fighting for this ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow?"

"He is doing it on purpose." Huang Yan sneered, his eyes turning cold. "As long as it is something 'Xue Qinghe' wants, he has to stick his oar in to disgust Sister Xiaoxue, and incidentally, to test her."

Qian Renxue's expression remained as calm as water; she did not even lift an eyelid, merely spitting out a number with indifference: "One million."

Inside the neighboring box, upon hearing the number "one million," Xue Beng's breathing visibly hitched. He gritted his teeth and, unwilling to show weakness, shouted again: "One million one hundred thousand! Big Brother, don't you usually advocate for frugality? Why are you throwing money around like dirt today for a mere item of extreme cold?"

Listening to Xue Beng's barbed questioning, Shui Bing'er looked at Qian Renxue with some concern: "Miss Qian, the price has already exceeded its value by too much. Although the ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow is rare, one million Gold Soul Coins is already its ceiling."

"It is of no consequence." Qian Renxue's expression remained indifferent, and she even picked up her teacup to take a sip. "The Heaven Dou Imperial Family lacks nothing but money. Since he wants to play, I shall play with him to the end. One million five hundred thousand."

To Qian Renxue, these were 'Xue Qinghe's' funds anyway. Overpaying for this Snow Silkworm was of no concern. It was a perfect opportunity to leave a good impression on Huang Yan.

Once this price was announced, the entire auction house fell instantly silent.

In the neighboring box, Xue Beng's face turned beet red. He clenched his fists tightly, and just as he was about to raise the bid again, he was held down by Prince Xue Xing, who reprimanded him in a low voice. In the end, he could only slam his hand onto the table in frustration and fall silent.

"One million five hundred thousand once, one million five hundred thousand twice, one million five hundred thousand thrice! Sold! Congratulations to the distinguished guest in the Heaven-tier Box One!"

As the auction gavel fell, Shui Bing'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze toward Qian Renxue becoming somewhat complex: "To have Miss Qian spend so much on my behalf, I truly do not know how to thank you."

Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, looking at Shui Bing'er with a gentle yet inscrutable smile on her lips: "Miss Bing'er, do not take it to heart. I have said before, since you are the disciple of Third Granduncle, you are naturally not an outsider. Furthermore..."

Speaking to this point, Qian Renxue paused deliberately, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Huang Yan as if by chance. "As long as it is beneficial to Huang Yan, mere Gold Soul Coins are nothing in the eyes of this Palace. If his Martial Soul Fusion Skill becomes stronger, it will also be a great asset to me, will it not?"

Although she said as much, Qian Renxue was also extremely dissatisfied in her heart regarding Xue Beng's deliberate price-gouging. In Qian Renxue's view, if it weren't for the need to maintain a certain level of restraint...

I should have let Xue Beng and the other two princes meet with an 'accidental death' a few years ago.

Xue Beng, just you wait!

Hearing the words "for Huang Yan," Shui Bing'er's grip on Huang Yan's arm tightened involuntarily, and that sense of crisis surged in her heart once more.

Seeing this, Huang Yan immediately smiled to smooth things over:

"Sister Xiaoxue, great kindness needs no thanks; I have noted this favor. If there is ever a time you need me to act, just say the word."

"Having your word is enough."

A flash of satisfaction crossed Qian Renxue's eyes, and she stood up.

"Let's go to the back office to finalize the transaction for the medicinal herbs. While we're at it, I should go see my 'dear brother' and see how spectacular his expression is right now."

The corridor of the Heaven Dou Auction House was somewhat dim.

Xue Beng walked toward them with a face so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water, while Prince Xue Xing followed behind him with an expressionless face.

"Big Brother certainly has a grand way of spending."

Xue Beng stopped in front of the three of them and let out a cold, sarcastic snort.

"Spending 1.5 million Gold Soul Coins on a lump of ice—I wonder what Father would think if he knew you were so extravagant?"

Qian Renxue stood with her hands behind her back, her expression remaining refined, yet her voice carried the authority of a crown prince:

"Fourth Brother, Father has always taught us that when one encounters a treasure, one must not let it slip away. This Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Marrow is of great use to Us, so naturally, We had to secure it. As for you, Fourth Brother, knowing full well that We were determined to have it, you still maliciously drove up the price, causing the auction house to earn several hundred thousand extra Gold Soul Coins for no reason. If Father asks about this senseless loss, I wonder how Uncle Xue Xing intends to explain it for you?"

Prince Xue Xing's expression shifted slightly. He tugged on Xue Beng's sleeve and said with a stiff, insincere smile:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince speaks too severely. Xue Beng is merely young and impulsive, and he was simply taken by the item. Since the item now belongs to Your Highness, we shall not disturb you further. Xue Beng, let's go."

Xue Beng glared fiercely at Huang Yan before flicking his sleeves and leaving in frustration.

Watching the two figures retreat, Huang Yan chuckled softly:

"His Highness the Prince's acting skills are becoming increasingly refined."

"A mere clown, pay him no mind."

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze and led the two into the back office.

The person in charge of the auction house had already been waiting there respectfully.

A moment later, two exquisite cold jade boxes were presented, containing the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Silkworm and the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Marrow.

Qian Renxue paid the Gold Soul Coins and pushed the two boxes directly toward Shui Bing'er:

"Miss Bing'er, please accept these."

Shui Bing'er looked at the jade boxes radiating an astonishing chill. Her hands trembled slightly as she hesitated:

"Your Highness, this is far too valuable. 1.5 million Gold Soul Coins—I am unworthy of such a gift."

"I have said before, there is no need for such formality between us."

Qian Renxue looked at her warmly, her tone carrying a note of unrefusable certainty.

"This Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Marrow is extremely difficult to find, and it will be of great benefit to your Ice Phoenix Martial Soul. If you can break through to become a Soul King or even a Soul Emperor sooner, the power of your Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Huang Yan will double. That is the greatest guarantee for my future plans. Therefore, this money was well spent."

Huang Yan also patted Shui Bing'er on the shoulder and said gently:

"Bing'er, since Sister Xiaoxue has said so, you should accept it. Great kindness needs no thanks; we will remember this favor."

Shui Bing'er glanced at Huang Yan, then back at the "Xue Qinghe" before her.

Finally, she took a deep breath, stored the jade boxes into her Soul Tool, and bowed:

"In that case, I will not refuse. Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity."

"No need to thank me."

Qian Renxue leaned slightly to the side to avoid the bow, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Shui Bing'er's elegant and refined face as she whispered with a mysterious smile:

"If you want to thank someone, thank yourself for finding a good man. If it weren't for him, this Palace would never have been willing to part with 1.5 million Gold Soul Coins."