Fifteen Million vs. Fifty Cents

Zhang Yang was even more shocked. Organizing an auction like this meant enormous pressure and a mountain of painstaking work. Every step had to be error-free, with no one impersonating anyone else or maliciously bidding up prices on someone else's behalf.

Zhang Yang couldn't figure out how they managed it, but he had confirmed that mistakes were rare here. Unless someone deliberately caused trouble, that was. People who did that were no longer among the living.

Zhang Yang kept watching. As soon as the sixth lot was sold, he carried the Bronze Zun up onto the stage.

There was no need for pleasantries. Everyone wore masks, so no one knew anyone else. Even if they did, there was no need for such formalities.

Zhang Yang set the Bronze Zun on a square table. Lights converged on it as it rotated, giving everyone a clear view.

Of course, barring special circumstances, many people had already seen Zhang Yang's Bronze Zun before it went onstage. Collectors who liked it had studied it closely, though they had kept their opinions to themselves.

Zhang Yang stepped aside and waited for the result.

"Number seven: Bronze Four-Ram Square Zun."

After the Feathered Lady spoke, the appraisers from earlier came forward for another close look. They even brought out magnifying glasses. They nodded and exchanged glances, though none of them actually knew who the others were.

After a brief, quiet discussion, they gave the Feathered Lady their verdict.

The Feathered Lady raised her hand and called out, "Opening bid: eight million."

"What..." Zhang Yang was stunned. The opening bid was close to what he had paid. After all this trouble, what if he barely made a profit? If it failed to reach even his conservative estimate of twelve million, that would be embarrassing.

At last there