After Nian Ci finished her explanation, she immediately announced the reserve price.
"The Hundred Spirits Ginseng starts at... one hundred million!"
This announcement instantly deterred nearly half of the people present.
Although they were all wealthy, a starting bid of one hundred million meant that the combined net worth of many in the room barely reached that amount. To spend all their assets for a martial artist identity was quite unadvantageous.
While Innate martial artists weren't as common as weeds on the street, they weren't so rare either.
Moreover, even though Innate martial artists were treated with respect wherever they went, few could earn a hundred million.
Even if someone hired an Innate martial artist as a bodyguard, earning a hundred million would be difficult.
However, many wealthy individuals with assets in the billions or tens of billions had already begun bidding.
"One hundred and ten million!"
"One hundred and fifty million!"
"Two hundred million!"
...
Soon, the price reached ten billion.
Many people gave up at this point.
Losing ten billion in an instant, no matter how rich one was, couldn't withstand such a blow.
Besides, even if they became Innate martial artists, could they earn back ten billion?
Thinking this, many people withdrew from the bidding.
Only less than one-fifth of the attendees remained in the auction.
These were all affluent individuals from the capital with net worths of over ten billion.
"Ten billion and one hundred million!"
"Ten billion and five hundred million!"
...
"Twenty billion!" At this moment, a resounding voice came from the second floor.
Everyone was stunned by the "twenty billion" bid and looked towards the second floor.
There, Chu Zi Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes narrowed.
"Hmph," Chu Zi Feng snorted coldly.
"What are you all looking at? This young master has bid twenty billion. If you have the money, add more. If not, get lost and don't waste this young master's time."
Chu Zi Feng, still feeling the humiliation from Qin Xuan earlier, took out all his frustration on the people present.
As soon as Chu Zi Feng spoke, the entire auction hall fell silent.
No one dared to bid further.
Putting aside whether they could win the bid, they would incur the wrath of the Chu family, one of the major aristocratic families in the capital.
The Chu family had numerous Innate martial artists, many masters of Hua Jin, and even several Grandmasters.
They could be wiped out at any moment.
Therefore, everyone was sensible and felt only a tinge of regret.
They had missed an opportunity to become martial artists.
Seeing that no one was bidding higher, Chu Zi Feng nodded with satisfaction.
His mood improved slightly.
"Alright, no need to ask. Announce the result directly," Chu Zi Feng said, glancing at Nian Ci.
Nian Ci paused for a moment, then reacted and was about to strike the gavel.
"The Hundred Spirits Ginseng, bid by Young Master Chu at twenty billion, is sold... "
"Thirty billion!" Just as Nian Ci was about to finish her sentence, a powerful voice rang out forcefully.
Everyone gasped.
Thirty billion!
That was thirty billion!
Who was this audacious individual, so wealthy and, more importantly, daring to compete with the Chu family's Young Master Chu!
Everyone looked up and saw the origin of the voice.
It came from Qin Xuan's private room.
"Brother, are you crazy!" Ling'er exclaimed, pulling Qin Xuan's hand in surprise.
"That's thirty billion! Oh, brother, are you foolish? Where did you get so much money!"
"Even if you have it, you shouldn't squander it like this! You're so powerful, you must be at least an Innate martial artist, so why are you buying this thing!"
As she spoke, Ling'er reached out and touched Qin Xuan's forehead, confirming he didn't have a fever before retracting her hand. She remained confused, unable to understand why Qin Xuan was bidding so wildly.
Qin Xuan remained silent, closing his eyes to rest.
On the balcony, Chu Zi Feng was so angry he was pounding the railing.
"Damn it! You clearly are a Grandmaster martial artist, so why are you competing with me for this ginseng!"
"A Grandmaster like you has no use for this thing! I see you're deliberately trying to provoke me!"
Chu Zi Feng could no longer restrain himself and directly cursed towards Qin Xuan's private room.
Immediately after his outburst, a supremely arrogant voice echoed throughout the hall.
"That's right, you're right. I am deliberately trying to provoke you."