The moment Qin Xuan spoke, a collective gasp of shock rippled through the onlookers. Who was this person, so audacious? Not even members of the other aristocratic families dared to address the Young Master Chu with such boldness.
"If you have the guts, come out and show yourself! What kind of coward hides their face?" Chu Zifeng, unable to contain his anger, yelled towards Qin Xuan's private room.
As soon as Chu Zifeng finished his tirade, he expected someone from the opposite room to appear. Instead, a calm, indifferent voice echoed out.
"You are not worthy."
Arrogant! Unbelievably arrogant! Chu Zifeng's teeth gnashed in fury, but he knew the occupant of the private room was a Grandmaster. With only a Houtian martial artist by his side, he was no match. If he pushed too hard, his life might be in danger today. Thus, Chu Zifeng could only swallow his pride. He resolved to inform the Grandmasters in his family to avenge him once he returned home.
Wasting no more time on Qin Xuan, Chu Zifeng declared loudly,
"Fifty billion!"
The hearts of those present, which had just begun to settle, leaped back into their throats. Fifty billion! That was an astronomical sum! How many people in this hall could even afford such an amount? The crowd marveled at the Young Master Chu's immense wealth, exclaiming that the item was not worth half that much. The value of a Xiantian martial artist was far from this figure.
After speaking, Chu Zifeng stared intently at Qin Xuan's private room.
Inside the room, Ling'er covered her mouth, her eyes fixed on Qin Xuan. After a moment, she softly said,
"Brother, fifty... fifty billion... don't bid any higher, alright? This isn't fifty thousand..."
Before Ling'er could finish, Qin Xuan gently stroked her head and smiled,
"Alright, I won't bid anymore."
With that, Qin Xuan pressed a switch on the chair beside him. The red light on the balcony extinguished. Ling'er blinked, still slightly dazed. He truly wasn't bidding anymore? Qin Xuan said nothing, only smiling. He wasn't foolish; while the item's true value was immeasurable, the money being spent was his woman's. Fifty billion was a sum Wang Yuyan could afford, but Qin Xuan disliked wasting unnecessary funds. He knew that the Spiritual Blood Ginseng would be his today, regardless of the method.
Seeing the red light outside Qin Xuan's room go out, Chu Zifeng rejoiced. That fellow had finally stopped bidding. Otherwise, he would have spent far more than fifty billion for the Hundred Essence Ginseng today. However, Chu Zifeng still felt a pang of regret. He could have acquired it for less than half the price; now he had spent double. He couldn't let this slight go unaddressed. Clenching his fist, Chu Zifeng signaled to Nian Ci,
"What are you waiting for? Announce the result."
"Ah! Oh, okay." Nian Ci snapped out of her shock. Though she had hosted auctions for nearly a decade, today's event had completely shattered her expectations. This was the most expensive item she had ever auctioned in her career, and she doubted anything would ever surpass the price of this Hundred Essence Ginseng.
"The final auction item, the Hundred Essence Ginseng, has been successfully bid on by Young Master Chu for fifty billion! Congratulations, Young Master Chu!"
As Nian Ci's gavel struck, the Hundred Essence Ginseng officially belonged to Chu Zifeng. Following this, a group of ladies in qipaos began delivering the purchased items to their respective owners. Two qipao-clad ladies opened the door to Qin Xuan's private room. The spiritual tree he had bid on earlier was wheeled in.
"Sir, these are your items. Due to the inconvenience of carrying them, our auction house can arrange delivery. Would you like that...?"
Qin Xuan waved his hand,
"No need. You may leave, I'll take it myself."
The two ladies in qipaos smiled, nodded, and then gracefully exited the room, their high heels clicking on the floor.