"Next to be auctioned is the sixth raw stone."
As Wang Hanzhi's voice faded, the sixth raw stone was pushed forward. Wang Hanzhi immediately began to introduce it.
"This raw stone is much smaller than the previous ones, weighing only a little over seventy catties. It's also a bit peculiar. Our experts have examined it but could not determine its quality. The surface feels like it's covered in some murky substance, but we are certain it will yield jade. However, we cannot guarantee the quality, so the starting bid for this raw stone is only one million."
As Wang Hanzhi finished, numerous discussions erupted from below.
"A starting bid of one million for such a small piece, and the quality is not guaranteed. Who would dare to buy it?"
"What if we buy it and it turns out to be a mere 'dry white seed' grade? We wouldn't even get our capital back."
"Forget it, forget it. I won't bid on this one. You all go ahead."
"One million one hundred thousand."
For this sixth raw stone, more than half of the bidders dropped out. After all, no one was willing to buy an unknown stone and risk losing their money.
After more than ten bids, the price only reached three million and then no one else added to it.
"Three million for the first time! Is there anyone else who wants to bid?" Wang Hanzhi asked.
"Three million for the second time."
"Three million for the thir..."
"Three million five hundred thousand!" Just as Wang Hanzhi was about to strike the gavel, Qin Xuan's voice suddenly rang out.
Wang Yuyan looked at him with some confusion.
"Qin Xuan, why are you bidding on this raw stone?"
Qin Xuan smiled.
"It's so cheap, why wouldn't I bid?"
"Are you an idiot?" Wang Yuyan looked at him as if he were beyond saving.
"This raw stone isn't good. Didn't you see that no one else wanted to bid? It might not even be worth three million."
Qin Xuan said nothing, only smiling.
He had waited for a long time and finally found what he was looking for.
Ever since this raw stone was brought onto the stage, Qin Xuan had sensed a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation from it.
Even though it was far away, Qin Xuan was certain that this raw stone was not as simple as it appeared.
If this raw stone contained spiritual energy, then such a large piece would be enough for Qin Xuan to cultivate for a long time.
"A VIP from the second-floor private room has increased the bid by five hundred thousand, making it three million five hundred thousand!" Wang Hanzhi said with slight surprise.
This stone was roughly worth around three million. Among the ten raw stones being auctioned, this was undoubtedly the worst.
Moreover, the VIPs in the second and third floors were privy to some inside information. So why would they bid on this stone?
Despite his confusion, Wang Hanzhi continued with the procedure.
"Three million five hundred thousand for the first time."
In the main hall, no one intended to increase the bid.
After all, no one wanted to be the big spender.
Some people said with schadenfreude,
"Spending three million five hundred thousand on this thing. Given its size, if it doesn't yield a top-grade jade, it's definitely a loss."
"Whoever buys it will regret it! Only someone with a screw loose would buy it."
"It's their business. Perhaps they just like to waste money."
Seeing no one bidding, Wang Hanzhi continued,
"Three million five hundred thousand for the second time."
"Three million five hundred thousand for the third time! Sold!"
Wang Hanzhi struck the gavel.
"Congratulations to the VIP in the 'Yuan' private room on the second floor for acquiring the sixth raw stone. It will be delivered after the auction concludes."
Seeing the gavel strike, Lin Chen was somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected to get this stone so easily.
He had anticipated a long bidding war and had been prepared to spend a significant amount. To his surprise, no one recognized its true value.
This trip had not been in vain.
However, Wang Yuyan did not see it that way.
Spending three million five hundred thousand on such a piece of rock, and if it turned out to be a mere "dry white seed," then those three million five hundred thousand would be a complete loss.
"I really shouldn't have brought you here. You bid recklessly without understanding anything. This money is yours to pay; don't expect me to help you." Wang Yuyan complained like a disgruntled woman.
The seventh, eighth, and ninth raw stones were subsequently auctioned off.
Two of them were acquired by Wu Qianxi and Mo Jin from the third-floor private rooms.
Soon, it was time for the last of the ten raw stones.
The raw stone was pushed onto the stage.
The size of this final raw stone was at least half as large again as the largest among the previous nine.
Wang Hanzhi began his introduction.
"This last raw stone weighs two hundred and ten catties. Among the ten raw stones, this one has the highest jade content, reaching ninety percent."
Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted in excitement.
Ninety percent!
This meant that apart from the outer shell, the rest of this two-hundred-catty raw stone was jade!
"A raw stone with such high jade content hasn't appeared in years."
"Indeed. With such a high jade content, its value is likely to double at least."
"This raw stone is beyond our reach. Those in the second and third floors have probably already reserved it."
"Everyone, please be quiet!" Wang Hanzhi called out to the noisy crowd, and then continued.
"We will now begin the bidding for the tenth raw stone. The starting bid is ten million! Each bid must be no less than one hundred thousand."
The starting bid alone dashed the hopes of many.
Ten million could buy many raw stones in the industry.
"Ten million fifty thousand!"
A middle-aged man in the hall was the first to bid. Although he knew this raw stone was likely out of his reach, he still held a sliver of hope.
As the first person bid, many others in the hall gradually began to participate.
"Eleven million!"
"Twelve million!"
"Fifteen million!"
...
In less than three minutes, the price of this tenth raw stone had already soared to thirty million.
Very few people in the main hall were still bidding.
The remaining bidders were all in the private rooms on the second and third floors.
Seeing that no one in the main hall was bidding anymore, Lin Chen nudged Wang Yuyan beside him.
"Hey, this is the last raw stone. Aren't you going to bid?"
Wang Yuyan shook her head.
"No. These things will all be made into jewelry and ornaments in the end. Honestly, they're not very useful, just luxury items. With this money, I'd rather buy more clothes and dresses."
Qin Xuan looked at her with some surprise.
"I didn't expect you to have such high ideals."
"Hmph." Wang Yuyan snorted coquettishly.
"Of course. How many women like me are there in the world? Whoever gets me is blessed for a lifetime." After speaking, her gaze fell upon the auction stage in the hall.
"After this raw stone is sold, the items that follow are the real focus."
"Oh?" Qin Xuan asked curiously.
"Isn't this called a stone gambling auction? Why are other items the focus?"
Wang Yuyan deliberately played coy.
"Hmph, I won't tell you. You'll know soon enough. The items that follow are definitely not inferior to these raw stones."