The crowd, witnessing this scene, couldn't hide their disappointment.
"It's just an ordinary piece of jade, what's so great about it?"
While it might be precious to ordinary people, to the magnates present, it was nothing special and offered no sense of surprise.
Xiao Ding chuckled and introduced, "This is no ordinary jade pendant, but a protective artifact produced by Sheng Tian Company."
"What? A protective artifact?"
The attention of the crowd immediately focused.
"I believe everyone is aware of Sheng Tian Company's protective artifacts. When the wearer is attacked, the artifact will automatically release an energy shield to protect the owner."
Someone inquired, "As far as we know, the energy within the protective artifact needs to be recharged periodically at a cost! Is that true?"
Xiao Ding nodded in agreement, "Indeed it is!"
The crowd was instantly disheartened. If that were the case, they could simply go to Sheng Tian Company, pull some strings, or pay a higher price to acquire one. There was no need to participate in an auction.
After all, although protective artifacts were scarce, people of their standing could still obtain them through connections.
There was truly no need for this.
"However, this protective artifact is different! Because this is a permanent protective artifact that can replenish its own energy. Although it becomes ineffective once its energy is depleted, it will automatically recharge after a period of time, requiring no secondary charging!"
Following this, Xiao Ding pressed a button, and a video began to play on the screen.
The video depicted an ordinary person wearing a protective artifact being attacked by martial artists.
There were instances of firearm attacks, cold arrow attacks, and martial artist assaults.
Each attack was blocked by the protective artifact.
Those with keen eyes noticed that the attacker in the video was a Heavenly level martial artist!
The scene immediately erupted in excitement: "It can withstand a Heavenly level attack, and it's a passive defense! This is amazing!"
"We've only heard about its functions in advertisements before, but now seeing it, the advertisements didn't exaggerate at all!"
"Buy it, we must get it! Not buying it would mean we're not true Daxia people!"
Although for some of the super experts present, such a protective artifact might be useless, for ordinary people, it was a divine item.
After all, ordinary people rarely encountered high-level martial artists.
Their dangers mostly stemmed from collapsing buildings, gas explosions, and kidnappings targeting them.
With this item worn, it would be akin to having a second life.
An extra life!
No! It should be many extra lives!
In the auction hall, at Yu Zhongfu's location, Yu Feng exclaimed in surprise, "What kind of technique is this? To be able to craft such a protective artifact using spiritual energy is incredible, truly incredible!"
Yu Zhongfu mused, "It's likely that such a function is achieved by inscribing advanced formations into the jade."
"It seems Chen Jie has obtained our ancestor's treasure and learned some of his secrets!"
Yu Feng's eyes lit up, "Father, we must get Chen Jie!"
Indeed, in their eyes, Chen Jie had been classified as property.
He who obtains Chen Jie obtains the world.
Yu Zhongfu nodded, "Indeed, I will take action."
"You are all correct, this is indeed a valuable item. Furthermore, as you have seen, there is a significant difference in capability between a permanent protective artifact and an ordinary one."
"Our rigorous testing of the permanent protective artifact shows that only when two Heavenly level experts attack with their full power simultaneously for over half an hour can the defense be broken. What this signifies, I need not elaborate further, right?"
Xiao Ding smiled and announced, "Now, I will announce the rules. The starting bid for the permanent protective artifact is not less than one million, with a starting bid of five million."
"Now, the auction begins!"
Immediately, someone raised their paddle.
"I bid ten million!"
"Twenty million!"
At this moment, Wen Qiang suddenly stood up with a cold sneer, "I bid fifty million!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, could you grant me some face? I want this protective artifact. If you all yield to me today, I will owe you a favor! Otherwise, it means you are crossing the Wen family!"
Wen Qiang sneered.
Since Chen Jie had offended him, he wouldn't mind teaching Chen Jie a lesson.
He had already decided that as long as he was present, Chen Jie would not be able to buy anything he wanted.
Of course, if Chen Jie had anything, he would also find ways to make it fail to sell at auction, or buy it at a low price.
He did this not only because Chen Jie had offended him, but also to curry favor with Gu Yue.
Chen Jie dared to publicly auction the cultivation techniques of the Gu family; by teaching Chen Jie a lesson, he was indirectly pleasing Gu Yue.
"Who do you think you are? We've never even heard of the Wen family!"
Suddenly, someone disdainfully retorted.
"Exactly! Why should we give you face? Good items go to the highest bidder! Everyone is here to buy things according to the rules! You want to buy a good item at a low price using your 'face'? Stop dreaming!"
"This protective artifact, I, Liu Zhenhan, will have it! I bid one hundred million!"
A scruffy-bearded man stood up, clasped his hands to the crowd, and said, "I hope everyone will give me face. I am determined to have this protective artifact! Even if I have to pay ten billion, I will buy it! So, if you don't have this budget, don't compete with me!"
Upon hearing this, some people were displeased.
But his words also made sense. Ten billion was a rather fair price for a protective artifact; anything higher would be questionable.
After all, with ten billion, one could hire a large number of high-level bodyguards for protection.
Wen Qiang looked at him coldly and said, "Do you know who I am?"
"Aren't you just from the Wen family? I haven't heard of any minor families. Don't try to act tough in front of me. If I say I want it, I want it!"
Liu Zhenhan retorted dismissively.
Wen Qiang's face turned terrifyingly grim. "You probably don't understand my influence. I am Wen Qiang, from the Wen family, an ancient family that has remained hidden from the world!"
He had originally intended to buy it for fifty million to show Chen Jie some consequences, but now the price had reached one hundred million, which made him feel that Chen Jie had gotten a great bargain.
"There are many ancient families hidden from the world. The descendants of the Aisin Gioro clan are not doing well these days. Who are you to act so important? Don't think that just because you come from some unknown small village, you can call yourself 'hidden from the world'! Then there's nothing I can do! Know your place!"
"Also, let me tell you, I'm from Sanlin Heavy Industries. If you mess with me, I'll have your house torn down!"
Liu Zhenhan scoffed.
"What? Sanlin Heavy Industries?"
The crowd was shocked. They hadn't expected the appearance of ancient cultivation techniques to draw out such a powerful figure.
After all, Sanlin Heavy Industries was one of the country's top construction companies.
With a wave of the CEO's hand, cement mixers could circle the provincial capital.
The company had tens of millions of workers.
Its strength was beyond imagination!