The Master Descends the Mountain: My Destined CEO

Huo Wenhao had previously instructed that anything related to Xiao Ye must be given top priority.

Xiao Ye, who had been looking rather indifferent, immediately perked up and took the golden invitation.

Opening it revealed an introduction to the South City auction.

Tucked inside was a red envelope—the invitation to the auction itself.

Not just anyone could attend the auction. Every invitee, in terms of both assets and social standing, was bound to be a prominent figure.

Seeing Xiao Ye's interest, Assistant Huo began to explain again, "South City holds a massive auction every three years."

"The items up for auction are all top-tier; it's on a completely different level from your everyday, smaller auctions."

"As the most renowned master of the Mystic Sect in the current age, anything connected to the Lingxiao Daoist is a priceless treasure."

"And his Dharma Artifacts are even more so. This is the only one to surface in South City in the last decade. The other three were all auctioned off in places like the Imperial City."

Xiao Ye set down the invitation. "Do you know what kind of Dharma Artifact it is?"

Assistant Huo immediately shook his head. "I'm not sure. The auction house has been extremely secretive about it."

"Besides, it's the biggest draw of the auction and the grand finale piece. I doubt anyone will know what it is until the very end."

'My master's Dharma Artifacts are always the grand finale, not just in South City, but even in the Imperial City or major overseas auction houses!'

'But... my master's Dharma Artifacts rarely ever make it into circulation.'

'The few that I know of were all released by my master himself.'

'He's no longer active in the world, but legends of the Lingxiao Daoist are everywhere.'

Xiao Ye glanced at the gleaming gold cover and narrowed his eyes. "Since it's my master's, I have to get it back. Get ready. I'm going to South City for the auction!"

'Master only lets three Dharma Artifacts out every five years.'

'But it's not time for the next five-year cycle yet, and a fourth one has suddenly appeared!'

'It seems someone has no respect for my master's possessions!'

'In that case, I'll just have to take it back!'

"Yes, sir! I'll make the arrangements immediately!"

Assistant Huo's face lit up with excitement. 'I've done something else to earn Mr. Xiao's favor!'

'A promotion and a raise can't be far off!'

Xiao Ye simply returned to the Lin Family residence, said a quick word to Lin Chuyue, and departed immediately.

The auction was starting at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. There was no time to waste.

「South City.」

The city was as bustling as ever.

Although the weather was turning cold, the streets were still full of women in light, revealing clothing.

This auction was being held in the Shengshi Jinhong building.

It was Shengshi Jinhong's largest auction house in the south, and one of its main headquarters.

A red carpet had already been rolled out in front of the building.

Countless luxury cars were pulling up.

Assistant Huo had specially arranged for a stretch Lincoln.

He got out first, then jogged to the side of the car to open the door, saying respectfully, "Mr. Xiao, we've arrived."

Xiao Ye was still dressed in his Daoist Robe. The moment he stepped out of the car, his unusual attire immediately drew everyone's attention.

People began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Who's that?"

"Never seen him. Probably from out of town. He only brought one person with him, and his face isn't familiar. He's definitely not the young master of any prominent family."

"Judging by his outfit, I bet he's also here for the Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifact. But a lot of bigwigs are here today. A guy like him doesn't stand a chance!"

Xiao Ye paid no mind to their chatter.

He walked onto the red carpet, strolling leisurely to the entrance, and presented his invitation.

The staff member inspected it, and after confirming there were no issues, smiled and said, "Please come in. You may proceed to your assigned seat."

An auction house like this naturally had its own hierarchy.

In addition to the main hall, there were private boxes upstairs, but those were reserved for the rich and powerful.

The Chu Family was a reputable name in South City, so they were able to secure a private box.

But the Huo Family, though on a similar level, wasn't based here, so they could only get seats in the main hall.

Xiao Ye didn't mind. He found his seat and sat down.

Assistant Huo sat beside him, waiting obediently to assist with the bidding.

「Ten o'clock in the morning.」

Everyone had gradually taken their seats.

The auction finally began.

The auctioneer was a veteran who had been brought in specially from the Imperial City. He was very skilled, rousing the entire audience with just a few words.

"And now, let's all take a look at the first item of today's auction—a celadon vase depicting a lady with a child on a spring outing."

Xiao Ye glanced up. 'Not very interesting.'

'Back where I lived with my master, things like this were, if not everywhere, then close to it.'

'Any old jar we used for medicinal herbs was more valuable than this.'

The auctioneer hadn't even finished his introduction before people in the audience were growing impatient.

"The starting bid is three hundred thousand, and each bid must be an increment of no less than twenty thousand!"

"Number seventy-five bids three hundred and twenty thousand!"

"Number thirty-two bids three hundred and fifty thousand!"

...

After a flurry of bids, the piece was finally sold for seven hundred and twenty thousand.

The second and third items followed.

Seeing that Xiao Ye hadn't made a single bid, Assistant Huo asked cautiously, "Mr. Xiao, if there's anything you'd like to bid on, please don't hesitate to say so."

"Young Master Huo said he'll cover all expenses today!"

Xiao Ye raised his eyes. "Not interested. I have things like this at home."

'When you've seen enough of them, they lose their novelty.'

'Only rich people come to auctions for so-called hobbies or to embellish their status.'

The person sitting next to him overheard and shot him a surprised look.

Seeing Xiao Ye's Daoist Robe and what he perceived as a shabby appearance, the man sneered. "Wow, anyone dares to act like a big shot these days."

"Doesn't even take a look at himself. 'I have these at home,' he says. Why don't you just claim your family owns a museum?"

'The place where he and his master lived was, in fact, pretty much a museum.'

'All the powerful dignitaries and even foreign royalty who managed to find their way there were always completely stunned the moment they walked through the door.'

Xiao Ye couldn't be bothered to respond to him and went back to fiddling with his phone.

'Having been off the mountain for so many years, he hadn't realized how many fun games there were on phones. A great way to kill time.'

Seeing Xiao Ye ignore him, the man snorted and turned his head away. "Got nothing to say now that you've been called out, huh? You should stay home if you don't want to make a fool of yourself!"

Assistant Huo wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "Mr. Xiao, please don't worry. The final item is definitely the Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifact!"

"The information I received should be accurate..."

Before he could finish, the auctioneer on stage spoke up, his voice filled with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for today's grand finale item!"

"As you all know, this auction will last for three days, and the final item of each day is guaranteed to be exceptionally valuable!"

"And today's finale is—a Dharma Artifact of the Taoist Sect, personally crafted by the Lingxiao Daoist!"

At these words, everyone in the hall perked up, their eyes fixed on the stage.