Chapter 107: To the Highest Bidder
Lingxiao Daoist... he was a figure of legend.
To obtain even one of his Dharma Artifacts could be enough to defy the heavens and change one's fate!
It was said that a lucky person once obtained one of Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifacts.
As a result, in just a few short years, they quickly became a new tycoon in the business world, becoming the envy of all!
Xiao Ye also looked up and saw a photograph slowly appear on the large screen.
It was a small and exquisite-looking Jade Pendant, engraved with a very simple pattern.
An outsider might think it was merely decorative, but only Xiao Ye knew: these were fate-etched inscriptions!
A Dharma Artifact custom-made according to an individual's destiny.
'Something like this is only useful to a specific individual. How could it have ended up in circulation?'
'If someone else got their hands on it and found the Dharma Artifact useless, wouldn't that tarnish Lingxiao Daoist's name?'
The auctioneer was still giving it his all. "Ladies and gentlemen, the inscriptions on this Jade Pendant are definitively from the hand of Lingxiao Daoist himself, and our seller has also verified this."
"You have no need to worry about its authenticity!"
"The starting price for this Dharma Artifact jade tablet is—five million!"
Xiao Ye's expression darkened in an instant. Since the seller had personally verified it, that meant the Dharma Artifact's owner wanted to sell it.
Perhaps their situation had improved, and thinking they were fine now, they decided to cash it in.
But according to the rules, Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifacts must either be returned or sent to a famous Daoist Temple to be enshrined.
However, most people wore them for life.
To take it out and sell it was simply an insult!
A cold aura emanated from Xiao Ye. "Daring to sell a Dharma Artifact custom-made by Master... truly courting death!"
Beside him, Assistant Huo froze in fear, not daring to utter a word.
"Number 21 bids five million, five hundred thousand!"
"Number 31 bids six million!"
"Number 3 bids seven million!"
In just a few short minutes, the auction price for the Dharma Artifact jade tablet shot up from five million to ten million, and it was still climbing.
At this price point, those still in the running were basically the ones with low-numbered paddles.
"Number 3 bids fifteen million!"
"My god, he just added five million straight up. It looks like Number 3 is determined to have it."
"Forget it, I'm out. Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifacts are great, but I don't want to make enemies."
Seeing no new bids from the floor, the auctioneer frowned slightly.
Just then, a new bid came from one of the private boxes.
"Number 1 bids twenty million!"
The auctioneer's voice filled with excitement. "Number 1 bids twenty million! Do I have any other bids? Yes! Number 2 bids twenty-two million!"
"Number 3 bids twenty-five million!"
"Number 1 bids thirty million!"
Gradually, fewer and fewer people participated in the bidding.
In the end, only about four people were still in the running.
At first, Number 1 had been increasing the bid by five million each time, but once the price passed forty million, the increments dropped to one million.
The others also began making smaller bids.
Even so, the price quickly soared to fifty million.
Another two bidders dropped out, leaving only two.
Xiao Ye decided it was about time. Lazily, he called out, "One hundred million!"
The moment he spoke, the entire venue fell silent.
The auctioneer, who had been focused on the private boxes, froze on the spot when he heard the shout.
"Who said that? That's hilarious. One hundred million? He doesn't even know how to use the bidding device, he's just shouting."
"I see him. It's that kid in the Daoist Robe."
"Look at him, so poor-looking. He obviously has no money. He's not even using a paddle to bid; he's probably never been to an auction before."
The two remaining bidders heard this price and immediately went silent.
One hundred million was no small sum. To spend it on a Dharma Artifact with unknown effects just wasn't worth it.
The auctioneer looked at Xiao Ye, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Was that you who just called out the price?"
Xiao Ye stood up and repeated, "One hundred million. Are there any other bids? If not, it's mine."
Everyone turned to look, whispering amongst themselves, their gazes filled with undisguised contempt for him.
"Hey, kid, you got the money for that? You just raised the bid by fifty million!"
"He doesn't look like he can afford it."
"Is he here just to cause trouble?"
Even the auctioneer thought so.
He had seen countless people in his time, but he had never seen anyone like Xiao Ye.
Wearing a worn-out Daoist Robe and daring to bid one hundred million right off the bat?!
Simply ridiculous!
The auctioneer tried his best to keep the disdain out of his voice. "Sir, are you sure you want to bid one hundred million?"
Xiao Ye nodded. "I'm sure."
The auctioneer's tone grew impatient. "This is no joke. Do you have any idea what the consequences are for making a false bid you can't pay for?"
Xiao Ye frowned slightly. Just as he was about to speak, a figure appeared in the window of Box Number 1.
The person's voice boomed through the speakers, filling the entire auction hall.
"Kid, I'd advise you not to compete with me."
"This Dharma Artifact jade tablet is mine. Back off now, retract your bid, and I might just let you walk away!"
"Heavens, it's the Ma Family of South City!"
"This kid is finished. He actually dared to snatch something from the Ma Family!"
Assistant Huo immediately explained, "Mr. Xiao, the Ma Family is one of South City's most prominent families. Their overall power might even be a notch above the Chu Family's."
Xiao Ye didn't care who they were. No matter what, his Master's Dharma Artifact could absolutely not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands!
He said coldly, "Cut the crap. The rule of the auction is the highest bidder wins. Either make a bid or shut up!"
"You—"
The man from the Ma Family hadn't expected him to be so defiant and was momentarily speechless with anger.
After a long moment, he finally said, "I bid one hundred and one million!"
Without a second thought, Xiao Ye countered, "Two hundred million!"
The hall exploded into chaos.
"Is that kid insane?! He just added another hundred million!"
"It's over for him. If he can't produce that much money, the auction house won't let him leave here alive!"
"He just slapped the Ma Family in the face. We're definitely in for a good show!"
The man from the Ma Family sneered. "Fine. You bid two hundred million, didn't you? I'm out! I'd love to see if you can actually cough up that much money!"
Even a great family with countless assets wouldn't necessarily be able to produce several hundred million in liquid capital at a moment's notice.
If the Ma Family hadn't been so determined to obtain Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifact and prepared for it in advance, even they wouldn't have had that much on hand.
Xiao Ye looked at the auctioneer. "He's out. You can bring down the hammer now!"
The auctioneer looked at Xiao Ye, then back at Box Number 1.
Highest bidder wins. That had always been the auction house's rule.
Since the Ma Family themselves had said as much, he would bring down the hammer!
"Congratulations! You've won the Lingxiao Daoist's Dharma Artifact jade tablet for the price of two hundred million!"
"Today's auction is now concluded. Please follow me to the back to complete the transaction!"
Under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd, Xiao Ye went backstage.
Normally, after an auction ended, everyone else would gradually leave.
But they all wanted to see the good show of the Ma Family dealing with Xiao Ye, so they all stayed, craning their necks to see what was happening in the back.
From their position, they had a perfect view of the backstage area.
The manager in charge of backstage transactions came before Xiao Ye, took out a briefcase with a combination lock, and opened it to reveal the jade tablet.
'It's definitely from Master's hand.'
"Sir, the auctioned item is here. Please provide payment."
Xiao Ye reached into his pockets, only to find them empty.
'Right, I already gave those bank cards to Lin Chuyue.'
"Wait here a moment. I'll have someone go get the money."
He looked at Assistant Huo. "Go get me two cards, each with a hundred million."
Assistant Huo acknowledged the order and turned to leave, but was blocked by the auction house staff. "What do you think you're doing? Out of the way!"