Chapter 229: Give Up
One of the three, a man with long hair wearing a long golden robe, spoke.
"Yes, but I'm afraid our funds aren't sufficient."
The middle-aged man leading them said grimly, his brow furrowed.
"Leave it to me. If we can't buy it, we'll take it by force. We absolutely cannot give up on this Purple Reishi."
A man beside him in a long, gray robe said in a low voice.
"Are you sure? The fact that this kid could drop so much money on this proves he's likely an Ancient Martial Artist or from an Ancient Martial Family. Isn't this too risky?"
The middle-aged man in the lead looked at the gray-robed man, his eyes full of doubt.
"Don't worry. Even if things go south, you still have us, boss. What trouble can some nobody from an Ancient Martial Family possibly stir up?"
"I refuse to believe any family or sect from the Mortal Realm can do a thing to us."
The gray-robed man said with a sneer.
"Very well. We'll do it your way."
The middle-aged man said decisively.
Outside the auction hall, the business magnates were all discussing the big spender who bought the Purple Reishi for eight billion.
"I never thought a big spender of that magnitude would show up at this auction."
"This world isn't as simple as we thought, it seems."
"Exactly! Eight billion... That's a massive fortune my company would take three years to earn, yet he spent it on a single wild herb. It's terrifying."
The business magnates couldn't help but marvel.
And with Lin Feng's winning bid for the Purple Reishi, the auction officially came to an end.
Soon, the auction ended. The attendees exchanged farewells and began heading back to their rooms to rest or examine their winnings.
"Young Master Lin, allow me to see you out!"
The manager of the auction hall approached Lin Feng and said respectfully.
Lin Feng simply shook his head. "That won't be necessary."
"Mr. Lin."
"Allow me to walk with you. It's on my way, as I'm also heading back to my room."
Just then, a loud and hearty voice rang out.
An elderly man had arrived.
Seeing this person, Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the man to be here.
"I didn't expect a jade merchant like Elder Li to be here."
Lin Feng gave Elder Li a slight nod.
"Haha, Young Master Lin, you jest. Those in the Mortal Realm might not know, but surely you do."
"Spirit Stones and Spiritual Medicine are two sides of the same coin. This old man was invited here as well."
Elder Li said with a chuckle.
"You're too kind, Elder Li."
Lin Feng replied with a slight smile and an inviting gesture, then took the lead, guiding Su Yanxue forward.
"Young Master Lin, your eight billion bid was a real eye-opener for this old man."
"I never imagined someone so young could produce eight billion. A true hero of the new generation! This old man is deeply impressed!"
Elder Li said admiringly.
"You flatter me, Elder Li. I was merely lucky,"
Lin Feng replied nonchalantly.
"I've prepared a special gift for you today, Young Master Lin."
"I hope you'll like it."
Elder Li said mysteriously.
Lin Feng glanced at Elder Li.
He didn't refuse and followed Elder Li from the hall.
A moment later, after escorting Su Yanxue back to her room, the two men arrived at a private room upstairs.
"Young Master Lin, please have a seat."
After pouring Lin Feng a cup of hot tea, Elder Li carefully took out a small leather case and placed it gently on the table.
"I know you said last time that you didn't need any payment, Young Master Lin, but my son is only alive today because of you."
"I've been a businessman my whole life. I certainly wouldn't call myself a good man, but I do understand the importance of repaying one's debts."
"That is why I've prepared this humble gift for you. I hope you won't refuse it."
Elder Li said, his eyes fixed on Lin Feng.
"I wonder what this humble gift you speak of is…"
Lin Feng asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity. After all, he was now beginning to understand the scope of Elder Li's business.
'He probably scours the world for naturally formed Spirit Stones and sells them to Ancient Martial Families or members of reclusive sects that lack their own spirit stone veins.'
'If that's true, then what he's offering might be exactly what I need right now.'
"Inside is the highest-quality Spirit Stone from my recent acquisitions. Although it's not quite high-grade, it's considered a rarity even among Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."
"I know you're no ordinary Martial Artist, Young Master Lin, but in the Mortal Realm, this is the best I could find. I do hope you'll accept it."
Elder Li said with a bow.
Lin Feng immediately walked over to the leather case and opened it.
Instantly, a smooth, milky-white, palm-sized stone was revealed before him.
Lin Feng's heart leaped the moment he saw the stone.
He picked up the stone and examined it closely. It was suffused with a dense Elemental Essence.
It contained an incredibly potent spiritual energy, causing even the Inner Strength within Lin Feng's body to stir.
The quality of this Spirit Stone was exceptionally high, far surpassing the one Lin Feng had obtained last time—a stone that couldn't even be considered low-grade.
'It really is a Middle-Grade Spirit Stone.'
A sharp glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes.
He then nodded at Elder Li.
"Thank you. I will accept this generous gift, Elder Li."
"In my hands, this Spirit Stone is only good for trading for worldly wealth. I'm just glad you like it, Young Master Lin,"
Elder Li said with a smile.
"By the way, Young Master Lin, after this auction, I'm planning to open a jewelry store and a stone-gambling house in the Capital City."
"I hope you can help spread the word. I'll have someone contact you when the time comes."
Elder Li added, looking at Lin Feng.
Hearing Elder Li's words, Lin Feng's expression remained perfectly calm, showing no change whatsoever, as if he had long anticipated this request.
"There's no need to trouble me with such minor details, Elder Li. I'll just have Mr. Wang and the others handle it for you."
Lin Feng said nonchalantly.
This was simply his nature; if someone treated him well, he would repay them twofold.
Besides, Elder Li was the chairman of the Li Group. Throughout Jiangzhou, and even in the entire Huaxia underworld,
his influence was considered top-tier. A connection with a man like that was worth cherishing.
"In that case, my deepest thanks, Young Master Lin."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lin Feng bid the man farewell and headed toward his own room.
He had barely taken two steps when his brow twitched. He instinctively glanced back and saw a slender figure lurking in the shadows.
'So, they've come?'
Lin Feng wasn't surprised. After all, he had been quite high-profile at the auction today, and there were undoubtedly many people who wanted to get their hands on the Purple Reishi.
Lin Feng was well aware of this, so he deliberately feigned ignorance, waiting for them to make the first move.