Chapter 788: Black Iron Block

It looked lively, but everyone actually knew the score.

Many of those who came tonight were there for the final sacred artifact.

Holding an auction, Tianyuan Trading Company would naturally leak some information.

The auction of a sacred artifact would inevitably draw a large crowd.

So the ultimate battle tonight would center on that sacred artifact.

As long as the sacred artifact wasn't junk, the last item would surely spark a fierce contest.

The previous items were merely appetizers before the meal.

By the end of the eighth item, Ye Yuan had not bid on a single piece.

However, Mu Yun had taken a liking to something and, with Ye Yuan's guidance, successfully won the bid.

What Mu Yun fancied was a quasi-ninth-grade martial technique, which was considered quite good even in the Chixia Sacred Land.

But for the major families of the sacred land, this quasi-ninth-grade technique was neither here nor there, so the competition wasn't fierce.

Under Ye Yuan's guidance, Mu Yun finally clinched it for ten million Earth Yuan Crystals.

When the deal was announced, a hint of helplessness lurked in Caiyun's eyes, clearly dissatisfied with the price.

"Now we begin bidding on the ninth item tonight. To be honest, even our Tianyuan Trading Company doesn't know its use. But we've had many appraisers examine it, and they all agree this black iron block is no ordinary object. We specially invited Master Mu Yuanfei to appraise it, and his final conclusion was that it's likely a very advanced refining material. Of course, its specific function—you'll have to figure that out yourselves. The starting bid for this black iron block is one million, with each increment no less than one hundred thousand. The auction begins."

After Caiyue's introduction, many lost interest in the dark iron block.

Even Tianyuan Trading Company couldn't figure out its use, let alone anyone else.

As for it being a refining material, who knew if it would ever be useful? So when Caiyue finished speaking, there was an awkward silence.

Caiyue swept her gaze across the room, a hint of disappointment showing.

It seemed this item might go unsold. But that was expected; they had tried many methods on the black iron block but couldn't determine its purpose.

"One million one hundred thousand!"

Just as everyone thought it would be passed, someone suddenly bid. The crowd turned to look—it was a youth in the Divine Travel realm, none other than Ye Yuan.

Even Tang Fan and Mu Yun were surprised; Ye Yuan hadn't been tempted all night, yet he took an interest in an unknown object.

Caiyue showed unexpected delight, clearly not expecting anyone to bid.

"This young friend bids one million one hundred thousand. Is there anyone higher?"

Caiyue looked around, hoping for another bidder.

"Two million!"

Just then, a voice came from upstairs—it was Wu Jiantong from Room Tianzi No. 2 raising the bid.

And he jumped it by nine hundred thousand! "The guest in Room Tianzi No. 2 bids two million! Is there anyone higher?" Caiyue said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Two million one hundred thousand!" Ye Yuan glanced lightly at the upper floor and added the bid without blinking.

That guy upstairs was definitely causing trouble; without guessing, he knew who the sucker in Room Tianzi No. 2 was.

The upper rooms offered good privacy—those below couldn't see who was up there, but the guests upstairs could clearly see the situation below.

When Wu Jiantong saw it was Ye Yuan bidding, he couldn't resist playing a prank.

"Three million!" Wu Jiantong called out.

"Haha, that guy must be a pauper trying to snag a bargain. I won't let him have it!" After bidding, Wu Jiantong said triumphantly to Wu Jianqing and the others.

"Heh, the earlier items were all frighteningly expensive; this one's cheaper. Looks like he really wants a steal. Well played, Brother Wu!" Peng Yan gave a thumbs-up.

"Three million one hundred thousand!" Ye Yuan called out calmly.

"Four million!"

...

"Nine million one hundred thousand!"

"Ten million!"

Each time Wu Jiantong raised the bid, Ye Yuan casually added one hundred thousand, as unruffled as an ancient well.

But this time, Ye Yuan stopped.

Everyone was stunned; they never expected a piece of scrap iron to sell for ten million Earth Yuan Crystals!

Clearly, the guy upstairs was deliberately driving up the price to spite Ye Yuan.

Earlier, Ye Yuan's indifferent attitude had made everyone think he was the sucker.

But his sudden halt pushed the upstairs bidder to the edge of a cliff.

"Could that guy have guessed something and be deliberately driving up the price?" Wu Jianqing frowned.

Wu Jiantong said nothing, but his expression soured.

He was just trying to annoy Ye Yuan; he never intended to buy this worthless thing.

Who knew he'd end up annoying himself instead.

"Ten million, first call!"

Seeing no reaction from Ye Yuan, Caiyue felt a bit disappointed.

"Ten million, second call!"

Wu Jiantong's face was grim. His main target tonight was also the sacred artifact, but his spending on the Three-Life Stone earlier had exceeded his budget.

Ten million was nothing to him, but buying a piece of scrap iron would make him a laughingstock.

Moreover, that ten million might play a crucial role in the final battle.

Though Wu Jiantong held a high position, the amount he could draw was limited; he couldn't spend indefinitely.

"Ten million, th—"

"Ten million one hundred thousand!"

At the last moment, Ye Yuan's voice rang out again.

This time, his voice sounded a bit hesitant.

"Haha, I told you, that pauper can't even scrape together ten million, yet he dares to come to an auction like this!"

Wu Jiantong laughed loudly, partly to show he'd seen Ye Yuan's 'limit' and partly to cover his earlier embarrassment.

"Jiantong, our target today is the sacred artifact. Let's not stir up trouble," Wu Jianqing reminded.

Wu Jiantong nodded and took the out.

He estimated that Ye Yuan's 'limit' was about that much.

Any higher, and that scrap iron would be his.

"Ten million one hundred thousand, first call! Ten million one hundred thousand, second call! Ten million one hundred thousand, third call! Sold! Congratulations to this young friend for winning the ninth item!"

There was a hint of surprise in Caiyue's voice; she never expected this item, which she'd feared would go unsold, to fetch ten million—a pleasant surprise.

Ye Yuan was a bit annoyed inside. He'd thought he could snag a bargain for a little over a million, but that Wu Jiantong had butted in, costing him an extra nine million for nothing.