Chapter 92: Stirring Up Trouble?

Wan Rongsheng slowly opened the chest, revealing its contents.

“The next item up for auction is a mid-grade spiritual artifact, and it is also today’s grand finale!” he announced. “This is a Dragon Crown. If you keep it by your side day and night, it will enhance your fortune and power.”

“You all run considerable businesses, and I’m sure you understand the importance of luck. When fortune favors you, business comes knocking at your door even if you don’t seek it out.”

Wan Rongsheng raised his head and smiled, gently stroking the gemstones set in the crown.

At once, the crowd of prominent figures erupted in excitement. Though none were cultivators, they knew well the value of a mid-grade spiritual artifact. For most, this was their first time seeing such an item in person, and it was enough to fill them with pride.

If this Dragon Crown truly could boost one’s luck, they were determined to acquire it. With such an artifact in hand, their business would surely rise to new heights.

Yet before making such a significant purchase, they couldn’t help but approach the auction table to inspect the crown closely.

Wan Rongsheng did not object, allowing them to examine it freely.

As they drew near, a refreshing chill seemed to brush over them.

“I feel a cool breeze wafting across me—do any of you sense it?” one asked.

“I’ve struggled with asthma for years, but as soon as I approached this spiritual stone, my breathing felt much clearer,” another remarked.

“It appears this artifact is truly extraordinary. This is the real treasure!”

“Power—I can feel a surge of strength!”

“Since Mr. Wan has such a marvelous item, why is the Wan family putting it up for auction instead of keeping it for themselves?”

Their admiration was tinged with curiosity. Wan Rongsheng was clearly a businessman, so why would he auction off such a precious artifact rather than keep it?

“This mid-grade spiritual artifact does not belong to the Wan family, but to Master Ma. As hosts of the auction, the Wan family cannot participate in bidding,” Wan Rongsheng explained.

“To have no connection to this treasure is truly the Wan family’s regret,” he sighed, his tone full of lament.

Immediately, the bidding began.

“I bid five hundred million!”

“Eight hundred million!”

“One billion!”

The titans of commerce vied fiercely, their eyes reddened with determination.

“Five billion!”

At that moment, Chu Tian’s voice rang out from the crowd.

His opening bid was an astronomical five billion.

The entire hall was stunned.

None of the previous bids had even surpassed one billion, and Chu Tian’s first offer was five billion! Although he was known as a Martial Lord, five billion was no trivial sum. Many wondered if he even had the means to pay.

“Mr. Chu, your bid is excessive—jumping forty billion in one go?” someone exclaimed.

“Even if the Dragon Crown can alter fortune and enhance strength, is it really worth such a price? Or does it possess some hidden power we don’t yet know?”

The crowd stopped bidding and turned their attention to Chu Tian.

Wan Rongsheng and Ma Tianxing exchanged a secret, triumphant glance. If the artifact sold for such a price, their profits would soar.

“Mr. Chu, you’ve been silent until now, and suddenly you bid five billion. Did you come solely for this spiritual artifact?” Su Dingguo asked in surprise, as if he believed Chu Tian had no interest in the other treasures, only this Dragon Crown.

“Are there any other bids?”

“Five billion, first call!”

“Five billion, second call!”

“Five billion, third call!”

“Sold!”

Wan Rongsheng was secretly delighted. He had only expected the Dragon Crown to fetch two billion at most. Now its price far exceeded his hopes.

“Mr. Wan, you may have misunderstood me. I’m not offering five billion—it’s you who must pay five billion,” Chu Tian said, shaking his head with a soft laugh.

“What do you mean by that, Mr. Chu?” Wan Rongsheng was caught off guard, his smile freezing on his face.

“Mr. Wan is the auction host, not a participant. Why should he pay?” the crowd murmured in confusion, unable to grasp Chu Tian’s intent.

“You’ve sold many fine items today, and have made at least five billion. If you hand over that sum to me, the matter ends here,” Chu Tian’s voice grew stern, demanding Wan Rongsheng give him five billion.

The crowd was shocked.

This was outright robbery!

“Mr. Chu, isn’t this a bit improper?” Su Dingguo asked, carefully choosing his words.

“Are you joking, Mr. Chu?” Wan Rongsheng’s expression darkened, his eyes full of anger. “You refuse to pay a single cent, yet want to extort five billion from me?”

“Master Su, just what sort of friend have you brought? He dares make trouble at an auction! Even as a Martial Lord, he can’t act so lawlessly. Does he think there’s no law here? If he keeps this up, I’ll call the Martial Arts Administration. I refuse to believe he can do as he pleases!”

Voices rose in furious protest, some even directing their ire at Su Dingguo.

Yet Chu Tian remained composed, unaffected by their accusations.

“The Wan family has held more than one auction. I’m only asking for five billion today. I haven’t demanded anything from your previous profits, so consider yourselves lucky. After this scheme, I doubt you’ll try it again.”

Chu Tian’s smile was calm as he exposed Wan Rongsheng’s deception.

Wan Rongsheng’s expression shifted subtly.

How did Chu Tian know he was cheating? Was Chu Tian bluffing?

“What do you mean, ‘after this scheme’? When have we ever cheated anyone? If you don’t explain yourself today, you won’t leave this club.”

Wan Rongsheng’s face changed several times, but he regained his composure.

“If you won’t admit it, then I’ll expose you before everyone,” Chu Tian declared. He flicked his finger.

A surge of energy shot forth, too swift for the eye to follow, and struck the Dragon Crown on the auction table.

Bang!

The crown shattered instantly, fragments of gold scattering across the floor.

“You little fool, do you have a death wish?” Ma Tianxing glared furiously at Chu Tian.

Yet he did not bother to pick up the broken crown, as if it were nothing more than worthless junk—even after Chu Tian destroyed it, he showed not the slightest regret.