"If my memory serves me right, Yun Qian is here at the Immortal Terrace Auction to bid on a particular technique," Ye Chen muttered to himself, his tone tinged with disdain. He knew Yun Qian had his sights firmly set on this technique.
"Well then, let's make your wallet a lot lighter this time,hh" Ye Chen sneered, glancing in Yun Qian's direction. While the Yun Manor was still untouchable for him due to Yun Wang's formidable Grand viod-level cultivation, Yun Qian was a different matter.
Ye Chen was someone who never forgot a grudge. Anyone who had wronged him in his previous life would face retribution in this one—and Yun Qian was simply the first in a long line.
"Lingxian should be arriving soon," Ye Chen thought with a rare smile. In his previous life, Ji Lingxian had attended this very auction. She had purchased an item that would play a crucial role in unlocking his War God Physique.
In his past life, Ye Chen had no need for that artifact by the time he learned about it. However, he had often pondered how much more powerful he could have become had he obtained it earlier. The answer was clear: he would have grown stronger, faster, and claimed even more fortuitous encounters.
"This artifact shouldn't sell for more than 30,000 low-grade spirit stones," Ye Chen estimated. He was confident that no one in the lower realms could discern its true value. If they could, it would have caused an uproar in Da Zhou during his previous life. But since he had heard no such rumors, he was certain he could claim it without issue.
"It's time to head inside," Ye Chen muttered, observing as the nobles began entering the auction hall. He preferred to remain discreet, minimizing unnecessary complications.
Inside the Immortal Terrace Auction House
The interior of the Immortal Terrace was a grand structure, with the main auction platform located on the ground floor. Surrounding it were multiple levels of private rooms, each more exclusive than the last as one ascended.
The highest level, the ninth floor, housed only ten luxurious suites. These suites were reserved for Da Zhou's most elite nobility and came complete with personal attendants, spirit fruits, and protective formations to ensure privacy.
"Sir, would you like to reserve a private room?" asked a charming young attendant, smiling politely at Ye Chen in his disguised form. She was responsible for assisting distinguished guests who wished for privacy during the auction.
"A third-floor room," Ye Chen replied after a brief pause. While he didn't care for ostentation, he wanted to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
The artifact he sought wasn't overly expensive but wasn't cheap either. Given his current weak state, maintaining an air of mystery was a practical precaution against theft.
"It's better to stay cautious," Ye Chen thought. His vigilance was a hard-earned lesson from his countless brushes with death in his previous life.
"Very well, please follow me," the attendant responded with a sweet smile, ever obliging to clients who could afford private suites.
......
"Why are you even here, my lord?" Chu Xinyue asked, her delicate face tinged with curiosity as she glanced at Qin Tian. She knew her lord's status and wealth—no treasure from the Immortal Terrace Auction House could possibly interest him.
"There might be something worthwhile," Qin Tian replied casually, a faint smile playing on his lips. Watching Ye Chen sneak into the auction house early in the morning, it was obvious something valuable would appear.
It might not interest Qin Tian, but it certainly couldn't be left for Ye Chen.
Suddenly, a charming young man at the entrance waved excitedly toward Qin Tian, his face lit with joy.
"It's Lingxian," Chu Xinyue said with a soft laugh, covering her mouth. "Does she really think her disguise fools anyone into believing she's a man?"
"My lord, you… you're here!" Ji Lingxian exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as soon as she spotted Qin Tian. It was impossible to miss him and Chu Xinyue; the two were far too striking to go unnoticed.
Ji Lingxian's smile was radiant, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she gazed at Qin Tian.
"Just here to see if there's anything worth picking up," Qin Tian replied lightly, smiling faintly at her. He wasn't oblivious to the shift in Ji Lingxian's demeanor around him—her nervousness and admiration were painfully obvious.
It was amusing how quickly she had fallen for him. They hadn't known each other for long, yet she was already smitten.
"Would you like to join me, my lord?" Ji Lingxian asked, her heartbeat quickening. She didn't know why, but every word he directed at her sent her heart racing.
Ji Lingxian beamed as Qin Tian agreed, leading him inside. As part of Da Zhou's royal family, she had access to the auction house's most prestigious suite: the top-tier Room 1 on the ninth floor. Reserved exclusively for the royal family, no amount of wealth could buy entry—it was a matter of prestige.
"Not bad," Qin Tian remarked as he stood by the suite's window. The view allowed him to oversee the entire auction hall below, granting him an unparalleled vantage point.