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Hearing Ye Fan's furious roar, Xia Qingxue and Xiao Ruoyu both turned, startled by his sudden transformation. Ye Fan now radiated the ferocity of a rampaging beast, his killing intent so overwhelming that the very air seemed to thicken with the scent of blood.
Xia Qingxue's face turned pale. She clutched her arms tightly around herself, pressing closer to Xiao Ruoyu, trembling as if fearing she might become collateral damage.
Before they arrived, Su Chen had repeatedly warned her to value her life above all else, no matter what happened.
Xiao Ruoyu, equally stunned, could hardly believe the sight before her. She had never seen this side of Ye Fan—so bloodthirsty, so ruthless. It was clear that she didn't truly understand him. Perhaps this was his real self.
Gently stroking Xia Qingxue's hair, Xiao Ruoyu whispered soothingly, "Don't worry, Qingxue. I'm here. No one will hurt you."
Reassured, Xia Qingxue took a deep breath, finally releasing her grip. Yet, her gaze remained fixed on Ye Fan, wary and unyielding.
———
Meanwhile, in the "Hai" room, Ye Fan's silence led Xiao Qiu to believe he had finally backed down. A sneer crept across Xiao Qiu's face.
"So, have you finally learned your place?" he jeered, his voice carrying a sharp edge. He was reveling in this moment, savoring his assumed victory as if Ye Fan were already a defeated lamb awaiting slaughter.
Hearing this, several bystanders chimed in.
"Xiao Qiu is right! He's just an unknown junior who dared to challenge you, Young Master Xiao? Pure foolishness!"
"Exactly! A mere frog from another well thinking he can contend with the pride of East Hua Continent."
"That guy probably just got scared out of his wits by Young Master Xiao's aura!"
Listening to the flattery around him, Xiao Qiu felt his pride swell. It was moments like these that made his reputation feel worth something.
But just as he basked in his satisfaction, a low voice drifted out from the "Hai" room. Though soft, it struck like thunder in the ears of all present.
"Twenty million top-grade spirit stones."
A hush fell over the room. Everyone froze, as though a chill wind had blown through, and heads turned toward the "Hai" room in awe.
Who was this person who could nonchalantly throw out twenty million spirit stones for a single Dragon Emperor Pearl? Whoever it was, this individual wasn't afraid to stand toe-to-toe with Xiao Qiu!
For a moment, the auction hall was wrapped in silence, no one daring to break it.
Inside the "Hai" room, Ye Fan's gaze was icy and resolute, his fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged along his hands.
"Xiao Qiu, you forced me into this!" he muttered, his voice a low growl.
He smirked and reached for the spatial ring that Xiao Tiancheng had given him before entering the auction hall. Inside it lay an immense fortune—ten billion spirit stones.
Yes, he was about to tap into this immense wealth without Xiao Tiancheng's permission. Only by securing the Dragon Emperor Pearl could he ascend in power quickly, achieving his ambitions and securing his desires.
Even if it bordered on betrayal, Ye Fan had no choice.
Unlike Xiao Qiu and Xiao Tiancheng, he hadn't been born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Every step he took, every advancement he made, had been through sheer grit, and he had fought tooth and nail to reach his current level of cultivation.
And now, Xiao Qiu dared to block his path? Ye Fan couldn't accept it.
He had to fight for what was rightfully his.
With his right hand clutched around the ring, Ye Fan summoned his spiritual sense, filling his mind with the image of the ten billion spirit stones stored within.
His confidence swelled. With such a vast amount at his disposal, he'd make Xiao Qiu regret his arrogance. The sneers and condescension aimed at him would soon be nothing but dust in the wind.
A wicked smile crept onto his face as he surveyed the auction hall, which had gone deathly quiet. Now was his time to strike back.
———
In the auction hall, Xiao Qiu's expression darkened. He hadn't expected this defiant gnat to keep challenging him.
"Fool," he spat, "you really think you can outbid me? Today, I'll show you the meaning of true power!"
Taking a deep breath, he turned to the auctioneer and shouted, "Thirty million top-grade spirit stones!"
"Sixty million top-grade spirit stones!" Ye Fan's voice cut through the air before Xiao Qiu's words had even fully settled.
The hall erupted in disbelief. Gasps and murmurs filled the air as eyes bulged in shock.
"This... Is he insane? He just doubled Xiao Qiu's bid!"
"Sixty million spirit stones for a pearl worth no more than five hundred thousand? Who would've thought we'd see something this outrageous!"
"That kid from the 'Hai' room... What kind of wealth does he command to bid like this?"
"Heh, you'd never understand. The world of the wealthy is beyond us common folk."
Every pair of eyes turned to Xiao Qiu, waiting to see how he would respond to this blatant insult.
Rage simmered within Xiao Qiu as he felt his reputation slipping. He had intended to force Ye Fan to bid recklessly, but now it seemed he was the one backed into a corner.
Clenching his teeth, he struggled to maintain his composure, glancing toward the onlookers who were now anticipating his next move.
———
And in the "Hai" room, Ye Fan watched, his lips curling into a mocking smile.
He was certain Xiao Qiu would balk at raising the bid further. Not even Xiao Qiu would waste a fortune on something so insignificant purely for his pride.
Just as he had suspected.
After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Qiu's expression turned stormy, and he opened his mouth to raise the bid again, only to feel a firm grip on his shoulder. The man in purple beside him gave him a hard look, shaking his head to rein him in.
Meanwhile, the red-clad auctioneer, standing on the platform, was practically beaming. This level of bidding far exceeded her expectations, and the commission for the Sky Auction House would be astronomical. Her personal earnings would soar as well.
She looked toward the "Hai" room with a respectful bow, then addressed the hall with a gleam in her eyes, "Sixty million spirit stones! Does anyone wish to bid higher? If not, the Dragon Emperor Pearl will belong to the gentleman in the 'Hai' room!"
Everyone knew that no one would challenge that bid, but protocol required her to ask.
Rules were rules, after all.
But just as the crowd began to accept Ye Fan's inevitable victory, a cold voice broke through the silence from the back of the hall.
"One hundred million top-grade spirit stones."
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