"Is that so?" Hearing Wu Tian say this, Yang Huilan nodded, "Since that's the case, then it can still be pursued."
Wu Tian smiled and said, "You are truly wealthy. You're giving away something worth twenty million as if it were nothing."
"Such boldness, it's clear you're no ordinary person!"
Yang Huilan said, "Not at all, don't talk nonsense. I already said this is just an investment."
"With these twenty million, I intend to get two hundred million back!"
Wu Tian raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? Then you truly are a business genius. If you want to snatch it, take your time, just don't get carried away."
When the auctioneer announced the bidding, Yang Huilan didn't rush to raise her paddle. Instead, she waited for others to bid before making her move.
This was actually a bidding technique. After others were locked in a fierce bidding war, you would generally know the ceiling price of the auction. Then, you could directly increase the bid to control the situation, which was much easier than constantly raising the price.
Everyone could see the quality of the sword, so many people desired it, and the competition was quite intense.
After more than ten rounds, the auction price had risen to twelve million.
No one knew the true value of this sword, so when the price reached this point, the intense atmosphere in the venue immediately calmed down.
The auctioneer on stage continued to call out, "Alright, the current price is twelve million. Is there anyone else willing to bid twelve million?"
"This is a top-quality sword. Whether for collection or display, it's an excellent piece to have at home."
"I'll ask again, is there anyone else willing to bid twelve million? If not, I'll have to bring down the hammer!"
People looked at each other. A few individuals still wanted to bid, but they ultimately held back.
Seeing that everyone's enthusiasm had waned, the auctioneer couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
However, out of necessity, he raised the small wooden hammer, preparing to finalize the sale.
And this was precisely the moment Yang Huilan had spoken of. She swiftly raised her paddle.
Seeing this, the auctioneer immediately perked up and announced, "Excellent! Paddle number one hundred has bid thirteen million. Are there any further bids?"
In such auction houses, at the final stage, bids typically increased by one million each time, without the bidder needing to state the exact amount.
However, this time, Yang Huilan coldly stated, "Fifteen million."
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but gasp, and their gazes converged on Yang Huilan.
After all, no one expected Yang Huilan to increase the bid by three million right off the bat.
The auctioneer was also startled by this, then exclaimed with surprise, "Fifteen million! Paddle number one hundred bids fifteen million!"
"It seems number one hundred possesses both great courage and a discerning eye! Now then, will anyone else follow suit?"
There was no response from the audience. Those who had previously been interested in the sword had lost all interest.
The auctioneer understood the reason for this situation: it indicated that number one hundred was determined to acquire the sword.
Auction houses were also social arenas. Except for exceptionally valuable treasures, once someone made a decisive bid, others generally wouldn't bid anymore.
After all, participating in the bidding at that point would be seen as trying to snatch the prize away, and no one wanted to offend anyone.
Even Yang Huilan believed the sword was within her grasp.
But no one could have predicted that at this moment, a voice would ring out from the hall.
"Eighteen million!"
This statement caused an uproar in the venue, and everyone couldn't believe their ears.
Upon hearing this voice, Yang Huilan's expression stiffened slightly.
It wasn't entirely the bid itself that surprised her, but the voice... it was clearly Li Gang's!
She knew where Li Gang was seated, so she immediately turned her head to look at him.
At that moment, Li Gang was also looking at her, a cold smile on his face.
In that instant, Yang Huilan knew exactly what Li Gang intended.
That fellow must still be holding a grudge from earlier and was deliberately trying to snatch this sword away.
A surge of anger immediately welled up in Yang Huilan's heart. She felt that someone like Li Gang was simply going too far.
This was hardly the behavior of a man; it was petty and narrow-minded!
Impulsively, she couldn't control her emotions and raised her paddle again, saying, "Twenty million!"
Everyone was utterly stunned.
What was going on?
Hadn't the atmosphere almost died down earlier? Why was it more intense now than before?
However, Li Gang was determined to snatch the sword. He calmly said, "Twenty-one million!"
Yang Huilan retorted, "Twenty-two million!"
"Twenty-three million!"
"Twenty-four million!"
"Twenty-five million!"
After several rounds of bidding, the price had directly soared to twenty-five million!
Everyone's eyes widened, and the auctioneer, having never witnessed such a scene, was momentarily speechless.
But even though the price had reached such an astonishing level, Li Gang still spoke, "Twenty-six million."
"You!" Hearing this voice, Yang Huilan was almost furious.
At this moment, she no longer cared about offending anyone. She stood up and said to Li Gang, "Sect Leader Li, isn't this going too far?"
Li Gang had been waiting for Yang Huilan to get angry. He smiled coldly and said, "Ms. Yang, what are you talking about?"
"In this auction hall, anyone can bid, right? If you can bid, why can't I?"
Yang Huilan retorted angrily, "Don't think I don't know your intentions. You just don't want me to get this sword!"
Li Gang continued to smile, "Ms. Yang, if you say that, it's not quite appropriate, is it?"
"Everyone knows I am the Sect Leader of the Kuang Jian Sect. Since that's the case, is it strange for me to want to buy a sword?"
"On the other hand, Ms. Yang, losing your composure like this in front of so many people, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Yang Huilan suddenly came to her senses. She realized her temper had once again caused trouble.
In an auction, the person who shows their hand first is always at a disadvantage.
This is because bidding is the rule, and getting angry is equivalent to breaking the rules.
As expected, hushed discussions immediately erupted throughout the venue, with almost everyone discussing Yang Huilan's behavior.
Yang Huilan felt a bit flustered, finding it inappropriate to say anything.
And as she was in a state of extreme embarrassment, a paddle was suddenly raised.
"Thirty million!"