"I implore you, friend, to step back for Yan's sake. This Longevity Grass is of immense importance to me. If you would concede, and should you ever require assistance in the future, do not hesitate to ask. Anything within Yan's capabilities will be rendered without delay."
Yan Rulie spoke with such earnest sincerity that another person might indeed have been swayed.
However, upon hearing Yan Rulie's words, Lin Xin responded with only two characters: "Idiot."
Yan Rulie: !
The crowd: Well done!
Meanwhile, Xiang Fei, standing on the auction stage, looked towards the Imperial Room with an unprecedented gentleness in her gaze.
It was thought that Imperial Room Eight housed a man of wealth, but it turned out to be Yan Rulie, the Sect Master of the Solar Hot Sect. This was not insignificant, his status was quite high.
Yet, what surprised him was that Yan Rulie dared to use his status to threaten and entice others, demanding they yield the Longevity Grass to him.
Such behavior caused immeasurable losses to the Sacred Word Auction House.
To think she had once considered Yan Rulie a notable figure, only to discover he was this kind of person.
After today's auction concluded, she was determined to discuss this matter thoroughly with her superiors.
However, she found herself greatly appreciating the person in Imperial Room One.
Though the voice sounded a little aged, their backbone was extraordinarily strong.
Yan Rulie had gone so far, and yet they simply refused to budge.
Even without seeing, Xiang Fei could vividly imagine Yan Rulie's face at this moment, undoubtedly contorted into the most unpleasant expression.
The thought made Xiang Fei suppress a giggle.
It was only fitting. Did he really think that being the Sect Master of the Solar Hot Sect made him such an important figure?
Did he believe he was invincible in this Eastern Immortal Land?
Truly overestimating himself!
Indeed, Yan Rulie's face was as Xiang Fei had imagined, utterly foul.
He had thought that after saying all that, no matter who it was, they would give him face.
Yet, he was actually called an idiot!
How many years had it been since he had last heard such an insult?
Yan Rulie took a deep breath, but still couldn't quell the anger in his heart.
This was simply too much.
"May I ask who my friend is? Do you dare reveal your name? After the auction concludes, Yan would like to invite friend for a cup of tea to catch up."
This was a thinly veiled threat. If you don't give Yan Rulie face now, don't blame Yan Rulie for being ruthless after the auction.
Although everyone inwardly cursed Yan Rulie's actions, they also understood.
To lose so much face in front of so many people, if Yan Rulie could truly laugh it off, it would be unbelievable.
Only a vengeful person could bring peace of mind.
Otherwise, wouldn't their heart be too inscrutable, making them impossible to guard against?
In Imperial Room One, Lin Xin glanced at Zhen Lingrong and asked how he should respond.
Zhen Lingrong took a sip of tea. "Tell the truth. He said he wants to invite you for tea, so ask him what kind of tea he's brewing and what water he's using."
"And what tea set he's using," Shen Xiaoyan added from the side.
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's interjection, Zhen Lingrong gave her a wry smile. This girl, sometimes she was so mature, and other times she seemed like a child.
What tea set, indeed? It would naturally be made of precious jade or gold. What else could it be?
Even the tea set she was using now, though its materials were a little hard to come by, could still be obtained with effort and time.
Yan Rulie likely wouldn't have anything much worse than this, would he?
Seeing Zhen Lingrong shake her head helplessly, Shen Xiaoyan suddenly revealed a mischievous smile.
With a wave of her right hand, a tea set appeared on the table.
The moment the tea set materialized, all eyes in the room fell upon it.
Even Lin Xin, who was about to speak, found his words stuck in his throat.
After a long while, Zhen Lingrong closed her slightly parted crimson lips and asked in surprise, "Xiaoyan, where did this come from?"
This tea set was made of immortal crystals.
Sensing the spiritual energy emanating from it, Zhen Lingrong felt her heart ache.
Why was her daughter so extravagant? How could she resist the urge to hit her?
Shen Xiaoyan shrugged indifferently. "Do you need to be so dramatic? They're just a few broken tea sets. If you like them, I have plenty."
Shen Xiaoyan said this with extreme ease.
Lin Xin's attention was immediately captured by Shen Xiaoyan's remark, "I have plenty."
In his view, this statement was not casual. Therefore, he would have to pay Shen Xiaoyan a visit later.
Just for this tea set alone, it was worth making the trip!
Fortunately, although Zhen Lingrong was surprised by such a treasure, she still had self-control.
She slowly withdrew her gaze, cleared her throat, and after regaining Lin Xin's attention, said, "Speak quickly."
Hadn't she heard Xiang Fei asking for the final bid outside?
When they were dazed and hadn't responded to Yan Rulie's question, Yan Rulie had assumed Lin Xin had been intimidated and fallen silent.
He had quickly raised the price by 10,000 blue crystal coins, making the current price 4.52 million blue crystal coins.
Xiang Fei's heart was filled with impatience. If she could, she truly wished time would pause, and she wouldn't have to continue speaking, but alas, that was impossible.
"One last time, the price for the Longevity Grass is... 4.52 million crystal coins. Is there anyone else..."
"4.53 million!"
Fortunately, at the last moment, Lin Xin still managed to name a price.
As Lin Xin's voice fell, everyone present at the auction excitedly stood up.
If Lin Xin had been bidding seriously before, then now, even the most foolish person would know that Lin Xin was doing this deliberately.
He was deliberately trying to humiliate Yan Rulie.
To make Yan Rulie, who had been experiencing ecstasy, suddenly fall from heaven to hell.
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan grasped the implication. "You mean, the Solar Hot Sect shouldn't be this wealthy?"
Mì Lè Buddha continued to stroke his bald head. "Of course. The Solar Hot Sect has been an empty shell for so many years, merely appearing glorious. How could they possibly have so much money to squander?"
Shen Xiaoyan pondered this. If that were the case, where did Long Ting get the money from?
Did Yan Rulie know about his extravagant spending?
Wait, or perhaps Long Ting was just the bidder, and the one who truly wanted to buy the Longevity Grass was Yan Rulie himself?
It wasn't unusual for her to think this way, considering how Lin Xin had bid for the Wind-Rain Immortal Green earlier, wasn't it?
Believing she had uncovered the truth, Shen Xiaoyan stopped probing further.
Although Mì Lè Buddha had said the Solar Hot Sect was just an empty shell, that was because Mì Lè Buddha was in Chang Qiu Hall.
Chang Qiu Hall was so wealthy that it was natural for him to look down on the Solar Hot Sect.
However, Shen Xiaoyan felt that even if the Solar Hot Sect had declined, it should still have some foundation, otherwise, a sect couldn't have lasted until now.
Furthermore, Yan Rulie had been Sect Master for so many years, wouldn't he have some personal savings?
If people were spending their own money to buy what they wanted, she should just watch the show.
After all, this was a rare sight, and it couldn't be described as simply a thousand-dollar investment.
Yan Rulie was indeed full of confidence. In his opinion, with his current financial resources, he could definitely afford to buy the Longevity Grass.
Alas, when people are overly pleased with themselves, they tend to underestimate others. What they believe to be a sure thing often ends up in unexpected ways.
The price quickly rose to 4 million blue crystal coins, and Yan Rulie's expression grew grim.
Shen Xiaoyan glanced at Xiang Fei, whose excited voice was beginning to tremble, and suddenly had a good idea.
"Why don't we join the bidding too!"
This was nearing the end of the auction; if they didn't bid again, it would likely be too late.
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's words, Lin Xin asked in surprise, "Why should we join?"
Don't we have plenty?
Zhen Lingrong glanced at Shen Xiaoyan, and her eyes suddenly lit up. Of course, she was her daughter; her cunning mind completely followed hers.
"Elder Lin, place a bid!"
Zhen Lingrong said with absolute certainty, her tone brooking no argument.
Lin Xin seemed to understand what they meant. Without further ado, he began to bid.
However...
Unlike when they were bidding for the Wind-Rain Immortal Green, where they were determined to win, increasing the bid by 100,000 each time.
Now, it was merely to cause trouble, so they only added 10,000 blue crystal coins.
But to Xi He, these words sounded different.
In Xi He's view, they had clearly run out of funds, yet Shen Xiaoyan was asking for more. Zhen Lingrong didn't want Shen Xiaoyan to be disappointed, so she was putting on a brave face.
Therefore, Xi He resented the ignorant Shen Xiaoyan to the point of grinding her teeth.
After some thought, Xi He couldn't help but speak.
"Shen Xiaoyan! You're truly so inconsiderate. How can you ask the Hall Master to spend so much money for your personal desires? You're not that young anymore; you should be more sensible."
Her tone was filled with earnest concern, as if she were deeply considerate of Shen Xiaoyan.
Shen Xiaoyan turned her head slightly, looking at Xi He as if she were mentally deficient. "Go back and get your brain fixed if you're brainless. Self-importance is a sickness."
"You!"
Xi He trembled with rage at Shen Xiaoyan's jab, but Zhen Lingrong's sharp gaze silenced her.
Xi Jin couldn't help but roll her eyes. It was the same as always.
Clearly knowing that the outcome would always be the same, yet still insisting on speaking up. It was truly as Shen Xiaoyan said; this was a sign of a brainless mind.
How could she, so intelligent and clever, have such a mother?
Xi Jin pondered it from all angles, but could not understand. In the end, she could only sigh and stop dwelling on the matter.
With Xi He's nagging gone, Shen Xiaoyan could finally enjoy the show in peace.
In Imperial Room Eight, Yan Rulie's face was worse than if he had eaten excrement.
Who was the person in Imperial Room One, and why were they always opposing him?
Although the bidding voice sounded somewhat familiar, after racking his brain, he couldn't recall who it was. Yan Rulie figured it must be some sycophant he hadn't bothered to remember.
To think such a person would dare to obstruct him at this critical juncture; they were truly tired of living.
Taking a deep breath, Yan Rulie suppressed the anger in his heart and said to Long Ting, "Continue bidding!"
Long Ting sighed inwardly, his voice tinged with helplessness. "40.05 million!"
Even as a Grand Elder of the Solar Hot Sect, he couldn't accept such a price.
Especially when they were buying a mere blade of grass, a grass with an uncertain future.
Xiang Fei suppressed the excitement in her heart and loudly announced, "40.05 million blue crystal coins, 40.05 million blue crystal coins! Are there any further bids? Anyone else?"
In Imperial Room One, Zhen Lingrong looked at Shen Xiaoyan. "Should we continue?"
What if Yan Rulie ran out of money?
She wasn't unable to afford crystal coins, but she wanted to trick someone and ended up being tricked herself, so what should she do?
Shen Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then took out another brocade box from her space and walked to Mì Lè Buddha, whispering a few words in his ear.
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan, Mì Lè Buddha became incredibly excited.
He had never imagined that such a satisfying thing could be done.
He immediately patted his head, without further ado, turned and walked out.
Zhen Lingrong looked at Mì Lè Buddha's receding figure with confusion. "Where did you send him?"
Shen Xiaoyan smiled mysteriously but did not answer her question, only saying, "Continue bidding."
She said this to Lin Xin.
Although Lin Xin didn't know what Shen Xiaoyan was up to, he could vaguely sense a hint of mischief.
Therefore, he continued, "40.051 million!"
Damn it!
In Imperial Room Eight, Yan Rulie let out a curse.
He shot up from his wooden chair, his gaze fixed menacingly on Imperial Room One.
"I am the Sect Master of the Solar Hot Sect, and I am extremely fond of this Longevity Grass. May I ask which friend you are, and if you could perhaps show some leniency? If so, should you ever have needs in the future, Yan will undoubtedly spare no effort."
"Pfft!"
Hearing Yan Rulie, Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but laugh.
He was out of money, so he was resorting to using his status to pressure people?
Lin Xin was clearly adept at handling such matters. Without Zhen Lingrong needing to say anything, he retorted mockingly.
"Sect Master Yan has quite a grand tone. I fear you may not be able to help this old man!"
Upon hearing Lin Xin's reply, Yan Rulie quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
He was afraid Lin Xin wouldn't respond, which would have left him in a most awkward position.
"You are doing this on purpose!"
After uttering these words, Yan Rulie felt a surge of blood block his throat, almost suffocating him.
"Who exactly are you? If you have the guts, state your name!"
After taking a deep breath, Yan Rulie roared in fury.
He no longer cared about face or dignity.
In his view, Lin Xin was deliberately causing him trouble, otherwise, why would he keep adding money by increments of 10,000 each time?
It wasn't that he couldn't afford the 10,000 blue crystal coins, but at this rate, when would he ever get to bid for the item?
He hadn't considered adding 500,000 or 1,000,000 at once, but he feared Lin Xin would then add another 10,000, and he still wouldn't be able to buy it.
Regardless of the outcome, Lin Xin's actions were clearly targeting him.
Under these circumstances, Yan Rulie's ability to speak calmly, rather than smashing through the window to fight Lin Xin, was already an act of self-control.