The tension inside the grand hall was heavy as stone.
Jin Renshu's calm expression slowly hardened when Mike answered him directly:
If I say no… then what?
Jin Renshu smirked, arms folded behind his back. Then I'll take that permit from you… by force.
His voice was low, sharp, and loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Several cultivators turned their heads toward the scene, sensing something brewing.
Inside Mike's body, Huo Chuntian growled:
What arrogance! You two should teach this man what it means to talk big. If he dares try anything don't hold back.
Jian Dao stepped forward slightly, one hand hovering near his inner robe where his blade would be.
Don't worry, Huo Chuntian, he said with a quiet, confident voice. Mike alone is more than enough for this group.
Mike tilted his head slightly, eyes calm but sharp behind his mask.
Senior Jin Renshu, he said coolly, are you giving me advice... or a warning?
Jin Renshu sneered. Take it as your last warning. I have a bad temper, and not much patience.
Jian Dao spoke firmly, stepping in: Let's be clear. We came here first. We paid twenty thousand gold, fair and square. You want to take it because you're a noble? Sorry, but we don't bend to status.
The hall grew quieter. The receptionist stepped back nervously as Lan Meiyu, the auction manager, stepped between them, trying to de-escalate.
Sirs, please, she said, bowing slightly. Let's not destroy the auction hall. Here's a suggestion. Whoever offers more gold will receive the private room.
Jin Renshu scoffed. Fine. I offer thirty thousand gold.
Jian Dao responded casually, Make it interesting. I offer fifty thousand.
Sixty thousand! Jin Renshu snapped.
Seventy thousand.
Ninety thousand!
One hundred thousand!
Jin Renshu laughed, a touch of mockery in his voice. Very well then. One hundred fifty thousand gold.
Jian Dao frowned. That's ridiculous for a room.
Huo Chuntian echoed from within Mike, Jian Dao! This isn't about the token. It's about pride. Let the boy handle this!
Mike took a step forward. Fine, then. I bid two hundred thousand gold.
Jian Dao turned, startled. Mike, what are you doing?! That's.
Don't worry, Master, Mike said, grinning slightly. I checked my ring earlier. I found a pouch with three hundred thousand gold. I've got more than enough.
Jin Renshu narrowed his eyes, finally taking a better look at Mike. A black cloak, chains on your arms… are you a fighter? Fine. I bid three hundred thousand gold.
Mike raised a hand slowly. Then I raise to five hundred thousand gold.
Jin Renshu's voice cracked. Five what?!
Mike smiled behind the mask. Just making this a little more fun.
The corridor trembled slightly as Jin Renshu's aura exploded outward, his flames flickering dangerously around him. His cultivation pressure surged Dou Wang, 3 stars.
Jian Dao stepped forward, his own aura surging to meet it Dou Wang, 1 star.
I'm not afraid to clash, Renshu, he said coldly.
Suddenly, Mike's posture shifted. Huo Chuntian took his place from within, and together their power surged to Dou Shi, 5 stars. The pressure in the corridor became unbearable for ordinary cultivators.
Behind Jin Renshu, five elite guards stepped forward Zong Shi 2 and 4 stars ready for battle.
The air in the auction corridor became thick and suffocating, like a coming storm.
Then, several powerful auras approached from the upper floors.
A tall man with calm eyes and flowing robes stepped forward.
Jin Kuanglie, brother of Jin Renshu.
Behind him came Luo Tianhai, Bai Ruoqing, and Mo Lanyue all famous cultivators of Shi Tan City. Their combined pressure silenced the crowd.
Enough, Jin Kuanglie said calmly. You're embarrassing our name, Renshu.
He turned toward Mike and Jian Dao. Gentlemen, please take Room 5. My brother and I will be in Room 2.
Order returned. The crowd parted as Mike and Jian Dao were respectfully escorted to their room. Jin Renshu reluctantly followed his brother.
Inside the Auction Hall, five private viewing rooms were now filled.
Room 1 , Luo Tianhai
Room 2 , Jin Renshu & Jin Kuanglie
Room 3 , Bai Ruoqing
Room 4 , Mo Lanyue
Room 5 , Mike and Jian Dao
As they sat down, a masked man entered the stage below the viewing boxes.
I welcome you all, he said. I will be your representative for today's auction. Fighters especially may find today's treasures quite valuable.
The crowd stirred.
Our first item, he continued, is the Yellow Flame a categorized low-rank flame. Bidding starts at twenty thousand gold.
People whispered in disappointment. A low rank flame? Who needs that?
Mike leaned toward Jian Dao. Low rank. Not worth it.
Jian Dao shook his head. Not for us. It's for my daughter Jian Wu. She doesn't have a flame yet.
At the mention of her name, Mike blinked. A wave of memories rushed through his mind.
Jian Wu... it's been so long... how is she now?
Huo Chuntian snickered inside Mike. Hey, hey. You've got a crush on your master's daughter?
Jian Dao smiled calmly. Don't worry, Huo. She likes him too.
Mike stammered, face warm. She's just… a friend. That's all.
The auctioneer called out, Twenty thousand starting do I hear a bid?
Twenty thousand, Jian Dao said casually.
No one countered.
The Yellow Flame goes to Room 5, the auctioneer declared.
Some murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd. Who buys a low rank flame in a private room?
Ignoring the chatter, the auctioneer smiled again. Now… for the second item.
The stage lights shifted, and a velvet draped platform was wheeled in.
The auctioneer lifted the cloth with a dramatic sweep.
Item two... the Nirvana Lily Technique.
The hall erupted in murmurs and gasps.
A rare, nearly lost technique! Bidding starts at two hundred thousand gold.
Jian Dao's eyes widened. The Nirvana Lily Technique?!
Huo Chuntian growled. Mike no matter what happens, buy that technique!