"Are you also participating in the competition for the enlightenment tea leaves?" Shen Han asked Wen Tingting.
"No, our Family isn't that wealthy," Wen Tingting said helplessly. Only upon arriving here did she realize there were so many rich people.
"Alright, in that case, why don't you leave first? I'm worried that participating in the auction later might implicate you," Shen Han said solemnly. "Once I successfully bid, I might be investigated, and then many forces might come looking for you."
"Understood. I didn't expect you to have become a little rich girl," Wen Tingting pursed her lips and chuckled. She also understood the seriousness of the situation. "Okay, then I'll leave first. Let's chat another time. You be careful."
"Don't worry."
Before the first set of enlightenment tea leaves was auctioned, Wen Tingting left the auction house and set off to return to Bashu Martial Arts University.
"One hundred fifty million!" Someone in the private room had already started bidding.
"One hundred eighty million!"
"Two hundred forty million!"
...Soon, the price climbed to three hundred million. At this point, the number of bidders gradually decreased, and many people withdrew from the competition.
"Three hundred twenty million!" This was the bid from the Lu Family in a private room on the second floor.
"Three hundred thirty million!"
"Damn it, the Xu Family is also competing with us!" Lu Yanlin was a bit annoyed, but he also knew this was Mingzhu's territory and dared not be too presumptuous.
"Three hundred forty million!"
"The Mu Family of Mingzhu is also joining the competition, interesting."
"Three hundred eighty million!"
Shen Han felt the voice was very familiar. "Is that Li Tianhao's voice? It seems this guy's background is truly not simple."
The Martial Artists on the first floor were already numb. Those who had held onto a glimmer of hope had now completely given up.
Almost all the bidders were well-known prominent Families from Mingzhu and its surrounding areas: the local Xu Family, Mu Family, and Li Family from Mingzhu, as well as the Lu Family from Nanjiang and the Luo Family from Dongjiang. Without exception, these Families all had deep backgrounds and powerful strength. Offending any one of them was akin to seeking death.
The audience on the first floor gradually shifted from bidders to spectators. No one dared to rashly intervene anymore. Even if they had some strength, they wouldn't easily stir up this muddy water.
On the stage, the bids from the various great Families continued to rise and fall, clashing head-on. Each price increase seemed like a contest of strength, with no one willing to fall behind, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Shen Han secretly thought that since this first set was already being competed for like this, the subsequent nine sets would likely be similar, and the prices might even be driven higher. The further along it went, the more anxious these Families would become, fearing their Family would fall behind, and they would bid regardless of cost.
Participate directly in the first set, secure it, and then leave. With this decision made, Shen Han also began his bidding.
"Five hundred million!"
Shen Han's clear voice interrupted the competition among the various Families, and everyone was surprised that such a young Martial Artist from the first floor was participating in this kind of competition.
As soon as this price was announced, the entire venue fell into a brief silence. Clearly, this figure had already deterred the vast majority of people.
Lu Family private room
"It's her!" Lu Yanlin's face darkened when he saw Shen Han bid. "Wang Gang! Very good, you finally appeared."
"Lin'er, do you know this person?" The Elder of the Lu Family asked.
"Sixth Uncle, do you still remember Wang Gang, who competed with us for the heaven marrow fruit back then?" Lu Yanlin asked an Elder of the Lu Family.
"Oh, there was such a person. At the time, we sent many people to investigate, but he vanished as if into thin air. I didn't expect him to appear here, interesting!"
Mu Family private room
"It's her again. She competed for the Space Shard before, and now she's participating in the enlightenment tea leaves auction. This girl is not simple. Does anyone know her background?" The handsome Young Lord of the Mu Family asked.
"Never seen her," Mu Bingyao replied simply and directly.
"She should be a child of some Family as well," everyone speculated.
At this moment, after the price of five hundred million was called out, no one followed up. Although the enlightenment tea leaves were good, the market price for 5 pieces was only a little over four hundred million at most.
Ultimately, Shen Han acquired the first set of 5 enlightenment tea leaves for five hundred million.
"It's time to leave. If I don't leave now, there might be trouble."
After paying five hundred ninety-one million, Shen Han obtained the Space Shard and the enlightenment tea leaves. Just as she was about to leave, someone blocked her path.
"Lady, please wait. I am Mu Lingxu, the Young Lord of the Mu Family. I also Cultivate a Space Element Special Ability and would like to purchase half of the Space Shard you just bid for."
"Oh? So it was you who was competing with me for the Space Shard earlier?"
"It was me. I just didn't want to benefit the auction house, you know? How about it, I can buy half from you at a price of 50 million." Mu Lingxu looked at Shen Han expectantly.
Shen Han pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."
Shen Han felt that she wouldn't need all 38 pieces. Moreover, she was anxious to leave and didn't want to get entangled further.
The two quickly completed the transaction. Mu Lingxu was clearly very satisfied, smiling as he clasped his hands in greeting. However, just as the transaction ended, another person blocked Shen Han's path.
"What, is the Lu Family trying to stop me at the auction house?" Shen Han sneered.
"Lady, you misunderstand. I am the Sixth Elder of the Lu Family, representing the Lu Family to conduct a transaction with you. The Lu Family will purchase the enlightenment tea leaves you bid for at five hundred million, and the past grievances between you and my Lu Family will be written off. How about it?" The Sixth Elder of the Lu Family smiled.
"Apologies, I have other uses for the enlightenment tea leaves and cannot use them for trade. Please move aside." Shen Han looked at him, her tone cold.
The Sixth Elder of the Lu Family frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure appearing on his face, and his voice deepened: "Lady, this is already the second time you have refused the Lu Family. You must understand that being an enemy of the Lu Family is not a wise move. It's always better to have more friends. You should think twice."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Mu Lingxu on the side let out a soft chuckle and said, "Interesting. An Elder of the Nanjiang Lu Family actually comes to Mingzhu to act wild and even threatens my friend. This is truly an eye-opener."
The Sixth Elder of the Lu Family's expression changed. He hadn't expected the Mu Family to interfere in this matter. He suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Young Lord Mu, this is a matter between my Lu Family and this lady. Please do not interfere."
Mu Lingxu smiled faintly, not backing down at all: "What if I insist on interfering?"
The Sixth Elder's face instantly turned ashen, but he was helpless. The Mu Family had immense power in Mingzhu, and he, being from Nanjiang, dared not confront them head-on at this moment. He snorted coldly and angrily flicked his sleeves, departing.
"Many thanks, Brother Mu, for your righteous assistance." Shen Han cupped her fists in greeting, her tone calm.
Mu Lingxu smiled slightly, his gaze carrying some scrutiny: "You're too kind. May I ask for the lady's esteemed name?"
"Is this? Flirting with me?" Shen Han felt a chill. "My humble name is not worth mentioning. Until we meet again!"
With that, she vanished from the auction house in a flash.
Mu Lingxu looked in the direction she disappeared, a smile playing on his lips: "Interesting!"
"Brother, you didn't fall for her, did you?" Mu Bingyao, seeing that Mu Lingxu hadn't returned, came out to see what was happening and witnessed this scene.
Mu Lingxu tapped her forehead: "Don't talk nonsense. Let's go, back home."