234: After a strong takeover, the client backed out?

Ye Chen's heart shook.

Bing Lan possessed the rare 'Extreme Yin Physique'; if she couldn't find a suitable cultivation technique, she certainly wouldn't live past twenty-seven.

But once she could step into cultivation, she would surely soar to the heavens.

According to the records in the [Houtu Inheritance], he and Bing Lan needed to perform dual cultivation on the last day of her twenty-sixth year, using Yin and Yang to guide and harmonize, in order to help her escape the death trap and transform her constitution for her own use.

While the "Record of Yin-Yang Harmony" in the inheritance was also a top-tier method, it wasn't tailor-made for the 'Extreme Yin Physique' after all, so there was always a bit of a gap and some strain.

But the intent flowing through this fragment before him actually resonated perfectly with Bing Lan's physical fluctuations.

It was as if... this xuanyin silk scroll was a supreme codex tailor-made for those with the 'Extreme Yin Physique'!

Even though it was only a fragment, its core 'Dao' and 'Principles,' and its level of compatibility with the Extreme Yin source, far surpassed the generic "Record of Yin-Yang Harmony" from the inheritance.

If he could obtain this fragment to study, even if it was incomplete, its value to Bing Lan would be immeasurable!

There were only twenty-some days left until the appointed date for his "dual cultivation" with Bing Lan; the appearance of this fragment was simply a stroke of luck from the heavens!

Bai Wanqing had been keeping an eye on Ye Chen's expression.

Seeing his gaze fixed on the silk book fragment for a long time, she asked softly, "Ye Chen, are you... interested in this item?"

Ye Chen withdrew his gaze and nodded.

"Yes, this thing is very important to me."

Chu Niubi was munching on potato chips; hearing this, he immediately threw the bag aside, patted his chest, and started shouting.

"Don't you worry, Master!"

"Since you want it, I, your disciple, guarantee I'll win the bid for you!"

"Isn't it just money?"

"My Chu family doesn't have much else, but we have plenty of money!"

"Even if I have to buy this entire Tianque Pavilion tonight, I'll bring this scrap of cloth... ah, no, this Warring States treasure, before you!"

On the auction stage, Lin Wei had already begun the introduction.

"This Warring States 'xuanyin silk scroll' fragment is believed to have come from an ancient tomb in the Chu region; the characters and patterns on it have yet to be fully deciphered!"

"The starting price is fifty million RMB, with each bid increment no less than five million!"

"The bidding starts now!"

"Sixty million!" someone in the hall immediately raised their paddle.

"Seventy million!"

"Eighty million!"

...The price climbed steadily but in small increments; clearly, many were taking a wait-and-see attitude toward this hard-to-identify fragment.

Seeing this, Chu Niubi chuckled, grabbed the bidding device, and slammed his thumb down on it!

"Heaven Box Number One bids—three hundred million!"

Lin Wei's voice then resounded throughout the hall.

Three hundred million!

It jumped directly from less than a hundred million to three hundred million!

This was a show of absolute determination!

The entire hall fell silent for a moment. Many people gasped and looked up at Sky Box Number One on the second floor.

It's the young master of the Chu family again!

Is this lord obsessed with the unit of 'hundred million' tonight?

Previously, he dropped three hundred million for a piece of jade marrow, and now he's dropping another three hundred million for a tattered silk book fragment?

After a brief silence... an old man wearing gold-rimmed glasses hesitated for a moment, seemingly very tempted by the research value of the fragment, and raised his paddle again: "Three hundred and five million."

"Hmph! You still dare to follow?"

Chu Niubi's eyebrows shot up, and he was about to press the bidding device again... just then.

From the direction of box no. 3, a cold and pleasant female voice spread throughout the entire auction hall via the amplification equipment.

"Since the friend in Sky Box Number One has taken a fancy to this item, I in box no. 3 am willing to do a favor."

"This item, I in Box Number Three will also protect it."

"Everyone present, if you are willing to give my Yan Family some face, please stay your hand. Yan Qingwu... thanks you here."

Yan Qingwu?

The pride of the Yan Family in the capital!

She actually made a public statement to help Sky Box Number One bid for this item?

And from her tone, there was actually a hint of joining forces?

The whole place was in an uproar!

Countless gazes shifted back and forth between 'heaven character number one' and 'box no. 3,' faces filled with uncertainty.

Wait... the Young Master of the Chu family and the eldest miss of the Yan Family, these two top-tier playboys and geniuses who usually have nothing to do with each other, are actually joining forces tonight?

Damn it!

Yanjing and the capital are probably about to see a change in the weather!

However.

Before everyone could recover from the shock, Chu Niubi's arrogant and overbearing voice exploded from Sky Box Number One.

"Did you all hear that? My Mas—cough, I, Chu Niubi, am determined to get this item!"

"Eldest Miss Yan is also giving me face!"

"I'll lay it out right here today!"

"Who the hell dares to be so blind as to keep bidding and fight with me..."

"I'll make sure he won't see the Yanjing sun tomorrow morning!"

A blatant threat!

Combined with Chu Niubi's reputation as the 'Chaos Demon King of Yanjing' and the explicit support of Yan Qingwu from the Yan Family, this pressure was almost tangible!

In the hall, the old professor who had just raised his paddle trembled, nearly dropping it. His face turned pale, and in the end, he didn't dare raise it again.

Other collectors or representatives of forces who had some interest also withdrew, completely giving up on the idea of competing.

To offend the rising Chu family and the unfathomable Yan Family at the same time for an indecipherable Warring States fragment?

And even potentially be targeted by a madman like Chu Niubi?

Unless their brains were caught in a door!

On the auction stage, Lin Wei waited for a moment. Seeing that indeed no one else spoke up to bid, she understood and didn't hesitate anymore.

"Three hundred million, going once!"

"Three hundred million, going twice!"

"Three hundred million, going three times—sold!"

The gavel fell, settling the matter.

"Congratulations to the guest in Sky Box Number One for successfully bidding on tonight's grand finale, the Warring States 'xuanyin silk scroll' fragment!"

Chu Niubi whistled proudly in the box, turned to Ye Chen, and smiled as if seeking credit, "Master, it's done! Easy peasy!"

Ye Chen looked at the ancient silk book on the screen being carefully put away, a flash of anticipation in his eyes.

For Bing Lan, this thing was a crucial turning point.

But then again... for Yan Qingwu to stand up at this time, she was probably trying to repay him a favor.

But it didn't matter.

Ye Chen never expected to use a hero-saves-beauty act to ask the Yan Family for benefits; it was a blessing as long as they didn't come looking for trouble!

Chu Niubi was triumphantly preparing for the staff to come for the handover.

On the auction stage, Lin Wei also smiled and gestured for her assistant to push out the constant-temperature cabinet containing the 'xuanyin silk scroll' fragment, preparing to send it to Sky Box Number One.

However—

Just at this moment!

In the passage to the side of the auction stage, a Middle-aged Man wearing the internal uniform of Tianque Pavilion ran up to Lin Wei in a panic and whispered a few words to her.

The smile on Lin Wei's face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of great astonishment.

This subtle change did not escape the eyes of some people in the second-floor box area.

Inside Sky Box Number One, Ye Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

Bai Wanqing also set down her teacup, her gaze narrowing slightly.

Seeing this, Chu Niubi muttered even more, "What kind of nonsense is this now?"

Lin Wei took a deep breath and then apologetically raised the microphone.

"I am very sorry, distinguished guests."

"We have just received an emergency notice that the consignor for tonight's final item, the Warring States 'xuanyin silk scroll' fragment, lot number 018, has had a temporary change of heart."

She paused, looking toward Sky Box Number One.

"The consignor has decided to terminate this transaction and is willing to pay the successful bidder in Sky Box Number One ten times the transaction price as a penalty for breach of contract, according to the auction rules, which is..."

"Three billion RMB as compensation."

Whoosh—!

The hall immediately erupted in a continuous wave of gasps.

Three billion in penalty fees?

Just to back out of an item sold for three hundred million?

Does this consignor have so much money it's burning a hole in their pocket, or is there some shocking secret hidden behind this fragment that they'd rather pay such a massive price to take it back?

Lin Wei's voice continued, and this time, her words left everyone dumbfounded.

"At the same time, the consignor has also made an additional request."

"He hopes to negotiate face-to-face with the guest in Sky Box Number One and is willing to pay another astronomical sum to purchase..."

"All information and secrets the guest knows regarding this 'xuanyin silk scroll' fragment."