Chapter 634 - 636: Being Too Clever for One’s Own Good (3rd update)

People gave Gu Yunting a warm round of applause for betting 18 billion at once, which indeed made a big statement and was rare anywhere.

Even if the elixir made from the Dan prescription could make a profit, when could it earn back 18 billion? That was a big question.

Gu Yunting also believed that he had beaten Lin Zhen, with a smug look on his face.

The World King next to him said, “Mr. Gu, I guess Lin Zhen may not have just one target, and he should have more than 10 billion in his hand. We can snipe him once, but it’s going to be too difficult to snipe him for a second time, right?”

“Don’t worry, before Lin Zhen came, I had already calculated his wealth. I have nearly 40 billion in my hand, and it’s no problem to snipe him for a second time.”

“But how can we be sure of Lin Zhen’s target?”

“Hehe! It’s very simple, he’s both a Martial Artist and Alchemist. His goal is either the Dan prescription or the martial arts technique. I have seen the techniques auctioned here, and there are two types of martial arts. Lin Zhen will definitely choose one of them.”

“Oh, which two?”

“One is the Star Fall Five Skill, and the other is the Taiyuan Sword Skill. Which one do you think he will choose?”

That World King pondered for a moment: “We have also looked up Lin Zhen’s information. This man has always been using guns. Although the Taiyuan Sword Skill is an ancient secret book, it is not suitable for him. I guess he will choose the Star Fall Five Skill.”

Gu Yunting chuckled: “Brother, you still don’t understand this cunning kid. He’s the best at playing tricks. You all saw him using a gun, right? Yes, he can use a gun, but compared to using a sword, it’s far worse. I dare to stake my life on it, he will definitely choose the sword skill because his sword foundation is so terrifying that even I feel the horror…”

“How come? The information clearly showed…?”

“Do you still remember those dead Domain Kings?” Gu Yunting suddenly asked.

Without waiting for the World King to answer, he continued, “Those Domain Kings were all killed by Lin Zhen’s finger. At that time, he was facing several people’s collective attack, close combat, and it was too late to use a gun. So, that was when his bottom-card had to be forced out, and this guy actually cultivated the Sword Qi with just a snap of his fingers!”

“No way! This kind of Sword Qi skill… I seem to have heard it’s…”

“You’re not mistaken. It’s the same skill used by a great expert like Hua Hua Taisui. Lin Zhen actually comprehended it too. With the depth of his understanding of swordsmanship, do you think it’s possible for him not to be tempted by the Taiyuan Sword Skill when he sees it?”

The World King next to him suddenly realized and admired Gu Yunting’s incredible calculation.

If it were him, he might have been trapped and killed by Lin Zhen today without knowing it. Instead, Gu Yunting could see through Lin Zhen’s schemes and kill Lin Zhen not just once, but twice.

Meeting Gu Yunting was indeed the greatest tragedy for Lin Zhen.

**********

There were many items in this auction, and treasures appeared one by one, attracting many people to compete for them.

There were even two Longevity Realm Martial Artists in the room, but they were fighting for a treasure called Mountain Jade. The two of them also fought for a price of more than 10 billion before one of them got it.

Now that the treasures had their owners, the Longevity Martial Artists got up and left. The higher the martial artist’s realm, the more they valued their time, and they generally would not waste time on meaningless affairs.

Even though the Longevity Realm Martial Artists left, everyone felt more relaxed, after all, competing for treasures with Longevity Warriors required great courage.

An ancient classic, the Taiyuan Sword Skill, caught everybody’s attention as it appeared in the auction.

The host introduced it enthusiastically, saying that the skill came from a Longevity Realm Martial Artist and was incredibly powerful. He added that it aroused great interest among people who were already very interested in sword skills.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have introduced the Taiyuan Sword Skill to you. Now it’s the auction time. The starting price is 2 billion. Each minimum increase cannot be less than 100 million. Starting now!”

As soon as the host finished, someone directly offered a price of 3 billion.

He wanted to use this method to deter some competitors, but he didn’t expect someone to immediately offer a price of 3.5 billion.

As soon as the 3.5 billion figure was called out, 4 billion appeared.

Most of the competitors retreated directly, but the price of the sword skill still continued to rise, climbing quickly to 7 billion.

At this time, Lin Zhen made another move.

“8 billion!”

As soon as Lin Zhen spoke, Gu Yunting sipped tea over there and said lightly, “Alchemists are also Martial Artists, and I also use a sword. I am interested in this sword skill. 10 billion!”

Lin Zhen glared, “You think it’s yours just because you said you’re interested? 11 billion!”

Seeing the two going at each other again, the people in the room almost stopped bidding.

One was an old rich man in the elixir market, and the other was a newly-rising and booming businessman. Both were extremely wealthy, so it was better not to compete with them.

The two went back and forth, and when Lin Zhen called out the 15 billion price, Gu Yunting once again smashed out a sky-high price of 18 billion.

“Lin Zhen, if you can afford a higher price than this, then the secret book is yours. But I have to warn you that, when bidding here, you need to make sure you have that much money in your bank account. Otherwise, even if you call a high price, the transaction will be invalidated, and you will have to pay compensation.”

<>, Gu Yunting didn’t have much money left. He had just spent a hundred eighty billion, and now he has spent another hundred eighty billion. If Lin Zhen raises the price again, he will have a hard time.

However, he wasn’t afraid at all because he knew how much money Lin Zhen had. This is called knowing your enemy and knowing yourself; in this way, you can fight a hundred battles without danger.

Indeed, 18 billion was Lin Zhen’s Achilles’ heel. Hearing this price, Lin Zhen could no longer raise the bid.

After the auctioneer’s three calls, the hammer fell, and Gu Yunting won again!

The crowd around, full of excitement and enthusiasm, applauded Gu Yunting. As the saying goes, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets; Lin Zhen’s financial strength is still far from Gu Yunting’s.

Gu Yunting smiled and bowed to the crowd. This time he had made a profit, not only humiliating Lin Zhen but also getting both items he needed.

In other words, his money wasn’t wasted, it was all well spent.

********

With a transaction amount of 180 billion, the 5% commission fee of 9 billion was paid to the auction house, leaving the remaining 171 billion to Lin Zhen’s account.

Seeing that he now had 310 billion in his card, Lin Zhen knew that he would definitely get the martial arts techniques today.

Star Fall Five Skill was actually Lin Zhen’s ultimate goal.

Gu Yunting’s reaction was within Lin Zhen’s expectations. After all, he didn’t truly understand Lin Zhen. Under Lin Zhen’s misdirection, Gu Yunting easily went astray.

This is called being outsmarted by one’s own cleverness. With a single Taiyuan Sword Skill book, Gu Yunting’s train of thought was led astray.

Although the Ancient Alchemy Recipe and Taiyuan Sword Skill ended up in Gu Yunting’s hands, Lin Zhen wasn’t worried at all.

What was his talent? Devouring! Memory Deprivation! Soul Searching!

Both the Ancient Alchemy Recipe and Taiyuan Sword Skill were ancient classics and could only be learned by one person. Once Gu Yunting learned them, the classics would automatically lose their power, becoming useless waste, and could only be permanently stored in the learner’s memory.

But Lin Zhen wasn’t afraid. Gu Yunting was an enemy. As long as he was defeated, everything that was lost would come back.

**********

Soon it was time for the auction house’s grand finale, the auction of the Star Fall Five Skill.

This universal martial arts secret book almost aroused the interest of everyone present. With a starting price of 30 billion, bidding was continuous with voices vying for superiority.

Gu Yunting leaned back in his chair, watching the scene with a smile. He had already scored big today, so he might as well just enjoy the show.

Lin Zhen also joined in the competition, raising the price by several billions at a time, quickly reaching 120 billion.

Now, Lin Zhen’s main competitor was the World King next to Gu Yunting.

This World King also had his sights set on the Star Fall Five Skill, but his financial strength wasn’t as strong as Gu Yunting’s, only having 130 billion. When Lin Zhen raised the price to 120 billion, he hesitated.

Gu Yunting glanced at him: “Bro, what are you waiting for? Keep raising the price. Older brother’s money is running out. Lin Zhen’s two main targets were snatched by me. This is his last hope. You can’t give him the chance.”

“Mr. Gu, I want to, but I only have 130 billion. This is all the wealth I have accumulated over the years. I’m afraid I am no match for Lin Zhen.”

“It doesn’t matter, you raise the price first, see his reaction.”

With a hard scalp, the World King called out 130 billion, and Lin Zhen immediately raised it to 150 billion!

“Mr. Gu, what should I do now?”

Gu Yunting blinked. Almost everyone knew about his grievances with Lin Zhen. If he didn’t completely crush Lin Zhen, people would surely ridicule him.

He knew how much money Lin Zhen had. If he raised the price to 180 billion, Lin Zhen would be done for.

His buddy had 130 billion, and he still had 50 billion himself. If he lent that money to his friend, Lin Zhen would get nothing this time.

Although he’d spent all his money, he still had some stockpile of elixirs. If he sold them, he’d still have a lot left. Let’s do it!

“I’ll transfer 50 billion to you. You help me get this secret book as well!” Without hesitation, Gu Yunting transferred 50 billion to his friend.

“Mr. Gu, let’s make a deal. You’ve owed me 4 billion for many years, and I’ve never asked for it. This time, whether the auction is successful or not, I won’t give back the 50 billion.”

“You don’t need to give it back, just defeat Lin Zhen!” Gu Yunting also went all out. He had forgotten about the money he owed and had some regrets now. But defeating Lin Zhen would be worth it.

“180 billion!” The World King next to him made the bid.

With a smile on his face, Gu Yunting looked at Lin Zhen: “Lin Zhen, this book is for me to help my friend buy, at 180 billion. If you can raise the price, this book is yours. But…do you have money left? Hahaha!”

Gu Yunting’s generous bidding shocked everyone. He’d already placed two bids of 180 billion, and he could still bid. How much money did this guy have?

At this point, Lin Feng whispered in Lin Zhen’s ear: “Boss, I feel like Gu Yunting is at his limit. Trust me, I have a good feeling, he doesn’t have any money left.”

Lin Zhen nodded slightly, then said a price that made Gu Yunting want to vomit blood: “181 billion!”