Chapter 59: Silent Reaper In Hand

Across the room, a sharp laugh broke the tension. Fang Lili, her crimson hair flowing like fire, grinned mischievously. She twirled a delicate strand around her finger, her green eyes sparkling with amusement as she glanced between Bia Zhen and the Zhao Tain duo"

"Well, well," she drawled, her voice teasing. "It's been a while, Bia Zhen. Are you here to stir up trouble or just enjoying the show?"

Bia Zhen shot Fang Lili a glare. "Why don't you keep out of this, Lili?"

She smirked, unfazed. "Oh, don't worry, Bia Zhen. I'm just here to watch you embarrass yourself again."

The crowd chuckled softly, and Bia Zhen's face turned an even deeper shade of red.

"280,000!" Zhao Tian snapped, his voice cutting through the laughter.

"300,000," Wu Jian countered instantly, his fan snapping shut with a sharp click.

Zhao Tian's frustration mounted as the bids continued to climb. Jiang Feng remained quiet, his gaze drifting back to the Phoenix Flame Lilies glowing on the stage.

Lan Xue leaned toward Zhao Tian, her voice urgent. "Big Brother Zhao, focus. We can't let them intimidate us, I will reward you when we get back"

Zhao Tian gritted his teeth as his eyes began to shine. "320,000!"

The air in the auction hall was electric, tension radiating from every corner as eyes flicked between the competitors. Jiang Feng let out a soft chuckle, drawing all attention back to him. He raised his hand once more.

"350,000."

The room erupted into whispers, and Zhao Tian shot to his feet. "You!" he roared, pointing at Jiang Feng. "You think this is a game?!"

Jiang Feng's gaze remained calm. "If you can't keep up, Mr Zhao Tian, you're free to bow out. No shame in knowing your limits." Though he said that, he was sweating bullets, that amount was something would cause he to miss slew for days.

The murmur of the crowd grew louder as Zhao Tian clenched his fists, the veins on his neck bulging. Fang Lili's laughter echoed softly, and even Wu Jian allowed himself a slight smirk.

"Enough posturing!" the auctioneer barked, his gavel poised to strike. "Final bids, ladies and gentlemen!"

"400,000" Zhao Tian shouted.

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The crowd sat in stunned silence, their mouths slightly agape. Although Zhao Tian was a rising star in the Crimson Sky Pavilion, everyone in the room knew he didn't possess the wealth to back such a bold bid. Even with Lan Xue at his side, their combined resources wouldn't amount to that astronomical figure. Yet, it wasn't anyone's business to question how they'd settle the payment. That was a matter between the powers of Northern Moon, and no one dared interfere in the Ji clan's domain.

"Zhao Tian bids 400,000. Does anyone have a higher bid?" the auctioneer asked, his voice steady yet filled with excitement. A bright smile adorned his face, not from sympathy for Zhao Tian, but from the sheer value of the auction's success. His job was simple: to sell treasures and maintain order. It was not his concern whether Zhao Tian and Lan Xue would face hell in collecting the funds later. What mattered was that no one dared disturb the Golden Exchange Pavilion's auction—a rule even arrogant juniors like Zhao Tian and Lan Xue understood too well.

Wu Jian, his fan now folded, seemed on the verge of making another bid. But after a brief moment of calculation, he shook his head, leaning back into his chair. Across the room, Bia Zhen grumbled and sat down, his fiery temper simmering beneath his skin. Fang Lili, however, watched the events unfold with a satisfied smile. While the Fang Clan was wealthy, she hadn't been entrusted with the kind of resources necessary to outbid Zhao Tian's reckless display. Besides, Fang Lili wasn't one to gamble recklessly; she knew better than to create a debt she couldn't pay off.

"Damnit," Jiang Feng muttered under his breath, slouching slightly in his chair. His expression twisted beneath the mask he wore, as if physically pained by the sheer magnitude of the spirit stones involved. "No way am I throwing away that much wealth."

The auctioneer's voice cut through the tension. "Going once!" He paused, scanning the crowd as if daring someone to counter the bid. "Going twice!"

A sharp bang echoed through the hall as the auctioneer's gavel struck the podium. "Sold to Zhao Tian of the Crimson Sky Pavilion for 400,000 spirit stones!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs. Zhao Tian and Lan Xue shared tense smiles, though sweat beaded on their foreheads. Relief mingled with the realization of the colossal debt they'd just incurred. Their exhilaration at winning was tempered by the knowledge that they'd need their seniors to cover the cost—a favor that would undoubtedly burden them for years to come.

"Damnit," Zhao Tian growled as his eyes darted between Jiang Feng and the ever-relaxed Wu Jian. His fists clenched, and his gaze burned with fury. "If I don't show these fools my strength, they'll keep thinking I'm easy to play with."

Lan Xue's calm voice cut through his anger. "Big Brother Zhao, now's not the time. If you cause trouble here or near the pavilion, the Ji clan will get involved. Do you want to tarnish their reputation by acting rashly?"

Zhao Tian exhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. "Fine," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "Let them have their moment. I'll deal with them later." With that, he turned and headed toward the back of the stage, Lan Xue following close behind.

As the winners made their way backstage to collect their prizes, the energy of the auction floor shifted. While some participants celebrated their victories, others sulked, cursing their lack of resources. Jiang Feng rose from his seat, adjusting his mask as he moved through the crowd.

The backstage area was bustling with activity. Booths lined the walls, each staffed by attendants handling the transactions for the winning bids. The air was thick with a mix of triumph and frustration—those who had won their bids walked away with smiles, while those who had fallen short muttered curses under their breath. Jiang Feng spotted Bia Zhen berating his lackeys, his booming voice cutting through the noise. Fang Lili stood nearby, casting a disinterested glance in Bia Zhen's direction before turning to leave, her red hair catching the light as she strode off with effortless grace.

Jiang Feng's eyes flicked to a booth where Zhao Tian and Lan Xue entered, their expressions strained despite their forced smiles. He shook his head subtly, smirking under his mask. Who's the real winner here—Zhao Tian or Lan Xue? He turned away and headed toward a nearby booth that had just been vacated.

Stepping inside, he found a middle-aged man seated at a desk, a thick ledger in hand. The man's quill moved briskly across the page, striking off names and marking transactions as completed. He didn't even glance up when Jiang Feng entered.

"Mask man. Winner of the Silent Reaper. That's 148,000 spirit stones," the man said flatly, his voice as mechanical as his movements. "Place your card in the slot to your left. The amount will be deducted, and the remaining balance can either stay on the card for future auctions or be withdrawn immediately." He pointed to a slot in the wall without lifting his gaze.

Jiang Feng approached the wall and studied the slot before pausing. He still had 152,000 spirit stones remaining on his credit card, and the thought of draining it gave him pause. Lowering his voice to mask his identity, he asked, "My master sent me to acquire the Silent Reaper, but I've been tasked with obtaining other items as well. This is my first time in the pavilion. Are there shops nearby that sell high-quality cultivation resources?"

The middle-aged man finally looked up, his sharp eyes scanning Jiang Feng for a brief moment before replying. "The Ji clan operates several shops specializing in cultivation resources. They accept trades and spirit stones, and your auction credit card can also be used for purchases at these establishments." He gestured again toward the slot.

Jiang Feng nodded, satisfied with the response. Sliding the card into the slot, he waited as a soft beep signaled the transaction's completion. Moments later, the card reappeared, and the attendant disappeared into the back of the booth. When he returned, he held two scrolls in his hands and placed them on the desk.

"Here. The Silent Reaper and its details. Your transaction is complete."

Jiang Feng took the scrolls and tucked them into his robe. Nodding slightly in thanks, he turned to leave, his mind already racing with plans for what he'd need to do next. Behind him, the auction house buzzed with the murmur of deals, rivalries, and the unending pursuit of power.