Chapter 493: Chapter 288: Second Identity, Unexpected Gain

"Mr. Ye, you overstate the matter," Yi said. "Am I really such a deplorable person? Since this is a fair bidding war, let us continue!"

As soon as he spoke, no one else dared to make a bid. The Cultivators who had previously paused to observe the situation now gave up on the idea entirely.

They couldn’t outbid them, and they couldn’t afford to offend them.

This was the crux of their thinking.

Seeing this, the elderly auctioneer breathed a silent sigh of relief and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Haha, both you Elders are reasonable men! In that case, the auction will continue! Elder Yi in Celestial Pavilion Number Three has bid thirty-one thousand Spirit Stones, and Elder Ye in Earth Pavilion Number Seven has bid thirty-one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones! Are there any further bids?" His gaze shifted back to the room where Lin Changheng was.

"Thirty-two thousand!"

Lin Changheng alone remained unfazed, continuing to call out prices without the slightest hint of hesitation, showing no intention of stopping.

As the bids approached forty thousand, Lin Changheng remained the sole contender, appearing completely confident and at ease.

A look of surprise began to dawn on Ye Wuji’s face. He glanced repeatedly toward Lin Changheng’s Celestial Pavilion. ’To be seated in a Celestial Pavilion, this person’s status and strength must be extraordinary, or perhaps his wealth is simply staggering.’ But he held no other intentions, only the calm acceptance of one who is willing to lose a fair bet.

Yi Jitian’s expression, however, was far darker.

Clearly, this outcome was a significant departure from his original plan. But having just been put on the spot by Ye Wuji, he was unable to lash out.

As the gorgeously robed elder finally brought down the gavel, Lin Changheng successfully acquired the Coiling Phoenix Grass.

’A bit of a premium, but well within my means.’

...

"Elder Ling?"

"I am here!"

"You..."

Just then, Yi Jitian shuddered, a strange flush spreading across his face. After savoring the afterglow for a moment, he watched the Maid meticulously clean up before turning to the old man standing respectfully behind him. "...Go investigate this person’s identity for me," he ordered. "Find out if he’s the young master of some Noble Family or a prized disciple of a Sect. If the opportunity arises, we might even be able to arrange a trade."

"It’s not that I lack other Core Formation Spiritual Materials. I just happen to be missing this particular one."

As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Ling was taken aback.

"Young Master..."

His hesitant voice trailed off, filled with confusion. In his mind, given the Young Master’s usual temperament, he would have surely held a grudge and been looking for a chance to retaliate and take back the Coiling Phoenix Grass.

’And yet, he’s being so peaceful about it?’

"’One must be viewed with new eyes after an absence of three days.’ Surely you understand such a simple principle, Elder Ling?"

Seeing his robes being meticulously arranged, Yi Jitian was satisfied. He tossed a small bag of Spirit Stones into the arms of the Maid who had completed her hard work. Looking out at the new round of bidding in the hall, he posed his question in a rather distant tone.

Elder Ling’s mouth twitched. He gave a dry laugh. "You are right, Young Master. This old servant was being too narrow-minded."

Inwardly, however, he couldn’t help but mutter, ’It seems the Master’s strict order of confinement last time really had an effect.’ Outwardly, though, his expression was one of flattery and relief. After all, he had watched this young master grow up. For the boy to show promise was not a bad thing for him, either.

"Go on."

A Token shot out.

"Yes!"

Elder Ling immediately departed, holding the Token from the Extreme South Palace’s branch.

As long as core interests were not at stake, all the major influences had to show some respect for the name of the Extreme South Palace. If a reasonable request was made, most would put on a smile and do their best to accommodate it.

But if a Fake Core Cultivator had been present, they would have discovered that Elder Ling’s aura was as deep and profound as an abyss—he was clearly a Cultivator of the same rank.

For such a powerful Cultivator to be a mere house servant was simply beyond belief.

...

Meanwhile, Lin Changheng had already completed the transaction.

His Storage Bag now held another Elixir Formation Auxiliary Medicine.

The value of the liquid assets in Lin Changheng’s Storage Bag still exceeded one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

It was still more than enough.

The auction continued.

Lin Changheng watched on, waiting for an opportunity to make his move.

However, he soon found that when the Fake Core Cultivators started bidding seriously, his own wealth began to feel inadequate in comparison.

He was forced to give up.

Among Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators, his wealth could be considered abundant, but compared to the Fake Core Cultivators, it was simply not enough.

Just as he was wondering if it was time to leave, there was a knock at the door of his private room, made by someone accompanied by a Steward from the Immortal City auction house.

Lin Changheng’s brow furrowed. His gaze swept over the kindly-smiling old man and then to the Steward beside him, who looked clearly troubled, as if he were forcing himself to be there. Lin Changheng said nothing, simply watching them.

"Young Master Li, my young master would like to request a moment of your time."

This old man was none other than Yi Jitian’s servant, the Fake Core Cultivator Elder Ling. His smile was sincere as he asked, "I wonder if you might be willing to step elsewhere to talk?"

Lin Changheng did not answer directly. Instead, looking perfectly calm and unhurried, he turned his serious gaze to the auction house’s Steward. "I don’t believe I’m aware of any rule at the Immortal City Auction that requires a guest to accept another’s invitation. Is there?"

The Steward sighed, a helpless expression on his face. Caught between a distinguished guest of a Celestial Pavilion on one side and an honored guest from the Extreme South Palace on the other, he was in an impossible position. "Of course, there is no such rule."

"In that case, I’m afraid I must decline your kind offer."

Lin Changheng smiled serenely, rejecting Elder Ling outright. "Furthermore, showing up uninvited during an auction doesn’t seem to be very polite behavior."

Freed from the constraints of a known identity and the need to worry about future repercussions, Lin Changheng naturally let his Cultivator’s pride show.

"Ahem, that’s not exactly the right way to look at it."

Elder Ling was remarkably good-tempered and showed no anger at all. On the contrary, he felt that for Lin Changheng to face a Fake Core Cultivator with a partially revealed aura and not only remain so composed but also dare to refuse him, he must surely have a powerful backer.

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