Chapter 360

Chapter 360: The Auction

"That's Xiao Qi, isn't it?" An elder from the Lin family remarked, observing Lin Xie beside Bai Chenxing.

As Bai Chenxing's group appeared, they immediately became the center of attention.

"It must be." Lin Xie, having been disfigured for over a decade, now restored to her original appearance, was hardly recognizable to some of the Lin family elders.

"Lin Xie has grown up so beautifully!" A nearby elder exclaimed.

In her youth, before her disfigurement, Lin Xie was pretty but reserved, giving off a somewhat provincial aura.

Now, either she had let go of her inhibitions or had become even more beautiful, radiating an unparalleled elegance.

"Xiao Qi is entering the auction hall with Elder Bai and Elder Ling," murmured a Lin family elder.

Elder Lin San sighed. The family had invested so much in Lin Yu, only for it to go in vain.

Lin Xie, long neglected by the family, had emerged as their sole beacon of hope. Sadly, after years of cold treatment, Lin Xie probably had given up on them.

Lin Xie accompanied Bai Chenxing and his group into the Bai family's private box.

Guests began to pour into the auction hall. The Bai family had distributed invitations of various grades, with the Lin family receiving one of the lowest tiers. Martial masters mostly received private box invitations.

The best boxes at the auction were reserved for the Bai and Ling families.

As Bai Chenxing and Ling Chuan arrived, auction staff promptly presented them with an assortment of pastries and fruit platters.

...

Inside the private box.

"Lin Shao, you and Mu Dan Shi make quite the couple," Ling Chuan remarked to Lin Xie with a mischievous grin.

Caught off guard, Lin Xie responded with an embarrassed smile, "You jest, Elder Ling." In front of such a renowned artifact master, she couldn't help but be reserved.

"When are you two planning to tie the knot?" Ling Chuan inquired.

Lin Xie hesitated briefly, his eyes widening in surprise. "Elder Ling, isn't that a bit too soon...?"

Ling Chuan responded with pride, "Not at all. Back in the day, Ah Kun and I were smitten at first sight, our love enduring through thick and thin."

Qu Kun, initially engrossed in his pastries, choked upon hearing Ling Chuan's words, struggling for breath.

Qu Xinyang handed Qu Kun a cup of spiritual water, asking, "Father, are you alright?"

Qu Kun shook his head, replying, "I'm fine."

Love at first sight? Love at first sight, my foot! Had he even gotten a clear look at Ling Chuan's face back then?

Lin Xie gave an awkward smile, saying, "Elder Ling, you're a master in your own right. I can't compare to your stature..."

"That's true," Ling Chuan remarked.

Lin Xie: "..."

Qu Kun, looking at Ling Chuan, said, "Just hold your tongue and refrain from speaking for once." Was their rather forceful union something to brag about?

With a playful smirk, Ling Chuan replied, "Alright! If you want me to keep quiet, I will."

Qu Kun: "..."

Lin Xie subtly communicated with Mu Yuanfeng, rubbing his hands, "The bond between Elder Ling and Elder Qu seems strong."

"They've been together for ages; naturally, their bond is solid," Mu Yuanfeng replied matter-of-factly.

Bai Chenxing's mouth twitched. He could naturally overhear the conversation between Mu Yuanfeng and Lin Xie, as well as the dynamics between Qu Kun and Ling Chuan.

While Qu Kun wore a twisted expression, Ling Chuan's was one of smugness.

Seeing Bai Chenxing's amused expression, a clueless Qu Xinyang pinched him.

Bai Chenxing offered Qu Xinyang a sheepish smile.

...

The cultivators began arriving, invitations in hand.

The well-trained auction staff directed each cultivator to their respective seats.

Lin Xie was surprised to spot the presence of Lin Family's Elder, a respected figure with significant influence in the Lin Clan. However, even he might not match up to a mere guard from the Bai family.

Thirty Grade-8 elixirs were auctioned in three batches, starting with ten Grade-8 elixirs.

Though the Dan Tower possessed Grade-8 alchemists, they rarely crafted elixirs. The auction of the Grade-8 elixirs excited every martial master present.

"Grandfather, this auction is quite lively!" He Jingyue exclaimed.

He Xian nodded, replying, "Indeed."

Several martial masters had publicly announced their participation in this auction.

Mu Chen had treated He Xian quite well, once selling him two Grade-8 elixirs at a discounted price.

As the Grade-8 elixir appeared, the price skyrocketed.

...

The Lin Clan's Elder seemed restless in his seat.

The escalating bids left the Elder of the Lin Clan on edge.

Grade-8 spiritual herbs, Grade-9 spiritual herbs, spiritual veins, various treasures... any single item could bankrupt the Lin Clan.

"Master Mu, we're going to make a killing this time," the Second Elder of the Lin family remarked.

Lin He gave a wry smile, replying, "Indeed." Even just the invitations for this auction had fetched a hefty sum.

The might of a Grade-9 alchemist was evident. A simple gesture could bring vast wealth.

The value of a single item Mu Chen possessed exceeded centuries of the Lin family's efforts.

"Have you seen Xiao Qi?" Lin He inquired with furrowed brows.

"No, he must have gone to the private box," the Second Elder replied.

Lin He sighed, "That seems likely."

With so many experts present, Lin He didn't dare to carelessly exert his spiritual power.

The competition for the Grade-8 elixir was fierce, with martial masters fiercely contesting it, leaving the powerful martial elders silent.

The auction of the seventh-grade elixir was as popular as hot tea.

Initially, Lin Huo thought that with what the Lin family brought, they could easily afford a Moon Soul Pill. However, there were so many influential figures present that the price skyrocketed with each bid. Just a slight prompt from the auctioneer, and the price would quickly exceed expectations.

Lin Huo gave a wry smile. Even if Lin Yu hadn’t been incapacitated, the Lin family couldn't afford a Moon Soul Pill with their means.

"What happened between Xiao Qi and Mu Yuanfeng? Does Mu Yuanfeng have feelings for Xiao Qi?" the second elder of the Lin family couldn't help but ask.

If Lin Xie could form a bond with Mu Yuanfeng, even if just as a concubine, the Lin family would surely benefit greatly.

Ling Chuan looked at Lin Xie and said, "Xiao Xie, my seventh brother has always wanted a twin but couldn’t have one. How about you become his adopted son?"

Lin Xie hesitated for a moment, asking, "Would that be appropriate?"

"Of course it would," Ling Chuan said confidently. "I think my seventh brother would love you."

Lin Xie lowered his head, showing some hesitation.

Mu Yuanfeng took Lin Xie’s hand and said, “Given the elder's intentions, you should agree.” Ling Chuan wouldn’t harm Lin Xie. Being adopted by Ling Chen would elevate Lin Xie’s status, especially considering his humble origins.

Hearing this, Lin Xie nodded at Ling Chuan, saying, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Elder Ling."

Ling Chuan chuckled, "No need for thanks. We'll all be family from now on."

Qu Kun, looking at Ling Chuan’s smiling face, felt a sense of cunning emanating from him.

...

Bai Family.

"Mu Chen, the auction has already been going on for a while," Ye Shi said, entering the spirit tower.

"I know," Mu Chen replied. "The initial auction proceeds have already been sent to me."

Tilting his head, Ye Shi asked, "Would you like to take a look?"

Mu Chen shook his head, saying, "There’s no need. With my father-in-law and grandfather present, it doesn’t matter if I attend."

"Well, it might," Ye Shi remarked. "Your presence could perhaps double the price of the elixirs."

Mu Chen chuckled, "Do you think all the martial masters attending the auction are infatuated?"

Ye Shi was speechless.

"If the elders are bonding, we don’t need to attend," Cai Chen remarked.

Ye Shi nodded in agreement, "True that."

"By the way, have you heard about the situations with Luo He, Lin family, and Yu family?" Mu Chen inquired.

Ye Shi shrugged, "Luo He is incapacitated and gone missing. Yu Jin from the Yu family is crippled, and Lin Yu from the Lin family was reportedly disfigured by her nemesis..."

Mu Chen squinted, thinking that Luo He and Yu Jin were now living a life worse than death. Their future seemed bleak.

However, regarding Lin Yu... she had gotten off easy with just disfigurement.

Yet, she was the half-sister to his future father. Family ties always complicate things.

"If Father marries Lin Xie, do we have to give a dowry to the Lin family?" Ye Shi pondered.

It's hard to appreciate the Lin family, but since they are Lin Xie's maternal family, not giving anything would put Lin Xie in a negative light.

Mu Chen smiled, "We can give something symbolic."

"How much are you considering?" Ye Shi queried.

Mu Chen grinned, "Two seventh-grade elixirs."

Ye Shi frowned, "Isn’t that a bit stingy?"

Mu Chen smirked, "I’d be generous if the Lin family were worthy."

Ye Shi stared at Mu Chen, "Mu Chen, do you know some secret?"

Mu Chen sighed, "Lin Huo is acquainted with a seventh-grade pill concocter named Leng Yan. This concocter has a cruel nature, researching unorthodox methods. He prefers using living souls for concoction. Despite being a seventh-grade pill concocter, he's more like a poison master whom everyone fears."

"So, this poison master targeted Lin Xie?" Ye Shi guessed.

Mu Chen nodded, "Apparently. Years ago, when Lin Xie was just a martial king, the concocter wanted to use Lin Xie's soul. He offered Lin Ze two sixth-grade elixirs in exchange for Lin Xie."

Ye Shi gasped, "Surely, Lin Ze didn't agree?"

Mu Chen shook his head and said, "I'm not sure. The person from the Ask Immortal Pavilion told me he hesitated at that moment. The alchemist gave Lin Ze a month to decide. During that month, the alchemist faced a backlash from his pill-making and was targeted by enemies. He died."

A chill ran down Ye Shi's spine. Ye Xun might not have treated him well because he wasn't his real son, but Lin Xie...

Ye Shi furrowed his brow and inquired, "Does Lin Xie know about Leng Yan?"

Mu Chen shook his head, saying, "I'm not certain. Probably not."