Chapter 83: Returning the Favor in Kind
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At that moment, Chen Tian Dong, seated elsewhere, was no less bewildered than Wang Qian.
He had considered the possibility that Senior Yu hailed from a prominent family or a major sect. Yet, at this moment, he realized he had still underestimated her.
Three thousand top-grade spirit stones—a fortune so immense it could easily buy out the entire Chen family.
It was as if fortune smiled upon the Chen family, granting them the honor of Senior Yu choosing their caravan.
Decades later, Chen Tian Dong would still recall the shock Yu Zhao had delivered.
Young Master Fan and his two guards cowered in a corner, trembling.
By now, anyone with half a brain could see that Yu Zhao’s identity was anything but ordinary.
The thought that they had nearly come into conflict with her left them shaken to the core.
“Three thousand top-grade spirit stones! Guest number one-ninety-nine bids three thousand top-grade spirit stones!”
Fu Rong was so ecstatic her voice nearly broke.
She was utterly certain this day would forever remain the pinnacle of her career as an auctioneer.
As she repeated Yu Zhao’s bid, she cast an expectant glance at Wang Qian.
At this point, the only person in the auction hall who could challenge Yu Zhao’s bid was him.
Wang Qian gritted his teeth, wavering.
His background, if truth be told, surpassed even Yu Zhao’s.
His parents were both Nascent Soul cultivators, and he had a doting patriarchal ancestor. Moreover, his own talent wasn’t lacking; otherwise, he wouldn’t hold the esteemed position of a Pill Hall disciple in the Green Wood Sect.
Even so, three thousand top-grade spirit stones was still a significant amount for him.
Yet, the fourth-grade alchemy recipe was crucial to him—it would determine whether he could excel in the upcoming Pill Hall disciple assessment.
He had no intention of handing over the chance to become the sect’s Young Master, especially to Mu Ye, who had always opposed him.
After an intense internal struggle, Wang Qian clenched his teeth and declared, “Three thousand and fifty!”
It was still a high bid, but for some reason, the crowd seemed underwhelmed.
Though Wang Qian’s bid was higher, his aura had been thoroughly suppressed by Yu Zhao.
All eyes turned to Yu Zhao once more.
Would she continue bidding?
The answer was no.
Wang Qian’s bid was clearly near his limit. Even if he wanted to continue, he likely wouldn’t have the means.
Yu Zhao’s goal from the start had been to make Wang Qian experience the sting of someone maliciously raising the bid against him.
So, she smiled and mouthed silently, “I withdraw.”
Her retreat was so abrupt it left everyone momentarily stunned, contrasting sharply with her earlier relentless demeanor.
Wang Qian froze before realization dawned—Yu Zhao had been deliberately bidding against him. Enraged, he shot to his feet. “Yu Zhao! You did this on purpose!”
The crowd’s eyes lit up.
So they knew each other?
It looked like the real drama was just beginning.
Though Yu Zhao and Wang Qian were strangers, the fact that Wang Qian could pinpoint Yu Zhao’s name revealed he had indeed been maliciously bidding against her earlier.
Yu Zhao’s expression turned icy. “I merely returned the favor in kind. Why are you angry?”
If anyone was at fault, it was Wang Qian who provoked Yu Zhao first. She had merely retaliated in kind.
“You’re slandering me!”
Wang Qian wasn’t about to admit he had tried to trick Yu Zhao, only to have the tables turned on him. Grinding his teeth, he refused to acknowledge it.
Yu Zhao shrugged lazily. “Then I can also claim I was simply bidding normally, with no intent to toy with you.”
“You—!”
Wang Qian was left speechless, his face turning an alarming shade of purple.
Young Master Fan watched gleefully, barely restraining the urge to cheer for Yu Zhao.
Several prominent families in the room had long been dissatisfied with Wang Qian’s haughty demeanor. Seeing him publicly humiliated by Yu Zhao brought them no small amount of delight.
“Junior Brother Wang Qian, as men, we should be magnanimous. Why lower yourself to argue with her?”
“Yes, Junior Brother Wang Qian. Some people lack strength and can only resort to these disgraceful underhanded tricks.”
Tian Han and Guo Ming En, acting as Wang Qian’s lackeys, naturally chimed in to defend him. However, their remarks offended nearly all the female cultivators present.
Even the smile on Fu Rong’s face, standing on the auction stage, slightly faded.
Yu Zhao let out a faint “Hmm,” her tone laced with mockery. “Oh, it’s you all. Truly remarkable men, towering and unyielding, capable of both advancing and retreating. You even managed to outrun the women during your escape, leaving your junior sister far behind.”
“Nonsense!”
“Ridiculous slander!”
Tian Han and Guo Ming En jumped to their feet, their faces livid.
They glared at Yu Zhao, their eyes blazing with fury, as if ready to silence her by any means.
Although the others present tried to conceal their reactions, a fleeting look of contempt was visible in their eyes.
It was true that, when faced with a life-or-death crisis, many might act just as Tian Han and Guo Ming En had. However, that didn’t stop them from enjoying their moral high ground and disdaining the two.
Even Wang Qian couldn’t help frowning.
Sensing the rising tension between the four, the Black Water City Auction staff quickly intervened to smooth things over. With much effort, they managed to placate Wang Qian and his companions, allowing the auction to conclude without further incident.
“Sister Yu, Sister Yu! You were amazing! Those three together couldn’t match you. Hmph, serves them right for underestimating women…”
Holding two vouchers, Yu Zhao headed to collect her auction items, with Meng Yue trailing behind her like a shadow, her chatter never ceasing.
“Miss Yu, this way, please.”
Thanks to Wang Qian’s commotion, there wasn’t a single person at the auction who didn’t know Yu Zhao’s name.
The Black Water City Auction staff respectfully escorted Yu Zhao to a private room.
Yu Zheng Mao stood guard at the door. Seeing Yu Zhao and Meng Yue approach, he greeted them warmly with a broad smile.
“Miss Yu, we meet again.”
Yu Zheng Mao felt incredibly fortunate that he had once refused to accept spirit stones from Yu Zhao to foster goodwill. She had undoubtedly become his lucky charm.
“Manager Yu,” Yu Zhao replied with a polite smile.
Yu Zheng Mao eagerly led Yu Zhao and Meng Yue into the private room. Once they were seated, he beamed as he ordered her auction winnings to be brought in.
“Miss Yu, here are the Purple Pot Magical Artifact and the Supreme Essence Water you bid for. Please inspect them.”
Yu Zhao used her divine sense to examine the items and, finding no issues, retrieved spirit stones from her storage ring.
The translucent spirit stones glittered enticingly as they were piled on the table.
Meng Yue swallowed hard and pinched her thigh to stop herself from losing composure.
Yu Zheng Mao was taken aback and quickly waved his hands. “Miss Yu, you misunderstand. I’m not here to collect spirit stones. Due to the significant impact you’ve had on the auction, the Black Water City Auction has decided to gift these two items to you free of charge as a token of our gratitude.”
Hearing this, Meng Yue nearly drooled in envy. A Purple Pot Magical Artifact and a bottle of Supreme Essence Water together were worth nearly 200 top-grade spirit stones—and they were simply giving them away!
Yu Zhao was also surprised. She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “I cannot accept such a generous gift without merit. Please forgive me for declining.”
A high-grade seat ticket, priced at just ten mid-grade spirit stones and virtually costless for the auction house, was something she could accept.
However, these two items, both in terms of price and significance, were in a completely different league. Yu Zhao also didn’t want to become too entangled with the Black Water City Auction.
After all, sometimes the most expensive things are those that come free.