029. The Vermilion Fruit Secured

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Lin Shan was speechless. He had never expected such a competitor to appear. He was determined to obtain the Vermilion Fruit, so without a second thought, he raised his bidding paddle and called out, “Two hundred and five thousand!”

Luo Bing’s beautiful eyes immediately turned toward him. When she realized that the bidder was Lin Shan, astonishment flickered across her face.

The appraiser had originally thought the flower would go unsold. It was already fortunate that someone was willing to take it, and no one had expected another person to raise the bid.

The rich heir seated in front of Lin Shan was named Xu Wang. Hearing the voice behind him, he frowned and turned around, meeting Lin Shan’s eyes.

Lin Shan clasped his fists and said, “Brother, I really like this thing. Could you let me have it?”

Xu Wang had never imagined that anyone would compete for the item. He had originally intended to show off in front of Ruan Yan, but now he suddenly found himself in an awkward position.

It was not as though he was truly wealthy. Most of his family’s money was in his father’s hands; all he had was a somewhat more generous allowance than most.

He had been pursuing Ruan Yan for some time. Today, he had planned to take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate his strength and win her over in one stroke. But with Lin Shan suddenly interfering, the situation had become rather embarrassing.

A flicker passed through Ruan Yan’s eyes, but she said nothing.

From the determination in Lin Shan’s eyes, Xu Wang could tell that he was absolutely intent on obtaining the flower. Although he had no idea why this man wanted it so badly, he knew there was no point in continuing the bidding. Without changing his expression, he turned back around.

Beside him, Zhang Zhi could not understand it at all. In a low voice, he asked, “Big brother, what do you want this thing for?”

“I have my reasons,” Lin Shan replied quietly. “Don’t worry. I’m not being foolish.”

Seeing that Lin Shan had put it that way, Zhang Zhi did not try to dissuade him again.

After Lin Shan called out his bid, the venue fell silent. Luo Bing waited for a while before saying, “It seems no one wishes to compete for this lot. Very well, then this item belongs to this gentleman!”

With that, the auction hammer fell, sealing the deal.

Lin Shan breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, nothing went wrong!”

But just as that thought arose in his mind, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

“Wait!”

The voice was powerful and resonant, echoing through the hall for a long while. Everyone turned to look behind them.

A middle-aged man wearing a traditional robe and sporting neatly trimmed short hair walked in.

When he saw that Luo Bing’s hammer had already fallen, he shook his head and gave a soft sigh.

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“I’m still one step too late.”

Some people nearby recognized the man’s face, and cries of surprise immediately broke out.

“Isn’t that Mr. Zhou?”

“It really is! Mr. Zhou has returned.”

“Does Mr. Zhou want that flower?”

It seemed that many people in the hall knew the man.

Lin Shan noticed that most of them wore expressions of respect, tinged with a trace of fear. He turned to Zhang Zhi and asked, “Who is he?”

Zhang Zhi drew a deep breath before replying, “He’s a major figure in Qiantang City, with unimaginable assets and an extremely high standing in the martial world. It seems he withdrew from public life and went into seclusion some years ago. I never expected him to appear at an auction of this level.”

Even Luo Bing, standing on the stage, was stunned. She looked helplessly at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing smiled faintly. His features were exceptionally handsome, with a gentle quality that made his entire presence seem warm and refined, without the slightest hint of sharpness. Powerful figures were often intimidatingly forceful, but Zhou Qing gave off none of that feeling.

He said to Luo Bing, “Since the item has already been sold, we’ll follow the auction house’s rules. Little niece, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Luo Bing relaxed upon hearing this and called sweetly, “Uncle.”

Then, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Zhou Qing slowly walked over to Lin Shan.

“Young brother,” he said, “would you be willing to part with what you’ve won? I, Zhou Qing, am willing to pay ten times the price for the flower in your possession.”

A wave of astonishment swept through the hall.

By this point, even a fool could understand that the flower was certainly no ordinary item.

Everyone present had misjudged it!

Luo Bing instinctively glanced at the appraiser beside her. His face was filled with regret, and he looked as though he might burst into tears. So the flower was not an ordinary one after all.

Xu Wang and Ruan Yan, seated in front of Lin Shan, were even more regretful. Xu Wang stared at the flower on the stage, his heart bleeding.

“If only I had known, I would have continued bidding against him!”

The tenfold price was actually secondary. The truly important point was the opportunity to establish a connection with Mr. Zhou.

How many people dreamed of making Mr. Zhou’s acquaintance? It could be said that if they were offered the chance to spend two million for a meal with him, ninety-nine percent of the people present would rush forward. The rest could only blame their lack of money.

After saying this, Zhou Qing looked at Lin Shan with a smile.

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The price he had offered was generous enough.

Yet no one had expected that, in full view of everyone, Lin Shan would shake his head almost without hesitation.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Zhou. This item is extremely important to me. I can’t give it to you.”

Everyone in the hall was dumbfounded.

Was this man an idiot?

He had actually refused Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing was also taken aback. But a sharp glint soon flashed through his eyes as he examined Lin Shan. Far from becoming angry, he said, “Young brother, it seems you’re an expert as well. Hahaha, very well. Although this item is rare, I can hardly take away something another person loves. I’ll let you keep it.”

Lin Shan’s heart stirred.

So Zhou Qing knew about the Vermilion Fruit. Could it be that Zhou Qing, like him, was also a cultivator?

Unfortunately, with Lin Shan’s current level of insight, he could not detect anything unusual from Zhou Qing’s appearance alone.

From the moment he appeared, Zhou Qing had been unfailingly courteous, displaying none of the arrogance one might expect from a powerful figure. Lin Shan was not entirely unmoved. He cupped his fists and said, “I do know a little. Thank you for showing me such consideration, Mr. Zhou. I’m deeply grateful.”

Zhou Qing waved his hand and turned to leave the hall.

His arrival had caused a commotion, yet his departure was utterly calm. The others, however, were unable to remain composed. Lin Shan saw many people rushing forward, hoping to exchange a few words with Zhou Qing, but a large number of bodyguards dressed in black suddenly appeared from somewhere and blocked them all.

Zhang Zhi was already speechless. After the two of them sat down again, he let out a long breath and said, “Brother, you’re incredible. Do you know what you just refused? The two million is nothing. As long as you establish a connection with Mr. Zhou, you’ll never have to worry about wealth and glory again.”

Lin Shan, however, took the matter quite calmly. He shook his head and said, “I think you’re oversimplifying things. Even if someone owes you a favor, and gives you an opportunity, you still need the ability to seize it. This is something I need right now. There’s no way I can give it up.”

Zhang Zhi nodded after hearing this, feeling that Lin Shan’s words made sense.

After Zhou Qing left, the hall gradually returned to normal.

Still, after this little episode, many people’s eyes fell upon Lin Shan.

That included Ruan Yan in front of them, as well as Zhang Wan, who was standing below the stage. At that moment, Zhang Wan’s feelings were unbelievably complicated.

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