Chapter 180: The Most Expensive Wood in History

Upon hearing Yu Danqing’s words, Lin Le couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He marveled at how formidable this woman was—not only quick-witted but also clever in speech. She deftly shifted all responsibility onto the bidders, making them the arbiters of any issues with the Celestial Master Feng Shui Sword. Even if the sword were faulty, it would be their problem, not the concern of the Ninth Floor.

However, the bidders had already been awestruck by the powerful, special energy released from the sword. At this moment, no one paid heed to Yu Danqing's warning; each had firmly concluded that this Feng Shui sword was a genuine magical artifact. This was a classic case of preconceived notions shaping belief.

Lin Le no longer cared about their reactions. In truth, his earlier warning to Yu Danqing was meddlesome—after all, he was there solely for the "Herbalist Ancestor’s Compendium," and everything else was none of his concern.

Meanwhile, Yu Danqing’s curiosity about the person who had guided her quietly gnawed at her. As a martial artist, she knew well that only those who had entered the realm of transformation could communicate through divine thought transmission.

She was amazed. Could a master truly be lurking in this venue today? Although the Ninth Floor wielded considerable influence, a master of the transformation realm was extraordinary—a figure whose presence would illuminate the Ninth Floor’s prestige. Even the floor master would be shocked and treat such an event with utmost seriousness. After all, a master of that level was like a celestial being, someone everyone sought favor with, including their floor master.

Yet, Yu Danqing felt something odd—the voice transmitted into her mind sounded far too young. She had never heard of such a youthful master. Unfortunately, with her current cultivation, she could not trace the source of the divine thought. Otherwise, she would have loved to behold the master’s true appearance.

After a moment’s pause, Yu Danqing withdrew her thoughts and refocused on the auction.

“This Celestial Master Feng Shui Sword possesses mystical powers to regulate Feng Shui, attract wealth, and ward off disasters. Crafted by a high Daoist expert, it is exceedingly rare. The starting bid is ten million yuan!”

Hearing this base price, Lin Le was astonished, marveling that such an ordinary Feng Shui sword could command such a lofty starting figure—beyond imagination.

Yet even more surprising was the bidders' reaction. None thought the starting price unreasonable; on the contrary, they were fervently enthusiastic about the piece.

Soon, the sword’s price soared to fifteen million yuan.

Lin Le reflected that he had indeed underestimated the market value of Feng Shui artifacts. After all, this was the capital city, where wealthy patrons abounded. Among their circles, Feng Shui was highly revered. Masters like Liang Qiuyang, a Feng Shui grandmaster, charged millions merely for consulting on tombs or homes, let alone a Feng Shui sword bearing the signature of a Celestial Master of the Daoist sect.

Lin Le thought to himself that with his current Daoist cultivation, though he couldn’t yet forge powerful magical weapons, crafting fundamental Feng Shui artifacts was well within his ability. After all, Feng Shui artifacts essentially manipulated the surrounding life magnetic fields—a task not difficult for someone of his foundational prowess.

He resolved that if given the chance in the future, he would craft some genuine Feng Shui artifacts to sell on the Ninth Floor, potentially earning a handsome profit.

Meanwhile, the sword’s price kept climbing, nearing the twenty million yuan mark. During this time, Ji Xiaorui persistently drove up the price, seemingly unafraid of escalating the stakes.

Lin Le shook his head helplessly, secretly worried that if she overplayed her hand and ended up with the practically useless sword, she would have only herself to blame.

Fortunately for Ji Xiaorui, each of her bids was immediately outdone by someone else.

Before long, the sword’s price had risen to nineteen million yuan.

Lin Le was eager to see which unlucky soul would spend such a fortune on a useless piece of wood.

“Nineteen million! Our Celestial Master Feng Shui Sword has reached nineteen million yuan. Is there anyone willing to bid higher?” Yu Danqing smiled as she looked toward the private boxes. Frankly, she was quite satisfied with the price.

“Nineteen million once, nineteen million twice…” she began the countdown, the wooden gavel poised to fall.

At that moment, a voice rang out across the hall.

“I bid twenty million!”

The crowd erupted in astonishment. They had assumed nineteen million was the limit, yet someone was willing to pay more.

Though no one spoke aloud, many shared Lin Le’s insight. That distinct, soft voice—like cotton candy—could only belong to none other than Qu Xinyao.

Moreover, Box 68 was right there; no one needed to guess—it had to be her.

“Oh my, Miss Qu really is ruthless, willing to spend twenty million on a piece of rotten wood!” Ji Xiaorui said with a mischievous grin.

Lin Le smiled bitterly. “You’re one to talk, girl. If it weren’t for your master’s warning, that useless piece of wood might already be in your hands.”

At the same time, Lin Le thought the nickname “Big-breasted but Brainless Miss Qu” was well deserved. She had just bid twenty million in a single stroke—undoubtedly the most expensive piece of wood in history!

He wanted to warn Qu Xinyao, but now that she had bid, it seemed unlikely anyone would outbid her. Regardless, the sword was bound to end up with her.

Sure enough, after three countdowns, the Celestial Master Feng Shui Sword was “honorably” won by Qu Xinyao.

Lin Le’s keen senses even detected the cheers erupting from Box 68.

He was utterly helpless. The girl was fine; she’d made her profit. This Feng Shui sword, priced at twenty million, would be perfect for swatting flies in the summer. One strike, and even the fly’s worth would rise with the tide...

With the Feng Shui sword auction concluded, only the last display case remained on the stage.

“Alright, everyone, the next item is the final one of the day—the grand finale: the rubbing of the ‘Herbalist Ancestor’s Compendium’!”

Yu Danqing unveiled the black cloth, revealing a sheet of rice paper roughly the size of an A3 page.

She then began to introduce the provenance of the rubbing.

Her account matched the information Liang Qiuyang had obtained, except for a few previously unknown details.

This rubbing was supposedly taken on site from a tomb dating back to the Eastern Jin dynasty. The original stone tablet had been destroyed by grave robbers. The Ninth Floor guaranteed this rubbing was the sole original, with no copies in existence.

When Yu Danqing finished, the hall remained largely unmoved, with more negative than positive reactions. The rubbing’s many uncertainties and the fact that it depicted merely a single herb rendered it insignificant to them—far less appealing than the Feng Shui sword.

This brought Lin Le some relief. Hopefully, no one would compete with him, allowing him to acquire this rubbing at the lowest price.