Chapter 55: Two Heroines Clash! Protagonist Jiang Yifeng’s Misfortune!

After failing to win the first item, Jiang Yifeng naturally set his sights on the second. Although he had already summoned reinforcements, it would be much more convenient to obtain the item with money that didn’t hurt too much. There were too many variables otherwise. If he could secure at least one opportunity (or “chance encounter”), it would be ideal.

The jade carving “Spirit Monkey Offering a Peach” stood about 50 cm tall and was intricately carved. Every part of the jade, including its natural fissures, was utilized to the fullest. Just by its appearance, one could tell the craftsmanship was extraordinary.

Master Qian Mu, a national carving artist, passed away in 2008. This piece was completed in 2007, meaning he had spent three whole years on it. The effort was evident.

Weighing 9.8 kilograms, made entirely from imperial green jade, just the material alone was worth over 200 million yuan. Yet, the starting bid was only 45 million. The reasons were complex. Essentially, Master He was fulfilling Qian Mu’s will: the piece would be auctioned based only on the material’s worth, not the craftsmanship.

As soon as the carving appeared, Jiang Yifeng’s body reacted! If the agarwood from before resonated with the “Heavenly Body”, then this jade piece resonated with the “Sacred Body” aspect.

He knew his own constitution well. The “Heavenly Physician Body” made him naturally gifted in medicine, encountering no bottlenecks, and able to practice high-level techniques with ease. But the “Sacred Body” was on another level. It was supernatural.

As a young man filled with vitality, Jiang wouldn’t neglect his medical path, but of course, he longed even more for this supernatural power. Yet even with 20 beautiful women as “vessels,” unlocking the Sacred Body could still only go so far.

But… From this jade carving, Jiang felt a rush of blood and heat. It was enough to show just how important this piece was. It might be the key to unlocking supernatural powers! The thought made his eyes burn with determination.

Meanwhile, Lin Tian was recalling what role the “Spirit Monkey Offering a Peach” played in the original story:

[There was nothing inherently special about the carving. It’s just a fine piece of jade. But according to the original plot, Jiang Yifeng extracted a hidden essence called ‘Spirit Marrow’ from within… Wait, what the hell? A modern city background, and now we’re throwing in something like spirit marrow?]

[I remember… It’s like how amber forms… some ancient essence was sealed inside during prehistoric times when this imperial green jade formed. That marrow is priceless. Jiang paid 3.3 billion for it. Even ignoring the mystical stuff, it was a national master’s final work with extremely rare material. Worth every penny. I swear, if I had the money, I’d want to snatch it too. That thing boosts vitality and longevity!]

Lin Tian’s thoughts were overheard by several heroines: Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, Bai Bing’er, and Xuan Yuan Qingya.

Their eyes lit up. From appearance alone, the carving was a masterpiece—vibrant green, elegant monkey, clearly defined peach, even its tiny fuzz visible. A purple diamond glittered in the monkey’s eye, making it almost lifelike.

Compared to the black agarwood from earlier, this was much more aesthetically pleasing. Everyone present had a good eye. The piece’s value was obvious.

Material: 9.8kg of imperial green jade. Even without volume premium, each gram was over 20,000, nearly 2 billion total. Add size premium, it could go for over 4 billion.

Craftsmanship: Master-grade work, flawless design. If common jade carvings triple in value with skilled work, this one could easily quintuple, worth 15 billion or more.

Rarity: It was Qian Mu’s final work. Such pieces have immense cultural and artistic value beyond just material.

So this carving was no doubt the true centerpiece of the auction. Several women, especially Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, and Bai Bing’er, decided they must win it. They had lost the previous round and wouldn’t lose again.

The bidding hadn’t started, yet the tension in the hall was already thick.

This time, however, the main players weren’t the older generation like Zhao Dongyun or Bai Ze. It was their daughters.

Shang Chan sat calmly like an ice queen, her cool demeanor returning to her usual business tycoon form, intimidating Zhao Mengmeng into backing down. She glanced around the hall, eyes locking onto Bai Bing’er and Xuan Yuan Qingya. Sensing their intent to compete, she smiled coldly.

“Miss Bai, you seem quite interested in bidding for the Spirit Monkey Offering a Peach?”

Bai Bing’er, languid in posture, was serious this time. She used her innate ability to read people and replied with a soft smile.

“Why? Do you think I shouldn’t?”

Shang Chan gave a chilly chuckle. She still hadn’t forgotten the last grudge when Bai Bing’er’s Ice-Eye Corporation schemed against her Xinghai Group.

‘”Not at all. I just thought someone so involved in love affairs with Jiang Yifeng might be too distracted for auctions…”

It was a cutting remark; cold, subtle, and brutal. Bai Bing’er’s face darkened instantly. She had already distanced herself from Jiang Yifeng publicly, but now Shang Chan dredged it up again. Worse, it was true.

Glancing at Lin Tian, Bai Bing’er felt an unexplainable urge to explain herself, which confused her deeply.

Why do I care what Lin Tian thinks…?

A moment of vulnerability flashed, but she quickly recovered her calm.

“Shang Chan, the Bai family has paid its price. Business is business. As the noble daughter of the Zhao family, surely you won’t stoop to psychological tricks?”

She looked at Jiang Yifeng and added coldly:

“Jiang Yifeng? A useless man who couldn’t even plot properly—how could he possibly be involved in a romance with me?”

Jiang Yifeng winced hard at that one.

Why am I getting hit in the crossfire again?

His last public humiliation was… well, last night. The sting hadn’t even faded. He tried to stay composed. This was not the time for outbursts. Even if he had hidden cards, wasting them on verbal spats was pointless.

Just treat it like part of the dowry… he told himself.

Shang Chan, sharp as ever, noticed Bai Bing’er wasn’t just angry. She seemed to be explaining something to someone. Following her gaze, she noticed Lin Tian.

Wait… is she explaining herself to Lin Tian? What’s their relationship?

Her instincts buzzed. Without asking directly, Shang Chan gently adjusted her hair and subtly posed in Lin Tian’s direction, flashing a gentle smile. She then spoke softly.

“Oh? Since Miss Bai has explained so earnestly, I suppose we’ll believe her. But the human heart is hard to know… Who’s to say she won’t gift the carving to someone with… dubious intentions? It’s the final work of Master Qian Mu. Giving it to the wrong person would sully its beauty.”

Though she said nothing crude, her words stung like barbs; Bai Bing’er and Jiang Yifeng were both livid.

Bai Bing’er’s calm cracked for a moment. She realized Shang Chan was much harder to deal with than expected. Jiang Yifeng, meanwhile, wanted to scream. He was getting slandered from all sides and couldn’t even fight back. He imagined dragging everyone out and silencing them in his own special way, but alas, he had to endure.

Bai Bing’er gave up arguing, knowing she had no moral high ground. She fell silent, letting the bidding decide things. Shang Chan now turned her attention to Xuan Yuan Qingya.

These two were similar: one a cold business queen, the other a haughty noble lady. Shang Chan’s eyes met Qingya’s. The latter extended her elegant legs and replied with a smile filled with pride:

“What now? Does Miss Shang also have guidance for the Xuan Yuan family?”