CHAPTER 543: CHAPTER 541 LIAN JI_1

The bidder was naturally Ling Chen, who had more than a little interest in the Sword Spirit Grass. However, he didn’t have too many gold coins on hand and was also aiming for the Blood Source Crystal. He knew there wasn’t much point in gradually increasing his bid in such auctions. Instead, he would directly offer a high price that competitors wouldn’t dare to match.

Currently, Ling Chen was drawing considerable attention in the VIP seats, partly due to the previous night’s disturbance at the inn and partly because Liu Feiyue was by his side. As soon as he uttered his opening bid, many of the VIPs cast surprised gazes in his direction.

Ignoring the gazes filled with various emotions directed at him, Ling Chen simply focused on the auction stage, silently waiting for others to raise their bids. He knew that given the allure of the Sword Spirit Grass, quite a few people in the VIP seats would likely be tempted. The price of 2.5 million might be daunting for ordinary individuals, but it was nothing much to these wealthy and influential major powers.

"Two million five hundred fifty thousand."

Just as Ling Chen expected, not long after he made his bid, another followed. Ling Chen looked in the direction of the bidder and found a middle-aged man carrying a heavy sword, his fervent gaze riveted on the auction stage. It was apparent that he also coveted the Sword Spirit Grass.

"Three million," Ling Chen responded calmly, directly raising the price. His original savings aside, the items he had extorted from Black Snake alone were worth more than eight million taels of gold. He should have more than enough to spend on the Sword Spirit Grass.

Ling Chen’s drastic bid increase made the heavy-sword-bearing man’s expression shift slightly. Just as he was about to stubbornly raise the price again, the companions beside him pulled him back. They all remembered vividly what happened to Black Snake; offending Ling Chen would likely not end well.

Pulled back by his companions, the heavy-sword-bearing man sobered up considerably. He glanced towards Ling Chen and happened to meet Liu Feiyue’s indifferent gaze. She suddenly coughed coldly. Upon hearing this, the man shuddered, swallowed hard, and reluctantly sat back down.

"Three million. Anyone willing to pay a higher price?" the white-haired old man asked with a smile as he looked around the venue. This price didn’t exceed the value of the Sword Spirit Grass itself, but he also knew what Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue, with the Cyan Robe Association behind them, represented. Even if ordinary people wanted to, they wouldn’t dare bid recklessly against them. Looking at it this way, it seems this Sword Spirit Grass might not sell for much today.

The white-haired old man’s words echoed in the auction hall, but after a moment, no one responded. It was plain from Ling Chen’s two bids that he was determined to obtain the Sword Spirit Grass. Ordinary people couldn’t outbid him. Those in the VIP seats, wary of Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue’s backing by the Cyan Robe Association, didn’t want to create enmity. Besides, the Sword Spirit Grass wasn’t universally useful; it was primarily beneficial only to sword practitioners. They didn’t deem it necessary to spend a fortune competing for it.

After about half a minute of silence in the auction hall, the white-haired old man could only shake his head in resignation. Just as he was about to bring down the small silver hammer, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Three million one hundred thousand."

The sudden bid startled many, who then turned to look at the bidder, their eyes filled with astonishment. Why would this person bid against Ling Chen?

When the bidding voice sounded, Ling Chen also frowned. He looked in that direction and was momentarily startled, a puzzled expression appearing on his face.

The bidder was a young, rather seductive-looking woman. Ling Chen didn’t recognize her, but the emblem on her clothes was very familiar to him: it was the symbol of the Saint Witch Religion, a Demon Overlord.

"Hmm? That’s Lian Ji, the leader of the Saint Witch Religion in the Black Sand Land," Lin Ya, beside him, identified the seductive woman. "I didn’t expect her to be interested in this Sword Spirit Grass." Lin Ya was somewhat puzzled; Lian Ji wasn’t a sword practitioner, so it was surprising she’d be interested in this item.

Liu Feiyue also transmitted her voice to Ling Chen with True Qi, a hint of amusement in her tone, "Junior Brother Ling Chen, isn’t that your former employer...?" She, too, was curious to see how Ling Chen would handle this.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lian Ji’s alluring face showed no change in expression. Although the Saint Witch Religion’s influence in the Black Sand Land wasn’t as deeply rooted or long-established as the Black Market’s, it was undeniably one of the Super Powers in the region.

Therefore, as the leader of the Saint Witch Religion’s forces in the Black Sand Land, Lian Ji naturally held a high position. Her strength had impressively reached the Sky Apex Realm, so she had no need to fear the Cyan Robe Association backing Ling Chen.

"Stupid kid, hit a wall, have you?"

Yin Zongli, observing Ling Chen’s predicament from nearby, couldn’t help but feel a sense of schadenfreude. This brat thought he could throw his weight around just because he has the Cyan Robe Association backing him. Too bad for him, there are plenty of powers in the Black Sand Land that can stand up to the Cyan Robe Association.

When Ling Chen’s gaze shifted to Lian Ji, the woman suddenly offered him an exceedingly friendly smile. Then, Lian Ji leaned in and whispered a few words to a female disciple of the Saint Witch Religion beside her. She handed the disciple a note, and the young woman began walking towards Ling Chen.

Ling Chen was inwardly surprised. I’m a disciple of the Cyan Robe Association now. What could Lian Ji possibly want to say to me?

While he was pondering, the female disciple had already reached him and handed over the note. "Young master, this is from our leader."

Ling Chen took the note, puzzled. After reading it, he gave a slight shake of his head and then, under the bewildered gazes of the crowd, slowly leaned back into his chair.

"Why, Junior Brother Wuchen? Not going to continue bidding?" Liu Feiyue looked at Ling Chen in surprise.

"Forget it; let’s give up," Ling Chen waved his hand, a profoundly meaningful smile appearing in his eyes. "Since Sister Lian Ji likes it, let her have the Sword Spirit Grass."

"What?" Liu Feiyue wondered if she was hearing things. Speaking like this wasn’t typical of Ling Chen.

This kid, I thought he was so arrogant. Turns out he’s just a coward, a hint of ridicule surfaced in Yin Zongli’s eyes, as though he had completely seen through Ling Chen.

Ling Chen’s withdrawal naturally caused the price of the Sword Spirit Grass to stagnate at 3.1 million taels. The other influential figures in the VIP seats were quite pleased to see potential friction between the Cyan Robe Association and the Saint Witch Religion, so they certainly wouldn’t interfere. In the end, that Sword Spirit Grass fell into Lian Ji’s hands.