Volume One, Chapter 16: Is There Still a Need to Fight?

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze toward the formation array grew noticeably eager! Qin Feng straightened up, focusing intently on the stage.

He knew the main event of the day was about to begin.

The auctioneer of the Spirit Gathering Mirror was pleased to see the atmosphere she had stirred up. “Now, this set of mid-grade formation arrays starts at one hundred mid-grade spirit stones!”

“I bid one hundred and one!”

The moment the words fell, someone shouted from the audience.

“Adding just one? I’ll add twenty!”

“I bid one hundred and fifty!”

“Three hundred!”

Qin Feng raised his bidding paddle, his voice spreading clearly.

He was currently in desperate need of a set of maze formations.

Suddenly, someone raised the bid by such a large margin that the venue fell silent instantly.

But the silence lasted only a moment before voices rose again, returning the auction hall to its usual clamour.

“I bid one thousand!”

At that moment, a voice rang out from an upstairs private room.

Now the entire hall was truly silent.

Qin Feng glanced toward the source of the voice, finding it somewhat familiar. Just then, the voice echoed again from above.

“Qin Feng, you worthless waste! Didn’t you want this formation plate? I’ll let you see with your own eyes how, with your pathetic strength, this set ended up in my hands!”

Chen Tianyu spoke, unmistakable pride lacing his tone.

Though spending a thousand spirit stones on a formation plate was somewhat extravagant for him, as long as he could see Qin Feng unhappy, he was delighted!

Knowing it was him, Qin Feng’s eyes darkened, then he sneered coldly, “How do you know? You probably think I can’t afford it!”

“I bid one thousand five hundred!”

“Two thousand!”

“So, do you still want to compete with me?” Chen Tianyu’s arrogant voice echoed from upstairs.

“You—!”

Qin Feng’s expression was a mix of frustration and helplessness.

Chen Tianyu’s satisfaction deepened at this.

With his one or two thousand mid-grade spirit stones, he secured the formation array. Then the auctioneer brought out another tray.

“This item was personally refined by our Master Chen—the Minor Heaven Repair Pill. What does this pill do? Everyone should know. For those with poor innate talent or slow advancement in cultivation, the Minor Heaven Repair Pill is miraculous.”

“Especially if you have younger family members or siblings, buying this pill as a gift is absolutely the right choice.”

“Even I wish some young master here would give me a few!” The auctioneer joked lightly with the crowd.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere grew even more intense than before.

Qin Feng also joined this bidding, but as before, just as he was about to secure the item, Chen Tianyu suddenly appeared again.

The item once more fell into Chen Tianyu’s hands.

“Unexpected, right?”

Chen Tianyu looked proudly at Qin Feng. Unable to get the Minor Heaven Repair Pill, let’s see how you’ll improve your cultivation now!

Since you’ve chosen to cripple yourself, you might as well be a rat living in the gutter forever!

After several rounds like this, Chen Tianyu always snatched the prizes with great glee.

His followers wanted to warn him but didn’t know how, mainly fearing Chen Tianyu would vent his anger on them.

That would be a real loss for them.

In the midst of their silence, they failed to notice that Qin Feng quietly summoned a nearby maid and handed her a few pills.

Having done this, Qin Feng calmly looked into the distance.

There was not a trace of the anger or resentment he had shown moments earlier.

He even smiled faintly, pleased—after all, his items had been sold for far more than he expected!

It was impossible for him to be unhappy about that.

As for the next few items up for auction, Qin Feng no longer bothered to bid. Firstly, he had no use for them; secondly, he guessed Chen Tianyu’s spirit stones were nearly depleted.

Unless Chen Tianyu had some hidden stash he didn’t know about.

Qin Feng’s gaze subtly shifted toward the private room’s direction.

Inside the private room, Chen Tianyu was about to purchase a gift prepared with his father—meant to celebrate in advance his father’s upcoming favor with the inner sect elders.

But as he reached for his storage pouch, he discovered his spirit stones… were gone!

A full ten thousand spirit stones!

Chen Tianyu felt as if the sky was collapsing.

“You useless fools! Why didn’t any of you warn me earlier!” The furious Chen Tianyu vented at those around him.

His closest followers were his prime suspects.

Facing his fists, no one dared resist until Chen Tianyu grew tired.

“You’re all useless just like that guy! Now, here’s your chance to redeem yourselves—hand over all the spirit stones you have!”

Everyone hesitated at his words.

“What are you waiting for? Hand them over! I’m just borrowing your stones, not keeping them. Or do you not trust me?”

Seeing their hesitation, Chen Tianyu glared fiercely again. “I know you’re following me just to ride my father’s coattails once he becomes an inner sect true disciple!”

“No need for my father—I’ll decide for you. As long as you lend me spirit stones today, I promise each of you will benefit in the future!”

Chen Tianyu knew well how to give a slap and then a sweet carrot. Some present were moved and nervously took out their spirit stones.

“Brother Chen, we’re counting on you from now on.”

“Hand them over!”

“What about yours?” Chen Tianyu asked the next follower.

After gathering all the spirit stones from the group, Chen Tianyu barely managed over a thousand.

“Is that all? Tell me, are you hiding some?”

“At a time like this, I advise no one to be clever. If I find out—”

Chen Tianyu’s gaze swept the crowd, his tone threatening.

The followers quickly replied, “That’s really all we have, Brother. You know we’re just outer disciples, always scrimping and saving.”

“Brother, if we had more, we’d definitely help you!”

Seeing their earnestness, Chen Tianyu finally put the spirit stones away after a few more glances.

Just as this happened, the next auction items were brought forward.

“Everyone, I know you came here interested in the items we unearthed from the ruins.”

“I won’t keep you in suspense. Now, please welcome the first auction item.”

“This item may look like an ordinary floor tile, its surface pitch black. We have yet to determine what material it is.”

“But we assure you, this tile is incredibly hard—so much so that even a master with a Four Symbols Mirror cannot break it.”