To Rise Again In The Apocalypse

When Li XinWen expressed his interest on the second item, Xue Rui raised his eyebrows; he looked at Li XinWen then directed his gaze towards the stage. The item was still covered and yet it looked as if Li XinWen already knew what it was.

He let out a small laugh and decided to tease Li XinWen. "What's this XinWen, do you have a sixth sense or something? Do you already know what the item is that you are willing to bid ten million for it?"

Realizing his misstep, Li XinWen decided to tease Xue Rui back "Haha… Rui-ge, you never know," he teased back before saying: "It's only because my intuition tells me that this next item is something precious."

"Touché XinWen," Xue Rui replied with a small laugh before continuing, "Considering that it's just the second item on the list, the price won't reach over ten million and its quality may not be as good, unless interested parties actually bid against each other until it reaches that amount."

"Ah… is that so? But I really must have it," Li XinWen expressed as a matter of fact, as he turned to look at Xue Rui.

For a moment Xue Rui thought he saw a different aura surrounding Li XinWen as the latter turned towards him. There was a glint of determination in Li XinWen's gaze and Xue Rui had to blink to make sure he was not seeing things.

"Right… of course, XinWen…" was all he managed to say.

The cloth, finally removed, revealed a cauldron, which to a mortal's eye, was made of bronze. But to a cultivator such as himself, Li XinWen knew that it was only the outer appearance. From his perspective the cauldron was surrounded with magical energy, and he was certain that it was one of the legendary, twelve celestial cauldrons that had disappeared from Long Xing a long time ago.

'I knew it… If such an item was able to make its way to the mortal realm, then there is also a way for me to return to Long Xing,' Li XinWen thought, trying hard not to let his eagerness overflow.

The auctioneer's voice suddenly filled the hall as he provided a brief historical account of the second item.

"This cauldron dates all the way back to the Shen Dynasty. According to the historian who studied the archive found in QuanNi valley, an ancient shaman used the cauldron to create various poisons during that time, and one of his concoctions ended the Shen Dynasty's rule! This in turn led to the rise of the Min Dynasty. After close examination by experts, this cauldron has no other use except as a decorative item. The starting bid is..." Before the auctioneer could even finish his sentence, someone spoke out from the crowd on the ground level of the auction hall.

"I would like to buy it out!"

Li XinWen rose from his seat when he heard the offer put forth by someone from the participants on the lower level of the auction hall. He narrowed his eyes and searched for the individual as he leaned forward against the bal.u.s.trade of their box.

'Who dares to steal my treasure!? Such audacity!' he thought, as he clenched the surface of the bal.u.s.trade.

Similarly, all eyes focused on the young man who stood in the middle of the seated participants on the ground level. He was dressed in a dark, navy suit and his stance showed such strong presence and confidence it was almost arrogant. Judging from his stature and facial features, he was only slightly older than Xue Rui. The man was well-built as can be seen from how the dark navy suit hugged the contours of his body.

The auctioneer was taken by surprise that it took him a while to respond to the young man's offer. Upon regaining his composure, he addressed the man, "I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure if I heard you correctly."

'This young master must be out of his mind! Perhaps he is not aware of how the auction works,' the auctioneer thought.

"I would like to buy out the item." the young man repeated without hesitation.

"My apologies, young master, however, this is an absolute auction. As such, items in our repertoire will go to the highest bidder," the auctioneer explained.

"Then I bid five million for the item!" the man offered and the hall was filled with whispers and murmurs from the participants.

"My my! For this item to snag a price of five million, the commission I'll get for this sale will be the biggest yet!" he thought greedily.

"Five million from the young master!" the auctioneer acknowledged as he tapped the gavel on the sound block. "Does anyone else want to bid against five million?"

Li XinWen stood on edge in their second level box as he listened to the exchange between the auctioneer and the man who offered a bid of five million.

'Five million is half of what the original Li XinWen has in his accounts. That's half!' he thought as he calculated Li XinWen's accounts and balances. 'Is the cauldron worth that much? Do I need the cauldron? Of course I need it… no I must have it!' he continued debating in his thoughts. Finally, he heaved a deep sigh, clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. 'I'm sorry Li XinWen but I must have that cauldron,' he said to himself. He closed his eyes and stretched his right arm as if to cast a spell and in a deep voice he announced: "Six million!"

The offer drew gasps from the crowd on the ground level of the auction hall and everyone directed their gaze to the second level box.

"Six million from the gentleman on the second level box number 3!" the auctioneer announced.

'This may be the most profitable auction yet! What is with this cauldron that these gentlemen are willing to spend their millions on a decorative item! Ah! Rich people are so unpredictable sometimes,' the auctioneer thought. 'But of course I am more than happy to have them bid against each other as my commission depends on the total sales.'

"6.5 million!" the man countered, his expression strained. It seemed that 6.5 million was the highest amount he can bid for the item.

Li XinWen was not about to be intimidated by such amount now that he was all fired up. 'Do not underestimate me. I will not give up such treasure easily,' he thought as he announced a counterbid of seven million.

"Seven million!" the auctioneer acknowledged.

The excitement and tension that filled the auction hall was almost palpable that some participants had taken out their handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat on their forehead. Several participants sat on the edge of their seats, and with bated breath they waited as to who would win in the ongoing bidding war between the two fine looking gentlemen.

"Does anyone want to offer a bid higher than seven million?" the auctioneer asked smiling and full of excitement while scanning the crowd.

The man in the dark navy suit was disconcerted and looked fl.u.s.tered after hearing the seven million counterbid. He closed his eyes as if in resignation and sighed heavily as he shook his head. He took out a handkerchief from his inside coat pocket and wiped the sweat on his upper lip as he took his seat, a dismal expression on his face. The old gentleman seated to his left felt his disappointment and offered reassurance by patting his back gently as if to say that he fought well. The dejected man smiled out of courtesy and nodded his head.

Xue Rui who had been observing Li XinWen go through the bidding war sat amused the entire time.

'This is the first time I've seen Li XinWen so passionate in something other than acting! If only he can direct that same passion towards me, life would be perfect,' he thought, as he let out an amused chuckle.

Li XinWen stood restless as he anxiously waited for a counterbid to his seven million offer, at the same time hoping that no one else makes a counterbid.

"Seven million! Anyone? Then seven million is the highest bid for this cauldron." the auctioneer said as he gestured to the item.

Upon hearing the auctioneer, Li XinWen stood up straight and heaved a sigh of relief. He smoothed out his coat and smiled, feeling victorious.

"Seven million going once! Going twice! And sold!" the auctioneer raised the gavel and was about to strike the block when out of nowhere someone shouted a counterbid that shocked every individual in the crowd including the auctioneer and Li XinWen himself.

"Ten million."

"Your mother! Who dares to outbid this Laozi?!!!" Li XinWen exclaimed in anger.