[Location: The "Ghost Market", 30 meters underground.] [Event: The Annual Ancient Martial Arts Auction.]
To enter this place, one needed more than just money. One needed status. Or, in Chen Qing's case, a fist big enough to punch through the door.
"Welcome, esteemed guests." The receptionist, wearing a fox mask, bowed deeply. He handed them three numbered paddles. "Please wear your masks at all times. Identities are secret here."
Chen Qing put on a simple black mask. Sun Mengjia put on a mask painted with a crying clown face (which made her look even crazier). General Fluffles... was wearing a paper bag over his head with two holes cut out for eyes.
"Woof!" (I can't breathe!) The dog shook his head, tearing the bag.
"Behave," Chen Qing whispered. "We are here to buy medicinal herbs for Ruobing's recovery. Don't eat anything weird."
They walked into the main hall. It was like a colosseum, filled with powerful auras. [System Scan:] [Target: Crowd.] [Average Power Level: C-Rank.] [Threat: Low.]
"Look! That's the Young Master of the Ye Family!" someone whispered.
In the VIP box above, a young man in a white suit sat arrogantly. He was Ye Tian, the genius of the Ye Family. "Boring," Ye Tian yawned. "I only came here for the finale item. The rest is trash."
The auction began. "Item 1: A 500-year-old Ginseng. Starting price: 1 million!"
"2 million!" "3 million!"
Chen Qing sat silently. He wasn't interested in vegetables.
"Item 10," the auctioneer's voice trembled with excitement. Two strong men carried a heavy box onto the stage. They opened it. Inside was a piece of bone. It was pitch black, emitting a terrifying pressure.
"The Vertebrae of a Flood Dragon!" the auctioneer shouted. "Found in the ruins of Kunlun! It contains a trace of Dragon Essence! Starting price: 10 million!"
The crowd went wild. "15 million!" "20 million!"
In the VIP box, Ye Tian smirked. He pressed his button. "50 million." Silence. No one dared to bid against the Ye Family.
"50 million, going once..."
"Woof!" (Mine!) General Fluffles suddenly jumped up. He could smell it. That bone... it tasted like chicken! But better!
Chen Qing sighed. He raised his paddle. "51 million."
The crowd gasped. Everyone looked at the man in the black mask (and his paper-bag dog). "Who is he? He dares to challenge Ye Tian?"
In the VIP box, Ye Tian's smile vanished. He stared down at Chen Qing. "60 million."
Chen Qing didn't hesitate. "61 million."
Ye Tian: "70 million!" Chen Qing: "71 million."
It wasn't about the money. It was about sending a message. Every time Ye Tian bid, Chen Qing added exactly one million. It was a slap in the face.
"You..." Ye Tian stood up, crushing his wine glass. "100 million! And I want to know your name!"
Chen Qing leaned back in his chair. "101 million." "As for my name... you can't afford to know it."
"You are courting death!" Ye Tian released his B-Rank aura, trying to crush Chen Qing with pressure.
Chen Qing just flicked his finger. [Dragon Slayer Aura: 1% Output.]
BOOM. Ye Tian felt like a mountain had crashed onto his shoulders. He fell back into his chair, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The entire auction house shook.
"101 million, going once... twice... sold!" The auctioneer slammed the hammer down, terrified.
Chen Qing walked up to the stage to collect his item. He tossed the black bone to General Fluffles.
"Here. A snack."
The crowd watched in horror as the dog caught the "billion-dollar treasure" in his mouth and started chewing. Crunch. Crunch.
Ye Tian, watching from above, almost fainted from anger. "He... he fed the Dragon Bone to a dog?!"
Chen Qing petted the dog's head. "Good boy. Now, let's see what else they have."
[System Notification:] [New Rivalry: The Ye Family (Ancient Martial Arts Clan).] [Pet Evolution Progress: 40%.]