Chapter 0028: The Seven-Colored Snow Lotus and the Yin-Yang Fish Stone

Everyone knew that this was indeed a treasure, an unparalleled one at that.

“The starting price is one hundred million. Let the bidding begin,” the host’s voice soared with enthusiasm. Since the creation of Treasure Pavilion, never had such a miraculous item appeared. She was certain the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus would fetch a price beyond all imagination.

“Two hundred million!”

“Three hundred million!”

“Four hundred million!”

“Five hundred million!”

...

“One billion!”

Soon, the bidding reached one billion, and the bidder was none other than Liu Xiao.

“Eleven hundred million!” Old Master Ye called out, without a moment’s hesitation.

“Twelve hundred million!” Tan Changlong of the Tan family quickly followed.

These three business giants of Jinghai City each possessed assets in the tens of billions. None would give way, all determined to win the treasure.

“Master, it’s the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus…”

“I’ll call now. Our Nangong family must win this!” Nangong Haotian’s face was astonished—he had chanced upon the legendary Seven-Colored Snow Lotus.

“I’ll transfer thirty billion to your account immediately. No matter what, you must win it.” On the other end of the phone came a voice aged but steady: “I’ll adjust the funds right away. You may bid directly up to one hundred billion.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Nangong Haotian answered with respect, his eyes burning with passion. One hundred billion—no one in Jinghai could outbid him now.

“Twenty billion!” Ye Zhantian raised the bid, and the huge screen changed to show him as the top bidder.

“Twenty-five billion!” In less than two seconds, the top bidder changed: Nangong Haotian, twenty-five billion.

At this point, Liu Xiao’s forehead broke out in sweat. Even Tan Changlong felt the pressure—their families, though giants, lacked deep roots. Their assets looked impressive on paper, but compared to the Ye family, their foundation was shallow.

As for Nangong Haotian, whose bid reached twenty-five billion, the elder tycoons were surprised. In Jinghai, they had never heard of such a figure.

Now, bids rose by five billion increments, with few bidders left.

“Si Yu, go to your Ye grandfather and give him your full support.”

Lin Haonan thought for a moment, then decided to act. In Jinghai, Lin Group’s president, Lin Siyu, was a notable figure.

“Yes.” Lin Siyu nodded and left.

“Thirty billion!”

Again, less than two seconds passed. Ye Zhantian added another five billion.

Nangong Haotian’s face darkened, then he called out without hesitation: “Forty billion!”

The fight for the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus had evidently become a duel between Nangong Haotian and Ye Zhantian. The crowd watched the fierce competition, thoroughly excited.

“Forty billion!” Ye Zhantian responded, refusing to yield.

“Wow, my grandfather is so wealthy… forty billion…” Ye Qingcheng’s mouth hung open, utterly amazed.

Zhang Xiaofan was moved as well, reflecting that though money was but a worldly possession, it was indispensable. For example, without money, the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus was unattainable.

“Master, we only have eighty billion available now,” the steward beside Old Master Ye reminded him.

“No matter. Such a divine item must be won. I’ll find a way—at worst, I’ll let go of some shares,” Ye Zhantian replied with steadfast determination.

“Fifty billion!” Nangong Haotian raised the bid.

“Sixty billion!” In the next second, Ye Zhantian surpassed him again.

“Eighty billion!” This time, Nangong Haotian raised it by twenty billion.

Sweat beaded on Ye Zhantian’s forehead—eighty billion was nearly his limit.

“Grandfather Ye, I can provide another fifty billion.” At this moment, Lin Siyu approached, giving Ye Zhantian a vital boost.

“One hundred billion!”

The enormous screen instantly displayed the astonishing figure, surpassing Nangong Haotian.

Nangong Haotian’s expression changed—his limit was one hundred billion.

“Grandfather, someone bid one hundred billion. Should we keep going?” Nangong Haotian made a quick call.

On the other end, his grandfather pondered for a moment before saying, “Withdraw.”

He hung up.

With the instruction, Nangong Haotian could only withdraw from the bidding.

Two minutes passed with no further bids. Staring at the astronomical figure of one hundred billion, many sighed in awe—truly worthy of the Ye family.

“One hundred billion, once!”

“One hundred billion, twice!”

“One hundred billion, thr—”

“One hundred and twenty billion!” Just as the gavel was about to fall, a voice rang out, and the bidding information on the screen changed.

Xuan Yuan Wuqing: One hundred and twenty billion.

Neither Nangong Haotian nor Xuan Yuan Wuqing was known to Ye Zhantian, nor did he recognize these double-surname families.

Ye Zhantian had only ten billion left to bid; sweat streamed down his aged face.

He raised his bid.

Ye Zhantian: One hundred and thirty billion.

“One hundred and fifty billion.”

Within a second, he was outbid again—still by Xuan Yuan Wuqing.

Judging by his manner, he paid Ye Zhantian no heed. Compared to the confident twenty billion increments, Ye Zhantian’s lack of resources was obvious; he had fallen behind.

Ye Zhantian realized—the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus would not be his today.

Even if he sold everything, he might only scrape together another twenty billion.

He chose to withdraw.

Two minutes later, with the third call, the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus was claimed by Xuan Yuan Wuqing.

Treasure Pavilion took a ten percent commission directly!

Xuan Yuan Wuqing…

Only then did Zhang Xiaofan recall—wasn’t this the man Nangong Haotian had threatened him with, considering him a rival in love? It seemed that this man was indeed formidable.

“Next, the final auction item is a stone, starting price one hundred million.”

With the host’s announcement, the giant screen displayed a stone, ancient and simple. One side bore a yin-yang fish, but only yin, not yang. The other side was carved with what resembled mountains and rivers—a closer look revealed it was like a map.

“Is this a joke? Such a broken stone, starting at one hundred million?”

“It’s cracked, too. Even as an antique, it’s not worth that much.”

“This stone is worth at most a few tens of thousands, but the starting price is one hundred million.”

“Host, can you explain what’s special about this stone?”

...

Soon, many doubted the value of the stone shown on the screen.

“Sorry, the consignor didn’t provide a detailed explanation, only said it’s not an ordinary item. If no one bids, Treasure Pavilion will return it to the consignor,” the host explained.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaofan’s face was alight with excitement, his eyes burning hotter than when he saw the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus.

Old Qingyun had once inadvertently acquired an ancient scroll—time had rendered it incomplete, but it described the yin-yang fish stone.

Since ancient times, Mount Kunlun had been a sacred place for immortals to cultivate. Old Qingyun had lived there for years, but many places remained inaccessible; sometimes, he would wander for a day only to find himself back where he started.

Sometimes, what appeared to be a path would transform into a cliff as soon as he stepped forward.

But over decades, Old Qingyun had found several ruins and learned a few things.

According to the ancient scroll, the yin-yang fish stone was the key to opening the site of a Kunlun sect—a place where ancient martial arts flourished, and divine abilities astonished the world.

Such ruins often held extraordinary treasures and peerless cultivation methods.

Thus, Zhang Xiaofan was thrilled.

He had to win this half yin stone.

“One hundred million!”

He called out the bid, and the host turned toward the sound.

The screen did not immediately display his name and bid; upon entering the hall, a staff member had given him the bidding device.

“Young man, bidding requires payment. If you can’t pay, the rules dictate the loss of a hand,” the host reminded him.

Many turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan, their gazes as if he were a fool.

But upon seeing his attire, their scorn grew.

Only those who knew of Zhang Xiaofan’s connection with Ye Zhantian regarded him normally.

“Our Ye family will guarantee him. Treasure Pavilion can rest assured,” Ye Zhantian spoke up.

The host’s doubts were dispelled. In the hall, the crowd’s opinion of Zhang Xiaofan shifted.

To have Old Master Ye personally guarantee him—this young man must be extraordinary.

Indeed, appearances could be deceiving.

“One hundred million, once!”

“One hundred million, twice!”

“One hundred million, thrice!”

“Congratulations to Zhang Xiaofan for winning the treasure.”

Without a doubt, only Zhang Xiaofan knew the origin of the yin-yang fish stone. Though Nangong Haotian and Xuan Yuan Wuqing were curious, neither intended to bid.

To them, spending one hundred million on a broken stone—even for the wealthy—was wasteful.

After the auction came the payment and collection.

“Girl, do you have a hundred thousand?”

Zhang Xiaofan was helpless—having just obtained one hundred million from Ye Zhantian’s second son, he had spent several tens of thousands and now had to ask the girl.

“I do. If you’re short, just use my card,” Ye Qingcheng replied.

“Thank you. I’ll pay you back.”

“You saved Grandfather—we haven’t even rewarded you yet. What’s a hundred thousand?”

“Business is business.”

Zhang Xiaofan regretted his foolishness—if only he’d asked Lin Haonan for a few billion just now, he wouldn’t have needed to ask Ye Qingcheng for a mere hundred thousand.

Ah, a man’s pride—utterly lost.

It seemed he could not act without reward in the future; at least, he should secure some money.

After swiping the card, Zhang Xiaofan was back to square one. Yet, holding the stone, he felt it was worth it; its value was beyond measure.

“You’re Zhang Xiaofan?”

At that moment, a voice sounded. Turning toward it, he saw a man about six foot one, in his early twenties, with piercing eyes and a chiseled face. Even the muscles of his neck were thick and powerful.

The half-exposed forearm was muscular and brimming with explosive strength.