Upon hearing Shen Qiang's confirmed reply, Liu Chengye, seated in his chair, transmitted his voice, "Mr. Shen is a prominent figure. I believe in your promise, but our agreement has one condition: you cannot compete with my Spring River Flower Moon using Elixir Pills."

Shen Qiang laughed and calmly raised his eyebrow, saying, "It sounds like you're already scared."

Liu Chengye coldly transmitted his voice, "With so many treasures at Xiduobao, I dare to bet with you. How could I be scared? But what about you? Didn't you bring anything valuable today, so you're afraid of a fair duel with me?"

Shen Qiang looked around the auction house. Today, because no special Buddha's Treasure was revealed, there weren't any monks present. If Elixir Pills were not considered, then Shen Qiang only had one Dahe Luojianan Fragrance as an auction item.

The incense was indeed good.

The crucial issue was that this Dahe Luojianan Fragrance was a consumable.

The difference between it and antiques was that, as long as you don't buy a fake, antiques could raise in value from 300,000 to potentially 500,000 over the years, and they remain available to convert to cash when needed.

But Dahe Luojianan Fragrance is consumable; unless it becomes a limited edition in the future, its value may soar.

Otherwise, its potential for appreciation is very low.

So typical investors, even if they find the incense exceptionally good, would not absolutely pour money into it.

First, the prospects for appreciation are basically zero.

Second, compared to porcelain, paintings, and antiques, incense is harder to preserve.

Moreover, this incense hasn't appeared on the market before, meaning it has no reputation.

So using Dahe Luojianan Fragrance to compete with the Spring River Flower Moon Map seems unreliable no matter how you think about it.

But even so, Shen Qiang still wanted to test the market's response.

After all, the cost of this incense is super low, and its calming and soothing effects are excellent.

If the market response is good, making big money is inevitable.

If the market response is poor, it can only be supplied exclusively to temples, drastically diminishing its economic value.

So winning or losing is secondary; the key is whether the market recognizes it.

"Alright." Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow and said, "I won't use Elixir Pills to compete with any of Xiduobao's antiques."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengye burst out laughing, "Mr. Shen is indeed bold. Knowing he's bound to lose, he still dares to promise. Then I won't hold back."

At this moment, he was no longer transmitting his voice; the people around looked at him with astonished eyes.

Meanwhile, someone nearby whispered.

"Isn't that the owner of Xiduobao, Shen Qiang? He's now the largest antique dealer on the street. If he's using his auction item to duel with the Spring River Flower Moon Map, it must be something good."

"That Spring River Flower Moon Map is the work of a famous artist, a prime example, and quite pricey. Unless he brings out Xiduobao's Store Treasure, there's no way he can win."

"Well, at least for now, nothing more valuable than the Spring River Flower Moon Map is likely to appear at this auction."

Hearing the whispers, Liu Chengye couldn't help but feel extraordinarily proud.

Just then, Xu Nan arrived. Her eyes charmingly glanced at the smiling Shen Qiang seated in his chair, her delicate face slightly flushed, and then she prepared to announce the start of the auction.

At that moment, seeing Xu Nan's charming demeanor, yet her eyes not on him, Liu Chengye abruptly stood up and, pretending to be graceful, said, "Miss Xu, pardon the interruption. Just now, I made a bet with Mr. Shen, the owner of Xiduobao, on whose auction item will fetch a higher price today."

Xu Nan paused, casting a questioning glance at Shen Qiang.

Shen Qiang smiled and nodded.

Xu Nan smiled, raising her eyebrow at Liu Chengye and said, "Mr. Liu, what you and Mr. Shen agree on privately..."

"No, I don't like doing things privately. If we're going to compete, let's do it openly," Liu Chengye interrupted.

Xu Nan slightly frowned.

At this moment, brimming with confidence, Liu Chengye knew that Shen Qiang had already agreed not to use Elixir Pills, and it was also impossible for him to have brought something good here, given that if he had a valuable treasure, as the owner of Xiduobao, Shen Qiang would certainly keep it in the store as a Store Treasure.

So he proudly said, "I have agreed with Mr. Shen that if my Spring River Flower Moon Map sells for a higher price today, then Mr. Shen's auction item will belong to me. Likewise, if Mr. Shen's auction item sells for more than mine, then however much the Spring River Flower Moon Map sells for, it will all go to Mr. Shen."

Upon hearing this, the entire auction hall looked at Liu Chengye in astonishment.

"This young man is not simple. That Xiduobao owner Shen Qiang is a legendary figure, and at such a young age, he's not afraid to challenge Shen Qiang. Truly the brave calf fears no tiger."

"Indeed, this young man is really courageous. Daring to use the Spring River Flower Moon Map as a bet, such an expensive treasure, he's definitely a serpent in the mist."

"Impressive! Not many on the antique street dare to challenge a big shot like Shen Qiang."

Hearing the people's remarks, Liu Chengye became even more pleased, giving Xu Nan a raised eyebrow and a smile, saying, "Well, since it's an open and fair competition, Miss Xu can now announce Mr. Shen's auction item."

Xu Nan looked at Shen Qiang.

Shen Qiang calmly nodded.

For Shen Qiang knew very well that Liu Chengye was now clearly trying to step on him to gain the limelight. Too bad, even though Dahe Luojianan Fragrance was just a consumable, it was still extraordinary. Otherwise, the monks of Doushi Temple wouldn't obediently hand over the Inmovable Ming King Mantra. So despite the inherent disadvantage, there might still be a chance.

"Mr. Shen's auction item for this session is a sacrificial incense known as Dahe Luojianan Fragrance, totaling one hundred sticks," Xu Nan calmly said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengye burst into laughter, "Sacrificial incense? Does that petty thing deserve to be auctioned?"

Xu Nan's charming eyes turned cold for an instant, but she still smiled and said, "Mr. Shen's Dahe Luojianan Fragrance is by no means ordinary."

"No matter how good the incense is, it's still incense!" Liu Chengye interrupted boastfully, "I think while everyone here is indeed wealthy, no one would spend millions to buy incense to burn, right? Moreover, my Spring River Flower Moon Map is a treasure worth more than ten million; therefore, Xiduobao is bound to lose."

Buzzing discussions immediately arose in the auction hall.

"Oh, this young man really isn't simple. Originally, the bet was with Shen Qiang, but now he's turned the focus onto Xiduobao. If news of this spreads, those who don't know the complete details may think Xiduobao is inferior to Mr. Liu."

"Vicious! Xiduobao's thirty-six Store Treasures, any of which surpasses the Spring River Flower Moon Map, yet now this person insists he defeated Xiduobao, so surely his fame will soar."

"The man's mind is truly deft. Shen Qiang is indeed Xiduobao's owner, but beating Shen Qiang is merely a personal matter, whereas beating Xiduobao would shake the industry. Potentially, this might mark the rise of another legendary figure."

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