The auction continued fervently, and Lu Ye did not expect that it could fetch such a price in the end.

Moreover, Bai Chuan Commerce Association did not take a single penny in fees, meaning that the two hundred million silver fully entered his own pocket.

Subsequently, Chen Lingxiang also managed to obtain the Upper Grade Innate Pill, successfully purchasing it at the price of five Tier Three Spirit Medicines and one Profound Tier Lower Grade Body Technique.

"Phew, thankfully. If the price were even a bit higher, I wouldn't have had enough on me."

Watching the small hammer strike with finality, Chen Lingxiang exhaled in the private booth, his previously tense and fluctuating chest slowly calming down.

Though the elder still had decades of life left, if he could quickly reach the Innate Ninth Layer, there might be a chance to advance to the Martial Arts Grandmaster...

Once he becomes a Martial Arts Grandmaster, the elder could continue to protect the Luohua Chen Family for hundreds of years.

By then, the constraints around my lifelong matters would no longer exist, right?

After all, if the elder's influence persists, it won't matter if I fall in love and choose to be with someone secretly, or without a title... The family's reputation wouldn't suffer.

Thinking of this, Chen Lingxiang couldn't help but glance stealthily at Lu Ye beside him from the corner of his eye.

"I wonder what impression Young Master Lu has of me?"

This thought crossed Chen Lingxiang's mind, making him a bit nervous, for in matters of the heart, both parties need to have an interest.

One cannot force emotions... While forced fruits may quench thirst, the issue is that Young Master Lu is of the Grandmaster Realm! Who can forcefully take his fruit?

...

As the auction neared its conclusion, even an Earth Tier Lower Grade Secret Manual had appeared.

Suddenly, it incited a frenzy among the many forces in the auction hall, ultimately taken away at a price of two bottles of Innate Elixir, a dozen Tier Three Spirit Medicines, and ten million silver notes, in a competitive bidding war.

An Earth Tier Lower Grade Secret Manual could invoke a scramble among first-rate forces even in the Eastern Territory.

Watching the various major forces almost fighting over it, Lu Ye showed not the slightest interest.

But he knew that if it weren't for possessing the heaven-bestowed treasure like the Myriad Dao Pavilion.

He wouldn't have such killing techniques as the Heaven-Defying Three Swords, Divine Origin Invisible Sword Qi, and the Four Divine Ancient Seals.

When the auction finally dispersed, it was already nearing midnight.

Lu Ye instructed Chen Lingxiang to return to the inn first, while he himself headed to the quiet chamber where Ruxue was to retrieve his silver.

Inside the quiet chamber.

When Lu Ye arrived again, he found Ruxue waiting early by the door. Detecting the sound of footsteps, she opened the door ahead of time.

"Young Master Chen, please come in."

Noting Ruxue's proactive gesture, Lu Ye slightly raised an eyebrow and walked into the quiet chamber.

Ruxue casually closed the door behind him, smiling as she said, "Young Master Chen, please sit. This humble girl has not failed in her mission and successfully auctioned those Evil Crystal Cores for a decent price."

"I saw it, thank you, Miss Ruxue." The Diamond Card was Ruxue's gift, effectively waiving a significant handling fee. Lu Ye cupped his hands towards Ruxue: "Thank you, Miss Ruxue, for the card."

Ruxue said, "The silver is prepared here, please count it, Young Master Chen."

With that, Ruxue pointed to several stacks of thick silver notes on the table, a smile on her face.

The largest denomination of silver notes today amounted to a hundred thousand each, meaning the two hundred million silver consisted of two thousand notes of a hundred thousand each!

The sight of such large denomination silver notes piled up was something many people never witnessed in a lifetime.

Not arrogantly dismissing it, Lu Ye knew it was best to count on the spot so that both parties would avoid misunderstandings over the amount later.

After quickly verifying the total, he stored all the silver notes into his Storage Ring, saying: "The amount is correct, thank you."

"I wonder if Young Master Chen could add me as a contact?" Ruxue showed a sincere smile, "In the future, should there be any matters, communication would be much less troublesome."

Hearing this, Lu Ye pondered briefly and didn't reject the request.

Since the likelihood of future dealings with Bai Chuan Commerce Association wasn't small, adding the contact of their main auctioneer wasn't a bad idea.

Moments later, Lu Ye left the quiet chamber.

Initiating to see Lu Ye off, Ruxue pursed her rosy lips, but in the end, refrained from asking if Chen Beixuan was indeed him.

She had just begun to establish a preliminary friendship with him, and Ruxue didn't want to spoil Lu Ye's mood over such a trivial matter.

In the future... when the relationship deepens, or as the friendship boat sails more stably, there would be time to ask.

Thinking of helping him auction the Innate Source-Breaking Pill for Source Crystals tomorrow, Ruxue smiled faintly—it's a good time to strengthen the connection now.

...

Outside the auction hall.

To Lu Ye's surprise, Chen Lingxiang did not heed his words to return to the inn, but was waiting in the plaza outside the auction hall.

The night wind carried a chill, revealing that the blue-skirted figure of Chen Lingxiang appeared somewhat slender.

Though Chen Lingxiang's appearance had become much more ordinary after donning his Human Skin Mask.

He still exuded a delicate and gentle aura, naturally attracting many passersby hoping to approach.

However, all were rebuffed by Chen Lingxiang's icy and indifferent expression.

It wasn't until Lu Ye walked out of the auction hall that Chen Lingxiang's expression finally softened.

"If you're free, shall we take a walk?" Chen Lingxiang gently suggested, "I'll treat you to some good food."

"Alright."

Glancing at the night, Lu Ye nodded in agreement.

Given Chen Lingxiang's character, when Blood Evil descended with renowned might, and he took the initiative to come to Cloud Leaf City, intending to take Lu Ye away should he be defeated, he had already earned Lu Ye's respect.

Receiving Lu Ye's answer made Chen Lingxiang visibly happy; even the Human Skin Mask couldn't conceal the traces of joy on his face.

Having visited East Cang City multiple times, Chen Lingxiang was rather familiar with the area.

Subsequently, Chen Lingxiang led Lu Ye around the streets, trying a pastry shop and a braised meat shop, giving Lu Ye a nostalgic feeling of returning to his previous life.

Finally, Chen Lingxiang brought Lu Ye to a famous spot in East Cang City.

"This is the Wishing Tree, famous in the Eastern Territory. It's said that if you write your wish and hang it on the tree, there's a chance it might come true!"

Gazing at the massive ancient tree with thousands of years of history, a hint of yearning appeared on Chen Lingxiang's cheeks.

Hearing this, Lu Ye smiled slightly. Such sights were too common in his previous life.

He bought two sachets from a nearby stall, containing a slender piece of charcoal and a small paper inside. Chen Lingxiang handed one to Lu Ye.

"Lu... Young Master Chen, would you like to make a wish too?"

"You write," Lu Ye gently shook his head in refusal; placing faith in effort triumphing over destiny rather than making wishes.

Chen Lingxiang clearly believed in the power of the Wishing Tree. With his back to Lu Ye, he quickly wrote under the lush canopy.

[May my family be safe and healthy! May the elder advance to Grandmaster in this life! May... the one Lingxiang cares for excel in the Martial Dao and live a life without worries!]

With a sincere face, Chen Lingxiang tightly fastened the sachet and tied it to a free branch.

In East Cang City, under the Wishing Tree, hoping for wishes to come true...

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