Chapter 101: Qin Xiao Makes His Bid, the Four Sacred Set

“One billion? Are you crazy?”

Hearing Qin Xiao bid a billion, Luo Yunshuang thought she must have misheard.

Not only Luo Yunshuang, but Luo Yunbing and Cang Chen also wore expressions of disbelief.

“What’s wrong with one billion? If it’s not enough, I can still borrow from Miss Ling, right, Miss Ling?”

Qin Xiao replied indifferently, not forgetting to tease Ling Ruoxue.

“I won’t lend you anything.”

Ling Ruoxue knew he was teasing her, so she refused outright.

“Haha, you went too far! She won’t lend it to you. You’re in trouble! You’re in trouble! No one dares try to get something for nothing from the Immortal Dao Merchant Association.”

Delighted by Ling Ruoxue’s refusal, Luo Yunshuang pointed at Qin Xiao. Serves you right for making a fool of me.

“Little sister, enough. Can’t you see they’re joking? One day that gullibility of yours will get you into real trouble.”

Embarrassed by her sister’s innocence, Luo Yunbing cut her off.

“What? Qin Xiao, you’re teasing me again?”

Only after her sister said this did Luo Yunshuang notice the others struggling not to laugh. She was angry at once.

Then she thought it through. Qin Xiao had a Supreme Membership Card and a private room on the fourth floor. He was an honored guest of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association. How had she fallen for their joke?

“If you became my disciple, I’d have to teach you a thing or two about dealing with people. You’re so stu—so innocent.”

Qin Xiao had meant to say stupid, but quickly changed the word. Luo Yunshuang could be reckless. He had better not really anger her.

“One billion? Truly worthy of the fourth floor.”

“I knew that person wouldn’t disappoint us.”

“There he goes! He spent fifty million without blinking. Of course he’d bid on this treasure.”

“Who’s up there? The fourth-floor bidder is a mystery. I’ve run through every name I can think of, and none fits.”

The billion-stone bid sent the hall into an uproar. Everyone had been waiting for the fourth-floor guest to join in; now he had leaped straight to one billion.

“Su Lin, are you sure Qin Xiao is in that fourth-floor room?”

Wei Jian was stunned. Qin Xiao? How could that boy possibly have a billion Spirit Stones?

“Uh, Great Elder, I’m not sure anymore either.”

Su Lin was just as stunned. Could Qin Xiao really bid a billion? Yet who else could it be? Only one private room on the fourth floor was occupied.

“No way, Brother Qin has this kind of wealth?”

Cang Xing had thought even tens of millions was an outrageous sum. Earlier, he had tried to stop his younger brother from betting, afraid Qin Xiao could not pay if he lost. Now that wager looked trivial.

“Cang Xing, do you know who’s in that fourth-floor room?”

Han Mingyuan asked somewhat doubtfully. This story is hosted at novelping(.)com.

“Second Elder, I’m certain it’s Qin Xiao in the fourth-floor private room. Cang Chen is with him.”

Cang Xing decided to tell the truth. Earlier, he had said only that Cang Chen had joined an acquaintance, without naming Qin Xiao.

“What? Cang Chen is up there too? Are you certain it’s Qin Xiao? Where would he get a billion Spirit Stones?”

Han Mingyuan still could not believe it. Few factions could spare a billion Spirit Stones, and fewer still would bring that much to an auction. Even after preparing carefully, he had brought only five hundred million.

“One point two billion.”

Wei Jian knew he was nearly out of the running, but he bid his absolute limit. Perhaps it would be enough.

“One point three billion.”

Han Mingyuan would not give up yet. Perhaps Qin Xiao had made an empty bid. If Han Mingyuan could outbid Wei Jian, the lot might still be his.

“I give up.”

The Mysterious Yin Sect had risen in strength, but Wei Jian knew it still fell far short of the Pure Yang Sect’s accumulated wealth. He gave up.

Every gaze turned to the fourth floor. With Wei Jian out, Qin Xiao was the only bidder left to challenge Han Mingyuan.

“One point five billion.”

Qin Xiao wasted no time. If Han Mingyuan could bid 1.3 billion, he might be able to reach 1.5. By bidding 1.5 billion first, Qin Xiao would force him to offer at least 1.6 to save face—a jump of three hundred million from Han Mingyuan’s last bid.

“Now that’s a real big shot! Could the guest upstairs be from the Heavenly Dynasty? If I could win their favor, I’d be set for life.”

“Stop dreaming. If they’re from the Heavenly Dynasty, they’ll have even less use for a small fry like you.”

“Not necessarily. What if those big shots have unusual tastes? I’m fair-skinned and plump. I might have a chance.”

“Get lost. Stay away from me, and don’t tell anyone you know me.”

The 1.5-billion bid set the hall buzzing. The crowd had grown numb to the numbers, but its curiosity about the fourth-floor guest only intensified.

Han Mingyuan hesitated. His limit was 1.5 billion; he could add only a few million more. There was little point when his opponent had jumped to that figure in a single bid.

After a long silence, Cai Mu knew it was time to call the sale.

“If there are no further bids, this lot goes to our fourth-floor guest. Anyone else?”

Cai Mu had been delighted at first when the price far exceeded his expectations. Once he realized it was Black Tortoise Armor, he could no longer be happy. A treasure that could fetch billions, perhaps ten billion or more, had reached only one and a half billion.

“Since no one is adding more, then this lot belongs to the distinguished guest on the fourth floor.”

Reluctant as he was, Cai Mu brought down the gavel.

He handed the rest of the auction to another manager and delivered the lot upstairs himself.

Some fine items came up afterward, but none caught Qin Xiao’s interest.

“Honored guest, I’ve brought your purchase.” Read the latest chapters at novelping . com.

Cai Mu forced himself to look composed. The association had lost billions on the sale, but its reputation mattered more. He still had to deliver the item.

“Please enter.”

Knowing Cai Mu had brought it himself, Qin Xiao called out politely.

The door opened, and Cai Mu walked in with a forced smile.

“Eldest Miss? Why are you here too?”

Cai Mu was stunned to see Ling Ruoxue. He had been thinking of an excuse to give when he reported it. Now he had run straight into the Eldest Miss.

“It’s nothing. Young Master Qin is an acquaintance, so I came to visit. Carry on with your work; pay me no mind.”

Ling Ruoxue had not expected Elder Cai to deliver the lot in person. Now she had been caught visiting Qin Xiao.

“Congratulations, Young Master Qin. The item is yours.”

Cai Mu quickly composed himself, went over to Qin Xiao, and spoke kindly.

“Thank you for bringing it up yourself, Elder Cai. But you don’t look well. Is something wrong?”

Cai Mu looked unwell despite his forced smile, and Qin Xiao was puzzled.

“Nothing serious. Just a small problem with my cultivation.”

Cai Mu wanted to cry. Luckily, he was a cultivator. An ordinary man might have dropped dead from the frustration.

“Glad to hear it. Elder Cai, I’ll settle the bill with Miss Ling afterward. Would you care to sit with us for a while?”

Qin Xiao did not know why Cai Mu had come in person. Since the elder offered no explanation, Qin Xiao invited him to sit with them.

“No, I only came to deliver the lot. I have other things to do. Since the Eldest Miss is here, there’s no problem. I’ll get back to work.”

Cai Mu had wanted to discuss how Qin Xiao would settle the bill, as no one could really carry so many spirit stones on them. He had also intended to check his funds. With the Eldest Miss here, there was no need.

“You really won the auction? And for one point five billion?”

Even seeing the lot right before her eyes, Luo Yunshuang still found it hard to believe.

“Kid, I don’t know whether you’re lucky or this was meant to be yours. Do you know what you’ve bought?”

Ling Ruoxue spoke to Qin Xiao by voice transmission instead of saying it aloud.

“What do you mean? Is there something special about it?”

Qin Xiao could not use voice transmission. He picked up the Body-Protecting Turtle Armor as though examining it, and murmured to himself.

“We’ll talk after the auction. For now, all I can tell you is that this is the Black Tortoise Armor, one piece of the Four Sacred Set.”

Ling Ruoxue knew about the Four Sacred Set. She had auctioned the Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell because they had failed to complete the Black Tortoise Armor for so many years. It was only one protective plate, after all. Yet not long after she sold it, the entire inner armor had appeared—and Qin Xiao had bought it.