This time, the crowd’s shock was more than ten times greater than before.

Ye Xuan’s words had stunned the entire auction house into a dead silence. A suffocating atmosphere hung in the air.

Damn, the Luo family was just too f****** awesome.

Although Ye Xuan had clashed with Zhou Qingyu before, that was merely a squabble between young masters.

Frankly, it wasn’t even worth mentioning in a formal setting.

But now, the honorable Patriarch of the Qin family himself had spoken. Hadn’t everyone seen how all the other major families and powers had gone silent? For the Luo family to still dare to speak up, they were simply courting death.

People said the Qin and Luo families were at odds, but this wasn’t just being at odds. This was a fight to the death.

"You must be that Xuan Ye, correct? Young man, do you have any idea what you’re doing?"

After a long moment, Qin Feng’s icy voice rang out, laced with thick killing intent.

"What could I possibly be doing? This is an auction house, so I’m bidding, of course," Ye Xuan said nonchalantly.

The crowd was collectively floored, utterly speechless.

Luo Min and Luo Cheng were terrified. ’Young Master Ye is going to give us a heart attack!’

’Even though the Luo family and the Qin family are at odds, is it really necessary to provoke them to this extent?’

They didn’t understand. From Ye Xuan’s perspective, the Qin family had already issued an order to completely crush the Luo family, clearly intending to annihilate them. Now that he had a chance to strike back, why would he show any mercy?

"Good. Very good." Qin Feng’s voice was bone-chillingly cold. "Brat, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m afraid you might win the bid, but you won’t live to claim your prize."

Qin Feng’s words were a blatant threat.

Ye Xuan’s expression darkened. He immediately directed a cold sneer toward the auctioneer on stage. "Auctioneer, can people really be threatened at a Heaven-Reaching Pavilion auction? If so, I’m terrified. I think I’ll withdraw from the bidding."

"Patriarch Qin, this is the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion. I must ask you to respect our rules. Otherwise, do not blame us for escorting you out."

A cold voice drifted from behind the auction stage. It wasn’t loud, but to the crowd, it was like a bolt from the blue.

The voice carried an unparalleled authority, clearly belonging to a Martial King.

"And to the honored guest in Box 21, please rest assured. Here at the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, everyone must abide by the rules, no matter who they are. No one has ever dared to do otherwise."

The voice brimmed with absolute confidence.

Qin Feng’s expression instantly changed, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.

Only then did Ye Xuan pat his chest and say, "Why didn’t you say so earlier? You scared me to death! Now I can finally relax. Hey, old man on the stage, no one’s bid for a while. Isn’t it time to drop the hammer and seal the deal?"

Everyone rolled their eyes. They were completely speechless when it came to Ye Xuan.

"Forty thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones."

Seeing the auctioneer was about to drop the hammer, Qin Feng had no choice but to raise the bid again, his voice chilling to the bone.

"Forty thousand one hundred Lower Grade Profound Stones."

Ye Xuan continued his bidding, his voice tinged with amusement.

"Forty-five thousand."

Qin Feng raised the bid by another five thousand.

"Forty-five thousand one hundred."

Ye Xuan, once again, added only one hundred.

BANG!

It sounded like a table had been shattered in the Qin family’s private box.

"Brat, does the Luo family even have that many Profound Stones?"

Qin Feng’s voice was laced with anger and displeasure.

’Clearly, he knew he couldn’t let this bidding war continue.’

’No matter what he bid, the other guy would just add a hundred. When would it ever end?’

Ye Xuan chuckled coldly. "Whether I have that many Profound Stones is none of your business. If you want it, keep bidding. If not, then give up. Why waste your breath?"

"Good. Very good."

Qin Feng’s voice was utterly chilling.

"Fifty thousand."

Determined to win, Qin Feng added another five thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones.

At the same time, Qin Feng’s chilling voice rang out again. "If you bid again, I might as well let you have this manual. I’m just afraid you won’t be able to hold on to it."

Qin Feng’s voice was thick with warning and threat.

BANG!

Ye Xuan violently smashed a cup in his private box, the sound carrying clearly outside.

Under the confused gazes of the crowd, Ye Xuan said angrily, "I’m talking to you, Heaven-Reaching Pavilion! What is going on here? I’m trying to participate in an auction in good faith, yet I’m being threatened over and over. If you can’t even guarantee your customers’ safety, what’s the point of holding auctions at all?"

"Forget it! I’m done with an auction like this. Just consider all my previous bids null and void."

Ye Xuan’s anger wasn’t directed at the Qin family, but was aimed squarely at the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion.

The venue instantly erupted into an uproar.

"That’s right, the Qin family keeps making threats, and the auction house isn’t doing anything."

"If this continues, who would dare to bid here? The Qin family is making open threats in the auction hall. Once you step outside, won’t you be instantly killed?"

"The Heaven-Reaching Pavilion has such a grand reputation, but I guess it’s nothing special after all."

"What a complete disappointment."

Many Martial Artists, eager to stir up trouble, began to secretly fan the flames.

"Patriarch Qin Feng, please adhere to the rules of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion and compete fairly..."

Just then, the authoritative voice from before spoke again, now tinged with anger.

"This is the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion’s final warning. If it happens again, we will revoke the Qin family’s access to their Celestial Level private box and eject them immediately. Furthermore, the Qin family will be permanently banned from ever setting foot in any Heaven-Reaching Pavilion on the continent."

Hearing this, Qin Feng’s face stiffened. The rage in his heart was like an erupting volcano.

But he forced himself to suppress it.

He knew the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion had a profound background, one his Qin family could not afford to offend.

"I just bid fifty thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones. Do you still dare to bid higher!" Qin Feng said coldly.

He had already made up his mind. If Ye Xuan bid again, he would not raise his own price. The moment the auction ended, he would use every means at his disposal to ensure the Luo family was utterly annihilated.

At that moment, Luo Min gave a wry smile and whispered to Ye Xuan, "Young Master Ye, the Luo family’s total holdings in Lower Grade Profound Stones are only a little over thirty thousand... This price..."

"Don’t worry," Ye Xuan said, waving his hand.

He still had some medium-grade Profound Stones in his Storage Ring. It would be enough to scrape together fifty thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones.

However, he would be a complete idiot to fight the Qin family all by himself while the other families just sat back and watched the show.

As his eyes darted, an idea immediately sparked in Ye Xuan’s mind.

Ye Xuan immediately announced, "Everyone, I find myself a little short on funds, so I’d like to make a proposal."

The crowd, who had been waiting for Ye Xuan’s next move, was stunned. ’What kind of trick is this kid pulling now?’

They then heard Ye Xuan continue, "As you all know, the Luo family is a small clan with a humble business, but we sincerely desire this Heaven-Burning Fire Skill. Therefore, I am going to propose a crowdfunded auction."

"A crowdfunded auction? What’s that?"

Many people blurted out, utterly confused.

"This crowdfunded auction is very simple. Register right here, right now. Any family that contributes five thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones will receive a replicated copy of the Heaven-Burning Fire Skill after the auction. Think about it: a Celestial Grade, middle-tier Cultivation Technique for only five thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones. Where else could you find a deal like this?"

"This opportunity is available to anyone who signs up now. Don’t miss out!"

A knowing smile played on Ye Xuan’s lips. He refused to believe the major families wouldn’t be tempted by such an incredible offer.

Sure enough, his words had barely settled before many people grew tempted.

"Are you serious, kid?"

"A replicated copy of the Heaven-Burning Fire Skill for just five thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones? Is such a good deal even possible?"

People called out with questions one after another.

"Of course it’s true. You can all rest assured. The replication process will be done under your supervision. After the auction ends, we’ll make the copies publicly, right here in the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion. Fair and square, no tricks."

"However," Ye Xuan said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "I am only accepting registrations right now. You will not be able to purchase a copy after the auction ends. I need to know how many people are in so I know how much capital I have to bid with."

"Alright, let the fundraising begin."

As Ye Xuan finished speaking, everyone was left dumbfounded.

’An auction can be run like this?’

’If you don’t have enough money, you can just crowdfund on the spot?’

They had all attended countless auctions, but this was the first time they had ever witnessed something like this.

"Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, surely this man’s behavior violates your rules, does it not?"

As the other families grew tempted, panic bloomed in Qin Feng’s heart. He shouted out the reminder in a furious haste.

If Ye Xuan succeeded, his Qin family’s Heaven-Burning Fire Skill would be spread throughout the empire, no longer a secret.

How could he possibly accept that?

"We at the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion only care about the money. How a bidder raises their funds, or what they do with the item after winning it, is outside our jurisdiction."

The authoritative voice rang out once more.

"You..." Qin Feng was rendered speechless, the veins on his forehead bulging.

Hearing the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion’s reply, the Clan Leaders of many families grew excited.

A chance to obtain the Heaven-Burning Fire Skill for only five thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones—where else could they find such a wonderful opportunity?

The difference between a copy and the original was irrelevant. All they cared about was the content of the manual. What difference did it make if it wasn’t the authentic text?

"Count the Yuan family in."

Just then, a resonant voice echoed from one of the Celestial Level private boxes.

"The Celestial Grade, middle-tier Heaven-Burning Fire Skill for five thousand Lower Grade Profound Stones? What could possibly be better than that?"

The speaker from the Yuan family said with a faint smile.

"It’s the Yuan family’s Patriarch, Yuan Fei."

Many people exclaimed in surprise.

The Yuan family was also one of the four great clans, and their Patriarch’s status was no lower than the Qin family’s.

"Count me in as well. The Qin family’s Heaven-Burning Fire Skill is said to contain a unique fire control technique. As an Artifact Refiner, I’d like to join in on the fun."

A voice rang out from the Artifact Refining Workshop’s private box.

"It’s Master Lu Li."

"I can’t believe Master Lu Li spoke up as well."

The crowd looked astonished, but then they all came to a sudden realization.

The Qin family’s Heaven-Burning Fire Skill was extremely famous. It not only contained a cultivation technique and martial skills, but was also said to include a unique fire control art.

For Artifact Refiners and Alchemists, fire control was an absolutely crucial skill, so it was perfectly normal for Master Lu Li to be interested in this manual.