The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 47: The Peculiar Master Feng

The Peculiar Master Feng . . .

In the grand scheme of Shi Yue's life, this might very well be the only opportunity he would ever have to significantly advance his cultivation. The prospect of obtaining a single dan bead held a glimmer of hope, but it certainly didn't guarantee success.

Two dan beads, on the other hand, would more than double his chances. Xiao Mo-Yan couldn't help but let out a sigh, understanding the profound significance of this moment.

As he considered the practical value of the Pei-Yuan Dan, he couldn't help but shake his head. Under normal circumstances, a dan bead's maximum value wouldn't exceed 50 thousand silver bars. Yet, here they were, witnessing the price skyrocket to an astonishing 2 million and 250 thousand for a single dan bead—a sum that defied reason.

Even the most exceptional dan bead would hardly warrant such a price tag. However, this specific dan bead had the potential to pave the way for unimaginable achievements for any skilled dan-maker. It could even determine the future fate of a sect.

The remaining bidders, all comparable to the Ling-Yun Sect in terms of stature, were acutely aware of the stakes. While there were distinctions among them, the differences weren't insurmountable. If one of the competing sects managed to secure this dan bead and gleaned valuable insights from it, they could potentially surpass the Ling-Yun Sect in the future—a prospect that filled Xiao Mo-Yan with deep concern.

He mulled over the situation, his gaze eventually settling on balcony No. 17.

"The pressing issue now is Feng Zhi-Ling," he murmured to himself. "Can he produce any more of these supreme dan beads? Did he craft them himself, or were they merely stumbled upon by chance?"

"Patriarch," Shi Yue interjected, his anxiety palpable. "We can't afford to take any risks."

After a thoughtful pause, Xiao Mo-Yan let out a heavy sigh. "Three million and 150 thousand."

This astronomical bid amounted to more than half of the sect's available funds. If he failed to secure the supreme dan bead at this price, he would have no choice but to concede. Risking any more of the sect's finances could jeopardize its daily operations.

Inwardly, Xiao Mo-Yan made a resolution: "The more wealth we accumulate in this mortal world, the better."

The collective gasps and incredulous murmurs that rippled through the crowd were a testament to the outrageous sum he had just offered. Three million and 150 thousand for a single dan bead—an amount that seemed utterly insane.

But to many, it was a stark reminder that limitations existed, even when it came to wealth. There were moments when one's resources could be depleted, just as physical strength had its limits.

The competing sects vying for the last dan bead observed Xiao Mo-Yan's bold move with resignation. They understood that bidding any higher would not only be financially untenable but would also constitute a public challenge to the Ling-Yun Sect—an affront they weren't willing to risk.

The repercussions of Mu Zi-He's reckless actions had sent shockwaves through the crowd, akin to stirring a hornet's nest. It was a clear message that nobody dared to mess with them.

Meng Wu-Fei, who hailed from the Qing-Yun Sect, one of the Ling-Yun Sect's major competitors, couldn't help but shake his head in amazement. "Individuals as audacious as Mu Zi-He... they truly are a rare breed in this world," he remarked with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

With Meng Wu-Fei's exit, it was a tacit signal that the auction had reached its conclusion. The frenzied bidding that had consumed the attendees had finally come to an end. As everyone attempted to contact Feng Zhi-Ling, the enigmatic figure behind the event, they were met with an unsettling realization—he had vanished without a trace, leaving behind no discernible clues.

The abrupt departure of this high-profile figure left those who had observed his conduct throughout the auction puzzled. It was as if he had been the sole participant, with an air of indifference to the presence of others. Yet, he had vanished from the scene without a moment's hesitation.

Meanwhile, Cha-Eun Xiao found himself in the luxurious confines of the private VIP reception room, savoring a cup of fragrant tea. With the auction's conclusion, it was now time for him to claim his well-deserved share of the proceeds.

He couldn't help but ponder the potential actions of the Mu Clan in response to their defeat, a sense of smug satisfaction playing across his features. "I'm curious to see what kind of trouble the Mu Clan could possibly stir up for me this time," he mused. "Humph... they must be preoccupied with their own issues at the moment."

His thoughts then turned to the enigmatic House of the Chaotic Storm, an entity that had played a significant role in his recent tribulations. "This House of the Chaotic Storm sounds remarkably influential," he contemplated with a furrowed brow. "They've been plotting against me for quite some time now."

As he deliberated on his next course of action, Guan Wan-Shan made his entrance, accompanied by an accountant. Their expressions bore a hint of reverence as they gazed upon Cha-Eun Xiao, as if beholding a deity. The ten Pei-Yuan Dan beads he had provided had yielded an astounding revenue of 15 million and 300 thousand!

This sum of money defied simple comparisons like "turning stone into gold" or "a pie falling from the sky." It was akin to a veritable mountain of wealth cascading down upon them.

"Brother Feng," Guan Wan-Shan exclaimed enthusiastically, rushing forward to shake Cha-Eun Xiao's hand. "I've never witnessed an auction generate such astonishing profits in all my years. It's nothing short of a miracle! Fifteen million! 15 MILLION!"

With a serene smile, Cha-Eun Xiao listened to Guan Wan-Shan's jubilant proclamation. Politely retracting his hand, he replied in a nonchalant tone, "Uh-huh?"

Guan Wan-Shan, still visibly elated, eagerly rubbed his hands together. "Indeed, Brother Feng. This time, according to our agreement, we'll be claiming our share of 20 percent as profit. However, that leaves you with a substantial 12 million!"

Cha-Eun Xiao nodded, his smile taking on a touch of contentment. "Uh-huh? Twelve million. That's quite a significant sum."

Guan Wan-Shan couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. His keen intuition urged him to approach Cha-Eun Xiao with caution and inquire, "Brother Feng, is there anything that doesn't meet your satisfaction?"

A faint, enigmatic smile graced Cha-Eun Xiao's lips as he replied, "No, nothing at all." He dismissed any concerns with a wave of his hand and added, "Master Guan, kindly arrange for the items I acquired during the auction to be sent to me. As for the money..." He chuckled softly. "Just deduct it from my share."

Guan Wan-Shan readily agreed, his assurances flowing freely. While Cha-Eun Xiao had acquired a substantial collection of items during the auction, the money spent had amounted to a mere 2 million and 500 thousand silver bars. Under normal circumstances, this would be considered a considerable sum. However, when compared to the 12 million he was set to receive, it seemed insignificant.

Guan Wan-Shan, a seasoned professional in the field, couldn't help but sense that something was amiss. Cha-Eun Xiao's demeanor and reaction were far from what he had expected. "Master Feng's expression... It's rather complex, even strange," he mused inwardly. "Ordinary individuals would be ecstatic upon gaining access to such wealth. Why is he so nonchalant?"

As he concluded the necessary formalities, Guan Wan-Shan remained perplexed, his mind racing to decipher what might be troubling Cha-Eun Xiao. The ambiance was laden with tension, and he couldn't quite put his finger on the cause.

Cha-Eun Xiao maintained his composed demeanor, a faint smile playing on his lips as he observed the meticulous calculations performed by the accountant. The rhythmic clattering of the abacus served as the backdrop to this moment of quiet contemplation.

Guan Wan-Shan, meanwhile, grappled with growing unease. "What could have possibly soured his mood?" he pondered anxiously. "This isn't a trivial matter; he's the lifeblood of our business. Failing to meet his expectations could result in substantial losses for the salesroom."

The accountant, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, finally completed his calculations. "After deducting the costs of the items purchased, Master Feng's earnings amount to 7 million and 550 thousand silver bars," he reported dutifully. "Additionally, regarding the tax owed to the treasury, we have received instructions from Master Guan to cover that expense."

However, Cha-Eun Xiao interjected, his tone taking on an unusual quality. "There's no need for that. Don't trouble the salesroom with such a trivial sum," he remarked, a faint air of indifference coloring his words. "I have more than enough funds, and the supreme dan beads hold little significance to me. Moreover, you, sir," he continued, addressing the accountant, "shouldn't be the one shouldering this tax burden. You've put in tremendous effort for this auction, and your earnings should reflect that."

A sudden realization dawned upon Guan Wan-Shan. He understood what had cast a shadow over Cha-Eun Xiao's countenance. "Ah, I see," he thought to himself. "What has left him discontent is the fact that the ten supreme dan beads fetched a staggering 15 million, yet he received a mere 500 thousand for the five he sold to the salesroom. By auction standards, those five dan beads could have easily commanded 7 million and 500 thousand silver bars. The disparity between 500 thousand and 7 million and 500 thousand is stark. It's a substantial loss that even a child could comprehend. No wonder he's displeased."

However, the predicament they now faced was that the prices for the five dan beads had been mutually agreed upon beforehand, and business, after all, adhered to its own rules. Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't reasonably contest the agreement or backtrack on it. Nevertheless, the prospect of suffering a loss exceeding 7 million was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow, especially when it was handed to the individual who had profited from his misfortune.

The atmosphere in the Ling-Bao Hall Salesroom held an undercurrent of unease. While the successful auction had undoubtedly reaped significant profits, there was an issue at hand that couldn't be ignored. The salesroom operated on a commission basis, earning a substantial 20 percent of the total sales price, which amounted to nearly 3 million silver bars in this case.

Guan Wan-Shan, the astute manager, had come to grasp the gravity of the situation. However, he was also acutely aware that this was not a matter he could resolve unilaterally. It had evolved into a delicate predicament. Guan Wan-Shan understood something else, too: failing to appease Master Feng, as Cha-Eun Xiao was known here, would not bode well for future dealings. While the salesroom had profited handsomely this time, this dissatisfied customer could simply take his valuable business elsewhere, without uttering a single complaint.

Time seemed to crawl as Cha-Eun Xiao leisurely consumed pot after pot of tea while Guan Wan-Shan grappled with the situation. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead as he finally returned to Cha-Eun Xiao, offering a warm smile that masked his anxiety. "Brother Feng, please pardon the delay," he began. "I have consulted with our boss, and together, we've reached a decision."

Cha-Eun Xiao met his gaze, his expression inscrutable as he urged, "Pray, enlighten me. What decision has been reached?"

With sincerity in his tone, Guan Wan-Shan continued, "We, the Ling-Bao Hall Salesroom, recognize that when you generously sold us those five supreme dan beads during the previous auction, we received an extraordinary bargain. We're deeply grateful for your magnanimity, and while you, Brother Feng, haven't voiced any grievances, we believe we can't simply accept such kindness without reciprocation."

He watched Cha-Eun Xiao's reactions closely as he spoke, his words laced with a sense of decorum and respect.

A faint, contemplative hum escaped Cha-Eun Xiao's lips, a thoughtful expression flitting across his face.

Guan Wan-Shan seized the moment to present the salesroom's proposition. "In light of this, we have decided to offer you the items you won in the recent auction as gifts, without any charge. These are but small tokens of our appreciation. We earnestly hope that you won't feel compelled to decline this gesture."

The manager wore a smile that carried an air of assurance, and his eyes held a glint of hope.

Cha-Eun Xiao, however, had his own thoughts. "Well put," he mused inwardly. "You're offering me items worth around 3 million and have the audacity to call them 'small tokens.' And you even implore me not to refuse... Your wealth certainly speaks volumes."

Outwardly, he wore an expression of hesitant consideration. "Hmm," he began, his tone wavering. "I must say, this proposal... it seems somewhat inappropriate. After all, we had an agreement in place. I find myself inclined to refuse your offer..." He trailed off, punctuating his words with an indulgent chuckle.