"Just who is this person Lena found? He only just ascended to the God Realm, yet he has so many Violet Cloud Crystals—it's honestly shocking. Did he stumble on some massive treasure? Judging by the amount of Violet Cloud Crystals he has, that's decades' worth of income for any major force. How is that even possible?" Master Wan asked the elder beside him.
"Master, this is definitely strange. Maybe even the young lady doesn't know he has so many Violet Cloud Crystals. No matter what, we have to recruit him into Stormtower. Someone with this much talent has never appeared in the God Realm before. Could he be a reincarnated big shot?" The elder looked just as puzzled.
Master Wan seemed to recall something. "A reincarnated big shot? Now that you mention it, I think I remember something. Millions of years ago, Stormtower received a terrifying message. I believe you know which one I'm talking about!"
"You mean that person, Master? I can't say for sure if it's true. These days, Lord Thunder doesn't get involved in anything—he just oversees the Heavenly Tribulation. We can't confirm it. But after this auction, plenty of people will be interested in him. Some might want to know his identity even more than we do." the elder replied.
"You're talking about him, right? Back in the War of the Gods, we never had solid evidence. When the Crimson Demon Star appeared, he'd already left. Besides, their relationship was the closest in the God Realm. After his sect was destroyed, he spent hundreds of thousands of years helping search for his disciples, and every one they found was given the best care.
It's just that the battle back then was so fierce it destroyed the foundation of the God Realm's number one sect. Rebuilding is basically impossible. I don't think this person is him. If he was, he wouldn't be drawing so much attention to himself. He'd never do something so foolish.
You have to remember, he's carrying a blood feud for his entire sect being wiped out. If anything happened to him, all those years of effort would be wasted, wouldn't they?" Master Wan said.
"Your analysis is spot-on, Master. This needs to be investigated quietly. In another hundred thousand years, the Crimson Demon Star will reappear, and when that happens, Supreme Titus of the Demonic Realm will be resurrected too. If it's really him back in the God Realm, then he's definitely here for that. If not, we should make sure to cultivate this person—he might play a crucial role when the time comes." the elder said.
"Since this kid is interested in the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe, let's back off and give him some face." Master Wan said.
The sky-high price from VIP Room 28 left the Ten Great Powers unsure whether to keep bidding. If they got played by the other side, it would be a huge headache, so everyone decided to wait and see.
After a long pause with no new bids, everyone assumed the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe would go to VIP Room 28 again. Evan Chu kept a faint smile on his face the whole time, but Kimmie the attendant was visibly worried.
"Young Master, if nobody bids, you'll have to buy the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe—and then you won't be able to go for any other items. How can you still be smiling, without a hint of concern?" Kimmie asked.
"No rush, it's not over yet. I'm sure someone won't be able to resist. Even if the Ten Great Powers don't raise the bid, some other VIP room will. Don't forget, I've already offended a few VIP rooms. This is the perfect chance for them to set me up." Evan replied, still smiling.
"Are you really that sure someone will try to pit you right now? What if nobody does? Wouldn't that be a huge loss? You're way too impulsive." Kimmie stared at Evan, unable to believe he'd gamble seventy million Violet Cloud Crystals just on his own judgment.
"Seventy million Violet Cloud Crystals, first call! Is there anyone who wants to raise the bid?" the female elder called out loudly.
After several breaths, the female elder called again: "Seventy million, second call! Anyone else want to bid? The Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe is the finest defensive armor in the God Realm right now—if you miss this chance, there won't be another. Opportunities like this are rare!"
The auction hall went quiet. Everyone was waiting for someone to outbid Room 28, hoping the Ten Great Powers would step in. But to everyone's surprise, none of them made a move.
Evan's expression stayed calm—he was sure his prediction would come true within three breaths. He understood human nature better than anyone.
Kimmie was so anxious, she wished a lunatic would show up and outbid Evan's price right away. Every second, she was desperately hoping for it.
"Seventy million, third call! If no one bids, then the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe will go to VIP Room 28!" the female elder announced, making the final call.
Just when everyone thought no one would bid, two identical numbers suddenly appeared on the screen—seventy-one million Violet Cloud Crystals. Out of nowhere, two people raised the bid at the same time. It was like a miracle.
The auction house erupted. This was easily the most intense, exhilarating moment of the entire event. Kimmie finally relaxed, feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted, while Evan remained completely unfazed.
"Add five million!" Evan said quietly.
"What? You want to raise the bid again? Young Master, are you serious? It was hard enough for someone to bid at the last second—if you go any higher, they might back out, and you'll end up with the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe after all." Kimmie tensed up again.
"Trust me, someone will definitely bid. Right now, they're even more eager to set me up. But after this, it'll stop. I'm sure there are more than two people trying to pit me this time." Evan smiled.
After all, he'd offended plenty of people earlier. If someone had enough Violet Cloud Crystals and didn't take this chance for revenge, they'd be an idiot. Opportunities like this don't come around often, so you have to seize them.
Kimmie had no choice but to add another five million Violet Cloud Crystals. Now the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe was up to seventy-six million, and Room 28's staggering wealth was once again on full display.
"VIP Room 28 has raised the bid to seventy-six million Violet Cloud Crystals! Truly living up to expectations—looks like our friends in Room 28 are determined to win the Phoenix-Feather Divine Robe!" the female elder announced.
No sooner had she finished speaking than four new numbers flashed onto the screen—one of them was a whopping eighty million Violet Cloud Crystals, from Second-Class VIP Room 3, the same rival who'd fought Evan over the Soul Crystal.
Who would've thought that guy still had that much money? Evan burst out laughing—loudly. "We give up!" Those four words rang out from VIP Room 28, and plenty of people in the auction hall heard them.
As soon as Evan finished speaking, the once-boiling auction hall fell silent for a moment. Then, from VIP Room 3, came a pig-slaughtering roar: "Kid, you dare set me up! I'll kill you!"