# Chapter 291: Auction
(It is said that the previous chapter had an error, probably due to a system update error. Everyone, try refreshing it.)
……
"So, this is the young expert of the Yan Clan."
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Yan Yunhuan and muttered to himself as if talking to himself.
This was not the first time Zhang Ruochen had encountered a young expert from the Yan Clan. During the Earth Ranking test, he had met Yan Qingwu, ranked one hundredth on the Earth Ranking, who was the number one young expert of the Yan Clan's younger generation.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen still had some impression of the Yan Clan.
Chen Xi'er smiled playfully at Zhang Ruochen, wondering if he was feeling deeply inferior at this moment.
After all, Yan Yunhuan's personal strength and family background were far beyond what Zhang Ruochen could compare with. Under such circumstances, Zhang Ruochen's bit of talent seemed insignificant.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen lost in thought, Yan Yunhuan assumed his identity had already intimidated Zhang Ruochen. He immediately lost interest—just a prince from a lowly commandery, scared before even making a move, with no challenge at all.
Little did he know that after Zhang Ruochen learned his identity, he had already lost interest in fighting him.
Even the number one young expert of the Yan Clan could not withstand a single sword strike from Zhang Ruochen.
What was the point of fighting the so-called second-ranked expert?
Yan Yunhuan appeared extremely arrogant, no longer bothering to look at Zhang Ruochen and the others. He said, "Sister Xi'er, isn't the auction about to start? Why are we still wasting time here?"
Mentioning the auction, everyone immediately became interested.
One of the students said, "I heard that at this auction, several extremely precious space treasures will appear. Does Young Master Yan have any interest?"
Yan Yunhuan straightened his back, laughed loudly, and said confidently, "Space treasures are so precious that only the Yan Clan's wealth can swallow them up. When the time comes, I will definitely buy all the space treasures. Sister Xi'er, if you want one, you can pick any."
Chen Xi'er had also heard about the appearance of space treasures and had been looking forward to it for a long time.
However, she also knew that the major powers of the Demon Ridge would all rush to bid this time, and the price of space treasures would definitely be driven up to an astronomical figure.
In that case, she would just let Yan Yunhuan, this fool, pay for it. After all, the Yan Clan was the richest under heaven—if not to extort him, then who?
Huang Yanchen crossed her arms over her chest and said coldly, "You speak as if the space treasures are already in your pocket."
Hearing this, Yan Yunhuan immediately became displeased. He said, "Princess Yanchen, you should know that I am the heir to the next clan leader of the Yan Clan and can mobilize a considerable portion of the clan's wealth. With the Yan Clan's financial resources, can't we outbid those chickens and dogs of the Demon Ridge?"
"Princess Yanchen, rest assured. When I win those space treasures, I will definitely let you pick one as well. After all... with Zhang Ruochen's wealth, I'm afraid he can't afford a space treasure."
Yan Yunhuan glanced at Zhang Ruochen and said to Huang Yanchen with narrowed eyes.
Huang Yanchen, however, showed a disdainful expression. Others might not know, but she was well aware that the space treasures were refined by Zhang Ruochen. Why would Zhang Ruochen need to bid for them?
Perhaps the person who consigned the space treasures to the auction was Zhang Ruochen himself.
Suddenly, an idea struck Huang Yanchen. She winked at Zhang Ruochen and said, "Zhang Ruochen, you'll help me bid for a space treasure, won't you?"
How could Zhang Ruochen not understand Huang Yanchen's intentions? After thinking about it, he also found that Yan Yunhuan was somewhat unpleasant to look at. Making him bleed a little would be a good thing.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Of course. Even if I have to go bankrupt, I will definitely win a piece for the princess."
The corner of Yan Yunhuan's mouth curled up, revealing a hint of a smile. Was this guy trying to challenge him?
Fine.
Tonight, he would make him understand what it meant to overestimate oneself.
Trying to compete with me in wealth? He should first look at himself in the mirror.
Chang Qiqi walked over to Zhang Ruochen and whispered, "Junior Brother Zhang, if you're short on money, just say the word. Although I, Chang Qiqi, am not from a famous clan, I still have some savings."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Chang." Zhang Ruochen smiled. "But I recently came into a small fortune. Buying one space treasure shouldn't be difficult."
"I see."
Chang Qiqi suddenly understood. No wonder Zhang Ruochen dared to challenge Yan Yunhuan—he was well prepared. He said, "You must win a space treasure. Then that surnamed Yan won't dare to look down on others anymore."
"Don't worry, it's a small matter." Zhang Ruochen said.
The auction house of the Demon Ridge was built magnificently and luxuriously, like a small city made of piled stones. It was said that at its peak, it could accommodate three thousand people bidding simultaneously.
More than half of the treasures born in the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge would be sent to this auction house. Therefore, almost every treasure that made it to the auction platform was worth a fortune and not something ordinary people could afford.
It was only dusk, but many martial artists had already gathered outside the auction house. In the square, luxurious carriages were parked.
Some of these carriages were even built on the backs of fourth-rank savage beasts, giving a majestic feeling, like a giant beast carrying a palace.
The strength of a fourth-rank savage beast was comparable to that of a Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist.
Those who could use a fourth-rank savage beast as a mount were naturally extraordinary figures.
One by one, figures in splendid robes, surrounded by servants, stepped down from their carriages and walked toward the auction house.
"Roar!"
A qilin with a pair of flaming wings pulled a golden, magnificent chariot, flying across the sky with a rumbling sound.
The roar of that qilin spread throughout the entire Demon Martial City. All martial artists looked up at the sky. Affected by the qilin's aura, the entire sky seemed to burn, forming a huge sea of fire.
"A qilin... Heavens! That's really a qilin!"
"It is said that in the entire Demon Ridge, only the Cloud Terrace Sect Mansion keeps a qilin. It is one of the three mountain-guarding savage beasts of the Cloud Terrace Sect Mansion, extremely powerful. With just one claw, it can kill a fourth-rank savage beast."
"The person in the carriage should be the Sect Master of the Cloud Terrace Sect Mansion, Lord Han Li."
...
Everyone was shocked by the aura of that qilin in the sky. Fortunately, the qilin's roar did not carry any offensive power; otherwise, that single roar would have knocked out a third of the martial artists in Demon Martial City.
Yan Yunhuan snorted disdainfully. "It's just a 'Winged Fire Qilin.' Its bloodline isn't even pure. It can't even compare to one-tenth of a true qilin's power. Only martial artists in the Demon Ridge would make such a fuss."
That Winged Fire Qilin soon folded its wings, descended, and landed in the center of the square.
Han Li, the Sect Master of the Cloud Terrace Sect Mansion, stepped out of the carriage, exuding a vast martial aura. Translucent heavenly and earthly spiritual energy flowed around him, forming ripples like water.
Then, Han Qiu, dressed in a light blue long gown, also stepped out of the carriage. Her temperament was elegant, her eyes bright, and she attracted the gaze of countless male martial artists.
"The proud daughter of heaven from the Cloud Terrace Sect Mansion, Han Qiu. Three days ago, she broke through the fourth level of the Nine Absolute Tower, making her name resound. I didn't expect her to come to the auction as well."
"Why haven't I seen the Cloud Terrace Sect Mansion's senior brother, Zhang Tiangui? In the past, when attending grand events, Lord Han Li would always bring Zhang Tiangui along."
"Zhang Tiangui is probably in seclusion training. After all, Luo Shuihan and Han Qiu's strong rise has threatened his position as the number one genius of the Demon Ridge. He must be under a lot of pressure."
...
With the arrival of Han Li and Han Qiu, the entire auction house was in an uproar.
Especially Han Qiu, this proud daughter of heaven. Not only was she one of the ten beauties of the Demon Ridge, but she had also broken through the fourth level of the Nine Absolute Tower, leaving other young martial artists far behind, like a lofty nine-heaven goddess.
Even the Ten Talents of the Demon Ridge paled in comparison before her.
Han Qiu stepped out of the carriage and looked around. Soon, she spotted Zhang Ruochen among the crowd, and a joyful expression appeared on her beautiful face.
"He really came to the auction."
Han Qiu had a good impression of Zhang Ruochen, but since many martial artists were watching her, it was naturally not convenient for her to go over and greet him.
The two only exchanged a distant glance and nodded to each other.
Afterward, more important figures arrived one after another.
"The Palace Master of the Supreme Purity Palace, Ye Huiyi, has always kept a low profile. I didn't expect her to grace the auction house today."
"The Commandery Prince of Minshu Commandery, Xia Xuecheng, has also traveled thousands of miles to come to Demon Martial City. Minshu Commandery is the most powerful commandery in the Demon Ridge, far stronger than the Four Directions Commandery."
Zhang Ruochen looked into the distance at two carriages driving side by side and said with some surprise, "The relationship between Supreme Purity Palace Master Ye Huiyi and Minshu Commandery Prince seems quite unusual."
Chang Qiqi, quite gossipy, smiled and said, "The Minshu Commandery Prince was once a disciple of the Supreme Purity Palace and also Ye Huiyi's junior brother. It is said that back then, the Minshu Commandery Prince pursued Palace Master Ye, but unfortunately, Palace Master Ye was devoted to the Dao and did not agree."
Si Xingkong sighed. "The two of them truly embody 'better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes than to depend on each other.' Nearly a hundred years have passed. They didn't gain love, but they gained a deep friendship."
After those important figures entered the auction house, they went directly to the special VIP bidding rooms. All VIP bidding room guests were provided with dedicated attendants by the auction house and enjoyed special treatment.
Zhang Ruochen, Chang Qiqi, Si Xingkong, and other younger martial artists could only choose a relatively good spot in the main hall and sit down temporarily.
With Yan Yunhuan's status, he could also enter the VIP bidding room, but at Chen Xi'er's request, he came to the main hall and sat not far from Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen. His face always wore a look of certain victory.
Thinking about it, it was very normal. As the heir of a half-saint clan, Yan Yunhuan naturally would not take other martial artists seriously. Only the heirs of other half-saint clans were qualified to be his friends.
As for the leaders of the sects in the Demon Ridge, in his eyes, they were just slightly stronger country bumpkins. At today's auction, he was the true protagonist.