Something made of an unknown material, even if it were extraterrestrial meteorite as the auctioneer claimed.
At the price of five hundred thousand, it was already the absolute ceiling.
It was not jewelry or jade, nor was it an antique with a clear and traceable origin.
What stone in this world wasn't tens or hundreds of millions of years old?
People in the antique business mostly had their own judgment. For things they couldn't understand, there was an upper limit to the price.
Someone like Yang Qian, who bought anything at a high price, was not from the antique business.
On the contrary, Zhou Ya beside him seemed like an expert.
"Ran into an opponent," Li Chonglou whispered to Bai Jing.
When Zhou Ya returned, he noticed him holding a diamond ring larger than the one auctioned.
It was likely a prop Yang Qian intended to use to suppress him.
Unexpectedly, he also bought the auctioned diamond ring, so he didn't use it.
If Yang Qian had no worries, Li Chonglou was confident he could toy with this level of second-generation rich kid.
But this Zhou Ya was clearly not simple.
What was his intention staring at the base?
Did he also recognize this thing?
Highly unlikely. In his previous life, when he helped the National Museum authenticate this treasure, experts nationwide couldn't figure out its origin.
Only he stumbled upon the ability of Shi Boqiong to traverse time and space.
This base could very well be the energy source.
And he didn't research it, but accidentally discovered it.
Even his master had only heard of Shi Boqiong's marvels but didn't know its true usage, so he didn't believe anyone else in this world knew.
Most likely, he had only seen a description of the base in some ancient book, got curious, and wanted to possess it.
"What should we do? Is this thing important to you?" Bai Jing asked, her eyebrows furrowed.
Up to this point, Li Chonglou had never been so serious. Although he appeared relaxed, she could clearly feel his body tensed far more than before.
This showed his level of concern.
"Very important, more important than my life!" Li Chonglou said truthfully.
Bai Jing's beautiful eyes flashed with shock at his words.
She didn't understand antiques, nor did she understand why Li Chonglou said this.
But she heard the decisiveness in his tone.
"I hope it goes as you wish..." Bai Jing sighed.
"One million!" As soon as he finished speaking, Li Chonglou bid again.
This time, he didn't add five thousand increments but doubled it directly.
Wow...
The long-silent hall erupted in an uproar again.
Everyone looked at Li Chonglou with renewed excitement.
He was finally starting to exert his influence.
Yang Qian's lips curled into a disdainful smile, and he signaled Zhou Ya to continue bidding.
"Two million." Zhou Ya said without hesitation.
It was beneficial to help Young Master Yang suppress his opponent and to acquire this item for himself. Why not?
"Five million!" Li Chonglou said without thinking.
To everyone's surprise, he had always bid calmly and steadily for anything else.
Only for this item, his bidding speed was unexpectedly fierce.
What was this?
Was he declaring his ownership?
Or was he just putting on a show for Yang Qian, making him think his desire was strong and thus continuing to bid, only to suffer a loss in the end?
At this moment, Yang Qian's pupils also began to contract.
He had previously followed Li Chonglou's tactic of giving up when the price reached a certain point, letting Li Chonglou take the bait.
He had succeeded twice, but the amounts weren't significant, so it was meaningless.
This time, the amount was not small.
Compared to the intrinsic value of the item, it was terrifying.
"Five million... Young Master Yang, is there anything higher than five million?" The auctioneer's hands trembled.
From this single transaction alone, he could earn at least a million in commission.
The higher it went, the more he earned, so how could he not be excited?
Just as Zhou Ya was about to bid again, Yang Qian stopped him, "If we bid any higher, what if I have to take it off his hands?"
"This little brat has been silent until now, just waiting to get back at me."
"Tell me honestly, does this thing have any value?"
Hearing this, Zhou Ya愣了愣, then shook his head helplessly, "Young Master Yang, I can't understand its value either. I just feel like I've seen it somewhere, it's a bit familiar."
"So I wanted to bid and study it carefully. My original intention was one million, but I didn't expect that kid to go crazy."
"It's such a pity to let it go now..."
"Why don't we bid one more time?"
The first time he saw the base, he felt it was very familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen it despite racking his brain.
He was considered an old hand in the antique business. As long as it was a legitimate item with historical inheritance, he would have seen it.
It was unusual for him to not remember, so his tone was not certain.
Yang Qian nodded, a fierce glint in his eyes, "Eight million!"
Since the little brat wanted to play rough, he would show him the strength of the Four Princes of Zhonghai.
"Ten million!" Li Chonglou's expression didn't change, he bid forcefully.
This price was already close to all the wealth he possessed.
Any higher, and he wouldn't be able to afford it.
But Li Chonglou wasn't flustered at all.
After all, Tong Zhaolin was a shareholder here, and he had arranged for someone to be present. Since no one had stepped forward to stop him, it meant he intended to support him.
Let alone ten million, if the deal went through, a hundred million would be a trivial matter.
Since that was the case, why be polite?
"You... little brat, let's see how far you can push it." Yang Qian's eyes were filled with malice. Even if he didn't want this thing, he would never let Li Chonglou get it easily.
With an idea forming in his mind, he continued, "Twenty million!"
"One hundred million!" Li Chonglou's words shocked the entire venue.
Hiss...
Countless people were stunned, and gasps of cold air filled the air one after another.
Everyone's gaze was focused on Li Chonglou, some even stood up.
There was envy, as well as disdain, in their expressions.
But without exception, they were all filled with shock.
How could an item worth only a few tens of thousands be pushed up to a hundred million?
This person was crazy.
Completely crazy!
Not only them, but even Bai Jing's pretty face could no longer hide her astonishment.
Zhou Ya frowned, his face full of confusion, as if desperately trying to recall something.
"Hahaha... little brat, you finally fell for it. Did you really think I would go all the way with you?" At this moment, Yang Qian's arrogant laughter echoed throughout the hall, "I was just squeezing you."
"A hundred million, do you think it's toilet paper?"
"In the whole of China, I know at least 90% of people who can casually spend a hundred million on garbage."
"I've never heard of a rash young man like you. I'll see if you can actually produce this money!"
After the wild laughter, the auctioneer, already sweating profusely from excitement, hammered down the gavel fiercely.
The hammer blow sealed the deal.
Shouting at the top of his lungs, "This extraterrestrial meteorite ornament belongs to the gentleman in seat 29!"
A hundred million, after deducting the cost, was over ninety million in pure profit. He could at least get ten million.
Instantly, he had saved decades of hard work.
Who could remain composed?
At this moment, Li Chonglou was his benefactor, and he would willingly call him father.
However, at the same time, Yang Qian's words also made everyone ponder.
It wasn't a question of whether he had a hundred million.
But whether a person who spent a hundred million on garbage just to vent their anger could actually afford it.
There were too many rich people in this world, and hidden tycoons were not uncommon.
A hundred million was just pocket change for them.
But these people had one characteristic in common: they valued practicality.
They might spend forty million to have dinner with Warren Buffett, but they would never spend a hundred million on garbage.
This didn't align with their values.
Therefore, most people in the hall were now eagerly awaiting how Li Chonglou would pay.
"Do you have the money?" Bai Jing felt a bit uneasy.
Li Chonglou honestly shook his head and replied, "No, but someone will deliver it soon."
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure walked into the auction hall.
It was Tong Zhaolin, a shareholder of Libaoxuan, who had been watching the entire scene from the monitoring room.
Upon entering, Tong Zhaolin went directly to the auction stage, took the microphone, and announced loudly, "Distinguished guests, I am Tong Zhaolin. Friends in Zhonghai should be familiar with me."
"I am also one of the shareholders of our Libaoxuan, and more importantly, a friend of Mr. Li Chonglou in seat number 29."
"Please don't worry, I, Tong Zhaolin, will pay for the item Mr. Li Chonglou has purchased."
"Without further ado, I hope everyone enjoys the subsequent auctions."
After speaking, he handed the microphone back to the auctioneer and personally carried the tray holding the base to Li Chonglou.
Wow...
The entire venue erupted.
Some people had already seen his close relationship with Tong Zhaolin, but they hadn't expected Tong Zhaolin to show him such great favor, stating that he would pay the auction fee for him.
This... now who would dare to doubt Li Chonglou's capabilities?
Yang Qian's face instantly turned deathly pale.
Tong Zhaolin's appearance was undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face, a bruised one at that.
The item was being sold by himself, to himself, which meant he had been thoroughly tricked.
And this wasn't the worst part.
The worst part was Zhou Ya suddenly realizing what he had seen and saying, "Young Master Yang, I remember!"
"I saw this thing in a rare ancient book. It's not an antique, it's a celestial artifact."
"It is said to contain world-destroying energy. No wonder it looked so familiar..."
This statement dealt an unprecedented blow to Yang Qian.
"F**k your mother!" Yang Qian's face turned completely dark.
Uttering a vulgarity, he raised his hand and slapped Zhou Ya fiercely across the face.
Slap!
The crisp sound of the slap attracted the attention of many more people.
Zhou Ya clutched his rapidly reddening and swelling face, his expression one of absolute horror.
"You took me for a three-year-old, calling it a celestial artifact? For your mere toy, I've lost all face!" Yang Qian's expression was ferocious as he cursed, "From now on, I don't want to see you again."
"Get lost, get out of here!"
Still not satisfied, he pointed at everyone watching him and roared, "What are you looking at?"
"You all wait for me."
Finally, his gaze landed on Li Chonglou, and he gritted his teeth, cursing, "Especially you, little brat!"
"You think you can go against me just by staying in Libaoxuan?"
"If you can get out of Libaoxuan, my surname will be Li!"
With that, unable to stay any longer, he left Zhou Ya, who was still in a daze, and rushed out of the auction hall.
Immediately, Libaoxuan staff followed him, ensuring he paid the auction fees.
Yang Qian's heart was filled with immense resentment.
Yet, he was helpless. He had truly suffered a major setback today.
The only way he could possibly regain his dignity was through revenge later.