"Tsk, tsk, tsk, such a thing is bid up to five million, alas~"
Before Ren Yuanhao could finish his sigh, Kankan started his chant, "Five million once."
Ren Yuanhao remained motionless.
"Five million twice."
Ren Yuanhao still showed no reaction. Seeing his behavior, those who had been coveting the couch decided to give up. Of course, their gazes were all fixed on the foolish man who had just been ripped off five million for a piece of rotten wood.
"Five million, that's more than enough to buy a beauty, isn't it?"
"Indeed. No choice, we don't understand the world of fools."
"It's best not to understand, and we don't want to."
The roaring laughter pierced through them like sharp swords, making the man's face turn ashen with anger.
Yet, Ren Yuanhao sat calmly in his seat, truly looking like a plant.
Sha Yunba also let out a sigh of relief, "I knew Brother Bao wasn't that kind of fool. Such rotten wood is nothing special."
As the man heard the impending hammer fall, he glared fiercely at Ren Yuanhao. Without Ren Yuanhao's remark, he would never have bought this thing with more than half his fortune. But now, he had no way out.
Kankan raised the hammer, sweeping his gaze across the hall. Just as he was about to strike, Ren Yuanhao's placard shot up high. "Hey, I'll be the good Samaritan. 5.01 million. The rotten wood is mine. Kid, you'd better focus on looking after your fortune."
For some reason, upon hearing this, the man's heart relaxed. Although he didn't get the couch, the colossal sum of five million was still intact, and his ancestral foundation remained. The mistake made in a moment of impulse could be corrected, and all these pleasantries made him feel extremely joyful. He even stood up and cupped his hands slightly towards Ren Yuanhao, his face full of apology.
"Alright, hurry up and hammer it down. I've been treated like a fool, this great philanthropist. Don't I have any dignity?"
Ren Yuanhao chuckled inwardly. He certainly wasn't short of the skill to benefit from a situation and then act all aggrieved. After all, the system fairy had deposited a hundred million into his account~
Kankan couldn't help but sneer and promptly followed the procedure, bringing the hammer down.
At that moment, the system fairy's voice echoed in his mind.
"Ding ding, you got it for five million. What kind of sheer luck is this, you brat?"
"No need to say more. I think the system fairy can leave the remaining ninety-five million in my account. Oh no, that would make me seem too greedy. How about I give you a fifty percent discount?"
"System rejected."
The system's voice was even more decisive than "cut."
"Stingy. By the way, system fairy, is this thing really useful?"
"Yes. Didn't you just acquire an incredible secret manual?"
"What does that have to do with it?"
"A great deal. Do you think the couch is really just for looking at reflections of beautiful women in a mirror?"
Ren Yuanhao, naturally, was perplexed, staring blankly at the casually flowing galaxy in the illusionary realm of his mind.
"This couch, its earliest name was actually 'Fu Lu Mu,' used to reflect, replicate, and restore decaying bamboo slips or ancient texts."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yuanhao's scalp tingled with shock. He thought, "Bloody hell, doesn't this mean that with this couch, that Five Elements Theory can be completely restored?"
"It seems you've understood its efficacy. You won't be asking me for money anymore, right?"
Ren Yuanhao felt grateful in his heart. He had initially thought the system fairy intended to keep it for herself, but he never expected that this hundred million fortune was also for his own benefit.
"Look at you getting all emotional. Alright, let's get back to reality. See if there are any more bargains to be had."
...
After the first piece of rotten wood, oh no, treasure, was bought by Ren Yuanhao, Kankan couldn't help but chuckle. Simultaneously, he waved his hand, and the second collection, graced by the delicate skin of two beautiful women, was brought forth.
Everyone looked up. It was a landscape painting. The brushstrokes were elegant, with just a few strokes depicting the scenery of withered vines, old trees, crows, a small bridge, and flowing water in a house, truly wondrous.
However, the Western Desert people emphasized realism, and this style of painting was not appreciated by many.
"I'm sure everyone doesn't quite understand this painting. After all, we people of the Western Desert aren't too fond of this seemingly simple style. However, I must say, the age and author of this painting are unknown, but its artistic merit is very high~"
Before Kankan could finish, almost everyone began to make excuses.
"Alas, forget it. Since everyone isn't particularly interested, let's get straight to the point. The starting bid for this painting is 50,000."
To Kankan's embarrassment, he waited for a good two to three minutes, yet no one raised a placard. To avoid delaying the subsequent items, Kankan was prepared to let it go unsold.
However, Ren Yuanhao once again stood up from his chair.
"Alas, forget it, I'll be a philanthropist again. Painters need encouragement. I'll buy this painting."
Kankan happily brought down the hammer. Little did they know how important this painting would become in the future.
Soon, five or six more lots were presented one after another. Although each had its own merits, the system fairy remained silent until the 8th lot was brought onto the table.
This lot was a circular bead, as if covered by a layer of yellow earth, looking chaotic. It bore some resemblance to a bird's egg.
"Holy crap, what is this? Bird eggs are now considered auction items? Old man Balenkel is too much!"
"Exactly! Rotten wood was one thing, but now bird eggs? Do they really think some fool will buy this!"
The person speaking was sitting in front of Ren Yuanhao. As soon as he said this, he realized he had offended Ren Yuanhao and turned to say, "My apologies, I wasn't targeting you. What I meant was, whoever buys this thing would be a real idiot."
Who would have thought that when Kankan pulled off the price tag, even he was stunned!
"Holy crap, the starting bid is ten million, and increments must not be less than one million! What kind of divine auction item is this, and what kind of divine pricing!"
The bidders began to lose their composure. Yet, no one could discern the value of this item, causing chaos in the venue.
"This must be another piece of junk meant to test intelligence. Whoever buys it is an idiot."
"Kankan, if you can't explain it properly, just let it go unsold. We've gotten calluses on our backsides waiting for something good."
The big shots in the front row began to complain. As an auctioneer with over ten years of experience, Kankan knew that the more this was the case, the harder it would be to sell the upcoming root carving artwork. And that item, if not sold, would remain a hidden danger. After all, it contained dozens of mandala genes, and he knew it was illicit goods!
In other words, if the employer tracked the news here and found the root carving at the auction but not the mandala genes, suspicion would inevitably fall on the auction house owner. And anyone who could fence so many mandala genes must possess terrifying strength. Therefore, only by selling the root carving could the risk be minimized.