Plop!
Qian Wanguan’s legs went soft as his butt sat on the floor. He immediately turned to look at Jiang Yi and asked, “Boss, did I hear it wrongly? I thought I heard someone shouting ten billion?”
Jiang Yi smiled and it was a splendid smile. This ‘Sorrow’ painting wasn’t just a painting to him, but a recollection of Jiang Bieli to him. This unqualified father had used his death to dispel Jiang Yi’s hatred towards him. Hence, the higher the value of this painting, the more importance people see in it, the more grateful Jiang Yi would feel.
Not only did Qian Wanguan suspect that he had heard wrongly, but Feng Luan and Qing Yu were also shocked. Countless people shivered at the bottom with eyes of disbelief.
This painting contained the dao pattern of the Power of Destruction, and many people could feel it. However, it was the lowest grade of the dao pattern, and although the painting skill was obviously better than the ‘Volcano Eruption in the Sea’ painting, it was still just a painting. It was impossible for it to be worth ten billion, right?
A regular pseudo-divine artifact was only worth a few billion, even that World-Extinguishing Halberd earlier which was an offensive type was sold for five billion.
“Ten billion?”
Huangfu Taotian opened his eyes again and nodded while muttering, “Lei Tingwei sure is generous. If I have excess celestial stones, I would also spend ten billion to buy this painting.”
Situ Yinian smiled like a beautiful summer flower. She nodded repeatedly and said, “Uncle Lei surely has a keen eye for divine items. My clan’s Grandfather Yang said frankly that if our clan could participate in the auction, he would also offer ten billion for this painting. This ‘Sorrow’ is considered a priceless treasure for anyone fond of calligraphy and paintings.”
She paused for a moment and scanned around with her beautiful eyes before speaking again, “Ten billion. Is there anyone else making a higher bid? Three, two, one, congratulations to Uncle Lei for obtained ‘Sorrow’. Yinian feels that this moment deserves some applause…”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
There was thunderous applause from the bottom as this was the first time a single item had been sold for ten billion while cheering for Lei Tingwei’s forthrightness. Qian Wanguan was also applauding while his tiny eyes were filled with stars. Ten billion celestial stones… everyone didn’t have to worry about not having enough celestial stones in Gods Bestow City in the future.
“Alright!”
Situ Yinian lifted her hand to suppress the applause of the crowd and cast her sights on the second painting. She smiled while saying, “For the second painting, it is also the work of Master Yi Piaopiao. If the first painting is sorrow flowing against the current and turning into a river, then the second painting will be yearning gushing like a fountain! This paint will have the same auction prices as the previous painting.”
There was a female attendant that had taken out the painting, and this time, Situ Yinian personally pulled the red cloth and gradually revealed the painting to everyone. The second painting was a portrait of Yi Piaopiao without any background, just a young married woman. She was very beautiful but didn’t feel stunning, yet bringing warmth with a single glance. It seemed as though it could treat the trauma of the heart.
The strange thing was this painting finally gave an intent which was the dense feeling of yearning. The entire crowd was silent again as everyone was staring at the painting and sinking into deep thoughts.
“Ten billion!”
An inflexible and resolute voice echoed and broke the silence. Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice and felt a chill in their hearts. The Clan Head of the Nangong Clan actually yelled out the price personally? The one who was making the bids earlier was the Nangong Clan’s young master. Right now, this old-fashioned, harsh, and renowned man of steel was actually moved by this painting?
“I have heard that Nangong Yunyi lost his mother at a young age. Could it be true?”
“Yes. It is probable when Nangong Yunyi saw this painting, he recalled his mother…”
“This artist is truly amazing and could actually engrave indescribable emotions that could touch a person’s heart. Yi Piaopiao? I never heard of the name before…”
“That’s right. However, this name is probably going to be famous throughout the entire tribe after tonight and will continue to spread throughout the East Imperial Continent. Even if this person couldn’t become an Art Emperor in the future, the artist wouldn’t be far from one!”
Some people that had heard some rumors were all transmitting messages and conversing. Many of them were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, especially those bandits whose eyes were filled with bare jealousy.
They risked their lives and fought desperately just to obtain a small number of celestial stones, but this artist simply had to move the brush and paint a few paintings to earn several billion celestial stones. How could there be such a huge difference when they were all humans?
After the Clan Head of Nangong Clan made the bid, no one dared to offend him; and the second painting was also sold for ten billion celestial stones.
Qian Wanguan’s entire body was thrashing around like he had a flare-up of epilepsy, and he was overwhelmed with excitement. Feng Luan and Qing Yu’s faces were also flushed red as they looked at Jiang Yi with charming expressions. Jiang Xiaonu’s face was covered in tears as she muttered softly and constantly, “Madam, Madam, Madam…”
This was the first time Jiang Xiaonu had seen the painting, and although she didn’t have any impression of Yi Piaopiao, she was able to immediately recognize the Madam that had adopted her, who was Jiang Yi’s mother.
Jiang Yi didn’t smile; neither did he cry. His face was calm as the water of the lake while he had misty eyes… as though he had sunk deep into his memories.
“Congratulations to Uncle Nangong!”
Situ Yinian let out a beaming smile and looked at the third painting. She didn’t go over to pull the red cloth on the third painting but took a glance below while her eyes were glittering with light waves. She then spoke in a serious tone, “This third painting is my favorite painting. Yinian even pleaded to Father as I wanted to buy this painting personally. However, Father said that… the auction house has its rules, and if we didn’t comply with the rules, how is the auction house going to carry on the business? Who would still trust our Situ Clan? Hence, Yinian had no choice but to give up personally collecting this painting. This humble lady has a request for the person who is going to buy this painting. Please treasure it properly. Thank you!”
Before they even saw the painting, Situ Yinian’s words had already brought up the expectations in everyone’s heart. It didn’t matter if Situ Yinian’s words were true or fake; at least, she had succeeded. This item’s auction price was obviously not going to be lesser than the previous two pieces.
As the red cloth gradually pulled opened, a scene was displayed in front of everyone.
The painting had plenty of characters, and each of them was painted vividly. There was even a magnificent city which had numerous corpses at the bottom. The soldiers on the city wall were filled with fresh blood, some of them had severed arms, and some were covered in scars. The ground was destroyed, the walls had collapsed, and thick smoke was rising in spirals. It was obvious that this city had just been cleansed by the flames of war.
In the center of a group of soldiers, there was a prominent white-clothed young lady. This young lady was very beautiful, especially her intoxicating smile which formed an extreme contrast with the fresh blood that gradually streamed down from the corner of her mouth, creating a visual impact. The young lady’s white dress and black hair were fluttering in the wind, and everyone felt as though it was truly moving. It was truly magical.
The deeper impression everyone had was the young lady’s black-and-white contrasting eye which was filled with affection. The affection from this bright and beautiful young lady had been painted vividly. Although there was no one in front of this young lady, everyone’s mind appeared with a figure of a youth, who was… that young lady’s lover, her most beloved man!
“Ten billion!”
An unwavering deep roar echoed which roused everyone.
Everyone took a glance and was astonished. The green-haired youth, who had been resting with eyes closed in the front row, had suddenly stood up. He was staring at the painting with eyes of pain, and tears were streaming down the corners of his eyes. His well-built body was shaking slightly, and if his back wasn’t facing everyone, everyone would check him with their divine senses and would have gotten even more astonished.
After staying silent for an entire night, Huangfu Taotian made his bid!
“11 billion!”
A gentle voice echoed quickly as even more people turned to look at the no.1 pavilion with amazement. That voice belonged to Lei Zihan from the Lei Clan. She had bid for the Purple Marten Coat earlier, and everyone had a deep impression of here. No one expected for her to actually raise the bid against Huangfu Taotian?
“13 billion!”
Huangfu Taotian paused for a moment and immediately spoke resolutely. The tears flashed past in his eyes, and his body wasn’t shaking anymore. His eyes grew even more resolute as though he was definitely going to buy this ‘Passion’ painting.
“14 billion!”
Lei Zihan made another bid, but her voice had turned cold like a little girl in a pique. Huangfu Taotian’s expression turned cold as he shot a glance at the no.1 pavilion and shouted, “Lei Zihan, is there any meaning to play like this? If you want to play, I will play with you. Twenty billion, I am taking this painting today!”
“Hmph!”
In the no.1 pavilion, Lei Zihan’s indifferent voice echoed. “Huangfu Taotian, this Young Lady simply likes this painting. If you have enough celestial stones, then make your bid. However, you don’t have to think about buying this painting. Twenty-one billion…”
“Uh…”
The whole crowd was astonished. Why did it sound like a couple quarreling? Especially Lei Zihan’s tone which sounded like a sulky young lady with a hidden grudge. Could something have happened between the two of them in the past?
…
