It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Upon hearing Mu Zhi’an’s bid, the alluring auctioneer on stage glanced towards the luxurious private room with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

There were nearly a hundred similar rooms on the auction floor, but Mu Zhi’an’s was located at the front, closest to the stage, concealed only by a thin, gauzy curtain.

While she couldn’t see his face clearly, she could make out his posture.

The young master seemed relaxed, sipping tea and enjoying a shoulder massage.

Is he truly determined to clash with Ye Yu, or has he also recognized the value of this bronze shard? Feiying narrowed her eyes, her lips curving into a seductive smile. “Guest in room number three has bid five hundred Spirit Stones. Do I hear a higher offer?”

Regardless, this was a good thing for her.

Her goal was to sell the items for the highest possible price.

“Five hundred Spirit Stones, once,” she announced, her voice echoing through the auction hall.

She scanned the crowd, deliberately pausing for a few seconds before continuing, “Five hundred Spirit Stones, twice.”

The old man residing within him had awakened from his slumber specifically to urge him to acquire this shard. That alone was a testament to its value.

But five hundred Spirit Stones… Not everyone was Mu Zhi’an, capable of casually throwing around such a fortune.

In the mortal realm, Spirit Stones were worth far more than gold or silver.

Five hundred Spirit Stones might not be much for the Ye family, but for an ordinary disciple, it would take months to accumulate such wealth.

He had only brought seven hundred Spirit Stones with him today. If he spent it all here, he wouldn’t have enough to purchase the ingredients he needed to reach Foundation Establishment.

As Feiying parted her lips, about to announce the winner, Ye Yu couldn’t hold back any longer. He gritted his teeth and shouted, “Seven hundred Spirit Stones!”

It was his entire savings.

Even if Mu Zhi’an hated him, he wouldn’t waste so much money on a rusty old shard. After all, even for a wealthy family like the Mu, seven hundred Spirit Stones was a significant sum for a junior member.

Ye Yu prayed silently, his gaze fixed on the bronze shard, his eyes filled with longing.

But then, a casual voice echoed through the hall.

“One thousand Spirit Stones.”

Ye Yu’s heart sank.

The other bidders gasped.

That young master from the Mu family was truly reckless with his money. To think he’d bid a thousand Spirit Stones on a shard that was practically destined to go unsold.

Feiying glanced at the private room, a knowing smile on her face. “One thousand Spirit Stones, once,” she announced.

Ye Yu stared at the shard, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and frustration.

After a long moment, he sighed, his expression returning to its usual calmness. He forced a smile. “Congratulations, Young Master Mu. That shard holds a great secret. You’ve gotten yourself a bargain for a mere thousand Spirit Stones.”

If he couldn’t have it, he would at least make Mu Zhi’an pay a hefty price. A hint of malice flickered in his eyes.

His words had an effect on the other bidders. They looked at the shard with renewed interest.

They had assumed Mu Zhi’an was simply trying to antagonize Ye Yu.

But now, they wondered…

The Mu family’s young master might have a reputation for being foolish with his money, but even for him, this seemed excessive.

Could it be that there truly was a secret hidden within the shard, as Ye Yu had claimed?

Feiying, her ample bosom straining against her tight cheongsam, leaned against the table, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. She sensed their growing interest and wisely chose to give them time to ponder.

Just then, Mu Zhi’an’s voice echoed from his private room. “I was simply trying to support Feiying, but if anyone else is interested, you can have it for eleven hundred Spirit Stones. I won’t bid any further.”

His tone was casual, as if he didn’t care about the outcome.

His words, however, had the desired effect. The other bidders seemed to understand.

They had assumed the rivalry between Mu Zhi’an and Ye Yu was intense, that Mu Zhi’an was bidding out of spite. But now they realized…

He might have been bidding against Ye Yu, but his true goal was to impress the beautiful auctioneer.

If it had been anyone else, they might have suspected that the shard held some hidden value.

But it was Mu Zhi’an, the notorious wastrel of Tianxuan City.

Even though his reputation had improved recently due to his heroic actions, it was difficult to erase years of prejudice.

Ye Yu, suppressing his anger, glared at the private room. “Why are you constantly targeting me, Young Master Mu?!” he demanded.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Young Master Ye. I’m not targeting you,” Mu Zhi’an replied casually. “This is an auction. If you can bid on something, so can I.”

“Are you saying no one is allowed to bid against you?”

He hated Ye Yu’s arrogant attitude.

Why couldn’t he bid on something Ye Yu wanted?

Did he have to back down? Was it wrong to compete?

Ye Yu, despite wanting to argue, knew he was in the wrong. He fell silent.

That bastard used me as a shield. Feiying, on stage, saw through Mu Zhi’an’s intentions.

He simply wanted the bronze shard. As for impressing her, It was a laughable excuse.

She glanced at the private room, then turned back to the crowd.

“Young Master Mu has bid one thousand Spirit Stones. Do I hear any further bids?”

She scanned the room, then, receiving no response, began the countdown.

The bronze shard went to Mu Zhi’an.

Various other treasures were presented, but Mu Zhi’an showed no interest.

He had come to the auction house to acquire herbs and discuss “bandit suppression” funding with Chairman Huang.

The bronze shard was an unexpected bonus.

After all, those seemingly ordinary items that the “protagonist” coveted were rarely ordinary.

As for its true value… he would figure that out later.