Time passed, and more and more figures filed into the auction house.
"Look, that's one of the House of Shang's Five Great Generals — White Light Blade!" someone called out.
Wei Yang's title was White Light Blade, and he had come as well.
"I've already looked into it. The Labor Gu you want is the thirteenth item up for auction. However, Shang Yazi has already secured Box Number Five. I hear he's specifically gathered all his funds, so be careful, Brother Fang Zheng." Wei Yang walked into the private box and made a point of warning him.
By rights, the auction sequence was supposed to be kept secret, and the identities of the VIPs in the private boxes were even more strictly confidential. But Wei Yang was one of the House of Shang's Five Great Ministers, in charge of the Wind and Rain Tower — the House of Shang's largest intelligence network. Gathering this sort of intelligence was child's play for him.
Wei Yang patted Fang Yuan's shoulder, still somewhat uneasy. "This time Shang Yazi has come with ill intentions. He has at least 1.2 million Yuan Stones on hand. The Labor Gu is a treasure for strength-path Gu Masters. Besides Shang Yazi, you have two other major competitors. One is Shang Bixi, the other is Ju Kaibei. You need to watch out for both."
Old Ten Shang Bixi possessed the Turtle Fetus Gu, bearing the strength of ten turtles — a strength-path Gu Master who was in no way inferior to Fang Yuan. He personally managed the Shang Family City's Power-Leveling Bureau. Although the Bureau didn't generate much profit, his Eighth Brother Shang Pulao managed the pleasure quarters, and his Ninth Brother Shang Suanni ran the taverns and silk shops — all places that raked in money hand over fist. If Shang Bixi wanted the Labor Gu, then as faction allies, Shang Pulao and Shang Suanni would certainly lend their support.
Beyond that, there was Ju Kaibei.
This man was already a Fourth Transformation cultivator, reigning supreme in the Third Inner City's Martial Arena.
What did Fourth Transformation cultivation mean?
In an ordinary family, it made you the patriarch!
Ju Kaibei was a Fourth Transformation Gu Master, yet he stubbornly remained in the Martial Arena, turning away the various recruitment letters that flew toward him like snowflakes.
"Until I defeat Yan Tu, I will never leave the Martial Arena!" he declared to the world.
Yan Tu was also a Fourth Transformation Gu Master, and he and Ju Kaibei were together known as the "Half-Sky of the Martial Arena." Both had sworn to defeat the other, and only after achieving true supremacy would they leave the Martial Arena in glory.
Yan Tu was a fire-path Gu Master and had no interest in the Labor Gu. But Ju Kaibei was a genuine strength-path Gu Master. He had won countless bouts, and only when fighting Yan Tu did they trade victories and defeats — he must have amassed a large stockpile of Yuan Stones!
Therefore, whether it was Shang Bixi or Ju Kaibei, both were Fang Yuan's competitors.
"I've got some spare money here, Brother. Take it for now." Next, Wei Yang handed Fang Yuan an Elder Gu.
Shang Chiwen glanced sideways, secretly startled.
She knew Wei Yang and Fang Yuan had always been close, but she hadn't realized their bond ran this deep!
She had looked into things beforehand: there was a light-type Gu in this auction that would have been a great help to Wei Yang. Yet Wei Yang had actually handed over his Yuan Stones to Fang Yuan instead.
Judging by the beaming smile on the cloud-qi old man atop the Elder Gu, there were at least close to a million Yuan Stones inside!
This was practically equivalent to Wei Yang voluntarily giving up on that Gu.
"Brother Wei, this is..." Fang Yuan showed a hint of hesitation, while gratitude welled up across his face.
"Don't say anything. Take it. I'm lending it to you, not giving it to you. From now on, I'll be your creditor." Wei Yang laughed heartily, giving Fang Yuan no chance to refuse, and pressed the Elder Gu firmly into his hands.
Shang Xinci, sitting off to the side, also produced an Elder Gu.
"Brother Heitu, this is my share."
On her Elder Gu, the cloud-qi old man looked downtrodden. One could tell the Yuan Stones inside numbered between 100,000 and 300,000.
The money Shang Xinci had was her monthly allowance from Shang Yanfei. She had scrimped and saved to accumulate it, and now she gave it all to Fang Yuan.
"If I say too much, it's just sentimental. I'll take it all, and I will repay you in the future!" Fang Yuan laughed, cupped his fists toward the two of them, and accepted the Yuan Stones.
Shang Xinci smiled faintly, not particularly concerned about any repayment. Even if she had given these Yuan Stones to Fang Yuan outright, she wouldn't have minded. But she knew that, given Fang Yuan's personality, he would never accept a direct gift — so she could only "lend."
"That's more like it." Wei Yang nodded approvingly.
He thought highly of Fang Yuan, and especially admired his forthright character of repaying both kindness and grudges.
Beside them, Shang Chiwen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not produce an Elder Gu.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she changed the subject: "Look — Ju Kaibei has arrived."
At the entrance of the auction house, a powerful and imposing figure appeared.
He was in the prime of his life, standing eight chi tall, his skin taut and his muscles layered in solid ridges. Each stride he took was exactly the same length, reflecting his meticulous and rigid personality.
He was like a towering pillar, standing lofty and majestic, naturally radiating an air of oppression. The people around him dared not draw near, yet they all cast looks of awe in his direction.
He was Ju Kaibei.
A Fourth Transformation Gu Master — the supreme powerhouse currently reigning over the Third Inner City's Martial Arena!
"Lord Ju, my young master Shang Yazi cordially invites you to Box Number Five for a conversation."
"Lord Ju, my young master Shang Pulao has already prepared a banquet for you in Box Number Four."
"Lord Ju Kaibei, this is an invitation from my young master Shang Chaofeng. Please accept it."
...
In an instant, numerous servants pushed through the crowd, representing their respective young masters and extending olive branches to Ju Kaibei.
But Ju Kaibei let out a cold snort, not sparing any of them a glance, and walked straight to the front row of the main hall to take his seat.
The servants exchanged helpless looks and dispersed.