"That's the grand finale auction stage. It doesn't start until after dark. Anything that makes it up there is either a priceless treasure or a rare and unique oddity. Every year, some extraordinary items appear there, so it's what everyone looks forward to the most," Yu He explained to Chu Feng and the others.
"Brother Yu He, if it's possible, please sell everything here for me. Ideally, I'd like it all converted into Heavenly Pearls." Chu Feng handed a Universe Bag to Yu He. Inside were all the treasures plundered from the Ji imperial clan.
Since the Four Seas Academy had dedicated appraisal elders assigned to the auction house, and on top of that Su Rou and Su Mei had already become disciples of a Celestial-level mentor, Chu Feng wasn't worried about Yu He daring to cheat him — the guy simply wouldn't have the guts.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, this is…" When Yu He accepted the Universe Bag and probed its contents, the calm expression on his face was instantly replaced by shock.
The treasures inside were dazzling, and there were even several extraordinary weapons — three of which had already recognized their masters. It was impossible for him not to be taken aback.
"Brother Yu He, is there a problem?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.
"No problem at all, no problem! I'll definitely get you a great price. Just wait for me — I'll take them to auction right away." Yu He nodded hastily and immediately flew off toward one of the auction stages.
Originally, the talent Chu Feng and his group displayed had already struck him as extraordinary, but now that Chu Feng had casually handed over so many treasures for auction, Yu He was convinced their backgrounds were truly remarkable. He resolved to build a good relationship with them, even at the cost of his own interests.
"Oh ho, Yu He, you destitute runt — what are you doing here? Don't tell me you've got treasures to auction too?"
An appraisal elder managing the auction spotted Yu He and put on a look of contempt and mockery.
He knew Yu He and knew him to be an unremarkable, incompetent disciple, so he looked down on him from the bottom of his heart.
"It's not me who's auctioning — I'm doing it on behalf of several fellow disciples." Under normal circumstances, Yu He would have greeted the elder meekly, but this time he didn't. Instead, he calmly gestured toward Chu Feng and the others hovering above.
"Oh?" The elder was taken aback by Yu He's uncharacteristic behavior, then looked in the direction he was pointing.
"This…!"
When he saw Chu Feng, his eyes lit up. Given Chu Feng's age combined with his Heaven Martial Third Stage cultivation, he could absolutely be considered a genius — even within the Four Seas Academy.
"This— isn't this—!!!" But when he caught sight of Zhang Tianyi, Jiang Wushang, Su Rou, and Su Mei, a look of astonishment spread across his face.
As an elder, he had the right to review the examination candidates' records. To avoid offending any outstanding disciples, he had made a point of studying the profiles of the top performers in this round's assessment.
So he naturally recognized Zhang Tianyi, Jiang Wushang, Su Rou, and Su Mei. Su Rou and Su Mei had already been confirmed as disciples of a Celestial-level mentor. Zhang Tianyi and Jiang Wushang, while not yet confirmed, had every chance of becoming Celestial-level disciples given their strength.
Out of ten Celestial-level mentors, only nine were willing to take disciples, and four of those nine spots were now represented right before his eyes. And beyond these four, that Chu Feng's cultivation was no joke either.
Looking at how close the five of them were, the elder didn't even need to think — they were together. A group of geniuses.
"Yu He, you actually got to know them?!" At that moment, the appraisal elder's gaze toward Yu He was filled with surprise. Not only was the earlier contempt gone, but it had been replaced by a hint of reverence, along with bewilderment and disbelief.
He couldn't understand it — geniuses like these should be supremely arrogant. How could someone like Yu He possibly forge connections with such people?
"Hmph, of course! I'm on great terms with these junior brothers and sisters. Countless people came to give them gifts before, but they turned them all away. Only me — they actually treat me like their own big brother. That's why they entrusted me with something this valuable to auction off for them."
Seeing the dramatic shift in the elder's attitude, Yu He grew even more smug. As he spoke, he actually tossed the Universe Bag Chu Feng had given him straight at the appraisal elder.
After the elder probed the contents, his expression shifted involuntarily, and he couldn't help sucking in a sharp breath. Though he had seen many treasures in his time, few people ever produced this many in one go. This quantity was not something an ordinary person could possess.
"Elder, you should know the status of these junior brothers and sisters of mine, so please do your best to get them a good price. And waive the commission fees, if you would. Oh, and convert everything into Heavenly Pearls — only Heavenly Pearls," Yu He instructed.
"They're already members of our Four Seas Academy, so naturally no fees are needed. Besides, everything in here is hot merchandise — rest assured, selling it for a good price won't be difficult at all. Converting to Heavenly Pearls won't be a problem either."
"But after the auction, do put in a good word for me with them, heh heh." The appraisal elder smiled obsequiously.
Even though he was an elder, his standing was far below that of the mentors — especially for a miscellaneous elder like himself. To him, the disciples of a Celestial-level mentor were VIPs of the highest order.
"Sure thing," Yu He replied casually, though inside he was bursting with excitement and elation.
He knew that starting today, his fortunes were going to turn around. He would no longer be someone people looked down on. Many would curry favor with him and try to get close — not for any other reason than his sheer luck in having befriended geniuses like Chu Feng.
After that, Chu Feng and the others strolled around the auction venue. Whenever he spotted something Su Rou and Su Mei took a fancy to, Chu Feng bought it for them without a second thought, making the two girls absolutely delighted.
Su Mei, in particular, kissed Chu Feng right there in public, drawing no small amount of attention and envy. After all, whether it was the seductive, alluring beauty of Su Rou or the innocent charm of Su Mei, both were the kind of women who turned heads wherever they went.
And Chu Feng had both — a gorgeous, sultry charmer and a fresh-faced, adorable beauty — each of a completely different type. It was enough to make anyone jealous.
Time slipped by, and in the blink of an eye darkness had fallen. The auction had reached its grand finale.
Thanks to Su Rou and Su Mei's special status, Yu He had managed to secure several seats close to the grand auction stage for them.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, those treasures of yours were in incredible demand — they're all sold out!" Not long after they sat down, Yu He returned from making his rounds, his face beaming with joy, and he was carrying a high-quality Universe Bag.
P.S.: Explosive update tomorrow! Please boost, leave flowers, boost again, and show your support!!!