Chapter 36: The Ambition of the Mad Dragon Sect

"The Tomb of the Martial Ancestor is the final resting place of a powerhouse who reached the Martial Ancestor realm centuries ago. Legend has it that the tomb contains not only the lifelong treasures of that master but also his profound insights and heritage for breaking through to the Martial Ancestor realm! Whoever obtains this map will have the chance to enter the tomb and seize supreme fortune!"

"The starting bid for the Martial Ancestor's tomb map is one million primal stones! Each increment must be at least two hundred thousand!"

As the auctioneer finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in a frenzy.

A map to the Martial Ancestor's tomb!

Such a treasure was enough to drive any faction to madness. Even the powerful individuals and wealthy clans who had been watching from the sidelines began to reveal expressions of intense determination.

"One point five million!" an elderly man in luxurious robes was the first to raise his bidding sign.

"Two million!" another middle-aged man shouted without hesitation.

"Two point five million!"

"Three million!"

The price soared, and the atmosphere in the hall reached a boiling point. Everyone understood that this was not just a contest of wealth, but a trial of strength.

Lin Xuan glanced at Bai Jingyan and whispered, "Brother Bai, should we make a move?"

Bai Jingyan’s eyes were deep as he replied calmly, "No rush. Let them fight it out first."

Just then, a cold laugh echoed from the direction of the Mad Dragon Sect: "Five million! The Mad Dragon Sect is determined to have this map!"

The scarred man who spoke raised his sign, his tone filled with arrogance and confidence.

The hall fell silent instantly. Five million primal stones was an astronomical figure; even the great noble factions had to consider such a cost carefully.

The auctioneer called out loudly, "Five million! Any higher bids?"

The hall remained silent.

"Five million once! Five million twice! Five million thrice! Sold!" The auctioneer brought the gavel down.

The man from the Mad Dragon Sect smiled triumphantly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as if declaring their victory.

However, just when everyone thought the matter was settled, a calm voice suddenly rang out: "Six million."

The crowd turned to look, only to see Bai Jingyan slowly raising his bidding sign. His expression was indifferent, as if six million primal stones were nothing more than a casual gesture to him.

The face of the man from the Mad Dragon Sect darkened instantly. He stared coldly at Bai Jingyan: "Kid, are you sure you want to cross the Mad Dragon Sect?"

Bai Jingyan smiled faintly, his tone calm yet unquestionable: "At an auction, it’s about who has the means. If you cannot offer a higher price, this map belongs to me."

The man from the Mad Dragon Sect gritted his teeth and roared, "Seven million!"

"Eight million," Bai Jingyan added without hesitation.

"Nine million!"

"Ten million."

The price continued to climb, and the tension in the hall reached an extreme. Everyone held their breath, watching this thrilling contest with unwavering focus.

Finally, the man from the Mad Dragon Sect, his face livid, gritted out, "Twelve million! This is the limit for the Mad Dragon Sect!"

Bai Jingyan smiled slightly and lowered his bidding sign: "In that case, the map is yours."

The man from the Mad Dragon Sect was stunned for a moment before realizing what had happened. He roared, "Are you playing with me?"

Bai Jingyan replied flatly, "At an auction, the highest bidder wins. I merely followed the rules."

The man from the Mad Dragon Sect was so angry his face turned purple, but unable to act, he could only glare fiercely at Bai Jingyan.

Seeing this, the auctioneer announced loudly, "Twelve million! Sold! Congratulations to the Mad Dragon Sect for acquiring the Martial Ancestor's tomb map!"

The hall was in an uproar; everyone was stunned by the intensity of the bidding war.

Lin Xuan whispered to Bai Jingyan, "Brother Bai, that was a brilliant move."

Bai Jingyan smiled faintly, a profound glint flashing in his eyes: "Since the Mad Dragon Sect wanted this map so badly, we might as well let them bleed for it. As for the tomb itself..."

Bai Jingyan’s lips curled upward.

"True fortune is not something that can be decided by a mere map."

Lin Xuan was struck by his words, feeling a surge of admiration for Bai Jingyan.

After the auction concluded, the crowd began to disperse. Bai Jingyan and Lin Xuan stepped out of the underground market, the night wind blowing against their faces with a touch of chill.

"Brother Bai, what are your plans now?" Lin Xuan asked.

The map had ended up in the hands of the Mad Dragon Sect, and he had come out specifically for it.

Bai Jingyan smiled and said, "It was only a quarter of the map. Didn't you notice? Hardly anyone else was bidding during the auction. Do you know why?"

Lin Xuan was taken aback. He had been so focused on the map that he hadn't considered the other details, so he shook his head.

Bai Jingyan explained, "Most of the others were likely 'shills' hired by the Mad Dragon Sect. Their fundamental goal may have been to hoard primal stones."

Lin Xuan frowned upon hearing this, pondering for a moment before a flash of realization crossed his eyes: "Brother Bai, you mean... the Mad Dragon Sect deliberately drove up the price, in reality, to exhaust the financial resources of other factions and hoard primal stones for themselves?"

Bai Jingyan nodded, his gaze deep: "Exactly. While the Mad Dragon Sect is arrogant, they are not mindless. Since they dared to be so high-profile at the auction, they must have a scheme. The map is important, but their true objective was likely to use this auction to weaken the financial reserves of other factions, or perhaps to stockpile a massive amount of primal stones in preparation for subsequent actions."

Lin Xuan was shocked. He whispered, "No wonder they were so aggressive during the bidding, going as far as to pay twelve million. It was to intimidate other factions into staying out while draining their wealth."

Bai Jingyan smiled faintly and continued, "Furthermore, did you notice that besides the Mad Dragon Sect, the other bidders seemed hesitant, and some acted too deliberately? Those people were likely shills planted by the Mad Dragon Sect to create a tense atmosphere and force others not to bid easily."

Lin Xuan nodded, even more impressed by Bai Jingyan's insight: "Brother Bai, your mind is truly meticulous. I overlooked those details. But if their goal is truly to hoard primal stones, what will they do next?"

Bai Jingyan’s gaze turned cold, his tone carrying a deep meaning: "Since they dared to make such a grand display, they must have made full preparations. They might try to acquire a massive amount of primal stones in a short time or even monopolize resources through other means. In doing so, other factions will be at a disadvantage in the upcoming struggle for the Martial Ancestor's tomb due to a lack of funds."

Lin Xuan’s brows furrowed, a trace of worry in his voice: "Then what should we do? If they really have hoarded so many primal stones, what is the Mad Dragon Sect’s ultimate goal?"