Chapter 45: Beaten Senseless!

The Six Gentlemen of Hong Kong are the six most outstanding young talents among the elite aristocratic families of Hong Kong.

They are also the idols of He Cailian.

Among their peers, the Six Gentlemen of Hong Kong have always been invincible existences—blessed children of heaven, dazzling beyond measure.

Much like the Four Young Masters of the Capital, they stand among the absolute elite of the Dragon Kingdom!

Yet Wu Qingxuan actually compared this country bumpkin from Jiangnan City to such people.

In an instant, He Cailian was stunned, even wondering if Wu Qingxuan had been beaten out of his senses.

To utter such brainless remarks!

"Moreover, what that Cao Mengchen said earlier—that this person is an alchemist—I originally thought it was a fabrication, but since his martial arts prowess is so profound..."

"Perhaps, he might actually be an alchemist after all!"

Wu Qingxuan speculated further.

"Elder Wu, you..."

He Cailian's expression grew increasingly unsightly. It was one thing for the opponent to possess profound martial arts strength, considering he had defeated Wu Qingxuan.

But to claim he was also an alchemist?

That was simply preposterous!

As a direct descendant of a prominent Hong Kong family, He Cailian was well-traveled and knowledgeable. It was not as though she had never seen alchemists before, but an alchemist in his early twenties was simply too shocking to be believed.

To be honest, He Cailian found it hard to credit.

"Alas!"

Seeing He Cailian's expression shift and realizing she clearly disbelieved his words, Wu Qingxuan let out a soft sigh and said no more.

Indeed, such a claim sounded unbelievable to anyone!

After all, he was merely a young martial artist from a minor prefecture-level city.

Only he had truly experienced the terror of Duan Lingxiao's strength.

A strength so vast and peerless that it felt like an uncrossable chasm!

"Elder Wu, there is no need to worry. Even if he is an alchemist with profound abilities, he surely cannot compare to Master Yao Xuanchen."

"We came to Jiangbei this time on a major mission."

He Cailian's eyes narrowed, revealing a resolute expression.

Her trip to the mainland was to seek a renowned physician to treat her father's illness. As it happened, there was a miraculous doctor living in reclusion within Jiangbei City named Yao Xuanchen.

The ancestors of this Yao Xuanchen had served as imperial physicians within the Forbidden City, and Yao Xuanchen himself had long served by the side of the nation's leaders. His medical skills had already reached the realm of perfection.

However, moving Yao Xuanchen to action was no easy task, as the man lived in seclusion.

Thus, He Cailian had thought of coming to the Giasheng Auction House, intending to secure today's grand finale lot—an alchemical furnace from the Pre-Qin era.

As a tribute offering to Yao Xuanchen.

"Very well."

Deep down, Wu Qingxuan felt that antagonizing Duan Lingxiao could bring nothing but misfortune.

However, since He Cailian had made up her mind, it was not his place to argue further.

"Let's go to the auction hall. I refuse to believe he can outbid me at an auction!"

With that, He Cailian instructed two Giasheng attendants to support Wu Qingxuan as they walked into the private auction box.

Inside the auction hall.

Duan Lingxiao and Cao Mengchen sat in their seats.

Catching sight of Duan Lingxiao, He Cailian felt a trace of wariness, but even more so, lingering resentment.

To think that she, the esteemed daughter of the He family of Hong Kong, would be repeatedly humiliated in such a small place like Jiangbei.

Had it not been for other pressing matters, she would have wished to mobilize her family's connections on the mainland right then and there to thoroughly avenge the humiliation she had just suffered.

"Master Ling, they have entered."

Cao Mengchen reminded him.

Duan Lingxiao raised his gaze to glance briefly at He Cailian, then turned away, ignoring her entirely.

Instead, he focused his attention intently on the auction.

Seeing this, He Cailian felt a surge of indignation, thinking to herself that she would make him pay dearly shortly!

Because Giasheng Auction House served as the organizer, this auction was conducted with relative formality.

Soon, a mature and alluring woman dressed in a high-slit qipao walked to the center of the stage, and everyone was instantly captivated by her snow-white, slender, and graceful legs.

Even though those present were wealthy tycoons and powerful dignitaries who had seen countless beauties, they still found it difficult to resist the ultimate allure of the qipao-clad woman.

"Hello everyone, I am Liu Lu from Giasheng Auction House, and it is my pleasure to serve you."

"The item up for auction next is the Super Invincible Pill for Men, favored by all gentlemen. Just a single pill allows you to achieve a transformation from a weakling into a fierce powerhouse. Even withered middle-aged and elderly men can return to the stalwart, unyielding majesty of an eighteen-year-old!"

The qipao-clad beauty parted her alluring red lips, her charming eyes flashing as she spoke in a gentle voice.

The opening lot immediately sparked a stir.

Many pot-bellied middle-aged tycoons eagerly began placing bids.

After all, their bodies had long been hollowed out by wine and women, and their manhood had long since grown soft and useless.

Naturally, they held high expectations for such an invincible pill.

To all this, Duan Lingxiao merely closed his eyes slightly, completely indifferent.

His sole concern was that alchemical furnace from the Pre-Qin era.

Cao Mengchen beside him, however, rubbed his hands together, feeling quite tempted to place a bid.

Yet, restrained by his status and pride, his face flushed with anxiety.

The subsequent lots included antique calligraphy and paintings, as well as medicinal herbs centuries old.

A varied collection.

Several of these medicinal herbs were successfully won by He Cailian.

After all, the He family of Hong Kong lacked nothing, least of all money.

A few million or tens of millions was mere pocket change to the He family.

"Truly extravagant and wealthy. No wonder they can afford to hire a Taiji Sect elder as their bodyguard!"

Many people thought to themselves with a sigh.

And having encountered such a wealthy patron at the auction, the qipao-clad beauty hosting the event was overjoyed, knowing she would receive a handsome commission.

"Respected guests."

"We now commence the final auction event!"

"The item we are putting up for auction is a Pre-Qin era alchemical furnace. I presume most esteemed guests have come specifically for this furnace, and its inherent value needs no elaboration."

"However, due to the unique nature of this alchemical furnace, we have decided upon a barter system."

Liu Lu's voice was magnetic, alluring, and captivating.

As her voice trailed off, a dozen staff members pushed an automated smart cart onto the center of the stage.

Atop the cart stood an alchemical furnace half a person in height.

It featured three legs, two handles, and a circular tripod design.

Engraved across the body of the tripod were flying birds and running beasts, auspicious clouds, and Pre-Qin seal script.

The entire piece exuded an aura of archaic elegance and grandeur.

"It truly is an alchemical furnace from the Pre-Qin era!"

Duan Lingxiao recognized the origins of the furnace at a glance; its age was indeed ancient, traceable back to the Pre-Qin period.

"I want this alchemical furnace. I offer as exchange a cultural artifact from the Western Zhou dynasty collected by my He family. Its age even predates this furnace, so there should be no problem, correct?"

He Cailian spoke up first, a look of absolute certainty in her eyes.

Her voice fell.

She swept her gaze across the crowd and added:

"Everyone, I intend to take this alchemical furnace as a tribute offering to Master Yao Xuanchen, so I ask you all to yield. Otherwise, not only will Master Yao be displeased, but the He family of Hong Kong will not be pleased either."

He Cailian spoke calmly.

Her tone carried an unmistakable, naked threat.

Instantly, the crowd that had been as excited as if injected with adrenaline all fell silent, as if doused with a bucket of cold water, not daring to utter another word.

Compared to the He family of Hong Kong, they truly amounted to very little.

Witnessing this, He Cailian could not help but display a smug, predictable smile.

Everything was under control.

"Since no one else is bidding, I shall take this item."

He Cailian declared.

Just at that moment, a calm voice suddenly rang out.

"I will exchange an alchemical formula for this furnace."

Hearing this, the crowd was startled, curious as to who possessed the audacity to oppose the He family.

When they saw that the speaker was none other than Duan Lingxiao—the man who had just crippled Wu Qingxuan—they cast looks of anticipation, waiting for a good show.

Utterly fierce!

Crippling Wu Qingxuan was one thing!

To actually snatch an item right out of the He family's hands!

What a hero!

Damn, what a spine of unyielding steel!

"Do you enjoy crossing the He family so much?"

He Cailian's expression instantly turned gloomy.

She had made herself clear enough just moments ago: this was a treasure the He family intended to present as a tribute to Master Yao Xuanchen.

Yet Duan Lingxiao still dared to place a bid. This was simply going too far!

To completely disregard the He family of Hong Kong entirely?!

"At an auction, the highest bidder wins. Your Western Zhou artifact naturally cannot compare in value to my alchemical formula."

Duan Lingxiao said calmly, determined to win this alchemical furnace.

As for this formula for the Tortoise-Snake Longevity Pill, its grade was not low; among all the medicinal recipes inherited from his Fourth Evil Master, it easily ranked in the upper-middle tier.

"Very well, very well. It seems you are truly dead set on opposing my He family."

He Cailian's pretty face turned livid with rage. She slammed back down into her seat and said no more, though her eyes flashed with dangerous and resentful light.

"What kind of alchemical formula does this gentleman wish to use for the exchange?"

Liu Lu's eyes lit up as she inquired.