Chapter 82: Chapter 82: The Auction Begins

The frantic screams echoing all around made Jiang Chen’s head buzz.

He looked up, a hint of exasperation on his handsome face, and gazed at the woman on the stage.

Murong Xiangming.

One look, and Jiang Chen was stunned.

At that moment, Murong Xiangming made her appearance in a white dress, her figure so dazzling it was mesmerizing.

Beyond that, Murong Xiangming’s exquisite, beautiful face was breathtaking from any angle.

The charm in her every gesture was simply beyond description.

If fairies truly existed in this world, then Murong Xiangming was undoubtedly the finest among them.

"The number one beauty of Hanwu City, she’s certainly earned the title."

"No, even if you put Murong Xiangming anywhere else, she’d still be one of the top beauties."

After a moment of observation, Jiang Chen shook his head slightly.

Murong Xiangming was undeniably beautiful, but to call her the most beautiful woman of all...

Jiang Chen couldn’t agree.

That was because, a thousand years ago, the woman he had loved so dearly, the Orchid Fairy, was truly the most beautiful woman in the world.

Her beauty was breathtaking.

Her beauty was mesmerizing.

Her beauty was one of a kind.

The sight of Murong Xiangming sent Jiang Chen’s thoughts drifting back a thousand years.

He had been killed in a Pill Furnace explosion, never getting to see the Orchid Fairy one last time.

Even now, Jiang Chen felt a pang of regret.

He knew the Orchid Fairy had no idea how he had died.

’Perhaps you weep for me under the night sky.’

’But wait for me. I will come back.’

He grieved silently.

The Orchid Fairy’s bashful face, which he could never forget, flickered in and out of his mind’s eye.

’When it comes to beauty, Murong Xiangming can’t even begin to compare to my Orchid Fairy.’

And though the Orchid Fairy had countless suitors, she had given her heart to Jiang Chen alone, and they had spent their lives together.

Jiang Chen knew that even though he had vanished, the Orchid Fairy would never stop looking for him. She might be searching for him somewhere right now.

A warmth spread through his chest at the thought of the Orchid Fairy.

He didn’t have much time to dwell on it. The booming shouts of the men in the auction hall shook the room, forcing Jiang Chen to pull his thoughts back to the present.

He felt a sense of disgust for the men screaming themselves hoarse over Murong Xiangming.

’She’s just a woman.’

It wasn’t that he was uninterested in women; he simply already had someone he loved most. Murong Xiangming wasn’t enough to stir his heart.

"A true femme fatale."

Suddenly, after glancing at Murong Xiangming, Patriarch Bai Xiong of the Bai Family let out such a sigh.

Even he had to admit that Murong Xiangming’s beauty was truly incredible.

The moment the words left his mouth...

GULP!

An ill-timed swallow was heard.

Jiang Chen turned to his side. It was Bai Shu.

Upon seeing Murong Xiangming, his eyes were bulging so wide they nearly popped out of their sockets.

He was utterly captivated by Murong Xiangming, completely lost.

Jiang Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He shook his head without saying a word.

But Bai Shu suddenly shot to his feet.

He stared blankly at Murong Xiangming on the stage.

His gaze was so intense it was as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Jiang Chen nearly burst out laughing.

Jiang Han, however, was more direct and simply burst out laughing.

"How amusing. To act like that at the mere sight of a woman... Unbelievable..."

His voice wasn’t quiet, and Bai Xiong, who was nearby, heard him.

His face turned livid.

He looked at his son, who seemed ready to prostrate himself at Murong Xiangming’s feet, drooling like a lecher.

He felt utterly humiliated, his old face flushing bright red with shame.

This son of his was truly a disgrace.

Especially in the face of Jiang Han’s mockery, he wished the ground would open up and swallow him.

He looked at his son, Bai Shu, then at Jiang Han’s son, Jiang Chen.

The boy was sitting there, perfectly composed.

His son’s composure couldn’t even begin to compare.

After shooting Jiang Han a venomous glare, Bai Xiong quickly yanked Bai Shu.

"Sit down."

Only then did Bai Shu snap out of it, hastily wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth.

But his eyes remained fixed on Murong Xiangming, his gaze scorching, as if she possessed an irresistible allure that made it impossible for him to look away.

Bai Xiong was fuming.

He spoke directly to Bai Shu. "Son, you and she are not from the same world."

The meaning behind his words was obvious.

Bai Xiong knew that Murong Xiangming’s background was anything but simple.

Given the Bai Family’s status, it was impossible for them to have any sort of connection with someone like her.

To put it bluntly, Murong Xiangming was a swan, and his son was just a toad.

The metaphor was crude, but it was the truth.

He knew his own place, but his son Bai Shu lacked that same understanding.

He seemed to think any beautiful woman was his for the taking.

Bai Shu, however, ignored his father’s words, looking rather impatient.

Jiang Han folded his arms, nearly laughing again.

Even Jiang Chen felt a bit of pity for Bai Shu.

Of course, there were plenty of others in the crowd acting just like Bai Shu at that moment.

It seemed some had come just to catch a glimpse of Murong Xiangming.

Jiang Chen quietly waited for the auction to begin.

On the auction stage, Murong Xiangming stood like a celestial fairy.

Her eyes were as bright as stars, and with every graceful smile, she gave one the illusion of being caressed by a spring breeze.

Her red lips parted as she spoke, her voice serene. "Distinguished guests, welcome to the auction hall of our Treasure Elephant Pavilion."

"Today, I, Murong Xiangming, will be your host, and I will personally preside over this very special auction."

As Murong Xiangming began to speak, the screams from the crowd grew even more incessant.

The scene verged on pandemonium several times.

Fortunately, everyone here was a Martial Cultivator and understood the need to maintain some basic composure, so no one rushed the stage.

After all, the guards positioned around the Treasure Elephant Pavilion’s auction hall, each exuding a formidable aura, were not to be trifled with.

Rumor had it that someone had once caused trouble at the Treasure Elephant Pavilion, only to be struck dead on the spot by one of its guards.

And no one dared to say a word about it.

Seek justice from the Treasure Elephant Pavilion? 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Forget it. It was a one-way trip. People had tried.

The Treasure Elephant Pavilion’s power, even compared to the three great families of Hanwu City combined—no, even with the City Lord’s Mansion included—was far greater.

That was why no one dared to cause trouble here.

"Quiet, please. Quiet."

"I trust that you are all civilized people."

Murong Xiangming felt a headache coming on. She knew her beauty often caused unnecessary trouble, but as the host, she couldn’t exactly cover herself in a black veil.

As she spoke, the crowd did indeed quiet down.

Her words were quite effective.

This put the somewhat exasperated Murong Xiangming at ease.

She broke into a smile and, after another brief introduction,

she announced, "You must all be getting impatient. In that case, let’s begin today’s auction right away."