Chapter 987: Real and Fake Rich Second Generation

A foundation establishment cultivator ushered Ye Mo inside and completed the registration. A strikingly beautiful woman then escorted him to the most expensive room. Upon entering, Ye Mo understood the exorbitant price. The room's location wasn't prime, but its luxury was undeniable. It boasted a high-level spirit gathering formation, an array of spirit fruits, scantily clad female cultivators, and a large pink bed. It was the most expensive, though not necessarily the best.

This setting perfectly suited Ye Mo's current persona. Fearful of recognition, he maintained a cold demeanor. Waving at the women, he said emotionlessly, "You may leave. I require no service and wish to be undisturbed."

The cultivators, though disappointed, dared not object. They bowed and departed.

Once alone, Ye Mo assessed the room. The entire auction ground was visible, protected by a high-level spirit sense barrier, but free of surveillance formations. The auction's transparency was evident. With ample time, Ye Mo began to cultivate.

…

In an equally lavish room, a nascent soul state, tertiary stage cultivator frowned, questioning a foundation establishment cultivator. "You say a young man, around twenty, pale and unfamiliar?"

"Yes," the foundation establishment cultivator replied respectfully. "He appeared unconcerned about 100,000 spirit stones, easily producing them. He dismissed the attendants immediately upon arrival. Should I send someone to investigate?"

The nascent soul cultivator considered this. "No need. We've held many auctions. As long as he behaves, we leave him be. Any unusual actions require even less scrutiny. He'll simply spend his spirit stones."

"Yes," the foundation establishment cultivator responded promptly.

Hours later, Ye Mo opened his eyes, finding the auction hall nearly full. His spirit sense revealed a predominance of golden core cultivators, with a scattering of nascent soul cultivators. The absence of foundation establishment cultivators suggested a golden core minimum requirement.

Fifteen minutes later, the entrance closed. A scantily clad golden core female cultivator approached the stage.

"Our first item: a vial of top-grade Blue Wen Pills—six in total. I need not explain their efficacy; you all understand their value. The starting bid is 100,000 top-grade spirit stones; increments of no less than 5,000."

The golden core cultivators stirred; the pills were essential to their cultivation. Bidding commenced immediately.

"110,000!" "120,000!" "150,000!"

Ye Mo finally grasped the coastal cities' allure: the cultivators' immense wealth dwarfed those elsewhere. While the Nan Shan market used mid-grade spirit stones, here, top-grade stones were commonplace, with bids escalating in tens of thousands.

One top-grade Blue Wen Pill sold for 300,000—a sum beyond the reach of most golden core cultivators.

The auctioneer, pleased with the price, addressed the enthralled audience. "Next, a top-grade spirit artifact: a Rainbow Silk Dress. Crafted from the silk of rainbow-winged spirit silkworms, it offers exceptional defense while flattering a cultivator's figure. The starting bid is 200,000 top-grade spirit stones; increments of no less than 10,000…"

Ye Mo lacked defensive artifacts for himself, Song Yangzhu, or Ye Ling. The dress, beautiful, light, and soft, immediately intrigued him. He intended to purchase it for either woman.

The thought of silk reminded him of Shadowless, still slumbering within its silken cocoon. He wondered if the silk could be fashioned into armor.

Before he could ponder further, the dress's price reached 360,000. Knowing the high demand, he bid, "500,000…"

This silenced many. The price was significant, revealing the bidder's substantial wealth.

A curt voice responded, "510,000. I'm Ao Qilong of the Ao Cheng Merchant Association. If you wish to bid higher, be my guest."

This was a clear threat. Hesitant bidders withdrew. Ao Qilong, the young master of the Ao Long Merchant Association, was a formidable figure—only forty, yet a ninth-level golden core cultivator.

Ye Mo felt a sense of déjà vu, recalling Fei Cijiang from the Nan Shan market. Fei Cijiang was gone, his stone stool residing in Ye Mo's golden page world, yet another fool dared to threaten him.

He was a "fake" rich second generation, but Ao Qilong was the genuine article. Years of deference had cultivated a condescending attitude.

The auctioneer, displeased with Ao Qilong's behavior, was powerless to intervene.

Ye Mo contemplated: If Mo Yue ever held an auction and faced such threats, what would he do? He'd expel them. If Mo Yue lacked the authority to do so, auctions were futile.

"510,000 once…" Most anticipated no further bids.

"510,000 twice…" The auctioneer's voice jolted Ye Mo.

Ao Qilong smirked. A high-level room could be purchased with spirit stones; his required both wealth and status. Patting the woman beside him, he declared, "Consider this dress yours."

The woman purred, delighted, nuzzling into his arms.

But Ye Mo countered, "520,000."

All eyes and spirit senses, though unable to penetrate the barrier, turned toward Ye Mo's room. They were eager to identify the audacious individual who dared to challenge Ao Qilong.

Ao Qilong's face turned green. He stood abruptly.