Chapter 35: A Bountiful Harvest

The bronze ware vendor was a sly fox. He did not answer the request for a price. Instead, noticing Xu Yi standing to the side, he realized that he, too, was interested in the piece.

The vendor looked at Xu Yi and smiled. "Is this boss also interested in this bronze item?"

Xu Yi was, of course, determined to win it. He stepped forward immediately and said, "That's right! Proprietor, since we are both interested, how do you intend to sell it?"

He activated his [Mind Reader] skill instantly.

The vendor smiled faintly. "Since both of you are interested, it will naturally go to the highest bidder. Both of you, please name your price."

With a single sentence, he threw the problem back onto Xu Yi and the others.

Beside them, Zhao Jian was extremely annoyed. He barked at Xu Yi, "Damn it! Do you even know the rules? We saw this bronze ware first, so it’s naturally ours. Get lost!"

Xu Yi sneered, "What an overbearing tone! If I recall correctly, transactions in the Ghost Market are based on the mutual consent of buyer and seller. The vendor has already said it goes to the highest bidder. Just because you saw it, it’s yours?"

Zhao Jian was instantly incensed. "You bastard, do you know who we are? I..."

Before Zhao Jian could continue his tirade, his companion stopped him.

Xu Yi kept his [Mind Reader] active. From Zhao Jian’s inner thoughts, he learned the man’s true identity. He was Zhao Kang, the eldest son of the Zhao Group, and Zhao Jian’s older brother.

Zhao Kang was far more composed than his younger brother. He spoke quite earnestly to Xu Yi, "Brother, the left side of this bronze piece is half-shattered. While it hasn't been appraised yet, its value may not be very high. I only wish to purchase it because I enjoy collecting bronze ware. If you are only here for profit, I ask that you yield this item to me. If you can trust me, I am willing to pay you two million as compensation after the Ghost Market closes."

Through [Mind Reader], Xu Yi could tell that Zhao Kang was being sincere. If not for the spiritual energy contained within the bronze, he wouldn't have minded doing the man a favor.

Xu Yi shook his head. "Sorry, I am determined to have this bronze piece. Let us just name our prices; let the price decide."

Zhao Kang looked at Xu Yi deeply and said in a low voice, "In that case, let the price decide."

After saying this, Zhao Kang inspected the bronze ware carefully several more times before gritting his teeth and offering, "Vendor! I bid 20 million."

Upon hearing Zhao Kang’s bid, even though the vendor was wearing a mask, everyone could see his eyes light up.

Xu Yi was also shocked. Through [Mind Reader], he already knew that after his previous expenditures, Zhao Kang only had 20 million left. The fact that he was betting his very last funds showed true audacity.

Looking at the vendor’s inner thoughts, he was overjoyed. The vendor had actually acquired the bronze from a fellow villager for a mere 100,000. His reserve price for the Ghost Market was actually only 2 million! This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

The vendor was a ruthless man. After the initial excitement, he quickly adjusted his mindset. Before Xu Yi could bid, he hurriedly spoke up, "Gentlemen, if you still want this bronze piece, the minimum increment from here on out is one million."

Extortion!

Xu Yi looked at the vendor with interest and said indifferently, "I bid 21 million."

Hearing Xu Yi's bid, Zhao Kang’s expression beneath his mask darkened. The vendor, meanwhile, looked expectantly toward Zhao Kang.

Zhao Kang turned to Xu Yi again. "Brother, is there truly no room for negotiation?"

Zhao Jian was even more furious, cursing, "Damn it! Are you stalking us? We bid 20 million, and you bid 21 million—are you playing with us?"

Xu Yi’s expression turned cold. "Are you threatening me?"

Zhao Jian immediately grew arrogant. "Damn right! What if I am? You could have made two million without lifting a finger. Damn it, you don't know when you're well off! Do you know who we are? I am the—"

"Shut up!"

Before Zhao Jian could finish, Zhao Kang stopped him abruptly.

Zhao Jian protested, "But brother, this is for the superiors..."

Zhao Kang said in a low, stern voice, "If you speak again, get out of here immediately! This is the Ghost Market; do you not know that one is not to probe the identities of others?"

Zhao Jian dared not speak further, but he turned his head to glare angrily at Xu Yi through his mask.

Zhao Kang took a deep breath and said to Xu Yi, "My apologies, my brother is a bit impulsive. Please forgive him."

Xu Yi shook his head and remained silent.

Zhao Kang then turned back to the vendor. "Vendor, my available funds are only 20 million. According to the rules of the Ghost Market, I cannot produce more cash. I have purchased several other items at other stalls; would you be willing to accept them as part of the bid?"

The vendor shook his head with clear disappointment. They were there to sell; they only wanted cash. What use were other items? If they needed items, they could dig them up themselves.

In the end, the vendor chose Xu Yi’s 21 million.

Zhao Kang was clearly devastated, but since the matter was settled, he did not dwell on it further. He cupped his hands toward Xu Yi and led Zhao Jian away. As they left, Zhao Jian secretly made a throat-slitting gesture at Xu Yi.

Xu Yi sneered, completely unbothered.

Once the transaction was complete, Xu Yi took the bronze piece and immediately absorbed the spiritual energy within it. In an instant, the spiritual energy in his mind surged! The intensity was so great that it instantly replenished the energy he had nearly exhausted.

Xu Yi was ecstatic.

After this, he did not purchase anything else. He returned to the organizers, retrieved his phone from the staff member in the white mask, and headed straight to Old Gu’s antique shop with Zheng Lili.

When they arrived, besides Old Gu, four people from Wang Quanan’s auction house were already waiting.

Zeng Lili looked at them with curiosity, but she knew she had no place to speak at the moment.

When Xu Yi laid out the 11 items, Old Gu and the others immediately began their rigorous appraisal. Seeing this, Zeng Lili’s eyes brightened, and she began to observe earnestly, as this was critical to her future work.

Xu Yi, however, knew nothing about appraisal, so he simply stepped aside to review his gains from the Ghost Market.

First, after absorbing the spiritual energy from five items:
His [Perspective] range had broken through to 4.5 meters.
His [Slow Motion] ability could now slow down an opponent's movements by 62%.
His [Mind Reader] duration had increased to 45 minutes.

As for his finances, Xu Yi had spent a total of 35 million, leaving him with 45 million. The rest depended on the value of the 11 items currently being appraised.

The appraisal was a long process, lasting until 6:00 AM the next day. The results, however, left everyone present feeling incredibly excited.

All 11 items Xu Yi brought out were proven to be genuine. The most valuable were the four items containing spiritual energy. A water basin was identified as a Song Dynasty Yingqing lotus-petal water basin, valued at 12 million; a set of porcelain dishes was identified as Yaozhou kiln-carved sunflower-rimmed saucers, valued at 15 million; a page of an ancient book was identified as a fragment of the *Yongle Dadian*, valued at 25 million; and a jade pendant was identified as a heart-pattern dragon jade pendant, valued at 8 million.

The remaining six items, though also antiques, were severely damaged and had a combined appraisal value of 2 million.

In total, these 10 items were appraised at 62 million. Added to the 45 million remaining in his account, Xu Yi’s savings had reached over a "small goal" (100 million). This trip to the Ghost Market could truly be called a fruitful harvest.

However, Xu Yi was puzzled. What about the final bronze piece? He felt that the bronze should have been the most valuable, as the spiritual energy within it was greater than the other four items combined.

Facing Xu Yi’s confusion, Old Gu and Wang Quanan exchanged glances. Finally, Wang Quanan hesitated and said, "Xu Yi, as for this bronze piece, our preliminary assessment is that it is highly likely to be from the Western Zhou Dynasty. It is extremely rare, and we are unable to provide an appraisal. It is possible that this bronze piece is a priceless treasure!"

A priceless treasure! Xu Yi widened his eyes.

At the same time, far away in a villa in the Gulou District of Donghai City, Zhao Kang was kneeling on the floor. The head of the Zhao family, Zhao Deyong, threw a teacup at him in a rage, roaring, "What? The item was snatched by someone else? Do you know that this bronze piece was specifically requested by the superiors? What are you good for? You were given inside information, and you still let someone else steal it from under your nose! You are a complete waste!"