"Beep! The host has completed a hidden task, using a healing talisman to save Big Gold Tooth, who forgot to buy medicine due to the plot, from dying of asthma."

"Reward (1): Information regarding jadeite; jadeite is a dual-attribute spiritual energy crystal of earth and yin, a primary material for corpse-controlling talismans."

"Reward (2): A magical artifact-level Sanqing Bell, which can break illusions and be used in conjunction with corpse-controlling talismans."

"Reward (3): A magical artifact-level peach wood sword, effective against zombies and for home protection against evil spirits."

"Please choose one."

The system prompt echoed.

Cao Yi, who was watching the commotion, frowned slightly. On this trip to the Goddess Tomb, in addition to collecting the Other Shore Flower, he also needed to acquire a thousand-year-old zombie. Each of the three options provided by the system was essential.

After contemplating for a moment, Cao Yi made his choice.

"I choose one."

"Beep! Selected reward one."

"Information regarding jadeite: Tonight, at the Taj Mahal Pierre Hotel, there will be a Christie's auction, one of the auction items is a jade stone from Myanmar, named the Purple Dragon King, which contains a small amount of jadeite."

An auction held in a high-end hotel?

Not just anyone could attend.

Cao Yi's brow furrowed again as he glanced at Mark, who had just finished talking with Wang Kaixuan.

As the legal representative of Global Mining Group, Mark should have a way to get in.

"Daoist Priest, I'll drive you back," Mark said with a smile, having looked over.

Earlier, Mark had been perplexed by his master's overly respectful attitude towards Cao Yi. But after witnessing Cao Yi use a cup of water infused with a yellow talisman to save an asthma patient, all his doubts vanished.

This was a remarkable Eastern person; the closer he got to such a person, the more benefits he would reap.

Unaware of Mark's intentions to curry favor, Cao Yi shook his head. "Not yet. Tonight, at the Taj Mahal Pierre Hotel, there's a Christie's auction where I need something. Can you get me an invitation?"

Mark, eager to please, replied without hesitation, "No problem, I'll take care of it right away."

After making a quick phone call, Mark smiled and said, "It's all set; we can go now."

Cao Yi nodded and turned to the departing Big Gold Tooth and Wang Kaixuan. "Are you two interested in joining?"

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Big Gold Tooth was taken aback, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He loved antiques, bustling atmospheres, and grand events. During his time in America, he had been unable to formally participate in such high society due to financial constraints. He had long yearned for the legendary large auction.

"And you?" Cao Yi asked Wang Kaixuan.

Since seeing the image of the Other Shore Flower on the contract, Wang Kaixuan had been in a strange state, alternating between sadness and excitement.

"I'm not going. I'm heading out tomorrow, and I need to think of a way to trick Old Hu into joining," Wang Kaixuan declined.

Cao Yi didn't press him.

A few minutes later, Wang Kaixuan hailed a taxi and left, while Cao Yi and Big Gold Tooth got into Mark's car heading to the Taj Mahal Pierre Hotel.

The Taj Mahal Pierre Hotel is a five-star establishment, located 2.4 kilometers from Times Square, 2.8 kilometers from the Empire State Building, 3.4 kilometers from Broadway, and 2.6 kilometers from the United Nations Headquarters. Its geographical location is truly exceptional.

Upon arriving, they handed the car to the valet and chatted as they entered the hotel lobby.

A man in a black suit approached, handing Mark three beautifully crafted invitations.

This person was undoubtedly a staff member of Christie's.

After taking the elevator to the auction entrance and verifying their invitations, they stepped into the bustling auction hall.

Cao Yi was surprised to find that Asian faces with black hair and yellow skin made up at least two-thirds of the crowd. Most of these individuals were over fifty, speaking Cantonese, Taiwanese, Asian English, and Japanese. When they saw a Daoist entering, they all displayed expressions of astonishment.

"Why are there so many Asians? Is this auction specifically for Asians?" Big Gold Tooth muttered.

This was his first time in such a 'high-class' setting, and he lost some of his usual bravado.

"Let's just sit," Cao Yi suggested, feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of a group of elderly men as he walked towards a less crowded area in the center.

Big Gold Tooth and Mark naturally followed him.

Once seated, Cao Yi opened the promotional booklet prepared for the auction and finally understood why there were so many Asian faces.

Among the auction items were numerous artifacts from the Qing Dynasty royal palace. It was obvious these were looted, stolen, or smuggled by unscrupulous individuals colluding with locals.

"Daoist Priest, which one are you planning to bid on?" Mark leaned in to ask.

Cao Yi flipped to the ninth page and pointed to a piece of jade stone named the Purple Dragon King in the bottom right corner.

"This one. Good, I'll go pay the auction deposit," Mark said, glancing at it before getting up to leave.

Cao Yi continued to flip through the booklet, becoming increasingly furious.

Qianlong period jade seals.

Ming Dynasty Wanli period red and blue flower vases.

Western Zhou bronze artifacts "Tiger Ling."

One of the 12 zodiac bronze heads: the horse head.

Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain jars depicting fragrant pavilions.

...

One by one, these treasures of Chinese culture were brazenly brought out for auction by foreigners to profit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I am John Feng, the auctioneer for tonight's sale. I'm delighted to have you all here for this auction focused on Eastern art. Last month, our auction house sold twenty-one precious Eastern artworks for over fifteen million dollars, and tonight's auction will surely be even more successful..."

At some point, a Chinese auctioneer appeared on stage, smiling as he delivered the opening remarks in Cantonese, Taiwanese, English, and Japanese.

In the area crowded with Europeans and Americans, warm applause erupted.

In the section filled with Asians and wealthy individuals from Hong Kong and Taiwan, no one moved.

After the Chinese auctioneer finished his opening, he did not start the auction but instead shared a few American jokes that drew laughter from the crowd.

"The merchant girl does not know of the nation's grievances; across the river, she still sings of the flowers in the back garden."

A voice with poor Chinese emerged from the entrance of the auction hall.

The entire auction hall fell silent.

The Chinese auctioneer's expression immediately became stiff.

Cao Yi turned around to see none other than Yoko, a person from Japan.