She was still dressed in the same outfit as during the day: wild, untamed, and very punchable.

She cast a contemptuous glance at the Chinese auctioneer on the podium and casually sat down next to Cao Yi.

"You?"

Cao Yi felt confused by the sudden appearance of this Japanese punk girl.

"My master heard that the Daoist Priest was attending the auction and was worried you might not have enough money," Yoko said, pulling out a bank card with a puzzled look in her eyes.

In her impression, Cao Yi was just a Daoist slightly stronger than her in terms of combat skills, and she couldn't understand why her divine master was so eager to please him.

"That's unnecessary, but thank you, Miss Ying," Cao Yi declined.

The starting bid for the Purple Dragon King was one hundred sixty thousand dollars, and the five hundred thousand dollars provided by Ying Caihong was more than enough to cover it.

Yoko promptly took back her bank card.

"What about Mark?" Cao Yi asked.

Mark had gone to pay the auction deposit and should be back soon.

"I sent him back," Yoko replied.

"I suppose everyone can't wait any longer; the auction officially begins."

The Chinese auctioneer on the podium regained his composure. As a professional, the earlier little commotion meant nothing to him.

A staff member wearing white gloves carefully brought the first auction item to the podium.

It was a bronze artifact with a tiger-shaped lid and spout, quietly displayed in a glass container.

"Our first auction item is a bronze piece from the Western Zhou Dynasty, called the Tiger Vessel, dating back three thousand years. There are only seven known 'V'-shaped artifacts left in the world, five of which are housed in museums.

Also up for auction is a letter from its previous owner, Colonel Harry Lewis Evans of the Ying Kingdom's Navy, written to his family, detailing how Colonel Evans 'acquired' several bronze artifacts and enamel vases from the Old Summer Palace.

Our auction house's Oriental art advisor, Mr. Alastair Gibson, has stated that this 'Tiger V' is precious because none of the other existing 'V'-shaped artifacts feature the theme of the 'King of Beasts,' the tiger.

Mr. Xue Haopei, a scholar from Cambridge University and an expert in Oriental art and cultural history, also mentioned that only emperors, nobles, and high-ranking officials could use this type of bronze vessel, representing their social influence and status.

The starting bid for this item is fifty thousand dollars, with each increment set at ten thousand dollars. Perhaps with just a single bid, you could take home this treasure, which has a three-thousand-year history and was housed in the Qing Dynasty's palace during the 19th century."

The auctioneer's words caused a stir in the room.

Cao Yi overheard several wealthy individuals from Hong Kong and Taiwan whispering in anger.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Not only were they selling back stolen artifacts to the Chinese, but they were also auctioning off the very process of robbery—it was utterly arrogant.

Ten seconds, twenty seconds, a minute passed, and the auction room fell silent.

The first item cooled off.

The seasoned Chinese auctioneer's expression remained unchanged; he only slightly bent his right thumb.

"I bid fifty thousand dollars."

An Asian-faced middle-aged man speaking Japanese from the front row raised his bidding paddle.

Undoubtedly, he was a plant the auction house had recruited to attract Chinese bidders.

"The friend from Japan bids fifty thousand dollars. I have traveled to Japan and can responsibly tell everyone that the Japanese people love Chinese culture. Many of their buildings, customs, writings, and clothing are filled with rich Chinese cultural symbols.

If no one else bids, this rare 'V'-shaped bronze artifact will belong to this Japanese friend who appreciates the culture of our great Eastern nation. Once, twice... third time, sold!"

The Chinese auctioneer's gavel came down, his eyes flashing with disappointment.

This group of people from a certain Eastern nation had not taken his bait.

Cao Yi felt that the auctioneer had succeeded; many of the faces among the wealthy from Hong Kong and Taiwan had changed.

The second item would definitely lead to a fierce competition.

"Now we will auction the second item, one of the bronze heads of the twelve zodiac animals from the Old Summer Palace: the Horse Head.

These zodiac bronze heads originally formed part of the fountain outside the Haiyan Hall of the Old Summer Palace and were cast in red copper during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. In 1860, the British and French forces entered the East and took them away.

This horse head was one of three bronze statues discovered by an antique dealer in a private residence in California in 1985.

The starting price for this item is one hundred fifty thousand dollars, with each increment set at ten thousand dollars. I wonder which wealthy bidder would like to take home a piece of your country's heritage?"

After the auctioneer finished speaking, he smiled at the gathering of wealthy individuals from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"One hundred sixty thousand dollars."

A middle-aged man speaking Mandarin from the third row raised his bidding paddle.

"One hundred seventy thousand dollars."

"One hundred eighty thousand dollars."

"One hundred ninety thousand dollars."

"I bid two hundred thousand dollars."

"Two hundred one thousand dollars."

With the first bid, the wealthy bidders from Hong Kong and Taiwan seemed to ignite, each calling out higher bids in a rush.

The smile on the Chinese auctioneer's face grew broader; the traps he had set during the auction of the first item had worked, and the bidders were flocking like moths to a flame.

"I bid two hundred twenty thousand dollars."

"Two hundred fifty thousand dollars."

The first bidder, an elderly man speaking Taiwanese, raised his offer by thirty thousand.

Everyone else fell silent; they weren't foolish, continuing this bidding war would only benefit the foreigners.

"Are there any higher bids? Once, twice, three times, sold!"

The Chinese auctioneer's gavel fell, and he was overjoyed.

Four years ago, the antique dealer purchased the three bronze heads for a total of four thousand five hundred dollars, meaning that the horse head, bought for just fifteen hundred dollars four years ago, had increased in value by more than one hundred sixty times in his hands.

"Now for the third item..."

After that, Cao Yi lost interest and closed his eyes to rest. He didn't know if it was because he was too tired, but soon he fell asleep.

After an unknown period, Cao Yi felt someone shaking his shoulder. He opened his eyes to see a staff member wearing white gloves holding a large piece of purple jade covered by a glass dome, bringing it to the auction podium.

Even from a distance of seven or eight meters, Cao Yi could still sense a familiar power emanating from within the purple jade.

Spiritual energy.

But it was of earth and yin attributes.

"This is a piece of jade from Myanmar. There are many gem traders present, so I don't need to explain how valuable it is. The starting price is one hundred sixty thousand dollars, with each increment set at fifty thousand dollars."

This time there was no room for maneuver; the Chinese auctioneer was very direct.

"One hundred sixty thousand dollars."

Soon, a jeweler from Hong Kong placed a bid.

"One hundred sixty-five thousand dollars."

"One hundred seventy thousand dollars."

…

Several jewelers immediately joined in, and the price of the Purple Dragon King soared to two hundred ninety thousand dollars.

"Is there any higher bid? First time..."

The Chinese auctioneer inquired.