C23 The Paradise
The bidding for the two was a mere twenty thousand apart.
"Who got it right?"
All eyes in the room turned to the auctioneer.
With a smile, the auctioneer unveiled the answer.
"Two hundred thousand—Liu Kaixuan and Mr. Zhuge are the victors!" he announced with reverence.
Upon hearing this, Liu Kaixuan rose, his smile betraying a sense of routine triumph, as if the event were hardly worth noting.
Zhuge Fengyun, meanwhile, maintained an air of serene confidence.
Indeed, given his prowess, his composure was unshakably cool—a reflection of his inner thoughts.
Su Chen, having collected himself, allowed a small smile to form. He grasped the significance of the moment, his demeanor the epitome of calm.
In stark contrast, Suen Benwei felt a surge of frustration so intense it nearly induced physical illness. His bid had been close to the mark, yet Zhuge Fengyun's precision was unerring.
There was simply no contest.
The disparity was so vast it seemed insurmountable, an unbearable reality for Suen Benwei.
In the subsequent rounds, Zhuge Fengyun's predictions were spot-on, his largest margin of error a mere ten thousand.
Suen Benwei, on the other hand, was consistently outmatched, his bids falling short one after another.
His confidence shaken, Suen Benwei staggered, feeling as if he might actually spill blood from the stress.
He had lost all conviction in his ability to challenge Zhuge Fengyun.
Previously, Suen Benwei had acknowledged a significant gap between them, but he had not grasped its true magnitude until now. The realization was staggering.
Zhuge Fengyun had ascended to a level of expertise that was nothing short of divine. Next to him, Suen Benwei felt like a mere elementary student, his fighting spirit extinguished.
Watching Suen Benwei's defeat, and with the imminent auction of the prized landscape painting, Tang Ziye was on the brink of tears.
Her costly investment in Suen Benwei had proven futile, leaving her at a loss for words.
Observing Liu Kaixuan's smug demeanor, something stirred in Su Chen.
He knew what was at stake.
With his emotions in check, Su Chen remained the picture of composure.
With Suen Benwei out of the fray, it was his turn to step into the arena.
Su Chen fixed a serious gaze on Suen Benwei.
"Master Suen, it seems you're at your limit. If you're truly struggling, let me handle the next bid," Su Chen offered with a composed tone.
Tang Ziye shot Su Chen a fierce glare.
"What are you up to?"
Tang Ziye was seething with anger, feeling that Su Chen was only making matters worse.
That was her innermost thought.
In that instant, however, a spark of relief flickered in Suen Benwei's eyes.
He lacked the strength to best Zhuge Fengyun, and another round would only bring humiliation. In search of an exit strategy, Suen Benwei found reprieve in Su Chen's words.
"Fine, if you're eager to step in, be my guest!" Suen Benwei declared, his voice brimming with a mix of frustration and relief.
His anger had reached a boiling point.
Witnessing the exchange, Su Chen remained silent, observing the unfolding drama with unflappable serenity.
Su Chen had taken a seat at the forefront.
"I'll be bidding in place of Master Suen this round," he announced calmly to Liu Kaixuan and Zhuge Fengyun.
Liu Kaixuan burst into laughter upon hearing this.
He was incredulous, his face contorting with disbelief.
He scrutinized Su Chen from head to toe, barely suppressing a laugh. Su Chen's capabilities were no match for Zhuge Fengyun, or so he thought.
Despite not knowing Su Chen personally, Liu Kaixuan judged him solely on his youthful age of twenty – hardly a contender for Zhuge Fengyun in his eyes.
The notion seemed utterly preposterous.
Liu Kaixuan's mockery of Su Chen was unapologetically scathing.
Zhuge Fengyun, on the other hand, simply sneered dismissively.
He hadn't even considered Suen Benwei a threat, much less the young Su Chen.
To Zhuge Fengyun, both Suen Benwei and Su Chen were inconsequential – mere nuisances that he could easily dispatch.
To him, it was all too simple.
At that moment, the auctioneer presented the final item.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this work is a centuries-old masterpiece by the great Soong Taibai, titled 'Ten Thousand Mile Scenery Painting.' Please, start your bidding!"
The auctioneer spoke with earnest conviction. With a clap of his hands, several individuals emerged. "These esteemed gentlemen are the senior appraisers of our auction house. They have appraised this painting, and anyone who can match their valuation will earn the right to purchase it!" he said, gesturing towards the group.
The appraisers were all venerable figures, exuding an air of authority. "Prince Long!" "Chen Tianxiong!" "Shuifeng Rui!" Onlookers gasped in awe. "Good heavens, these are luminaries on par with Zhuge Fengyun, legends in their own right, assisted by the finest masters. With five of them bidding, the accuracy of this appraisal is beyond question!" The crowd was visibly impressed, fully grasping the gravity of the situation.
Zhuge Fengyun's expression turned grave, sensing the magnitude of what was unfolding. Meanwhile, Su Chen had steadied himself, acutely aware of the implications. Yet, he remained the picture of composure, masterfully controlling his emotions.
As Zhuge Fengyun rose to examine the painting, Su Chen stayed seated, activating his Divine Eye ability. This skill transcended distance, a formidable tool that could be considered elite. With it, Su Chen could disregard proximity, orientation, even the glare of sunlight, perceiving everything with unerring clarity.
This was the essence of Su Chen's prowess, a testament to his extraordinary capabilities. In this moment, he was the epitome of readiness and calm.
"Hmm?" A flicker of surprise crossed Su Chen's face as he encountered an unexpected complication. "What's this? There's more to this painting than meets the eye?" His heart raced as his Divine Eye revealed a hidden layer—a painting within the painting. Su Chen was astounded, scarcely able to believe the reality before him. "Such masterful artistry, to think it would reveal itself here!"
