Is He the One Ancestor Has Been Waiting For

One million?

One million top-grade spirit stones?

Whose subordinate is this? To be so bold?

"Holy shit, it's that private room again?"

"Who on earth is in that private room? They must be insanely wealthy! One million top-grade spirit stones—that’s one million!"

"Isn’t this the second time this person has openly competed with His Majesty? Do they really have no regard for the emperor’s dignity?"

"Dignity? This is outright disrespect. Throwing out a bid of one million is a direct slap to Yin Gongyu’s face."

"Will the Imperial Family continue bidding?"

"How would I know? The depths of the Imperial Family’s wealth are beyond our comprehension."

Yin Gongyu’s expression grew increasingly grim. First, it was the Side-by-Side King, and now this mysterious bidder. Did these people truly see him, the emperor, as nothing more than a figurehead?

Did they really hold the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty in such contempt?

"Do you even have that many spirit stones?"

"This is my Gu Family’s auction house. If you recklessly drive up the price and break the rules, I won’t be able to help you. In that case, I’ll have to take Gu Xian'er away."

Chen Chang'an’s bid had genuinely shocked Gu Fengyao. Even as the young mistress of the Gu Family, she had never possessed such an astronomical sum of top-grade spirit stones.

These were top-grade spirit stones! The Gu Family had a rich heritage, accumulated over millennia, but they would never casually allow a junior to carry such an exorbitant amount.

"Relax, you won’t be taking Gu Xian'er away," Chen Chang'an replied with a faint smile.

"You really have that much?"

"Does your family… produce spirit stones?"

"Are you miners?"

"I’ve heard some families specialize in mining spirit stone veins."

"With so many top-grade spirit stones, your family must have incredible fortune. You’ve probably uncovered quite a few top-grade spirit stone veins, right?"

"Are you the legendary ‘Mining Heir’?" Gu Fengyao asked, wide-eyed.

Mining Heir?

What nonsense was this?

Chen Chang'an couldn’t be bothered to entertain Gu Fengyao’s chatter. She seemed aloof at first glance, but why was she such a chatterbox?

"One million one hundred thousand!"

At this moment, Yin Gongyu gritted his teeth and raised the bid once more.

"One million one hundred thousand?"

"The Fengtian Imperial Dynasty’s reserves seem rather lacking. How stingy!"

"One million five hundred thousand!"

Boom!

Chen Chang'an’s new bid sent shockwaves through the crowd. One million five hundred thousand? Just how wealthy was this man?

Did his family mint top-grade spirit stones? How could he spend so extravagantly without a hint of hesitation?

"Your Majesty, we cannot bid any higher. If we do, we may have to liquidate some of the Imperial Family’s treasures."

"You know the consequences of overstepping your authority."

"Your permissions are insufficient," a retainer hurriedly advised.

"Do you think I don’t know that?" Yin Gongyu snapped.

"But what state has the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty fallen to?"

"Even if our ancestor, Yin Tianzi, were here today, he would approve of my actions."

"Even if it means exhausting our wealth, it’s worth it if it ensures the Imperial Family’s safety."

"One million six hundred thousand!"

"Two million!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Chen Chang'an countered, nearly sending Yin Gongyu into a rage.

"Damn it! How does he have so many top-grade spirit stones?"

"Two… two million one hundred thousand!"

"Two million five hundred thousand!"

"If you don’t have the stones, don’t pretend to be a big spender!"

After placing his bid, Chen Chang'an even threw in a mocking remark.

"Your Majesty, this is the limit!"

"We’ve truly reached the limit!"

"I know…"

Amid his fury, Yin Gongyu felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Chen Chang'an’s wealth was simply too vast.

Two million one hundred thousand was the absolute highest Yin Gongyu could push. Even if Chen Chang'an had only bid two million two hundred thousand, he wouldn’t have been able to continue.

"Find out who this man is. I must know his identity."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The staggering bid of two million five hundred thousand, coupled with Chen Chang'an’s brazen taunt, left the entire auction hall in stunned silence.

Madman!

This was a madman who feared nothing!

Even the auctioneer was momentarily dazed. Two million five hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones—this was an unimaginable sum.

The total value of every auction he had ever presided over likely didn’t even come close.

"Two… two million five hundred thousand, going once."

"Two million five hundred thousand, going twice."

"Two million five hundred thousand, sold!"

As he declared the sale, the auctioneer’s entire body trembled with excitement.

At that moment, every gaze in the room turned toward Chen Chang'an’s private booth. They were burning with curiosity—who was inside?

Inside the booth, Gu Fengyao was utterly dumbfounded.

Two million five hundred thousand—how could he possibly possess such an absurd amount?

And why did Chen Chang'an seem to be… glowing?

Wow!

Such a dazzling radiance!

Was this… the allure of top-grade spirit stones?

"Why does he suddenly look so… pleasing to the eye?"

"He doesn’t seem so ordinary anymore—almost… handsome?"

Gu Fengyao’s murmurs made both Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er pause. Chen Chang'an added another note to his assessment of her:

Naïve. Easily fooled.

Meanwhile, a flicker of wariness flashed in Gu Xian'er’s eyes. With the Young Master being so outstanding, was Gu Fengyao developing feelings for him?

Noticing their stares, Gu Fengyao coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem."

"Well, you two, follow me."

"Oh, and—you’re absolutely certain you have that many spirit stones, right?"

She gave Chen Chang'an a serious look. Though they had only just met, and though she wasn’t particularly fond of him (mostly because of Gu Xian'er), Gu Fengyao had lived a sheltered life. At thirty, she had rarely left the Gu Family and had few friends outside it.

After their brief interaction, she had begun to see Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er as companions.

That was why she needed to confirm—did he truly have the means?

"Don’t worry. Spirit stones are the one thing I have in abundance."

"Good, good. Then come with me to see the Third Elder."

The final auction item required the winning bidder to meet with the Third Elder directly, so the final exchange would take place there.

Gu Fengyao led Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er out of the private booth, heading straight for the Third Elder’s quarters.

The rest of the crowd waited, puzzled. Why hadn’t the auction house staff gone to the booth to finalize the transaction?

"What’s going on? Is it just… over?"

"Shouldn’t there be a payment process before the item is handed over?"

"I don’t know, but something feels off."

Hearing the murmurs, the auctioneer smiled and explained, "Esteemed guests, this concludes today’s auction."

"We hope you were satisfied with the items on offer."

"As for the winner of the final auction item, there's no need for everyone to wait any longer."

"He has already left the private booth."

What?

He left the booth already?

The crowd seated in the main hall couldn't help but grow curious. From where they were sitting, they had a clear view of the staircase leading downstairs.

Yet, no one had appeared there just now. So where did the guest from the private booth go?

"Where did he go?"

"The last item was information—could it be... he was taken to receive the message?"

"Damn, that’s so mysterious! Who do you think the Gu family sent to deliver the news?"

"Hard to say, but clearly, this person now has the chance to meet directly with a member of the Gu family. What an enviable opportunity."

"Originally, this privilege should have belonged to the Imperial Family, but now..."

"Enough, don’t say more. Be careful not to invite trouble."

With the guest from the booth gone, there was no reason for the others to linger. No one dared to cause a scene here—not even the Imperial Family had the audacity.

Though they left the auction house, many stayed nearby, waiting to see if any unfamiliar faces would emerge.

"Today, no matter what, I must find out who that mysterious person is."

While these people were waiting for Chen Chang'an to appear, Gu Fengyao had already escorted him to the Third Elder’s chamber.

"Third Elder, I’ve brought the person."

"He’s the one who won the final auction item."

Upon seeing the two people Gu Fengyao led in, the Third Elder frowned slightly and asked, "Which one is it?"

"Him—Chen Chang'an."

Chen Chang'an?

Hearing the name, the Third Elder was momentarily stunned. Wasn’t this the same person who had been causing such a stir recently?

He actually dared to appear openly in the Imperial Capital?

Could it be... he was the one the Ancestor had been waiting for?