Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain

Book 2: Chapter 10: Exposé

Xiao Dongs swift increase in the bid price caught the attention of the crowd. With his striking appearance and confident demeanor, he became the subject of discussion among onlookers:

Who is that? Why did he raise the price by five crystal stones so suddenly?

Thats Xiao Dong! Hes gained some fame in the stone betting arena, but it doesnt seem like hes a physical arts cultivator?

Im not sure, but maybe there is some hidden mystery in this Black Lion Essense Rock.

How could that be? Didnt the ten great sects themselves state that its just an ordinary Black Lion Essense Rock?

Xiao Dong basked in his confidence, realizing that there were not many people willing to compete with him. After all, the current price he offered for the Black Lion Essense Rock exceeded its actual worth. Those who had such funds would likely prefer to spend them on two lower Barren-grade spiritual items to strengthen their physical bodies.

There were individuals who harbored grudges against Xiao Dong, and they werent inclined to allow him to obtain the coveted item so easily.

However, the memory of Zhou Xuan Zis previous losses was still fresh in their minds, and this deterred them from taking the risk in this bidding war.

Di Wu Huo gave a subtle nod and cast a peculiar glance at Xiao Dong, but she quickly averted her gaze when she noticed Luo Miao Miao sitting beside him.

Just as she was about to declare Xiao Dong as the successful bidder, another voice disrupted the proceedings:

Ill bid twenty-five spiritual crystals!

The crowd swiftly turned their attention to the source of the voice, discovering a young man in green attire seated on the platform, casually sipping tea.

Even Shi Ji Mi, seated beside him, gazed at Murong Lin in astonishment.

It was indeed surprising that such an unassuming-looking young man was willing to stake twenty-five spiritual crystals in competition for this item.

Xiao Dongs expression underwent a subtle shift as he turned to observe Murong Lin.

Not recognizing Murong Lin, he surmised that there was no prior animosity between them. Then, could Murong Lins sudden increase in the bid mean that he had also detected something unusual about the Black Lion Essence Rock?

Murong Lin took a leisurely sip of tea as he addressed Xiao Dong, his voice calm and deliberate, Brother Xiao, this is the higher Barren grade Black Lion King Essence Pill. You cant seriously believe you can acquire it at such a low price.

In truth, Xiao Dong would have resorted to the same tactic had he failed to outbid Murong Linand would have revealed the genuine value of this item. Recognizing this, Murong Lin seized the opportunity to preemptively disclose the truth, effectively blocking Xiao Dongs path and leaving him in a precarious situation.

As anticipated, the moment the crowd heard Murong Lins revelation, shock washed over their faces.

The higher Barren grade?

The Black Lion King Essence Pill?

The audience erupted in discussion, and even the private rooms suspended above reverberated with chatter.

What? The Black Lion King Essence Pill? Is it truly a higher Barren grade spiritual item?

It certainly seems that way! No wonder Xiao Dong was acting so strangely, offering such a high bid for this item.

I had my suspicions about this items authenticity. So its the Black Lion King Essence Pill, not the Black Lion Essence Rock!

You liar!

The crowd fixated their attention on the item displayed on the stage, their expressions undergoing a dramatic transformation.

The higher Barren grade! It was as rare as lower Barren grade spiritual items, if not rarer. Typically, influential forces swiftly snapped up such items as soon as they were unveiled. For ordinary individuals like those present, encountering a higher Barren grade item was an unprecedented event.

Several figures materialized on the stage, and Murong Lin could sense that the Abhij realm cultivators he had detected earlier had also instantaneously arrived, carefully scrutinizing the Black Lion King Essence Pill before them.

Even to them, this item held substantial value.

Items of the higher Barren grade were more than a hundred times more valuable than their lower Barren grade counterparts. This implied that the Black Lion King Essence Pill was worth well over a thousand spiritual crystals!

An elderly figure shrouded in a gray cloak stroked his beard, nearly pulling it off in his excitement. He declared, This is indeed the higher Barren grade Black Lion King Essence Pill, and its a substantial piece at that! Its larger than six regular Black Lion King Essence Rocks combined!

Six pieces!

That meant this item was worth close to ten thousand spiritual crystals!

The excitement in the room was palpable as everyone fixed their gaze on the Black Lion King Essence Pill. Its smaller size, typically a fifth of the regular Black Lion Essence Stones, had initially deceived the appraisers.

A subtle smile played on Murong Lins lips. He understood the immense desirability of the Black Lion King Essence Pill. Having thoroughly examined the item through the system window, he recognized the critical differences between the two.

The Black Lion Essence Rock merely enhanced the toughness of ones physical body, while the Black Lion King Essence Pill had the ability to elevate an individuals physical toughness to the Abhij realm level.

It was worth noting that Abhij realm cultivators could traverse through space directly! The extent of physical fortitude required for such feats was self-evident. Even Abhij realm cultivators who refined this item could significantly extend the distances they could travel through space.

Several Abhij realm managers began discussing matters among themselves on the stage before teleporting to seats nearby. Their expressions remained unchanged as they instructed, Wu Huo! Divide this item into six parts and commence the bidding!

The audience, however, saw through their intentions. They inwardly lamented, Do you old fellows genuinely think we dont know what youre up to? Youre hoping to engage us in a bidding war, but do you truly believe that any of us can compete with your vast wealth?

Dismal cries echoed through the crowd, and individuals in the private rooms whispered helplessly to one another, It seems we wont be able to compete for this item.

The managers had joined the bidding, and it was well within the rules. They didnt intentionally inflate the price, nor did they employ their influence to pressure others into abstaining from the competition.

Zhou Xuan Tong observed the bidding proceedings with a subtle shift in his expression, saying, There are only four managers but two extra items. We might still have a chance to compete for one.

Zhou Xuan Zi glanced disdainfully at Xiao Dong and remarked, If it werent for that persons intervention, this item would undoubtedly have gone to Xiao Dong, allowing him to make a handsome profit.

This extraordinary item bore a price tag of ten thousand spiritual crystals!

Had Xiao Dong actually acquired it for a mere twenty spiritual crystals, there would have been plenty of regret in the room.

Meanwhile, those who couldnt afford to participate in the bidding displayed smug expressions as they glanced at Xiao Dong, who wore a dark expression, taunting him,

Tsk tsk, you were just a hairs breadth away from a fantastic steal!

Master Xiao indeed has a discerning eye! Haha, no wonder hes a stone-betting expert!

Pah! Seems like this guy simply has good luck.

Faced with the taunts from the crowd, Xiao Dongs complexion turned pale as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in frustration.

Worried, Luo Miao Miao looked at him and grabbed onto his arm. Brother Dong, are you okay?

Xiao Dongs expression underwent a subtle change, and he didnt push Luo Miao Miao away. He needed to maintain his composure, but that didnt stop him from cursing inwardly, What the fuck?Who the hell are all of you to talk like that? I was the one who spotted this incredible opportunity. If any of you are so capable, try identifying it yourselves! And that tea sipping fucker thats showing off, isnt raising the bid more than enough? Why did he have to make a snarky comment towards me? Now that my reputation is tarnished, he deserves nothing but death!

He shot a spiteful look at Murong Lin, a glint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

Murong Lin, on the other hand, paid him no mind. Engaging with such a low-level protagonist was beneath him.

Instead, his gaze met with Di Wu Huos, who stood on the stage.

As Di Wu Huo continued to oversee the auction, her gaze remained fixed on the young man who had exposed the truth about the Black Lion King Essence Pill.

While his act of sipping tea was quite pretentious, he undeniably exuded an air of elegance that made him seem gentle.

Di Wu Huos gaze softened visibly.

Congratulations to this senior for successfully purchasing the fourth Black Lion King Essence Pill with a bid of 1888 spiritual crystals. Up next in the auction is the fifth piece of the Black Lion King Essence Pill.'

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