Chapter 179 The Frustrated Li Zongrui

In response to Elder Wuji’s sigh, Pavilion Master Zhang nodded with a gratified smile. Ye Qingchen’s efforts were plain for all to see, and his progress was the envy of many. The three men were all talking at once, leaving Ye Qingchen utterly confused.

Seeing Ye Qingchen’s bewildered expression, Vice Pavilion Master Liu laughed and said, "Qingchen, today is the day the auction begins. We know how important the Thousand-Year Peony Heart Grass is to you. You’ve been in closed-door cultivation for so long that the three of us were about to break down your door to get you. It’s a good thing you came out on your own!"

Hearing Vice Pavilion Master Liu’s words, a warmth spread through Ye Qingchen’s heart. The three of them were not his family, yet they always had his best interests at heart. He was truly moved by their friendship.

Ye Qingchen bowed to the three elders again. "Thank you for your concern. I am ready now. Will the three of you be accompanying me?"

Pavilion Master Zhang shook his head. "Originally, we three old fellows were planning to go with you. However, after arriving in the capital, we were suddenly invited to meet with an old friend yesterday, so we cannot join you."

Ye Qingchen nodded. Bidding on the Thousand-Year Peony Heart Grass didn’t require troubling the three elders, so he had no objections.

It was Elder Wuji who spoke up again. "Qingchen, Zong Rui has already gone ahead to the auction. Although there was some grievance between you in the past, you are a disciple of Zong Rui’s father, which essentially makes you martial brothers. You should still look out for one another."

Facing Elder Wuji’s earnest advice, Ye Qingchen did not refuse but simply nodded in agreement. Although Elder Wuji had once nearly taken his life, Ye Qingchen knew there was a reason for it and bore him no animosity. Furthermore, Elder Wuji’s words were sincere, giving him even less reason to refuse.

With that, Ye Qingchen took his leave of the three elders and made his way toward the Rising Sun Pavilion.

When he was still several dozen meters away, Ye Qingchen saw that a long line had already formed. With a private box Token, one could skip the line, but Ye Qingchen was unaware of this and simply joined the line to wait.

From a distance, he noticed Li Zongrui near the front of the line but made no move to greet him.

Similarly, Li Zongrui spotted Ye Qingchen waiting in line at the back, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

Ye Qingchen is waiting in line too? Did he manage to get a ticket for the auction?

After waiting in line for about an hour, it was finally Ye Qingchen’s turn. When an attendant from the Rising Sun Pavilion saw that Ye Qingchen actually produced a private box Token, his attitude immediately became one of utmost respect.

With the Alchemy Dao Grand Tournament about to begin, the capital was teeming with experts. The Rising Sun Pavilion had chosen to hold its auction during this time, and as a result, all the officials and dignitaries were vying for private box Tokens, but to no avail. Thus, being able to produce a private box Token was enough to prove one’s exceptionally noble status.

The welcoming attendant nearly abandoned his post checking tickets to personally escort Ye Qingchen inside. But Ye Qingchen was not a worldly person and found such ceremonies distasteful. He gave a slight wave of his hand and entered the Rising Sun Pavilion by himself, leaving the attendant to marvel internally.

This young master is truly humble. He possesses a private box Token, yet he still followed the rules and waited in line properly. He even declined the level of service he was entitled to. With an attitude like that, no wonder he’s so successful!

Of course, Ye Qingchen had no idea his actions had made such a favorable impression on the attendant.

Upon entering the Rising Sun Pavilion, an attractive maid guided Ye Qingchen toward the auction hall. The venue had three thousand seats and twelve private boxes. Despite its massive size, the hall was so meticulously arranged that it didn’t feel crowded at all.

Screens formed by magical Formations were set up around the hall, providing a real-time display of the auction stage. This ensured that even those seated far away could see the details of the items clearly. Of course, the front-row seats had the advantage of being closer to the stage, allowing their occupants not only to see the items’ details but also to feel their auras up close, helping them better gauge their value. Likewise, the price for these front-row seats, known as special-class seats, had been driven to astronomical heights.

One had to admit, the Rising Sun Pavilion was exceptionally good at business. Forget the commission on the auctioned items; the revenue from the ticket sales alone would be enough to fill their coffers.

The moment Ye Qingchen stepped into the auction hall, a grating voice called out to him.

"Well, well, Ye Qingchen! You actually managed to get a ticket. That came as quite a surprise to this Young Sect Master."

The speaker was, of course, Li Zongrui. Seeing Ye Qingchen enter the hall had genuinely surprised him. However, in his mind, even if Ye Qingchen had gotten in, it must have been for a seat in the very back. Compared to his own special-class seat, the difference was like that between the clouds and the mud.

Hearing Li Zongrui’s sarcastic tone, Ye Qingchen simply smiled faintly without responding.

Li Zongrui took this as a sign that Ye Qingchen was just putting on a brave face. He produced another special-class seat ticket from his robes and said condescendingly, "Qingchen, I’m not the one to say it, but sometimes, pride isn’t worth much. You’ve come all this way to the capital for such a grand auction. What can you possibly see hiding in a corner? If you just humble yourself before this Young Sect Master now, I can still forget our past grievances and give you this ticket for a special-class seat."

Ye Qingchen glanced at the ticket in Li Zongrui’s hand.

And this is supposed to be better than a private box?

Seeing Ye Qingchen remain unmoved, Li Zongrui pressed on, "You probably don’t know this, but a special-class seat not only lets you get up close to the auction items, but it also comes with all sorts of precious refreshments. Out in the city, those delicacies are worth a fortune!"

Having run out of ways to bait him, Li Zongrui had resorted to tempting him with food. Ye Qingchen found this rather amusing. He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Young Sect Master. But I already have a seat. It’s just an auction; participation is what matters. Where one sits isn’t that important."

With that, Ye Qingchen ignored Li Zongrui and walked toward the staircase leading to the second-floor private boxes.

The staircase was located at the edge of the hall, so from Li Zongrui’s perspective, Ye Qingchen was definitely heading to a seat in the cheapest, most remote corner.

A smug feeling swelled in Li Zongrui’s chest.

This is the difference in status!

However, his smugness didn’t last long. He watched as Ye Qingchen presented a Token, and then, under the deferential escort of the Rising Sun Pavilion’s guards and a retinue of graceful hostesses, ascended the stairs to the second floor.

He actually got into the second floor?

Li Zongrui’s jaw dropped in disbelief. A sour feeling rose in his chest, as if it were clogged with something.

Don’t tell me Ye Qingchen had a private box Token all along? And here I was, prancing around in front of him, showing off a special-class seat ticket he clearly disdained?