Chapter 84

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Chapter 84: From Giants to Jade Plates: Zhang Yang’s Treasure Hunt

During this auction in Mo City, the Liu family had come well-prepared. Not only did they want to firmly strike at the Mo family and force them to acknowledge the Liu family as the leading power of the Southern Region, but they also aimed to make a fortune.

For this reason, beyond the many items displayed for public sale, there were also many non-public treasures intended for private transactions with those of higher status, while others were reserved for the auction itself.

Lou Pingfan led Zhang Yang into the area where the non-sale items were stored, and the dazzling array left Zhang Yang momentarily speechless. It felt as if Liu Laolao had stepped into the Grand View Garden.

One couldn’t deny the Liu family’s unparalleled wealth. This was merely a fraction of what they possessed.

What surprised Zhang Yang most was that among the treasures, there were seven living people wearing forbidden law collars.

“Are these also going up for sale later?” he asked, examining the seven individuals.

They all looked back at him coldly, their gazes sharp and hostile.

“Originally, the Young Master intended to subdue them,” Lou Pingfan explained. “But they refused to cooperate, so now the Young Master plans to sell them instead.”

“Who are they?” Zhang Yang asked.

Lou Pingfan introduced them. “They are from the Golden Armored Giant Clan, and their strength is considerable. The two older ones are at the Small Boundless realm, and the other five are in the Opening the Sky realm. See that one over there? He’s at the peak of the Small Boundless realm and has already laid the foundation to break into the Great Boundless rank.”

Zhang Yang was stunned. They were actually from another race.

Throughout history, different races had earned legendary reputations.

It was said that before the Eternal Night era, there had been a period known as the Era of Ten Thousand Races, where countless races dominated the world. During that time, the human race was merely one of the strongest among them. After thousands of years of competition, humans had finally risen as the sole rulers. However, not all other races had been wiped out. Many maintained close ties with humans, some fled into forbidden lands, and others chose to hide. As a result, various races still existed, though their numbers had become extremely scarce.

The Golden Armored Giant Clan was known as a race of natural warriors. In their normal state, they were the size of ordinary humans, but once they entered battle, they transformed into giants over five meters tall, covered in golden scales that dramatically boosted their offensive and defensive capabilities.

“I remember hearing that the Golden Armored Giant Clan had grown stronger recently. In the regions south of the Southern Region, they’re considered one of the major clans. How could they have been captured?” Zhang Yang asked. He had learned much about recent events from Xue and Yu.

Lou Pingfan provided the answer. “Because they grew stronger, they attracted the attention of both the Great Xia Empire and the Ghostly Divine Platform. The two forces teamed up to suppress them. They launched a joint attack on the southern regions, intending to exterminate the clan. However, the Golden Armored Giants responded decisively, sacrificing many of their kin to secure an escape. Despite this, a large number of them were killed. One powerful expert at the Great Boundless rank returned secretly to seek revenge.”

“The Ghostly Divine Platform is a forbidden place—they couldn’t pursue him there. So instead, they targeted the Great Xia Empire’s royal family. Although they killed many, they ended up in a desperate situation. Only about ten of them escaped. In the end, they ran into our Liu family, and these seven were captured alive.”

A playful smile appeared on Zhang Yang’s lips as he curiously examined the seven individuals.

One particularly fiery-tempered man suddenly rushed to the edge of the cage and shouted angrily at Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang calmly reached out, pressing his hand down on the man’s head. With just a bit of force, the man stumbled and fell to the ground.

They were strong, but the forbidden law collars around their necks sealed most of their power, leaving them as weak as ordinary people.

“Let me out! I’ll kill you!” the man roared, baring his teeth in fury.

Zhang Yang asked, "Do they have a price?"

Lou Pingfan smiled and replied, "Yes, ten billion high-grade spirit stones."

Zhang Yang thought to himself how expensive that was, but then reconsidered. After all, there were five in the Opening the Sky realm and two in the Small Boundless realm, with one potentially poised to enter the Great Boundless rank. Ten billion high-grade spirit stones was actually a bargain, considering these seven could become troublesome with their fiery tempers.

The seven looked furious, glaring as if they were being discussed like slaves.

"Do you have any interest, Master?" Lou Pingfan asked with a smile. "With your status, it’s only eight billion after a twenty percent discount."

Zhang Yang shook his head and continued moving forward.

There were so many treasures that he felt overwhelmed, unsure which one was the best.

"This bamboo is quite nice." Zhang Yang’s gaze swept around, landing on a bamboo that appeared very inconspicuous among the treasures. In fact, it was so unnoticeable that it seemed to blend into the brilliance of the others, almost invisible.

Lou Pingfan laughed. "Master has a keen eye. This is the rare Shadowless Bamboo. It can be crafted into a boundless artifact and is the best weapon for assassins."

"I feel a connection to it. I want it," Zhang Yang said.

Lou Pingfan smiled. "This bamboo is priced at thirty-six million. For you, Master, it’s half price—eighteen million spirit stones."

"Alright," Zhang Yang nodded.

"Master, please make the payment," Lou Pingfan said.

Zhang Yang patted the Shadowless Bamboo and turned to leave.

Lou Pingfan was startled, thinking Zhang Yang had changed his mind and was about to follow him out when Zhang Yang returned.

"I’m back again! This is the second time. Adding to the previous one, every purchase under ten million is free, which adds up to nearly twenty million. Tsk, tsk, it’s only worth eighteen million. Old Lou, you’ve made a profit!" Zhang Yang said as he took the Shadowless Bamboo and handed it to Yuluan.

Yuluan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood and quickly stored it in her storage bag.

Lou Pingfan stared at Zhang Yang in disbelief. He was a recognized genius in the Liu family and the entire Five Elements Commerce Association, yet he was momentarily confused.

Two times? One free under ten million? So, this counts as two? Just by going out and coming back in? Is that how it works? Does the Five Elements Commerce Association have such a rule?

Of course not. But there was also no rule against it. The main issue was, has any Gold Medallion Appraiser ever been this shameless? They all cared about their reputations. Some would rather not take free items, wanting to flaunt their wealth as a symbol of status.

Why is this guy such a weirdo? No! He’s just a fool! How could the precious Shadowless Bamboo be taken so easily?

Lou Pingfan soon realized Zhang Yang had gone back and forth shopping five times earlier in the grand marketplace. It seemed he had this idea in mind all along.

Yuluan felt both excited and a bit embarrassed; it was truly shameless.

Xue Feishuang chose to remain silent, acting as if she weren’t there.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang wore a smile on his face, looking harmless and innocent, appearing perfectly "simple."

If Liu Feijue could be number one, Zhang Yang certainly wouldn’t settle for number fifteen, he aimed to be number one too.

"Old Lou, this item is nice too." He had no intention of stopping, his eyes fixated on another object.

It was a jade plate with a design of the *Eight Trigrams, seemingly made of jade, radiating a reddish glow. At times, a Qilin would appear, and at others, a Vermilion Bird, looking truly extraordinary.

[*The Eight Trigrams (Bagua) are ancient symbols from Taoist cosmology, representing fundamental principles of reality, balance, and natural forces.]

[Qilin: A mythical creature, often seen as an omen of prosperity or protection.

Vermilion Bird: One of the Four Symbols of Chinese mythology, representing the south, fire, and summer.]

Whoosh!

Lou Pingfan quickly stepped in front of Zhang Yang, blocking his path and sight. "Master, if you would take a little rest today, I will personally invite a Grand Master Craftsman to forge the Shadowless Bamboo into a killing sword."

"Is that so?" Zhang Yang rubbed his chin. "How much for the Grand Master Craftsman’s service?"

Lou Pingfan replied, "Twelve million."

"I’m a Gold Medallion Appraiser. Over ten million is half price, which is six million, and my free item is under ten million," Zhang Yang pondered. "That’s not fair to me. I would essentially be giving away nearly four million?" He shook his head and said, "Never mind, who told me to be so generous? Free is free, after all—we have~~"

He even patted his storage bag.

Lou Pingfan felt as if his insides were burning,and he was on the verge of coughing up blood. What do you even have…? Absolutely nothing!