Chapter 20: Giving Me the Eye, Huh?

An hour later, Bai Fan arrived at the Underground Auction House.

Lao Hui handed her a number plate that read “42.” She found her corresponding seat and sat down.

The air here was murkier than outside, carrying an indescribable sense of unease.

Bai Fan swept her gaze across the room and, sure enough, spotted the Wild Boar Mask.

Brother Feng saw her too.

That black pig face tilted toward her, then raised a hand and slowly dragged it across his own throat.

Bai Fan extended her fingertip, pointed at him, tapped her temple twice lightly, then pointed at the ground.

Her meaning was clear: ‘You should check if you’re brain-dead.’

Brother Feng obviously understood. The neck beneath the Wild Boar Mask visibly flushed red.

Bai Fan ignored him and turned her head toward the center of the auction hall, waiting for the event to start.

“How did you suddenly want me to attend this?” she asked in her mind.

“Well,” her sister’s voice drawled lazily, “it’s because I found something interesting here, of course.”

Bai Fan tilted her head.

Her sister had somehow already taken the empty seat beside her, snow-white hair cascading down, her posture as casual as if she were at home.

Bai Fan’s scalp tingled.

She lowered her voice. “How did you appear here? Someone might see you.”

“Idiot,” her sister shot her a look. “Did you forget? I’m your Attached Spirit. Only you can see me.

If I don’t want others to see me, they won’t.”

‘I actually forgot about that.’ Bai Fan was stunned for a moment, then let out a breath of relief.

“So what do you want?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then why did you say that?”

“The aura is familiar.” Her sister’s expression turned serious, losing its usual teasing tone. “I think this thing will definitely be useful to you.”

Bai Fan looked at her expression and was silent for a moment.

“Okay,” she nodded. “I’ll do my best to get it.”

Her sister showed a satisfied smile, like a little white cat, her eyes curving into crescents.

“It’s rare for my rebellious little sister to be so obedient. It makes me happy.”

Bai Fan silently complained in her mind: ‘I’m already an adult. Why are you labeling me as rebellious?’

Her sister smiled.

“Good sister, have you forgotten that I can hear all your thoughts?”

— Hmph.

Bai Fan said nothing. She turned her head away and looked back at the auction hall.

Soon, the auction host took the stage.

Gray-haired and gaunt, it was Lao Hui.

Bai Fan’s brow twitched. No wonder he had been so eager to push her into attending.

“Everyone here is an old acquaintance,” Lao Hui said from the stage, his voice not loud but clear throughout the hall. “So I won’t bother with introductions.”

He paused, his tone taking on a hint of mystery.

“This time, there’s an auction item that’s quite rare. You can all look forward to it.”

Scattered murmurs rose from the audience.

“Even Lao Hui says that. It must be something good.”

“Interesting.”

The atmosphere slowly stirred. Bai Fan sat quietly in a corner, watching.

The auction began.

Lao Hui first brought out a tray, a smile on his face that was hard to read.

“As we all know,” he said, “the use of Artifacts, catalysts for Ether Reactions, and the coating of protective gear when exploring Abyss Hollows—all require one thing.”

“Ether Crystals.” As Lao Hui said this, he lifted the cloth covering the tray.

A jade-green luster was revealed.

It was precisely the Ether Crystal that Brother Feng had brought to Lao Hui for appraisal earlier. He hadn’t expected him to put it up for auction too.

But unlike before, this crystal had been polished bright, and its surface seemed coated with something. The originally murky texture had been suppressed, making it look much more presentable.

Bai Fan knew this was standard pre-auction procedure—putting a little makeup on the goods. If it looked better, the price would naturally go up.

“After testing,” Lao Hui’s voice was unhurried, “this Jadeite Ether Crystal has a purity between 25 and 30. Starting bid is one million Credit Points, and each increment must be no less than one hundred thousand.”

Bai Fan’s gaze lingered on the crystal for a moment.

She was certainly interested as well.

A murky Ether Crystal—if it passed through her hands for Purification—its value could increase tenfold or more.

Selling it off later would be another windfall.

“One million two hundred thousand.”

Someone stood up and made a bid. Bai Fan didn’t hesitate and followed suit.

“One million three hundred thousand.”

When she had agreed earlier to put her own Purple Glow Crystal up for auction, Lao Hui had given it a starting bid of ten million.

That meant she now had at least ten million in assets. Logically, she should feel confident.

But why, at the moment she spoke, did her heart still tremble slightly?

“Jiejie” clearly sensed her feelings. Her tone was light.

“Small scene. You’ll get used to it later.”

Bai Fan didn’t have time to reply. The person who had just bid hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, and raised his paddle again.

“One million five hundred thousand.”

Bai Fan noticed his hesitation, and her heart settled a bit.

“One million seven hundred thousand.”

The other party’s movement stopped. His gaze turned toward Bai Fan, as if sizing her up.

Bai Fan stared back unflinchingly.

That icy glare made the other person pause, but he still forced himself to bid again.

“One million eight hundred thousand.”

Bai Fan decisively followed.

“Two million.”

The other fell silent. He glanced at Bai Fan once more but ultimately didn’t raise his paddle again.

Lao Hui slowed his voice, as if waiting for someone to change their mind.

“Two million, going once.”

No response.

“Two million, going twice.”

The entire hall was quiet, with only scattered whispers drifting in the corners.

Bai Fan felt a little more at ease. ‘It should be mine.’

“Anyone else?” Lao Hui looked around. “If not, this Ether Crystal is now owned by our ‘Squirrel’ guest, number 42.”

He paused.

“Two million, going third time. Sold—”

“Two million two hundred thousand.”

A voice rang out from another direction. It wasn’t loud, but to Bai Fan’s ears at this critical moment, it was especially jarring.

She whipped her head around.

The Wild Boar Mask. Brother Feng.

He was slightly lifting his chin, facing her with that pig face, a clear taunt in the curve of his mouth.

Bai Fan froze, then understood.

This crystal had originally been pawned to Lao Hui by him for two million.

Now he was bidding on it here?

What did this mean? Deliberately driving up her price?

Anger flared up in her heart.

She wanted nothing more than to pull out her Steel Bar right then and there and smash that pig face to pieces.

“Two million five hundred thousand.”

“Two million eight hundred thousand.” Feng’s tone was unhurried.

“Three million.”

“Three million two hundred thousand.” From beneath the Wild Boar Mask came a hint of a mocking smile.

“Three million five hundred thousand.” Bai Fan’s voice was now carrying obvious anger.

Brother Feng watched her gradually reddening face, clearly in a good mood.

Of course, he wouldn’t actually buy the crystal back. Auction involved a commission fee, and buying it back would be slapping his own face.

But he didn’t mind adding a little trouble for Bai Fan.

‘I’ll raise it one more time and then stop,’ he thought. ‘If I raise it too high and scare her off, it won’t be fun.’

“Four million,” he said, his tone relaxed.

Then he looked at Bai Fan, waiting to see her lose her temper.

Bai Fan did not lose her temper.

A faint sneer appeared on her face, as if she were looking at a fool walking into a trap.

“Idiot,” she said.

She did not raise her paddle again.

From an angle others couldn’t see, her fingers discreetly formed a rather rude gesture aimed precisely in Brother Feng’s direction.

Brother Feng saw it.

His neck went red instantly, from beneath the Wild Boar Mask all the way to his ears.

“You damn—”

In response, Bai Fan let out a disdainful sneer.

Lao Hui swept his gaze across the floor below, his tone steady.

“Four million, going once.”

“Four million, going twice. Anyone else?”

No one answered.

Lao Hui shook his head, as if sighing at something.

“Four million, going third time. Sold.”

Brother Feng’s face fell, as gloomy as if he had just lost a relative.

Bai Fan burst out laughing.