Chapter 523: This Cheng Guy Is Nothing Special

Chapter 523: Chapter 523: This Cheng Guy Is Nothing Special

Bao Beilong was overjoyed. "Thank you, Master Cheng! You have a friend in me! You’re welcome to visit the Bao Family on Hong Kong Island anytime!"

Cheng Yuan gave a slight nod. "If I have the chance to go to Hong Kong Island, I will certainly pay the Bao Family a visit."

"You’d be most welcome."

Seeing the two of them growing closer, Miao Shijie seethed with anger. He snorted coldly and announced, "The raw stone transaction has concluded. The Magical Treasure exchange will now continue. Which of our friends would like to present their treasure next?"

A tycoon from Six Waters stood up. His name was Pang Zhiyuan.

Pang Zhiyuan pulled out a Bamboo Flute with a flourish. "This is the Magic Flute," he announced, speaking with great confidence. "It can produce a Demon Sound that can influence a person’s mind to a certain degree. If one has the right Beast Taming Melody, it can even be used for Beast Taming."

With that, Pang Zhiyuan began to play the Bamboo Flute.

A pleasant melody flowed from the flute, and the gazes of several tycoons with lower Cultivation levels grew hazy.

Even the tycoons with higher Cultivation felt their minds momentarily wander.

Even Duan Lang and Zhou Shilong had to shake their heads slightly to clear their minds.

Only Cheng Yuan, using his Double Pupil, saw the trick. As the tycoon played, a fine powder, almost invisible to the naked eye, drifted out from the holes of the flute!

Most interestingly, deep inside the Bamboo Flute, a tiny Spirit Stone fragment was emitting a faint wave of Spiritual Power.

’What a brazen scam!’

Cheng Yuan held his breath and sealed his pores, remaining completely unaffected.

The tycoons eyed the "Magic Flute" eagerly. Many of them were interested in it. Even without a Beast Taming Melody, the ability to influence the mind was more than enough to be useful!

In a battle between masters, the slightest mistake could make all the difference. A single moment of distraction was enough to turn the tide!

Miao Shijie was particularly interested in the Magic Flute. The people of Miaojiang had a long heritage of Beast Taming, and he himself could use a flute’s melody to tame snakes. However, since he used an ordinary flute, he was unable to subdue more powerful Gu Insects.

’If I get my hands on the Magic Flute, maybe...’

Miao Shijie turned to Chen Juzheng with a questioning look. "Master Chen, what do you make of this Magic Flute?"

Chen Juzheng’s expression was composed. He, too, had experienced a brief moment of mental fog earlier. He could sense a faint ripple of Spiritual Power from within the Magic Flute.

’That proves this Magic Flute is undoubtedly a Magical Artifact!’

Chen Juzheng stated with great certainty, "Young Chief, this Magic Flute is definitely a Magical Artifact, and a decent one at that. It should be a Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact. It’s worth acquiring."

Over on his side, Liao Hufa came to the same conclusion. "Elder Qian, this Magic Flute is undoubtedly a Magical Artifact. What you must consider is whether you have any use for it. After all, it does nothing to extend one’s life."

Only Zhong Mingtang frowned. He had also sensed the Spiritual Power, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about it.

’Normally, a Magical Artifact should radiate Spiritual Power from its entire form.’

’But this Magic Flute is only emitting it from a single point.’

Zhong Mingtang didn’t have X-ray Vision, but that wasn’t going to stop him.

Zhong Mingtang took a Small Jade Bottle from his pocket, slowly removed the stopper, and feigned taking a drink.

No one thought anything of it.

Zhong Mingtang was a known wine lover who always carried a jade flask, a fact known to all present.

Only Cheng Yuan sensed something amiss, and fine goosebumps broke out across his skin.

Cheng Yuan pushed his Double Pupil to its limit and saw a faint, spectral shadow lunge toward the Magic Flute in Pang Zhiyuan’s hand!

Cheng Yuan’s pupils constricted. ’This Zhong Mingtang is actually raising ghosts!’

’I have no intention of exposing him, though. As long as he doesn’t mess with me, what do I care if he’s raising ghosts?’

Soon, the shadow entered the Magic Flute, getting a crystal-clear look at its insides.

After receiving feedback from the shadow, a disdainful smile crept onto Zhong Mingtang’s lips.

’So it was just a cheap Blinding Technique. I can’t believe I almost fell for it!’

Bao Beilong was clearly interested in the Magic Flute and looked to Zhong Mingtang for guidance. "Master Zhong, is this Magic Flute worth buying?"

Zhong Mingtang slowly stoppered the Jade Bottle and whispered in Bao Beilong’s ear, "I can’t get a clear read on this Magic Flute."

Bao Beilong instantly lost interest. He looked down, feigning indifference, and began to fiddle with the fragment of Top Grade Imperial Green Jadeite in his hand.

Duan Lang looked at Cheng Yuan expectantly. Cheng Yuan turned and gave Miao Shijie a scrutinizing glance.

Miao Shijie’s heart suddenly began to race, but he maintained a calm expression.

"Cheng! If you maliciously drive up the price, I’ll simply withdraw my bid for the Magic Flute!"

Cheng Yuan had been about to warn Duan Lang that the Magic Flute was a fake, but now he changed his mind. He was absolutely certain that Miao Shijie was determined to win this item.

’In that case, I have to screw him over as hard as I can!’

"Crown Prince, this Magic Flute is the real deal. You can bid with confidence!"

Hearing this, Zhong Mingtang gave an almost imperceptible sneer. ’And here I thought this Cheng kid was supposed to be some kind of expert.’

’Is that all he’s got?’

Zhong Mingtang was completely relieved. Now, he could proceed with the next phase of his plan without any worries.

With Cheng Yuan’s go-ahead, Duan Lang’s confidence soared. He shot a provocative glance at Miao Shijie. "Young Chief, I bid one billion for the Magic Flute!"

Cheng Yuan was stunned.

’Wasn’t Duan Lang being a bit too aggressive?’

’Jumping straight to one billion?’

’If that’s beyond Miao Shijie’s limit, we’re screwed!’

’Did we overplay our hand?’

Fortunately for his peace of mind, Cheng Yuan was unfamiliar with the market for Magical Artifacts. Even the lowest-quality Low Grade Magical Artifact started at one billion.

A price of one billion was not enough to intimidate Miao Shijie in the slightest.

Miao Shijie said grimly, "One point two billion!"

Duan Lang shot back, "One point five billion!"

This price was already something of a premium. After all, while the Magic Flute appeared to be a Middle Grade Magical Artifact, its practical value was less than even a Low Grade Magical Artifact if you didn’t know a Beast Taming Melody.

A vein bulged on Miao Shijie’s forehead. Even though he was the Young Chief, the most he could muster was one point six billion.

If Duan Lang raised the bid again, he’d be out of moves.

Miao Shijie stared coldly at Duan Lang and said in a low, dangerous voice, "One point six billion. If you bid any higher, the Magic Flute is yours!"

Through his Double Pupil, Cheng Yuan saw Miao Shijie’s heart skip a beat.

’That means one point six billion is probably his absolute limit.’

Seeing Duan Lang about to bid again, Cheng Yuan quickly stopped him with a slight shake of his head. "Crown Prince, if you actually knew a Beast Taming Melody, then by all means, keep bidding."

Duan Lang shook his head with a wry smile. "How would I know a Beast Taming Melody?"

"Then let’s drop it."

"Fine. I guess we can let Miao Shijie have this one."

Miao Shijie finally let out the breath he’d been holding.

"Mr. Pang, the Magic Flute is mine. Hand it over."

Pang Zhiyuan was internally ecstatic but put on a pained expression. "Since no one is bidding higher, the Young Chief gets it for a steal! I’ve already sent you my account details, Young Chief. Let’s make the exchange—payment for the goods."

"Done!"

Miao Shijie promptly transferred the money.

Pang Zhiyuan "reluctantly" handed the Magic Flute to Miao Shijie, then cupped his hands in a salute to the room. "Everyone, my treasure is sold. I’ll take my leave now. See you all at the next Magical Treasure exchange!"

Pang Zhiyuan left, and Miao Shijie gleefully caressed the Magic Flute. Feeling the waves of Spiritual Qi emanating from it, he was in high spirits.

Zhong Mingtang shot a disdainful look at Cheng Yuan, then gave a subtle glance toward a VIP guest named Liu Hong.

The corner of Liu Hong’s mouth curled up slightly as he slowly rose to his feet.

"I have in my possession an Upper Grade Magical Artifact!"