Listening to the disdain of some of the wealthy, a look of embarrassment appeared on the face of the hostess.
She was just an emcee, she did not know the origin of this ancient painting.
The reason she said this ancient painting was the most precious auction item was because the Wuyi Group had set a very high starting bid for the painting!
"Ladies and gentlemen, the starting bid for this ancient painting is fifty million, and each bid must be no less than five hundred thousand!"
The emcee began to introduce.
"What kind of junk is this, demanding a fifty million starting price!"
"Absolutely rubbish! We don’t even know what it is in the painting, and the Wuyi Group is actually asking such a high price!"
"The Wuyi Group is really ripping us off, setting such a high starting price!"
"I think this ancient painting will definitely go unsold!"
The wealthy mocked, only a few collectors showed interested expressions.
Bai Yan, observing the crowd at the party, sported a faint smirk on his face.
These people have no idea of the value of this ancient painting!
The patterns within the painting were natural, carrying an inherent Daoist charm.
Although Bai Yan was also unclear about the specific history of the ancient painting, his intuition and the dragon energy within him told him it was far from the junk others claimed!
This must be a treasure!
And possibly a supreme treasure at that!
"I bid fifty-one million!"
A collector fond of collecting started to bid.
"Bidding, fifty-three million!"
"I bid fifty-five million!"
Only a few wealthy started to place their bets, and their bids were very low, the sparse bidding compared to the previous auction of the original medicine was incomparable.
It seems not many are interested, Bai Yan touched his chin and smiled.
"Master Bai, I feel this item might be a good catch, you should consider making a bid!"
Master Chen whispered to Bai Yan, although he was one of the weaker presences among the prominent figures of Hua Xia, his insight was sharper than most present.
Master Chen noticed the faint aura of Daoist charm on the ancient painting, and even without having dragon energy, his intuition told him that the painting held mysterious powers!
"Do you not want it?"
Bai Yan suddenly asked.
Master Chen was taken aback, then laughed freely: "Master Bai, how would I, Wuwei, dare to compete with you for something you are interested in!"
Master Chen recognized Bai Yan’s interest in the painting, and being unsure of the painting’s use, naturally, he had no need to contest Bai Yan for it.
This old guy sure knows his place!
Bai Yan smiled satisfactorily.
"My lord, would you like me to bid for you?"
Li Xiaoman asked Bai Yan in a low voice. The little female slave knew his mind best; seeing the spark in her man’s eyes, she knew Bai Yan wanted this ancient painting.
"No need, Wanyan Company making a bid would largely attract others’ attention; I’ll do it myself."
Bai Yan said with a gentle smile.
Wanyan Company at the charity event, without a doubt, was a prominent indicator. If Li Xiaoman were to bid for the painting, those businessmen keener than ghosts would likely join the bidding, and having added competitors would not be good then.
The price on the floor had gradually risen to seventy million.
"It’s about time, Chairman Chen’s seventy million has already hit the highest price."
"I think so too, the final transaction price should be around seventy million!"
"Right, the price really can’t go any higher! Seventy million is already high enough for a collectible!"
The wealthy discussed amongst themselves, all feeling that the price of the ancient painting had peaked.
"I bid eighty million."
Bai Yan casually raised his sign.
The price has peaked?
Haha, what a joke, a naturally formed treasure imbued with Daoist charm, how could its value be limited to a mere seventy million!
Bai Yan felt that since the ancient painting could react with the dragon energy, it was certainly a peerless treasure! Even a hundred billion would be worth it!
"Mr. Bai actually made a bid? Could it be that this ancient painting has something special about it for Wanyan Company to not resist bidding for it?"
"No, Goddess Li has no intention of bidding; it’s just Mr. Bai participating in the bidding alone."
"Lucky, I was just thinking that this ancient painting had something special about it! I almost wanted to place a bid!"
Upon seeing Bai Yan bid, the wealthy began to suspect the potential value of this painting.
But seeing Li Xiaoman smiling without any intention to bid, the wealthy hesitated.
If Wanyan Company had participated in the bidding, it would indicate that the ancient painting’s potential value was surely not low!
But with only Mr. Bai placing a bid, this was not enough to pique the interest of the wealthy.
Let it be, no need to take this risk!
If this ancient painting really was just an ordinary collectible, then spending a vast amount of money to purchase it would indeed be a great loss!
The wealthy collectively chuckled bitterly, giving up the idea of bidding for the ancient painting.
"Mr. Bai bids eighty million, does anyone offer a higher price?"
The hostess sighed in relief, thankful that someone bid, preventing the ancient painting from being unsold.
Master Chen sighed, choosing to abstain, as his psychological price for the ancient painting was eighty million. He would not bid beyond that.
Ma Mubo glanced at Bai Yan and suddenly sneered.
Unexpectedly, you are so interested in ancient painting!
Then how can I let you get the painting for just eighty million!
You tricked me once just now, this time I must drive up the price with you, making you bleed!
"I bid one hundred million!"
Ma Mubo sneered as he made his bid.
"Is Young Master Ma also interested in the ancient painting? Could it be that this painting has some hidden value?"
"Bullshit hidden value, Young Master Ma can’t hold back his anger, Mr. Bai just tricked him once!"
Everyone suddenly understood.
"Two hundred million."
Bai Yan smiled and continued to bid, adding one hundred million at once!
"Wow, Mr. Bai is so powerful, adding one hundred million in one bid! He is determined to get this painting!"
"I’m not sure, maybe Mr. Bai plans to trick Young Master Ma again?"
"This...it’s hard to say, I can’t see through Mr. Bai."
The discussions among the wealthy made Ma Mubo hesitate, a struggle visible on his handsome face.
Honestly, Ma Mubo didn’t want the ancient painting, Young Master Ma had no hobby of collecting, let alone the current price of two hundred million, even ten million he would find too expensive.
But to just give up , Ma Mubo was a bit unwilling!
He wanted to trick Bai Yan too!
"I bid two hundred and ten million!"
Ma Mubo gritted his teeth and bid.
"Three hundred million."
Bai Yan didn’t even think before bidding, his expression seemed like he was just playing.
This scene felt so familiar!
Ma Mubo was startled, looking towards Bai Yan.
Bai Yan smiled lightly and raised his wine glass towards Young Master Ma, "Young Master Ma, if your bid exceeds three hundred million, I’ll abstain."
Bai Yan smiled, Ma Mubo couldn’t guess his thoughts.
Who bids like Bai Yan at an auction, adding one hundred million each time!
Damn, this guy wants to trick me again!
Ma Mubo’s face darkened, furiously angry, unable to predict if Bai Yan was really tricking him or just bluffing.
After buying the original medicine earlier, Ma Mubo didn’t have enough liquid assets left to continue buying paintings. If Bai Yan abstains after he bids, then Young Master Ma wouldn’t even have the funds to participate in the bidding!
Ma Mubo couldn’t afford to lose face! He didn’t dare to gamble, fearing Bai Yan might really trick him, Ma Mubo didn’t want to fall in the same place a second time.
Ma Mubo’s face was extremely poor as he angrily declared.
"The highest current bid is three hundred million, does anyone want to continue bidding?"
The hostess scanned the surroundings, asked the price thrice, and still, no one continued to bid.
The price of three hundred million had already exceeded everyone’s psychological value for the ancient painting.
"Alright, the ancient painting goes to Mr. Bai!"
The hostess smiled while secretly sighing in relief that she’d managed to auction off this mysterious item without a dull moment.
Attendants carefully packaged the ancient painting, placing it in an antique-looking box, and delivered it to Bai Yan.
Bai Yan didn’t rush to open the box, but rather put down his wine glass and carefully stroked the grain of the wood on the box.
The ancient painting was so close to Bai Yan, the dragon vein within him roared and tumbled, almost bursting forth!
The joy and jubilation emanating from the dragon vein deeply infected Bai Yan!
This ancient painting is definitely a Supreme Treasure!
Bai Yan suddenly raised his head, giving Ma Mubo an eerie smile.
I’ve been tricked by him again!
Ma Mubo was stunned, then his heart surged with anger, a tremendous feeling of being stifled filled him, and yet, he had nowhere to vent!
The value of this painting is definitely more than three billion!
Feelings of frustration, sadness, and rage tormented Ma Mubo’s heart.
Ma Mubo suddenly felt that his intelligence and techniques, which he had always been proud of, were so fragile in front of Bai Yan!
Damn brat, I will make you pay one day!
Ma Mubo watched Bai Yan with a steely face, fists tightly clenched.