Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Chapter 271: To Know Heaven’s Will is Easy; To Defy It is Hard! A Bid of 2.5 Billion Shocks the Hall!

“Good. You’ve got guts,” Lin Jiaomei purred, casting a provocative glance at Ye Qingxuan. “This mistress will add another fifty million. One point eight-five billion!”

“One point nine billion!” Ye Qingxuan countered instantly, her voice unwavering.

“One point nine-one billion!”

Lin Jiaomei’s pace began to slow, her bids growing smaller. It seemed she was finally approaching her limit.

*“Young friend Han Lie.”*

As the two women clashed, the voice of Qin Yusheng suddenly echoed in Han Lie’s mind.

Han Lie shot a questioning look at the Emperor beside him.

Qin Yusheng continued via mental transmission, *“If Sect Leader Ye Qingxuan is truly set on acquiring this Taiyin Profound Maiden Fruit, but her funds are insufficient, I can offer five hundred million Spirit Stones to support you.”*

“Your Majesty, are you serious?” Han Lie’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Five hundred million Spirit Stones! Even for the sovereign of the Great Qin Dynasty, that was no small sum.

*”A sovereign does not jest,”* Qin Yusheng affirmed, his tone solemn. *”Consider it a dowry for Lianyi. In the future, young friend Han Lie, simply do not fail her. And if you have the time, return to the Great Qin Dynasty to visit.”*

He paused, a hint of fatherly concern in his mental voice. *”In the years you’ve been away, Lianyi has spent most of her time in secluded cultivation. I know my daughter. She is fiercely competitive. If the gap in your cultivation becomes too great, she will feel unworthy of you.”*

“Understood. I will find a time to visit Qinyang City,” Han Lie replied, not bothering with false modesty. “Thank you for your immense support, Your Majesty.”

With Qin Yusheng’s backing, he now had a hidden ace. If Ye Qingxuan truly couldn’t overcome Lin Jiaomei, he had the power to reverse the entire situation.

While Han Lie and the Emperor conversed, the bidding war had already reached an astronomical figure: two point two billion Spirit Stones.

The other powerful cultivators in the hall were buzzing with excitement. Though they had no hope of winning the fruit, witnessing such a ferocious clash between two titans made the entire trip worthwhile.

“Two point two… five billion!” Lin Jiaomei snarled through gritted teeth, forcing out another fifty million.

Han Lie noticed Ye Qingxuan let out a long, almost imperceptible sigh. A shadow of bitter reluctance clouded her beautiful violet eyes. She had reached her end.

As Mei Lingling and the rest of the audience waited for the next bid, Ye Qingxuan remained silent.

Seeing her chance, Mei Lingling began the final countdown, her voice ringing with professional glee. “Two point two-five billion, going once! Will the esteemed fairy from the Heavenly Void Sect continue?”

“Oh, my,” Lin Jiaomei’s voice dripped with venomous satisfaction. “Is that all the fight you have in you? It’s hardly enough to get me excited.” Seeing that Ye Qingxuan was spent, she turned her predatory gaze back to Han Lie.

“Pretty boy,” she cooed, her voice a sickeningly sweet poison. “Your little bitch is all tapped out, isn’t she? Why don’t you come to me? I can satisfy your every desire… and give you pleasures fit for the gods, every single day.”

“…”

Han Lie laughed. A dry, humorless sound. Sometimes, when a situation became truly absurd, laughter was the only response.

*To know Heaven’s will is easy; to defy it is hard.*

For Lin Jiaomei to spew such explicit filth in a place like this, she must have truly forgotten her place in the cosmos.

Ye Qingxuan’s glare was cold enough to freeze fire, a murderous glint flickering in her violet pupils. Lin Jiaomei merely smirked, reveling in the provocation.

Defeated, Ye Qingxuan rose to leave.

“Wait, Zizi.”

Han Lie’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her firmly back into her seat. He could feel the anger simmering just beneath her skin. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, a silent command to stay calm.

“Two point two-five billion, going twice! Are there any further bids?” Mei Lingling’s voice echoed through the hall.

Lin Jiaomei was already savoring her victory.

Seeing no other bidders, Mei Lingling raised her gavel. “Two point two-five billion, going thir—”

“Hold on.”

The voice, calm yet resonant with unshakeable power, cut through the tension like a thunderclap. It was Han Lie.

He rose to his feet, extending a single hand in a gesture of absolute command. “Two point two-five billion?” he said, his voice ringing with disdain. “I’ll add a little more. Let’s make it two point five billion!”

With Qin Yusheng’s backing, Han Lie was a pillar of confidence. He wasn’t playing Lin Jiaomei’s game of inches. He was going to crush her.

*Boom!*

The entire hall erupted. The cultivators who thought the show was over were now on the edge of their seats, their eyes wide with shock and renewed excitement. They all stared at Han Lie, wondering the same thing: could he actually produce such a sum? This was the Chen Family’s auction house. Bidding without the funds to back it up was a death wish.

“Han Lie, what are you doing?!” Ye Qingxuan stared at him, her own shock evident. She hadn’t brought that much!

He simply waved a hand, silencing her without a word. Ye Qingxuan was left utterly speechless.

In the neighboring suite, Lin Jiaomei’s initial shock morphed into a derisive sneer. “Pretty boy, are you sure you can afford two point five billion Spirit Stones?”

On stage, Mei Lingling harbored her own doubts, but as the host, she couldn’t question a bidder’s finances. If Han Lie failed to pay, the Chen Family had its own methods for dealing with such matters.

“Enough of your crap,” Han Lie shot back, his gaze locking onto Lin Jiaomei. “Are you bidding or not? If you don’t have the resources, find a corner and stay there.”

“Good. Very interesting,” Lin Jiaomei’s eyes narrowed. She took a deep breath. “You won’t bluff me again, little sister. Two point six billion!”

“Two point seven billion!”

The instant her words fell, Han Lie countered without a shred of hesitation, raising the price by another hundred million.

He stared her down, his deep, black eyes glittering with absolute confidence and a sharp, provocative edge.

But beneath that mask of arrogance, his heart hammered against his ribs. A cold sweat slicked his palms.

Ye Qingxuan’s two point two billion, plus Qin Yusheng’s five hundred million. Two point seven billion was his absolute limit.

If Lin Jiaomei bid even one more time, he would have to fold.

“You…!”

The games were over. Staring into Han Lie’s unyielding gaze, Lin Jiaomei felt a flicker of panic. She tried to read him, to find a crack in his facade, but his handsome, mature face was an impenetrable mask. His confidence was so total, it felt like he had already won.

“Two point seven billion!” Mei Lingling’s voice boomed, laced with pure, unadulterated excitement. “The Daoist from the Heavenly Void Sect bids two point seven billion!”

“Two point seven billion, going once!”

“Two point seven billion, going twice!”

“Two point seven billion, going three times! Sold!”