That sudden interruption instantly silenced the entire hall.
All eyes turned in unison toward Box Earth Number Three.
Even Elder Ge, who was about to bring down the gavel, paused slightly, his brows twitching ever so faintly. He quickly regained his composure, looking toward Box Earth Number Three, his tone still polite:
"Honored guest of Box Earth Number Three, may I ask if there's any objection?"
Inside Box Earth Number Three, Yu Xiaotang forced down the shock, anger, and panic swelling in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm, even carrying a hint of feigned casual satisfaction as she spoke through the transmitting formation:
"Elder Ge, I have no objection."
She shifted her tone slightly, letting her voice rise just enough to sound like a joke, or maybe a subtle warning. Once she confirmed everyone's attention was on her, she continued:
"It's just… I noticed the Daoyou from Box Heaven Number Three seemed quite fond of this item, and the bidding was rather intense.
Now that the price has reached fifty-eight thousand, the Daoyou suddenly falls silent… Could it be that the Spirit Stones aren't ready at the moment? If that's the case, I can wait just a little longer. After all, it'd be a pity to miss out on something you desire over a few stones, wouldn't it?"
On the surface, her words sounded generous and courteous, even a little thoughtful. In reality, they were a final probe and subtle pressure.
The unspoken message was clear: You want it, right? Why aren't you bidding anymore? Out of stones already? You should've said so earlier!
But the faint urgency and testing hidden in her tone didn't escape Xie Zhaolin.
Deep down, Yu Xiaotang still clung to a sliver of hope: maybe the other party was just hesitating. Maybe one more prod would make them bid impulsively, and then she could pull out at once.
All eyes shifted back to Box Heaven Number Three.
Xie Zhaolin, hearing Yu Xiaotang's carefully measured words, allowed the corners of her mouth under the cloak to curl into a subtle, amused smile.
Flustered.
"She's worried I might truly back off, letting her be the sucker, so she couldn't help testing the waters, maybe even trying to goad me? Too bad… I never intended to take it."
She gently set down her teacup, her hoarse, flat voice calm and unhurried, carrying a touch of perfectly measured regret and inevitability:
"Thank you for the reminder, Daoyou. I've heard you."
She paused briefly, as if weighing her words, then continued with a sense of release and grace:
"However, having bid without hesitation up to fifty-eight thousand Spirit Stones, it's clear this item holds genuine value in your heart, and you intend to secure it.
As the saying goes, a gentleman does not deprive another of what they cherish. I may not be a gentleman, but I understand letting someone have their happiness. Since this item is so fated to be with you, why should I stubbornly cling and create trouble? How could I snatch it away over mere money and ruin your opportunity?
A fine treasure like this, ending up in the hands of someone who truly appreciates it, is a good thing."
"So," Xie Zhaolin's voice was calm and firm, "I voluntarily withdraw. Congratulations on achieving your wish."
Her words were flawless, grand, and airtight. She framed her voluntary withdrawal as an act of generosity, maintaining her dignity while giving the other party the satisfaction of winning. Her composure was elegant and unshakable, making Box Earth Number Three's earlier warning seem almost petty and impatient.
A low murmur of approval and commentary rose from the crowd:
"The Daoyou from Box Heaven Number Three is truly magnanimous!"
"Yeah, the higher bidder wins, yet they can still act with generosity, remarkable grace!"
"Box Earth Number Three clearly wanted it, and they've got the means to match. Impressive!"
Yu Xiaotang listened to the warm, elegant, almost congratulatory words from Xie Zhaolin, comparing them to her own slightly provocative remarks moments ago. Her chest tightened, her frustration nearly overwhelming her.
Generosity? Respecting another's desires?
This was obviously seeing through her trap, withdrawing with the most righteous excuse, and positioning Yu Xiaotang as the legitimate overpayer, leaving her no room to complain.
She bit down hard, her nails digging painfully into her palms, forcing herself awake from the shock.
But in the eyes of everyone present, she couldn't lose face.
She drew a deep breath, forcing down the turbulent blood and anger, and immediately replaced her expression with a composed, gracious smile.
She even tilted slightly toward the frowning Yu Mingxi beside her, offering a faint, apologetic, delicate smile, silently saying: "Senior Brother, please forgive me, I truly wanted this item."
Then, through the transmitting formation, her voice was soft, melodic, with no hint of strain:
"I see… it seems I've judged a gentleman by a petty heart, Daoyou. Please forgive my presumption." Her tone was sincere, carrying a trace of well-placed gratitude.
"Thank you for letting me have my way." Her sincerity was clear, and there was a subtle, relieved lightness in her tone: "To be honest, this item holds great significance for me. I am deeply grateful for your generosity in giving it up.
Having received this favor today, if fate allows us to meet in the future, I will express my thanks in person."
Yu Xiaotang's heartfelt, humble gratitude worked instantly.
The previously sarcastic or curious murmurs in the hall gradually faded, replaced by a subtle silence and reflection. Many people's expressions shifted to wary disbelief.
"Wait… judging by Box Earth Number Three's reaction, it doesn't look like they've been taken advantage of?"
"Yeah, their gratitude doesn't seem fake. They genuinely got what they wanted, and they're sincerely happy."
"Could it be… there's something special about this corpse of the peak Nascent Soul beast we didn't notice?"
"Possible! Otherwise, why would they spend far above market value and still be this pleased? Maybe Box Heaven Number Three saw it too, and that's why they let it go generously."
"Wow… now that you mention it, it could be true! Could this corpse hide some secret?"
Even from the second-floor boxes that had given up bidding, subtle fluctuations of divine sense could be felt, as if people were re-examining the beast corpse that had been taken away.
Once doubt was planted, it quickly took root.
Even Yu Xiaotang's earlier impatience in bidding was now reinterpreted with different meaning.
Xie Zhaolin felt the subtle shift in the hall and allowed a faint, amused smile to tug at her lips.
Impressive.
Truly impressive.
If she hadn't personally slain, handled, and sold this corpse to the auction herself, knowing all its details—that aside from losing its demon core, the materials are truly top-tier peak Nascent Soul quality—she might've been deceived by Yu Xiaotang's heartfelt act.
The ability to adapt on the spot, to manipulate perception… her junior sister's acting skills had truly improved.
"But… that's fine. Let others speculate and doubt. Any trouble that comes of it, I hope my junior sister can handle."
Xie Zhaolin turned her calm gaze back to the auction stage.
The maid carefully brought up the final item, the jade box protected by multiple heavy seals.
The entire hall fell into a solemn silence.
Everyone knew the last item of this auction was about to appear.