Chapter Six: A Bolt from the Blue

Grace listened to Xiao Feng’s words, raised her bidding paddle, and said softly, "One hundred million!"

This bid stunned not only Ye Feng and his companions but even Megan Venturi, who was standing right next to her. "What are you bidding blindly for?"

"Mom, I like the stone. If my judgment is off, I’ll just consider it a charitable donation!"

Megan Venturi was even more incensed by her response. "Nonsense! I could accept you donating a hundred million, but if this is a mistake, it will damage our family’s reputation!"

"Mother, you have to trust me..."

Just as Megan Venturi was preparing to lecture her further, the auctioneer on stage suddenly announced with excitement, "We thank Miss Grace for her generosity! If there are no higher bids, this stone will belong to Miss Grace. Going once..."

A glint of cunning flashed in Grace’s eyes. She looked at her mother and curled her lips into a smile. "Mom, you see, this isn't just a simple purchase; it's an opportunity to explore the unknown. Besides, if there’s some astonishing secret hidden behind this stone, our family’s name will be etched into history, won't it?"

"You and your excuses..."

"Wait a moment!"

The elderly man beside Xiao Feng slowly raised his paddle and said excitedly, "One hundred and fifty million!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Ye Feng even jumped up, jeering, "Old man, has your brain gone soft?"

"Exactly! But it’s fine, at least it saved Miss Grace from a loss..."

Grace felt anxious and looked at Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng signaled for her to bid again. Reluctantly, Grace called out, "Two hundred million!"

The old man smiled slightly and countered directly, "Three hundred million!"

The entire venue fell deathly silent; even the sound of breathing seemed to cease. Grace looked at Xiao Feng in astonishment, but he only shook his head slightly with a profound look in his eyes.

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, the auctioneer smiled mysteriously and pressed a button. A holographic projection slowly descended in the center of the stage, displaying an ancient map that marked the original discovery site of the stone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is not merely an auction; it is a feast of history and the unknown. According to the latest interpretation, this location hides clues to an ancient civilization, and this stone may be the key to opening that door."

The crowd erupted in a frenzy. A battle for wealth and exploration had silently begun.

However, Xiao Feng stood up. "Don't make it sound so mysterious. Do you even know what this thing is?"

The old man also stood up and said, "This stone is not the 'Dark Night Star,' and that map is useless, so you all should stop competing."

"Old man, if you weren't going to let my sister compete, why did you bid so high?"

"Child, if you like it, I can give it to you!"

"Give it to me?"

Xiao Feng was bewildered, but in an instant, he realized something. "Heh, sir, one does not accept a reward without merit. If you have something to say, speak plainly!"

"You have to trust me."

"I don't trust you one bit. If I believe you and you go back on your word, I'll be done for."

Xiao Feng then addressed the mysterious guest on stage, "This gentleman has bid three hundred million. If he doesn't give me the stone, we will bid three hundred and ten million. If he gives it to us, can my sister add ten million as a supplement?"

"This..."

The crowd was confused. Could such an unremarkable stone really hold such attraction? Was there truly a secret hidden inside?

At this moment, the old man declared firmly, "I agree to the child's terms. Charge the card!"

A staff member took the old man's card to process the payment. Grace couldn't sit still anymore. "Old man, you must keep your word!"

"Heh, Miss Grace, please rest assured!"

The old man kept his word. Once the card was charged and the stone was in hand, he placed it directly into Xiao Feng’s palm. "Child, I can give you the stone, but you must promise me one thing."

"What thing?"

"This is not the place to talk. After Miss Grace completes the payment, shall we find somewhere else to speak?"

Grace was no fool; a ten-million-dollar investment was well worth it. She quickly swiped her card and said to them, "How about we go to my villa?"

Megan Venturi was also intrigued. "I think that’s acceptable!"

The old man agreed as well. The group of four left the venue with an air of mystery and drove to Grace’s villa.

As soon as they entered the living room, Grace impatiently grabbed the stone and pulled out specialized equipment to examine it. Watching her dote on the object, Xiao Feng and the old man didn't rush to speak, waiting for her to lose patience. Of course, this was no ordinary stone; Grace’s jade-testing methods were destined to yield nothing. Eventually, seeing Xiao Feng and the others watching her with knowing expressions, Grace glared and scolded Xiao Feng, "Enjoying the show, are you? Speak up!"

"Sister, I was just afraid of ruining your fun."

"Enough nonsense! Tell me, what is going on?"

Although Megan Venturi was also curious about the story, her age gave her a sense of composure, and she remained silent. No matter how she looked at it, she couldn't see anything special about the stone; it just seemed like an ordinary rock.

Xiao Feng didn't rush to answer Grace’s question, but instead asked the old man, "Sir, the stone is mine now. What is it you want me to promise?"

The old man suddenly turned solemn and said seriously, "Xiao Feng, you were the one who broke the curse on the Ye family, weren't you?"

"Who are you?"

"Don't worry. I was the one who cast that curse. That you could so easily neutralize the 'Black Tortoise Red Refining Talisman' shows your abilities are extraordinary. Can you tell me who your master is?"

Xiao Feng said, quite displeased, "Sir, what deep hatred did you have for Ms. Ye that you wanted to destroy her? You’re an old man; how could you do such a thing?"

"That is a long story. Xiao Feng, tell me who your master is first."

"If you don't explain yourself clearly, I won't let this go. I'm afraid you'll continue to hurt people."

Xiao Feng’s words were firm and carried an intimidating force. From that moment on, Megan Venturi gained a new impression of him. She felt that Xiao Feng’s appearance was no coincidence and that the boy surely harbored even more terrifying secrets. However, since he was now involved with her family, accepting him was a minor matter, but she couldn't let him off easily. A bolder idea began to form in her mind.

Grace, after hearing Xiao Feng, felt even more strongly that she couldn't let Xiao Feng slip out of her control. In case she was ever targeted by someone, having Xiao Feng around meant she could rest easy.

Seeing that Xiao Feng had murderous intent, the old man could only soften his tone. "Xiao Feng, you are very confident."

"That is a certainty. My master said that no one in this world can defeat me in any way. Speak quickly, or I will cripple your cultivation!"

"Xiao Feng, I am not a bad person. I just lost my way for a moment and committed such harmful deeds. I spent my life savings to buy that stone; consider it a contribution toward you, a way to atone for my sins."

"You should know that after the Black Tortoise Red Refining Talisman is broken, you won't be harmed, but the mastermind will suffer the same backlash. If you don't tell me, I will find out sooner or later!"

The old man sighed helplessly. "Alas, I am already near the grave, but to meet a kind expert like you, I have no regrets. Xiao Feng, since you do not wish to kill, please help the mastermind break the curse as well. I am incompetent; the curse you broke is something I cannot seal!"

"My master told me not to show off my abilities, and certainly not to do evil. But you people who dabble in crooked, evil arts are the ones forcing my hand!"

"Xiao Feng, as long as you are willing to help, I can die in peace!"

Grace pulled Xiao Feng aside. "Don't listen to them. They brought this on themselves. Now they’re regretting it!"

"Sister, everything in the universe has its balance. For every cause, there is an effect. If I see someone dying and refuse to help, wouldn't I be just like them?"

"Are you not going to listen to me?"

"I will always listen to my sister, but I also want to know the truth."

The old man, hearing Xiao Feng’s words, continued with admiration, "Xiao Feng, you are truly kind, and your future is limitless. To be honest, the one who harmed Mrs. Ye is a young girl. She is an ordinary girl, but because she was secretly in love with Ye Feng, she had already given her innocence to him. Ye Feng made her many promises, but Mrs. Ye felt the girl was not worthy of him and kept stopping them. That is why she resorted to such a desperate measure. She wasn't entirely wrong; the fault lies with Ye Feng. He ruined a young girl but couldn't give her a name!"

"How infuriating! Who is this girl?"

"She lives in the old district. Her name is Hu Shan!"

"It's her..."

Xiao Feng felt the world go black and nearly leaped up. Grace noticed Xiao Feng’s emotional instability and quickly urged him, "Xiao Feng, don't be agitated. Tell your sister what’s wrong!"

Xiao Feng’s eyes filled with tears, and his body trembled. "Sister, sister, I..."

Xiao Feng remained miserably silent for a moment before revealing the truth. As it turned out, Xiao Feng had been pursuing Hu Shan for three years. During those three years, every penny he earned from his part-time jobs had been spent on her. He had never expected that Hu Shan had been cheating on him with Ye Feng. She was at Ye Feng’s beck and call, and while she fawned over him, she was also playing Xiao Feng for a fool, toying with his affections for three years. How could Xiao Feng not be devastated? He was heartbroken. Moreover, in order to be with Ye Feng, Hu Shan had actually used such a vicious method to harm Ye Lan. If Ye Lan found out, Hu Shan wouldn't just be ruined—she wouldn't even be able to stay in Yunzhou City.

Grace, hearing Xiao Feng’s story, glared at him and scolded, "You bastard! You were in such a rush to pay me back just so you could go groveling to that slut?"

"Sister..."

"I won't let you save that bitch..."