Ten Thousand Years in Seclusion
Chapter 10:I’ll offer... ten spirit stones

Chapter 10: Chapter 10:I’ll offer... ten spirit stones

Chen Jinghe slowly stepped into the open space.

His gaze first fell upon the Soul-Stilling Bell in Zhou Shen’s hand. He examined it in silence for a few moments before lifting his eyes to meet Zhou Shen’s. The two exchanged a slight nod—nothing more than a courteous greeting.

Only then did Chen Jinghe turn to the crowd.

His indifferent gaze swept over the fear and hesitation written across every face. The corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, he spoke at last. His voice was calm, yet carried the effortless authority of one accustomed to standing above others.

"This bell can suppress inner demons and defend against soul attacks from Foundation Establishment cultivators."

He paused.

"But none of you have even reached Foundation Establishment."

"You will spend your lives in Qi Refining. What use do you have for a bell like this?"

"If a Foundation Establishment cultivator wished to kill you, a single palm strike would suffice."

"Why would they bother attacking your soul?"

Silence answered him.

No one could refute his words.

Seeing the crowd fall silent, the trace of contempt on Chen Jinghe’s face deepened. He turned to the ragged man.

"Five hundred low-grade spirit stones."

"Take the money, and the bell belongs to the Myriad Treasures House."

A wave of hushed exclamations swept through the crowd.

The price was more than double the highest bid so far.

The ragged man stared blankly, his mind reeling.

Not long ago, he had carried this very bell to the Myriad Treasures House, hoping to sell it.

The shopkeeper, a one-star appraiser, had only taken a single glance before cursing him for bringing worthless scrap metal into the Myriad Treasures House. He called it junk, claimed that it was an insult to the House’s reputation, and had him thrown out without the slightest courtesy.

Chen Jinghe most likely knew nothing about that incident.

If he ever learned that one of his own appraisers had mistaken such a treasure for scrap metal and driven its owner away...

That man’s legs would probably be broken.

Qi Tian gave a faint nod.

He had no idea what such an artifact was worth in the current age, but ten thousand years ago, it would have fetched around this price at most.

Just as the ragged man parted his lips, ready to accept—

"Hold on."

Qi Tian turned.

The one who had spoken was Zhou Shen.

His fingertips brushed lightly across the bell’s ancient patterns as he looked up at Chen Jinghe with an easy smile.

"Proprietor Chen, I trust you won’t mind if I make an offer as well?"

Chen Jinghe looked at Zhou Shen.

The two had never dealt with one another before and shared no friendship.

Had anyone else dared compete with him in public and undermine his standing, he would have put them in their place without hesitation.

But Zhou Shen was different.

He was the honored guest personally invited from the Royal City by the City Lord—a two-star appraiser whose status commanded respect.

Chen Jinghe could only suppress his displeasure and force a smile.

"Of course."

"In business, the highest bidder takes the prize."

Zhou Shen nodded.

"Very well."

"I’ll offer... ten spirit stones."

The marketplace fell deathly silent.

A heartbeat later—

The crowd exploded.

"Wh-What did he just say? Ten... ten spirit stones?"

"Proprietor Chen offered five hundred, and he’s offering ten?"

"Has Master Zhou gone mad?!"

"Is he seriously trying to force the sale by throwing his weight around as a two-star appraiser?"

"He’s openly provoking Proprietor Chen!"

Even Qi Tian’s brows slowly drew together.