49. A True Tycoon
As for how much money Miss Gong had now, that was a mystery.
A large portion of her wealth came from the treasures of the Cloud Rainbow Sect. Although she had already spent a considerable amount on her subordinates and various “blind flow” items…
She hadn’t really spent that much. And if she sold the “blind flow” items she didn’t need, she could easily multiply her investment tenfold.
So, with her financial strength, Miss Gong could probably even bid on the Wind and Cloud Sword.
And Leng Yuli, of course, had no idea she was so wealthy.
Hearing Gong Yiling’s words, she just smiled dismissively and continued to eat the pastries on the table.
After all, she rarely got to eat such exquisite things!
Until… the items she wanted were being auctioned.
“Next up is a complete set of forging furnaces, along with matching Flowing Pattern Fire Crystals, Molten Butterfly Rain Crystals, and a mid-grade spiritual artifact, the Silver Hao Hammer, specifically for forging.”
Hearing this, although Leng Yuli couldn’t afford it, she still couldn’t help but move closer to the stage, her eyes fixed on the items below.
They were all stored in a Universe Bag and were only revealed after being brought onto the stage.
Yes.
The lines and colors were magnificent, yet elegant. The furnace core, powered by the two spirit-infused crystals, blazed brightly. And the hammer, surprisingly small, was perfect for a woman like Leng Yuli.
Just a single glance, and Leng Yuli couldn’t look away.
“The materials for this set are all exquisite, so the starting price is ten high-grade spirit crystals. The bidding starts now.”
Ten high-grade spirit crystals… that was probably the limit of what Leng Yuli could afford.
This money was an advance payment from Mo Yechong.
If the price went any higher, she would be out.
And before she could even bid, the price had already doubled, then tripled, reaching thirty high-grade spirit crystals.
It seemed her hopes were dashed.
Leng Yuli smiled wryly, then turned to go back to her pastries.
But suddenly, a voice came from inside the room and echoed through the entire venue via a sound-amplifying talisman.
“Fifty high-grade spirit crystals.”
Fifty!?
This sudden, near-doubling of the price shocked everyone.
Who… who was bidding? Such an extravagant bid was truly astonishing.
And Leng Yuli stared at Gong Yiling, who had just made the bid, her eyes almost popping out.
“Youyuan, you…?”
“I told you, I have plenty of money.” Gong Yiling smiled. “It’s just fifty high-grade spirit crystals. It’s nothing.”
But Leng Yuli said worriedly, “But… I can’t pay you back.”
At this point, Miss Gong could have used a simple trick to lure this girl onto her “pirate ship.”
But then she thought, it was better for her to be willing.
So, she waved her hand dismissively and said, “It’s fine. You don’t have to pay me back. Just think of it as me having too much money and wanting to spend it. It’s my choice who I give it to. My happiness is priceless!”
Hearing this, Leng Yuli pouted with a wry smile, but in her heart, she was already thinking about how to repay this debt.
With her meager monthly salary, it seemed she would have to take on some forging commissions.
However, Gong Yiling’s bid wasn’t the end, but the beginning.
The wealthiest people in this world were undoubtedly blacksmiths. They earned their money through their craft, and when they saw something they liked, they wouldn’t hesitate to spend.
They didn’t care about the original price.
So, the price of this set quickly soared past one hundred high-grade spirit crystals.
But just as it reached one hundred, Gong Yiling’s bid shocked everyone again.
“One hundred and fifty high-grade spirit crystals.”
This price made even Leng Yuli’s face pale.
This was a hundred and fifty high-grade spirit crystals. It seemed to be beyond her purchasing power. Where would she get so much money to repay Gong Yiling? She wasn’t worth that much.
And now, the other blacksmiths who were bidding were finally deterred.
Spending one hundred and fifty high-grade spirit crystals on this set… it seemed a bit of a loss. And if the price went any higher, it would be an even bigger loss.
So, they all fell silent, waiting for the final gavel.
“Youyuan…” Leng Yuli, stunned by the amount, tugged at her sleeve. “Are you sure I don’t have to pay you back?”
“You don’t have to. You don’t have much money anyway.” Gong Yiling shrugged. “And what’s wrong with a friend giving a small gift?”
Leng Yuli lowered her head, not knowing how to respond, and just mumbled a soft “okay.”
“Besides, Miss Leng,” Gong Yiling patted her shoulder. “Don’t forget, the reason your family looked down on you was because you couldn’t be a blacksmith. Now you can, and you’re not just a beginner.”
“In the future, you’ll trample all those who looked down on you. The entire Leng family will be yours eventually. Then, I’ll be the one asking for your help.”
The grand picture Miss Gong painted wasn’t just empty words.
Leng Yuli understood. If she returned to the Leng family now, she could definitely impress everyone with her talent and regain her rightful place.
The reason she hadn’t returned was partly due to her grandfather’s request, and partly because she didn’t want to be the head of the Leng family.
After being cast aside by her family, Leng Yuli had a desire to see the world, to travel to places she had never been.
Now, hearing Gong Yiling bring this up again, a small seed of an idea was planted in her heart.
If she could make Gong Yiling need her help, then perhaps she could repay the numerous debts she owed her.
