Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 183 Super-Rich Lady Ye Wanlan [1 more update]

Chapter 183: 183 Super-Rich Lady Ye Wanlan [1 more update]

The speaker was the Third Elder of the Lin Family, and for them, the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither was a must-have.

Needless to say, the major families of Yunjing were all aware that the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither was the treasure of the Heavenly Sound Sect.

Only in the hands of someone who had mastered the Heavenly Music Method could its true power be unleashed.

If one knew nothing about the Heavenly Music Method, then even with the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither in their possession, it would be no different from an ordinary zither.

In recent years, the Lin Family was in the limelight, and they had also produced a genius successor like Lin Shiyuan. People of her generation were all eager to befriend her, and the elders were willing to give her face.

"Look at what you’re saying, how could we compete with Shiyuan for this zither?" laughed someone from the Su Family. "Even if we got our hands on this zither, we wouldn’t be able to use it anyway."

"Indeed, indeed. Is Shiyuan here today?" asked another person. "I wonder if her cultivation has improved recently?"

To outsiders, top-tier families were strong in terms of power and wealth, but only they themselves knew that at this time, it was fists that were the true skill.

Shenzhou had a long history, and Jianghu was vast, standing equally with the Imperial Court. If not for a great war three hundred years ago, the development of martial arts up to today would have been unimaginable.

The core disciples of the families had only scraps of ancient secrets, yet they could effortlessly beat world-class boxers.

Ordinary people, even if they trained their bodies to the extreme, still would not merit a glance from them.

"Shiyuan is not here today," softened the voice of the Third Elder of the Lin Family. "But her birthday is in two months, and the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither will be the Lin Family’s gift to her."

The starting bid for the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither was as high as One Hundred and Sixty Million, a substantial gift indeed.

Someone complimented, "Once Shiyuan gets this zither, she will be able to perfect the Heavenly Music Method and bring glory back to the Heavenly Sound Sect."

There were many to echo this sentiment, showing that Lin Shiyuan had good standing in the Capital Circle, and the Third Elder of Lin Family listened with great pleasure.

Splashing out several hundred million was not difficult for the Lin Family, but they were not fools; if they could get the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither for the least amount of money, that would naturally be for the best.

"Miss Shiyuan is truly a genius, a blessing for the Lin Family."

"However, I remember that one of the three great zithers, the Sun and Moon Ruyi Zither, is already in the hands of the Lin Family. Why hasn’t Miss Shiyuan used that zither?"

"Ah, I’ve heard that each of these three zithers has its own spirit and can’t be played by force; it has to willingly recognize its user."

"What? Even Miss Shiyuan hasn’t been recognized by the Sun and Moon Ruyi Zither, then who could be?"

"Hey, what’s so surprising about that? The Sun and Moon Ruyi Zither has never acknowledged a master. It might just be waiting for the right moment. Besides Miss Shiyuan, there really is no one else."

Lin Shiyuan was hailed as a genius in the Lin Family, a rare talent since the last Sect Leader Lin Fanyin of the Heavenly Sound Sect, and the Lin Family had great expectations for her.

As the auction time drew nearer, people had already taken their places in the various private boxes, and there were whispers and murmurs as everyone discussed the upcoming auction.

In the D16 box.

"Miss Ye, do you really need this zither that badly?" Xiang Shaoyu frowned, "Isn’t there any other item that could replace it?"

Ye Wanlan turned her head but did not answer his question, instead asking, "How much does Young Master Shaoyu know about Lin Shiyuan?"

"Shiyuan?" Xiang Shaoyu was momentarily stunned, then slowly said, "She’s an impressive person, and sometimes I even feel inferior to her."

It was a very brief statement, but it carried a high level of esteem.

Xiang Shaoyu was the designated Young Family Head by the Xiang Family, with the Qianyuan Treasury as backing, a foundation that was much stronger than the Lin Family’s, which had been rebuilt from ruins.

Even so, Xiang Shaoyu admitted that there were aspects in which he felt less capable than Lin Shiyuan.

Indeed, she was a formidable figure.

Ye Wanlan nodded, then replied to Shaoyu’s earlier question, "I indeed need the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither and none other."

She had a premonition that if she could collect all three great zithers, something unexpected would happen.

"Just bid on it then," Yan Tingfeng put down his teacup and said casually. "The Lin Family doesn’t have much cash on hand, so there’s no need to worry."

"Do you think I am worried about money? When have I ever been short of money?" Xiang Shaoyu sighed deeply, "I am concerned for Miss Ye’s safety! For the Lin Family, the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither is like Princess Yongning’s Dragging Shadow Twin Swords for our Xiang Family, too precious to give up."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wanlan’s eyebrows quirked, "You want the Dragging Shadow Twin Swords?"

"Of course, I want them—they’re treasures from our ancestors, and I ought to collect them," said Xiang Shaoyu, shaking his head lightly. "But I’ve been looking for years and haven’t found the Dragging Shadow Twin Swords. Who knows where they’ve gone?"

Ye Wanlan drifted into distant memories.

The Dragging Shadow Twin Swords had been given to her by the previous Sword Saint, Xie Leyou, for self-defense. However, since she was unable to gather inner strength at that time, she had never been able to bring out the full power of the Dragging Shadow Twin Swords.

"Let’s just bid first," Yan Tingfeng smiled faintly, "If the Lin Family really becomes so shameless, we don’t need to play the nobleman."

Xiang Shaoyu nodded gravely, readying himself for what was to come.

There were not a few antiques at this auction, and just yesterday, Xiang Shaoyu had instructed his family to bid on several items and send them to the Qianyuan Treasury.

In half an hour’s time, the Xiang Family had already spent Twenty-Five Hundred Million.

"As expected of the Xiang Family, they really are wealthy and powerful."

"That is the strength of the Imperial Family. Even though the Royal Family was overthrown, who knows if Princess Yongning, with her capabilities, left behind anything for security..."

The Su Family bid on several rare medicinal herbs, and the Rong Family took a few divinatory coins.

Three hours later, finally, the last auction item was up—

The Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither!

The Lin Family’s Third Elder, who had seemed drowsy and sleepy, suddenly perked up, straightened his body, and directly made his bid, "One hundred million."

One hundred million was the starting bid, and it was clear that the Lin Family did not wish to spend a penny more.

"This Third Elder of the Lin Family really is quite shrewd, warning everyone before the auction started not to compete with the Lin Family," Xiang Yuefeng shrugged, "If he gets away with buying this zither for one hundred million, that would be a huge bargain."

Ye Wanlan gave a grunt of acknowledgment and also raised her paddle, "One hundred and fifty million."

"..."

The moment this number was announced, the entire auction hall fell silent.

It was not because the number was extraordinarily large, but because... Did someone actually dare to compete with the Lin Family?!

Could it be they are tired of living?

The Third Elder’s expression from the Lin Family also changed, seething with anger.

He had clearly warned the others beforehand, so who was this without any sense, stabbing the Lin Family in the back?

However, when he saw it was a private room in Block D, his anger turned to scorn.

It seems to be the fearlessness of the inexperienced, the ignorant who are unafraid.

Guests seated in Block D’s private rooms were all attending an auction of this level for the first time, probably unaware of the Lin Family’s power.

But under the broad light of day, the Lin Family’s Third Elder could not just forcefully take action, so he had no choice but to continue bidding.

"One hundred and sixty million."

"Two hundred million."

The Third Elder from the Lin Family’s fury was rekindled, "Two hundred and ten million."

Ye Wanlan maintained a calm and collected demeanor, "Three hundred million."

Some couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment.

She was really going head to head with the Lin Family!

"Who is in D16 private room? Why are they clashing with the Lin Family?"

"Perhaps they dislike Miss Lin Shiyuan and don’t want her to enjoy her birthday? That’s too much."

"Look at what you’re saying, hasn’t the auction always been about the highest bidder winning?"

However, the auctioneer was excited, "D16’s bid is three hundred million! Three hundred million for the first time!"

The Lin Family’s Third Elder was furious, "The Lin Family bids three hundred and ten million!"

But the opponent was not intimidated by the name of the Lin Family, "Five hundred million."

"Five hundred million!" The auctioneer’s face was red with excitement, "Guest in A2, will you continue to bid?"

Filled with an unprecedented sense of frustration, the Third Elder from the Lin Family barked, "Seven hundred million!"

He did not believe the other party could raise the bid further.

"Nine hundred million," Ye Wanlan’s voice remained as calm as before.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the auction had reached its zenith!

Xiang Shaoyu, who had initially thought about contributing some funds himself, was baffled upon hearing Ye Wanlan’s bid, "Miss Ye, you..."

"Oh, are you surprised now?" Rong Yu chuckled, "Our Student Ye is really impressive, Shaoyu. You really shouldn’t underestimate her."

Xiang Shaoyu took a deep breath and said, "Then I’ll just prepare for the last step."

"Brother Shaoyu, what’s the last step?" Xiang Yuefeng was somewhat puzzled.

Yan Tingfeng poured Ye Wanlan another cup of tea, his pupils narrowing slightly, "In a moment, this auction house might no longer exist."

Hearing this, Rong Yu and Xiang Yuefeng both sighed in relief.

Thankfully, the auction house wasn’t their family’s property.

"Who exactly are you?" The Lin Family’s Third Elder could no longer contain his impatience, "Do you absolutely have to have the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither? As long as you relinquish the zither to the Lin Family, we can agree to one of your conditions."

The Lin Family had only approved ten billion for him for this time, if it went over ten billion...

"I can." Ye Wanlan smiled faintly, "My condition is that I want the Withered Wood Dragon Chant Zither."

"Ten billion!" The face of the Third Elder from the Lin Family twisted in anguish, "What about you?"

If you’re capable, keep bidding!

Ye Wanlan raised her paddle, "Eleven billion."

"Bid of eleven billion from private room D16, is there a higher offer?" the auctioneer shouted excitedly, "Eleven billion for the first time, eleven billion for the second time!"

The auctioneer was about to finalize with the third call, "Eleven billion thre—"

"Boom!"

A sudden overpowering pressure, like a landslide and tsunami, pressed down towards Ye Wanlan in an instant. The intense inner strength shattered all the vases along its path!