Qin Chuan heard this and instinctively turned his head to take a look.
Today, Meng Wantang was wearing an off-white qipao.
The qipao was embroidered with plum blossom patterns in silk, giving off a sense of proud snow plum blossoms.
She was at least about 1.68 meters tall, and wearing a pair of five-centimeter-high heels, her figure looked even taller and slimmer.
Her long, black hair was styled into a neat bun, revealing a fair and delicate oval face.
The tight-fitting qipao embraced her graceful figure, showcasing the charms of a mature woman to the fullest.
Her appearance immediately caught everyone's attention.
Some greasy middle-aged men had sparks of desire flash in their eyes.
But, remembering her identity, each of them quickly withdrew their gazes.
This was Meng Wantang, the helmsman of the Tiger Hall in the Red Dragon Association.
No matter how great her figure or stunning her beauty, she was destined to be out of their league.
Such a woman was meant to be admired from afar and never to be trifled with.
Even the highest in the Red Dragon Association couldn't dare.
Upon seeing her, Qin Chuan instinctively frowned.
However, Meng Wantang smiled lightly at him, a beautiful bloom appearing on her icy face.
Shush, shush, shush...
Several envious glances instantly locked onto Qin Chuan.
"Who is this guy? Why would Meng Wantang smile at him?"
"This guy must have incredible luck. If Meng Wantang smiled at me, I would wake up laughing from my dreams."
"He's sitting beside Jiang old master, seems like he might be Jiang old master's junior. Meng Wantang might just be trying to curry favor with Jiang old master..."
Everyone speculated, ultimately assuming from Jiang old master's presence that Meng Wantang was only being polite to him.
Xiang Jinghui frowned, unable to resist murmuring to himself, "When did he get tangled up with that old codger Jiang Shutong?"
In Jiang City, Jiang old master held some respect.
After all, no one could guarantee that they would stay healthy and untroubled their entire life.
Jiang old master's medical skills were considered among the best in Jiang City.
Thus, many people, even if they didn't suck up to him, would definitely not offend him.
However, Xiang Jinghui didn't take it too seriously.
Despite Jiang Shutong's reputation, their Dog Hall was also not easy to provoke.
Even if Qin Chuan had Jiang Shutong backing him now, he wasn't afraid at all.
"Young Hall Master, bear with it for now, don't forget what Sheng instructed,"
a middle-aged man by Xiang Jinghui's side reminded him at this point.
This person was the new bodyguard assigned to Xiang Jinghui by the Dog Hall, slightly less skilled than Chen An from before, but still one of Dog Hall's top fighters.
Xiang Jinghui smiled nonchalantly and then turned his gaze to the small stage in the banquet hall.
As the guests gradually took their seats, the organizing party of the auction, the 'Phantom Group,' also sent out a representative to host the auction.
The items being auctioned this time were all old artifacts.
The first item was a Qing Dynasty vase with a starting price of three hundred thousand, which eventually sold for four hundred fifty thousand.
The second item was a jade disc with a starting price of two hundred ten thousand, which eventually fetched a whopping price of five hundred thirty thousand.
The third item...
As the auction proceeded, Qin Chuan couldn't help but feel his pockets.
The thirty thousand he made from selling the Yang Gathering Pill, plus the fifty thousand given by Meng Wantang, totaled to eighty thousand on him.
It was still unknown what the starting price of the alchemy furnace Jiang old master mentioned would be.
Also, whether it was a functional alchemy furnace or just ornamental needed to be determined.
If it was just an alchemy furnace without any array, then even buying it would have little meaning.
While he was pondering, a basketball-sized pill furnace appeared on the stage.
The furnace had three legs and two ears, overall brownish in color, exuding an ancient vibe.
On its small body were carved eight lifelike dragons.
And on its lid, a dragon was also carved, its body winding, exuding majesty, as if it could break free and soar into the sky at any moment.
"A pill furnace used by Qin Dynasty alchemists, also known as the Nine Dragon Pill Furnace..."
The emcee on stage enthusiastically introduced, ending with: "Starting price, fifty thousand."
Qin Chuan scrutinized the furnace on stage.
"Nine Dragon Pill Furnace, the name seems destined for me." Qin Chuan mused.
The cultivation technique he practiced was called the "Nine Dragon Creation Skill," and now he came across a Nine Dragon Pill Furnace.
Whether there was any connection between the two, Qin Chuan couldn't determine for now.
He only wanted to know if this furnace contained an array.
With a thought, he secretly operated the "Nine Dragon Creation Skill" to sense the furnace's aura.
If there really was an array inside, even if it wasn't in operation, it could emit an unusual aura.
"Spiritual energy is abundant, it might even be a complete array!"
Qin Chuan's eyes lit up but quickly restrained himself.
This dog Xiang Jinghui would likely cause trouble, so he needed to be cautious.
Thinking this, Qin Chuan signaled to Jiang old master to bid for the furnace on his behalf.
Jiang old master nodded in response but didn't make the first move. Instead, he waited until two collectors had offered their bids before slowly raising his paddle: "Sixty thousand."
The previous bid by a collector was fifty-three thousand, so he directly pushed the price up.
"Sixty thousand and one cent!"
At this moment, Xiang Jinghui's mocking voice echoed.
"Sixty-five thousand!" Jiang old master bid again.
"Sixty-five thousand and one cent!"
Hearing this made Jiang old master's expression darken as he looked at Xiang Jinghui, pretending to be oblivious.
Xiang Jinghui glanced at him, feigning innocence, "What? Can't I outbid you by one cent?"
Hearing this, Jiang old master angrily turned his head away.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan didn't bother to say much, he directly raised his paddle: "Eighty thousand."
This was the most he could offer.
If he could buy the Nine Dragon Pill Furnace for eighty thousand, it would be a great deal.
But if Xiang Jinghui kept interfering, it would only mean that this furnace wasn't meant for him, and he would have to find another.
"Want it? Beg me for it?"
Xiang Jinghui, with a pleased grin, bid again: "Eighty thousand and one cent!"
Anyone could see that Xiang Jinghui was deliberately making trouble.
But, given his status, no one dared to say much.
Even the auction's organizer, the 'Phantom Group,' couldn't be bothered to intervene, knowing that Xiang Jinghui definitely wouldn't renege, nor dared to.
Faced with the situation where even the organizer didn't side with him, Qin Chuan could only silently hold back with some pain.
"If Mr. Qin wants to bid, I can provide the funds," Jiang old master offered proactively.
Qin Chuan shook his head, "No need, it's meaningless."
Just when he was about to give up, a slim arm suddenly raised a paddle: "Eighty thousand and two cents, this furnace, the Tiger Hall wants."