chapter 24 Dabaojian

Nolan Chu had never actually considered holding an auction, it was purely to show Andrew Qi and Alisa Lin respect. While others might think Nolan Chu's actions were over the top, he didn't see it that way. Winning over a martial arts grandmaster was worth any courtesy! A master of internal energy, someone who isn’t even afraid of bullets! Not to mention, Andrew Qi was both a martial and magical cultivator with limitless potential. In a rush, Nolan Chu had to organize a brand-new auction, which was beyond his capabilities, so he gave Adrian Chen a chance to move the important items of the auction to Nolan Chu's Skyline Club. In this way, it was just a change of venue for the auction. Although Adrian Chen was caused trouble by his own employees, he had nowhere to complain. His only option was to make the auction a success and mend his relationship with Nolan Chu, while also keeping an eye on the "Master Andrew" mentioned by Nolan Chu. Despite being a young student, the fact that Nolan Chu referred to him as "Master" meant he was not someone Adrian Chen could afford to offend. Andrew Qi was clear about Nolan Chu's intentions, they were not only out of gratitude for Andrew's intervention in saving Colton Chu. It also represented the entire Chu family's attitude towards Andrew Qi. The Chu family recognized Andrew Qi's potential to become a martial arts grandmaster and hence, fully supported him! Andrew Qi gladly accepted. Nolan Chu's Skyline Club was actually more luxuriously decorated and spacious. Moving the auction there seemed more suitable to everyone, and despite the extra distance, the chance to improve relations with Nolan Chu made it worthwhile. Adrian Chen personally oversaw the event, and assisted by Nolan Chu's staff, the venue was quickly set up. Then, the auction officially began. This auction was called a "Mysterious Auction" not because of the antique paintings but mainly for various enchanted artifacts. Nowadays, wealthy people don't just go after antique paintings for their elegance, their interests lie more in safety, health, and fortune. So, compared to collecting antiques, owning one or two artifacts that influence geomancy is seen as more visionary and ambitious. Unfortunately, fake artifacts are rampant, even more so than fake antique paintings. So, getting a real artifact depends on individual discernment and luck. How many genuine items could there be in this so-called Mysterious Auction? So far, nearly twenty items had been auctioned, but Andrew Qi hadn't seen a single real artifact, let alone any real treasures or spiritual instruments. Although these items had significant origins, were crafted by famous monks or were obtained from renowned temples and Taoist abodes, to Andrew Qi, they were nothing more than memorabilia. Seeing Andrew Qi's disinterested demeanour, Nolan Chu said, "Master Andrew, actually, I have prepared an artifact too, not for auction but just to display and add to the fun. Would you be interested in seeing it now?" "Really? I must see the artifact that Nolan Chu considers special," thought Andrew Qi. Nolan Chu, a martial artist with internal energy and extraordinary family background, would surely have an artifact with some history. At that moment, Adrian Chen had already placed the item on the central display, but Nolan Chu said, "Adrian, bring my Dzi bead bracelet here, and let Master Andrew have a look." Nolan Chu, having witnessed Andrew Qi's skills, knew he must have inherited them from a great master. So, he explained to Andrew Qi, "This is a string of Dzi beads I obtained from a famous temple in Tibet. The beads are all nine-eyed Dzi, very rare―" "Nolan Chu, no need to explain further, this is not an artifact," interrupted Andrew Qi before Nolan Chu could finish. The crowd was surprised, especially Adrian Chen. Adrian Chen thought the Dzi bead bracelet would make Nolan Chu look good, and since Master Andrew was Nolan Chu's friend, he should have supported Nolan Chu. But Andrew Qi had straightforwardly discredited it. Adrian Chen was about to speak when someone beat him to it. "Andrew Qi, don't talk nonsense. Nolan Chu is experienced and knowledgeable. How can the artifact he recognizes be fake?" Theodore Liao said. He was friends with Conner Ou and wouldn't miss this opportunity to undermine Andrew Qi, especially when it was about making Nolan Chu look good. However, Nolan Chu was not pleased and frowned at Theodore Liao. If not for the fact that Belle Tang and Rachel Ni knew Andrew Qi, Nolan Chu might have already asked Theodore Liao to leave. "Nolan Chu, I know you also sensed something special about these beads, the more you look at them, the more they attract your attention, right?" Andrew Qi asked. Nolan Chu nodded, indeed, he and even Alisa Lin next to him felt a peculiar attraction to the beads, which she thought was normal for an artifact. "But this attraction is not from the artifact's power but from psychokinesis, and may even originate from resentment." Andrew Qi spoke eloquently, giving the impression of profound understanding in his field, captivating everyone present with his words. "As we know, every person has mental power, also known as psychokinesis. Practitioners or devout believers have much stronger mental power than ordinary people. Even after death, psychokinesis doesn't immediately vanish, especially for those dying with unfulfilled desires or resentment. Their psychokinesis turns into resentment and attaches to their beloved objects. This string of Dzi beads did belong to a Vajrayana monk, but calling it an artifact is an exaggeration. Also, wearing this harms one's vitality and does more harm than good." Hearing this, Nolan Chu smiled wryly, while Alisa Lin whispered jokingly, "Nolan Chu, your millions have gone down the drain!" "Andrew Qi, your explanation is convincing, but how can you prove it?" This time, the question didn't come from Ben Qi but from Belle Tang, who seemed reluctant to see Andrew Qi become the center of attention. Andrew Qi glanced at the girl he once liked but now felt increasingly distant from. Holding the Dzi bead bracelet, he went to the central display and said, "How am I sure this is not an artifact? As the saying goes, fear not about not knowing much about the goods; just compare and you will see which is better. In front of a real artifact, this fake will naturally be exposed." Andrew Qi took out an exquisite jade box and opened it to reveal a three-inch peach wood carving of Guan Yu. Although the carving was rough, it was very lifelike. Despite its small size, it exuded the aura of the martial saint. Andrew Qi placed the carving on the display, infused a bit of true essence into it, and immediately a faint golden light burst from the green dragon crescent blade in the carving's hand, revealing a mysterious rune in the light. A righteous aura swept across the room, uplifting everyone as if basking in the winter sun. For a moment, it felt as if the spirit of Guan Yu had truly descended upon the carving! Then, Andrew Qi brought the Dzi bead bracelet close to the peach wood carving, and suddenly, green flames appeared on the beads, accompanied by faint screams. But soon, the flames vanished. Simultaneously, the carving lost its miraculous appearance, as if nothing had happened. Everyone present, including Ben Qi and Belle Tang, were deeply shocked. As for Theodore Liao, he wished he could find a hole to crawl into!