"Hiss!"

Everyone gasped in astonishment and couldn't help but turn their heads. They saw Ren Ningyue, who had been acting low-key in the corner, raise her hand with a pale face, showing almost no expression, and announce an unbelievable high bid.

The man from the Eight-Directions Association's expression slightly changed. He glanced in Ren Ningyue's direction, then raised his hand and said, "Sixty million."

Ren Ningyue lifted the glass of red wine from the table, took a sip, and her gaze briefly swept over the body of the man from the Eight-Directions Association before she calmly said, "One hundred million!"

Ren Ningyue's bid again aroused the man's anger from the Eight-Directions Association, making his expression turn ugly. He gritted his teeth and fiercely slammed the table, shouting angrily, "One hundred and fifty million!"

"One billion!"

Ren Ningyue once more casually announced such a figure, shocking everyone present!

One billion!

This was already a sky-high price. Even with the strong capabilities of the Eight-Directions Association, it was difficult to come up with so much money at once!

Ye Tianfan's eyes showed a hint of astonishment. He didn't expect Ren Ningyue, who seemed frail and severely ill, to have such courage. This high bid already shook the whole scene.

Even Qin Ruomeng and Long Yuqing couldn't help but frown. This price was beyond what the two of them could afford. Spending one billion to buy a gift for Ye Tianfan indeed seemed a bit extravagant.

This result also greatly satisfied Fang Zaitian, who loudly declared, "Miss Ren bids one billion, does anyone else want to bid?"

"One billion, once!"

"One billion, twice!"

Fang Zaitian scanned the room with a smile that didn't reach his eyes and finally concluded, "One billion, congratulations to Miss Ren for acquiring the Imperial Sword!"

At the sky-high price of one billion, the decision was final, and no one dared to contest it!

However, as Fang Zaitian's words fell, everyone's attention shifted to Ren Ningyue. The man from the Eight-Directions Association's eyes were filled with malice. After casting a glance at Ren Ningyue, his figure disappeared into the crowd.

Seeing this, Ye Tianfan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although Ren Ningyue acted boldly, she was a bit reckless. Buying this sword placed her name on the death lists of many major powers! Even with the protection of the Celestial Punishment Team, no amount of tigers can withstand a pack of wolves! The struggle in the Huaxia Ancient Martial Realm was already challenging enough, let alone with foreign forces like the Eight-Directions Association!

Ye Tianfan slowly stood up and walked towards Ren Ningyue, then sat beside her and whispered, "Miss Ren, you were quite generous with your spending."

Ren Ningyue smiled faintly and said, "It's alright, our Ren Family is still quite capable financially."

Ye Tianfan nodded with a smile, then lowered his voice and said, "Miss Ren, buying this sword is easy, but taking it back alive won't be so simple."

Upon hearing this well-intentioned reminder from Ye Tianfan, Ren Ningyue's lips curved slightly into a bitter smile, and she replied, "Thank you for the reminder. Since I could buy this sword, I can take it back. Don't forget that I have Qin Hu protecting me."

As she spoke, Ren Ningyue glanced at Qin Hu, who was standing behind her with a long sword on his back, and gave a knowing smile.

Seeing Ren Ningyue's confident attitude, Ye Tianfan couldn't help but smile bitterly. Although the Celestial Punishment Team members are formidable, they are not gods! Ren Ningyue spoke lightly, yet she forgot that overt threats are easier to avoid than hidden ones.

Ye Tianfan was sure that many hidden forces were already lurking outside the ballroom, waiting for Ren Ningyue to leave for danger to arise at any time!

Ren Ningyue's life was in danger!

As Ye Tianfan was feeling uneasy, a staff member of the ball approached Ren Ningyue.

"Congratulations Miss Ren, here is the item you won; please inspect it." Saying this, the staff member handed over the Imperial Sword wrapped in black cloth.

Ren Ningyue smiled slightly and said, "Tell Mr. Fang, I'll transfer the money tomorrow."

The staff member quickly replied with a smile, "Mr. Fang has instructed that he trusts the Ren Family's credibility; you can transfer the money anytime."

Ren Ningyue nodded and then raised her beautiful eyes slightly to look at Ye Tianfan, her lips curving upwards. "I noticed you seemed to like this sword earlier. How about you inspect it?"

With that, Ren Ningyue smiled and pushed the Imperial Sword on the table towards Ye Tianfan.

This surprised Ye Tianfan quite a bit. The Imperial Sword currently in front of him was worth a billion and was a sought-after treasure for many people, yet Ren Ningyue generously pushed it towards him and asked him to inspect it. Either this woman is broad-minded, indifferent to the Imperial Sword, or she is too confident, thinking she can rest easy with the protection of the Celestial Punishment Team.

But regardless of the reason, it didn't really affect Ye Tianfan. Since she was so open-handed in letting him inspect it, he might as well do so. Ye Tianfan was curious about the Imperial Sword, as the mysterious aura it emitted was too strong, making him want to take a closer look.

At this time, Qin Ruomeng also came to Ye Tianfan's side, her eyes filled with anticipation. Given the ten-billion value of the ancient sword, anyone would be curious. Even if Qin Ruomeng knew nothing of the sword's significance, she wanted to see what it looked like to command such a high price!

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Ye Tianfan grabbed the Imperial Sword, lifted it, and pulled off the black cloth wrapping it. In that instant, he felt a chilling cold emanate from the sword's body. Although the sword hadn't yet been drawn, this coldness already permeated through the scabbard, running through Ye Tianfan's entire body almost instantly, followed by the sound of a ghostly wail echoing in Ye Tianfan's mind.

Ye Tianfan's body shook as if electrocuted. He immediately exerted his martial prowess to protect his mind, his eyes filled with shock as he said, "What an eerie sword!"

This Imperial Sword, yet to be drawn, could already unsettle one's mind. Even through the scabbard, the deep coldness was palpable. This Imperial Sword truly lived up to being General Bai Qi's sword! It had drunk the blood of too many people; now, even just its Sword Qi was so monstrously ominous and unbridled!

At this moment, Ye Tianfan held the scabbard with one hand and the hilt with the other. After taking a deep breath to steady his mind, he exerted force to pull the sword, only to find it unmovable. Despite Ye Tianfan's strength, he couldn't draw the sword out! This brought a look of embarrassment to Ye Tianfan's face.

Seeing Ye Tianfan's embarrassed expression, Ren Ningyue couldn't help but smile slightly, saying, "Come on."

Darn it!

Ye Tianfan's ears turned red with embarrassment, how humiliating! In front of two beautiful women, he couldn't even unsheath a rusty sword, utterly disgraceful!

"Come out!" Ye Tianfan shouted angrily, intensifying his effort with three levels of martial prowess, trying once more to draw the sword.

"Crack..."

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