Chapter Seventy-Four – The Auction (I)

The bustling crowd in the vast conference hall murmured in low voices. Nearly eighteen representatives from real estate development groups, hailing from the entire C City region and even other provinces, had gathered here today, awaiting the grand project conference hosted by the C City government—the largest development event of 1997. Everywhere, dazzlingly dressed female guests mingled with impeccably suited business magnates. At this moment, we stood in a corner amidst the throng, and as I gazed upon the scene before me, I felt, for the first time, a deep sense of awe that I had finally stepped into the upper echelons of the business world.

“How are you feeling, Xiao Qiang? Getting used to it?” Zhang Jing smiled as she brushed the dust from my suit shoulder, her arm happily entwined with mine, leaning close like a blissful woman. I looked at her—beautiful, clad in a pink business suit—and could only smile awkwardly. “I had no choice but to come. Today is a crucial day for Sunshine Group.”

She chuckled and gestured toward the journalists snapping photos at the periphery. “Aren’t you worried the reporters will spot you? You know, today’s project isn’t just about C City—even the provincial station is covering it. Aren’t you afraid people will discover who’s really behind the rising star of C City’s leading enterprise, Sunshine Group?”

Her teasing made me squeeze her hand gently. “Come on, with my age and unfamiliar face, people would rather avoid me than pay attention. But seriously, later, don’t cling to me. I’m not afraid of others, just worried Zhou Zisheng might recognize me. I’ll sit in the back row and stick to the plan.” I waved my phone, signaling that if anything unexpected happened, we’d communicate by call.

Zhang Jing seemed a little disappointed but nodded. “Alright, you’re the boss, so we’ll do as you say. But Xiao Qiang, hiding like this isn’t a long-term solution. Sooner or later, your identity will be revealed. Why not just come out and declare yourself?”

“No, not now. The time isn’t right.” I shook my head, growing serious. “Before I bring Xia Fugui down completely, I can’t show myself. Only when everything’s under control will I appear—and even then, my identity will never be fully exposed. It’s always wise to leave yourself an escape route. If everything’s out in the open, when trouble comes, you won’t be able to hold anything back, and the defeat will be devastating. Zhang Jing, Sunshine Group is still too green, not yet a true conglomerate. We’re barely surviving in C City. Have you considered that we still aim to expand beyond the province, even internationally? With our current strength, it’s nearly impossible.”

Seeing the seriousness in my expression, Zhang Jing nodded in agreement. “You’re right—the world outside is dazzling but far more perilous, especially for a small city like C. The road ahead is long, but I’m not afraid, because I have you.”

Her slightly coquettish words left me helpless. Ever since we returned from Songjia Village last week, she’d been acting this way toward me now and then. When a woman becomes coy, even a saint would waver! I rolled my eyes, my earlier solemnity vanishing. After a few more reminders, I turned and walked toward the most inconspicuous seat in the back.

Seated, I stretched comfortably and fixed my gaze on the row of seats on the stage. Today, nearly all government officials of C City would attend the conference. Before long, I spotted Xia Jianren’s father, Xia Fugui, representing Xia Wang Construction, moving to the front row and sitting directly opposite Zhang Jing. I couldn’t help but sneer. Perhaps he never imagined that the Sunshine Group I founded would, from today onward, officially declare war on him, drawing him step by step into the trap I had set!

Slowly closing my eyes, I felt a stream of violet energy swirling around my lower abdomen, gradually flowing through my limbs, completing a great cycle before returning to its origin. This endless process, like the evolution of heaven and earth, continuously transformed my body, making me ever more aware of its changes. Yes, this was the effect of the Violet Sun Divine Art, which I had stumbled upon in the valley. Though I had only begun, after a week of practice, I could clearly sense the circulation of this inner energy—what people usually call internal force or true qi. With this faint violet true qi, I could not only peer into my own body but, having drunk that strange spring water, found martial arts come to me effortlessly. It was no exaggeration: after just one week, Li Dabiao was no longer my match, and I could handle four, even five of his brothers single-handedly. The Violet Sun Divine Art was truly extraordinary, though whether it would eventually allow me to fly or burrow, as my dubious master claimed, remained to be seen.

The Violet Sun Divine Art comprised six levels: Primordial Chaos, Mount Tai and the Big Dipper, Heaven and Earth, Formless and Colorless, Heaven and Earth United, and Violet Sun Rising in the East. Each level was divided into upper, middle, and lower stages. Estimating my progress, I could barely be considered at the lowest stage of the first level—akin to a first-grade elementary student if cultivation were like schooling. What excited me most was that, even at the starting point, I was already so formidable. If I continued to practice, who knew what heights I’d reach?

With the Violet Sun Divine Art, my confidence soared. At least, facing those thugs summoned by Xia Jianren or Wang Changshun’s underlings, I wouldn’t suffer a scratch while defeating them all. Still, I wasn’t arrogant or complacent. After all, this was only internal power—good for fighting, but if confronted by bullets or shells, I’d be riddled before even making a move. So lately, I’d been researching alien technology, especially defensive weapons, as a precaution.

Thinking of Xia Jianren, my brows furrowed. That guy was becoming increasingly arrogant, deliberately causing me trouble these past few days. If not for my own plans, I’d have dealt with him already. I was enduring, but the day of reckoning was nearly here!

“Xiao Qiang! It really is you—what are you doing here?” As I was lost in thought, a voice rang out nearby—a silvery, delighted female voice. My heart sank, almost disturbing the Violet Sun qi within me! That voice was all too familiar. Who else could it be but Chu Qitong, the little devil? Cold sweat broke out. Ever since I rescued her last time, she’d changed overnight, incessantly pestering me. Her clinginess was unbearable—I sometimes wished she’d revert to her former cold, arrogant self. Now that she was here, my peace was over.

Sure enough, as I turned my head, her lovely figure had already darted to my side, her familiar maiden fragrance wafting into my senses. I forced a smile, nodding awkwardly. “Ah, Miss Chu, you’re here too.”

“Hmph, I told you not to call me ‘Miss.’ Do I really seem like that kind of… that kind of ‘Miss’ to you?” Chu Qitong’s almond eyes widened as she pouted unhappily. “Is it really so hard for you to call me by my name?”

“No, no, it’s just… slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue…” I could have slapped myself for that blunder. Forcing a smile, I could only ask, “So, Chu Qitong, you came with your father today?”

“It’s not Chu Qitong—it’s Qitong, or Tongtong!” she insisted, blushing. “Of course, my father is a guest here too. He was invited by Su Xin’s father.”