Chapter 53: The Appraisal

Gan Kun trusted Tang Xuan deeply because he had witnessed with his own eyes how Yuan Zhao died at Tang Xuan’s hands. It was not surprising for such a young and powerful individual to possess a cultivation manual. In fact, Gan Kun believed that Tang Xuan’s strength came from relying on this very cultivation method. What puzzled him was why Tang Xuan would sell something so valuable. Someone of Tang Xuan’s caliber shouldn’t need money, after all.

When Gan Kun arrived at the auction house, the manager met with him. Upon learning that Gan Kun intended to auction a cultivation manual, the manager laughed scornfully without reservation.

“Gan Kun, do you even understand what the words ‘cultivation manual’ imply?”

“Old Bi, I don’t want to hear your nonsense. And you don’t have to mock me. Whether it’s real or fake, let someone authenticate it and we’ll see.”

Bi Yan took the manual, glanced at it casually, and then threw it to the ground.

“Gan Kun, I don’t even need an authentication to know it’s fake. I’m certain someone like you could never have the genuine article.”

Gan Kun frowned; Bi Yan was clearly targeting him. They had some past conflicts, but those were long ago.

“Bi Yan, you’re still holding a grudge? That was over ten years ago.”

Bi Yan ground his teeth.

“So what if it was ten years ago? I will never forget.”

Gan Kun sneered contemptuously. “She didn’t like you—how is that my fault?”

“Enough.”

Gan Kun picked up the cultivation manual from the floor.

“Junyang City isn’t the exclusive domain of the Su family’s auction house. I’ll give the auction rights for this manual to another company. When it causes a sensation, I’ll tell the Su family that I came to you first—and that you made them miss this opportunity.”

Hearing this, Bi Yan sneered.

“How could a fake item cause a sensation? Do you think you can scare me?”

Gan Kun shrugged.

“This cultivation manual was given to me by a powerful person. How powerful? I saw him kill Yuan Zhao with my own eyes. And he’s barely in his early twenties. Have you ever seen such a young powerhouse?”

“I stake my life on the fact that what he gave me is absolutely genuine.”

With that, Gan Kun prepared to leave.

Bi Yan, seeing how convincingly Gan Kun spoke, began to doubt himself. If the manual was real and Gan Kun took it to another auction house, the Su family would certainly blame him. He might even lose his job. A prized item could cause fierce competition among auction houses, and letting such an opportunity slip would be a grave dereliction of duty.

“Wait.”

Gan Kun smiled faintly.

“Old Bi, it’s too late. I’ve decided to switch auction houses.”

With that, Gan Kun started to leave.

Bi Yan hurriedly blocked his path.

Gan Kun, annoyed, said, “What do you want? Does the Su family’s auction house intend to forcibly keep me?”

Bi Yan’s tone was grave.

“Gan Kun, we’ve been old friends. If you don’t give me this chance, who else can you give it to?”

Gan Kun laughed dismissively.

“I wouldn’t mind giving it to you—if you begged me.”

Bi Yan ground his teeth. As former rivals for a woman’s affection, Bi Yan had lost to Gan Kun and harbored resentment ever since. Now, asking Gan Kun for a favor wounded his pride. But if the cultivation manual was real, letting Gan Kun leave like this would be hard to explain to the Su family.

“Fine, I’m begging you.”

Gan Kun laughed heartily.

“Since you’re so earnest, I’ll give you this chance.”

Bi Yan immediately contacted Su Qing. Though he held the highest authority in the auction house and could decide on most lots, a unique item like a cultivation manual required Su Qing’s involvement. Only those within the Su family’s estate could authenticate such a rare treasure.

Upon receiving the news, Su Qing hurried to the company. Seeing Gan Kun, she was highly suspicious. She knew Gan Kun was a small-time figure in Junyang City’s underworld, and it seemed almost impossible for someone like him to possess a cultivation manual.

Noticing Su Qing’s doubt, Gan Kun said, “Miss Su, whether it’s real or fake, just have it authenticated.”

“You don’t need to doubt me. I’m no big shot. I wouldn’t dare mock the Su family.”

Su Qing found his words reasonable. He had no reason to offend the Su family over this.

“Hand over the manual. I’ll take it home for authentication.”

“Miss Su, are you joking? Giving such an important item to you—what if you copy it?”

“I’m right here with it. Wherever I go, it goes.”

Without hesitation, Su Qing decided to bring Gan Kun back to the Su family estate. Gan Kun, a nobody, had never been inside their mansion before. His first visit felt like an outsider wandering through a grand garden, marveling at everything.

When Zhan Ling appeared, Gan Kun didn’t dare to even look up. Such a powerful person didn’t need to consciously exude his aura. Gan Kun felt that standing before him was like facing a mountain, not a man.

“Grandpa Zhan, can you authenticate this cultivation manual?”

At the mention of “cultivation manual,” Zhan Ling chuckled softly.

“Miss, such rare treasures never circulate among ordinary folk.”

“Do you know what kind of person is qualified to own something like this?”

Su Qing held little hope but wanted to try.

“Grandpa Zhan, he promised me it’s genuine.”

Zhan Ling glanced at Gan Kun. Gan Kun avoided his gaze, feeling his legs weaken under the intense scrutiny.

“Who gave this to you?” Zhan Ling asked.

Gan Kun shook his head. “I promised to keep their identity secret. They don’t want many people to know.”

Zhan Ling scoffed. “I bet they’re just afraid to be exposed. Only a fool like you would believe such a fake.”

Gan Kun took a deep breath and summoned his courage.

“You haven’t even looked at it yet. How can you be sure it’s fake?”

“Or do you not even know how to tell?”

Zhan Ling snorted coldly.

“I may never have seen a cultivation manual before, but I’m at least a strongman at the Earth Realm. Whether it’s real or fake, I’ll know soon enough.”

Gan Kun extended his hands, offering the manual.

“Please, take a look.”

Zhan Ling took the manual with a frost-covered expression. The moment he opened it, he quickly became engrossed.

As Zhan Ling’s expression grew increasingly serious, Su Qing found her breathing growing faster for no reason.

If it were fake, Grandpa Zhan would have seen through it at once. Yet here he was, completely absorbed.

Suddenly, Zhan Ling grabbed Gan Kun by the collar and hoisted him high.

“Who gave this to you?”

“Where is the complete version? Where is it?”

“Hand over the full manuscript immediately!”