The Rise of David
Copyright© 2025 by RichXpower
Chapter 63: A Hundred Million Deposit
“Now I know why Zyaire was in such a hurry to leave. He must have gone to the auction. The thousand- year-old snow lotus is extremely rare. Plenty of people will fight for it!” Zeke said.
“Let’s go to the auction too.” David was filled with excitement.
If he could get his hands on the thousand-year-old snow lotus, his skills would be significantly elevated. Zeke nodded and took David to the auction.
The auction was held on the outskirts of Yeringham, inside a classically designed building with a circular arch.
The outside of the building was filled with luxury cars that were usually not there. Evidently, many people had rushed over just for the thousand-year-old snow lotus.
When they arrived at the entrance, the staff immediately recognized Zeke. He handed Zeke a bidding paddle and informed respectfully, “Mr. Griffin, the deposit this time is a hundred million.”
“What?” Zeke was stunned. “Isn’t it usually ten million? Why did it increase to a hundred million?”
“Mr. Griffin, today is special. I’m sure you’re aware that a thousand-year-old snow lotus has been put on the block. Hence, the deposit has been increased to stop anyone who’s not serious,” the staff explained.
Zeke’s expression drastically changed, as he didn’t have a hundred million on him.
“Let me put it up,” David volunteered when he realized that Zeke might not have so much money on him.
After paying the deposit, David received a paddle, and they proceeded to the auction hall.
The usually quiet hall was now bustling with crowds. Everyone important in Yeringham was there. Even Zyaire was seated in front, chatting softly with someone.
At the sight of Zeke and the others, Zyaire was briefly stunned. Nevertheless, he nodded at them with a smile in an effort to greet them.
After they settled into their seats, David and company quietly waited for the thousand-year-old snow lotus to be brought out.
The auction started with some ordinary herbs that no one was interested in. Hence, many of them didn’t receive a bid at all. Evidently, everyone had come for the snow lotus.
“David, the bid is expected to be extremely competitive. If you intend to secure the snow lotus, do you already have a price in mind?” Zeke asked softly.
David shook his head. “I must have it regardless of the price.” Having heard David’s answer, Zeke didn’t say anything further.
“Josephine, what does your boyfriend actually do? Why is he so rich? You didn’t give him all that money, did you?”
Frida was intrigued by David’s identity after seeing him splurge tens of millions as if it wasn’t his money. “He doesn’t want my money. Do you actually think he’s a kept man?”
Smiling slightly, Josephine gave David a look of admiration.
She realized that she had become increasingly attracted to David. In fact, she felt deeply mesmerized by the unique charm he exuded.
Meanwhile, after a few more items were auctioned, the host finally brought out a large glass container. Soaked inside it was a snow lotus.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the highlight of the day, the thousand-year-old snow lotus. As all of you are aware, there hasn’t been any snow lotus discovered in Yeringham for a long time now. Due to the
difficulty in gathering it, the number of herbalists has declined. In fact, this snow lotus was discovered in the hands of a farmer who used it to brew medicinal wine.”
While the host was still explaining the origins of the snow lotus, the crowd was already in an uproar.
“Damn it, what sort of joke is this? Isn’t this just a lie? Did you actually invite us here for a snow lotus that is used to make wine?”
“Is the snow lotus even a thousand years old? From the looks of it, it probably isn’t even a century old. You guys are nothing but cons!”
“You even demanded a hundred million for the deposit! This is outrageous!”
When they saw the snow lotus, everyone raised a ruckus to express their disappointment.
David was the only one who lit up at the sight. He could barely hide his excitement. Though the snow lotus was soaked in alcohol, he could sense its strong spiritual energy bubbling in the liquid.
Though the snow lotus was not big and had been soaked in alcohol for God knew how long that caused it to lose its luster, it didn’t stop David from wanting it.
They didn’t know how to appreciate it, so David would get it easily. At least that was what he thought.
Despite the crowd’s curses and yells, the auctioneer didn’t flinch and continued with a smile, “The starting bid for the thousand-year snow lotus is one hundred million, with an increase in the bid of no less than ten million. Let the auction begin!”
Instead of raising his paddle, David took in the crowd’s reaction. As no one raised their paddles, he was inwardly pleased.
Right before David was about to raise his paddle, Zyaire, who was in the front row, raised his paddle. “One hundred million!” he declared.
Everyone erupted into discussions at the sight of Zyaire raising his paddle. “Mr. Rider is bidding for this snow lotus? Did we see it correctly?”
“Oh, Trinity Herbs is rich enough to buy such an expensive herb!”
“Just you wait and see. Zyaire is an old but sly fox. He wouldn’t have bid for an expensive herb without reason.”
Everyone gazed at Zyaire, who got to his feet after stating his bid. He announced, “Everyone, though the snow lotus looks to be in bad shape, it is at least a few hundred years old. Since it’s in Yeringham, we can’t let it leave. Otherwise, our reputation as City of Herbs would be affected. Thus, I’ll be bidding for it. Please don’t compete against me.”
Hearing that, everyone was unconvinced, but they dared not bid for the snow lotus.
Zyaire returned to his seat after that announcement. The auctioneer glared at him in displeasure but didn’t have the guts to yell at him. He asked pleadingly, “Anyone else? The snow lotus is a real bargain for its price!”
He did his best to encourage the others to bid so the organizer would get more profit. Alas, no one was bold enough to raise the bid.
Left with no choice, the auctioneer trudged back to the stage and raised his gavel to close the bidding reluctantly.
“A hundred and ten million!”
David raised his paddle without warning right before the auctioneer could do that. The auctioneer cast David a delighted look. Everyone else turned to look at David, too. Zyaire furrowed his brows and glared at David angrily.
“This bidder has offered a hundred and ten million. Is anyone else going to bid?” the auctioneer inquired and glanced at Zyaire anxiously.
The only person who could bid against him was Zyaire.
“A hundred and fifty million!” Zyaire declared as he raised his paddle in a slow manner.
After he raised the bid by forty million, everyone turned to David to see if the latter would raise the bid. Even the auctioneer gave him an earnest look.
“Two hundred million!” David raised his paddle without hesitation. Everyone else gasped in shock.
“David, that’s too much!” Zeke reminded him in a low voice.
At auctions, the bidders would normally raise the bid gradually. That way, they could sound each other out. Increasing the bid by tens of millions in one go was too much.
“Josephine, your boyfriend is awesome! Does he own a bank?”
Frida gazed at David curiously, as though she wanted to see through him.
“Didn’t you say he’s a leech? So now he’s awesome?” Josephine responded with a smile.
She was slightly surprised to learn that David was in possession of that much money. She had made up her mind to call William to ask him to pay for the snow lotus even if David couldn’t afford it. As the richest man in Horington, he could spare the money easily.
Zyaire glared at David and narrowed his gaze. A frosty expression took over his face. “Two hundred and ten million!” he managed between gritted teeth.
Right after he spoke, David raised his paddle once again. “Three hundred million!”
Hearing that, everyone gaped in disbelief. They started wondering about David’s real identity. The auctioneer beamed and roared, “The bid is now raised to three hundred million. I repeat, three hundred million. Would anyone else want to raise the bid? This bidder looks unfamiliar, so I believe he isn’t from Yeringham. Will no one from Yeringham bid against him? If news of this gets out, we’ll lose our nickname as City of Herbs!”
The auctioneer was smart enough to sow discord between David and Zyaire. Earlier, Zyaire claimed he didn’t want to embarrass Yeringham. If Zyaire didn’t raise the bid, he would be contradicting himself.
David glanced at the auctioneer. He’s good at sowing discord. He wants us to fight so they will get more profit!
“Three hundred and ten million!” Zyaire clenched his jaw and raised his paddle yet again. David was about to do the same when Zeke stopped him.
“David, even if the snow lotus is a thousand years old, it isn’t worth that much. Stop bidding!” Zeke advised.
It was currently overpriced and too expensive to be bought. David would suffer a loss if he won the bid.