Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1081: Buying without bidding

The subsequent dozens of lots served as a prelude, with swift bids predominantly originating from the ground floor and occasionally from the gallery.

During this interval, discussions about the princes' initial confrontation circulated through the auction hall.

"Hehe, doesn't it remind you of the youngest one from earlier today?" Ko Wenlu chuckled softly, ensuring the soundproofing of their private balcony was active.

"Remind me of what?" Ko Furen inquired, raising an eyebrow and tilting his head slightly to listen, without diverting his complete attention from the stage.

"The way the fifth prince provoked a conflict only to end up with a bloody nose," Ko Wenlu elaborated, prompting a mildly reproachful glance from his younger brother.

"Wenlu..."

"Oh, come now, hehe, it's not as if I'm saying this directly to their faces, nor is it a grave matter. It's merely an observation!" Ko Wenlu continued with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Besides, it was me the youngest picked a fight with. Even if I were serious – which I'm not – it wouldn't be entirely out of line, would it?"

Ko Furen's gaze lingered on his brother for a moment. The initial disapproval in his eyes softened into an expression that was difficult to decipher but clearly conveyed understanding and sympathy towards the second eldest of the siblings. As he turned his attention back to the stage, he added casually, his tone nonchalant, "Well, it was certainly a bit out of character for him. You know the youngest; he typically acts with much greater caution."

These words caused Ko Wenlu to pause momentarily while Ko Furen wasn't looking. He furrowed his brow, realizing the truth in his brother's observation and beginning to ponder why Ko Fuan, usually so careful and deliberate in his actions, had behaved so impulsively towards him that day. 'Is there some hidden objective he's pursuing that I haven't grasped? But why involve me...? Does he suspect I genuinely intend to contend with him for succession?'

A fleeting smirk replaced his thoughtful expression the instant Ko Furen glanced his way. He chuckled as if nothing had occurred. However, as Ko Furen's attention shifted back to the stage, where an item belonging to their father was being presented for auction, Ko Wenlu's demeanor once again grew solemn.

Conversely, a subtle sense of satisfaction bloomed in Ko Furen's eyes. For a brief moment, he focused on his peripheral vision rather than the stage before truly directing his gaze forward.

The auction intensified, with more and more items drawing bids from the gallery and even some of the private balconies.

Wei Yuanjie and the fifth prince engaged in several clashes. However, these were primarily instances where Wei Yuanjie successfully compelled his elder brother to increase his bid for an item the latter desired.

These encounters often resulted in Wei Yuanjie acquiring items he didn't require, while the fifth prince attempted to disrupt him by bidding on pieces he also had no interest in. Most of these attempts to bait the ninth prince were unsuccessful, as the fifth prince ended up purchasing a considerable number of items for which he had no use or need.

Crucially, Wei Yuanjie never initiated the bidding. This pattern became so conspicuous that one of Wei Liheng's advisors suddenly had a moment of clarity. "Your Highness, he has individuals bidding on his behalf within the audience. Since he's not employing sound transmissions, there must be a visual signal he uses to instruct them to bid on specific items. It's likely a method designed to prevent us from easily identifying them."

The fifth prince clenched his fists, a mixture of anger at his inability to disrupt Wei Yuanjie's acquisitions and frustration at this clever tactic. "Why on earth didn't we implement such a strategy then?!"

His outburst caused his entourage to avert their gazes. However, he soon sighed and covered his face, attempting to regain his composure. He understood that excessively antagonizing his supporters was unwise, especially given his current precarious position. His viability as a candidate for the throne had recently been hanging by a rather unstable thread. "Can you identify who it is? We must be able to at least deduce their identity from the items they purchase, mustn't we?"

"Regrettably, it's highly probable that he has deployed numerous individuals across the auction hall, in the gallery, and even on the ground floor to obscure any purchasing patterns that might point to his operatives..." the same advisor cautiously replied. Wei Liheng's jaw tightened, but he managed to restrain himself from lashing out.

"Where is he acquiring such resources? All of those bodyguards accompanying him have reached the Essence Awakening Realm... ten of them! And he has multiple trusted subordinates who he empowers with substantial funds to secure items at this auction? Could this be a strategic arrangement orchestrated by his associate, Wu Long? More importantly, where is he at this very moment?", the 5th Prince questioned, lowering the hand that previously concealed his face, his gaze now fixed intently upon Wei Yuanjie.

"His fundamental backing likely stems from whoever is covertly supporting Princess Wei Zhenhui, including that individual who presents himself as Wu Long," another advisor offered their perspective. "Regarding the latter, rumors suggest he departed the continent entirely following the confrontation with the Iron Claw Group."

"Departed the continent? And by what means do you hypothesize this occurred?" Wei Liheng directed a look of disbelief at his advisor. "You are well aware that the Iron Claw Group desires that man's head on a platter; they maintain stringent security over their World Stone, permitting no ingress or egress without rigorous identification."

"Indeed, we received intelligence indicating that on the very night after the incident, the protective Formations surrounding the World Stone experienced a disruption lasting approximately fifteen minutes. It is our belief that this was the window during which he absconded from the continent," the General accompanying the 5th Prince stated with a grave expression.

"Tsk... such an incompetent collection of ruffians... and they harbor aspirations of being acknowledged by our Dynasty with such meager capabilities?" Wei Liheng clicked his tongue, a mixture of frustration and relief washing over him at the prospect that Wu Long, a source of his unease, was no longer on the continent.

While the man might be engaged in perilous endeavors elsewhere, he was, at the very least, absent from this immediate sphere, thereby refraining from exacerbating Wei Liheng's already challenging existence in Silver Wing City – especially with Wei Yuanjie demanding so much of his attention.