Chapter 160: Pre-Auction “Competitive Product Analysis Meeting”

Thousand Illusions Immortal Residence, inside the most top-tier cave-dwelling suite.

Spiritual energy swirled like mist. Outside the window was the most dazzling night view of the sleepless city, yet inside the room, the atmosphere was filled with killing intent.

Chu Feng sat in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop as he projected the auction catalog Yao Yue had just provided onto the light screen.

“Family members, everyone has understood the situation.”

His voice was not loud, yet it made everyone instantly focus.

“This auction was not a simple shopping trip, but an encounter battle, an early confrontation on a top-tier stage with all our future ‘competitors’.”

“So before the battle begins, we must first hold a ‘competitive product analysis meeting’.”

He looked toward Feng Zhiruo:

“Zhiruo, you’re a local and know these heavenly prodigies best.”

“Synchronize your updated report for everyone.”

“Yes, President.”

Feng Zhiruo had long since lost the arrogance from their first meeting. At this moment, she looked more like a sharp and capable assistant to a female CEO.

She stood up, activated her Spirit Communication Jade, and projected a detailed report onto the light screen.

“According to the analysis model established by Chief Risk Control Officer Murong Xue, combined with the latest intelligence I obtained from within my family, among this Dao Discussion Assembly—that is, our potential ‘competitors’—those with the highest threat level are the following individuals.”

On the light screen, the first figure to appear was a young man wrapped in purple lightning from head to toe, his gaze incomparably domineering.

“Lei Family, Lei Qianjue. Ranked second on the Mortal Realm Prodigies List, the ‘Thunder Emperor’s Successor’.”

“This person was violent in temperament and believed in supremacy of power. His family had long invested deeply in mechanical puppet techniques.”

“According to intelligence, he was determined to obtain the ‘Traverser’s Remains’ and was our number-one ‘key competitor’ at this auction.”

The image shifted, revealing a man dressed in a blood-colored robe, with an evil yet handsome appearance.

“Blood God Palace, Li Moxin. Ranked sixth on the Mortal Realm Prodigies List, the ‘Young Lord of the Blood Sea’.”

“This man acted unpredictably, straddling righteousness and evil. The cultivation technique he practiced could devour others’ essence blood, and his methods were extremely bizarre.”

“His purpose here was unclear, but the model classified him as a ‘high-risk unstable factor’.”

Next appeared a peerless beauty clad in a hundred-flower gown, her smile sweet, her eyes flowing as if they could ensnare souls.

“Hundred Flowers Sect, Hua Nongying. Ranked tenth on the Mortal Realm Prodigies List, the ‘Illusionary Fairy’.”

“This woman was adept at social maneuvering and networking. It was said that she had connections with over half of the heavenly prodigies in the Mortal Realm, giving her extremely broad influence.”

“She was a typical ‘capital broker’ and was very likely to unite multiple factions at the auction to jointly snipe a particular item.”

Feng Zhiruo introduced these renowned heavenly prodigies of the Mortal Realm one by one. Each possessed a detailed “user profile” and “SWOT analysis” (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).

Zhao Wuji listened from the side, nodding repeatedly as he scribbled furiously in his small notebook:

“So that’s how it is. Lei Qianjue was a ‘heavy-asset technology build’, Li Moxin was a ‘high-risk speculator’, and Hua Nongying was a ‘platform-type player’… President’s analysis model truly distilled the Great Dao to its essence—straight to the point!”

After introducing the main competitors, Feng Zhiruo’s expression turned solemn.

“President, the report indicated that the Lei Family had spared no expense this time for the ‘Traverser’s Remains’.”

“Their family had long been devoted to researching mechanical puppets, wanting to pursue a ‘technology-strengthening-the-clan’ path, but they had always lacked the most core theoretical support and technological breakthrough.”

“This set of remains, to them, was not a magic treasure, but a ‘strategic-level resource’ tied to the family’s fortune for the next hundred years.”

“They would never give up easily.”

The room’s atmosphere grew heavy for a moment.

As one of the major families of the Western Regions, the Lei Family’s financial power was far beyond what the Ascension Group could currently match.

Just then, Leng Yanran, who had been quietly sitting in the corner, suddenly stood up.

This was the first time she had proactively volunteered in the Group’s strategic meeting.

She looked at Chu Feng. In her cold eyes was an unprecedented firmness and plea.

“President, the ‘Supreme Void Illusory Dream Flower’ was crucial to me… and to the Group’s pill system.”

“I request to personally bid for it.”

She took a deep breath and added:

“This concerned whether my Dao of Alchemy could break through its bottleneck.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on Chu Feng.

Chu Feng looked at Leng Yanran’s eyes filled with persistence and suddenly smiled.

He stood up, walked in front of Leng Yanran, and gently patted her shoulder.

“When the CPO had a need for technological breakthrough, the CEO naturally had to give full support.”

He swept his gaze across everyone, strategic brilliance flashing in his eyes.

“Since the opponents have already been identified, our tactics must be adjusted accordingly.”

“This operation will be divided into two groups.”

“On the surface,”

He looked toward Leng Yanran and Feng Zhiruo,

“our Chief Product Officer and Chief Financial Advisor (concurrently held by Feng Zhiruo) will bring sufficient funds to bid for the ‘Supreme Void Illusory Dream Flower’.”

“Your task is to be high-profile, to make everyone think that our Ascension Group is just a nouveau riche from the Eastern Wasteland whose sole target is that broken flower.”

“In the shadows,”

The corner of his mouth curved into a fox-like smile as his gaze swept over Zhao Wuji and Zhang Daniu,

“the three of us will go meet the real big fish.”

“Remember, the auction hall was also a battlefield.”

“And the best hunters often appeared in the guise of prey.”

Just as Chu Feng finished assigning tasks and everyone was preparing to adjourn.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The suite door was knocked at an unhurried pace.

Wu Hao went to open the door. Standing outside was a figure no one had expected.

Dressed in plain white robes, holding a simple, ancient iron sword in his arms, with a cold and austere face and empty eyes.

It was the very “Sword Maniac”—Jian Wuxin—who had just been ruthlessly humiliated by Chu Feng and extorted for five hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!

He was not here for revenge.

His gaze passed over everyone and landed directly on Chu Feng. In a cold, hard voice devoid of emotion, he said in a deep tone:

“I want to make a deal with you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep