The auction went on for quite a while until the auctioneer said "Ladies and gentlemen we have a very special item which is an ink painting created by a very talented new painter from Xiya country named Xin.
Not long after, two people came carrying a painting scroll and then carefully opened it and presented it in front of the audience.
When they saw Zhao Li Xin's painting, the room suddenly became quiet as they all held their breaths simultaneously for a few seconds then a loud noise erupted in the previously quiet room, everyone was talking in a low voice yet could not hide the boisterous voice that filled the room. They were all pointing in muffled voices sounding awed and shocked.
Hugo watched the expected reaction with an amused smile. Perhaps even Zhao Li Xin himself does not realize how unique and rare his talent is and how extraordinary the paintings that Zhao Li Xin creates are not only in terms of technique but also the feelings that radiate from his paintings.
Like this painting, apart from looking beautiful and enchanting it also gives a sense of longing with a bit of sadness and longing that can be felt even by people who don't understand painting at all.
So it's no wonder Zhao's paintings managed to capture everyone's hearts in an instant. Knowing Zhao's extraordinary talent caused Hugo to continue searching for him despite the situation he was in at the time.
The auctioneer was stunned but pleased by the overwhelming reaction, "Let's start with one million Rom!" shouted the Auctioneer.
"Two million roms" someone raised the bid in haste.
"Three million Roms!" the other chimed in.
"Five million!" another man doesn't want to lose.
"Ten million!" another voice coming
"TWENTY MILLION!" a loud voice shouted with determination.
A wide grin played around the edges of his mouth, after a while Hugo slightly waved his hand then Allen gave a solemn nod then proceeded to leave the VIP room. later on, Hugo continued to watch the bidding with a sly glint in his eyes.
Meanwhile, downstairs a man took a long strides to the podium and then whispered at the Auctioneer a moment later the Auctioneer's face turned grim his forehead creased so much it can be seen from Hugo's private room. Hugo chuckles and then calmly sips his coffee.
The auction stopped while the auctioneer went backstage for a few minutes after which he returned and the auctioneer said apologetically "Sorry there was a mistake, we will replace this painting with a better painting, please kindly wait"
There was grumbling from the auction participants but there was nothing that could be done then the auction organizers replaced Zhao's painting with another ink painting from a much more famous painter but unfortunately the quality was far below Zhao Li Xin's painting which made the auction participants complain.
Meanwhile, Hugo heard a knock on his door, and then Allen and a middle-aged man in a luxurious gray suit entered the room.
"Excuse me, Sir, Mr. Carlson is here," Allen courteously announced the man beside him.
Hugo put down his coffee cup and then got up from his comfortable sofa, he stretched out his hand "Mr. Carlson"
Mr. Carlson and Hugo shook hands firmly.
"My assistant must have given you a lot of trouble" Hugo looked at Allen with a blaming look.
"It's my fault, Sir, I will gladly accept any kind of punishment" Allen lowered his head in regret.
Sir. Carlson is the manager of the Arabella auction house, a few moments ago he received a report that Hugo had withdrawn the painting he was offering for auction because his assistant gave him the wrong painting, but the problem was that the painting that was presented in a hurry received a very good response from the auction participants, but then Hugo suddenly insisted to withdraw the painting.
As the auction organizers, they cannot force someone to auction their items, therefore they cannot force Hugo to auction his items, but Hugo's actions are not without serious consequences and Mr. Carlson comes to persuade and warn Hugo of his actions.
"Mr. Hugo, can't you change your mind?" he said half-pleadingly, "You see how people respond to your paintings, should you suddenly withdraw your paintings like this?"
Hugo shook his head with a regretful look, "The problem is that I haven't asked the painter's permission to auction the painting, another painting should have been auctioned but my assistant made a big mistake which caused this problem, I really didn't mean to cause chaos for Arabella House" Hugo sincerely said.
Mr.Carlson didn't want to back down either so he persisted "Are you sure Mr. Hugo, by doing so you will receive a quite high penalty and you will be blacklisted by the Arabella house for two years and this will affect your family reputation" although he shows concern yet mixed with a subtle threat in his voice"
Hugo rested his back on the chair while contemplating with a troubled expression but then he took a deep breath then spoke with a determined look "I truly apologize for the Arabella House and you Mr. Carlson but I cannot violate the trust of Mr. Zhao who trusted me" he said heavily, heart.
Mr Carlson knew he couldn't persuade Hugo even though he was very annoyed but he didn't show it on his face. "If you say so" he raised from the coach.
Hugo follows suit and then gives a slight bow to show remorse for his mistakes.
Mr Carlson escorted by Allen then left the room. A moment after the door closes the remorse in Hugo's face changes into a mischievous smile.
Hugo clasped his hands behind his back when Allen returned.
"Mr. Carlson seems very...disatisfied" Allen put the words mildly.
Hugo nods in satisfaction "I give you three years bonus"
Allen's face beamed with delight before he bowed his head again "Thank you for your generosity"
Hugo turned his head to the scene below even from afar he could still see a lot of them expressing their disappointment to the Arabella employee and the reporter heard the commotion with interest.
"This will make a headline right" Hugo grinned from ear to ear.
"It will sir" Allen replied calmly.
"Make sure this news is published in all the main news on all media, including social media," said Hugo.
"Consider it done sir" Allen then took out his phone then started to make a phone call.
______________________________________________
Lory was half in a daze when she realized that she was enveloped in darkness, her hand instinctively reached for the bedside lamp next to her but her hand swung in empty air. Feeling confused, she opened her eyes and saw a light flashing in the distance, only then did she realize she was not in her room but she didn't feel afraid.
Lory walked towards the light almost by instinct, she didn't hesitate at all, and as she got closer, the light grew brighter and brighter, Lory squinted her eyes then a familiar voice greeted her, "Rise and shine little girl!"
Lory's eyes snapped open, she stared for a long moment and her whole face beamed with joy, Lory shouted excitedly, "Girsha!"
Lory ran and then threw her whole body towards the giant white bird happily. Girsha's laughter echoed as his giant wings held the little girl in front of him until all of her figures disappeared behind his white wings.
"I missed you so much" Lory whimpered with tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.
"I missed you too little girl" Girsha's green eyes softened.
"Why didn't you call me earlier?" Lory raised her head and immediately complained.
Girsha rolled his round eyes, "What can I say, this job turned out to be harder than I thought"
"Oh what happened?" Lory let go of her hug and then crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Girsha sigh "Remeber when I said something is escaped from one of the world and went to verrion"
Lory pursed her lips and nod "Yeah..."
It turns out it wasn't an escape but it was invited" Darkness fills Girsha's eyes.
Lory's eyebrows furrowed, "What you mean invited? By who?"
"That's something you have to figure out for yourself" Girsha looked at Lory meaningfully then continued. "And what's worse, it causes an imbalance in this place which makes my job even more difficult," complained Girsha irritably.
Lory sized Girsha up and down with concern, "Is this hurting you?"
"Me? No, but it will be detrimental to you and put the other world in chaos. If creatures from another world enter the other world, it is likely that the cultivator's world will be affected too" Girsha explained.
Lory immersed in her thoughts for a moment then she looked at Girsha "What do you want me to do?"
Girsha chuckles and then patted Lory but because of the size of his wings he knocked Lory on her butt "Your job remains the same Lory, Find it and killed it also whoever invited this creature you must stop them and make sure they will not do this again"
Lory got up then rubbed her sore butt "Fine, but is there any clue as to what creature came to my world? What are its powers and abilities?"
Girsha tilted his head, "Well, first of all, it comes from the Primordial lands. It was one of the oldest worlds to have been created and should have died but something remained…it's a spirit tree, I guess?"
Lory's mouth twitched "Why is it always a tree?"
"Usually plants are the first living creatures created by God and unlike humans, trees can live for thousands of years and some are able to absorb the power of heaven and earth," Girsha explained.
Lory waved her hand, "So, is it like the white tree we found in the ancient forest in the cultivator's world?"
Girsha snorted loudly "Please, that tree is like a cute puppy compared to this one and no, it's completely different...it's not entirely a tree per-se but it looks like a tree but this thing it's more powerful, and sinister cause unlike normal tree this thing survive by consuming the life force"
"In conclusion, this is a plan that eats life force," Lory was used to working with unclear things.
"I know, you will understand!" Girsha praised her.
"Uh-huh" Lory could pretty much guess what creature he was facing, Lory scratched his head. "Okay, do you have any other information about that thing?"
"All I can say is this creature is not like Lazarus, it isn't driven by sentimental feeling actually it doesn't have emotion at all other than to survive and procreate"
Lory's purple eyes widen "It can procreate?"
Girsha gives Lory an obvious look "Duh, it's a living thing!"
"Oh, Sh*t" Lory sighed and cursed.
"Don't worry you got this, how is Zhao Li Xin anyway, is he adjusting alright in our world?" Girsha was actually disappointed he didn't see with his own eyes how that uptight man adjusted in the liberal society.
Lory's smile widened when Zhao Li Xin's name was mentioned, "Actually, he can adjust very well."
Girsha's laughter echoed again, it was clear he was happy with the news "Tell him to hone his skills because you will all need his help."
Lory's smile widened "Okay~"
"Now go, I'll call you later?" Girsha gently pushed Lory away.
"Okay, but don't take too long this time," Lory pouted.
"I tried, little girl" Girsha's voice was etched with a hint of sadness.
"See you later, old bird?" Lory looked at him with reluctance evident in her eyes.
"Take care of yourself, Lory" Girsha bid farewell.
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