Upon hearing Liya's reply, Lick and his companions' faces immediately darkened, their expressions etched with anxiety, unsure of what to do. Just then, the fat auctioneer called out his second bid, plunging Lick and the others into outright despair.

As they were about to give up hope, Mo Han, who had been calmly sipping his drink as if utterly unconcerned, unexpectedly spoke up, his voice mild, "I bid six hundred and fifty thousand gold coins."

Hearing Mo Han's bid, Lick and his group turned toward him in astonishment, baffled as to why he would suddenly enter the bidding. Mo Han, seemingly oblivious to their looks, casually remarked, "What is it? You can buy her, but I can't? It would be such a waste to leave such a lovely little girl here."

Lick and the others, hearing Mo Han’s words, mistakenly believed he was like those nobles, intending to buy little Anli to keep her for his own gratification once she grew up. Their faces immediately flushed with indignation. The blue-robed mage was almost ready to attack, but Lick stopped him, shaking his head and signaling his companion to remain calm.

Seeing this, the blue-robed female mage could only let out a cold snort and fell silent, fixing Mo Han with a stare that suggested she wanted to devour him whole.

Mo Han saw their reaction and realized they had misunderstood his intentions. However, he couldn't be bothered to explain, maintaining his leisurely demeanor. This infuriated Lick and his group to the point where their teeth ached, yet they remained utterly helpless.

Just then, a cold voice drifted down from the VIP boxes on the second floor. "Boy. Do you think you can snatch something Lord Mo Sang desires?"

Following the voice, a stout figure appeared leaning over the railing of the second floor.

This Lord Mo Sang was a sight: heavy jowls, a belly so large it nearly obscured his lower body, preventing him from seeing his own feet, and an oily sheen on his face. With a flattened nose and tiny eyes, he resembled nothing so much as a fat hog. Most offensively, his eyes held a lecherous gaze that never left little Anli on the stage, making it perfectly clear what his intentions were.

When Lick and his companions saw Lord Mo Sang's appearance, a wave of revulsion washed over them. They were even secretly relieved that little Anli hadn't fallen into this swine's hands. Now, they almost preferred Mo Han to purchase her rather than this big-bellied Mo Sang, knowing the outcome if she ended up with the latter would be unimaginably tragic.

Mo Han, however, acted as if he hadn't heard Lord Mo Sang at all, continuing to sip his drink.

When Mo Sang realized Mo Han was ignoring him, fury contorted his features. He spoke coldly, "I bid seven hundred thousand gold coins. Boy, do you still intend to contest me?" Upon hearing Mo Sang's words, everyone in attendance turned their focus to Mo Han and Mo Sang, eager to see how Mo Han would respond. Everyone knew that those seated on the second floor were great nobles and powerful merchants, far beyond the reach of minor nobles like those downstairs. Such direct bidding wars were rare, so the sudden confrontation naturally drew intense curiosity.

Just as the fat man finished speaking, Mo Han's calm voice rang out again, "One million gold coins."

A collective gasp swept through the hall. No one expected Mo Han to shout a bid of one million gold coins, a figure significantly higher than Mo Sang's last offer. All eyes turned toward Mo Sang, waiting to see how he would react. Mo Sang clearly had not anticipated Mo Han matching him, let alone outbidding him so aggressively. Seeing Mo Han seated below, he had presumed him to be merely the son of some minor noble out for amusement, someone who wouldn't dare cross him. But now, not only was Mo Han opposing him, but he had driven the price to such an exorbitant level, causing Mo Sang to lose face instantly. Yet, spending a million on a slave struck Mo Sang as utterly unreasonable.

Thinking quickly, Mo Sang's eyes glinted, and he spoke coldly, "Boy, stop spouting nonsense. Where would you get a million gold coins? If you had that much money, why would you be sitting down here? Don't cause trouble and ruin someone's business by bidding without the funds."

After saying this, Mo Sang called out to the fat auctioneer on stage, "Aipu, aren't you afraid this kid is bidding recklessly without the money? Who will collect the payment then? You need to think clearly!"

Hearing this, Mo Han merely smiled slightly without a word. Lick and his companions began to worry for him, as Mo Sang had a point: if Mo Han truly possessed such wealth, why wouldn't he be in the VIP boxes instead of crowding down here with them in the noisy hall? The fat man called Aipu, startled by Mo Sang's tone, also looked doubtful. Though suspicion lingered, Aipu politely addressed Mo Han, "Respected guest, do you possess anything to prove your purchasing capability? Otherwise, I might have to declare your bid invalid."

Hearing Aipu, Mo Sang's expression turned triumphant. He was certain that a minor noble like Mo Han couldn't possibly have a million gold coins to buy a slave and must be bidding randomly.

Lick and his friends looked at Mo Han with mounting concern. They, too, doubted Mo Han had the means to afford a million gold coins for little Anli. If Anli fell into Mo Sang's clutches, her fate would be worse than death. With this thought, Lick resolved secretly that if Mo Sang won, they would have to steal Anli back, by any means necessary.

Mo Han, however, remained unhurried and addressed the fat man, "Tell me, fat man, your Qi Yun Pavilion's second floor is reserved for VIPs, but you haven't stipulated that VIPs are forbidden from sitting downstairs, have you?" Aipu paused internally at Mo Han's question.

Still, he answered honestly, "That is correct, there is no such rule. But currently, guest, you must still prove your ability to purchase. Otherwise, how can we believe you?" Fat man Aipu remained insistent, demanding Mo Han show proof of his ability to afford little Anli.

Mo Sang, meanwhile, was convinced Mo Han was stalling, having run out of money. He sneered at Mo Han, "Well, boy? Aren't you so rich? Show us the proof!" Mo Han, unfazed, simply smiled and replied, "I say, Big Fat Pig, how did you know I was rich? You have some insight, I'll grant you that."

The surrounding crowd erupted in laughter, including Lick and his group. Mo Sang nearly tumbled from the balcony at Mo Han's words, and the laughter from below made him lose face completely. Enraged, he shouted, "You dare insult a nobleman! I am an Earl of the Fire Cloud Empire—do you wish to die?" Lick and the others were shocked. They hadn't realized this ugly-looking man was actually an Earl of the Fire Cloud Empire and immediately grew anxious for Mo Han.

The noble hierarchy on the Dragon Ascent Continent was extremely strict. A commoner who dared to insult a noble faced the death penalty, while a noble insulting a higher-ranking noble would receive, at best, a caning. In severe cases, they could be stripped of their title. Thus, Lick and his companions worried intensely for Mo Han.

Mo Han, however, was immune to Mo Sang's intimidation. He spoke mildly, "I address Lord Earl Mo Sang. Did I just insult you? I don't recall speaking your name. You said that yourself; don't pin it on me. Everyone present heard me call your name? Surely, as a noble of the Fire Cloud Empire, you aren't permitted to falsely accuse people, are you?" Hearing Mo Han's defense, the crowd couldn't help but admire his quick wit. Lick and his friends inwardly cheered for Mo Han; with just a few simple sentences, he had shifted all the blame back onto Mo Sang—truly impressive.

Mo Sang knew Mo Han was insulting him, yet Mo Han’s logic was sound, leaving him no ground to argue. He sputtered, pointing at Mo Han, managing only several iterations of the word 'you' before falling silent. Everyone present wanted to laugh but dared not offend Mo Sang at such a moment, though smiles couldn't be entirely suppressed.

It was the fat man Aipu who broke the tension, rushing to smooth things over when Mo Sang was cornered. "Guest, you still haven't presented your proof. If you do not show it now, I will have to declare your bid invalid."

Aipu's words successfully redirected everyone's attention. All eyes fixed on Mo Han, wondering if he could actually produce something to prove his solvency.

Seeing this, Mo Han slowly reached into his robe and pulled out a Purple-Gold Card, flashing it briefly at Aipu. He stated calmly, "With this Purple-Gold Card, it should prove my purchasing capability, yes?" Upon seeing the Purple-Gold Card in Mo Han's hand, Fat Man Aipu’s face changed, revealing shock. Everyone else in the hall, including Mo Sang, looked astonished. It seemed incredible that Mo Han, so young, possessed a Purple-Gold Card.

The Purple-Gold Card was, after all, a symbol of status across the continent, obtainable only by the most powerful great nobles and merchants. Five million gold coins was an astronomical sum, a figure that could intimidate most people into submission.

Seeing the card, Aipu immediately became respectful. "Since the esteemed guest possesses the noble Purple-Gold Card, we naturally accept your credibility. I now formally announce that this esteemed guest's bid is valid."

Hearing the fat man's confirmation, Lick and his group felt a wave of relief. Since Mo Han's purchasing power was verified, at least little Anli wouldn't fall into Mo Sang's hands. Though Lick and his friends suspected Mo Han might have ill intentions too, between Mo Han and Mo Sang, they overwhelmingly preferred the former as the buyer.

Mo Sang’s face darkened upon Aipu’s announcement. He glared viciously at Mo Han, then gave a cold snort before turning and returning to his seat, falling silent. Naturally, no one contested the bid for little Anli anymore. One million gold coins—everyone assumed Mo Han was either a fool or so wealthy he didn't know what to do with his money, as no sane person would spend a million on a slave. They stared at Mo Han with expressions of sheer bewilderment.

After this interlude, the auction continued vigorously. However, Mo Han did not bid again for the rest of the session, acting as if he had never existed outside the moment he bought little Anli. Lick and his friends tried several times to strike up a conversation with Mo Han, but he skillfully evaded every attempt.

Mo Han knew exactly what Lick and the others were thinking. He had never intended to harm the little girl; he was simply annoyed by the arrogant demeanor of the blue-robed female mage and deliberately wanted to make them sweat.

Seeing Mo Han completely ignore them, a stark contrast to his earlier behavior, Lick and his companions grew secretly anxious. They had intended to discuss how they might arrange to ransom little Anli, but since Mo Han refused to engage them, they had no opportunity to speak. They could only wait anxiously, utterly helpless.

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