hotmtlnovel 21. The struggle begins
21. The struggle begins
Despite various twists and turns, Xiao Yan ultimately purchased a piece of jewelry that could concentrate spiritual power and calm the mind for Xiao Xun'er. In Yao Lao's words, "She can say no, but you can't not buy it."
The auction lasted for four hours. Finally, when most people were starting to feel visually fatigued, Xue Ningyi gracefully returned to the auction stage. From Xue Ningyi's face, most people gleaned one message:
"The really good stuff has arrived!"
"Distinguished guests, we apologize for keeping you waiting. I must express our apologies to Wan Yao Xuan and Jin Meng Chamber of Commerce. Of course, what follows will not disappoint you either."
Then, at Xue Ningyi's signal, two attendants carried a container made of pure ice slowly toward the center of the auction stage. Just then, Zi Yan abruptly ended her meditative state, leaped up from her seat, and stared intently at the collectible that was about to be brought up.
"Zi Yan, what's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked. Although Zi Yan was usually in an improper state around him, she had never been so out of control before.
The people in the VIP room all turned their gazes to Zi Yan, who said incredulously, "That thing seems to be very important to me."
Xiao Yan pulled Zi Yan to his side and comforted her, saying, "It's alright, calm down first. If you really need it, I will definitely take the picture."
Zi Yan nodded subconsciously, but Xiao Yan could still tell that at this moment, Zi Yan's mind was completely drawn to that item.
"It seems this auction is indeed something special," the old apothecary remarked.
"Teacher, have you noticed anything unusual?"
"Pretty much, the stuff on there is no simple matter."
Although none of the others possessed the sensory abilities of Zi Yan and Yao Lao, everyone in the hall felt an inexplicable pressure emanating from the ice container, with many of those with lower cultivation levels even struggling to breathe.
Xue Ningyi placed her hand on the ice container, smiling as she surveyed the crowd in the auction hall, capturing everyone's interest—a skill every expert auctioneer must master.
"Distinguished guests, please prepare yourselves, this item is quite astonishing."
Sensing the impatience of many, Xue Ningyi gently lifted the ice container, revealing a small, unsealed jade bottle. A terrifying aura of an unparalleled ferocious beast spread wildly throughout the auction hall. Even though Xue Ningyi had warned them beforehand, many people were still frightened by the beastly aura and immediately left their seats. When they discovered that the source was just an inanimate object, they could only awkwardly sit back down.
"Five drops of blood essence from an unknown species of magical beast. According to the Golden Alliance Chamber of Commerce's assessment, the owner of the blood essence may have already advanced to the eighth rank."
Xue Ningyi's words instantly ignited the auction house, with discussions rising and falling. For most people, Dou Zun was practically a legend, and reaching that level meant making a name for oneself even across the entire Dou Qi Continent.
The essence blood of an eighth-tier magical beast is an absolute tonic, capable of raising one's level and potentially granting some magical beast talents. However, the essence blood of seventh-tier and above magical beasts is extremely difficult to obtain. Firstly, these magical beasts are incredibly powerful and difficult to provoke. Secondly, once a magical beast reaches the seventh tier, it faces certain death and would rather self-destruct than leave its body to humans.
As for the unknown species, that's not a problem at all, because the aura of that peerless ferocious beast just now indicates that this thing is extraordinary.
The entire auction house erupted in excitement, with many people disregarding their status and urging Xue Ningyi to announce the price.
As if she had foreseen this situation, Xue Ningyi still spoke elegantly, "In business, trust is the first priority. I must tell you the truth: the energy of this magical beast's blood essence is extremely terrifying. According to the Golden Alliance Chamber of Commerce, even a Dou Huang cannot absorb it."
The heated atmosphere subsided as if doused with water. Although the Golden Alliance Chamber of Commerce didn't participate in the struggle for supremacy as a sect like the six major powers, it still held a pivotal position in the Northwest Region of the continent, with a reputation even better than the six major powers. If the Golden Alliance Chamber of Commerce said that a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) couldn't absorb it, it was practically a foregone conclusion; the Dou Huang would be directly burst from the strain.
As for whether a Dou Zong level expert can succeed, no one would be foolish enough to ask. Dou Zong is an absolute backbone of any force, and the Golden Alliance Chamber of Commerce would not joke about the safety of a Dou Zong expert.
"Starting bid: 10 million gold coins, with priority given to barter."
This statement is easy to understand. For most people present, money can be found again, but many valuable items cannot be measured by money. The auction house fell into an eerie silence. Ordinary people couldn't afford to buy, nor dared to buy, while no one in the VIP rooms dominated by the six major powers made a move.
Although no one made a bid, Zi Yan was already impatient. The moment she saw the essence blood, she told Xiao Yan that this thing was extremely important to her and she absolutely had to get her hands on it.
Xiao Yan immediately assured Zi Yan that he would definitely buy it. Zi Yan had been following Xiao Yan for the past few months, and while she hadn't exactly worked hard, she had indeed brought him many good things. Moreover, Xiao Yan had unknowingly come to regard Zi Yan as a younger sister, so naturally he wouldn't refuse.
"Junior Uncle, do you need our help?" Xu Yingwu asked generously. After all, this thing was quite valuable, and even Xu Yingwu was very tempted. Whether he absorbed it himself or used it to refine medicine, this kind of essence blood was a rare and precious thing.
"It's alright, I've made some preparations for this auction." Seeing Xu Yingwu's expression, Xiao Yan hesitated before saying, "Brother Xu, if you need, feel free to bid. Let's compete fairly."
Zi Yan shook her head and said, "This essence blood is sealed, so it will do you no good."
Upon hearing Zi Yan's words, both Xu Chengze and Xu Yingwu, as well as Su Zhang, looked at her with great interest. Zi Yan herself said, somewhat bewildered, "I don't know why, but it must be like this!"
Xiao Yan briefly explained Zi Yan's background, and Xu Yingwu looked enlightened, then chuckled and said, "Let's film it anyway."
The competition began while Xiao Yan and his companions were talking.
"VIP room number two has offered 20 million gold coins."
The second bidder acted swiftly and decisively, setting the highest price to date.
"Wan Qing from the Heroes Alliance has made a move. It seems this stuff is really attractive to alchemists," Lu Zhi said with a smile, lying on a chair in VIP room number one.
"VIP room number 11 has been offered 30 million gold coins."
"It seems the Northwest Region is indeed fascinating," Xiao Yan remarked. Although the six major powers are strong, they are not absolutely invincible. The other VIP rooms are also occupied by local strongmen in the Northwest Region. If the Jia Ma Empire were to come here, they probably wouldn't even be able to think about entering a VIP room.
Xiao Yan then waved his hand, indicating that it was time for him to make his offer.
"VIP Room No. 3 offered ten million gold coins, plus six Grade 6 pills worth over five million."
"That's terrifying. The value of pills must be far greater than that of gold coins."
"You think that's VIP room number three? Master Su Zhang is said to have already advanced to the seventh-grade alchemist level."
"The total value must be far more than forty million gold coins."
Such price increases are basically irrelevant to ordinary people, so more and more people are just watching the spectacle.
"VIP Room No. 8, bid 30 million gold coins, plus two Earth-rank combat skills."
"VIP Room No. 2 has offered 30 million gold coins, plus six Grade 6 pills."
Lu Zhi, who was lying down in VIP room number one, got up and laughed, "This is good stuff. Let me add fuel to the fire."