“Add two hundred thousand!”
The leader of Spirit Herb Manor said calmly.
Though Spirit Herb Manor was renowned for alchemy, they couldn’t produce such perfect Mortal Pills, so their intent, like Divine Hand Master’s, was likely to buy them for research.
“Three perfect Mortal Pills, current bid at three million three hundred ten thousand. Any higher bids?”
“I bid three million four hundred thousand!” Heavenly King Sect’s Vice Leader Sikong Xuan wasn’t about to lose to the western three sects.
“Three million five hundred thousand!”
Snow Mountain Sect joined in, complicating the situation.
“Three million six hundred thousand!”
This time, Golden Light Master couldn’t sit still and bid on behalf of Yuehua Sect.
“Three million seven hundred thousand!”
Beast King Palace also wanted these three pills.
At this point, all twelve sects, except those who’d already secured pills, had bid.
Though three million seven hundred thousand didn’t match the mysterious bidder’s earlier purchase of three pills, it was getting close.
Yun Ya knew her strategy was working.
Watching the major sects compete, most lone warriors wisely stayed out.
First, they lacked the funds.
Second, they didn’t want to offend the twelve sects.
Within the Holy Dynasty’s borders, the twelve sects were unquestionably the strongest.
Offending them would mean lone warriors would need to tread carefully in the future.
Ultimately, Spirit Herb Manor won these three perfect-grade Mortal Pills.
The price was four million six hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones, ten thousand more than the previous mysterious bidder’s four million five hundred thousand.
There was no helping it. Spirit Herb Manor was too wealthy. As a sect focused on alchemy and medicine, they were likely the richest among the twelve sects.
Competing with them was a losing battle.
“My thanks!”
Spirit Herb Manor’s leader smiled at the competitors, gave a polite gesture, and returned to their seat.
Sikong Xuan’s face darkened.
He hadn’t expected so many would dare challenge Heavenly King Sect now.
It seemed their lack of dominance in recent years had made people forget their fearsome reputation.
“Vice Leader, no need to be angry. After the Martial Arts Festival, these sects will fade into history anyway.”
“Indeed!”
Sikong Xuan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.
He was determined to win the next auction.
Yun Ya, hosting the auction, felt her heart race. This was far more thrilling than she’d imagined.
“Next, another three Mortal Pills, still starting at three million low-grade spirit stones. Let’s begin!”
As Yun Ya’s voice fell, Sikong Xuan was about to bid when a voice suddenly rang out, pushing his anger to new heights.
It was Ling Xiao’s.
Yes, he planned to ruthlessly fleece Sikong Xuan.
Since Sikong kept causing him trouble, what was wrong with making him a shill?
“Four million six hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones!”
His bid matched Spirit Herb Manor’s previous winning price, delivered with strong confidence and determination.
“When did Yuehua Sect let a junior call the shots?”
Sikong Xuan sneered.
“Senior Sikong, you’re mistaken. I’m bidding for myself, not the sect. That doesn’t break any rules, does it?”
Ling Xiao smiled faintly.
“Hmph, do you even have that many spirit stones?”
Sikong Xuan snorted again.
“Stop snorting. It makes people think of a certain animal served on a plate.”
Ling Xiao said with a half-smile. “As for spirit stones, I don’t have many, but I earned plenty during the preliminaries. Buying three Mortal Pills is well within my means.”
“Scoundrel, you dare call our Vice Leader a pig!”
Dao Wuming, standing nearby, was furious.
“I didn’t say that. You did.”
Ling Xiao shrugged.
“Hahaha!”
The auction house erupted in laughter.
Though many feared Heavenly King Sect, seeing them humiliated was satisfying. Their domineering ways over the years had made plenty of enemies.
“Kid, you’ll regret what you said today! I bid four million seven hundred thousand!”
Sikong Xuan wanted to crush Ling Xiao on the spot, but he knew where he was and didn’t dare act rashly.
Still, he’d find a chance to kill Ling Xiao later. This grudge was irreconcilable.
“Heh, Heavenly King Sect’s wealth isn’t much to speak of. Just four million seven hundred thousand, and you’re grinding your teeth? That’s pathetic. I bid four million eight hundred thousand!”
Ling Xiao spoke as if it were nothing, as if four million eight hundred thousand spirit stones were mere pebbles.
If a sect’s financial strength was questioned, it was a big deal.
Forming Tianlong Academy required immense wealth, and spirit stones were key to cultivation. Many gave Sikong Xuan odd looks.
Under these gazes and Ling Xiao’s taunts, Sikong Xuan, in a fit of impulse, roared, “Five million low-grade spirit stones! These three Mortal Pills are mine!”
Whoa!
The bid sent the auction house into a frenzy, like boiling water, with gasps and exclamations everywhere.
Five million low-grade spirit stones for three perfect-grade Mortal Pills meant each cost over one million six hundred thousand. It was utterly insane.
Everything has a value limit.
Even perfect-grade Mortal Pills, as excellent as they were, were still just Mortal Pills. Over one million two hundred thousand was already steep.
Over one million five hundred thousand was only worth it if urgently needed.
Over one million six hundred thousand? That was just being a fool.
*Clap clap clap!*
Ling Xiao stood, clapping a few times. “Impressive, truly impressive. Heavenly King Sect’s alchemists must be terrible if Senior Sikong has to spend five million low-grade spirit stones on three Mortal Pills. Are you flaunting your wealth or just foolish with money?”
“Pfft!”
Laughter broke out below.
“This kid’s too cunning, daring to scam old Sikong Xuan!”
“Sikong Xuan’s always cheated others. Who’d have thought the old hunter would get his eyes pecked out by an eagle this time? What a loss.”
Sects and warriors at odds with Heavenly King Sect gloated, relishing Sikong Xuan’s grim face. It was immensely satisfying.
“You little beast, you dare trick me!”
By now, Sikong Xuan realised what had happened. Ling Xiao, already a Heavenly Vein warrior, had no use for Mortal Pills. From start to finish, the kid was deliberately inflating the price.
“Oh, Senior Sikong, you misunderstand. How could I trick you? It’s just that your head hasn’t been clear lately, so you’re throwing money away.”
Ling Xiao gave Sikong Xuan a cheeky smile.
