Just when everyone thought that the Qi Condensation Pill would be win by the Shi family head.
"36,000 gold coins!" Xue Yuying, who had been silent, abruptly spoke up.
The determination and confidence in her voice were unquestionable!
Everyone in the auction house went mute and looked at the VIP room, where the voice originates from in shock. The three family heads were also startled by her sudden display of wealth.
"Xue Yuying! It looks like you really want this Qi Condensation Pill. However, I wonder if the elder of the Qiao family will agree for you to spend so many gold coins?" Patriarch Shi questioned with a gloomy face, calling Xue Yuying by her name was to remind her of her position within the Qiao Family.
The other also has the same thought. Although Xue Yuying was the head of the Qiao family, she couldn't possibly move so many funds in one go.
Raising her voice, Xue Yuying said, "Patriarch Shi, if you want the pill, then increase the price, where I get the funds is none of your concern."
"Good, very good, I will congratulate you, matriarch Qiao."
After saying that, patriarch Shi didn't increase the bid anymore and shook his head. While he wanted to make things harder for Xue Yuying, he also doesn't want to take the risk.
The pill's Effect could help one breakthrough to the next realm more smoothly, but it wasn't guaranteed. It's not worth it to spend so much money on a single pill.
"Matriarch Qiao had bid 36,000 gold coins, is there anyone else who wished to raise the price?" Calmly observing the quiet hall, Su Mei smile and reminding everyone.
"Since no one has raised the price, I announced that the Qi Condensation Pill would go to the matriarch of the Qiao Family." After calling out three times without any response, Su mei tapped her small hammer on the table, signaling that the bid is over.
Seeing that no one else raise the price, Xue Yuying was relieved, albeit having Zhu Dingxiang provide her the additional funds, she doesn't want to borrow too much.
"Next, we will be auctioning the final auction item, a special spiritual plant!" Su Mei announced; she waved her hand as the light on the stage dimmed down. Four servants then carefully carry a big rectangular wooden box onto the platform.
"I'm sure you have all heard about it; a fisherman had accidentally discovered this spiritual plant in the Blue Wine Lake some time ago. Because it was positioned near the inner part of the lake, the expert of our auction house had expanded quite a bit of effort to obtain it."
Su Mei explained as she gradually lifted the lid of the sixteen-foot-long wooden box. Immediately, a gentle and unique fragrance spread throughout the dark hall.
"Oh my goodness, this is ..." Exclaimed a young man as he feels refreshed just by smelling the scent from the air.
"Oho... That takes a while, but it was well worth the wait." A blue-robed elder said in one of the VIP rooms, from his aura, one can tell that he is a Qi-Condensation realm expert.
...
'Eh? This is good stuff!' Zhu Dingxiang raised his brow; something has finally attracted his attention. Glancing at the other VIP rooms, he thought silently, 'So this spiritual plant is the reason for their presence...'
From the moment he stepped into the Rainbow Auction house, he was able to feel the presence of eleven other Qi-Condensation cultivators. With his nature-Qi and acute sense, Zhu Dingxiang was exceptionally sensitive toward the four that possessed a distinct dark and malicious aura around them.
A clear indication that they are demonic cultivators!
While demonic cultivators are not inherently evil, the wicked and killing intents that these four possessed obviously speak for themselves.
"A Peak-Tier Mortal Rank: White Cloud Lotus!"
After Su Mei entirely lifted the lid, the White Cloud Lotus was on full display!
'It was... not well preserved.' Zhu Dingxiang thought as he looks inside the wooden box.
A ten-foot-long green stem as thick as two fingers attaching to an elegant white lotus with all its petals fully open. At the center of the lotus blossom present a golden flower core.
In the dimly lit auction hall, it emitted numerous sparkles of white light, looking ethereal.
[White Cloud Lotus: (Peak-Tier) Mortal Rank.]
[Description: A common white lotus that evolved and blooms for a thousand years, the symbol of purity, devotion, ascension, enlightenment, and rebirth... When Consumed directly, it will cleanse the body from impurities and slightly increase the potential of a cultivator...]
[Effect: Purification.]
This White Cloud Lotus was priceless in the eyes of the audience; a treasure that could increase the potential of a cultivator was scarce.
From Su Mei's explanation, this spiritual plant was unlike others and not easy to preserve. During the fierce fight with the guardian beast, the lotus's root was destroyed and is currently withering.
If not for that reason, they would have transferred it to a bigger city for auction, and it wouldn't even be here.
"Everyone, you don't have to worry. Although the White Cloud Lotus is withering, it would still be fine for a few more days. If you consume it during this period, the medicinal Effect would still be excellent." Looking at the VIP rooms, Su Mei said lightly.
"The bottom price is 250,000 gold coins!"
After she shouted out the bottom price, the entire auction house went silent. Many of the small fries were trying to comprehend the concept behind that crazy number.
Even Xue Yuying and the other three family heads shivered to hear the outrageous price. However, they can't do anything about it, for something as valuable as this White Cloud Lotus, they too would be willing to pay such a high price if they could afford it.
Facing the silent atmosphere, Su Mei was not worried. Instead, there was only a smile on her face as she looks at the VIP rooms. The temptation was immense; even she was tempted to take it for herself.
As expected, the silence didn't last for long. The Blue robed elder excitedly calls out "300,000 gold coins!"
"310,000 gold coins!" Another man calls out from one of the VIP rooms.
"340,000 gold coins!" Coldly looking at the source of the voice, the Blue robed elder yelled.
...
While the big shot kept raising the price, the group of audiences was in an uproar!
"OMG! These auras... so many Qi Condensation Experts!"
"How is this possible?"
"Since when have so many experts come to this town?"
...
Witnessing the ongoing bidding war, Zhu Dingxiang was depressed. Even though he didn't need this White Cloud Lotus, he still likes it because it looks beautiful.
He doesn't know why, but he discovers that he likes hoarding valuable things after being a housebreaker yesterday night. He even went as far as taking all the useless cultivation manuals and techniques from the Wei family's residents just for the sake of taking it...
Who knows, maybe with his plant manipulation ability, he could save this lotus and plant it in the small pond of his courtyard.
But with the pitiful amount of gold coins in his storage ring, he can't afford it...
(ノ﹏ヽ)
'Tsk, who would have thought that the grand town mayor was so poor?'
'Is there no other way?' As Zhu Dingxiang was contemplating deeply.
A brilliant idea popped up in his mind.
¡¡¡( •̀ ᴗ •́ )و!!!
"I bid with a Mid-Tier Human Rank Martial Skill: Blazing Palm."
Hearing the sudden voice of Zhu Dingxiang, everyone was dumbfounded. While everyone was bidding using gold coins, he bid with martial skill.
Even if the White Cloud Lotus was rare, it was a one-time thing. However, a martial skill was different. A powerful one could serve as the foundation of a clan. The difference between Mortal and Human Rank were two different concepts altogether.
The moment they heard "Mid-Tier Human Rank Martial Skill: Blazing Palm," there was only one word run through the minds of everyone present here.
'FUCK!'*