The auctioneer, scanning the crowd with a discerning gaze, soon looked away with a hint of disappointment. Clearly, these mercenaries weren't too interested in these high-quality elixirs. Even if ordinary elixirs could be bought for a few gold coins each, these higher quality ones weren't particularly appealing to the average mercenary, given their steep price of two thousand gold coins. However, she couldn't just give up and began laughingly promoting the exceptional benefits and minimal side effects of these elixirs compared to those sold in regular shops. Despite her exhaustive efforts, no one seemed interested in buying.
Li Yi found this quite amusing and thought to himself that it was surprising to see no one in the crowd recognizing the value of these items. Elder Snake chuckled, "It's not that no one recognizes their value. Those who are interested can't afford them, and those who can, aren't particularly interested. They probably share your view on elixirs – better not to use them if it can be helped."
Li Yi grimaced, "So, if I buy these, I'll be seen as a big fool?"
Elder Snake replied indifferently, "Even if you're seen as a fool, it's worth it for the quality of Wanyao Pharmacy's products, especially the Qi Recovery Pills. Their side effects are significant, but in certain situations, they might just save your life."
After a moment of consideration, Li Yi agreed to purchase them, still somewhat reluctantly. As the auctioneer made one last attempt to sell the elixirs, a voice suddenly broke the awkward silence. "Two thousand one hundred... I'll take them!" All eyes turned to Li Yi, shrouded in his black cloak.
"Where did this fat sheep come from, bidding so much for a few elixirs?" Not only the mercenaries but even the auctioneer looked at him strangely, surprised that the unsellable items had found a buyer. But being astute, she quickly regained her composure and announced, "Finally, someone who appreciates quality. Does anyone else have an interest? If not, these elixirs will go to this young man!"
The mercenaries rolled their eyes – did she really think anyone else would be interested in these overpriced items? Just as the auctioneer was about to conclude the sale, another voice called out from a different corner. "Three thousand gold coins! They are mine!"
A somewhat portly merchant pushed his way through the crowd, glaring at Li Yi as if to mock his inability to afford higher prices. Those familiar with Najia Town knew that the cunning auctioneer was up to her usual tricks of baiting 'fat sheep.' Watching the merchant, Li Yi shook his head discreetly, sighing internally, "Greed knows no bounds. They have their buyer, yet they still resort to shills. Do they think I'm an easy target?"
Elder Snake sneered, "That's how it is here. Dressed as you are, alone, and bidding on such items, you're a perfect target for them. What now, will you walk away?"
"Would I ever?" Li Yi replied with a slight smile. "Since they've marked me as a 'fat sheep,' let's give them a big surprise."
"So..."
"Three thousand one hundred gold coins..." After a brief pause, Li Yi calmly raised the bid again. The merchant, already ready to back off, was encouraged by a sign from the auctioneer and raised his bid in anger.
"Three thousand eight hundred gold coins!" Li Yi stated flatly.
"Four thousand five hundred gold coins!" the merchant shouted, visibly infuriated.
"Eight thousand gold coins..." Li Yi suddenly doubled the bid, stunning everyone. Even those in desperate need of elixirs wouldn't pay such a price. But there was Li Yi, the 'black-cloaked fat sheep,' raising the bid to an astonishing level. The merchant, already prepared to back down, hesitated upon receiving a cue from the auctioneer. Gritting his teeth, he challenged Li Yi, "You've got guts, kid! You think I can't afford it?!"
"On ten thousand gold coins!!!" Li Yi's voice remained completely unfluctuating. "Fifteen thousand gold coins!" "Eighteen thousand gold coins!" "Twenty thousand gold coins!" The escalating prices left the mercenaries in a state of shock. Why had these items suddenly become so valuable? If many didn't recognize the fat man, they would have thought a naive young lord or lady had come to 'experience the world.' Many were lamenting why they didn't run an auction house – slaughtering a few fat sheep like this would make them rich beyond their dreams.
"Forty thousand gold coins!" Li Yi seemed dismissive of the fat man, quoting a price that left no room for anyone to even blink. The leaders of several mercenary groups were now closely observing Li Yi, trying to decipher something about him. The fat man's eyes briefly flickered towards the auction stage, and after receiving a certain confirmation, a cold smirk crossed his face. After hesitating, he quoted an astonishing price that stunned many mercenaries, "One hundred thousand gold coins!!!"
The crowd gasped at the fat man's bid. It was ruthless! Many were now convinced that Li Yi would withdraw his bid, and the fat man would leave triumphantly. Selling an elixir worth two to three thousand gold coins for one hundred thousand was an unbelievable achievement. However, Li Yi appeared oblivious to the situation and, after carefully observing the fat man, sighed lightly, "Sir, it seems you really need these elixirs... I was just bidding for fun, but I didn't expect you to need them so desperately... How embarrassing for me! Alright then, I won't compete with you anymore... You win this auction."
"You win this auction?!" The crowd shifted from shock to amusement. Normally, auctioned items are consigned, and the auction house takes a commission. For instance, selling an elixir for one hundred thousand gold coins would typically mean a commission of up to ten thousand gold coins. But everyone knew the fat man was affiliated with the auction house, typically appearing to fleece unsuspecting bidders. Now, he had inadvertently bid a massive sum in response to Li Yi's provocation. Even with a ten thousand gold coin commission, the auction house would have to spend ninety thousand gold coins to purchase an elixir worth only two thousand gold coins – a significant loss.
"You... you... you..." The fat man's face turned from pale to red to ashen. Unable to contain himself, he vomited blood and collapsed.
"Ah, it turns out this gentleman needed the elixirs for his health. No wonder he was so desperate during the bidding..." Li Yi's voice carried a hint of regret. The mercenaries' expressions grew even more colorful. Li Yi had deliberately manipulated the auction, turning the tables on the auction house, which intended to fleece him. The auctioneer's strategy had backfired spectacularly.
Feeling the gazes around him, Li Yi awkwardly shifted, his eyes still fixed on the stage, feeling pity for the woman. If not for her greed, she would not have met such a fate.
Elder Snake asked, "Weren't you afraid the fat man would withdraw his bid amid your reckless bidding?"
Li Yi sneered, "If he withdrew, so be it... Did they really think I would pay such a high price? If he had withdrawn, I would have just walked away. The auction house's guards are no threat to me... But by carefully manipulating his psychological threshold, I was confident he would try to fleece me... If I miscalculated, I could leave without buying, but their miscalculation would cost them dearly. They would have to buy the overpriced elixir to maintain their reputation. Either way, they are the ones at a loss. I wonder how such a foolish tactic has lasted until now..."
Elder Snake seemed to chuckle, "Do you think every fat sheep is as calculating and cunning as you?"
Li Yi smiled, "I'll take that as a compliment, Elder Snake. But speaking of which, we didn't win the bid, so we don't need to buy the elixirs anymore, right?"
Elder Snake laughed, "Don't worry... if I'm not mistaken, those elixirs will still find their way to you eventually..."