Chapter 104: The Auction (Part 2)
As Ya Fei's melodious voice concluded, a young woman in a cheongsam walked gracefully from the internal passageway, carrying a silver tray, which she placed on the auction platform.
"This is the first item in today's auction." Ya Fei's elegant demeanor and enchanting gaze swept across the crowd. Under the cheongsam's accentuation, her allure was enough to leave men utterly captivated.
Only Xiao Yan, seated in a private suite, had experienced the privilege of knowing her charm beyond appearances.
Leaning back, Xiao Yan quietly observed the bewitching figure on stage. A mischievous thought crossed his mind: Perhaps tonight, we could try a little uniform role play.
Oblivious to Xiao Yan's roguish musings, Ya Fei gently lifted a crimson cloth to reveal an exquisite jade box. A rich medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air, and a radiant, golden pill came into view.
"A sixth tier pill Huangji Pill!"
Her mature and magnetic voice triggered an uproar across the audience.
Even Jia Xing Tian, the old powerhouse from the imperial family, couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
The Huangji Pill could directly enhance a Dou Huang's strength by one to two stars while strengthening their body. Though it could only be consumed once in a lifetime, it was still a priceless treasure for Dou Huang practitioners.
"Huangji Pill starting bid: three million gold coins, with minimum increments of one hundred thousand!" Ya Fei's elegant hand tapped the auction gavel against the mahogany table.
"Six million! I'll bid six million!"
"Six million? Don't be ridiculous! I'll bid eight million!"
The room erupted into a frenzy.
This auction, the grandest hosted by the Mittel family in over a decade, had attracted not only attendees from the Jia Ma Empire but also powerhouses from neighboring nations.
In the venue, no fewer than ten Dou Huang level powerhouses were present. Initially, they had come with the intention of spectating. But the very first item on the block had ignited their competitive spirits.
For practitioners at their level, every advancement required decades of arduous cultivation. A Huangji Pill, which could save years of effort, was nothing short of miraculous.
"Thirteen million gold coins." A calm, aged voice resonated, silencing the room.
The speaker was none other than Jia Xing Tian. As the host and a peak Dou Huang, his bid forced the other Dou Huang practitioners, though reluctant, to rein in their ambitions.
"What does this old relic want with a Huangji Pill when he's already at the peak of Dou Huang?" several Dou Huangs muttered indignantly to themselves.
However, they had to admit that the auction held promise.
Typically, auctions opened with rare items as a means of drawing attention. But to use a Huangji Pill as the opening lot? It was beyond extraordinary.
"Everyone, don't fret. This is not the only Huangji Pill in today's auction."
Ya Fei's calm demeanor and radiant smile hid the deep breath she took during a subtle turn.
Thirteen million gold coins this sum was roughly equivalent to the Jia Ma Empire's annual revenue. And this was only the beginning.
Glancing toward Xiao Yan's suite, she wished she could see him smiling inside.
"The next item: a sixth tier pill Dou Ling Pill!"
When the second item was revealed, Ya Fei's gavel fell again.
"Starting bid: two million gold coins, with minimum increments of one hundred thousand!"
A buzz rippled through the venue. This time, it was the Dou Wang practitioners' turn to grow restless.
The Dou Ling Pill held as much appeal for them as the Huangji Pill did for Dou Huang practitioners.
"Three million!"
"Four million!"
The Dou Wang elites in the VIP boxes bid fervently, driving the price to six and a half million gold coins.
Meanwhile, those seated in the main hall the so called "elite" of the empire exchanged uneasy glances. They were beginning to understand why they weren't granted access to the VIP boxes.
This auction was not meant for them.
Each item was enough to bankrupt their families.
Following the Dou Ling Pill, several martial techniques and skills were auctioned.
"Mid tier Profound Rank technique, Thirteen Blades of the Clouds, sold for eighty thousand gold coins," Ya Fei announced.
A businessman from Jia Ma's political and commercial circles smiled triumphantly.
"Finally, something for us common folk," he muttered.
But the next Dou Ling Pill quickly shattered that illusion.
The attendees in the main hall realized that even the lowest grade pills being auctioned were third tier and above a level they could only dream of.
By the time three Huangji Pills and ten Dou Ling Pills had been sold, the wealth amassed from the sales was staggering.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ya Fei's voice rang out, brimming with excitement.
"Now, we present the grand finale of today's auction!"
Her typically composed expression now bore a faint blush of excitement. As an auctioneer, handling such priceless treasures was an achievement in itself.
She lifted the silk covering from a jade box, revealing its contents.
"The final item: a sixth tier pill Breaking Saint Pill!"
Her words fell like thunder, and for a moment, the hall was silent. Then, an uproar erupted like a tidal wave.
"A Breaking Saint Pill! This is priceless for a peak Dou Huang!"
"Yes, while the Huangji Pill is impressive, the Breaking Saint Pill is far superior. It offers the chance to break into the Dou Zong realm!"
In the VIP suites, the Dou Huang elites' breathing quickened.
With enough time and effort, they could eventually reach the peak of Dou Huang. But breaking into Dou Zong was an entirely different matter.
The gap between Dou Huang and Dou Zong was vast far greater than the gap between Dou Wang and Dou Ling.
"Breaking Saint Pill starting bid: eight million gold coins, with minimum increments of one hundred thousand!" Ya Fei announced.
"Ten million!"
"Fifteen million!"
The price climbed rapidly. In the royal suite, Jia Xing Tian's expression shifted as he hesitated.
He regretted purchasing the Huangji Pill earlier. Securing this Breaking Saint Pill would cost the royal treasury dearly, possibly depleting years of accumulated wealth. Yet not bidding meant missing a once in a lifetime opportunity.
As he deliberated, a soul message reached his ear. His expression changed briefly before breaking into a wide grin.
"Thank you, Xiao Yan," Jia XingTian said, bowing toward Xiao Yan's suite.
He calmly watched as others continued bidding, unmoved.
Suddenly, an intense burst of thunderous Dou Qi erupted from one of the VIP boxes.
"Ha! This Breaking Saint Pill is far too precious. The Mittel family cannot protect it!"
A bolt of lightning shot toward Ya Fei on the auction stage.
(Chapter End)
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