The Sucker, Bidding for the Foundation Establishment Pill

At this moment, the two had already decided that no matter what, they would not easily allow that Fragment Map to fall into Ji Haoyuan's hands.

Ji Haoyuan seemed to have seen through their intentions as well, and a trace of chill flashed through the depths of his eyes.

He continued, "Two thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Two thousand two hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Two thousand six hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Three thousand!"

By this point in the bidding, many people present could already tell that the bidders on both sides clearly had a conflict.

Because a Fragment Map like that simply was not worth three thousand Spirit Stones.

In some people's eyes, they would not even spare it a glance for three hundred Spirit Stones, much less three thousand.

Unless they possessed the other parts of that Fragment Map.

But even so, three thousand Spirit Stones was already a very high price.

What was more, the bidding between the two sides had not stopped.

"Three thousand three hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Three thousand six hundred Spirit Stones!"

At this moment, Ji Haoyuan's brows had begun to furrow slightly.

Clearly, he too felt that this price had far exceeded the value of the Fragment Map itself.

After all, no one could guarantee that after obtaining that Fragment Map, they would be able to piece together the complete map.

It would be fine if they could, but if they still could not, then spending more than three thousand, nearly four thousand Spirit Stones would make them look rather like suckers.

At this thought, a cold smile curved Ji Haoyuan's lips.

He spoke again.

"Four thousand Spirit Stones!"

As soon as this price was named, the Han Family's side fell briefly silent.

Clearly, after bidding to this point, Han Penghu and Han Pengfeng had also begun to feel some pressure.

It was not that they could not afford a mere four thousand-plus Spirit Stones, but because they had not come to this auction for such a Fragment Map.

Like many people present, they had come for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

If they spent too many Spirit Stones on a Fragment Map at this time, they would undoubtedly be at an inherent disadvantage in the later contest for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

This was not something they wished to see.

Therefore.

After a brief discussion, the two brothers ultimately decided to make one final bid.

No matter how much the other party raised the price afterward, they would no longer compete for it.

"Four thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"

As the Han brothers made their bid once again, Ji Haoyuan, seated in the Private Room, immediately leaned back in his chair and sneered without saying another word.

In any case, he already knew whose hands the Fragment Map had fallen into.

All he needed to do next was keep an eye on the movements of the two Han brothers.

If they truly made any unusual moves, he would not mind playing the part of a Rogue cultivator for once.

But when his side gave no response, the Han brothers immediately began to feel rather uncomfortable.

Spending four thousand five hundred Spirit Stones to buy back a Fragment Map of unknown use—no matter how one looked at it, it felt like being taken for a sucker.

Even the Zhang Family brothers beside them wore slightly strange expressions.

Fortunately, neither of them said anything, sparing the Han brothers from too much embarrassment.

The auction continued.

One treasure after another was sold.

During this time, Ji Haoyuan made another move as well.

He spent three thousand Spirit Stones to acquire a Tier 2 high-grade fire-attributed mineral material.

It was called Glazed Flame Jade.

He intended to use it later to upgrade the grade of his Crimson Flame Pattern Spear.

It was at this moment that Xue Yuling, standing on the auction platform, suddenly took out a Jade Bottle.

With a radiant smile, she looked at the crowd below and said,

"The item we will be auctioning next is something I believe everyone here will be extremely interested in."

Hearing her words and seeing the Jade Bottle in her hand, many people present seemed to have guessed something. Their spirits immediately lifted.

Even Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang sat upright once more, their bright eyes fixed on the Jade Bottle in Xue Yuling's hand.

"That's right. The item we will be auctioning next is precisely a Foundation Establishment Pill, which can help cultivators advance to Foundation Establishment."

Xue Yuling opened the Jade Bottle in her hand.

In an instant, a rich fragrance of pills wafted out.

Xue Yuling continued, "I believe I need not say much about the value of this Foundation Establishment Pill.

It can help cultivators increase their chances of succeeding in Foundation Establishment by roughly thirty-five percent.

At the same time, this pill can protect a cultivator's meridians. Even if one fails to break through to Foundation Establishment, there will be no danger of death or of severing one's future Dao path.

The starting bid for this pill is five thousand Spirit Stones. Each increase must be no less than five hundred Spirit Stones."

It had to be said that the Foundation Establishment Pill was one of the most expensive and valuable Pills among all Second Order Pills.

Its starting price alone exceeded the price of many Second Order Pills and spirit artifacts.

Most importantly, even if one had Spirit Stones, one might not necessarily have a way to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore.

The instant Xue Yuling finished speaking, a series of bids rang out across the hall.

"Six thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Eight thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Nine thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones!"

In only a short while.

The price of the Foundation Establishment Pill was pushed directly to ten thousand Spirit Stones.

This was a figure many Qi Refining cultivators did not even dare dream of.

Yet such a figure was almost immediately surpassed once more.

"Eleven thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Twelve thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Fourteen thousand Spirit Stones!"

By this time, practically everyone in the hall with even a bit of strength had already made a bid.

The Han and Zhang Families were no exception.

Watching as the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill continued to climb.

Ji Bochang, seated in the Private Room, could not help but show a trace of worry on his face.

He looked at Ji Haoyuan and said, "Haoyuan, the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill has already been bid up to fourteen thousand—oh, no, it's already sixteen thousand Spirit Stones now.

Do you think we should give up on this Foundation Establishment Pill for now? We can bid again when the next Foundation Establishment Pill is auctioned."

Ji Haoyuan believed that Ji Bochang was not the only one with this thought. Many people present surely thought the same.

After all, everyone had already received definite news that more than one Foundation Establishment Pill would be auctioned at this auction.

Under such circumstances, any normal person would surely want to temporarily avoid this first wave of competition.

Perhaps when the next one came up, the competition would not be so fierce?

But Ji Haoyuan, who understood the key to the matter, knew very well that in auctions for resources that could be called strategic, the further things went, the fiercer the competition would only become.

On the contrary, this first round of competition might very well be the easiest.

Therefore.

After hearing Ji Bochang's words, Ji Haoyuan immediately analyzed the key points with him.

At this moment, the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill had also reached a new height, climbing to a staggering seventeen thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones.

Seeing this, Ji Haoyuan no longer hesitated. He immediately called out in a clear voice,

"Twenty-eight thousand Spirit Stones!"