"Five hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins—"
Even the host was so startled by the commotion that he stumbled over his words.
"Once..."
"Seven hundred thousand!"
Tai Tan bid in a deep voice.
One reason he had agreed to back down was that he had realized the auction house might truly have stayed out of it.
As a dignified Soul Douluo, vice president of the Blacksmith Association, and one of the Three Divine Craftsmen,
he didn't believe his wealth could be outmatched by some upstart brat who had appeared out of nowhere.
But he had miscalculated.
"Eight hundred thousand!"
"Nine hundred thousand!"
"One million!"
"One million one hundred thousand!"
The room marked Bing seemed completely unaffected and continued raising the price.
Tai Tan's expression grew darker by the moment.
He had money, but he had to support his entire clan. One million one hundred thousand was already the limit of what he could afford.
"One million two hundred thousand!"
"One million two hundred thousand, once!"
"Twice!"
"Three times!"
"Congratulations to the honored guest in Room Two, Bing, on winning this item!"
The host brought down the gavel. Sold.
Tai Tan also etched the brat who had ruined his plans into his heart, vowing to remember him!
The second-to-last item, which had originally been intended as the grand finale,
wasn't an object at all, but a piece of intelligence!
Detailed information about the Soul Beasts in a certain region of the Star Dou Forest.
A certain great clan bought it for six hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Normally, that would have been grand-finale material.
But after the dazzling "Essence of Stars" had fetched one million two hundred thousand, it didn't seem nearly as impressive.
Qian Renxue was practically grinding her teeth in anger.
Only the Spirit Hall could have gathered such detailed information about such a vast region.
Some parasite had definitely leaked it.
Bibi Dong... What on earth was that woman doing?
The Spirit Hall had grown increasingly decadent and corrupt over the past few years.
Next time she returned,
she would have to give her a good talking-to.
But when the maid brought in the Essence of Stars, some of her anger faded, replaced by eager anticipation.
"Teacher, when can you help me forge the divine artifact?"
"We'll talk when we get back!"
Ling Xiao answered casually, his gaze fixed on the auction stage.
He wondered what kind of price the Soul Raising Pill would fetch.
If it wasn't enough, he would have to find another way to make up the shortfall.
Qian Renxue was a little worried too.
Such a miraculous pill would surely fetch a sky-high price, but since it hadn't been publicized,
it was impossible to predict how much these people would offer...
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"The true grand finale of this auction is about to make its appearance—"
"One Soul Raising Pill!"
"After taking it, any Soul Master below the rank of Soul Douluo will immediately advance by one level in Soul Power!"
The crowd, already preparing to leave, was instantly pulled back by those words.
"A pill? What is that?"
"It can actually help Soul Masters advance? Anyone below Soul Douluo can gain a level?"
"Wait... Does level seventy-nine count as below Soul Douluo?"
If this hadn't been the Tiandou Auction House, whose reputation was beyond question, everyone would have suspected the host was spouting nonsense.
The hall erupted into a hubbub.
Before the chatter had even died down, the host announced that bidding had begun.
"One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
A cool female voice came from a private room on the second floor.
Right after that, one previously silent private room after another burst into a chorus of bids.
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Three hundred thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand!"
"Five hundred thousand!"
Even Tai Tan, whose anger had been building to the breaking point, was pulled back by the succession of bids.
"Father, does a medicine like this really exist?"
Tainuo was tempted, but also doubtful. He could only ask his well-informed father.
"Given the Tiandou Auction House's reputation, it's most likely genuine."
Tai Tan pondered briefly, then immediately gave the order.
"Doesn't matter. We'll buy it first!"
He couldn't use it himself, and Tainuo was only in his fifties in terms of Soul Power, so using it on him would be a waste!
But this was a miraculous medicine that could directly raise someone's Soul Power by one level!
Used well, it might produce another Soul Saint, or even a Soul Douluo.
They had to get it, even if it cost them everything!
Following his father's orders, Tainuo raised the price straight to eight hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
As long as they won the bid,
the pill would most likely be used on him,
and then breaking through to Soul Saint might not be out of reach.
He was even somewhat relieved that his father hadn't spent that money on "that worthless rock."
But what happened next was beyond everyone's expectations.
"One million Gold Soul Coins."
The auction house manager who had come to rein in Tai Tan—the elderly man with the long beard—
joined the bidding too, immediately outbidding Tai Tan.
"You old bastard! What does your auction house mean by this? Moving money from one hand to the other? You think you can toy with us as you please?"
After being toyed with again and again, Tai Tan could no longer hold back.
He shot to his feet, glaring furiously.
"Old Ape, don't be so hot-tempered."
The old man pointed to the coarse hemp clothes he wore and spoke unhurriedly.
"The auction house's rules do forbid staff from bidding, but we're participating in our personal capacity. That doesn't count as breaking the rules, does it?
"Of course, if you think this is unfair, you're free not to participate."
Tai Tan was just about to erupt—
when a warm, gentle voice rang out.
"The highest bidder wins. Fair competition. I don't see anything wrong with that."
"You're all respected figures. Surely you wouldn't want to lose face in front of the younger generation."
A middle-aged man entered the hall at an unhurried pace, holding a jade fan and possessing a handsome, refined face.
He wore a spotless white robe and carried himself with gentle elegance.
Behind him followed an old man in a black robe. His face was gaunt as a skeleton, and he stood nearly two and a half meters tall, like a walking skeleton.
A chilling smile hung on his face.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Lord Bone Douluo."
At the sight of the newcomers, the auction house's two Soul Douluos immediately saluted.
Tai Tan looked down on everyone equally.
But even he wouldn't put on airs before the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He respectfully joined the others in saluting.
"No need for formalities, everyone. Let the auction continue."
Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.
The two auction house managers exchanged a glance, helplessness in their eyes.
They didn't know who had leaked the news, but with such a wealthy patron here,
they figured they didn't stand a chance.
Still, this was for the best. At least he had helped them suppress that old relic, Tai Tan. Otherwise, they would have had another headache on their hands.
Tai Tan was in a particularly foul mood.
First, he had been outmatched by two old men. Then Qian Renxue had snatched the Essence of Stars he had been longing for.
Now, just as he had taken an interest in the Soul Raising Pill, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had barged in to stir up trouble.
And this time, he didn't dare show even the slightest anger.
Agonizing!
Miserable!
With Ning Fengzhi's words, the auction continued.
But every time someone bid,
Ning Fengzhi topped them with an even higher offer.
Once the price reached two million Gold Soul Coins,
no one else bid.
Just as everyone thought it was about to end—
Ning Fengzhi swept out his hand and revised his bid outright.
"Five million Gold Soul Coins!"
Before you continue