The Northwest Region

"Three and a half million gold coins!"

"Three million eight hundred thousand gold coins!"

"Four million gold coins!"

The bids rose one after another. Xiao Yan knew that the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill he had given Xun Er was worth a full twenty million gold coins. Though this Qi Sea Spirit Returning Pill was inferior to that one, the Northwest Region could not compare with the Black-Corner Region. With the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly approaching, the value of pills that directly enhanced one's strength would only continue to rise.

"Junior Brother, shall I bid on this pill?"

Xiao Yan could not help but laugh at Su Zhang's eager expression. "Senior Brother, there are plenty of good things to come. There's no need to rush. What kind of alchemist buys his own medicine?"

Hearing this, Su Zhang could only give up, though he added, "Your pill won't have any trouble selling. A big fish will take the bait soon enough."

As if to prove Su Zhang's words, when the bidding reached eight million, the previously silent VIP room number six finally made its move.

"Ten million!"

Xue Ningyi smiled on the stage. "Thank you to our guest in VIP room number six for the bid. Ten million gold coins! That is currently the highest price!"

Yet Xiao Yan found it somewhat strange. The moment VIP room number six made its bid, everyone else fell silent. From the earlier auctions, Xiao Yan could tell that quite a few people in the ordinary seats possessed assets worth ten or even twenty million.

Xu Chengzze, who was still reclining calmly in his seat, noticed Xiao Yan's confusion and explained, "Little Friend Xiao Yan, do you know the major leading powers of the Northwest Region?"

Xiao Yan nodded lightly. "The Northwest Region has six great superpowers, divided into one alliance, two sects, and three beast factions. The alliance is the Heroes Alliance; the two sects are your sect and the Mystic Pattern Sect; the three beast factions are the Heavenly Snake Mansion, Lion Underworld Sect, and Elephant Rhino Mountain."

"That's right. VIP rooms one through six belong to those six great powers. The Lion Underworld Sect in room six has made a move just now, so whoever takes the lead in bidding against them may earn their resentment. Someone needs to break the deadlock."

Xu Chengzze raised a hand, and the doors suddenly opened as a maid entered in response.

"Raise it by two million."

The maid then went outside to place the bid. "Very well, the distinguished guest in VIP room number three bids twelve million gold coins!"

"Twelve million three hundred thousand!"

"Twelve million five hundred thousand!"

The bidding resumed. Xu Chengzze had taken the initiative to break the deadlock, and Xiao Yan's heart stirred. Though he was close to Xu Yingwu and was Su Zhang's junior brother, Xu Chengzze's action just now showed his personal recognition of Xiao Yan. Of course, the increments gradually began to shrink. After all, around twelve million was already close to the pill's true value.

Then VIP room number six made another move. "Fifteen million gold coins."

Xiao Yan smacked his lips. "The Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly really is an excellent time to make money."

At that moment, in VIP room number one, a handsome man dressed in flowing robes reclined comfortably in his chair, with two beautiful maids attending him closely. His hands roamed constantly over their bodies, especially the full curves of their chests. The maids wore very little to begin with, and after his teasing, the scene became exceedingly provocative. Both maids were flushed all over from his movements, soft panting continuously escaping their lips.

Behind the handsome man stood a man in gray and four elders. Though there were many empty chairs nearby, none of the five showed the slightest intention of sitting.

The four elders' eyes held extraordinary respect and wholehearted submission, while the gray-clothed man occasionally revealed a flicker of jealousy and resentment in his eyes. Most of the time, however, he wore a fawning expression. If Zi Yan had been present, she would have recognized him as one of the Mystic Pattern Sect members who had clashed with them before.

Suddenly, the handsome man asked one of the four elders, "Elder Liu, how much did we prepare this time?"

Elder Liu answered from behind him, "Is Young Master interested in this pill?"

"A top-grade sixth-tier pill is fairly rare. It can barely be considered worthy of me, Lu Zhi." The handsome man's tone was calm.

Although his tone was extremely arrogant, the four elders behind him did not show the slightest reaction.

Elder Liu stepped forward, gestured a number beside Lu Zhi, and said, "According to reliable intelligence, aside from that final item, the Sect Master specifically instructed us to acquire one other item. Other than that, Young Master may spend as he wishes."

Lu Zhi smiled and waved his hand. The woman to his left then walked out to place a bid.

"Sixteen million gold coins!"

"VIP room number one bids sixteen million gold coins. Is there anyone higher?" Xue Ningyi asked with her signature smile.

"Tsk, tsk, the Mystic Pattern Sect has made its move." Xu Yingwu sighed.

Zi Yan, who had been chatting and laughing with Xun Er nearby, suddenly asked, "Why the hell is this Mystic Pattern Sect ranked first?"

"Though they are called the six great powers, the Mystic Pattern Sect has risen at a terrifying pace in recent years. They are faintly showing signs of becoming the leading power of the Northwest Region, so they are ranked first. Why? Have you dealt with them before, Zi Yan?"

"Hmph. I taught an ill-mannered brat from the Mystic Pattern Sect a lesson once."

"Ill-mannered? Then it was probably the Mystic Pattern Sect's second young master, Lu Chen. He really is an overbearing fellow."

Zi Yan said disdainfully, "The next time I see him, I'll make sure he learns how formidable I am!"

Though Zi Yan held the Mystic Pattern Sect in utter contempt, its influence was undeniable. The moment it bid, the Qi Sea Spirit Returning Pill was secured for sixteen million gold coins.

Xiao Yan could not help but marvel at how little these people cared about money. An ordinary seventh-tier pill might only fetch this price. After the pill auction ended, Xue Ningyi offered a slight apology and went backstage to rest, replaced by another host.

Today's auction was of extraordinary significance, and the truly valuable items were all yet to come. Therefore, according to custom, Xue Ningyi needed to reserve her full energy for the later portion. Yet the auction did not grow dull after her departure. On the contrary, one interesting item after another was brought out, some of which were things no one had ever even heard of.

However, Xiao Yan barely spent any money himself. Whenever Su Zhang saw his junior brother show even the slightest interest in something, he immediately bought it. And because of the Echo Sect, very few people dared to bid against him. Thus, over the course of three hours, Xiao Yan acquired more than a dozen fine items. Only after Xiao Yan explicitly objected did Su Zhang stop.

Xiao Yan felt warmth in his heart. Su Zhang's conduct truly could not be faulted. Xiao Yan was not really Yao Lao's disciple to begin with; even if Su Zhang had merely thanked Yao Lao casually, no one would have thought anything of it, since Yao Lao's actions back then had been casual as well. Yet Su Zhang's conduct truly lived up to the saying, "A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring."