Nineteen, What a Damn Surprise

"Hehe, to be honest with everyone, an elderly gentleman consigned a total of five top-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pills to our auction house. The remaining four will be sold in two batches."

"The first batch contains two Spirit-Nourishing Pills, with a starting price of two hundred thousand gold coins. Please place your bids!"

A charming smile remained on Ya Fei's beautiful face as she spoke gracefully. Her gaze drifted toward the three clan leaders seated in front, for she knew that the coming contest had nothing to do with anyone else.

Sure enough, the moment the starting price was announced, gasps rang out across the hall. Though many bidders were tempted, they could only shake their heads helplessly.

Without money, they did not even have the confidence to bid!

Even the three great clan leaders, despite being mentally prepared, could not help drawing sharp breaths. Their family businesses might have brought in substantial profits, but running a clan required money everywhere. This was clearly an undisguised open scheme!

Three clans and two batches of pills—there was simply no choice!

Some situations might have felt uncertain, but they could only grit their teeth and press on!

"Three hundred thousand!"

Jia Lie Bi's face was gloomy, but he was still the first to name a price. One Spirit-Nourishing Pill had already sold for over two hundred thousand; raising the bid bit by bit would only waste time.

"Three hundred and thirty thousand!"

The Oba Family, one of the three great clans, made its move as well. The one calling the bid was the Oba Family's patriarch, Oba Ma.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand!"

Jia Lie Bi cast Oba Ma a cold glance and continued raising the price.

"Three hundred and eighty thousand!"

Oba Ma's eyelids twitched. He turned and bared his teeth. "Jia Lie Bi, aren't there two batches of pills in total? Do you have to fight me for this batch?"

"The highest bidder gets it. Why waste your breath? Four hundred thousand!"

Hearing that, Jia Lie Bi did not even raise his head as he replied coldly.

"Fine, you're ruthless!"

Gritting his teeth, Oba Ma's body trembled. At last, his eyes turned red, as though he had made some great decision. He roared, "Four hundred and fifty thousand! Whoever bids higher than that, I won't compete anymore!"

Four hundred and fifty thousand gold coins was more than two years of the Oba Family's income. In order to nurture talented descendants, Oba Ma had truly gone all out!

"Very good. You win."

Jia Lie Bi glanced at Oba Ma with a dark expression, then waved his hand. He turned and cast a meaningful look at Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader Xiao, aren't you considering raising the bid?"

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan, who had been sitting calmly all along, smiled faintly. After taking a sip of tea, he said blandly, "Hehe, no rush."

"Wonderful!"

Jia Lie Bi shot Xiao Zhan a vicious glare before falling silent again. Originally, his family had been the strongest in Wu Tan City, yet the Xiao Family had suddenly risen to prominence several years ago and seized a large amount of the city's resources. It was said that some mysterious figure was supporting them from behind. In any case, he was deeply unconvinced.

But no matter how angry he was, his strength did not allow it. He could only swallow his resentment!

"Hehe, since no one is raising the bid, the first batch of Spirit-Nourishing Pills goes to Clan Leader Oba Ma!"

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Ya Fei did not waste any time. With a light tap of the small hammer in her jade-like hand, the two top-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pills found their buyer.

"The final batch is here. These are rare treasures indeed. The starting price is two hundred thousand gold coins—buying them will definitely be worth it~"

With a wave of her delicate hand, Ya Fei opened the final jade box. Her crisp, sultry voice rang out as she spoke with a smiling gaze.

Yet the moment her words fell, Xiao Zhan spoke unhurriedly. "Four hundred thousand!"

His powerful voice immediately doubled the starting price.

At the sight of this, Jia Lie Bi was nearly dumbfounded. His eyes widened, and he almost could not stop himself from swinging his fists at someone.

You're messing with me, aren't you? Pulling this on me now!

That astronomical bid was like opening with an unbeatable trump card, leaving Jia Lie Bi's head buzzing.

After a long silence, Jia Lie Bi finally spoke with a dark face and utter helplessness. "Four hundred and fifty thousand!"

By raising it fifty thousand in one go, he hoped the other party would back off in the face of difficulty.

"Five hundred thousand!"

Who could have expected that the moment he finished speaking, Xiao Zhan would calmly announce the highest bid in the hall? His determined demeanor sent a chill through Jia Lie Bi's heart.

Damn it!

Jia Lie Bi roared inwardly, his body trembling violently. Although his family was slightly stronger than the Oba Family, if this continued, it might lead to a major financial crisis for the entire clan!

On the auction stage, Ya Fei's already alluring smile became even more seductive as she watched the two men drive the price higher and higher.

"Five hundred and fifty thousand!"

His eyes were bloodshot and veins bulged across Jia Lie Bi's forehead. He clenched his teeth and forced the words through them with hatred. He was already making one final desperate gamble!

One moment ago, he had laughed at Oba Ma for being too weak. The next, he was experiencing that pain twice over!

"Congratulations."

Yet in the face of Jia Lie Bi's frantic bid, Xiao Zhan broke into a smile. He glanced at him teasingly and spoke leisurely.

"You..."

Jia Lie Bi was stunned for several seconds before realizing he had been played. The urge to spit blood rose within him. He glared hatefully at Xiao Zhan, but after his thoughts churned, he ultimately chose to swallow his anger. He then slumped into his chair, feeling completely drained.

"The second batch of Spirit-Nourishing Pills goes to Clan Leader Jia Lie Bi!"

With the result decided, Ya Fei brought down her little hammer with a radiant smile.

As for why Xiao Zhan had not considered buying the Spirit-Nourishing Pills, it was mainly because several days ago, he had learned that the generous Xiao Dongchen had already given Xiao Yan an entire bottle.

Otherwise, even if he had to eat dirt afterward, he would still have fought for them!

If he knew that this pill was that very pill, who knew what he would think?

"Hehe, next comes the grand finale of this auction: a high-tier Xuan-class cultivation technique—the Wind Scroll Art!"

Before long, Ya Fei clapped her delicate hands, and an attendant walked up carrying a silver tray. Resting upon it was a glowing green scroll.

The moment a cultivation technique of this rank appeared, the entire hall fell silent. Amid the shock, countless people stared feverishly at the scroll, and many swallowed hard.

A high-tier cultivation technique was a pass to becoming an expert. Who would not want one?

Seeing this, the two clan leaders, already severely depleted, immediately looked ashen. Their expressions were like they had been struck by lightning. In the end, they simply closed their eyes and pretended not to see it.

What was a surprise? What the hell was a surprise!

All three great clan leaders had experienced it thoroughly!

Xiao Zhan, standing nearby, was initially stunned. Then the corners of his mouth could not help rising slightly. This cultivation technique was practically being handed to him for free!

Apart from the two clan leaders, everyone else present lacked even a fraction of his financial strength. It seemed he had no choice but to accept the Wind Scroll Art with a smile!

Sure enough, when the starting price of two hundred thousand was announced, scattered bids still arose throughout the hall. But once it reached two hundred and fifty thousand, no one could raise it any further.

Faced with such an awkward situation, Xiao Zhan could only wave his hand and smilingly offer three hundred thousand, giving the auction house some face.

Then, without any suspense, he won it!

Thus, the auction finally came to a complete end!

Only Jia Lie Bi and Oba Ma remained, sitting there in a daze with gloomy expressions, unwilling to leave for a long while.

"Ah, this is really interesting!"

Watching this dramatic scene, Xiao Dongchen was thoroughly amused. Smacking his lips, he turned and left the hall.

One million two hundred thousand gold coins—Xiao Yan probably would not be able to spend it all anytime soon!