"Sixty million!"
"Eighty million!"
"One hundred and twenty million!"
"..."
Those who missed out on the first bottle were determined to get the second. In mere moments, the price for the second bottle of Zhìqíng Huālù (Flower Dew of True Affection) had surpassed one hundred and twenty million.
However, the bidding didn't stop; it grew even more intense as individuals from other VIP rooms joined the fray. Soon, the price surged to one hundred and seventy million high-grade spirit stones, matching the price of the first bottle.
"One hundred and eighty million!"
"One hundred and ninety million!"
"Two hundred million!"
"..."
The price continued to climb, and Zǐ Línlíng, Xuānyuán Xún, Róng Guāng, Shàngguān Yùlín, and Shěn Liúxīng were so thrilled they felt they might faint. The auctioneer, Xià Luò, couldn't hide her delight either. The higher the auction price, the greater the commission for their merchant association. Two hundred million high-grade spirit stones, even with a mere fifteen percent commission, meant thirty million! Out of that thirty million, she would receive thirty percent, which was nine million! Nine million high-grade spirit stones were equivalent to ten years of her income! And the bidding was still ongoing.
"Two hundred and thirty million!"
"Two hundred and fifty million!"
"Three hundred million!"
This final bid of "three hundred million" instantly silenced the entire auction hall. Everyone turned in shock towards the source of the voice – VIP Room Number One.
"Who is this expert in VIP Room Number One, to be so incredibly generous!"
"The person in VIP Room Number One is very mysterious. Rumor has it they've never shown their face, and no one has seen their true appearance."
"Judging by this extravagant display, they must come from a powerful faction."
"Aren't you stating the obvious? Which of the patrons who book VIP rooms doesn't come from a major power?"
"This person's voice sounds so young. Could it be a young prodigy from a great faction?"
"Nonsense! With three hundred million high-grade spirit stones, only the sect leaders of major powers would dare to squander it like this!"
"..."
Xià Luò was so stunned she froze on the auction stage, allowing the murmurs to continue. Zǐ Línlíng, Xuānyuán Xún, Róng Guāng, Shàngguān Yùlín, and Shěn Liúxīng were also shocked. VIP Room Number One was right next to them, and they hadn't even realized someone was there. This was the first time since Zǐ Línlíng's soul power had broken through to the Guiyuan Realm that someone had managed to evade her senses.
"Is there anyone who will bid higher than this Venerable?" the voice from VIP Room Number One echoed again. "If so, please bid. If not, please have Miss Xià Luò announce the result!" Although the voice was cool, it carried no arrogance.
"Interesting!" Zǐ Línlíng smiled and murmured to herself.
Xuānyuán Xún blinked and asked, "Interesting?"
Shàngguān Yùlín inquired, "What's interesting?"
Róng Guāng asked, confused, "Who is Guild Leader referring to?"
Shěn Liúxīng chuckled, "Indeed, it is interesting!"
Little He looked at them one by one, utterly bewildered, but dared not ask further. Zǐ Línlíng didn't answer Xuānyuán Xún, Shàngguān Yùlín, and Róng Guāng's questions. Instead, she smiled and nodded, repeating, "Interesting!"
"It truly is interesting!" Shěn Liúxīng agreed. Xuānyuán Xún, Róng Guāng, and Shàngguān Yùlín looked confused and lost.
Reminded by the guest in VIP Room Number One, the auctioneer Xià Luò finally snapped back to attention. She smiled apologetically and said, "A distinguished guest from VIP Room Number One has bid three hundred million high-grade spirit stones. Is there anyone else willing to bid higher?"
A profound silence fell over the auction hall. Three hundred million high-grade spirit stones was far beyond the budget for many, so no one else bid. After a brief pause, Xià Luò smiled and announced, "Since there are no further bids, I declare that this second bottle of Zhìqíng Huālù has been successfully auctioned to the esteemed guest in VIP Room Number One. Congratulations!"
"Now, we request our etiquette staff to deliver this bottle of Zhìqíng Huālù to VIP Room Number One." As soon as she finished speaking, the previous etiquette staff member came forward, picked up the tray holding the Zhìqíng Huālù, and delivered it to VIP Room Number One.
Xià Luò smiled and continued, "Esteemed guests, the next item to be auctioned is one of the two grand finale pieces of our auction today – Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood! Please welcome the etiquette staff to bring the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood to the stage!"
As a melody began to play, another etiquette staff member ascended the stage carrying a tray with the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood. She placed the tray on the display table and removed the silk covering it. She nodded to Xià Luò and retreated to a corner of the stage.
Xià Luò approached the display table, picked up the bottle containing the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood from the tray, and said, "I will now break the seal on this bottle to prove to everyone that this is indeed Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood." As she spoke, she gave a sharp pull, and the sealed cap came off. A powerful pressure surged from the bottle, accompanied by faint dragon roars that echoed throughout the auction hall.
Xià Luò, with quick reflexes, managed to reseal the bottle in the blink of an eye. The intense pressure vanished instantly, and the dragon roars ceased. Wiping the sweat from her brow, Xià Luò smiled and continued, "As you all just felt, the efficacy of Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood needs no further introduction. I now announce the commencement of the bidding for the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood. The starting bid is fifty million high-grade spirit stones, with each subsequent bid no less than ten million. Please bid!"
"Sixty million!"
"Seventy million!"
"Ninety million!"
"..."
As soon as Xià Luò finished speaking, people eagerly began to bid. In mere moments, the price of the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood had been driven up to two hundred million high-grade spirit stones. Listening to the fierce bidding outside, Zǐ Línlíng's brow furrowed. Her earnings from the previous auction totaled sixty-six million high-grade spirit stones. After deducting the fifteen percent commission for the Nine Realms Merchant Association, she was left with fifty-one million. At the current rate of bidding, even this amount might not be enough to secure the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood.
"Three hundred million!"
"Three hundred and fifty million!"
"Four hundred million!"
"..."
When the bidding reached four hundred million high-grade spirit stones, a temporary silence fell upon the auction hall. Four hundred million was no small sum, and many wore expressions of regret, unable to bid higher due to insufficient spirit stones. After a moment, a man's voice called out from VIP Room Number Nine, "Four hundred and ten million!"
Laughter erupted from VIP Room Number Six, and another man's voice declared, "Patriarch Shen, I am truly sorry, but I also desperately need this Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood, so I must take it from you! I bid four hundred and twenty million!" As this man's voice faded, a hearty laugh was heard from VIP Room Number Eight. Yet another man said, "Patriarch Du, my apologies, but I too have a great need for this Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood. Four hundred and thirty million!"