Chapter 709 - 703: Bidding

"I bid one hundred ten thousand!"

"One hundred fifty thousand!"

"One hundred seventy thousand!"

Under the spell of Xue Ling’s charm, the bids came one after another. The price instantly surpassed the item’s original value and continued to climb. In the end, a rather mediocre Top Grade Spiritual Artifact sold for a surprising two hundred fifty thousand Elemental Stones.

The auction continued. As it progressed, the items became more and more precious and the prices climbed ever higher. The number of bidders dwindled, and the pace of bidding slowed. These new bidders weren’t like the previous crowd—animals thinking with their lower halves. They were either young disciples from prominent families or Elders from Major Sects. Although they too were captivated by Xue Ling’s charm, they remained rational.

As time passed, item after item found a new owner. Soon, the auction reached its final phase. And now, the real event was about to begin, because the heavyweights were finally ready to make their moves!

"Next up for auction is a Saint Grade Spirit Medicine: the Mandala Flower! This Spirit Medicine is not only the primary ingredient for refining an Eighth Grade Holy Pill, but it is also an exceptional aid for Martial Artists who cultivate the Dark Attribute. With a Mandala Flower nearby, one’s Cultivation speed will at least double! The starting bid is three million Elemental Stones. Let the bidding begin!" On the auction stage, Xue Ling pointed to a pitch-black flower. The crowd’s gaze shifted to the dark Mandala Flower, a burning desire ignited in their eyes. Even Shen Haoran couldn’t help but open his eyes to gaze at it.

"A Mandala Flower... it looks to be about five hundred years old. Its roots and stem have already turned completely black," Shen Haoran said softly, gazing at the pitch-black flower.

"Brother Leng, you know about the Mandala Flower?" Luo Yu asked in confusion after hearing Shen Haoran’s comment.

"An Alchemist is bound to know a thing or two. The Mandala Flower grows in a Land of Extreme Yin and matures every hundred years. When it first blooms, the Mandala Flower is a vibrant red with a faint, sweet scent. At that stage, however, it can’t be considered a Saint Grade Spirit Medicine at all—it’s a High Level Spirit Medicine at best. As time passes, its color gradually deepens. Only when the Mandala Flower turns completely black is it considered fully mature. A mature Mandala Flower not only gathers ambient Spiritual Power to accelerate Cultivation, but the pollen it releases can also temper the body. I believe, Manager Luo, if you want to heal the lingering injuries inside you, this Mandala Flower is your best option." Shen Haoran shared with Luo Yu the knowledge of the Mandala Flower recorded in the Alchemy Dao.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of excitement flashed in Luo Yu’s eyes. His power had stagnated ever since he was injured in a battle with the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave. If things went on like this, Luo Yu feared he would lose all hope of ever breaking through to become a Spirit Emperor. If he could heal the lingering injuries in his body, he might still have a fighting chance. He had to get this Mandala Flower.

"Three million eight hundred thousand!" By now, the bidding for the Mandala Flower had reached 3.8 million, with the crowd still fighting over it.

"Five million!" A cold, commanding shout suddenly cut through the air, instantly raising the price by 1.8 million. The crowd was stunned. They turned their gazes toward the VIP box high above and fell silent.

Shen Haoran stared at Luo Yu in astonishment. The man had just blurted out a bid of five million in one breath. Even Shen Haoran hadn’t anticipated this. While the Mandala Flower was mature, its price should have topped out at around 4.5 million. The conditions for using it were quite restrictive, so it wasn’t something just anyone could use.

Luo Yu, however, wasn’t concerned. The Underground Boxing Market raked in more Elemental Stones each year than could be counted. A mere five million was nothing in his eyes.

When the crowd heard Luo Yu’s bid, they all fell silent. No one else followed up. For one, the price was no longer worth it. For another, Luo Yu was considered the second most powerful figure in the City of Sin. The fact that he had raised the bid by over a million proved how desperately he needed the Mandala Flower. Continuing to compete with him now would show a complete lack of judgment.

In the end, Luo Yu won the Mandala Flower for five million. While many in the crowd felt it was a shame, they also considered it a favor done for him. With that, they turned their attention back to the auction stage, eagerly awaiting the next item.

After the Mandala Flower was taken away, a Maid slowly walked up to the stage, holding an exquisite Jade Box. Despite the Seal on the box, the crowd could clearly feel a violent aura emanating from within, instantly capturing the attention of countless Martial Artists. Lady Ya, sitting beside Shen Haoran, also stared at the Jade Box with excitement. What she needed had finally arrived!

"Next, we will be auctioning the Spirit Pill of a Five-tailed Spirit Fox. This Five-tailed Spirit Fox’s power had reached the level of a Tier Eight Spirit Beast, equivalent to a human Martial Artist at the Spirit Emperor Level. The value of its Spirit Pill should speak for itself. The starting bid is five million Elemental Stones. Let the bidding begin!" Xue Ling announced calmly.

The moment Xue Ling finished speaking, a furious round of bidding erupted from the audience. A Spirit Pill from a Tier Eight Spirit Beast! If one could manage the Refinement, their power would surge to a terrifying new level. No one was willing to pass up this opportunity.

"Five million five hundred thousand!"

"Five million eight hundred thousand!"

Listening to the intense bidding, Lady Ya nervously clutched Shen Haoran’s arm. This Tier Eight Spirit Pill was incredibly important to her—not just for the power boost, but because she could feel the Spirit Pill calling to her.

Shen Haoran understood how important this Spirit Pill was to Lady Ya. He gently patted her hand to reassure her, and then he entered the bidding.

"Ten million!" Shen Haoran called out a price that instantly silenced the entire hall. At his bid, Xue Ling, on the auction stage, trembled. A look of conflict flickered in her eyes once more, but she quickly suppressed it. No one noticed her subtle reaction, as all eyes were fixed on Shen Haoran’s private box.

Ten million Elemental Stones—enough to fund a Major Sect for half a year—and Shen Haoran had tossed out the number so casually. However, the other Martial Artists in the running had no intention of backing down. Ten million Elemental Stones was a huge sum, but the Spirit Pill of a Tier Eight Spirit Beast was worth even more. No one was going to give up.

"Thirteen million!" another old man called out. Shen Haoran’s gaze swept over him casually, and he realized the man looked extremely familiar—it was an Elder from the Dragon Scorpion Clan.

"Twenty million!" Shen Haoran shot the Elder a cool glance, raising the price by another seven million. ’This is all the money I have on me right now,’ he thought. His goal was to overwhelm his opponent with a single, decisive bid. ’If the Elder raises the price again, there will be nothing more I can do. All I can do now is gamble!’