C6 Auction

Shortly after the Wang Family duo arrived, the auction hall was filled with the resonant sound of a bell.

"Dong, dong, dong..."

With that, the auction was underway. All eyes turned to the stage as a stunning woman in an embroidered cheongsam, with a svelte figure and exquisite features, made her entrance. Her appearance alone sent a ripple of excitement through the male attendees.

This was Nan Yingyue, the premier auctioneer of South Wind Auction House in Wood County City, and also known as the city's most beautiful woman. Her innate allure had captivated the dreams of the city's men for the past three years.

Chen Yi, among them, had once been enchanted. In his past life, he'd often dreamt of her. But now, with a new perspective, her beauty didn't strike him as it once did. Not that Nan Yingyue had lost any of her charm; it was just that Chen Yi, having encountered numerous women over his previous three hundred years, had become somewhat desensitized to such allure.

Nan Yingyue, basking in the adoration of the crowd, felt a surge of satisfaction. What woman wouldn't revel in her own magnetism?

"Thank you all for gracing our auction with your presence," she began, her voice smooth as silk. "Let's not dally with pleasantries. I hereby declare the auction open!"

Her introduction was simple, but her captivating smile sent the room into a frenzy. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation.

"Let's bring out the first lot," Nan Yingyue said, gesturing gracefully. A servant girl emerged, bearing a square tray.

Atop the tray rested a jade bottle filled with a verdant liquid. Its medicinal scent wafted through the air, even from a distance.

A second-grade medicinal liquid, the crowd surmised.

Nan Yingyue pointed to the bottle and announced, "This is the Rank Two Azure Spirit Liquid, crafted by the esteemed Master Ye Ting. When mixed with water, it significantly accelerates cultivation for those at the Meditation Stage—a must-have for any serious cultivator."

She paused, then added, "Master Ye Ting's reputation precedes him as Wood County City's finest Pharmacist. His creations have never failed to impress. Bidding starts at 1,000 gold coins, with increments of no less than 100 gold coins."

"Bidding begins now!"

With a flirtatious wink, Nan Yingyue set the crowd ablaze with excitement.

"One thousand one hundred gold coins!"

"One thousand two hundred gold coins!"

"One thousand three hundred gold coins!"

The bids flew fast and furious.

Chen Shanheng, unlike many others, was immune to Nan Yingyue's charms, his attention fixed on the medicinal liquid. Chen Ji shared his enthusiasm, while Chen Yi remained stoic.

Pharmacists were revered in a world dominated by cultivators, for their ability to craft the essential medicinal liquids and pills vital to a cultivator's progress. Master Ye Ting was among the elite, a Rank Three Pharmacist, commanding respect and admiration.

Chen Yi, in his past life, had held Master Ye Ting in high esteem. Now, however, he had surpassed the master in both strength and alchemical skill. It had taken becoming a top-tier Pharmacist himself to cure his sister, Chen Yue, of her unique condition—a terminal seal that blocked her meridians and prevented cultivation.

But this life would be different. Chen Yi's memories of his past life's expertise remained intact. With the right resources, he could concoct the necessary remedy for Chen Yue without the struggles of his previous existence.

Back to the matter at hand, the Azure Spirit Liquid before him was of little interest to a Pharmacist of Chen Yi's caliber.

Despite noticing Chen Shanheng and Chen Ji beside him, itching to jump into action, he held his tongue.

To him, the Azure Spirit Liquid was nothing special, but it was a coveted rarity for the Chen family.

Many cultivators within the Chen clan could benefit from it. Even he could make use of the Azure Spirit Liquid...

"Three thousand gold coins!"

Suddenly, a bid silenced the room.

Eyes turned to the Wang family duo seated at the front.

It was Patriarch Wang Sheng who had spoken.

His gaze fixed on the Azure Spirit Liquid onstage, his expression one of unwavering resolve.

As a cultivator at the Spirit Essence Stage, he had no need for the Azure Spirit Liquid. But Wang Yun did!

After Wang Yun's defeat by Chen Yi the previous day, both his body and spirit had taken a hit. The Azure Spirit Liquid was the perfect morale booster. A little goading, and Wang Sheng knew his son would be spurred into fervent cultivation, eager to overpower Chen Yi.

The Azure Spirit Liquid seemed custom-made for Wang Yun at this moment. Wang Sheng was set on winning it.

"Four thousand gold coins!"

Another voice called out a bid.

Chen Yi glanced at Chen Shanheng. Clearly, he was the one who had bid.

Whether driven by his fondness for the Azure Spirit Liquid or the rivalry with the Wang family, Chen Shanheng was not about to let them win it without a fight.

"Humph."

At Chen Shanheng's bid, Wang Sheng let out a derisive snort, raising his hand, "Five thousand gold coins!"

Chen Shanheng countered without hesitation, "Five thousand five hundred gold coins!"

Wang Sheng's voice followed swiftly, "Six thousand gold coins!"

As the two patriarchs escalated their bids, others who had been in the fray now sealed their lips.

In Wood County City, no one wanted to cross these influential families. Besides, the price had soared well above the Azure Spirit Liquid's market value, typically between three and four thousand gold coins. Even accounting for Master Ye Ting's craftsmanship, five to six thousand was the ceiling.

Six thousand gold coins was starting to look like a poor investment.

Yet, neither patriarch showed signs of backing down.

"Six thousand five."

"Seven thousand."

"Seven thousand five hundred!"

"Eight thousand!"

...

The price shot up from three thousand to eight thousand in no time.

"Father, let's not bid any higher."

Chen Shanheng was about to raise the bid again when Chen Yi intervened.

Chen Shanheng, frowning, turned to Chen Yi, "Yi, don't you want the Azure Spirit Liquid?"

Just as he suspected!

Chen Shanheng had been bidding for Chen Yi's sake, which is why he spoke up. After all, even if they won, Chen Yi wouldn't use it. He had access to far superior spiritual medicines.

Chen Yi offered a reassuring smile, "Father, I can get something even better!"

"Something better?"

Chen Shanheng was taken aback but was quickly swayed by Chen Yi's confident grin. After a moment's thought, he nodded, "Alright, I'll take your word for it!"

Wang Sheng, noting Chen Shanheng's sudden silence, sneered, "What's the matter? Can't keep up with the bidding?"

"Ten thousand gold coins!"

Stung by the taunt, Chen Shanheng shot back with a new bid.

"Father..."

Chen Yi frowned at the escalation.

Chen Shanheng gestured to him that it was okay, then, with a dismissive look at Wang Sheng, he scoffed, "I'm not like some people who nickel and dime their bids!"

Wang Sheng's anger flared, and he bellowed, "Twenty thousand gold coins!"

"Patriarch..."

Wang Hee, the Wang family's Great Elder, paled at the sum.

But Wang Sheng was undeterred, challenging Chen Shanheng, "Petty? Let's see who's truly petty! Dare to outbid me if you can!"

He appeared livid, yet his mind was cool and calculating.

If Chen Shanheng bid again, he'd withdraw.

Spending over twenty thousand gold coins on a bottle of Azure Spirit Liquid was folly. He intended to bleed the Chen family dry.

But Chen Shanheng didn't take the bait. He smirked at Wang Sheng, "Tsk tsk, Patriarch Wang sure is wealthy! To think, twenty thousand gold coins for a bottle of Azure Spirit Liquid! Impressive, indeed. The Chen family simply can't compete."

His words seemed to praise the Wang family, but the sarcasm was unmistakable.

"You!"

Wang Sheng was livid.

He had been played by Chen Shanheng.

A mere few thousand gold coins' worth had cost him a staggering twenty thousand... The thought nearly made him sick.

Seeing Chen Shanheng's grin, Wang Sheng was itching to throw a punch and rearrange that smug face!

Damn it, he had plans to outsmart the guy, but ended up being outplayed instead!

Chen Yi, seated next to Chen Shanheng, only caught on when he witnessed the scene unfold.

So that's why Chen Shanheng kept raising the bid – he was setting a trap for the Wang family all along!

Glancing at Chen Shanheng's self-satisfied smirk, Chen Yi couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle to himself.

The old ginger is indeed the spiciest!

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