“2,100.”
The moment Li An uttered this bid, a ripple of surprise spread through the crowd.
2,000 was already a considerable markup. After all, Foundation Establishment Pills required not only two main ingredients but also several supplementary herbs, not to mention the high cost of hiring an alchemist to refine it.
Paying too much for a single herb just wasn’t cost-effective.
In a shadowy corner of the first-floor hall, Chen Qingling furrowed her brows slightly.
“Qingling, maybe… we should let it go? It’s too expensive…”
Beside her, Wang Dazhu spoke softly. “We really don’t have much money.”
“No.”
Chen Qingling shook her head firmly. “You must succeed in your Foundation Establishment. Only then can our Wang Clan truly become a Foundation Establishment family. And we’ve searched all over White Tiger City lately—there isn’t a single Foundation Establishment Pill for sale… We must get this Fire Spirit Fruit.”
“2,500!”
2,500 spirit stones.
It was a painful number. If the bidder was a genuine buyer, they would take a heavy loss. If it was a plant meant to drive up the price, there was real risk—if Chen Qingling gave up now, the bidder would be stuck.
The auction hall fell silent, with many watching in curiosity or anticipation at this bidding duel.
“2,600—”
Li An’s hoarse voice sounded again, calm as ever.
Chen Qingling fixed her gaze on the second-floor booth, deep in thought.
Clearly this person wasn’t a plant. If they were, they’d have already stopped.
“Heh, if you want it so badly, then let me make you suffer a bit…”
“2,800!”
“2,900.”
Li An’s voice remained composed.
“Fine, I’ll give up.”
She finally spoke, letting out a cold chuckle. “Heh, 2,900… You’re still losing money on it.”
Wang Dazhu beside her let out a long sigh of relief. He had been truly afraid that Chen Qingling might recklessly spend all their spirit stones.
“2,900 spirit stones, sold!”
On the auction platform, auctioneer Jiaru was beaming—this herb had turned a hefty profit.
“Next, we will be auctioning another main ingredient of the Foundation Establishment Pill—Purple Soul Grass.”
“Starting bid: 2,400 spirit stones!”
A staggeringly high starting bid.
The room once again fell silent. Everyone instinctively looked toward Xu Qiuhui’s second-floor booth.
Chen Qingling had intended to bid, but now she sensed something was off.
This herb… felt like it had been prepared specifically for Xu Qiuhui?
“2,900 spirit stones.”
Xu Qiuhui’s voice rang out faintly.
She had directly raised the price to match the final bid for the Fire Spirit Fruit.
This was to show everyone that, even when White Tiger Mountain wanted something, they would never stoop to cutting corners.
“Sold!”
With the Purple Soul Grass and Fire Spirit Fruit sold, the auction continued on.
“Next is today’s final treasure… Nether Spring Earth Milk, a Third-Rank spiritual herb. Its soul-nourishing effect surpasses even that of Soulbeast Cores and Purple Soul Grass.”
“Starting bid: 5,000 spirit stones. Minimum increment: 500!”
As this item was introduced, the entire venue fell into stunned silence.
A Third-Rank spiritual herb!
Such a treasure had actually appeared.
“6,000!”
Xu Qiuhui bid once more.
It was clear—this Nether Spring Earth Milk was her true objective.
“Little girl, your side already has enough Nether Spring Earth Milk. You ought to yield this one…”
From another booth, a cold voice spoke out: “10,000 spirit stones. I want it. No need for you to compete.”
10,000 spirit stones.
The entire crowd gasped.
“That voice… could it be—”
“Master Can Yang?!”
“It’s said he was ambushed by the Demonic Sect decades ago, suffering grievous injuries. This Nether Spring Earth Milk might be essential to his recovery!”
Whispers rippled through the audience.
Master Can Yang—another Core Formation level expert.
Even in her private booth, Xu Qiuhui remained silent for a long, long time.
She was clearly reluctant.
Just as Can Yang had said, White Tiger Mountain already possessed three portions of Nether Spring Earth Milk.
That was more than enough.
She had wanted to purchase this one to demonstrate her loyalty and capability before her master.
If she succeeded, she would stand out among her peers and disciples.
For this reason, she had prepared nearly 10,000 spirit stones.
From a pure financial standpoint, she could still contend.
But the significance no longer warranted the cost.
Can Yang was, after all, a Core Formation cultivator. Even if injured, someone at the Foundation Establishment level couldn’t afford to offend him.
If she offended such a figure for the sake of one bottle of Earth Milk, her master might view her as a fool…
Sigh… But without this Earth Milk, she would fall behind in the internal disciple rankings!
She could only try to gather more Purple Soul Grass and similar herbs later on, and at least aim for a middle ranking—not lag behind.
“This one, I won’t contend for. I wish Senior Can Yang a swift recovery and a long life in the immortal path.”
She adjusted her tone and responded with grace and tact.
Ultimately, the Nether Spring Earth Milk was auctioned off to Master Can Yang at a sky-high price of 10,000 spirit stones.
…
The auction concluded.
A staff member from the Treasure Pavilion personally delivered the Fire Spirit Fruit to Li An’s booth.
After checking the goods, Li An accepted the herb and paid 2,900 spirit stones.
“Honored guest, someone has offered 1,000 spirit stones to request a meeting with you. If you agree, the 1,000 stones will be credited to your account. If you decline, we will keep your identity strictly confidential.”
The attendant sought Li An’s decision.
“I refuse.”
Li An declined flatly, then quickly left the Treasure Pavilion.
He had already planned his exit route in advance. He soon disappeared into the bustling street, weaving through crowds and avoiding watchful eyes while continuously altering his life aura.
After circling the city for a long while and changing his appearance, he finally made his way to the Songxi Spiritual Pill Shop.
“Two Qi-Rushing Pills.”
Li An spoke calmly.
In recent days, Gu Hong had been personally managing the store. Hearing the request, she glanced at him briefly, then routinely handed over two pills.
Li An passed her a storage pouch and left without another word.
…
By dusk, Li An finally returned to his residence.
“Hmm?”
Just as he approached, he spotted two familiar figures waiting outside his door.
Alchemist Luo Yong, and… Xu Qiuhui!
Li An’s heart sank.
The thing he had feared had come to pass.
“Brother Luo, are you waiting for me?”
Li An approached warmly. “And this is…?”
With a trace of coldness in his eyes, Luo Yong introduced with a sneer, “This is Lady Xu Qiuhui.”
Li An’s expression changed. He quickly bowed in greeting.
“Wei Ming pays respects to Lady Xu!”
“No need for formalities.”
Xu Qiuhui wore a light yellow long dress. Though more than ten years had passed, her appearance hadn’t changed much since her days in the Clear Sun Sect.
Her beautiful eyes studied him carefully. “You’re the Formation Master Wei Ming?”
Li An replied, “Indeed… Please, both of you, come in. I must apologize for making you wait.”
He promptly opened the door and welcomed them inside.
“Fellow Daoist Wei, Qiuhui dislikes pleasantries, so I’ll be direct—”
Once seated, Xu Qiuhui said evenly, “I’ve come today to request something from you.”
Li An appeared puzzled. “I’m not sure what I possess that could be of value to Lady Xu. Please, speak freely.”
Xu Qiuhui spoke slowly, “The Purple Soul Grass in your possession.”
Li An froze at her words, then suddenly turned his gaze toward Luo Yong, his eyes flashing with a mix of fury and shock before he suppressed his anger and asked, “Lady Xu, did Alchemist Luo tell you I have Purple Soul Grass?”
Xu Qiuhui said, “That’s not important. I asked Alchemist Luo to help me make inquiries.”
Li An said, “Unfortunately, I don’t have any Purple Soul Grass. I’m afraid you may be disappointed—”
Xu Qiuhui’s brows furrowed slightly. She cast a glance at Luo Yong.
Luo Yong, unable to contain himself, blurted, “Wei Ming, you’re lying!”
…
(End of Chapter)