Chapter 171: Crazy Auction

Even though these pills were not crafted by Xiao Yan, the reputation of the Purple Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill still stirred keen interest among many prominent families in attendance.

"One stalk of Huangxing grass." Immediately, a family patriarch raised a bid.

For great families, pills that enhance cultivation are their most prized assets—just like the Three Great Families of Wutan City, whose initial cultivation levels were nearly identical, each warrior's strength differing by only one or two stars.

Pills that directly boost cultivation have always been the most sought-after among all great families.

"One bottle of Lilon flower nectar." Another influential figure immediately countered.

As soon as the bid for Huarui Shi Hong fell, someone else immediately raised a price.

"One liang of Chuanxiong root."

Because the auction rules permit only medicinal materials for exchange offers, this also tests Xiao Yan's knowledge of herbs—he must precisely identify rare herbs amid the chaotic bids and mentally calculate the exact value of the quantities offered.

"Many bids are just random guesses," said Fa Ma, the Alchemist Guild's president, his gaze sharp—he detected that over half the bids were mere gambles.

Many bids concealed the exact quantity or offered medicinal materials of negligible worth.

For example, Chuanxiong root is indeed a key ingredient for Five-Grade pills, but one full dose requires seven liang—bidding only one liang is clearly a gamble, betting Xiao Yan didn't notice the discrepancy.

As if deliberately trying to trip Xiao Yan up, bids came rapidly—over thirty in a single minute, with names of rare herbs pouring out endlessly.

Ya Fei, on stage, couldn't help but hold her breath for Xiao Yan—she could not judge the value of medicinal materials, so everything rested on him alone.

Soon, the bidding slowed. Sitting backstage, Xiao Yan smirked coldly—playing such petty tricks on him?

They truly thought his Alchemy relied on luck? He had memorized every herb in his space ring since age four—he knew precisely which herbs could refine into which-grade pills.

The space ring held many Five-Grade pill formulas; he knew exactly how much of each ingredient was needed for one full dose.

"Seven liang of Chuanxiong root is acceptable for exchange," Xiao Yan's calm voice echoed from backstage, cutting straight to the point.

Chuanxiong root is the primary ingredient for the Five-Grade peak pill, Break-Emperor Pill, whose effect is simple: it increases the chance of breaking through to Dou Huang by twenty percent—one of the most coveted Five-Grade pills.

Hearing Xiao Yan's voice, the old man who had bid one liang of Chuanxiong root hesitated—he had only gambled that Xiao Yan hadn't noticed.

"I'm sorry, Master Xiao Yan, I can only offer four liang," the old man still refused.

Upon hearing the refusal, Xiao Yan's voice came again: "Then I'll take Huarui Shi Hong."

As long as a bid exceeds the reserve price, Xiao Yan must choose one—he cannot refuse to select if no offer suits him.

Ya Fei, receiving Xiao Yan's instruction, smiled and asked: "Huarui Shi Hong, once—any other bidders?"

Upon hearing Xiao Yan choose Huarui Shi Hong, every senior Alchemist in the hall shed their condescension—among all bids, Huarui Shi Hong was clearly the most valuable.

Clearly, Xiao Yan's knowledge of herbs was no weaker than that of those old men in their fifties.

"Huarui Shi Hong, second time."

As Ya Fei called the second bid, Nalan Yanran in the silent Nalan Clan booth raised her card decisively: "One stalk of Dou Wang grass."

"This guy," Xiao Yan sighed helplessly the moment Nalan Yanran raised her card.

Nalan Yanran intended to use his own pills to surpass him!

Eating pills I crafted, and challenging me? That's too much!

Xiao Yan knew exactly what Nalan Yanran was after—she planned to use the Life and Death Gate's trials to solidify her foundation through real combat, aiming to boost her cultivation with pills.

Xiao Yan himself could use the Purple Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill, since its effects don't conflict with the Four-Wave White Spirit Pill—but using pills to boost cultivation inevitably causes unstable Dou Qi, requiring prolonged cultivation to stabilize it.

Xiao Yan had no Secret Realm like the Life and Death Gate to help him—he'd face serious trouble if he directly jumped four stars.

"I choose Dou Wang grass," Xiao Yan said, not avoiding the highest-value bid out of fear that Nalan Yanran would grow stronger.

Dou Wang grass is, of course, the main ingredient for Dou Wang Pill—even its original name was forgotten, because the Dou Wang Pill became so famous that everyone simply called it Dou Wang grass.

"He didn't deliberately lowball—he probably doesn't know about the Life and Death Gate," said Ge Ye, slightly surprised. "Yanran, you're not worried about the unstable Dou Qi from pill-enhanced cultivation?"

Nalan Yanran replied calmly: "Even if he knew, he wouldn't refuse to sell to me—he's never been the type to fear others growing stronger."

Nalan Jie sighed bitterly: "But then, we likely won't have enough capital to compete for the Three-Wave Blue Spirit Pill."

The Nan Lan Clan indeed had deep reserves, but their collection of ingredients for Five-Grade pills was limited.

Xiao Yan's Three-Wave Blue Spirit Pill is worth more than twice the Purple Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill—it'll likely require a Six-Grade pill's main ingredient to obtain.

The most precious Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva had already been given to Xiao Yan, and now even the sole Dou Wang grass needed for Dou Wang Pill has been given to him—in short, the Nan Lan Clan has been completely emptied by Xiao Yan!

Thinking of this, Nalan Jie looked bewildered—he had already planned to break off the engagement, so how had he ended up giving all of Yanran's dowry to Xiao Yan?

The bride hadn't crossed the threshold, but the dowry already had.

A metallic clang rang out as Ya Fei struck the bronze gong and smiled: "The second auction item is a Four-Grade Mid-Level healing pill—Blood Recovery and Bone Regeneration Pill."

After pausing several seconds, Ya Fei continued: "Crafted by Master Xiao Yan using Mystic Flame Cultivation Technique."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At these words, many Alchemists straightened their spines.

Healing pills are among the lowest-valued in this auction—but precisely because they're low-value, they're perfect for Alchemists who merely want to acquire a Mystic Flame-crafted pill for research.

The only reason the Blood Recovery and Bone Regeneration Pill qualifies for auction at the Heavenly-Class Auction Hall is because of the name "Xiao Yan."

Ya Fei smiled gently: "No need to rush—everyone knows Master Xiao Yan's pill-refining skill. There are three Blood Recovery and Bone Regeneration Pills; the one being auctioned now is the first."

Instantly, veteran Alchemists could no longer sit still—they all bid fiercely, and eventually, all three pills were sold far above market price.

One of them was acquired by Chimer, Vice President of the Alchemist Guild, in exchange for Spirit Replenishing Purple Pill's Purple Spirit Flower Nectar.

(End of Chapter)