Chapter 14: Auction 3

Qinghe was so angry now that her eyes were practically spitting fire. If she couldn't win this item and went back empty-handed, her father would definitely scold her. But what could she do now? Her gold coins were gone, and she couldn't bid anymore. "20,001 gold coins, any other bids? 3, 2, 1. Congratulations to Room 2 on the third floor for winning the Seven-Colored Lotus." Qingmei curled her lips. Unable to win the item she wanted, Qinghe glared at the room where Qingmei was staying and stormed off in a huff. Before long, the same maidservant entered again carrying a white jade box, placed it on the table, and left. Qingmei touched the box, and a sudden chill seeped into her body, making her shiver involuntarily. "This cold jade ice box is specifically used for storing spiritual herbs. Some herbs lose their efficacy after being exposed to ordinary air for a while; using a cold jade ice box keeps them fresh," Yan Lie explained to Qingmei in a timely manner. Qingmei felt more and more that this world was truly wondrous. "Next, we have the finale items of this auction: a bottle of Super Soul-Origin Pills, a bottle of Super Foundation-Building Pills, and a bottle of Supreme Life-Returning Pills, all of the highest grade. I presume there is no need for me, Xiao Yun, to introduce their effects. We will start with the Soul-Origin Pills, starting bid 10,000 gold coins." As soon as Xiao Yun finished speaking, a collective gasp echoed through the hall. The high-grade pill from earlier had already amazed them, but now they were presented with Super and Supreme grade pills, and in whole bottles at that, all of the highest quality.

"11,000!" "12,000!" The bidding continued incessantly. "20,000." A man's voice came from the third floor. Qingmei raised an eyebrow in amusement. She had thought she was the only one on the third floor, but now someone had finally spoken up, and they started with 20,000. "21,000," Qingmei said softly. Since anyone who could get onto the third floor must be wealthy, why not make a little profit? Besides, the auction proceeds were going to her in the end anyway. "30,000." The person in Room 4 on the third floor jumped straight to 30,000; their tone sounded like they were determined to win. "31,000." Qingmei continued to add 1,000 gold coins. "35,000." Qingmei smiled; they wouldn't be able to keep this up for long. If they were truly wealthy, they would have jumped to 40,000, so 35,000 was likely their limit. "35,000, any other bids? 3. 2. 1. Congratulations to Room 4 on the third floor for winning the Super Soul-Origin Pills. Next is the Foundation-Building Pills, starting bid also 10,000 gold coins." Perhaps because no one wanted the Foundation-Building Pills, a young man on the second floor ended up winning them for 15,000 gold coins. "Finally, our grand finale: the Supreme Life-Returning Pill. You must know that having a Life-Returning Pill is equivalent to having an extra life, and this is a whole bottle. Starting bid: 30,000 gold coins!" The hall was silent. After a long while, someone in the room next to Qingmei finally spoke. "40,000 gold coins." It was a soft, alluring female voice that added 10,000 gold coins right off the bat.

"50,000 gold coins!" Qingmei continued to drive up the price of her own items. The person on the other side paused for a moment, but then spoke, "60,000 gold coins." "60,001 gold coins," Qingmei used her old tactic. "80,000 gold coins!" The voice sounded a bit angry now, so Qingmei simply stopped bidding. Below, Xiao Yun immediately spoke up, "80,000 gold coins, any other bids? 3, 2, 1! Congratulations to Room 1 on the third floor for winning the Supreme Life-Returning Pills." "Today's auction concludes here. Those who won items, please go to the back to settle your payments." The announcer's voice rang out again. Shortly after, Old Chen entered. "Miss Qing, your items sold for a total of 130,000. After deducting three percent as Baoyi Pavilion's commission, that leaves 126,100. Subtracting the cost of the Leiqingzhi and the Seven-Colored Lotus you purchased, the remaining balance is 101,099 gold coins. We will convert this into color coins and deposit them into your black crystal card for your convenience. Please follow me to collect your funds, Miss Qing." Old Chen turned to lead the way, and Qingmei followed. "Please insert your black crystal card into the crystal slot, Miss Qing." Qingmei pretended to reach into her sachet, secretly pulling out the black crystal card and inserting it into the white crystal slot. Immediately, a screen resembling a modern LCD TV appeared above the fist-sized crystals, though it was merely a projection. Old Chen entered the amount of gold coins on the screen, the crystal emitted a 'beep,' and with a wave of his hand, the screen vanished. Old Chen handed the black crystal card back to Qingmei. "Miss Qing, if you wish to withdraw money in the future, you can do so at any location under the Baoyi Pavilion name by speaking to the local manager. Baoyi Pavilion branches are located everywhere across the Seven Profound Continent." "Mm, understood." Qingmei took the black crystal card and sent it back into her space using the same method as before. (Note: 1,000 gold coins = 1 color coin.)