Auction

The dragon vine was fitted into a dark container and carried to the circular auction hall. Attired in red garments, Primordial Infant Realm cultivator Miss Beiya announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's auction. I am your host for today, Beiya. I assume you all know me by now."

Miss Beiya swivelled on the spot. To check for reactions before resuming her speech. "You are already informed of a dragon vine's rarity. You should already be aware of their potent vitality that will extend your lifespan, especially one that has lived for ten thousand years as this one has. Their intelligence and might make them one of the most elusive creatures. Luckily, we caught a dragon vine that has evolved into a dragon. As a business, we are eager to put this in the hands of one fortunate individual."

Despite the pretty maiden standing before them, not a single man was more interested in Miss Beiya than they were in the dragon vine. Having successfully whetted their appetite, she signalled for her people to open the centre of the auction platform and deliver the timber container up to the platform. Owing to the size of the container, Miss Beiya had to remove herself from the platform.

Not a single eye batted as they opened the four sides of the container to reveal the ginormous dragon incarcerated in a spiritual qi formation. The dragon unexpectedly lazed in its spot. Because mental heuristics led to people expecting it to flip out or try to break free, speculations of it being fake arose.

"There is no doubt it is a genuine dragon vine. It lashed around when we first captured it, but it stopped the futile effort after learning it couldn't break free. That will save you the trouble of taming it," justified Beiya.

There were two hundred, if not three hundred, people sitting around the platform in the centre. They couldn't see him, but Mu Yu didn't like the gazes on him. The chances of escaping in the presence of so many people were next to none.

"Let us commence. The starting price will be one million spirit stones. Every successive bid must be greater by a minimum of one hundred thousand."

"Two million."

"Two million five hundred thousand."

"Three million."

After a while, Xiaoshuai commented, "Wow, five million now. I didn't know you were worth so much, Worm. How many chicken drumsticks could I buy with that?"

"How many do you think you're worth?" Mu Yu chuckled and asked of Xiaoshuai.

"The rat is worth five hundred," the dragon vine ridiculed.

Hearing the dragon's voice as a deep-voiced roar, the crowd fell silent.

"Huh? I'm worth, at least, fifty million! Actually, I'm priceless."

"Meaning you don't cost a dime."

"Says who? Wait, I'm not for sale!"

While the two were bickering, Mu Yu tried to locate Ximen Buxing and Lie Shang. Instead, he found Meng Xin, who stood out, and her partner in crime, Rou Anna. He was surprised Rou Anna already ascended to Primordial Infant Realm in such a short space of time.

"Ten million," Xing Gao declared.

"Eleven million," called Xiao Hua.

"Fifteen million," called Xing Gao.

"Brother Xing, I know your sect is keen on the dragon vine, so I have a suggestion. How about our sects join hands to win the bid?"

"Haha, I could not ask for more."

Alchemists sometimes used animal blood and fiend spirits in some of their products. Earth Sovereign Sect could provide both as tamers. As such, the two sects were on good terms away from public eyes. The sects' elders could discuss what to do with the dragon after they won the bid.

"Fifty million," Meng Xin suddenly offered.

It made sense for Earth Sovereign Sect and Pill Cauldron Sect to offer an exorbitant price, but it made no sense for other sects to. It finally clicked when they identified Meng Xin. Jade Sect's wealth matched their fame for mentoring beautiful female disciples.

Earth Sovereign Sect and Pill Cauldron Sect chose to give up, believing the dragon wasn't worth the price.

Though Beiya was more mature than Meng Xin, Meng Xin's aura was matchless. Beiya didn't like Meng Xin for business and personal reasons. Beiya wanted more than fifty million for the dragon. If other men stopped bidding just to give Meng Xin the win, Beiya would come up short. Beiya, nevertheless, maintained professionalism and smiled.

"Jade Sect's Miss Meng Xin has offered fifty million. Does anyone want to offer a higher bid? If there are no more bids, Miss Meng Xin shall win the bid at fifty million."

"Fifty-one million."