"Who is this guy?"
"With such a high profile, could he be from the Nalan family or the Mu family?"
As Mittel Tushan finalized the results, everyone turned their gaze toward the private room where Gu He was seated, their faces filled with shock.
In their eyes, only the top families in the imperial capital would dare to act so boldly.
Nalan Jie and Mu Chen also glanced at Gu He's private room, speculating about the bidder's origins.
The reason they hadn't bid earlier was to conserve their strength for the final competition over the Dou Spirit Pill.
The excitement caused by the Rank 5 magical beast egg lingered for a while before gradually subsiding.
However, not long after, Gu He, who had been lounging idly in his chair, was suddenly captivated by a medicinal herb displayed on the crystal table by Mittel Tushan.
The herb was fiery red, as if bathed in fresh blood, and was about the size of a palm. At first glance, it resembled Ganoderma lucidum, exuding a vibrant aura.
"Sure enough, it's the Fire Ganoderma. This auction wasn't a waste of time," Gu He murmured to himself, a smile spreading across his face as he gazed at the fiery red Ganoderma lucidum in Mittel Tushan's hands.
Although the Fire Ganoderma was only a Tier 5 herb and of little use to Gu He personally, it was a crucial ingredient for refining the Fuzi Spirit Pill, a fifth tier pill. The Fuzi Spirit Pill had the ability to fully restore strength that had been diminished due to seals or injuries.
Gu He's interest in this pill was primarily for the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong. Currently, Hai Bodong's strength had declined to the Dou Spirit level due to Queen Medusa's snake seal, and he was living in seclusion within the Tagore Desert.
Since Gu He aimed to obtain the Green Lotus Core Heavenly Flame, he needed a map from Hai Bodong that marked its location. Additionally, Hai Bodong possessed a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Heavenly Flame map, both of which Gu He desired.
To secure these from Hai Bodong, Gu He might have to help him refine a Breaking Adversity Pill, much like Xiao Yan had done in the original story.
Thinking of Hai Bodong, Gu He couldn't help but smile. The two were old acquaintances.
Back when Gu He had won first place in the alchemist competition, it was Hai Bodong from the Mittel family who had approached him with an invitation.
Although Gu He had ultimately declined and joined the Misty Cloud Sect, the two had maintained a good relationship.
When Gu He eventually traveled to the Tagore Desert, he planned to pay a visit to this old friend. The Fuzi Spirit Pill he was preparing now was meant to earn Hai Bodong's favor.
…
"The Fire Ganoderma grows only at the base of volcanoes, absorbing the energy of the earth's core and the volcanic fire. It's extremely difficult to harvest, as even powerful fighters hesitate to venture into such dangerous areas," Mittel Tushan explained to the audience.
After detailing the Fire Ganoderma's origin and effects, Mittel Tushan announced its starting bid: "The base price for this Fire Ganoderma is set at 7 million. Let the bidding begin!"
The high starting price dampened the enthusiasm of some bidders. While they could afford 7 million, they knew the price would likely double during the competition.
"8 million!"
"9 million!"
Gu He sat quietly, listening to the rising bids without haste. As time passed, the number of bidders dwindled, leaving only two competitors. By this point, the price had already reached 15 million.
"30 million!"
A lazy voice suddenly cut through the tension, drawing everyone's attention to Gu He's private room. The sudden jump in price surprised the audience, and even Mittel Tushan's eyes flickered with astonishment.
In his view, there was little at this auction that would interest Gu He. Yet, the Pill King had already made two bold moves.
The bid of 30 million silenced the remaining bidders. Mittel Tushan called for final offers three times before slamming down the auction hammer.
"Who is this guy? His funds are immense!"
"Could he be from one of the three great families?"
Nalan Jie and Mu Chen exchanged suspicious glances. Gu He's consecutive high-profile bids had them questioning his identity.
"Could he be from the royal family?" they wondered briefly before dismissing the thought.
If a royal family member were present, they would likely be saving their resources for the Dou Spirit Pill, not spending lavishly on other items.
Their thoughts then turned to the Dou Spirit Pill itself. Where had Mittel Auction House obtained such a rare sixth-tier elixir? And why had there been no prior announcement?
The answer soon became clear: Pill King Gu He must have been involved, both as a participant and the provider of the Dou king Pill.
…
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is the final lot of this auction, and I assure you, it will not disappoint," Mittel Tushan announced, his voice tinged with excitement.
Gu He glanced up at the crystal stage, noting Mittel Tushan's flushed face. "It seems the Dou Spirit Pill is about to make its appearance," he murmured.
The audience, sensing the climax, fell silent, their eyes fixed on the stage.
Nalan Jie and Mu Chen, seated in their private rooms, also tensed, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
On the crystal stage, Mittel Tushan clapped his hands, and a series of metallic clinks echoed as a jet-black metal fence rose around the table, sealing it off.
"Please don't be alarmed. This is merely a precaution to ensure the safety of our auction items," Mittel Tushan explained with a smile. "This fence is made of cold iron, capable of withstanding even the attack of a Dou Grandmaster for a short time."
Gu He raised an eyebrow at the excessive security but understood the necessity. The Dou Spirit Pill was a treasure that could tempt even Dou King level experts to act recklessly.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Mittel Tushan carefully retrieved a purple-gold plate from beneath the table. On it rested a pale white cold jade box, emanating a faint chill.
The box was opened, and a golden light burst forth, illuminating the entire auction hall. The energy fluctuations it emitted were palpable, causing a stir among the audience.
Inside the box lay a golden pill, the size of a longan, its surface smooth and radiant. The pill's aura triggered strong energy vibrations, a sign of its high tier.
The auction hall fell into a stunned silence. Even those unaware of the pill's exact properties could sense its extraordinary nature.
Mittel Tushan's voice broke the silence. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the highlight of today's auction: the sixth-tier Dou Spirit Pill!"
The announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd. A sixth-tier elixir was a rarity, something most present had only heard of in legends.
The bidding began immediately, with no reserve price set. The price skyrocketed, reaching 100 million in moments and continuing to climb.
"110 million!"
"130 million!"
"150 million!"
The competition was fierce, with bids soaring to 200 million within minutes. The atmosphere was electric, the air thick with tension and excitement.
After nearly half an hour of intense bidding, the price had reached an astonishing 260 million. By this point, many of the weaker factions had withdrawn, leaving only the most determined bidders.
Finally, Nalan Jie, his eyes gleaming with determination, called out, "300 million!"
The auction hall fell silent, the sheer magnitude of the bid leaving everyone stunned.
Mittel Tushan, after a moment of hesitation, called for final offers three times before bringing down the hammer. "Sold!"
…
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