BTTH: Starting With Auctioning Green Lotus Core Flame

Protector Wu hurriedly led Zhai Xing to a private room on the third floor of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. As strong members of the Soul Hall, only the third floor was fitting for their status.

Tang Zhen, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, was also escorted to a private room on the third floor by Niu Meng. With the substantial wealth these powerful figures possessed, fostering good relations could help the Pavilion Master earn even more gold coins.

Once everyone was settled, Ya Fei clapped her hands lightly and announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, because the upcoming auction items are of great importance, our Pavilion Master has decreed that everyone entering the private rooms will have their identities concealed and their order randomized to ensure our guests' safety."

"I now declare the Heaven Ascending Pavilion Auction officially open!"

For the weaker participants, protecting their privacy was the safest option, but for the truly powerful, such measures were mere formalities. Some chose to remain hidden, while others made no effort to conceal their identities.

The auction began!

The first item was brought onto the stage.

"Esteemed guests, you can probably see what this is. It's a rank seven water-attribute dragon-type magical beast magic core, renowned for its exceptional hardness and filled with volatile spiritual energy," Ya Fei announced on stage.

"What?! A rank seven dragon-type magical beast magic core?!" The auction hall erupted in excitement as everyone leaned forward in anticipation.

Dragon-type magical beasts were incredibly rare on the Dou Qi continent. They had an overwhelming strength making them the apex of all magical beasts. However, due to rampant hunting by humans over the centuries, their numbers had dwindled. They reproduced very slowly, often taking centuries to mature, making their growth rate unable to keep up with the rate at which they were being killed.

The crowd was electrified, as if countless lightning bolts had struck them on the back of their heads.

"The auction has just begun, and they've already brought out a rank seven dragon beast magic core. This is surprising indeed," people marveled.

For alchemists, a rank seven magic core was exceedingly rare and valuable. Obtaining one required several Dou Ancestor experts to hunt and kill the beast, which explained why such magic cores were so scarce. The Heaven Ascending Pavilion's auction items were truly exceptional and awe-inspiring.

"Since everyone has recognized the item, the starting bid is ten million gold coins, with increments no less than one million. The bidding starts now."

"I bid eleven million gold coins," someone called out.

"I bid twelve million!"

"Fifteen million gold coins!"

The hall became lively with tension palpable among the participants. No one wanted to let such a rare treasure slip away, not knowing when another such opportunity would arise.

As the price continued to soar, Medicine Emperor Han Feng slowly raised his right hand, "Thirty million gold coins."

Hearing Han Feng's bid, the crowd had no choice but to concede. The magic core's value typically ranged between eighteen and twenty-five million gold coins, but Han Feng's offer was too high for further competition, prompting everyone to give up.

Alchemist aside, no one was particularly interested in the magic core. It would be more beneficial for them to give Han Feng a favor by letting him have it.

Pill King Gu He squinted. "I've been in need of a magic core lately. The power from a dragon beast is incredibly potent and perfect for refining pills."

"Old Gu, you want this magic core too?" Yan Shi asked quietly.

"Yes." Gu He nodded firmly. "The value of a rank seven magic core is very high. If we pass on this opportunity, who knows when we'll encounter another dragon beast? Since it's here now, there's no reason to let it slip by."

Hearing this, Yan Shi and Feng Li exchanged glances. Since Gu He had made up his mind, they knew it was pointless to argue further.

When Ya Fei confirmed the current bid, Feng Li suddenly spoke up, "Thirty-one million gold coins."

"What? Someone's still raising the bid?"

"Yeah, it's over thirty million gold coins already! What a splurge. That's incredibly wealthy. While dragon beast magic cores are valuable, they're not irreplaceable. Spending millions on one seems absurd."

"True, I can't understand what those rich people thought."

Hearing the whispers and murmurs around him, Gu He didn't even pay them any heeds. He knew that refining a top-grade Tier-6 pill would yield returns far surpassing the value of this rank seven dragon beast magic core. He wouldn't be swayed by the ignorant comments around him.

Han Feng frowned and said, "Gu He, there's nothing I desire that I cannot obtain. Your wealth can't possibly rival the Black-Corner Region."

In the Northwest Continent, Han Feng feared no one. If he could obtain the Heavenly Flame, even Dou Venerates would be beneath him!

Gu He replied, "The auction has its rules, Han Feng. The highest bidder wins. You shouldn't resort to threats here."

"Very well, let's see if Pill King Gu He is stronger or if Medicine Emperor Han Feng is superior."

Han Feng snapped his iron fan shut.

"Thirty-five million gold coins."

"Thirty-six million!"

"Thirty-seven." Han Feng said lazily, as if the expenditure of gold coins meant nothing to him.

The Black-Corner Region experts exchanged uneasy glances. This guy spent money like it wasn't his. If it weren't for Han Feng's promises to refine pills for them, they wouldn't be emptying their coffers for him.

Fortunately, Han Feng had kept his word, or else there would be consequences for him.

Gu He's determination started to waver, and his additional bids showed signs of strain.

Han Feng, unhurried, continued to increase the bid. He was resolute about not letting go of the seventh-tier magic core.

"Heavenly Venerate, should we intervene?" asked Protector Wu.

In the third-floor room, Zhai Xing pondered for a moment. He decided to intervene to test the waters of the auction price for the magic core.

If the price escalated too much, the Soul Hall wouldn't persist in vying for the magic core, as it held no intrinsic value for them. They wanted it mainly because it could be traded with alchemists in the future for valuable pills.

"Forty million gold coins," Protector Wu announced, raising his paddle.

The sudden intervention by the Hall of Souls made the atmosphere even tenser.