Chapter 349: Worshipping the Blood Sect
Mo Qian raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "I'm simply interested in this medicinal herb. Is there a problem?"
"Besides, the one buying the herb is the young man next to you. What the hell does it have to do with you?"
"You!" Su Yurou started to retort.
But Mo Qian snapped back, "You what? This is an auction house. The item on stage goes to the highest bidder. Got a problem with that?"
Zhao Dong reached out, pulled Su Yurou behind him, and said calmly, "This lady is correct. In an auction, the highest bidder wins."
With that, Zhao Dong held up a hand. "Five million!"
The crowd gasped.
"Five million? Is that... really necessary?"
"For this crappy medicinal herb? I'd think fifty thousand was too much, and he's bidding five million?"
"Tsk, tsk. Some people really have more money than sense!"
"Is that all?" A cold sneer touched Mo Qian's lips. "Fifty million!"
Her words plunged the entire room into dead silence.
Su Yurou's eyes widened in astonishment. She and Mo Qian were archenemies, so she knew Mo Qian's character well. Although the woman would take any opportunity to oppose her, she definitely wasn't someone who would frivolously throw away fifty million.
Could it be that this herb is actually a peerless treasure?
At that thought, she quickly turned and said, "Mr. Zhao, feel free to bid. If you don't have enough money, I can cover you."
"Don't worry," Zhao Dong smiled calmly. "I have a little money of my own."
He then raised his hand. "One hundred million!"
BOOM!
The announcement hit the room like a clap of thunder.
Mo Qian looked devastated, her icy gaze fixed on Zhao Dong. "Kid! Do you know who I am?" she threatened. "Are you deliberately trying to make an enemy of me?"
Zhao Dong said with disdain, "You're the one who said the highest bidder wins. Getting cold feet now?"
"I am determined to have this medicinal herb today," he continued. "If you're not happy about it, we can keep bidding."
"You!" Mo Qian started to speak again, but the attendant by her side stopped her.
After the attendant whispered in her ear, Mo Qian huffed coldly. "Fine, lad! The medicinal herb is yours."
"But you dared to offend me, Mo Qian. You'd better think about the consequences!"
Zhao Dong's mind was completely occupied by the Dragon Ginseng, so he couldn't be bothered to deal with her.
Since Su Yurou and Mo Qian were archenemies, seeing Mo Qian so flustered and exasperated filled her with satisfaction. She, too, couldn't be bothered with the woman.
Downstairs, as Zhao Dong went to pay and collect the herb, the auctioneer's smile was so wide she could hardly close her mouth. She earned a commission on every sale and had assumed this item was junk. Who would have thought some sucker would spend one hundred million on it?
The auction resumed.
When Zhao Dong put away the Dragon Ginseng and turned around, he saw that Mo Qian and her companions had already left.
None of the subsequent items were worth his attention.
This continued until the final auction item appeared.
A lavish-looking glazed pill bottle was brought to the stage. Inside, a blood-red pill emanated an enticing fragrance. Just smelling the pill's aroma made everyone feel refreshed and clear-headed.
The auctioneer began her introduction, her face flush with excitement. "This is the Bone-Strengthening Pill, the product of three years of painstaking effort by a renowned Alchemy Master.
"It contains countless rare medicinal ingredients and can treat all manner of joint problems, from rheumatism to broken bones. For cultivators, it can even strengthen flesh and blood. Its effects are incredibly potent!"
Listening to the auctioneer's introduction, the crowd grew eager.
Seeing this, the auctioneer nodded in satisfaction and smiled. "The starting bid for this pill is one million, and each increment must be no less than one hundred thousand. The bidding starts now!"
The words had barely left her mouth when shouts erupted from the audience.
"One million, one hundred thousand!"
"One million, five hundred thousand!"
"Damn! You think you can get a divine pill like this for a mere one million, five hundred thousand? Three million!"
"Three million? You all truly underestimate the strength of Qian Dafu from the south of the city! I'll take this pill for ten million!"
"Heh, Qian Dafu, who the hell do you think you are? You think ten million is impressive? I, Li Sanpao from the north of the city, bid thirty million!"
The crowd below erupted into a clamor, and the price quickly threatened to surpass fifty million.
Excitement filled Su Yurou's eyes as she asked Zhao Dong, "Mr. Zhao, is this pill a treasure?"
Zhao Dong nodded slightly. "Indeed, it is. It's worth several hundred million, but it's of no use to me."
With the Body Transformation Technique, Zhao Dong's physical strength had already undergone a qualitative improvement. Although the pill was powerful, it offered little room for enhancement given his current physical prowess. He had no reason to join the fray.
"Since you don't want it, Mr. Zhao, then I'll bid on the pill," Su Yurou asked respectfully.
Zhao Dong nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Su Yurou was overjoyed and prepared to call out a bid, but at that moment, an elderly man in a black robe suddenly stood up. "One hundred million! The Blood Sect claims this pill!"
BOOM!
The declaration exploded like a thunderclap. Those three words, "Blood Sect," made the faces of everyone around change drastically.
"What? The Blood Sect? He's actually from the Blood Sect?"
"The Blood Sect is a famous cultivation sect in Provincial City, filled with countless experts. Why are they participating in a worldly auction?"
"Damn it! The Blood Sect is known for being vindictive. With them making a move, how can the rest of us even bid?"
The crowd sighed and shook their heads.
Su Yurou was stunned for a moment, but she ultimately gritted her teeth and stood up.
"One hundred and ten million!" Su Yurou's voice rang out.
The old man's face instantly darkened. His eyes pierced Su Yurou as he threatened, "Miss Su, are you trying to make an enemy of the Blood Sect?"
Su Yurou replied, neither servile nor overbearing, "Sir, you misunderstand. I have no intention of making an enemy of the Blood Sect."
"It's just that my father's bones are weak, and he suffers from the constant pain of rheumatism. I must buy this pill as a filial duty, so I hope you will be magnanimous."
"Hmph!" the old man snorted unhappily. "Anything the Blood Sect sets its sights on becomes ours. If you know what's good for you, you'll withdraw from the bidding now. Don't make things ugly!"
Su Yurou was not one to be pushed around. Provoked by the old man's threat, her temper flared.
She retorted with a cold snort, "I have made my intentions clear. If you refuse, then we will compete! We'll see who has deeper pockets: the Blood Sect or the Su Family!"
"You!" The old man's face turned sullen.
After a moment, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. "Fine! Miss Su of the Su Family, you've got guts!" he said arrogantly.
With that, the old man strode away.
In the end, the Bone-Strengthening Pill was acquired by Su Yurou for one hundred and ten million, and with that, the auction concluded.
The crowd was abuzz with hushed whispers.
"Miss Su has some real nerve, daring to confront the Blood Sect head-on!"
"The Blood Sect may be powerful, but the Su Family is no pushover. Looks like the Blood Sect took a loss this time."
"The Blood Sect seeks revenge for the smallest slight. I'm afraid this matter isn't over."
"Ah, well. What do the affairs of others have to do with us? Let's go, let's go. My wife's waiting for me to get home and warm the bed."
The crowd gradually dispersed.
Zhao Dong and Su Yurou also walked out. Both were in high spirits, having gotten what they wanted.
But just as they were about to get into their car, a graceful figure suddenly blocked their path.
"Zhao Dong, is it?" the woman's voice was ice-cold. "A nobody from some backwater town dares to compete with me, Mo Qian?"
She paused. "Fine. In light of your... courage, I'm willing to buy that herb from you. Name your price."