Han Feng bought the vendor's invitation card, paying the expensive price of one gold coin.
However, compared to the expenses after entering the Xuan-rank auction, one gold coin was just a drop in the ocean.
Everyone knew what the three words "Miteer" meant.
In a Xuan-rank auction, even the invitation cards could be sold for gold coins.
The people who entered the Xuan-rank venue were either rich or noble.
Of course, there was also a group of lucky fellows who could snag some invitation cards when the Miteer Auction House announced the news.
Most of them were just there to broaden their horizons.
Han Feng estimated that winning this Heaven Origin Flower would probably cost him between 300,000 and 500,000 gold coins.
Since he planned to participate in this auction, Han Feng and Lin Xian'er went to a teahouse to rest.
The teahouse had private rooms. Han Feng ordered a pot of black tea and began to look through the invitation card.
The invitation card was not just an entry pass but also a brief promotional brochure with information about this auction. Some eye-catching auction items were also listed.
A tier-three ice-attribute monster core.
A tier-four weapon—Jade Chill.
A tier-three formation—Qi-Gathering Formation.
A mid-level Xuan-rank Dou Skill—Jade Shattering Palm.
The variety was extensive, covering almost every industry, so it was no wonder it could attract so many people.
This auction was prepared with a certain level of skill.
Ice-attribute magical beasts were already rare and usually appeared in the northern region, making it even more difficult to obtain their monster cores.
The value of a tier-three ice-attribute monster core might even be higher than some common attribute tier-four monster cores.
A tier-four weapon was enough for a Dou King expert to use in a fierce battle. It could perfectly adapt to the strength of a Dou King and also had a certain wondrous effect of conducting the energy of heaven and earth, so its price was naturally not cheap.
As for the Qi-Gathering Formation, it came from the hands of a formation master. It was cleverly designed to attract the surrounding energy of heaven and earth. Although it was only tier-three, its price had always remained high, mainly because formation masters were too rare.
On the Dou Qi Continent, the rarity of formation masters was no less than that of alchemists, but the conditions for learning formations were not as demanding as for alchemy.
So some powerful cultivators had a rudimentary knowledge of formations themselves.
This also led to formation masters not being treated as well as alchemists.
Of course, those formation masters who had mastered high-end legacies were always a scarce resource.
Needless to say, for a Xuan-rank Dou Skill, some Dou Emperor experts were still using them. Its preciousness varied from person to person.
Lin Xian'er drank her tea. After sitting down, her small feet dangled in the air, her gold-silk cloth shoes swaying back and forth, looking quite leisurely.
For lunch, they ate at the teahouse, which served exquisite teahouse dishes.
The service in the big city was much better than in the small restaurant in Qing Shan Town. It was the first time Lin Xian'er had eaten teahouse cuisine, and she still wanted more after putting down her chopsticks.
After the meal, they savored half a cup of tea. Han Feng looked at the hourglass.
"It's about time. Let's go."
After paying the bill, Han Feng and Lin Xian'er headed to the Black Rock City branch of the Miteer Auction House. People were already entering one after another.
At the end of the street, a broad-shouldered man strode over, followed by many people in luxurious clothes.
The surrounding pedestrians made way one after another. Han Feng heard a receptionist from the Miteer Auction House step forward and clasp his fist, "Patriarch He, this way please."
Seemingly familiar with the process, the man did not reply and walked straight into the auction house. The receptionist followed closely, afraid of being neglectful.
"A Dou King..." Han Feng said softly.
In this Jia Ma Empire, a Dou King was already a true expert.
These days, Han Feng had only seen low-level cultivators in the Jia Ma Empire. The only Dou Emperor was from the Gu Clan.
Today was the first time he had seen an expert belonging to the Jia Ma Empire.
Lin Xian'er looked up at Han Feng. "Master, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Let's go in."
Han Feng smiled and led Lin Xian'er into the auction hall.
"Row fifteen, seat one hundred and fifty-three. Sir, this way please."
A maid led the way for Han Feng, bringing him near the designated area before leaving.
The Xuan-rank venue was quite spacious, with large intervals between the seats, completely devoid of the crowded and chaotic scene of an ordinary auction house.
Lin Xian'er looked around curiously. Seeing Han Feng sit down and remain quiet, she also sat down obediently and kept her mouth shut.
As more and more people walked into the hall, a solemn bell rang.
A slender and gracefully dressed female auctioneer with a voluptuous figure swayed her hips as she walked from the backstage onto the rostrum.
The light refracted by the crystals converged on her, highlighting the center of the venue.
Lin Xian'er's eyes widened as she looked at the graceful female auctioneer. Her previously closed mouth slowly opened.
So beautiful!
Like a country child squeezing into the circle of the rich for the first time to watch a grand performance, Lin Xian'er was stunned. So this was what an auction was like.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Miteer Auction House, to participate in today's Xuan-rank auction. I am the auctioneer, Miteer Ai Lin. It is my honor to explain this auction to you. In addition to some of the items listed on the invitation card, we have also prepared a mysterious auction item. I believe it will not disappoint you."
She started by creating suspense, but the crowd was not annoyed. Instead, they were all looking forward to what kind of item the Miteer Auction House would call "mysterious."
A perfectly alluring smile appeared on Miteer Ai Lin's face as she began to introduce the first auction item.
"Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo, a tier-three medicinal and crafting material. It can be used in medicine for alchemy, or polished for weapon refining. Its ornamental value is also extremely high. Placing it in a courtyard can cool and relieve heat. In the Jia Ma royal family's imperial bamboo forest, there is a hundred-year-old Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo. By buying it, you can experience the enjoyment of the royal family. The starting price is 3,000 gold coins."
For most of the nobles in the Jia Ma Empire, money was not something difficult to obtain, nor were they lacking in Dou Skills, as their families had their own legacies.
In comparison, an elegant and tasteful life was their daily pursuit.
To add fun to a boring life, they were either competing or on the way to find something to compete with.
The imperial bamboo forest—this name made the wealthy nobles' blood boil.
Buying this Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo would not be a loss no matter what!
"Five thousand gold coins!" one person shouted, raising their number plate.
"Seven thousand!" another person quickly followed.
"Eight thousand!"
"Ten thousand!"
Everyone began to bid. Seeing the atmosphere gradually heating up, Miteer Ai Lin's lips curved slightly into a polite smile, occasionally updating with the latest price.
Han Feng watched the Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo on the auction stage with great interest. It wasn't just the nobles and the rich who liked beautiful things; Han Feng liked them too.
In Feng City, there was a bamboo forest. The outer perimeter was planted with tier-four Frost-Resistant Bamboo, while near the central Fragrant Abode Elegant Courtyard, tier-five Eternal Bamboo—Jade Glaze—was planted.
Not only was it beautiful, but it also had the effect of clearing the mind and calming the spirit.
In terms of value, it was far above this Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo.
At this time, the price had already soared to 18,000 gold coins and was still rising.
"Twenty thousand!"
"Twenty-three thousand!"
Adding 3,000 gold coins at once, it was clear that the last bidder was getting a bit anxious.
A single tier-three Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo would normally sell for around 10,000 gold coins. Anything higher was a premium.
However, often, this kind of rare spiritual plant had a price but no market; there was no place to buy it, so paying a premium was a normal phenomenon.
Han Feng raised his number plate and said slowly, "Thirty thousand."
Ten seconds passed, and no one raised the price again.
Miteer Ai Lin smiled and brought down the small hammer, announcing the successful transaction of the first auction item.
"Congratulations to the guest at number one hundred and fifty-three for successfully purchasing the Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo. You can go to the backstage to complete the transaction now, or continue with the auction and complete all transactions at the end."
Han Feng put down his number plate and did not get up. Miteer Ai Lin, with her usual beautiful smile, nodded slightly to Han Feng and then continued to introduce the second auction item.
After that, Han Feng rarely made a move. His target had always been that Heaven Origin Flower. If it weren't for it, Han Feng wouldn't have graced the Miteer auction house at all.
During this period, Han Feng asked Lin Xian'er if she had taken a fancy to anything, but the little girl was very shy. Even though her eyes sparkled with curiosity and longing for every auction item, she still shook her head.
Helpless, Han Feng had to bid for a storage bracelet, planning to give it to Lin Xian'er later.
Finally, the item being auctioned was the Heaven Origin Flower.
"Heaven Origin Flower, a fifth-tier herb, is the main ingredient for refining the fifth-grade pill, the Heaven Origin Pill. This pill can promote the body's secondary development and rejuvenate the body's vitality. For some cultivators who have passed their optimal breakthrough age, it is equivalent to a second chance for promotion. Even if taken alone, it can increase vitality and energy. For guests who wish to carry on their family line, this should be a treasure that adds icing on the cake."
Miteer Ai Lin skillfully linked the Heaven Origin Flower with the Heaven Origin Pill, making the older cultivators imagine how wonderful it would be if they could have a second chance for promotion.
"The starting price is 100,000 gold coins!"
"I'll bid 150,000!"
"200,000!"
"250,000, don't any of you fight me for it!"
Han Feng's brows twitched slightly. Under Miteer Ai Lin's intentional guidance, the price of this Heaven Origin Flower seemed to be rising somewhat artificially high.
In fact, if one wanted to increase the chances of carrying on the family line, the effect of the fourth-tier Yuan Yang Grass would be better. Of course, this was only for low-level cultivators. For high-level cultivators, the methods would be more difficult.
Especially for those families with extremely strict requirements for their bloodline, procreating was an extremely particular matter.
What they pursued was not only the birth rate but also the purity of the descendants' bloodline.
In the final analysis, the fifth-tier herb, the Heaven Origin Flower, was not that useful for carrying on the family line.
It was just adding icing on the cake, after all.
Han Feng sighed. Facing a group of fired-up bidders, he might have to spend a little more money this time.
"500,000. I hope all you fellow Daoists can give this old man some fa—"
"530,000!"
Before he could finish his words, a bid drowned out the old man's voice, showing no regard for him at all.
"This fifth-tier herb is not something you can just run into," the president of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild, Si An, said with a smile.
"My apologies, fellow Daoist. When an alchemist sees a rare medicinal ingredient, they just can't bear to miss it."
The old man from before had a grim face and said nothing, clearly not intending to continue bidding.
This Alchemist Guild Branch President named Si An was a genuine fourth-grade alchemist. Usually, even the patriarch of the He family treated him with courtesy. It would be too unwise to offend him for a single herb.
However, just as Miteer Ai Lin was counting down, Han Feng raised his number plate.
"600,000."
Without any flattering tone or threatening words, Han Feng said in a calm voice.
Si An squinted his eyes at Han Feng. This bidder, who was clearly quite powerful, looked very unfamiliar, as if he were not from Black Rock City.
While he was pondering, the countdown for the Heaven Origin Flower had already reached the last three seconds.
"630,000," Si An continued to bid.
"700,000," Han Feng continued to raise the price, his expression unchanged.
Si An thought for a moment and finally shook his head.
His estimated price was around 500,000. Judging by the momentum of Han Feng's bid, he was probably determined to get it.
Since that was the case, there was no need to offend a stranger with an extraordinary aura.
Perhaps, the other party was a powerful cultivator.
"Congratulations to the guest at number one hundred and fifty-three for successfully bidding for the Heaven Origin Flower."
This time, Miteer Ai Lin did not repeat her words but simply congratulated him and then took half a step back.
Clack!
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, leaving only a single beam of light shining on a platform that was slowly rising.
"Sorry to have kept you all waiting."
Miteer Ai Lin appeared on stage again, but she had changed into an elegant and simple dress. When she unveiled the final mysterious finale item, a rich pill fragrance accompanied it, and the atmosphere in the hall was ignited to a climax.
"A fourth-grade high-level pill, the Spirit Advancing Pill!"
"I don't need to say much about its effect. It helps a Dou Grandmaster cultivator to condense the Dou Crystal in their body and assists in advancing to Dou Spirit!"
Miteer Ai Lin looked at the whole audience. "This pill was refined by the Grand President of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, Master Fa Ma. Our Black Rock City branch also paid a considerable price to obtain the auction rights for this pill."
"Its starting bid is one million gold coins!"
The Spirit Advancing Pill was generally used by a Dou Grandmaster when breaking through the barrier to Dou Spirit. It belonged to the breakthrough-type of pill, and compared to pills of the same grade, its price was at least half, or even more than double.
A Dou Spirit cultivator could fully serve as a city lord in an ordinary small or medium-sized city.
Even in a Dou King family, a Dou Spirit was still a pillar of support. From this, it could be seen that the value of this pill was far more than one million gold coins.
Not to mention, this Spirit Advancing Pill was personally refined by Master Fa Ma, so its price could go even higher.
As Miteer Ai Lin's voice fell, people began to bid one after another.
This time, Han Feng did not make a move. He directly took Lin Xian'er's hand and walked towards the backstage.
The Spirit Advancing Pill that everyone else was crazily fighting over was not even as valuable as a stalk of Red-Scaled Purple Bamboo to Han Feng.
When the service staff backstage saw Han Feng take out his number plate to complete the transaction, they all showed respectful expressions.
They had been paying close attention to the situation in the hall. This guest at number one hundred and fifty-three had bought items worth a total of one million gold coins in one go and could be upgraded to a platinum user.
"Sir, how would you like to pay?" the service staff asked after preparing the items Han Feng had won.
Han Feng took out his purple-gold card and handed it to him.
Seeing the purple-gold card, the service staff was clearly stunned. Then he slowly inserted the card into the withdrawal machine. The astonishing number on it made the attendant's eyes blur.
Maintaining his professional composure, he deducted the one million gold coins and then tremblingly handed the card back to Han Feng with both hands.
"Sir, please take care of it."
Han Feng took the purple-gold card and led Lin Xian'er outside.
By now, the auction had ended. The final finale item, the Spirit Advancing Pill, was bought by the patriarch of the He family for the price of two million gold coins.
Miteer Ai Lin was just stepping down from the rostrum to the backstage when she saw an attendant report to her with a somewhat flustered expression, "Lady Ai Lin, that guest at number one hundred and fifty-three just now has a purple-gold card, and the gold coins inside..."
The attendant reported the number. Miteer Ai Lin was also stunned. After confirming that the attendant was not deceiving her, she ran straight outside.
To win over everyone worth winning over was the foundation of the Miteer family.