Chapter 57

"The next item for auction is —— the Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass."

Upon hearing the words "Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass," Long Chen's heart skipped a few beats. This was the ultimate goal of his attendance at this auction, and he was determined to secure it.

If he used the Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass, Long Chen had a hundred percent chance of refining the High-Grade Melting Star Pill. Such a pill could completely resolve the foreign spiritual energy in Chu Yao's body.

Originally, Long Chen did not intend to obtain a Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass; a hundred-year-old one was already extremely rare. After all, the Melting Star Grass was one of the essential ingredients for many second-grade pills.

Harvesting it was also very challenging, and there was a significant shortage. The difference between a Melting Star Pill refined from ordinary Melting Star Grass and one from Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass was immeasurable.

For Chu Yao, he was willing to pay any price to get it. Initially, he had no problem securing these ten Melting Star Grass plants, so he did not pay special attention to the Huayun Pavilion.

After all, the Huayun Pavilion placed great emphasis on its reputation. If the items on the list were privately withheld, the Huayun Pavilion would have a hard time explaining it to the public. Therefore, it was unlikely that they would give him any special treatment, and he decided not to ask to avoid awkwardness.

However, even though the Melting Star Grass was precious, there were not many alchemists. Long Chen believed that with his wealth, he could secure it without much trouble.

But now things were different. That idiot Xia Bai Chi had been closely watching him. If she found out his purpose, that idiot woman would likely bankrupt him, leaving him with nothing.

Therefore, whenever any treasure came up for auction, Long Chen would bid, and if Xia Bai Chi bid, he would continue to bid, seemingly opposing her and deliberately making things difficult for her. In reality, he was laying the groundwork for this step.

"Ten Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass plants, essential ingredients for over a dozen precious second-grade pills. I don't need to elaborate on their value. The starting bid is 500,000 gold coins," Yao Nianqian said, lowering her hand.

"700,000"

"800,000"

"..."

As Yao Nianqian's voice fell, over a dozen people began bidding, most of them elderly.

Long Chen recognized a few familiar faces, all of whom he had seen in the Alchemist Guild. However, they were all at the same level as him, being Pill Apprentices.

There were also some unfamiliar faces, but he guessed they were also alchemists, as outsiders would not know the true value and use of such items.

"2,000,000"

Seeing an old man bid 1,800,000 and defeat all his opponents, Long Chen finally called out his price as Yao Nianqian began the countdown.

However, his heart raced as he hoped Xia Bai Chi would also bid, allowing him to take the initiative and make it look like he was targeting her.

In such a situation, he could most likely secure the Melting Star Grass at the lowest price and with the most stable means.

But it seemed that the heavens were asleep and did not hear his prayers. Xia Bai Chi, the Pill Apprentice, showed no interest in the Melting Star Grass, much to Long Chen's frustration.

"Miss Xia Bai Chi, how about giving it a try?" Long Chen called out to Xia Bai Chi's box after bidding.

After Long Chen's call, the entire hall fell silent for a moment. Was Long Chen trying to challenge Xia Bai Chi?

"Xia Bai Chi, don't fall for it. That boy is deliberately provoking you," Xia Changfeng quickly said, fearing that Xia Bai Chi would act rashly out of anger.

"Am I an idiot? I won't fall for such a low trick," Xia Bai Chi's cold voice replied, filled with disdain.

Hearing Xia Bai Chi's response, Long Chen was secretly delighted but did not show it. Instead, he said sarcastically, "Miss Xia Bai Chi, are you short on funds?"

"You... Bullshit! I have enough money to bury you alive!" Xia Bai Chi, enraged, rushed out of her box and shouted at Long Chen's box.

A princess of a nation, cursing in public, made everyone's faces turn strange, and they looked at each other awkwardly.

Xia Changfeng's face turned dark, and he quickly pulled Xia Bai Chi back, knowing that she had embarrassed the entire Daxia Kingdom in the Fengming Empire.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Yao Nianqian quickly said, "Prince Long Chen has bid 2,000,000. Is there a higher bid?

2,000,000 once.

2,000,000..."

As Yao Nianqian began the countdown, Long Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had tricked that idiot again.

"2,000,000 three..."

"3,000,000"

Just as Yao Nianqian was about to call the third time, a gentle voice came from a box.

Long Chen's face changed, and he looked up at the box. If he remembered correctly, that box belonged to Ying Hou.

Ying Hou was neither a pill cultivator nor a merchant, so it was unlikely he knew the true value of the Melting Star Grass.

Moreover, 2,000,000 was already a high price, and although the Melting Star Grass was rare, it could still be collected with time.

If not for Long Chen's urgent need, he would not have paid such a price. But now, Ying Hou had bid 3,000,000, almost double the original value.

While auctions rarely have low prices, this was far too high, especially since the item was of no use to Ying Hou.

A fierce look flashed in Long Chen's eyes. This Ying Hou was more difficult to deal with than he imagined. He had underestimated one of the three top experts of the empire, who had seen through his plans at a glance.

"3,100,000"

Long Chen calmly called out this price. Now, only he and Ying Hou were left bidding. Unless he gave up, he had to go all the way.

"Hehe, this Melting Star Grass is somewhat useful to me, but I wouldn't feel right competing with my nephew. I'll let you have it," Ying Hou's soft voice slowly echoed.

Long Chen was filled with rage. This Ying Hou was a ruthless and cunning man, too devious.

"4,000,000"

Sure enough, after Ying Hou spoke, Xia Bai Chi suddenly realized what was happening and maliciously called out this price.

Long Chen's face darkened, and Yu Puzi and the others also looked grim, seeing that Long Chen had been outmaneuvered by Ying Hou.

"Sir, I dare not accept such praise. My father was a great man, guarding the border, serving the country and its people, with a noble and righteous spirit. I have his blood in my veins, and I cannot bear such high praise from Lord Ying Hou."

Long Chen did not want to say these things, but being outmaneuvered by Ying Hou, he felt he had to say something to avoid looking too weak.

Long Chen's words plunged the auction hall into silence, with only the echo of his voice reverberating.

The faces of the Fengming Empire's people changed. Long Chen was openly insulting Ying Hou, which was incredibly bold.

Ying Hou was a pillar of the empire, and even the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince treated him with respect. Even Long Tianxiao would not be so impolite.

While Long Chen's words did not directly insult anyone, anyone with a brain knew he was calling Ying Hou a despicable person.

"Hehe, young people are always hasty. My nephew still needs to cultivate more. A little thing like this shouldn't upset you; it's not good for your growth."

To everyone's surprise, the powerful Lord Ying Hou showed no signs of anger, only a faint smile.

Many people sighed inwardly, acknowledging that as one of the top experts of Fengming, his magnanimity was unmatched.

"4,000,000, Long Chen, are you short on funds? Ha ha," Xia Bai Chi's mocking voice echoed.

Xia Bai Chi was not stupid. After Ying Hou's bid, it was clear that Long Chen valued the Melting Star Grass greatly.

After suffering such a significant loss, how could Xia Bai Chi let go of this rare opportunity?

Long Chen took a deep breath. The more he feared, the more it happened. Now, with Xia Bai Chi hating him to the bone, he had to be prepared to pay a high price to get the Melting Star Grass.

"5,000,000" Long Chen said calmly.

The hall was in an uproar. It was clear that Long Chen was determined to get the Melting Star Grass, otherwise, he would not have bid such a sky-high price.

"10,000,000"

To everyone's shock, Xia Bai Chi was even more ruthless, doubling the price.

Long Chen nodded. He had a brilliant mind but no room to maneuver, as his weakness had been exposed by Ying Hou.

He couldn't understand why Ying Hou was deliberately targeting him. Could it be that the person behind the recent events was him?

However, now was not the time to ponder these things. He had to get the Melting Star Grass, as time was running out.

Even if he backed down now, Xia Bai Chi's foolish nature would only bring him humiliation, not any benefit.

"15,000,000" Long Chen called out.

"18,000,000"

After Long Chen bid, Xia Bai Chi quickly followed, driven by madness. She didn't care about the money; she only knew that whatever Long Chen wanted, she would not let him have it.

"20,000,000"

Long Chen finally called out this price. The entire hall was in shock. This was not a casual bid; it was real money, and the price was already ten times the original value. Even for a matter of pride, this was too expensive.

"If you bid again, I guarantee the Melting Star Grass will be yours," Long Chen said calmly after calling out this price.

His pills were pledged to the Huayun Pavilion, giving him a credit limit of 20,000,000. This meant he could borrow 20,000,000 from the Huayun Pavilion.

So when this loan was used up, he was calm. If Xia Bai Chi continued to bid, he would have to let her have the Melting Star Grass.

However, he was determined that if Xia Bai Chi dared to bid again, he would not hesitate to rob and kill.

"Xia Bai Chi, this has already made him bleed heavily. Don't bid again. A tenfold price is enough revenge," Xia Changfeng quickly pulled Xia Bai Chi, fearing she would act rashly and spend over 20,000,000 on something useless.

"Yes, Xia Bai Chi, let it go. Long Chen has already suffered a crushing defeat, and you have taken your revenge," the First Prince Chu Yang also laughed and tried to persuade her.

Xia Bai Chi nodded. After making Long Chen pay such a high price for the Melting Star Grass, she felt she had taken her revenge. The Melting Star Grass was of no use to her, and 20,000,000 was a significant amount, which she was reluctant to spend.

"Hmph, I'll pity you, you scoundrel. This trashy herb is yours."

Long Chen finally secured the ten Thousand-Year Melting Star Grass for 20,000,000. Although it was painful, he felt relieved. Robbing and killing were only a last resort.

After this incident, the subsequent bidding became