As the energy barrier slowly rose into place, a low metallic grinding sound echoed from the auction platform. The ground began to split apart, revealing a stairway that descended into the depths below. All eyes in the auction hall focused on the unfolding platform.
"Hehe, I'm sure everyone's been getting a bit impatient waiting around. So, let's skip the pleasantries."
Amidst the emergence of the stairway, a hearty laugh rang out as an elderly man in a black robe stepped onto the stage.
The black-robed elder grinned cheerfully as he gazed at the sea of heads below. Then, his sharp eyes briefly swept across the second-floor private booths as his voice boomed across the entire venue.
As a veteran auctioneer, he knew exactly why today's crowd had gathered. Wasting no time, he raised a hand and declared loudly, "Our Black Rock Auction House's special-tier auction begins now!"
With his announcement, the platform in front of him began to tremble slightly. A silver tray slowly rose into view, carrying a light green pill resting quietly at its center.
The moment the pill appeared, countless gazes locked onto it. Many people's breathing quickened.
On the Dou Qi continent, Pills were just as valuable as cultivation methods and Dou Techniques. In fact, some Pills that could directly boost strength were even more sought-after.
It wasn't uncommon for high-tier Pills to appear at a special auction like this. However, they were typically reserved for the grand finale. Now, one was being offered right at the start? Clearly, today's auction was going to be something special.
"This Pill is called the Qingling Pill. Many of you have probably heard of it before. It's designed to help those stuck at the peak of the Dou Practitioner stage break through the barrier to Da Dou Shi."
The black-robed auctioneer pointed toward the pill on the tray and continued with a smile, "More importantly, this Qingling Pill was personally refined by Vice Chairman Otto of our Black Rock Alchemist Guild. The quality is excellent. If you're lucky, it might even help you jump two stars in strength."
As soon as he finished, the hall erupted into a buzz of chatter.
Countless eyes burned as they stared at the jade bottle on the tray.
A pill that could help one break through to a new realm was a rare treasure. The difference between a Dou Practitioner and a Da Dou Shi was just one rank in name, but in reality, it was a qualitative leap. Many cultivators lingered at the peak of Dou Practitioner for years, unable to make the jump.
But with a single Qingling Pill, that problem could be solved.
Even the major powers and clans seated on the second floor showed interest. After all, in a place like Black Rock City, a Dou Ling was already considered a top-tier combatant, and a Da Dou Shi was the backbone of any major faction.
A single Qingling Pill could potentially raise one such elite—a long-term gain that was well worth the price.
"Since everyone seems to know what the Qingling Pill is, I won't waste time."
The auctioneer's eyes gleamed cunningly. He purposely omitted the pill's downsides.
Yes, the Qingling Pill had been refined by Otto—but it lacked a Pill Pattern.
In other words, it was just an ordinary fourth-tier pill. While it could still help a peak Dou Practitioner advance to Da Dou Shi, the success rate wasn't high. And if it failed, it could even cause backlash and weaken the user's strength.
But obviously, such unflattering truths had no place on the auction stage.
With a flourish, the auctioneer shouted, "Starting bid—200,000 gold!"
"230,000!"
As soon as his voice fell, someone in the back shouted.
"250,000!"
Interest was clearly high. With Otto's name behind the pill, bids came in one after another. In mere seconds, the price had climbed to 300,000 gold.
But after that point, the pace slowed.
People weren't fools. The Qingling Pill was good, yes, and Otto's name helped, but it was still just an ordinary fourth-tier pill. Around 300,000 was a reasonable price.
Eventually, after a few more rounds, the pill sold for 390,000 gold coins.
A solid opening sale—the auctioneer had successfully roused the room's energy.
Taking advantage of the heated atmosphere, the black-robed elder began unveiling other items one after another. Thanks to their quality and his expert presentation, most of the lots sold for impressive sums.
Meanwhile, in one of the private booths on the second floor, things were… tense.
Despite the lively auction downstairs, the atmosphere inside the booth of Black Rock City's highest authorities was heavy and silent.
Otto and Frank had both risen to their feet, staring at Xue Mei and Lin Fei with expressions of disbelief.
"You're saying that those Pills were refined by that young man himself—not by some expert behind him?!"
"Impossible!" Black Rock's City Lord frowned deeply. "That youth looks to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old. How could he possibly refine Dou Ling Pills with quality close to that of a sixth-tier Alchemist?"
"City Lord, I agree completely," Otto said solemnly. "Even Pill King Gu He only reached sixth-tier alchemy in his middle age. Refining skills aren't like Dou Techniques—you can't rush them. It takes years of training and experience."
Xue Mei let out a helpless chuckle. "That's exactly what I thought too… but the young man said he'd give us an opportunity to observe him refining a pill."
"What?!"
The three most powerful figures in Black Rock City immediately jumped to their feet.
Observe his alchemy?
Wasn't that basically him slapping his Alchemist badge on the table?
"He really said that?" Otto's breathing grew ragged. If the boy was confident enough to let them watch his alchemy process, then their earlier assumptions suddenly didn't feel so certain anymore.
Could he truly be a fifth… even sixth-tier Alchemist?
"As long as we offer him one of the items he listed in the appraisal room earlier, he'll allow us to observe," Lin Fei added quietly. "But he said he'll be leaving tomorrow, so we don't have much time."
"What are you waiting for?!"
Frank suddenly roared, slamming his palm on the table.
"Give it to him! Definitely give it to him!"
"Xue Mei! Take my token and go to the inventory—bring out a Qianlan Crystal!"
"What?!"
(End of Chapter)