Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Earth Dragon True Blood
"Very well, we will now begin the auction for the second Lifespan Extension Pill. The starting bid is, once again, two hundred Demon Stones. Bidding starts now!"
The Mountain Deer Spirit announced loudly once more.
"Two hundred and ten Demon Stones!"
A Qi Refining Old Demon called out a bid.
"Two hundred and twenty Demon Stones!"
Another demon countered.
"Four hundred Demon Stones!"
From private room number five, Jin Yuanba’s voice rang out once more.
"Him again!?"
An old demon’s expression froze.
"Private room five... which Foundation Establishment Great Demon is in there!?"
"Great Demons have abundant lifespans, so why is he doing this!?"
"Could it be... an elderly Great Demon!?"
"That’s possible!"
While Lifespan Extension Pills were precious, they weren’t particularly remarkable to a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Foundation Establishment Great Demons were often out and about, moving in different social circles.
Thus, their opportunities to acquire Lifespan Extension Pills were far greater than those of the Qi Refining Old Demons.
Furthermore, a Lifespan Extension Pill could only be taken a maximum of three times.
Most elderly Foundation Establishment Great Demons had already taken the maximum number of Lifespan Extension Pills allowed.
As for the younger Foundation Establishment Great Demons in their prime, they had plenty of life left and were in no rush.
’Damn it! A Great Demon is making a move! Do I compete or not!’
An old demon’s expression was a mixture of uncertainty and frustration.
’If I don’t compete, I’ll miss this chance to buy a Lifespan Extension Pill.’
’But if I do, with my financial resources, I simply can’t contend with a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.’
’And if things get heated...’
’A Lifespan Extension Pill can only be taken three times at most. I’ll just wait and see.’
And so, the second Lifespan Extension Pill was easily won by Jin Yuanba.
Everyone was sensible enough to know that the limit for Lifespan Extension Pills was three.
Therefore, Jin Yuanba also smoothly won the bid for the third Lifespan Extension Pill.
After winning the three Lifespan Extension Pills, Jin Yuanba stopped bidding.
He clearly understood that bidding three times could be justified.
But if he were to participate a fourth time, it would be seen as him throwing his weight around and intimidating the other demons.
The old demons on the verge of death would likely come to resent him.
While he wasn’t afraid of them, it would have a major impact on Langlang Mountain’s reputation.
To manage a faction well, relying on strength alone was not enough!
It required careful planning and consideration on many fronts.
The competition for the next four Lifespan Extension Pills was extremely fierce.
Tempers flared among many of the Qi Refining Old Demons as they competed.
The most expensive one even sold for a high price of five hundred twenty Demon Stones.
This brought an even wider smile to the Mountain Deer Spirit’s face.
As the auction’s host, he would receive a portion of the proceeds as commission.
Even though it was a very small percentage, given the scale of this auction, it was more than enough for him.
"Elder Grey Rat, you may take one of these three Lifespan Extension Pills for yourself.
As for the other two, I hope you can study them well and reverse-engineer the refining method as soon as possible."
The auction house was incredibly efficient. No sooner had the bid been won than the items were delivered.
After paying the Demon Stones, Jin Yuanba said this to Xu Chang’an.
"I will not fail the task entrusted to me."
Xu Chang’an replied solemnly, his expression like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"I’m counting on you, Elder Grey Rat."
Jin Yuanba offered a few words of encouragement.
The auction continued.
First-tier top-grade attack and defense demon talismans, the legacy of a Tier One Demon Talisman Master, a Top-Grade Defense Array Flag...
Auction items of this caliber appeared one after another.
It was clear that Lujiao Mountain had spared no effort to ensure their inaugural auction started with a bang.
Throughout the event, Jin Ling’Er and several of Langlang Mountain’s Sequence Elders also made bids from time to time.
As time went on, the auction gradually drew to a close.
The quality of the items being auctioned grew higher and higher.
They had already started on a Second-order Lower Grade Attack Demon Talisman.
Gradually, even the Foundation Establishment Great Demons began to join the bidding.
The atmosphere in the auction hall was continuously pushed to new heights by the Mountain Deer Spirit’s impassioned and skillful rhetoric.
"My friends, we’ve had a total of sixty-three regular auction items, and not a single one has gone unsold!
In addition to the regular items, this auction features a total of three grand finale items.
Now, let’s reveal the third-to-last auction item!"
The Mountain Deer Spirit’s voice was electric, further hyping up the crowd.
A little demon walked forward, holding a tray.
On the tray sat a Jade Bottle, so white it was nearly transparent.
Through the bottle’s body, one could faintly see a red liquid sloshing within.
"As everyone knows, a demon’s bloodline talent often determines their ultimate potential.
How many exceptionally gifted demons easily reach the realm of a Foundation Establishment Great Demon?
And how many demons with inferior bloodline talent struggle endlessly in the early stages of Qi Refining?
Today, one of our grand finale items is a Spiritual Item capable of improving a demon’s bloodline talent—Earth Dragon True Blood!"
"Earth Dragon True Blood!"
"It can improve a demon’s bloodline!"
"Only blood that contains the very core of a demon’s bloodline is called ’True Blood’! This Earth Dragon True Blood..."
"..."
The auction hall was buzzing as the demons broke into a flurry of discussion.
"My friends, this Earth Dragon True Blood comes from an incomparably powerful Quasi-Demon King! This single bottle can vastly improve a demon’s bloodline! The starting bid is three thousand Demon Stones."
The Mountain Deer Spirit continued to stoke the excitement.
"Earth Dragon True Blood!"
Inside the private room, Xu Chang’an’s face lit up with pleasant surprise.
While Xu Chang’an was genuinely pleased about the Earth Dragon True Blood and its ability to improve bloodline talent, he wouldn’t normally be this overjoyed.
But he wasn’t the only demon in the private room.
’My bloodline talent is supposedly inferior. If I appear too calm when faced with a treasure that can improve it, the other demons will find it strange and grow suspicious.’
"Earth Dragon True Blood from a Quasi-Demon King can indeed improve one’s bloodline talent.
However, bloodlines are innate. Improving them after birth is incredibly difficult.
While this Earth Dragon True Blood can improve a bloodline, I’m afraid it’s likely only effective for demons with a Middle Grade Bloodline Talent or lower.
And given the amount, even for those below a Middle Grade Bloodline Talent, the improvement is probably limited!"
Jin Yuanba commented.
As a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, he was experienced and knowledgeable, so his words naturally carried some weight.
"Below Middle Grade Bloodline Talent! Isn’t that perfect for Grey Rat, then?"
Jin Ling’Er glanced at Xu Chang’an.
’If it were effective for demons of any bloodline talent, this Earth Dragon True Blood probably wouldn’t be the third-to-last auction item.’
’It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it could even be the very last item of the auction.’
’But with the bloodline restriction and its limited effect, the number of competing demons will actually be lower.’
’This greatly increases Xu Chang’an’s chances if he decides to compete for it.’
"My bloodline talent is poor, and my Demon Path is arduous. It’s rare to have such a fine opportunity. I would like to try for it."
Xu Chang’an stated his intentions clearly.
"Grey Rat, go ahead and bid. If you don’t have enough Demon Stones, I’ll lend you some,"
Jin Ling’Er said softly.
Jin Yuanba glanced at the two of them but said nothing.
The other Sequence Elders from Langlang Mountain also chimed in, offering to lend him Demon Stones if he came up short.
They were more than happy to take this opportunity to get on good terms with Xu Chang’an.
Besides, everyone knew a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist’s ability to earn Demon Stones was astounding.
There was no need to worry about Xu Chang’an being unable to pay them back.
Comments