Chapter 493 - 492: Splurging 1 Billion

"Ling'Er, what's wrong?" Qiao Dongliang's expression changed the moment he saw her. He hurried over to support Qiao Ling'Er and asked anxiously.

At that moment, Ye Feng spoke calmly, "Uncle Qiao, there's no need to panic. I will brew a decoction for her and teach you the preparation method. After one course of treatment, I guarantee she will be as good as new. In fact, this is the real reason I came to the Qiao family."

Qiao Dongliang's eyes lit up. "My boy, please, write the prescription at once!"

Ye Feng nodded, took a brush and paper, and swiftly scribbled down the prescription. He handed it to Qiao Dongliang, who then passed it to Old Wei to handle the arrangements.

Before long, however, Old Wei returned with a troubled expression on his face.

"Patriarch, Divine Doctor Ye, we've found the other dozen or so medicinal ingredients on the list, but there are three we can't find any trace of: Earth Heart Grass, Wood Spirit Root, and Flame Rose!"

Qiao Dongliang had never even heard of these ingredients, so he turned to Ye Feng and asked tentatively,

"My boy, can we find any substitutes?"

Ye Feng shook his head in resignation. "In this formula, those three are the principal ingredients. The others can be substituted, but those three absolutely cannot."

A troubled look immediately crossed Qiao Dongliang's face.

But just then, Old Wei spoke up. "Patriarch, the Mercenary Association holds an auction every week. They always have plenty of high-quality medicinal herbs!

Today happens to be their auction day. Why don't we go take a look? We might find the ingredients we need there!"

Qiao Dongliang's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! My boy, let's head to the Mercenary Association right now!"

He stood up to leave, but Ye Feng stopped him, shaking his head. "The estate still needs you to hold down the fort."

Qiao Dongliang immediately understood Ye Feng's meaning. He frowned and said, "Very well. I'll have Old Wei take a group of the estate's top experts and accompany you."

"I want to go too!" Qiao Ling'Er cried out. "I've been cooped up at home because I was sick. I feel much better today, and I want to get out for a bit!"

Qiao Dongliang glanced at Qiao Ling'Er, then over at Ye Feng. His eyes brightened, and he nodded with a smile. "Alright, alright. You go and take good care of Divine Doctor Ye!"

Qiao Ling'Er clearly understood the implication in her father's words. Her pretty face flushed red, and she fell silent.

The group soon left the Qiao estate and arrived at a small town not far away.

The Mercenary Association was located in the town.

True to her lively, girlish nature, Qiao Ling'Er chattered nonstop. "Ye Feng, this place may be in the middle of nowhere, but they have lots of tasty food!"

With that, she went and bought a pile of snacks. She handed some to Mu Qingyun and Feng Qingwu, then offered a handful to Ye Feng.

Seeing this from behind, Ye Lingtian's eyes lit up. He chuckled, "Looks like I'm getting another granddaughter-in-law!"

Huo Yun's heart immediately ached. He clutched his chest and said, "Oh, my poor granddaughter... she has yet another rival!"

Ye Feng was suddenly seized by a violent coughing fit.

The group soon arrived at the Mercenary Association and entered the auction hall.

The hall was already filled with people. The group found a corner and sat down.

The auction began shortly after. The first items on the block were weapons, armor, and precious jewels. Uninterested, the group sat quietly.

Just then, the auctioneer presented a medicinal herb. The moment it appeared, a palpable chill spread through the air.

"Earth Heart Grass! It's actually Earth Heart Grass!"

"That's a miracle herb! It's said it can bring the dead back to life!"

Many in the crowd below cried out in astonishment.

The auctioneer smiled and nodded. "That's right, everyone. This is the Earth Heart Grass, famed as a Spirit Medicine. You all know its wondrous effects, so I won't waste your time. Let the bidding begin! The starting price is ten million, with a minimum increment of one million!"

The bids came fast and thick:

"Eleven million!"

"Twelve million!"

...

The price quickly soared to thirty million.

At that point, Old Wei raised his paddle directly. "Forty million!"

This herb was needed to save Qiao Ling'Er's life, so Old Wei was determined to win it, jumping the bid by a full ten million.

Forty million for a single herb. Everyone felt that was a bit much, and the auction hall fell silent.

But just then, a calm voice rang out from one of the VIP rooms on the second floor:

"Fifty million!"

"Sixty million!" Old Wei countered without hesitation.

"One hundred million!" the voice rang out again.

One hundred million for a single herb—it was an absurd display of wealth. Everyone looked up toward the VIP room, but it was fitted with one-way glass; those inside could see out, but no one outside could see in.

But everyone knew this bidder was a true heavy hitter.

Old Wei hesitated for a moment, then called out, "Two hundred million!"

...

The price soared all the way to one billion before the VIP room finally went silent. Old Wei let out a long sigh of relief. The Earth Heart Grass was finally theirs!

The auction continued.

The items grew increasingly valuable, but Old Wei didn't bid again. His only targets were the two remaining herbs.

The second-floor VIP room also remained silent.

Just then, the auctioneer presented an object that looked like a tree root.

The moment it was revealed, a vibrant aura of life instantly filled the hall, making everyone feel refreshed and clear-headed.

Someone in the crowd recognized it and couldn't help but cry out, "A Wood Spirit Root! That's actually a Wood Spirit Root!"