Chapter 494 - 493: The First and Last Time

Many in the crowd started to shout, "This thing isn't just for beauty and youth—it can extend your life! What a treasure, a true treasure!"

"It's incredibly effective for a Martial Artist's cultivation, too! I came here just for that Wood Spirit Root, and I'm not leaving without it."

"That's right, me too! I'm willing to pay any price to get it."

...

Seeing how fired up the crowd was, the auctioneer nodded in satisfaction and declared the bidding open, with a starting price of fifty million and minimum increments of ten million.

The bidding started with a flurry of activity, but once the price reached one hundred million, the calls gradually died down.

'The herb may be good, but you need the money to back it up!'

To avoid dragging things out, Old Wei directly called out the sky-high price of two hundred million. But just as the words left his mouth, the cold voice of the woman from VIP Room 8 rang out again:

"Three hundred million!"

"Four hundred million!"

...The price quickly soared to two billion. The VIP room went silent again.

Old Wei was beside himself with excitement.

'We've already gotten two of the three herbs. If we can just get this third one today, Qiao Ling'Er will be saved!'

But the auction was nearly over, and he still hadn't seen the Flame Rose. A wave of disappointment washed over Old Wei. 'Is there no hope for this final herb?'

But just as he was losing hope, the auctioneer brought out a box and announced with a smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, our final item of the day, and our grand finale—the Flame Rose!"

With that, he took an herb from the box.

The entire herb was a fiery red, and at its tip was a bloom that looked just like a rose made of flames!

The moment the herb was revealed, a searing heat radiated outward. Several people sitting in the front rows couldn't withstand the heatwave and scrambled to their feet, retreating backward.

The auctioneer explained with a smile, "The Flame Rose can purge all cold energy from the body and use its fiery power to clear the meridians. For anyone suffering from a cold-paralysis syndrome, this is a life-saving elixir!"

"The Flame Rose! It's really the Flame Rose!" Old Wei shot to his feet and shouted in excitement. He turned to Qiao Ling'Er beside him and said excitedly:

"Miss, this is fate! We're so lucky! We've found all three herbs! You can finally be cured!"

Qiao Ling'Er's face lit up with joy, but she quickly snapped back to reality. Pointing toward the second floor, she said worriedly:

"But we have competition!"

Old Wei spoke with iron resolve, "Don't worry, Miss. No matter who it is, and no matter the price, I will acquire this herb today."

At that moment, the bidding began.

The starting price was two hundred million.

The price deterred most bidders, leaving only a handful to compete. By the time the price reached five hundred million, the calls had stopped.

Just as Old Wei was breathing a secret sigh of relief, the woman's voice from VIP Room 8 on the second floor rang out again:

"Two billion!"

Old Wei's brow furrowed instantly, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.

Ye Feng looked at Old Wei and said with a smile:

"Grandmaster Wei, are you short on funds?"

Old Wei looked at Ye Feng and said helplessly, "Divine Doctor Ye, I thought I had brought more than enough money. I never imagined the price would be driven this high. I... I really don't have that much!"

A look of disappointment also appeared on Qiao Ling'Er's face. 'It seems we weren't meant to have the Flame Rose today.'

But Ye Feng just smiled faintly. "Then leave the rest to me."

With that, he raised his paddle and declared, "Five billion!"

The entire venue instantly erupted in an uproar.

'An increase of three billion in a single bid? Who even does that?'

Old Wei stared at Ye Feng, stunned. 'What is this kid doing, shouting nonsense? Five billion... can you even produce that much money?'

Just then, a cold sneer came from VIP Room 8 on the second floor. "Auctioneer, I suspect he is making a malicious bid! I demand a verification of his funds!"

A staff member quickly arrived in front of Ye Feng and said politely, "Sir, we must request a verification of funds."

Old Wei, at his side, quickly interjected, "We withdraw the bid! He was just joking!"

Making a bid you can't pay for is considered a disruption of the auction, and it results in brutal retaliation from the Mercenary Guild.

'The Mercenary Guild! That's an organization even the Qiao family is wary of!'

That was why Old Wei was quick to apologize.

At that moment, a contemptuous voice drifted down from the second floor: "You don't even have the money, yet you want to compete with me? Heh..."

Old Wei's face instantly turned bright red.

The staff member looked at Old Wei and said coldly, "This is the first and last time. If you disrupt the auction's order again, you will bear all the consequences yourself!"

Old Wei wished the ground would swallow him whole. The staff member turned to leave, but just then, Ye Feng spoke lazily:

"Verify the funds, then. What's with all the pointless talk?"

With that, he pulled out a card and tossed it over.

Old Wei was about to die of anxiety. 'Why is this kid still putting on a show at a time like this?'

'You know, if you can't produce the money, it could cost you your life! How can this kid be so reckless?'

He was just about to stop him, but the staff member had already picked up the card. The next instant, the staffer's expression changed dramatically. "Supre—"