For a brief moment, the hall fell utterly silent—then erupted into a storm of excited chatter.
"Is that even possible? A pill that can help someone ascend to the rank of Grandmaster!?"
"Master Long's reputation has always been impeccable; he would never exaggerate."
"Incredible… how could such a miraculous elixir even exist in this world?"
The crowd buzzed with disbelief, curiosity, and awe, their voices overlapping in a rising tide of speculation.
When the noise finally subsided, the auctioneer, Dandan, smiled knowingly.
"I understand your doubts, but there's no need to rush—we have already prepared a demonstration."
As she spoke, a lean, wiry middle-aged man stepped onto the stage.
The audience immediately recognized him—Zhao Hu, one of Master Long's two trusted lieutenants, a formidable warrior at the eighth stage of Body Tempering.
Excitement flickered in the eyes of many as they guessed what was about to unfold.
Dandan uncorked a blue jade bottle and poured out a single pill.
Zhao Hu accepted it, swallowed it without hesitation, and then sat cross-legged to refine its energy.
Moments later, his aura began to surge. Under countless watchful eyes, it climbed steadily higher—until, with a faint rumble, he broke through the barrier of the eighth stage and advanced to the ninth.
Gasps filled the hall. Several cultivators' breathing quickened; their gazes burned with feverish longing.
"It's real… the pill is real!" someone exclaimed, voice trembling with excitement.
After stabilizing his cultivation, Zhao Hu rose, nodded slightly to the crowd, and left the stage.
Dandan's smile deepened. "As you can see, the results speak for themselves—no further explanation is needed."
She raised her voice again. "We have four Antidote Pills, each starting at one hundred million gold coins, with increments no less than ten million.
And three Minor True Essence Pills, starting at five hundred million each, with a minimum increase of twenty million."
"Five hundred and twenty million!"
"Five hundred and fifty million!"
"Six hundred million!"
Despite the staggering prices, bidders were relentless—most fixated on the True Essence Pills.
The atmosphere was ablaze with energy.
It was no surprise; after all, securing a single pill could give rise to a Grandmaster—something no amount of gold could measure.
"Junlan, help me bid," Wang Zihao whispered urgently. "I'll call home right now—we must win one of those pills."
As he hurriedly pulled out his phone, Jiang Junlan nodded in agreement.
Zhuge Zheya, too, had planned to bid, but her brows furrowed when she noticed Huangfu Shiyue sitting motionless beside her.
Such a priceless treasure, and yet that woman showed not a flicker of interest?
"Could it be a trick?"
A faint unease stirred in Zheya's heart, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Given her understanding of Master Long's integrity, he would never risk his reputation by selling counterfeits.
Still, confusion lingered. She glanced discreetly at Huangfu Shiyue, whose calm expression betrayed no desire to bid.
Puzzled, Zhuge Zheya chose to wait and observe.
Beside her, Yun Bingwan blinked in surprise. "Zheya, aren't you tempted by such a treasure?"
Zheya forced a small, rueful smile. "I already spent ten billion on the Rejuvenating Herb earlier. I didn't bring much more with me this time."
Seeing Bingwan's lingering doubt, she added, "Besides, I'm not a cultivator. For me, such a purchase would be a waste."
Bingwan nodded thoughtfully and then turned her attention to the bidding.
The price soon climbed to eight hundred million.
"Ten billion," came a clear, confident voice.
A two-hundred-million increase in one breath—shock rippled through the hall.
All eyes turned to see the bidder—Yun Bingwan.
The famed widow of the Yun family, she was a figure both feared and admired throughout Jiangdu. Though born illegitimate, her ruthlessness and brilliance had brought the Yun clan from the weakest of the Four Great Houses to its unchallenged peak within a few short years.
Unfazed by the stares, Yun Bingwan rose gracefully and smiled. "Gentlemen, my Yun family has great need of this pill. I would be most grateful if you could grant me this favor and refrain from further bidding."
Reactions varied—some bowed out silently, others looked displeased—but no one dared to challenge her.
The reason was simple: the Yun family was not to be trifled with.
Rumor had it that the Yuns maintained close ties with the powerful Long clan.
Years ago, the Ye family had provoked the Yuns and, as a result—with a little help from the Longs—had fallen from first to last among the Four Great Houses.
Seeing the room fall silent, Yun Bingwan offered a polite bow. "My thanks to you all."
Thus, the first True Essence Pill was claimed by the Yun family.
Next came the second pill, and the bidding once again grew fierce. The price soon surged past ten billion.
Growing anxious, Wang Zihao finally stood and attempted the same tactic.
"Everyone, my Wang family greatly needs this pill as well. I hope you might grant us the same courtesy—the Wangs will remember your kindness."
A mocking laugh answered him.
"What a joke. Your Wang family needs it, and the rest of us don't?"
Wang Zihao's face darkened as he turned toward the speaker—a burly, dark-skinned man with a deep scar slashing across his cheek, lending him a ferocious look.
"So, you refuse to show my Wang family respect?" Wang's tone carried a thinly veiled threat.
The man sneered. "And if I do? I am Scar Chen of the White Wolf Society. If you have a problem, come find me later."
A ripple of shock coursed through the audience.
Scar Chen—the most feared of the White Wolf Society's four hall masters—was known for his brutality and strength.
No wonder he dared to defy the Wangs.
Wang Zihao's expression stiffened; he had, of course, heard of the man.
Not only was Chen ruthless, he was also said to be a peak Body Tempering expert. Such a figure had no reason to fear the Wangs.
"My apologies, Master Chen—just a misunderstanding." Wang forced a strained smile and bowed slightly.
Scar Chen snorted, ignored him, and continued his bid.
"Eleven billion."
The force of his intent was unmistakable. No one else dared to speak.
It was clear that no one wished to cross the White Wolf Society.
And so, the second True Essence Pill was sold to Scar Chen for eleven billion.
Then came the final pill—and the competition turned even more ferocious.
Wang Zihao's eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted with desperation. The bidding soared past eleven billion, finally reaching twelve.
At that price, few participants remained.
After all, few could produce such an enormous sum at once—and despite Zhao Hu's breakthrough, the pill's ability to create a Grandmaster had not been definitively proven.
Dandan had said it herself: it merely offers a chance.
If that chance failed, twelve billion would be an astronomical waste.
As silence descended, Wang Zihao allowed himself a small sigh of relief.
Dandan smiled sweetly. "The bid stands at twelve billion. Any higher offers?"
The hall was silent.
"Going once—twelve billion. Is there any further bid?"
Wang Zihao exhaled, a triumphant gleam in his eye. It seemed certain he had won.
But just then, a languid voice cut through the stillness—
"Twelve billion and two hundred million."
The hall froze.