Counterattack

"Two hundred million."

A Blood Condensation Realm expert was the first to shout out his price. He had gained nothing today because the competition was too intense.

This caused prices to climb steadily, and many treasures had already exceeded their true value, so all his money remained in his pocket; this was his greatest advantage.

"Three hundred million."

An aged voice drifted over. In an inconspicuous corner sat an old man with white hair and beard; that voice had come from him.

This old man had also not bid on anything until now, but the moment he spoke, many people exclaimed in surprise, having recognized him.

"Isn't that Wang Luyang, the Alchemist Great Master of the Tuoqi Empire?" someone exclaimed in a low voice.

Although the Tuoqi Empire was not as large as the Fengming Empire and lacked its own Alchemist Association, it did possess its own Alchemy Hall.

If a nation lacked the support of Medicinal Pills and weapons, it would have been destroyed long ago. Weapons were secondary, as iron ore was not scarce, but without Medicinal Pills, it was absolutely impossible to survive.

The Alchemist known as Wang Luyang was revered as the Imperial Preceptor in the Tuoqi Empire, meaning he was the teacher of the nation, and his status was even more revered than that of the Emperor.

There was no other way; without the support of an Alchemist, the Tuoqi Empire would have been annexed by the surrounding major powers long ago.

Therefore, as soon as Wang Luyang made a move, he immediately intimidated many people. He was equivalent to a local emperor of a nation; in terms of financial resources, he was likely the most formidable.

He hadn't made a move until now because there was nothing that caught his eye. Such a person would not easily act, but once he did, he was determined to win.

Generally, the price of a Second Rank Medium Grade Medicinal Pill was around three hundred thousand, but the current price had already exceeded that by a thousand times, making it unaffordable for many.

However, such a supreme treasure was simply rare and hard to find. When fighting against others, if an arm were severed, combat power would inevitably decrease significantly, eventually leading to death.

But with this Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill, it was equivalent to saving a life. Xia Changfeng and Xia Baichi looked at this Medicinal Pill, deeply regretting that they hadn't made more preparations, and could only watch helplessly as the treasure slipped away.

"Four hundred million."

The unique voice of the Marquis of Ying drifted out, surprising everyone; they hadn't expected the Marquis of Ying to participate in the competition.

"Five hundred million."

Wang Luyang did not hesitate in the slightest and directly shouted his price. This was his confidence. Although the Marquis of Ying was a Marquis of a nation, in terms of financial resources, he clearly did not have as deep a foundation as Wang Luyang, who was the teacher of a nation.

The entire venue gasped. Unexpectedly, a small Second Rank Medium Grade Medicinal Pill had actually fetched the same price as a Profound Rank battle skill.

Even Long Chen's heart raced, and he was filled with surprise and joy. It seemed that in this world, too many Pill Formulas had already been lost. With the memories of the Pill Emperor, those ancient Pill Formulas would be an inexhaustible source of wealth.

However, while surprised, he couldn't help but feel some worry. A small Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill had caused such a sensation.

If someone were to find out that this Medicinal Pill belonged to him, he would likely be in danger. He felt that he had been a bit reckless this time.

But since things had reached this point, regret was useless. Now he could only pin his hopes on the reputation of the Huayun Pavilion to keep this secret for him.

After Wang Luyang shouted the price of five hundred million, the entire venue fell into silence. Even the Marquis of Ying went quiet; clearly, the price of five hundred million was an unbearable burden for him as well.

As the auction proceeded to this point, Yao Niqian did not need to incite the crowd with passion at all; doing so would only cause resentment.

Seeing no one bidding, Yao Niqian began the countdown. In the end, Wang Luyang secured the Second Rank Medium Grade Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill for five hundred million.

"Everyone, please don't be in a rush to leave. As the saying goes, the best part is yet to come; our show hasn't ended yet."

Seeing that some people had already begun to leave their seats, Yao Niqian smiled. After she finished speaking, another attendant walked out carrying a jade box.

The expressions of the crowd were strange. This year's auction was truly interesting. What kind of treasure was this? Could it be even more precious than the previous Medicinal Pill?

"Snap."

The jade box opened, and a Medicinal Pill lay quietly inside. However, the moment the Medicinal Pill appeared, everyone was stunned.

It was clearly the exact same type of Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill as before. They had just said it was the last one in the world; what was this supposed to be? Were they toying with them?

When Wang Luyang saw that Medicinal Pill, his expression changed, and he couldn't help but stand up. The entire crowd was amused, fearing that Wang Luyang was about to lose his temper.

However, what everyone didn't expect was that Wang Luyang looked at the Medicinal Pill, was stunned for a moment, and then laughed loudly: "Good, good, good! This trip was finally worth it."

Yao Niqian smiled slightly and praised: "Truly worthy of being an Alchemist Great Master. Even from such a distance, you can see the clues within. It is admirable."

"That's right. This is also a Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill, but the difference is that it is not a Medium Grade Medicinal Pill, but a — High Grade."

"What?"

The crowd below exploded into an uproar.

"That's right, it is a High Grade ancient pill. Medium Grade Medicinal Pills can only be effective for Blood Condensation Realm experts, while this precious High Grade one is aimed at Tendon Transformation Realm experts," Yao Niqian said with a serious Face.

The entire venue was in an uproar. Tendon Transformation Realm experts were equivalent to the Peak experts of the Empire. Everyone couldn't help but feel their hearts tremble violently.

"High Grade Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill, starting bid two hundred million. The auction now — begins."

"Five hundred million."

The first person to bid was still Wang Luyang, and he raised the threshold in one breath. Clearly, he did not want to bid bit by bit, which also showed his determination to obtain this pill.

While shocked, everyone couldn't help but sigh; Alchemists were truly too wealthy, truly throwing money around like dirt.

"Six hundred million."

Finally, after Wang Luyang's voice fell, the voice of the Marquis of Ying drifted out. The people present felt a stir; it seemed the two were finally going to start competing.

"Brother Chuyang, do you think the Marquis of Ying can outbid that Wang Luyang?"

In the private room, Xia Changfeng asked Chuyang in a low voice.

"The Marquis of Ying is determined to obtain this Medicinal Pill. Even if it means bankrupting himself, he will take it," the First Prince sighed and said.

"Why is that?" Xia Changfeng was a bit puzzled. A single Medicinal Pill shouldn't be worth that much, right?

"Brother Xia, you are unaware. Over a dozen years ago, the Marquis of Ying dueled with someone and was defeated by that person, losing an index finger.

At that time, he took it as a disgrace and refused treatment, wanting to use this matter to motivate himself to cultivate desperately.

Since that time, he began to cultivate desperately and later finally broke through the shackles, entering the Tendon Transformation Realm.

However, after entering the Tendon Transformation Realm, he discovered one thing: the Tendon Transformation Realm requires refining tendons into the marrow. Since he was missing a finger, his meridians were missing a segment, which had a huge impact on his cultivation.

But his finger had been broken for too long to be reattached. Over these years, he had traveled through all the surrounding nations and had never been able to fulfill his wish.

Previously, when he competed with Wang Luyang and then gave up, it was because that was a Second Rank Medium Grade Medicinal Pill, which only targeted Blood Condensation Realm cultivation.

If he used it, the chance of success would be extremely slim. For that sliver of a slim chance, a price of five hundred million was indeed too high, which is why he gave up.

Now, this High Grade Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill is simply a heaven-sent gift for him, so I dare say that the Medicinal Pill will only be secured by him."

"If that Wang Luyang doesn't know what's good for him, hehe…" Chuyang sneered and didn't continue speaking.

But the expression already made it very clear: if Wang Luyang didn't know how to act sensibly, it would be very difficult for him to leave the Fengming Empire.

Even though he was the teacher of a nation, compared to the Fengming Empire, he was still far behind. The Marquis of Ying wouldn't mind killing to seize the treasure.

Xia Changfeng and Xia Baichi nodded. If that was truly the case, then things would likely turn out that way. Alchemists were all very arrogant; perhaps this conflict would have a continuation.

Seeing that the Marquis of Ying had named a price, Wang Luyang's expression changed slightly. He also knew that the Marquis of Ying was definitely determined to obtain this Medicinal Pill, but asking him to give up was absolutely impossible.

With that High Grade Muscle Growing and Bone Molding Pill, he would have a greater chance of researching the formula for the Medicinal Pill. Once this formula was researched, he would become famous throughout the world.

Alchemists were basically not short of money, of course, except for those rookies who often failed and made themselves go bankrupt.

Just as Wang Luyang was about to bid, the gentle voice of the Marquis of Ying came over: "Great Master Wang, this Medicinal Pill is extremely important to me. I ask that you yield it."

"Furthermore, after I obtain the Medicinal Pill, I can let you study it for a few days. For a small Medicinal Pill, harming the harmony between our two nations is truly inappropriate."

Once the words of the Marquis of Ying were spoken, everyone present was stunned. These words from the Marquis of Ying were a mix of soft and hard tactics, and his intentions were unique. It seemed this Medicinal Pill was too important to him; he didn't hesitate to speak openly.

Hearing the words of the Marquis of Ying, Yao Niqian's Face turned ugly. For such a situation to occur at an auction, it was clearly disrupting the proceedings. However, both the Marquis of Ying and Wang Luyang were people of status and were also major clients of the Huayun Pavilion.

If she were to rebuke the two at this time, on one hand, it wouldn't change anything; after all, it was unlikely to make them continue competing.

On the other hand, it would mean offending two major clients at once, which would also have a certain impact on the reputation of the Huayun Pavilion. For a moment, Yao Niqian hated that gloomy-looking Marquis of Ying to death.

"The Marquis of Ying is joking. I do want to compete, but unfortunately, my pockets are empty," Wang Luyang said with a slight smile.

When the crowd heard this, they couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. What kind of figure was Wang Luyang? How could his pockets be empty? This was clearly giving Face to the Marquis of Ying, giving him a way out.

Although Yao Niqian was furious, she still kept a smile on her Face. Now that the auction was nearing its end, she didn't want to cause a mess at this time, so she could only endure it.

"Lord Marquis of Ying has already bid five hundred million. Is there any higher price? If not, the countdown begins."

"Five hundred million, first time."

"Five hundred million, second time."

"Five hundred million, third…"

The Marquis of Ying sat in the private room, leisurely sipping fragrant tea. He heard the helplessness in Yao Niqian's voice, and a smile appeared on his Face. He liked this feeling.

However, a lazy voice made his expression change, and even a few drops of tea dripped from the tea in his hand.

"Six hundred million."