“Don’t try to tempt me with those twelve-thousand update tickets, Amen, I’m running to tears. –_–|||……” …… “Twenty-six million!” A nonchalant voice cut through the air, immediately drawing every eye.

The bidder, grinning widely, was none other than Nie Xinghai, the Seventh Elder of the Nie family. The last family with the genuine financial muscle to contest the "Crimson Float Pill" had finally made their move.

A surge of excitement rippled through the crowd; though they couldn't participate directly, witnessing the clash between the Imperial Family and the Jiyang Nie family as the auction neared its close was spectacle enough. Mo Xingtu’s eyes lit up, a silent breath of relief escaping him.

He felt a thrill of anticipation; the Nie family had finally entered the fray. Now, it was all about which side—the Imperial Family or the Nie family—possessed the greater resolve.

If managed skillfully, this single "Crimson Float Pill" was certain to fetch an astronomical price! Mo Xingtu angled his gaze toward the Imperial contingent and cried out hoarsely, “Twenty-six million!

Elder Nie Xinghai bids twenty-six million! Is there anything higher?

Anything higher? Ah… the Fifth Prince has moved!

What price will His Highness call out?” “Thirty million!” The Fifth Prince gritted his teeth. “Thirty million!

His Highness the Fifth Prince has reached thirty million! Elder Nie Xinghai of the Nie family…?” Mo Xingtu skillfully redirected the audience’s focus back to Nie Xinghai.

“Thirty-one million!” Nie Xinghai’s tone remained utterly unhurried. “Fifty million!” The Fifth Prince sprang to his feet, his eyes blazing red.

“Ah?” The moment Cheng Zirong uttered the bid, gasps erupted throughout the hall. A sixth-grade spirit medicine typically commanded around thirty million.

To reach thirty-five million would have been excellent, yet here the Fifth Prince had suddenly leaped past that mark to a staggering fifty million. This was no longer bidding; it was a contest of pride.

It wasn't just the onlookers; even Mo Xingtu on the circular platform was momentarily stunned, unable to react immediately. Before the auction, he had estimated that the "Crimson Float Pill" would peak at thirty-five million at best.

He never imagined the price would vault past that ceiling, directly past forty million! Coming back to his senses, Mo Xingtu broke into a delighted grin.

For an auctioneer, nothing was more welcome than hot-headed youngsters like the Fifth Prince. “Zirong, sit down!” Cheng Feiliu frowned with clear displeasure.

Those participating in the spirit medicine auction were not strangers but established clans of the Great Cheng Empire; there were no true, deep-seated feuds between them, and collaborations were common. Bidding out of spite, as Cheng Zirong was doing, risked sowing serious enmity between two major houses.

Mu Xiaoling glanced toward Nie Xinghai, then pursed her lips in thought. A hint of deep calculation flickered across her otherwise dewy, childlike features: “Nie Kong, I’d wager your Seventh Elder will bid again.

By the looks of it, your Nie family absolutely must secure this ‘Crimson Float Pill’.” “Oh? You’re that certain?” Nie Kong couldn't help but smile faintly.

If the current price of the "Crimson Float Pill" were converted to the currency of his previous life, it would certainly be measured in the hundreds of millions. Given the Nie family’s current treasury, pushing the bid higher would likely require liquidating most of their accessible funds within Jiyang City.

Sensing Nie Kong’s skepticism, Mu Xiaoling pouted slightly and snorted twice. “Just wait and see, the Seventh Elder will definitely bid again!” Nie Kong looked toward Nie Xingyun, Nie Xinghai, and Lian Tianxin.

A thought suddenly struck him: he had heard the Ninth Elder was close to breaking through to the Void Spirit Realm soon. If they acquired this "Crimson Float Pill," it might become useful within two or three years.

Perhaps the Nie family truly intended to compete with full force this time. Mo Xingtu finally snapped back to attention: “Fifty million!

Fifty million! Are there any further offers?

His Highness the Fifth Prince has reached fifty million… The Nie family… what about the Nie family?” The fourth-grade Spirit Alchemist was so excited he stammered incoherently. The thrill of coaxing out such a sky-high price for a spirit medicine was rivaled only by the moment he had successfully refined the "Golden Jade Gourd." “Fifty-one million!” This time, Nie Xinghai was not quite as relaxed.

After a moment’s deliberation, he spoke. At the sound of his voice, every eye in the room swiveled in unison toward Cheng Feiliu and his party, even Lian Tianxin and Nie Xingyun included—though the latter’s expression was noticeably sour.

“Fifty-one million! The Nie family has placed their bid!

Now, what of the wealthiest house in our Great Cheng Empire, the Imperial Family? Will the Fifth Prince continue the contest or graciously yield the ‘Crimson Float Pill’ to the Nie family?

We await the outcome!” Mo Xingtu waved his hands dramatically, shouting encouragement. Hundreds of pairs of eyes, combined with Mo Xingtu’s prodding, sent a rush of blood surging through the Fifth Prince Cheng Zirong, staining his face crimson.

An intoxicating sense of "I am the protagonist" swelled uncontrollably in his chest. He impulsively leaped up, flinging out his arm, and bellowed: “Six… six…” Alas, the Fifth Prince was not destined to be the protagonist of this auction.

He managed only the first syllable before a powerful pressure descended upon him, forcing the rest of his word back down his throat. His body involuntarily settled back into his seat, where he met Cheng Feiliu’s exasperated gaze.

“Six what? Sixty million?

Did His Highness the Fifth Prince intend to bid sixty million?” Mo Xingtu urged on, sounding regretful and slightly manipulative. If Cheng Feiliu had delayed his intervention even a moment longer, and Cheng Zirong had publicly announced sixty million, the Imperial Family would have been unable to back out.

“Brother Xinghai, then this ‘Crimson Float Pill’ shall be yielded to your family,” Cheng Feiliu said with a knowing smile, stroking his beard. It wasn't that the Imperial Family couldn't afford the price, but a "Crimson Float Pill" at sixty million had crossed his personal line.

If he had let the impetuous youngster continue, the outcome would have been entirely too costly. “Thank you, Brother Cheng,” Nie Xinghai laughed heartily, his layers of fat jiggling.

Mu Xiaoling giggled, turning to Nie Kong. “See?

I told you your Nie family was determined to get this ‘Crimson Float Pill.’ It is a bit of a pity, though. If that Fifth Prince hadn't suddenly lost his temper, they probably could have secured it for forty million at most.” Nie Kong clicked his tongue in awe.

“A single sixth-grade spirit medicine fetching a sky-high price of over fifty million. If it were a better-grade medicine, who knows what the price would reach.” Mu Xiaoling chuckled.

“What’s the big deal? Decades ago, my family sold a sixth-grade spirit medicine, the ‘Blood Coagulation Divine Fire Pill,’ at the Luo City auction.

The final sale price was a full one hundred million gold coins.” “Blood Coagulation Divine Fire Pill?” Nie Kong’s heart skipped a beat. The primary ingredient his master needed was exactly such a spirit medicine.

It was unfortunate that the key ingredient for refining the "Blood Coagulation Divine Fire Pill," the "Serpent Coil Blood Lotus," was extremely rare, preventing him from achieving his goal so far. In the future, he should ask his master what other herbs were required besides the "Serpent Coil Blood Lotus" and see if he could gather them all.

“...Fifty-one million! Sold!” Seeing that the Imperial Family had lost interest in the bidding, Mo Xingtu could only announce the conclusion of the sale.

Naturally, a price this high was enough to make him beam from ear to ear. With the final sixth-grade spirit medicine, the "Crimson Float Pill," sold, the auction was effectively over.

Though many felt the proceedings had ended too soon, they began to rise from their seats. However, just as they started to shift their feet, Mu Zisi, who had been gone for some time, suddenly darted in from a side entrance.

He was carrying a large wooden crate clutched tightly in both hands and quickly bounded onto the circular platform. His face was flushed with a deep crimson, resembling the blush of heavy intoxication—clearly caused by extreme excitement.

“Aiya-ya, ah… ya-ya…” Nie Kong’s heart hammered violently. Although the little creature had been making noises all along, its cries suddenly became more frantic following the appearance of Mu Zisi and the large wooden crate.

If it had possessed the ability to emerge right now, the creature would likely have already pounced onto the wooden box… ……