"The representatives from the Three Peaks Families and the Seven Great Aristocratic Clans have all arrived, and I think there are even people from the Alchemists' Guild and the Top Ten Merchant Associations. There’s no way we’ll be able to get our hands on that item now!"
"Even if we can’t secure it, witnessing such a grand event is quite the experience!"
In the auction hall, the crowd buzzed with chatter.
"Please, everyone, quiet down a moment!" The young female auctioneer smiled gently, "We are about to present you with a rare treasure!"
Instantly, the bustling auction hall fell silent.
Two beautiful girls approached, holding a tray covered with a purple cloth, revealing a vague silhouette underneath.
"What could it be?"
"This is really setting our expectations!"
The young auctioneer revealed a charming smile.
With a swift pull of her right hand, she removed the purple cloth, and in an instant, a brilliant light filled the room.
A mysterious black jade pot appeared before everyone, sparkling brilliantly and radiating a profound aura.
A rich scent of soul force wafted through the air.
Seeing the translucent black jade pot, Nie Li was overwhelmed with excitement.
He never expected to see such a treasure here; it was truly a priceless item that couldn’t be measured with mere currency!
"This item’s origin and purpose are not clear even to our clan leader, but one thing is certain— the pure fluctuations of soul force it emits prove it is not an ordinary item. The word 'Nightmare' is inscribed on its base, which likely connects it to the Nightmare Demon Spirit!"
The young auctioneer continued smoothly, "Additionally, according to our clan leader, cultivating demon spirits nearby greatly enhances their presence, so it is clear this is indeed a rare treasure. Our clan leader hopes that those with insight can fully utilize its potential!"
"The starting bid for this item is eight million demon spirit coins!"
The clan leader of the Red Moon Family did not understand the true value of this black jade pot, hence the low starting price.
If he knew of its true abilities, he wouldn't even consider selling it.
Just the ability to enhance the spirit’s breath through cultivation was worth a significant amount.
The representatives from various families felt the air thickening with soul force, stirring their desires for the black jade pot.
"What exactly is this black jade pot?"
"I don't know, but I can tell this is definitely extraordinary!"
"How rare, I really want to study it. Perhaps it has some unique and special uses."
As Nie Li gazed at the black jade pot, he couldn’t help but reflect deeply.
This pot must be the legendary "Nightmare Demon Pot," said to have originated before the Snowstorm Empire from an ancient tribe.
Even Nie Li only knew of one of its powers: the ability to refine demon spirits!
The basic process was to collect ten different demon spirits into the Nightmare Demon Pot, which would then have a chance to produce a unique and more powerful spirit.
With good luck, one might even create a legendary spirit; with bad luck, it could lead to total failure—a complete loss of all spirits.
The likelihood of failure was small, and usually, it could produce notably enhanced spirits.
Just this capacity was enough to drive many into a frenzy, as most demon spirit masters could only fuse with one spirit; they certainly wanted that spirit to be as strong as possible!
Using weak spirits to fuse into a powerful one—that was the Nightmare Demon Pot!
Currently, very few knew of its true effects.
Thinking of the immense power of the Nightmare Demon Pot, Nie Li instantly resolved to secure it at any cost!
Soon, families began to place their bids.
"Ten million demon spirit coins!" "Twelve million demon spirit coins!"
"Fifteen million demon spirit coins!"
…
Quickly, the price soared past twenty million demon spirit coins, shocking everyone in the auction hall.
"Thirty million demon spirit coins!" Suddenly, the Divine Sacred Family made a bid.
"Thirty-five million demon spirit coins!" The Alchemists' Guild countered.
Nie Li glanced towards the third floor, where it seemed Yang Xin was bidding.
After thinking for a moment, he turned to Nie En and said, "Elder, it seems that Director Yang is on the third floor. Please go meet her and tell her that I need that black jade pot! Have her help me bid, and I’ll pay the Alchemists' Guild later!"
Before Nie En could respond, Nie Hai stepped in, "I’ll go!" With so many pills in Nie En's spatial ring, he wouldn't dare let her go.
As the clan leader, he had to become a helper this time, but he was willing.
Nie Hai went to find Yang Xin.
The Divine Sacred Family and the Alchemists' Guild continued to contest, with the Guild raising the bid to fifty million demon spirit coins before the Divine Sacred Family finally backed down.
When it came to financial strength, even the Three Peaks Families could hardly compare to the Alchemists' Guild.
"Fifty million demon spirit coins! The Alchemists' Guild is truly wealthy!"
"Of course, lately, the Guild has had several potent pills in high demand; their daily earnings are likely in the billions!"
After a moment, Nie Hai returned and nodded toward Nie Li, "Director Yang agreed!"
Yang Xin would never refuse such a request from Nie Li, as she would often need his help in the future.
Spending a small amount of money was nothing for the Alchemists' Guild, given what Nie Li brought to them was beyond monetary value.
Once the price reached fifty million demon spirit coins, most families hesitated to keep competing.
Many would need to buy pills from the Alchemists' Guild, so they couldn’t neglect their relationship, though they coveted the black jade pot.
At that moment, a heavily cloaked figure in gray suddenly began bidding.
"Fifty-five million demon spirit coins?"
Who is this person? How did they start bidding? Many in the auction hall looked curiously at the mysterious figure in the gray cloak.
Typically, families don’t need to pay a deposit for bidding, but ordinary folks must pay a sufficient deposit to participate.
This mysterious figure was bidding fifty-five million, meaning they must have offered a much higher deposit!
The price of the black jade pot had reached a staggering amount!
This many demon spirit coins equaled the total wealth of aristocratic families!
At that moment, Yang Xin on the third floor frowned slightly.
She had been at the branch in the northern part of Glory City for several days, attending this auction at the invitation of the Red Moon Family.
Unexpectedly, Nie Li was here, too.
Initially interested in the pot, believing it might be some potion-related item, she planned to acquire it for research.
But now with Nie Li wanting it, the Alchemists' Guild would surely help him secure it.
However, reaching fifty-five million demon spirit coins was beyond her expectations.
Was it really worth paying that much for an unknown black jade pot?
~~ A few hundred more votes to get on the leaderboard, please cast your recommendation votes for the snail!
(End of Chapter)