CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 114: FIVE-TAILED DIVINE FOX

The auctioneer was very skilled in her trade, briefly introducing herself on stage, then simply opening and getting straight to the point.

She knew very well that no matter how eloquent she was, it was better to immediately present the items for auction.

"Now we will start with the first auction item..."

The auctioneer clapped her hands and said, "Let’s welcome our old partner, the Nine-Star Divine Fox Relic Map."

Immediately, there was an uproar of laughter from below.

Lin Chen was quite stunned by this seemingly counterintuitive operation; the relic map was supposed to be the climax of the auction items.

It was actually the first to be put up?

Others, on the other hand, were not surprised; after all, no one ever bought it, and it was just shown around each time.

The auctioneer knew this as well, so she sped up her speech, saying:

"This map comes from twenty years ago when it was obtained by a Beastmaster by chance. Although it is a broken piece, experts speculate that it might be linked to the Nine-Star Divine Fox."

"Starting price: 30 million!"

As her voice fell, the entire hall fell silent, and even some of the resting "big shots" didn’t bother to open their eyes.

According to the rules, after waiting for thirty full seconds, the auctioneer said, "Isn’t anyone willing to take a gamble?"

"Betting on this is like throwing money into the sea, at least you get a splash," someone commented.

There was another burst of laughter from below.

The auctioneer also laughed along, unfazed, and continued, "Let’s move on to the second auction item: thirty-three Beast Spirit Pills, which can be auctioned separately. This batch of Beast Spirit Pills is of good quality, and those looking to restock should not miss this."

Finally, getting into the main topics, many began to act immediately.

The Beast Spirit Pills were popular items and generally could be sold out completely.

Next, things proceeded much faster.

The Blood Bull Hide that Lin Chen wanted was about the twentieth item, starting at 700,000.

Over the past few days, Lin Chen had researched a lot of data and finally decided on the final formula for Xiaobai’s divergent evolution:

[Main Material: Heart of the Ox King]

[Secondary Supporting Materials: Blood Bull Hide, Spirit Transformation Level Essence Blood, Three-Flower Grass, Blood Circulation Vine]

[Level 3 Supporting Materials: Earth Money Grass, Iron Wire Atractylodes, Blood Stone, Cyan Leaf Vine, Centennial Tree Root]

Generally, each formula consists of ten materials, with strict requirements on the ratios, and more isn’t always better.

Although Lee Zhen said he wouldn’t help, he agreed to gather the level 3 supporting materials, which would cost about a million.

So Lin Chen needed to gather the previous materials on his own; for the Spirit Transformation Level Essence Blood among the secondary materials, Lin Chen planned to use the Bone Armor Bull King Blood from Li Jiuxiao.

The rules for using Spirit Transformation Level Essence Blood are simple: the same category is preferred.

Therefore, the Beast King’s Cub Essence Blood from Li Jiuxiao was most suitable, which Lin Chen only realized later when organizing the data.

Even though there was only one portion of essence blood, once used, it couldn’t be purified further, but Lin Chen felt it was most appropriate.

Three-Flower Grass was inexpensive and could be found outside, costing about 500,000, whereas the Blood Circulation Vine was something Lin Chen had asked Lee Zhen about, and he said it could be brought back by monster hunters from outside, with a guild internal price of around 500,000 as well.

So today, as long as the Blood Bull Hide was acquired, Xiaobai’s evolution materials would be fully assembled.

"I’ll help you call out later." As it was about to be auctioned, Lee Zhen said, "Elixirs and medicinal materials are hot items in the auction, and it’s not just the big forces; many pharmacies bid on them as well. If I call out, they might give me some face."

Lin Chen understood that these pharmacies were generally well-funded, being a highly profitable industry.

He had never participated in an auction before, so it was better to listen to Lee Zhen.

After ten minutes, it was finally time for the Blood Bull Hide.

"Next up is a rare special medicinal material, which can be used to refine elixirs or serve as auxiliary material for bovine evolution. The quality is top-notch, starting at 700,000, with each round of increment no less than 100,000." As the auctioneer spoke, quite a few people below became eager to move.

Unexpectedly, Lee Zhen immediately raised his sign and called out, "1 million!"

All at once, everyone looked over, and Lee Zhen remained silent.

At auctions, one cannot say, "I am XXX, please give me face."

Such a person would either not make it out of the auction house or be permanently blacklisted.

But some things are tacit agreements...

Lee Zhen had not appeared in the auction house for a long time, and shouting out 1 million at the outset was his way of telling others that he was determined to get it.

Therefore, many chose to give him face.

After all, the Monster Hunter Guild was a significant force in Jiuxing City, and they needed its help with many matters.

"1 million, going once."

"1 million, going twice."

"1 million, third time, sold."

The auctioneer, knowing the unspoken rules, did not show any sign of displeasure.

Blood Bull Hide could generally sell for 1.4 million, and although it went for just 1 million this time, it was still a profit of 400,000 relative to cost.

Seeing it secured for 1 million, Lin Chen couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief; he didn’t fantasize about Lee Zhen taking it for 800,000.

Because if that happened, Lee Zhen would easily offend others.

Following this were other auction items, with Black Heart Bamboo, which Lee Zaiqing wanted, appearing near the top of another category.

This material started at 1 million and was finally secured by him for 1.5 million.

Then, Lee Zaiqing also bid on an elixir called the Nirvana Pill, costing 500,000, which could slightly increase the probability of evolution, though its effect was minimal.

It was clear that Lee Zaiqing was still unwilling to give up on the Iron Palm Bear.

Perhaps in the past, Lee Zaiqing hadn’t thought much about switching Spirit Beasts and figured that if evolution failed, he could simply abandon it. But now it was different; after spending much time with the Iron Palm Bear, he naturally formed an emotional bond.

He also hoped that the Iron Palm Bear could evolve smoothly and continue to accompany him.

The auction then proceeded to its main theme:

Spirit Beast.

In most previous auctions, Spirit Beasts often were the grand finale.

After all, Spirit Beasts with excellent bloodlines are desired by all factions.

Today’s grand finale Spirit Beast is not the Spirit-Devouring Vine that Lin Chen and the others wanted to bid on, but a regular here:

Divine Fox.

As for how many tails it has, that hasn’t been mentioned.

The spirit beast auction in the second half is much more intense, with starting prices all over one million, even reaching up to five million.

Finally, at the second rank, it was the turn of the Spirit-Devouring Vine.

"The penultimate item, the Spirit Beast Spirit-Devouring Vine, is one of the best choices for cultivating spiritual power. It is suitable for Beastmasters with stronger main abilities, offering quick enhancements..."

The Auctioneer said a lot, but couldn’t hide its drawbacks:

Nobody sells it.

"Starting bid, 15 million, each round of bidding must not be less than 1 million."

This price already blocked out most people; only those with powerful factions could afford it.

However, though the Spirit-Devouring Vine is a Sacred Beast, it offers low cost-effectiveness for them.

Quickly, the Spirit-Devouring Vine made its appearance. As a plant-type Spirit Beast, it’s not particularly tall, with two black leaves on top of its head, looking somewhat cute...

Rumor has it that when the Spirit-Devouring Vine is well-fed, its leaves turn green, but if it’s starving, they remain black.

"What if she doesn’t like it?" Lin Chen asked Lee Zhen.

"No worries, Spirit Beast auctions are different from others. If you’re not satisfied, you can return it within seven days for no reason."

"Is there really such a rule?" Lin Chen was surprised.

"That’s also to avoid disputes, but after returning it, you need to compensate 20% of the difference to the auction house." Lee Zhen said.

Hearing this, Lin Chen’s mouth twitched.

However, it seemed fair and reasonable.

After waiting nearly 20 seconds, still no one bid; at this time, Lee Zhen raised his hand and said:

"15 million!"

Everyone raised their heads, looking at Lee Zhen, starting to ponder...

Is Lee Zhen planning to start cultivating spiritual power?

However, everyone was merely guessing and did not speak out.

Like what Lee Zhen said, he does have a few archenemies in the city, but they can only watch, not daring to act.

If they dared to raise the price, Lee Zhen would immediately say he didn’t want it.

The Auctioneer was delighted to see someone finally bid and quickly said:

"15 million, any higher than 15 million?"

"15 million, going once."

"15 million, going twice."

"15 million, going three times."

"Sold."

With the sound of the gavel, Lee Zhen also breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Getting it at the base price was still acceptable.

If this Spirit Beast’s personality aligns with Qin Shaoshao, then its cost-effectiveness would be maxed out.

After all, this is a Sacred Beast.

"Next, please welcome our grand finale: the Five-Tailed Divine Fox Sacred Beast!"

With the Auctioneer’s announcement, the atmosphere below suddenly shifted.

"This time the Divine Fox has as many as five tails."

"No one knows what attribute it is."

An opening with the Five-Tailed Divine Fox is quite excellent, even though the peak quality of Sacred Beasts is six tails, but the Divine Fox inherently has a rare and excellent lineage.

"Red Spirit Fox!"

"Starting bid, 25 million!"

The moment that was said, everyone’s eyes lit up.

This is a battle-oriented Spirit Beast...

The Red Spirit Fox is one of the evolution beasts of the Flame Fox.

The little fox on Lin Chen’s shoulder saw one of its evolution beasts for the first time, looking at its five tails, the little fox could sense its strength.

Lin Chen gently patted its little head and softly comforted:

"Don’t worry, your future will be even stronger than it."

"Guh~~"

The little fox nodded, showing it believed in Lin Chen and would work hard itself.

This round of bidding is fierce; it soon exceeded thirty million and continued rising.

"...Looks like I’m really poor." Lin Chen listened to those factions still raising their bids and immediately felt that his three million...

Counts for nothing.

Indeed, as a poor person, it’s better to obediently focus on evolution.