Chapter 41: The Crazy Patriarch of the Long Family
The patriarchs of the seven major clans entered the auction hall and immediately headed to the front row of the VIP seats, right next to Long Xuan.
Sensing the powerful aura of the Spirit Sea Realm experts emanating from the seven, Long Xuan felt immense pressure, as if sitting on pins and needles.
His concern was justified. In such a short time, he had attracted the attention of Spirit Sea Realm experts. If things dragged on for a few more days, it could very well draw in a swarm of Gu Kings.
He couldn't guarantee that all his preparations would fool the eyes of the Gu Kings.
Seeing these powerful figures enter, the most enthusiastic independent cultivators who had been bidding fervently suddenly quieted down. They had been hesitating, but now they didn't dare to bid anymore.
"The Long Patriarch has bid 1.1 million spirit stones. Does anyone want to bid higher?"
Qian Jinjin looked around and announced, "1.1 million spirit stones going once! 1.1 million spirit stones going twice! 1.1 million spirit stones going thrice!"
"Sold! Congratulations to the Long Patriarch!"
Qian Jinjin struck the golden hammer on the table, signaling the end of the auction.
At the same time, the maid holding the jade tray walked down and completed the transaction with the Long Patriarch on the spot."Hehe! Long Patriarch, I am saving my spirit stones for the final auction item, so I won't compete with you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten it at such a low price. I'm curious though, you just arrived and already spent 1.1 million spirit stones. Do you still have the qualifications to compete for the fossil ore vein?"
Beside him, the Feng Patriarch, who had always been at odds with the Long Patriarch, sneered.
"Hehe! No need to worry about that. The Long family is wealthy. What's a million spirit stones? It's just a drizzle, no big deal."
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The Long Patriarch checked the Spirit Gathering Pills and then put them into his storage bag, glancing disdainfully at Feng.
He sneered internally. How naive. The value of the fossil ore vein is astronomical. Can you really win the bid? All the merchants from the Far West have come. Do you think you have more spirit stones than all the merchant guilds?
Even if you sell everything to get the fossil vein, are you sure the other forces won't be jealous? This is a resource that could trigger a war.
Not to mention whether you have enough spirit stones to win, even if you do, can you defend it?
Compared to the other patriarchs, the Long Patriarch was much calmer, not overwhelmed by the huge temptation.
He was equally envious of the fossil ore vein but wouldn't act recklessly.
The Feng Patriarch sneered back at him, "You call the Long family wealthy? Everyone knows you're outsiders, having only been here for less than two hundred years. What foundation do you have?"
"I think you know you're the poorest, so you want to withdraw from the competition. At least you have some self-awareness."
"Who said that? Do you believe the fossil vein will ultimately belong to the Long family?"
While they were arguing, the second auction item was brought in.
When Qian Jinjin lifted the red cover, another bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills appeared, surprising many. Another one? Since when could Spirit Gathering Pills be mass-produced?
The second auction item was beyond everyone's expectations, igniting their desires again.
This is the brilliance of the auction house. When auctioning the same item, they never tell you how many there are in total.
Otherwise, everyone would hold back, thinking the next one might be cheaper. Because there is a fallback, they wouldn't bid aggressively. Rarity increases value, and buyers should never know the exact quantity.
Without hesitation, before Qian Jinjin could start the bidding, the Long Patriarch eagerly said, "I bid 1 million spirit stones!"
Although he was already a Spirit Sea Realm expert and didn't need the Spirit Gathering Pills himself, as the head of a major family, he had to consider the family first.
The growth of the children is key to a family's future. Talents can't be delayed and shouldn't be stuck in one realm for too long.
So, as far as the Long Patriarch was concerned, the more Spirit Gathering Pills, the better. No matter how many spirit stones he spent, it was worth it.
This time, the Feng Patriarch didn't say anything, thinking Long Wanli was crazy, wasting so many spirit stones before the fossil ore vein was even up for auction.
Seeing the Long Patriarch bid again, the independent cultivators behind gritted their teeth in anger but didn't dare say anything.
They were low in status and couldn't compete with major families, but there were still some who weren't afraid of them.
"I bid 1.3 million spirit stones!" A chubby man shouted from the crowd.
Long Xuan looked over and was amused. Despite his disguise, Long Xuan recognized him as Qian Duoduo. His round physique was one clue, The most important thing was the progress. A person's appearance could be changed, but the progress would definitely not change much in a short period of time.
The progress of humans and poisonous insects before they reach adulthood represents their maturity, while the progress after they reach adulthood turns into a countdown to their lifespan.
This chubby man's disguise was excellent but couldn't fool Long Xuan.
Long Xuan found it interesting that someone from the auction house could participate in the bidding. Would this chubby man also bid for the fossil ore vein? This could be interesting.
The Long Patriarch frowned. Someone actually dared to challenge him. He looked back at the chubby man and continued, "I bid 1.4 million spirit stones!"
As soon as he spoke, Qian Duoduo didn't bid further.
Others didn't know, but he knew there were four bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills. No need to compete fiercely with the Long Patriarch. The third or fourth bottle might be cheaper. As a manager of a merchant guild, he fell into the same psychological trap as many buyers.
No one dared to bid 1.1 million spirit stones, let alone 1.4 million.
As expected, the second bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills also went to the Long Patriarch.
However, when the hammer fell and the third bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills was brought up, everyone lost their composure.
Another one! How many more? Is this a special Spirit Gathering Pills auction? Many people were shouting internally.
The Long Patriarch was stunned and became more serious.
As the head of a family, he was knowledgeable and knew ordinary alchemists couldn't produce so many Spirit Gathering Pills. Even the highest-ranking second-grade alchemist in the Far West couldn't make this many.
This indicated that the alchemist's skills were very advanced, possibly a third-grade or even fourth-grade alchemist. When did such a big figure come to the Far West?
He thought it might be an opportunity to make connections. Alchemists above the third grade were highly respected by all forces. As a patriarch, connecting with such a figure was his duty.
Who knows if this alchemist had a unique pill formula that could help Spirit Sea Realm experts break through to the Purification Realm. If so, connecting with such a person could potentially add another Gu King to the family, elevating its power.
The number of strong individuals is always a family's most important asset, without exception. He had to take it seriously.
"I bid 1 million spirit stones!"
Again, before Qian Jinjin could announce the starting price, the Long Patriarch interrupted with his bid.
Everyone else was going crazy. Another bid? When will this end? Is he trying to monopolize all the Spirit Gathering Pills? Isn't he afraid of being too greedy?
Qian Duoduo gritted his teeth and shouted, "I bid 1.3 million spirit stones!"
"1.4 million spirit stones!" The Long Patriarch decisively increased the bid, giving no one a chance to breathe.