Chapter 239: The Best Thing

Everyone gasped. Lone Wolf's strength and origins were unknown, but his cruelty and power were legendary. Even masters of top-tier hidden sects feared him. He preyed on weaker sects, extorting heavy taxes.

While Ye Mo was known to be formidable, he seemed hopelessly outmatched by Lone Wolf. Ye Mo had angered Lone Wolf over a seemingly insignificant rock, a naive act. The gulf between Black and Earth Level power was vast; Earth Level masters were the pinnacle of hidden sect strength. Ye Mo could easily kill Black Level masters, but against an Earth Level master, escape was uncertain.

Xi Wushan, though complimenting Ye Mo's audacity, followed his lead, bidding 510,000. Despite Lone Wolf's power, Xi Wushan, representing the auction house, remained unafraid.

"Two million," Lone Wolf growled, clearly angered.

Ye Mo calmly countered, "2.01 million." He wouldn't yield the Essence Chi Stone, and since he'd already antagonized Lone Wolf, he decided to further provoke him with incremental bids of 10,000.

"Very well," Lone Wolf said, ceasing his bids. "Let's see how long you can hold onto that ore."

Ye Mo sneered. "I may not be your match now, but you're delusional if you think you can take it from me." He considered Lone Wolf only slightly stronger than Bian Po. His previous fight with Bian Po had given him valuable insight into Earth Level power; it was significantly stronger than Black Level, but not enough to make him relinquish the Essence Chi Stone. Besides, he'd also grown stronger.

A woman in a green skirt entered, instantly silencing the room. Recognizing her as the buyer of the Face Preserving Pill, the audience was stunned. Her skin was now smooth and flawless, a stark contrast to her previous scarred complexion. She looked years younger, a breathtaking beauty.

But more striking than her transformed appearance was the exhilaration in her eyes. Everyone realized she'd just taken the pill, proving its efficacy. The silence was shattered.

The room erupted. Almost everyone stood, staring at the green-clad woman.

Xi Wushan repeatedly called for silence, eventually restoring order, though the desperation and desire in the crowd remained palpable. Everyone but Ye Mo regretted missing out, the pill already consumed.

Once calm returned, Xi Wushan announced, "Now that the pill's efficacy is proven, we weren't lying, were we? To be honest, I didn't know its potency. If I had, it wouldn't have sold for only 10 million. Please, ma'am, confirm the pill's authenticity."

The green-clad woman, her eyes still wide with disbelief and excitement, stood and confirmed, "The pill is real. It works!"

Whispers of staging arose. But others countered, "Nonsense! I know that woman. She's the Black Widow of the Hong Wu Hall. She had a cratered face, and now…the pill is undeniably real!"

Seated nearby, Ye Mo overheard mention of the Hong Wu Hall—the place Mo Kang claimed had stolen his woman.

"Does Qianbei Xi have any more Face Preserving Pills?" someone called out.

"Yes! If there are any left, I want one!" The demand was overwhelming. Even these emotionless martial cultivators craved the Face Preserving Pill.

Xi Wushan banged his gavel. "I don't know if more exist. Next item: a brass sword. Starting bid: 500,000…"

Ye Mo rejoiced. He'd secured the Essence Chi Stone, and the next pill would fetch an astronomical price. He had no interest in the swords; once he reached Stage 4 Chi Gathering (the early mid-stage), he could forge his own and one for Xu Ping. These swords were, at most, comparable to Bian Po's.

Twenty more items were auctioned, none sparking Ye Mo's interest. He found it peculiar that specially made, durable, and waterproof phones were also being auctioned.

"Next: the Lotus Life Pill. It's said to save even a life on the brink of death, even reversing the effects of failed cultivation techniques. It's made from a thousand-year-old lotus seed, by the same person who created the Face Preserving Pill. Starting bid: three million. Increments of no less than 100,000," Xi Wushan announced, raising a jade bottle.

The fact that it came from the same creator as the Face Preserving Pill, along with its purported effects, guaranteed a high price.

"Four million!" The price jumped by a million immediately.

"Five million!"

…

"Ten million!"

Ye Mo was surprised by the fierce competition.

"One hundred million!" The room fell silent. A life-saving pill at that price was extravagant.

The bidder stood, explaining, "Ten years ago, I, Miao Quan, suffered internal injuries that have prevented my advancement. I've been stuck at the mid-Earth Level for forty years. Without treatment, I have only one year left. That's why I bid 100 million. I know this pill's worth far exceeds that, but I cannot afford more. I thank those who did not compete with me."

Though many wanted to bid further, antagonizing a mid-Earth Level master nearing death was unwise.

Xi Wushan's expression was grim. Miao Quan's story was true, yet it was unfair to the auction. However, with a 100 million bid, he could say little. Miao Quan was a powerful figure, deserving of respect.

Ye Mo noted Miao Quan was in Room 9, confirming his strength. He was pleased with the pill's price.

Miao Quan immediately consumed the pill in his room, seemingly eager to test it.

Xi Wushan, after a glance at Miao Quan, continued, "Next: Liu Blue Carrot. Starting bid: 10 million. Increments of no less than one million."

Ye Mo was perplexed. He'd never heard of such an expensive herb. Xi Wushan offered no description, a poor showing for an auctioneer. Surprisingly, no one questioned it; bidding began instantly. Everyone seemed familiar with it except Ye Mo, who used his spirit sense, then paled. It wasn't a Liu Blue Carrot; it was Blue Flower Blue Leafed Grass.

This herb was incredibly valuable. Even without being made into a pill, its flower greatly benefited cultivators below Stage 5 Chi Gathering. A mature plant's leaves, branches, and flower (a key ingredient in Foundation Establishment Pills) were extremely rare. This one was immature, but its potential was immense.

More importantly, its flower and leaves provided spiritual power for cultivation. It wouldn't guarantee Foundation Establishment, but it boosted Ye Mo's hopes.

Ye Mo's eyes lit up. He would obtain it by any means necessary. He only had around 100 million, insufficient for this herb. There was another Face Preserving Pill; could he get more funds?