There was no doubt about it—that seductive fox was definitely targeting her Young Master!
Little Doctor Fairy puffed up her cheeks and glared angrily at the alluring woman. She leaned close and muttered to Lin Ran, "Young Master, that woman doesn't look like a good person at all. You mustn't fall for her tricks."
"I heard that there are some twisted people on the continent who love researching human organs. Young Master, you're like a divine treasure—you must be careful not to get your heart or lungs stolen!"
"..."
Lin Ran's mouth twitched. Where in the world are you learning all this nonsense? Even though Qing Shan Town was near the Magical Beast Mountain Range and filled with all kinds of shady characters, it still shouldn't have left her with such a chaotic set of 'knowledge points.'
"Don't let your imagination run wild."
He lightly tapped her on the forehead, then calmly opened his mouth. His indifferent voice echoed across the auction hall.
"There are many things I desire. The point is whether you can offer something that truly interests me. If this is all you've got, then I'm afraid your magical beast blood will end up unsold."
"Please don't be so hasty," the woman replied with a soft laugh. Her peach blossom eyes, shimmering like spring water, settled gracefully on Lin Ran's booth. "I believe no transaction is ever impossible—it simply means the right offer hasn't been made yet."
"This Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor's blood is merely a token of my goodwill. Consider it a gift to mark my visit. What do you say, my lord?"
"..."
A moment of silence fell over Box No. 1. Several minutes passed before a calm voice echoed out once again.
"Fine. Since you've shown such sincerity, come after the auction ends."
As soon as he said this, many people in the crowd sighed in disappointment.
So it was going to be a private deal. When it involved a sixth-tier Alchemist, not being able to witness the details firsthand was a real pity.
But others were more shocked than anything.
To use the blood of a sixth-tier magical beast just as a calling card—what kind of background did this woman have to wield such wealth and power?
And more importantly... was there truly a sixth-tier Alchemist inside Box No. 1?!
"Honored one, if your transaction with her succeeds, would you allow this old man to observe your pill refinement?"
Suddenly, a hoarse voice rang out from another private booth. Everyone turned to see a disheveled-looking old man step out. He gave a respectful bow toward Box No. 1.
"I am willing to offer a fifth-tier magical beast core, along with three of my most prized treasures from my medicinal vault—any of which you may freely choose—in exchange for this opportunity."
"Who is that guy? He's offering so much just to watch a pill being refined?"
"A fifth-tier beast core just to observe? He must be loaded!"
"You guys clearly aren't from Black Rock City. You don't even know Master Gu Te?"
"Master Gu Te? Is he some high-tier Alchemist?"
"Master Gu Te is a third-tier Alchemist with a highly respected status here. But the key point is, rumor has it that Master Gu Te is related to Dan King Gu He."
"Dan King Gu He?! No way!"
"Wait a minute... Dan King Gu He... so Gu Te...!"
"Exactly."
"But if he's related to Dan King Gu He, why not just go watch him refine pills? Why spend so much on someone else?"
"Who knows? Word is, they're not on good terms…"
The crowd chattered endlessly. Those unfamiliar with Black Rock City were thoroughly intrigued, but as for Gu Te himself, he was clearly growing irritated. His face darkened, and a vein bulged at his temple.
He was, in fact, Dan King Gu He's blood brother.
However, Gu Te had always been extremely proud. What he hated most was being constantly compared to his younger brother.
Under normal circumstances, if people had spoken about him like this, he'd have exploded in rage long ago. But now, he was forcing himself to endure it—all for the sake of the response from Box No. 1.
"Yes."
The wait wasn't long—just a few dozen seconds—but for Gu Te, it felt like an eternity. When that flat voice finally rang out, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.
He clasped his hands toward the auctioneer. "Please proceed with the auction."
"Right away!"
Seeing that the matter with the bigshots had finally settled, the black-robed auctioneer snapped back to his senses. With a bright smile, he confirmed the item three times according to auction protocol, then brought the gavel down hard.
Bang!
And just like that, the blood of the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor—an item completely beyond the reach of nearly everyone present—officially belonged to Lin Ran.
"Ladies and gentlemen, now for the final item of today's auction…"
As the auctioneer's words rang out, nearly everyone in the venue straightened their backs. Their expressions turned solemn, and their eyes were filled with anticipation.
"It's finally here… the final dan medicine of this auction."
"I heard there'd be three fifth-tier pills today. So far, only one Revitalizing Pill has been auctioned. That means this last item must be two pills together."
"Two fifth-tier pills? Who could afford that?!"
"Why do you think none of the bigshots on the second floor have made any bids yet? They've all been waiting for this moment!"
As murmurs spread throughout the crowd, the black-robed auctioneer carefully bent down and retrieved a half-foot-long violet-gold tray from the cabinet below. Placed on the tray were two jade-green pills, quietly radiating a rich medicinal fragrance.
The moment they appeared, everyone in the room straightened their backs, eyes gleaming with unrestrained greed. Many of the private rooms on the second floor even erupted in exclamations of shock.
"That's—!"
"This scent… Can these really just be fifth-tier pills?!"
"This… this is the real treasure!"
The dense medicinal aroma filled the entire auction hall. All eyes were locked on the two pills, faces full of longing. The excitement was so intense that even many experts couldn't control the Dou Qi in their bodies, which began to overflow involuntarily.
They recognized this pill. They understood its immense value. That was why their emotions were running so high.
On the platform, the auctioneer took a deep breath. His eyes swept over the crowd, and seeing their expressions, a look of satisfaction crossed his face.
Then, in a booming voice, he announced:
"Everyone, these two pills are the final items of today's auction."
"Pills that allow a Dou Wang to increase their strength by a full star upon consumption—supreme-grade medicine."
"Dou Ling Pills!"
(End of Chapter)