While the two of them waited for the Owner of the auction house's response, the bidding was not slowing down, reaching a staggering price of 500,000,000.
-When will you finally give up?
You know that you can't win.
The elder of the alchemy guild said, irritated by the stubbornness of the sect master.
-I won't know if I can or can't win until I try.
The sect master said with a grin plastered on his face.
-Cut the nonsense, we both know that there is no way you can outbid me with all the resources of the guild at my disposal.
The elder said, with a cunning smile, assured that this would make the sect master reconsider increasing the price further, as it was already astronomical.
-We shall see about that, 550,000,000 gold coins.
The sect master said, raising the bid at the same time.
-You asked for it, 600,000,000 gold coins.
The elder returned the favor.
The two of them knew that no matter how much they paid, in the end, they would earn much more by selling the enhanced pills and potions in the imperial capital.
-Damn, these two are going at it like their lives depend on these carrots.
Andrew said, seeing how desperate the two seniors were to get the ingredients.
-What did you expect?
Fei Fei asked.
-In the capital, these carrots would cost them many times more than here, not to mention how much they will earn by selling the pills and potions made with them.
Paul only nodded.
He knew all that, but he never expected to see such a bidding competition, not to mention that the price for the carrots was already way higher than what he was expecting to get, and it was still rising.
While they were discussing this, the servant girl came back.
-Young master, the owner agreed to your request, but the fee will be 10% and you will need to promise not to reveal the information about this deal to anyone for as long as you live, and our auction house will be obligated to do the same, as well as the client.
She explained, not certain if the young man would agree to such terms.
-The fee is a bit high, but alright, I'll agree to it, as for the secrecy, it's only natural since no one wants to offend the alchemists.
Paul agreed.
He could have negotiated a bit more, but it didn't look like he would have the time for it, as the bidding had reached 950,000,000 gold coins already, and it didn't look like the two seniors wanted to go above a billion for the carrots.
-Fine, you old stubborn mule, I yield.
The sect master finally capitulated when the price reached 980,000,000 gold coins.
His only consolation was that he made the elder pay much more than he would otherwise.
-I told you that you could not win.
The elder shook his head with regret as this price was more than twice what he would need to pay if the sect master didn't interfere.
But in the end, he got the carrots, and he would be able to easily earn two or three times more by selling the pills he intended to concoct each one of them..
The sect master left the auction after his defeat.
Not that he could not bid any higher, but there was no point in it since the alchemy guild was many times richer than his sect.
As soon as ht exited the auction hall, a servant with a note approached him.
-Senior, the owner sent you this message, asking you to read it at once.
The girl said, handing over the note, with a deep bow.
The sect master took the note, and his eyes went wide once he finished reading it.
-Lead the way to the private VIP room.
He ordered the girl, who immediately did as she was told.
At the same time, Paul was also approached by a servant to proceed with the separate deal he wanted the auction house to arrange for him.
The plan was simple.
Sell another three mana carrots to the loser of the auction for the price he bid at the end.
The idea was to use the auction house as the middleman, since he didn't want any powerful figures to know he had more carrots at his disposal.
As soon as he arrived at a separate VIP room.
He took out another three mana carrots and placed them on a silver platter on the table before covering them with a lid, so that no one could see what was inside.
-You can come in now.
He said through the door to a servant who waited outside.
-Take this to the owner.
Paul pointed at the platter.
-Of course, young master, there is a servant outside; she will lead you back to your private room.
He nodded and left, arriving back at his private room just as the final item was about to be disclosed, since it was kept a secret by the auction house, so no one knew what it was.
The item after his carrots turned out to be a rare physique-changing pill.
It was indeed a treasure much more precious than mana carrots since these pills were rare and the ingredients were almost impossible to gather.
As its name suggests, this pill could change a person's physique.
However, the change was random, so it was mostly used by people with either a trash physique or unable to cultivate at all, who didn't have much to lose anyway.
However, there was a special effect to this pill that made it so special and sought after.
No matter if it was damaged, destroyed, or a person was born without it.
This pill could regenerate or create a dantian or a mana pool, as well as meridians and mana channels, depending on the physique it would bestow on said person.
The Physique changing pill was sold for 420,000,000 gold coins.
-My lords and ladies, it is with great pleasure and pride that I can present the final item of our auction.
The host said as a cart with the item hidden under a cloth was brought onto the stage.
A moment later, the servants removed the cloth, revealing a giant Emerald green scale pulsing with green light and giving off a feeling of unfathomable power hidden within.
-The final Item is an Emerald Dragon's scale.
This owner didn't disclose where he managed to procure such a treasure; however, we managed to confirm the authenticity of this scale.
There is also a condition added by the seller.
He wishes to meet the person who buys this scale in person.
The starting price for this scale is 5 million gold coins.
-What is this thing doing here?
Fei Fei gasped as the mallet's sound brought her back to reality.