Urban Romantic Divine Doctor

Chapter 395: Chapter 394, The Dust Settles

With over 170 billion in his possession, Xu Wendong was brimming with confidence.

Even if his competitors were the other six Great Grandmasters, he could openly compete with them.

After all, even the Great Grandmasters couldn’t necessarily come up with more than 100 billion in liquid assets.

Following the amulet auction, it was time for the grand finale item.

Two middle-aged men struggled to carry a sky-blue Tri-pod Cauldron, about twenty centimeters high and twenty centimeters in diameter, onto the auction stage.

Although the cauldron was not large, it was very heavy, weighing over 280 pounds and bearing some ancient Qilin patterns, making it clearly an antique.

At the same time, while the cauldron was being carried out.

A faint medicinal fragrance immediately filled the auction hall, soothing and relaxing everyone.

The auctioneer introduced, ”This cauldron was accidentally acquired by our Su Residence. Although we don’t know its true origin, one thing is obvious, it is indeed a Taoist alchemy instrument, otherwise, it wouldn’t carry the scent of elixir.”

”Moreover, there’s a ’Ge’ character in seal script at the bottom of the cauldron.”

Someone in the audience stood up excitedly, ”Could the owner of this cauldron be the Eastern Jin Dynasty alchemy master, Ge Hong?”

Ge Hong was the most famous alchemist in modern Taoism history, so when the auctioneer mentioned the ’Ge’ character in seal script at the bottom of the cauldron, he immediately connected it to Ge Hong.

The auctioneer smiled and shook his head, ”We can’t be sure if it’s Ge Hong’s alchemy furnace, and there’s no historical record that his cauldron was this size.”

”As for the true origin of this cauldron, you’ll need to discover it yourselves.”

”Alright, enough with the idle talk.”

”Let’s start today’s bidding. The starting price for this item is 10 billion, with each increment not less than 2 billion!”

This alchemy furnace had the highest starting price of all the auction items, even compared to the amulet drawn by Xu Wendong, which only had a starting price of 5 billion.

Yet everyone knew the final price for this cauldron would be exorbitant, possibly even breaking the previous Su Residence auction record.

”This item is a treasure of ancient sorcerers’ alchemy, destined not for ordinary people. I’ll make the first move at 100 billion. If we go by increments of 2 billion each time, who knows when we’ll finally get it!” Qian Duoduo leaned lazily against the chair’s backrest while two fair-skinned, beautiful women massaged his shoulders.

His face bore a faint smile, giving off an air of confidence about wealth.

Sure enough.

His announcement eliminated many bidders instantly.

Faced with such a wealthy presence, who wouldn’t be left in the dust?

Xu Wendong ground his teeth in frustration, as this guy had just raised the price directly to 100 billion, which was outrageous, even though he had over 170 billion himself.

But faced with such increments, he suddenly felt a bit lacking in confidence.

”110 billion!”

”120 billion!”

”130 billion!”

”150 billion!”

”180 billion!”

Occasional voices in the crowd left Xu Wendong completely stunned.

Damn!

Are you sure the prices you’re quoting aren’t ghost money?

Do you have to be this outrageous?

Xu Wendong was very disgruntled. He had thought that 170 billion would be enough to secure this cauldron easily.

But reality had given him a harsh slap in the face.

He hadn’t even placed a bid, yet the price had already soared past the money in his pocket.

It was annoying.

”Damn it, all six Great Grandmasters are martial artists. They don’t even know alchemy technique, so why are they spending so much on something they can’t use?”

”Are they planning to display it at home as an art piece to enhance their taste or style?” Xu Wendong was utterly perplexed and couldn’t understand these people.

Ye Qingxin covered her mouth, hiding a smile. It was her first time seeing Xu Wendong with such an expression, which amused her. She then said, ”The six Great Grandmasters are seeking a breakthrough, so they’ll try any method, clinging to any hope they find.”

”As for whether they’re buying this alchemy furnace to enhance their taste with art pieces, I can’t be sure, but I bet some would brew water with it.”

Xu Wendong was stupefied. Could they really do that?

On second thought.

It might actually happen.

After all, in his medical studies, he had heard of people with terminal illnesses who believed in bizarre remedies, consuming cow dung and drinking human urine among others.

In desperation, as long as there’s a sliver of hope, they’d try it all.

”How about selling my amulet as well?” Ye Qingxin whispered.

Xu Wendong shook his head, ”Wasn’t this the first gift I gave you? A gift isn’t something you can take back.”

Ye Qingxin was moved, but still said, ”If we don’t do this, we won’t be able to get this cauldron!”

Xu Wendong smiled, ”Even if we can’t get it, it’s not a big deal.”

Ye Qingxin was reluctant, ”Then isn’t our trip wasted?”

Xu Wendong shrugged indifferently, laughing, ”What is the martial arts world?”

Ye Qingxin frowned, surprised at Xu Wendong asking such a naive question, yet she found herself unsure how to answer.

Though she lived in this world, she couldn’t define it.

After pondering, she hesitantly asked, ”Is it about human relationships?”

”Or survival of the fittest?”

Xu Wendong said, ”What you said is right, but I feel the core should be the reverence of the strong, filled with slaughter and darkness.”

Ye Qingxin was puzzled, ”So what?”

Xu Wendong crossed his legs, revealing a meaningful smile, ”Since we can’t win this alchemy furnace, let’s use other means to get it!”

Hiss!

Ye Qingxin couldn’t help but gasp, suspecting Xu Wendong’s plan.

She had to admit it was crazy.

But it also thrilled her.

”230 billion!”

”240 billion!”

The price of that alchemy furnace soared, surpassing the Su Residence’s auction record, showing the world the deep pockets of the six Great Grandmasters.

They not only had the martial world’s strongest combat power but also terrifying wealth.

Leaving everyone in the dust.

”300 billion!”

Nie Yunchuan shouted a price that excited the whole place, and even Qian Duoduo from Shaanxi Province turned pale. If he hadn’t bought that amulet, he might have been able to contend.

But now, he couldn’t compete with Nie Yunchuan.

The auctioneer excitedly asked, ”Is there any higher bid? If not, this alchemy furnace will belong to Grandmaster Nie!”

The room fell silent.

With the final hammer.

Nie Yunchuan clinched the cauldron for an astounding 300 billion and then got up to leave.

”Let’s go too,” Xu Wendong said casually. He intended to follow Nie Yunchuan, snatch the cauldron, and help Ye Qingxin eliminate the man!