Chapter 114 - 114 Fierce Bidding
“I bid 120 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
As expected, before Steward Cheng could speak again, someone else started to raise the bid.
“Bidder number 225, bidding 120 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.” As the words of Steward Cheng fell, another voice rose.
“150, I bid 150 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
This person raised the bid by 30 Spirit Stones in one go, momentarily quieting the crowd.
“Good, 150 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, bidder number 117 has bid 150 Medium
Grade Spirit Stones.”
“Is there a higher bid?”
Just as everyone below was getting restless, a voice came from one of the second-floor private boxes.
“200 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
This voice was all too familiar to Lin Jing—it was Liu Yiyuan, who seemed to also have his eye on the Biling Flower rootstock.
As Liu Yiyuan’s words ended, the auction hall suddenly grew quiet, some people frowned in thought, while others held back, staying still. “The Biling Flower rootstock, 200 Spirit Stones for the first time.”
Steward Cheng called out, at the same time scanning the crowd.
Although Elder Bai had previously said not to oppress others with power, the voice coming from the private box still made the crowd hesitate.
Lin Jing frowned, he hadn’t wanted to reveal himself so early.
But looking at the situation, if he didn’t make a bid now, it would be too late.
“200 Medium Grade Spirit Stones for the second…”
Steward Cheng hadn’t finished speaking when he was interrupted by a voice.
“210 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
The voice was not loud, but in the silent auction hall, it was crystal clear.
The voice belonged to none other than Lin Jing.
“Great, bidder number 369 bids 210 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
Steward Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and called out hoarsely.
He had really feared that no one else would bid, allowing Liu Yiyuan in the private box to snag the bargain.
Because, although it was only the rootstock of the Biling Flower, its value was certainly more than 200 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.
They had estimated the actual price of the Biling Flower rootstock—likely to be between 300 to 400 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.
If there was competition, it could even sell for 500 Medium Grade Spirit Stones without an issue.
Following Lin Jing’s bid, the atmosphere in the hall became lively once more.
“220 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
Then someone else started to bid, and it was a person sitting in the first-floor hall.
“Good, we have a bid of 220 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, does anyone wish to go higher?”
Steward Cheng also began to stir up the atmosphere at this moment.
“230 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
Quickly, another person raised their bid.
“240…”
“250…”
One by one, people began to bid.
Meanwhile, Lin Jing did not join in further and calmly waited for others to bid.
Soon, the price of the Biling Flower rootstock broke through the 300 Spirit Stones threshold, and only a few people were still bidding.
“320 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
Another voice rang out, bidding 320 Spirit Stones.
“Okay, we are at 320 Spirit Stones, is there any higher bid?”
Steward Cheng shouted from the stage.
“400, Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
No sooner had Steward Cheng finished speaking than the voice from the second-floor private box was heard again, still Liu Yiyuan.
With Liu Yiyuan’s bid, the hall immediately quieted down again.
The others, considering bidding again, furrowed their brows—this price was indeed high, and raising it further would hardly be worth it.
“400 Medium Grade Spirit Stones for the first time.” “Does anyone wish to continue bidding?”
Steward Cheng asked.
Then, glancing around the stage and seeing no response, Lin Jing was about to speak up again, but someone beat him to it.
“410 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
This voice came from the second floor as well, and it was a woman’s voice.
Lin Jing also recognized it, the bidder was none other than Huang Qingling.
Logically speaking, Huang Qingling shouldn’t be interested in this item. Given her character, she wouldn’t specifically buy such a useless root.
“Could it be because Liu Yiyuan placed a bid, and that’s why she did the same? With Huang Qingling’s bid, not only Lin Jing but even Liu Yiyuan fell silent.
The venue once again quieted down.
“410 Medium Grade Spirit Stones for the first time.”
Steward Cheng, who was on the auction stage, must have recognized Huang Qingling’s voice as well.
Without saying anything more, he immediately began the countdown. “410 Medium Grade Spirit Stones for the second time.”
The silence continued below the stage, and even the usually assertive Liu Yiyuan made no further move.
Lin Jing was also conflicted. If Huang Qingling bid, should he still compete?
Or should he bribe her with a few meals and get the Biling Flower root from Huang Qingling?
“That would… ”
“Seem somewhat inappropriate though, since I’ve already inexplicably received a Jade Pendant from her.”
Thinking this, Lin Jing began to feel a bit guilty. He had taken advantage of Huang Qingling enough.
While Lin Jing was hesitating, Steward Cheng had already raised the auction hammer high, ready to bring it down, while shouting at the same time:
“410 Medium Grade…”
However, before Steward Cheng could finish, his words were cut off by another woman’s voice.
Down in the first-floor hall, a woman raised a sign and spoke:
“420 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
Steward Cheng paused for a moment and then, with a smile, called out. “Bid number 105, 420 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, any further bids?” “450 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
The bidder was still Liu Yiyuan, and he was increasing the bid substantially each time.
“460.”
This time, it was the female cultivator with bid number 105.
“500.”
Liu Yiyuan’s voice grew louder, clearly becoming impatient.
By now, his patience was exhausted, and he intended to secure the Biling Flower root in one fell swoop.
Atter Liu Yiyuan’s bid, the female cultivator made no further move tor a long time.
“500 Spirit Stones for the first time.”
Seeing no reaction from the female cultivator, Steward Cheng assumed that the price had exceeded her means and started the countdown.
And at this price, the Biling Flower root had likely reached its limit; it was unlikely anyone else would bid.
Therefore, Steward Cheng didn’t wait any longer and directly began the second countdown.
“500 Medium Grade Spirit Stones for the second time.”
After the call, Steward Cheng specifically scanned the crowd before raising the auction hammer, preparing for the third countdown.
“510…”
The voice cut off abruptly before it could be fully voiced out.
And the owner of the voice was none other than Huang Qingling. Afterward, a voice came from the private room where Huang Qingling was located.
“It’s alright, continue the auction…”
Judging from the voice, it was unmistakably Elder Bai.
Evidently, Elder Bai stopped Huang Qingling’s bid.
Steward Cheng immediately understood what was happening; it must be that little miss Huang Qingling being mischievous again.
To know that if Huang Qingling won the bid, it would certainly be Elder Bai paying with Spirit Stones, which essentially equated to Elder Bai spending money on a seemingly useless root.
To ease the awkwardness, Steward Cheng then called out to the audience once more:
“Any more bids? If not, this Biling Flower will be sold. If anyone still wants it, hurry up, time waits for no one…”
Then, an unexpected voice suddenly rang out.
“510 Medium Grade Spirit Stones..”