Chapter 50: The Alchemical Furnace

But there was no other choice—this millennium-old ginseng root was ultimately purchased by an elderly tycoon for a staggering 3.39 billion yuan.

After that, several other items were auctioned off, but Zhou Chen showed little interest.

That was until a bunny girl appeared, carrying a small, delicate ancient alchemy furnace.

Xiao Yunmei introduced it: "This was discovered in a cave resembling the legendary abodes of immortals. According to the owner of this auction item, a golden-glowing skeleton was also found within the cave, indicating that the original owner of this furnace was a powerful cultivator from ancient Yanhuang times."

Zhou Chen’s eyes locked onto the furnace—it was a genuine spiritual artifact!

Though weathered by the ages, the mythical beast totems carved on its surface remained vividly lifelike.

A mid-grade spiritual artifact—a refining furnace!

Zhou Chen knew there must be fortune to be found in a place like the capital.

His gaze immediately shifted to a foundation-building stage woman nearby.

Coincidentally, her eyes met his.

In that instant, both understood each other's thoughts—each wary that the other had recognized the furnace’s true value, silently gauging their reactions.

Zhou Chen sighed inwardly; this competition was going to be troublesome.

With only 1.8 billion yuan at his disposal, he feared he lacked any real advantage.

The starting bid for the furnace was a mere 5 million yuan, since no elixirs were inside; it was being auctioned as an antique.

Archaeologists couldn’t determine its exact age or dynasty, so a moderate starting price was set.

As for the furnace’s true worth, it was now up to the bidders to compete.

At first, many joined in, as 5 million was a trivial sum to them.

But once bids surpassed a billion, fewer remained.

Xiao Yunmei was somewhat helpless. She knew the furnace was a treasure, yet couldn’t pinpoint what made it extraordinary.

Even if it contained a single spiritual pill, its value would multiply several times over.

Finally, the foundation-building woman bid: "200 million."

Zhou Chen promptly countered: "300 million."

She replied, "500 million."

He raised to "1 billion."

She answered, "1.5 billion."

Zhou Chen said, "1.8 billion."

Upon hearing this, the woman smiled—a captivating smile that made the surrounding men yearn to bow before her.

From his bid, she deduced Zhou Chen lacked abundant wealth.

Meanwhile, she controlled a vast conglomerate in the mortal realm, with assets worth at least tens of billions.

She raised her bid again: "2 billion."

Zhou Chen sighed; his accumulated funds simply weren’t enough.

Though Zhang Bingnan couldn’t discern the furnace’s value, seeing Zhou Chen’s determination, she said, "I have 2.5 billion here; I’ll lend it to you. Given your abilities, repaying me will be a breeze."

Zhou Chen expressed his gratitude and accepted.

The furnace was indeed crucial to him—a treasure that could rapidly enhance his strength.

With it, he could refine elixirs to boost cultivation.

He could also cleanse his family’s innate qualities, preparing them for future cultivation.

When one ascends, so do his kin.

Zhou Chen was determined to bring his family into the path of cultivation; after all, he possessed ample cultivation techniques in his mind.

But his family were mortals, and all middle-aged, requiring elixirs to purify their bodies, eliminating acquired impurities to prevent hindrance in their cultivation.

The bidding war intensified.

Zhou Chen: "2.5 billion."

Foundation-building woman: "3 billion."

Zhou Chen: "3.5 billion."

She: "4 billion."

Zhou Chen: "4.3 billion."

Their bids resembled a contest of numbers, as if wealth was nothing but digits to them.

Indeed, if one could exchange worldly riches for a mid-grade spiritual artifact, even 40 billion yuan would be worthwhile.

This was the Age of Lawlessness—the true value of a genuine spiritual artifact was immeasurable.

On the auction stage, Xiao Yunmei smiled, knowing that those with wisdom would surely discern this treasure’s true worth.

Such discerning individuals were no ordinary people. Befriending them would greatly benefit Yunmei’s auction house.

Especially in her current predicament, a powerful and mysterious patron was indispensable.

The foundation-building woman smiled again, sensing Zhou Chen had exhausted his funds.

Calmly, she bid: "4.5 billion."

Zhou Chen sighed, having done all he could.

He could only lament his ill fate—meeting a kindred spirit at this auction.

Why was it that protagonists in urban novels always managed to snatch bargains at low prices?

Cai Yamong also attended the auction. As the daughter of the Cai family patriarch, she held a blue membership card and was seated near the front.

Though a lady of the Cai family, this was her first time at such an event.

She had yet to win any bids, saving herself for the grand finale treasure.

From the elder Cai, she learned Zhou Chen was no ordinary cultivator, possessing formidable strength.

Ordinary spiritual treasures would surely be rejected by him.

Thus, Cai Yamong sought a supreme treasure that Zhou Chen would find hard to refuse.

And such a treasure had now appeared.

Cai Yamong was sharp and clever.

Though she didn’t know the identities of the two bidders, she was certain neither was ordinary.

Only top-tier cultivators could treat tens of billions as mere numbers.

And treasures that attracted such elite cultivators must be irresistibly alluring to Zhou Chen as well.

So when Xiao Yunmei emphasized the 4.5 billion bid, Zhou Chen immediately responded:

"5 billion."

The foundation-building woman frowned. She had thought victory was assured, only to be blindsided by this unexpected challenger.

Perhaps their fierce bidding had aroused curiosity, and the furnace was truly peerless.

"6 billion!"

She raised the bid by a full billion at once, demonstrating her resolve.

Cai Yamong wasn’t to be outdone. Though she lacked such funds personally, the Cai family did.

"6.2 billion."

Foundation-building woman: "7 billion!"

Cai Yamong: "7.2 billion."

Foundation-building woman: "9 billion!"

Annoyed, she raised the bid by a massive 1.8 billion.

This was the highest auction price in the history of Yunmei Auctions.

Even Xiao Yunmei found it hard to believe.

What level of treasure was this furnace, to approach 10 billion yuan?

But she was wise enough not to offend these elites.

She smiled sweetly and said, "It seems this auction item holds great secrets. But I kindly ask the two esteemed guests to bid rationally. Why not continue discussions privately in the VIP lounge to keep the peace?"

The foundation-building woman agreed.

But Cai Yamong disagreed. Knowing her competitors were formidable, she preferred to bid openly in public.

"9.2 billion!"

With this bid, she declined the private negotiation.

Zhou Chen hadn’t expected anyone to challenge the foundation-building woman, but through his keen senses, he identified the new bidder as Cai Yamong, which surprised him.

He hoped she would win the furnace, so he could later negotiate with the Cai family by healing her father, acquiring the furnace through trade.

If the foundation-building woman obtained it, Zhou Chen, with his current strength, had no means to seize it.

Moreover, he was unwilling to resort to theft.

Better to collect refining materials himself and craft a furnace in the future.

Like Zhou Chen, the woman controlling a large conglomerate also gave up bidding.

Compared to the great families, her financial power was insufficient.