Three final items for auction were displayed, varying in size and all covered with black cloths.
Numerous influential figures from Ji City had already learned of the news, their primary purpose for attending this event being these three last pieces.
The moment finally arrived, and these individuals were filled with excitement, their discussions buzzing.
"It's finally started. I've waited so long for this very moment." A voice echoed from private room 203, belonging to the principal of First High School.
In private room 204 sat another elder, the principal of Second High School, who sarcastically remarked, "Old Tu, with your financial capabilities, you're trying to bid for the final items? You're making a mockery of yourself."
Principal Tu of First High School retorted, "Old Gou, we're both in the same boat, and you dare criticize me? I think your hide is itching. Old Tu's cleaver has been thirsty for a while; be careful I don't chop off your dog's head."
The lifelong pain of Principal Gou of Second High School was that his rival's surname was Tu, while his own was Gou. When a butcher encountered an old Gou, harmony was not to be expected.
At this point, Principal Qian of Third High School chimed in, seeing their exchange, "Are you two ever going to stop?"
Both Principal Tu and Principal Gou hissed in unison, "Shut up!"
Principal Qian was instantly embarrassed. These two seemed like sworn enemies, but in reality, they were a pair of bickering rivals. He regretted getting involved.
This was merely a minor interlude. Other influential figures in the private rooms also began to flex their muscles, double-checking the funds they had prepared before feeling at ease.
Bai Qianlang chuckled, "It seems this auction is very popular. Allow me to introduce these three final items, starting with the first."
He pulled off the black cloth covering the first item, revealing a blood-red pill about the size of an adult's fist.
Some onlookers wondered: Such a large pill, how could it be consumed?
Bai Qianlang explained, "This is a third-tier Blood and Flesh Pill. Although its refining method is somewhat cruel, involving extracting the life essence of an entire ferocious beast and combining it with special techniques and various medicinal ingredients to form a single pill, its efficacy is astonishing."
"This third-tier Blood and Flesh Pill is effective for awakened individuals below the seventh tier. For awakened individuals of the third tier and below, it can enhance strength by a thousand jin. The higher the combat tier, the less effective it is. A sixth-tier awakened individual can gain three hundred jin of strength."
"However, it must be said, encountering a Blood and Flesh Pill in Ji City requires great fortune. This was sold by a merchant from an outer city who urgently needed money."
"Esteemed guests, opportunity knocks but once!"
"Starting bid: 10 million. Each bid must not be less than 1 million!"
As soon as the words fell, everyone's breathing quickened.
This was a pill that could directly enhance one's power. Many had only heard of it and never seen it.
The appearance of such a pill in Ji City was truly a stroke of luck.
Bai Qianlang was right; missing this opportunity would make it difficult to encounter it again.
Especially for those at the sixth tier, they had reached a bottleneck. The next step was the seventh tier, but the seventh-tier barrier was too formidable, and some had been trapped for decades.
Although this Blood and Flesh Pill could not help them break through, it could enhance their strength. Even three hundred jin of strength was still strength, and no one could resist the temptation of increased power.
Moreover, they had not experienced the feeling of becoming stronger in such a long time. Many had their sights set on this Blood and Flesh Pill, determined to acquire it.
Bidding had already begun below, but these were people from the main hall; those on the upper floor had not yet made a move.
Bai Qianlang opened his fan and fanned himself elegantly, observing quietly.
Lin Yu also refrained from bidding. He was not in a hurry. The dozen or so people on the second floor would eventually make their move. He did not know how many final items his money could buy, so he decided to wait and see.
"I wonder if the Blood and Flesh Pill can be absorbed by the Life Drain talent?"
Life Drain was an F-grade talent he had acquired from the Bloodsucking Vine. It had been so ineffective and slow that Lin Yu had almost forgotten about it.
He suddenly recalled that his main talent was now S-grade. According to the system's rules, new talents could be upgraded after reaching S-grade.
Seeing the bidding continue below, which did not seem to be ending anytime soon, Lin Yu asked, "System, with my remaining upgrade points, to what level can I upgrade the Life Drain talent?"
"Host, it can be upgraded to B-grade!"
"Upgrade it for me," Lin Yu said.
"Ding, 50,000 upgrade points deducted. Upgrade commencing..."
"Ding, upgrade successful. Congratulations to the host's second talent, Life Drain, for being upgraded to B-grade."
"B-grade Life Drain talent gains the following effects: increases absorption effect and speed. Can absorb any substance containing life energy. After absorption, it can significantly increase the host's physique and slightly increase mental power."
At this moment, Lin Yu entered his Sea of Consciousness once more.
In his Sea of Consciousness, the talent star representing Life Drain pulsed like a heart. With each beat, it expanded, and before long, its volume had increased by a hundredfold.
Although it was still a tiny speck compared to the clone star, it was a behemoth compared to other skill planets.
Concurrently, a vast amount of information regarding the Life Drain talent surged into Lin Yu's mind.
With a thought, he exited the Sea of Consciousness. He gently raised his palm, and a small black vortex appeared in his palm. As soon as the talent was activated, he felt an immense surge of appetite.
Eat, eat, eat!!!
Swallow, swallow, swallow!!!
This desire, like a demon's whisper, lingered in his mind, constantly urging Lin Yu to devour life essence.
Lin Yu quickly deactivated the talent, and the black vortex vanished, along with the ravenous appetite.
"The skill's consumption has increased, but its side effects have also become stronger," Lin Yu remarked.
"However, with the current Life Drain, I should be able to absorb the Blood and Flesh Pill now, not just limited to biological corpses," Lin Yu thought, determined to acquire the Blood and Flesh Pill.
Looking up, he saw that the guests on the upper floor had joined the bidding.
Principal Tu of First High School loudly declared, "36 million star coins! My life's savings! Why should I fear a battle!"
At this moment, the head of the Liu family raised his paddle and said with a smile, "50 million!"
Principal Tu of First High School fell silent. He did have fifty million, but it would require selling everything he owned. Was it worth it?
Principal Gou of Second High School scoffed, "Shrunk, have you? Can't do it anymore? I bid 51 million star coins!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the venue fell silent. Everyone seemed to have stopped bidding.
Principal Gou of Second High School realized he had overplayed his hand and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Seeing that no one was bidding further, Bai Qianlang thought the price had reached its peak. He opened his fan and called out, "51 million once, 51 million twice... 51 million thrice..."
Principal Gou of Second High School became anxious. He could afford the 51 million, but it would cripple him financially. Unless he embezzled public funds, but the thought of the consequences made him break out in a cold sweat.
"Wait, wait!!!!" he quickly exclaimed, stopping the auctioneer.
Bai Qianlang looked surprised. "Principal Gou, what is this?"
"Nothing, it's just that my wallet isn't that deep. I was impulsive just now, my apologies," the principal of Second High School said with extreme embarrassment, forcing himself to continue.
Seeing this, Bai Qianlang was not angry at all. He smiled and said, "Since you are withdrawing from the bid, please pay the 5% penalty fee, totaling 2.55 million star coins."
Principal Gou of Second High School was filled with regret, but he had no choice but to agree.
"Liu family patriarch at 50 million, are there any higher bids?" Bai Qianlang called out.
A hush fell over the crowd below.
Principal Tu of First High School, however, grinned and mocked, "Hmph, stuffing a duck's beak with cotton – pretending to be someone you're not. Amusing, amusing."
Principal Gou had completely lost face and covered his ears, withdrawing into himself. He had truly disgraced himself this time.
Principal Tu of First High School continued to mock for a while, but seeing that Principal Gou did not respond, he found it pointless and fell silent.
"51 million!"
"A guest from private room 201 bids 51 million, are there any higher?"
"55 million!"
"60 million!"
This bid caused another silence to fall over the venue.