Chapter 1724 - 4: Deep Pockets
Lin Feng carefully observed the mermaid and realized she appeared very young.
Judging purely by her face, she looked like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old human girl.
Because mermaids have a long life span, they typically reach adulthood around the age of three hundred.
In other words, a mermaid who is around three hundred years old is akin to a human of sixteen years.
Lin Feng sensed that this mermaid was approximately three hundred years old.
She must have just reached adulthood.
...
Seeing so many people staring at her, the little mermaid was obviously quite frightened, curling up in her body and trembling.
At this moment, the female auctioneer said, "Everyone! This mermaid has just reached adulthood this year. Once you take her home, you can slowly train her. Look at this figure, this face, she truly is the rarest of the rare. The starting price for the mermaid is one million source crystal stones! Each bid increase must not be less than ten thousand source crystal stones!"
Source crystal stones are extremely precious; one million source crystal stones could support a great sect for a year.
And this is just the starting price.
The final price is bound to be astronomical.
...
After hearing this starting price, many people began to discuss it.
Because the price was simply too high.
Not just anyone could participate.
The number of people who could truly participate was actually not very large.
The female auctioneer smiled and said, "Now everyone can start bidding!"
"One million one hundred thousand!"
After a brief silence, someone shouted their bid price.
...
Since someone started, cultivators quickly joined the bidding.
"One million two hundred thousand!"
"One million three hundred thousand!"
"One million four hundred thousand!"
...
"Two million six hundred thousand!"
...
"Three million!"
...
The bidding price climbed steadily.
It quickly rose to three million source crystal stones.
At this price, many people gradually withdrew.
Although many were interested in acquiring this mermaid.
However.
Many cultivators retained their sense.
When the mermaid’s price exceeded their limit or budget, they withdrew from the competition.
"Three million two hundred thousand!"
...
"Three million five hundred thousand!"
Some cultivators continued to compete.
The price of the mermaid.
Continued to climb.
"Five million!"
An elder with disheveled hair, looking like a fierce ghost, sinisterly called out.
"Master Nalan of the Heavenly Frost Building! Nalan Huai! To think Nalan Huai would appear here. This person is immensely wealthy! Competing with him is no easy task!"
Someone recognized the fierce ghost-like cultivator’s identity.
Nalan Huai, once a strong figure with a notorious reputation.
He was originally an elder of the Yin Yang Evil Demon Sect but later left to establish the Heavenly Frost Building.
It’s unknown how many women he has harmed.
Nalan Huai indeed has abundant financial resources; no matter how high others bid, he would bid even higher.
The bidding price quickly soared to eight million source crystal stones.
And the participating cultivators gradually withdrew.
"Heh heh heh heh! Looks like this mermaid will belong to me after all."
Nalan Huai let out a series of sinister laughs.
"Heh heh! Master Nalan, don’t jump to conclusions so quickly. I haven’t placed my bid yet!"
At this moment, a soft chuckle was heard.
"It’s Zhang Xu!"
Many people exclaimed upon seeing the bidding cultivator.
This Zhang Xu is no ordinary person.
His grandfather is the Great Elder of the Jiuzhou Alliance.
In the Jiuzhou Alliance, he holds a high position.
And Zhang Xu himself has been exceptionally talented since childhood.
Thus he is highly valued by his grandfather.
Therefore, this Zhang Xu can mobilize a large sum of funds.
"It’s Young Master Zhang! Then let the higher bidder win!"
Nalan Huai sinisterly remarked.
"Nine million! It’s mine!"
Zhang Xu said indifferently.
"Ten million!"
...
Nalan Huai showed no sign of retreating. Like Zhang Xu, he increased the bid by a million, raising it to ten million.
"Eleven million!"
"Twelve million!"
"Thirteen million!"
"Fourteen million!"
...
Many people watched this battle in shock.
These two are truly extravagant.
Each step increasing by a million.
Now the two of them are no longer simply bidding for the mermaid.
This involves a matter of pride.
As the saying goes, a person struggles for dignity, a Buddha for a stick of incense.
The more prestigious a figure, the more they value their reputation.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Neither Nalan Huai nor Zhang Xu could easily withdraw.
Failing to win the mermaid is minor.
Losing face is major.
...
Their bidding prices climbed steadily, soon reaching a staggering twenty million.
Nalan Huai’s expression slightly sank.
The bidding price for the mermaid had far exceeded his limit.
Zhang Xu said indifferently, "What? Is Master Nalan out of money? If so, why not simply withdraw? We won’t laugh at you, Master Nalan!"
"Hmph! Youngster, don’t be arrogant. Without your grandfather, what are you?" Nalan Huai sneered.
"You..." Zhang Xu’s face turned incredibly solemn, and he said coldly, "There are widespread rumors that Master Nalan is a narrow-minded person. I didn’t believe it before, but now I do."
Nalan Huai chuckled strangely and said, "Youngster! I’ve heard someone was born from his daughter-in-law’s illicit affair with her husband’s father. Do you know who this bastard is?"
"How dare you slander me?" Zhang Xu’s voice turned sinister.
There indeed were rumors saying Zhang Xu’s grandfather was not actually his grandfather, but rather his biological father.
But this rumor had never been confirmed.
Seeing Zhang Xu’s gloomy face, Nalan Huai burst into laughter, "I never mentioned names. Young Master Zhang, don’t insert yourself into it. Today, this mermaid is a must-have for me. Is it just about source crystal stones? I have plenty! Twenty-one million!"
"Twenty-two million!" Zhang Xu suppressed his anger and continued to bid.
Soon.
The price reached thirty million.
And neither of them seemed ready to stop.
At this time, an impatient voice echoed in the auction house.
"How long are you going to raise the price by one million each time? I bid forty million source crystal stones! Who dares to compete with me?"
...
"Increasing the bid by ten million at a time? Isn’t that too extravagant?"
Many people gasped.
Everyone’s eyes turned towards the booth where the voice came from, spotting a handsome young gentleman leisurely sipping spiritual tea.
This handsome gentleman was none other than Lin Feng.
"This gentleman bids forty million! Master Nalan, Young Master Zhang, will you continue to bid?"
The female auctioneer said excitedly.
The higher the transaction price, the more commission she earns. Seeing such a wealthy buyer like Lin Feng appear filled her with excitement.