"Ridiculous, treating a sick cat like a treasure!"
Tang Xin didn't miss a chance to mock, but neither Su Yang nor Duan Linglong paid her any mind.
After a few more successful bids, the auction was nearing its end.
At this point, someone walked onto the high platform and placed two boxes.
"Everyone, inside these boxes are a Blazing Flame Grass and a Buddha's Heart Fruit. They will not be sold separately. Starting bid is two million!"
Su Yang's spirits lifted upon hearing this. Both were necessary ingredients for the Eternal Growth Pill.
The Blazing Flame Grass was entirely fire-red, and from the outside, it looked like flowing lava within, shimmering and ethereal.
The Buddha's Heart Fruit was golden yellow, shaped like a smiling Buddha with two large ears drooping down.
Su Yang mused that with the Snow Lotus he had previously acquired, all the necessary ingredients would be ready.
Meng Jing stood up and was the first to bid, "Five million!"
Tang Xin, unwilling to be outdone, chimed in, "Ten million!"
"Thirty million!"
"Fifty million!"
Meng Jing felt a sense of helplessness. Every time she wanted to buy medicinal ingredients, Tang Xin would follow suit and raise the price.
The surrounding people had no intention of bidding; they wouldn't know how to use these ingredients, and buying them would be a waste.
Seeing no one else bidding, Su Yang slowly raised his hand, "One hundred million!"
"Su Yang, are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"
Tang Xin turned back and spoke coldly, her gaze clearly conveying a threat.
"Nonsense, didn't you say earlier that the highest bidder wins?"
"Very well, this会长 will play with you!"
Tang Xin, seeing her threat was ineffective, continued to raise the bid, "Two hundred million!"
"Three hundred million!"
"Four hundred million!"
"..."
The two engaged in a frenzied bidding war, quickly escalating to one billion.
Meng Jing murmured, "The Dragon Doctor Association is truly wealthy. I wonder how much ill-gotten money she's made."
Li Daoqing nodded. The Dragon Doctor Association was a leading pharmaceutical enterprise, supported by the capital. They had distributors in major cities across the country.
Compared to the Dragon Doctor Association, real estate and large corporations were mere dust.
Tang Xin smiled proudly, "What? Can't keep up at only one billion?"
Su Yang looked at Tang Xin. This woman had been whispering with Huang Jun earlier, and they had reached a private agreement.
Their objective was for both parties to contribute money simultaneously to prevent Su Yang from acquiring the two medicinal ingredients.
"Raising the price bit by bit is boring. I bid fifteen billion!"
Tang Xin sneered, "Twenty billion!"
"Twenty-five billion!"
"Thirty billion!"
The two continued their frantic bidding until it slowed down at fifty billion.
The seller was overjoyed. Ten people had ventured into the mountains and, after great effort, found these rare ingredients. It was indeed a path to immense wealth.
The auction house attendees were also happy. They had rented the venue temporarily and easily collected a 5% commission.
The total value of all items auctioned today had already exceeded ten billion, and the commission was also excitingly substantial.
Tang Xin continued to taunt, "Why the pause again? Are you a weakling, unable to continue?"
"Damn it, I hate it most when people call me a weakling. Sixty billion!"
"Sixty-five billion!"
"Seventy billion!"
Su Yang was enraged, "One hundred billion!"
Tang Xin didn't immediately raise the bid but looked at Huang Jun.
"This price is already outrageous. Should we continue to pursue it?"
Huang Jun said confidently, "Earlier, Su Yang and Meng Jing had a transaction, and it seemed they were looking for medicinal ingredients to refine pills. Although I don't know what kind of pills they're refining, they must be very precious, so we can rest assured.
Moreover, Su Yang is currently worked up. Why don't we strike while the iron is hot and make him bleed more!"
"Alright, let's continue playing with him!"
Tang Xin raised her hand, "One hundred and ten billion!"
Su Yang feigned anger, even appearing somewhat irrational, "These medicinal ingredients are very important to me. Are you determined to compete with me?"
Tang Xin smiled, "We don't have to compete. As long as you agree to one condition, I'll immediately withdraw from the bidding."
"What condition?"
Tang Xin pointed at Duan Linglong, "As long as you dump her and become my boyfriend, I'll give up those two medicinal ingredients. How about that?"
Duan Linglong smiled slightly, surprisingly calm.
Su Yang frowned, "That doesn't seem right. My Linglong is the most beautiful woman in Songhai, and also the president of the Cultural Relics Association. She has both beauty and capability. Where would I find someone like her if I dumped her?"
Tang Xin chuckled, "Hehehe, this会长 is no worse than her. I guarantee you'll be satisfied and have a great time!"
Saying this, Tang Xin straightened her posture, showcasing her impressive figure.
The surrounding people swallowed their saliva, their gazes fixed on Tang Xin with burning desire.
Although she was already twenty-seven or twenty-eight, her face looked as young and beautiful as an underage girl.
Every smile and movement of hers accentuated her entire body, her ample bosoms bouncing enticingly, drawing much attention.
Beside her, Huang Ming was practically drooling. If not for Tang Xin's status, he would have pounced on her long ago.
At this moment, Su Yang asked, "You really guarantee my satisfaction? Can we try it now?"
This time, Tang Xin was taken aback, "How can we try here?"
"It's fine. If you're shy, you can just be a craftsman for a moment. Others will be watching me, not you!"
Su Yang smiled faintly. It took Tang Xin a while to realize she had been tricked.
"Since you're unwilling to dump her, then let's continue bidding!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, you get angry when I ask you to be a craftsman for a moment. I wouldn't want a woman like you even if you paid me!"
"You… you scoundrel!"
Tang Xin was so angry her chest heaved. It was the first time she had been so humiliated.
"President Tang, there's no need to argue with him! This brat has never lost an argument. Why subject yourself to suffering!"
Huang Jun reminded her sternly, pulling Tang Xin back from her rage.
After calming down, Tang Xin reiterated, "If you don't bid further, those two medicinal ingredients will be mine!"
Su Yang continued his act, feigning great anger, "Fine, if you insist on competing, I'll accompany you even if I have to sell everything I own!"
"I bid fifteen billion. If you dare, keep following!"
"Sixteen billion!"
"Twenty billion!"
Tang Xin exhaled and looked at Huang Jun again, "We've both contributed quite a bit. Are you really confident?"
"Don't worry, I can afford this price!"
"Alright, I'll continue bidding!"
"Twenty-five billion!"
Su Yang slammed the table, "Thirty billion!"
Such an astonishing price shocked everyone in the hall.
Tang Xin's brow furrowed, "Forty billion!"
Su Yang smiled and remained seated, not continuing to bid.
This price was already astronomical. Tang Xin, despite her wealth, had her limits. If he continued, he would be the biggest fool.
"Congratulations, President Tang, on acquiring the medicinal ingredients for forty billion. Su Yang admits defeat and yields to you!"
Su Yang smiled faintly. Tang Xin was not pleased but surprised. He had stopped halfway?
Huang Jun was also bewildered. Su Yang's earlier anger and helplessness seemed to be an act?
The surrounding people were also confused. It was a familiar routine.
Poor Tang Xin and Huang Jun had fallen for it again, and in different ways.
It wasn't until the seller approached that Tang Xin recovered.
"Forty billion is a bit much. Give me a fifty percent discount!"
"No, you bid that yourself. I didn't force you. Why should I give you a discount?"
Su Yang joined in the taunting, "Right, why give you a discount? If you don't have the money, don't bid!"
Sensing the gazes of those around her, Tang Xin could only have Huang Jun pay.
"Patriarch Huang, you were the one who urged me to keep bidding. You pay thirty billion, and I'll cover the rest!"
Huang Jun's face turned green, "We agreed to split it equally. How can you make me pay the larger share?"
"I don't care. I'm not in Jinling anyway. At worst, I'll just leave."
Huang Jun was furious, "You… fine, how will the medicinal ingredients be divided?"
Tang Xin sneered, "Of course, I'll take them. What use do you have for medicinal ingredients?"
Huang Jun was about to refuse when his son quickly said, "Dad, hurry up and pay. So many people are watching. If you're annoyed, I'm even more so."
"You useless brat, get out of here!"
Huang Jun gnashed his teeth in anger, but he had no choice but to reluctantly pay thirty billion.
Huang Jun had lost three hundred billion in vain due to malicious bidding.
"Brilliant, President Tang's methods are truly brilliant!"
Su Yang didn't forget to mock, clapping his hands in praise.