Early morning is usually a quiet time, but today's morning in the capital city was exceptionally lively. The reason was none other than an auction taking place today.
Not long after dawn, Ye Yiming was dragged out of bed by Wang Weilong.
"Brother, you must attend today's auction!" Wang Weilong insisted.
Still drowsy, Ye Yiming complained, "Is it really necessary for me to go just to sell a few pills?"
Seeing Ye Yiming's unwilling expression, Wang Weilong felt a bit annoyed. He had been busy for the past three days while Ye Yiming had been sleeping soundly. Was it really so difficult for him to get up early once?
No way! I, Wang Weilong, can't let this slide!
Wang Weilong devised a plan, went to the kitchen of the Duke's residence, grabbed some iron pans and pots, and then dashed into Ye Yiming's room, creating a cacophony of banging sounds.
Fifteen minutes later, this early morning wake-up battle ended with Wang Weilong's victory.
When Ye Yiming was finally dragged to the auction venue by Wang Weilong, his sleepiness vanished completely as he took in the sight before him.
In front of Ye Yiming was a large lake, and by the lake was a giant boat, nearly a hundred meters long and ten meters wide. Despite its size, the boat had only a three-story pavilion on it, beautifully carved and elegantly decorated, giving a refined and elegant impression.
However, what surprised Ye Yiming wasn't the boat itself, but its name: Yuxi Boat. Among the playboys of the capital, it was also known as Yumeiren (Jade Beauty).
Alright! These are the more refined names, but in reality, this boat was a floating brothel!
Using a brothel's boat as the auction venue—what a brilliant idea!
Such an act could only be conceived by Wang Weilong.
Actually, it wasn't entirely his fault. Initially, Wang Weilong intended to hold a small elite auction among some rich playboys, and this Yuxi Boat was the perfect venue.
However, the astonishing effects of the Super Martial Artist Pills spread, shaking the entire capital. This was something Wang Weilong hadn't anticipated.
Despite the larger crowd, Wang Weilong had no intention of changing the venue. In his words, "I enjoy holding the auction on a brothel's boat. If you don't like it, don't come! No one is begging you to come, so it's up to you!"
If anyone else, even the other three of the Four Playboys of the capital, did something like this, it would definitely cause an uproar. But with Wang Weilong, it was different. He was already notorious for such antics, so people weren't surprised anymore.
Although the auction venue was unconventional, the Yuxi Boat was bustling, and the crowd kept growing.
When Ye Yiming arrived at the room prepared for him by Wang Weilong, he realized why Wang Weilong had woken him up so early. The boat was already packed with people, and he was actually late.
Only then did Ye Yiming understand the popularity of this auction. Not only was the boat crowded, but the riverbank was also teeming with people.
Seeing this, Ye Yiming couldn't help but laugh. The Yuxi Boat, which anyone with money could enter yesterday, now required status as well as wealth.
Ha, even a brothel's boat needs status now!
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Especially when Ye Yiming saw people from the Wu, He, and Chen families, he was even more convinced.
Half an hour later, Wang Weilong, dressed in a bright red robe, stepped onto the central stage on the first floor, signaling the start of this unique auction.
"Pfft~" Ye Yiming, sipping tea, couldn't help but spray it out when he saw Wang Weilong's groom-like outfit.
I’m speechless. How much courage did it take for him to wear that?
Thinking about Wang Weilong standing in a spot usually occupied by an old maidservant, Ye Yiming felt an indescribable strangeness. Not only Ye Yiming but also most of the attendees found Wang Weilong's appearance odd.
Despite the strange looks, Wang Weilong wasn't embarrassed; instead, he proudly raised his head. Seeing this, Ye Yiming couldn't help but facepalm.
"Ahem~" With a light cough, Wang Weilong smiled broadly, looked around, and said, "I believe everyone is here for the Super Martial Artist Pills. Before we start, let me explain today's auction rules."
Wang Weilong paused deliberately, seeing no reaction from the crowd, he smiled and continued.
Ye Yiming, seeing this, raised an eyebrow, internally criticizing Wang Weilong.
Damn, this guy is acting all high and mighty now!
"Today, we are auctioning fifty lower-grade, ten mid-grade, and three top-grade Super Martial Artist Pills. There's no need to doubt their efficacy; they've all been authenticated by Master Yu." As he spoke, Wang Weilong bowed slightly towards a room on the third floor.
Originally, Ye Yiming intended to auction only one top-grade pill, but due to Wang Weilong's insistence, it was increased to three.
Each room on the boat had a large window facing the central stage. Following Wang Weilong's gaze, the attendees saw an elderly man with white hair.
The old man nodded slightly, confirming Wang Weilong's words, putting the attendees at ease. Hearing about it was one thing, seeing it was another.
Seeing this, Wang Weilong smiled, "Alright, now that everyone is assured, let's officially start the auction!"
The crowd sat up straight.
"Clap, clap, clap!" Following Wang Weilong's three claps, three graceful women emerged, each carrying a tray covered with red cloth.
With a swift motion, Wang Weilong uncovered the trays. "Here are fifty lower-grade Super Martial Artist Pills. The first tray contains five bottles, each with three pills; the second tray contains five bottles, each with five pills; the last tray has one bottle with ten pills."
Wang Weilong then turned to the crowd, smiling, "Let's begin with the first set of three lower-grade Super Martial Artist Pills. The starting price is 10,000 taels of gold! Minimum increment of 100 taels each."
After Wang Weilong's announcement, the room fell silent. He wasn't worried. The starting price of 10,000 taels was agreed upon with Ye Yiming. Though it was a large sum for outsiders, no one present lacked money.
Ye Yiming had even thought that setting the price too low might be seen as disrespectful. After all, everyone cares about their status, especially the wealthy.
"10,100 taels!" As expected, someone quickly placed a bid.
"10,200 taels!"
"10,300 taels!"
...
Once the bidding started, it escalated quickly. Despite the minimum increment of 100 taels, most bidders raised by 1,000 taels, as if smaller increments were beneath them.
Though many people bid, the major families like the Wu and He families didn't participate, as the lower-grade pills only advanced one to a high-level martial artist.
"37,000 taels!"
After a while, the price for the first set of three lower-grade pills stopped at 37,000 taels.
At this point, Wang Weilong began the countdown.
"37,000 taels, first call!"
"37,000 taels, second call!"
"37,000 taels, thi—"
Just as he was about to finalize the bid, an elderly voice interrupted.
"40,000 taels!"
The sudden bid drew everyone's attention. It was none other than Master Yu from the Medicine Pavilion.
Master Yu's action made the attendees sense something unusual. On the third floor, He Dewen, leading the He family, seemed to understand something.
Ye Yiming didn't need to guess the reason behind Master Yu's bid. He smirked and stretched, yawning widely.
Hmph, trying to study my pills? Do you have my alchemy skills? My system?
Eventually, the first set of pills was sold to Master Yu for 40,000 taels of gold. This news quickly spread outside, causing a commotion.
40,000 taels of gold for three pills?
Wow! These pills, which can enhance one's abilities without any side effects, truly command high prices.
Perhaps due to Master Yu's bid, subsequent lower-grade pills also sold for over 40,000 taels each; the bottles with five pills sold for over 60,000 taels each. The bottle with ten pills was sold to the He family for a whopping 250,000 taels.
Wow, the He family is rich!
Seeing He Dewen buy ten lower-grade pills for 250,000 taels without batting an eye, Ye Yiming was amazed. But thinking about the nearly 800,000 taels raised from fifty lower-grade pills alone, Ye Yiming's mood brightened.
Hahaha! And these are just the lower-grade pills. How much will the mid-grade and top-grade ones fetch?
I'm going to be rich! Rich!
For a moment, Ye Yiming felt that even with a big eater at home, he could still become wealthy!