Chapter 171 - Hundred And Seventy One - We attend the Grand Auction (2/2)
”And next we have...”
”How many lots before the pills,” Jin Li asked, testily. He'd been dragged here thanks to his small alchemist's enthusiasm. Leon had never been to an auction and wanted to attend one. Jin Li had been to a few with his father. Certain auctions seconded as social gatherings, wonderful places to make connections or exchange insults with those families who had feuds with their own. He felt that they interfered with the time he could spend cultivating or practicing martial arts. And now they interfered with the time his small alchemist should be paying him attention!
”Ah, the first pills should be in the next lot. The auctioneers decided to sell a few of both Smouldering and Bursting Energy Pills in the first lot, to gauge enthusiasm,” Ursam told him. He'd been the one to approach the Trading company with the pills, allowing Leon to remain behind the scenes. This, at least, met with Jin Li's approval.
Sure enough, after the hammer fell and the jade bracelets were removed ready to be later given to their new owner, the auctioneer introduced the pills; ”This lot consists of two jade bottles, each containing five pills. However, these pills are no ordinary pills. We are greatly excited to introduce the first new pills to be discovered in nearly two hundred years!”
Immediately, the hushed whispers amongst the crowd rose in volume to a roar and many even rose from their seats, trying to get a better look at the two bottles. Leon, in contrast, shyly sank deeper into his seat, his face reddening. Was his discovery really that great? Jin Li caught sight of his small alchemist's retreating form and a smug grin once more appeared upon his face. As he gazed over the enthusiastic reactions of the crowd, he grabbed Leon's hand and entwined their fingers. Leon's blush deepened further, coupled with a sweet smile, his jet eyes lighting up with tiny stars.
No one noticed, with the exception of one lewdly grinning individual, as everyone was too intent on finding out more about these pills.
”In addition, unlike the last handful of newly discovered pills, which were all made of very rare and difficult to purchase ingredients, these pills are likely to become much more accessible in the future. Now while we do not know the recipe or techniques used to make these pills, this auctioneer has been informed that they were developed when studying the simple Burning Energy Pill.” The enthusiastic whispers began to dim; the Burning Energy Pill was common after all and only effective for those on the initial steps of cultivation. The auctioneer was not concerned, however and explained instead the abilities of the Smouldering Energy Pills and Bursting Energy Pills.
Leon had never expected the initial fervour, so felt a bit relieved when calm began to descend once more, although there was a tiny bit of disappointment which was quickly followed by resignation. Jin Li tutted beneath his breath and squeezed Leon's hand warmly. As long as he knew of Leon's excellence, what did these peons matter?
Ursam was more aware that while indeed there were many who were dismissive of the new pills, there were several eyes still keenly trained on the two jade bottles. These eyes likely belonged to collectors (for who wouldn't want to claim to own the first ever produced pills of a new vein, even if they were variations of a common pill... alas they wouldn't know that the prototypes were actually in Ursam's hands) but also to alchemists who would want to break down the components of these pills, discover their secrets and reproduce them. There could also be sect representatives, who would consider these pills a good thing for their talented, fresh Cultivators.
An ordinary Burning Energy Pill sold for just 250 brass coins, thus ten should never sell more than 3 silver.
”Who will give me an initial bid of say 5 silver?”