Tang Zifeng, still holding the flyer, couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiastic yet exaggerated slogans.

The Yang family’s audacity in their marketing strategy was impressive, to say the least.

As they continued toward the auction house, the curiosity and anticipation among the group grew stronger.

The Yang family even hung their promotional banners on the stage.

Additionally, the storytellers in teahouses and the gossipers in taverns were all discussing the upcoming Yang family auction.

Of course, how much of the chatter was genuine and how much was orchestrated by the Yang family was known only to Qin Ruqing and the Yang family members.

As Qin Ruqing walked and observed, she nodded her head in satisfaction.

The Yang family’s ability to shamelessly adapt and promote was commendable.

In business, sometimes you needed that thick skin.

Often, those who rise to the top do so by stepping over their competitors’ criticisms.

Very good, she thought.

There’s potential for profit here!

The four of them, all wearing black robes that covered them entirely, arrived at the auction house.

This attire wasn’t unusual, as many attendees preferred to remain anonymous.

Qin Ruqing handed over their invitation to the guard at the entrance.

Surprisingly, the guard wasn’t a beautiful woman or a handsome attendant but a burly man.

For this important occasion, he was fully clothed, unlike the usual bare-chested appearance.

After inspecting the invitation, he discreetly said, “Please proceed to the third floor.”

Qin Ruqing nodded calmly but didn’t move right away.

She was looking at the design of the Yang family’s auction house.

It had no aesthetic appeal and looked like an overturned pot lid, reminiscent of a beloved marine creature.

“Qingqing, what are you looking at?” Lu Wei asked gently.

Qin Ruqing, starting to walk inside, replied, “Nothing much, just reminded of a certain charming sea creature.”

“The sea?” Lu Wei smiled. “If you want to see the sea, you’ll have to go to the eastern region.” With that, she began ascending the stairs.

Upon entering the private room, they found Yang Wenxu already waiting for them.

Seeing Qin Ruqing, he excitedly rubbed his hands together. “Miss, your strategy worked wonders! Our Yang family has gained significant fame these past seven days. There’s even someone outside with a basket of rotten eggs!”

Qin Ruqing said, “That’s great. Bad publicity is still publicity. Obscurity is the real enemy. It’s good you understand this.”

Yang Wenxu beamed with pride and nodded vigorously.

Lu Wei and Qi Rong, who were with Qin Ruqing, showed no surprise.

It was evident that the Qin family had become accustomed to Qin Ruqing’s unconventional methods.

Even Lu Wei saw nothing wrong with this approach.

After all, the Qin family’s initial fame came from the “Fairy Qing’er and Qin Aotian Story Performances.”

Though she found it embarrassing and never took the stage herself, the public loved it.

Qing’er became immensely popular, and even teahouse storytellers began recounting Qin Aotian’s tales.

Poor Tang Zifeng, who was following behind, felt his face twitch slightly.

Sticking to his silent and reserved persona, he refrained from commenting.

“Have representatives from all the major families in the city arrived today?” Qin Ruqing asked.

Yang Wenxu replied, “Yes, they have. Though not at the level of the clan leaders, at least the elders have come.

Despite our decline, the Yang family was once a prestigious Silver-ranked family.

We still have some respect in Xiling.

Besides, the lure of a pill that can speed up cultivation is too big to ignore.

Even if they don’t believe it, they have to come and see for themselves.”

Qin Ruqing nodded.

Below, there seemed to be cheers as well.

Yang Wenxu considerately helped Qin Ruqing open the “projector” in the private room, which could play scenes live.

The projector was high-definition, showing from a god’s-eye view with a focus on the auction stage while also considering the audience below the stage.

Qin Ruqing marveled.

This screen was much fancier than the peephole windows in the Qin family’s reception room.

Xiling truly was an area prosperous in automated technology and craftsmanship.

A servant knocked on the door shortly after, signaling the auction was about to begin and Yang Wenxu was needed.

He prepared to leave.

As he departed, Qin Ruqing instructed him, “After the auction, someone will surely ask about the source of the Yang family’s Vitality Pills. You know how to explain, right?”

The refined man nodded and made a reassuring gesture. “Naturally, our Yang family’s trading team contacted a mysterious major clan in the outer domains and obtained these Vitality Pills after much effort.”

Qin Ruqing nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Just dance around it subtly, hinting at connections with prestigious families wouldn’t hurt.”

The refined man’s expression stiffened slightly, but he still bowed respectfully before leaving.

After he left, Tang Zifeng hesitated and said, “Isn’t it risky to claim ties with prestigious families? What if the truth comes out?”

“Risk?” Qin Ruqing blinked innocently. “We’re not lying. You underestimate the support our Qin family gets from the Celestial Bureau. What’s wrong with claiming connections there?”

With an honest poker face, they were not lying at all.

The extent of truth depended on your interpretation.

Meanwhile, the auction had begun.

The Yang family had meticulously prepared for this moment to make a big splash.

Selling Vitality Pills alone wouldn’t suffice, so they dug deep into their reserves, bringing out many treasures.

Initially, Qin Ruqing thought these “treasures” were just for show, but soon realized they were genuinely valuable items, some even comparable to Thousand Years Frigid ice. ( Note: Not the Heart of Frigid Ice but those Ice around it. )

Qin Ruqing remarked, “I thought the Yang family was declining. Seems like they’re quite wealthy.”

Tang Zifeng explained, “The Yang family is an old aristocratic family in Xiling, with a small floating secret realm passed down through generations. They’ve accumulated quite a lot. However, these are indeed their last treasures, likely sold to sustain their auction business for a year or two more.”

Qin Ruqing chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely profit big. But they won’t lose either.”

Tang Zifeng remained silent.

After more than half an hour, the highlight finally arrived.

A servant carried a tray, and the enchanting female auctioneer smiled behind her red lips, “Next up, the eagerly anticipated Vitality Pills.”

She gently lifted the red silk covering a large wooden box, its top-grade wood polished to a glossy sheen.

Inside lay three jade bottles on golden velvet.

Just by looking, one could tell these were extraordinary auction items.

The auctioneer announced, “Three sets of Vitality Pills, each set containing three bottles of a hundred pills. We will auction them in three rounds, one set at a time.”

“each set.”

Ah? As soon as they heard it would be divided into three sets, there was a buzzing dissatisfaction from below.

Vitality Pills were consumables, and one set was already insufficient.

Dividing them into three sets meant bidding three times, which would escalate costs significantly.

The seductive auctioneer paid no heed to their discontent because this auction of Vitality Pills, the main event, was not hosted by her but by the Grand elder of the Yang family.

Sure enough, after the beautiful woman stepped down, the stern-faced senior elder of the Yang family took the stage.

His imposing presence was like a small mountain, quieting the audience without needing to speak or strike the gavel.

“Thank you all for attending our Yang family’s auction. I understand your intentions. Without further ado, let’s get to the point.”

The Grand elder took out small jade bottles embedded in the golden velvet and raised them, introducing, “Premium Vitality Pills. They can accelerate spiritual energy circulation, with the added benefit of clearing the mind and improving eyesight. One pill lasts for three days with minimal side effects.”

At these words, the eyes of the audience, including those in the private boxes upstairs, lit up.

Although they had a general idea of the pills’ effects beforehand, hearing the Grand elder personally confirm them sparked a different kind of anticipation.

The Yang family Grand elder carried great prestige in Xiling City. Now, with him personally conducting the auction and speaking so solemnly, could it be that the Vitality Pills were truly effective?

Soon, stern questioning voices arose, “Can the Yang family guarantee the effectiveness of these items?

Your reputation alone from the Yang Auction House isn’t enough.

It’s well known that the Yang Auction House hasn’t produced anything valuable in a long time.

How can we be sure these Vitality Pills aren’t a deception, deliberately misleading the people of Xiling?”

Although the Yang family had declined, there were few in Xiling City who dared to directly accuse them of deceit.

The crowd below glanced around, noticing the speaker was from the third-floor private box.

There were only a few families who could access the third floor.

The Grand elder glanced in that direction, recognizing him as Tang Biao, the second son of the widely renowned Tang family in recent years.

Without changing his expression, the Grand elder calmly responded, “For those who doubt, you can purchase a single Vitality Pill for a trial in advance. If what I said earlier is found to be even slightly false, the Yang family will issue a full refund.”

“Oh, we can try them out?” This sparked interest among even the spectators in the audience.

Typically, such high-profile items were out of reach for them. But if they could buy a single pill to test, why not?

Someone asked, “How much for a single pill?”

The senior elder replied, “Ten thousand spirit stones per pill. Limited to ten pills.”

What? Ten thousand spirit stones per pill? Are you trying to rob us here?

The senior elder seemed unfazed by their skepticism. “If anyone is unwilling to pay this price or take the risk, they are free to withdraw from bidding. The Yang family won’t force anyone.”

In other words, take it or leave it at this price.

The ten trial pills quickly sold out.

While the audience was critical in their words, their actions spoke of honesty.

Ten thousand spirit stones might be costly, but it ensured no regrets.

Done!

The Yang family servants bowed respectfully.

knocked on the door of the guest in the third-floor box, presenting the jade vial containing only one Vitality Pill.

Now, the pill was in Tang Biao’s hands.

He scrutinized it for a long time, then solemnly brought it close to his nose to sniff, although he couldn’t discern anything because he wasn’t a pill master.

Considering trying it himself but wary of potential side effects, he tossed the pill to an attendant standing nearby and said nonchalantly, “Take it and tell me how it feels.”

The attendant hurriedly caught it.

This was worth ten thousand spirit stones!

When he brought it close to his mouth, however, he hesitated.

Could the Yang family really be trusted not to deceive?

Despite his nervousness, Tang Biao was watching him intently.

The attendant closed his eyes and swallowed it with a brave face.

After a moment of silent contemplation, he suddenly widened his eyes.

“Well?” Tang Biao asked impatiently.

The attendant didn’t speak but unexpectedly let out a satisfied moan.

The awkward expression on his face made Tang Biao frown and lightly kick him. “What kind of expression is that? Speak up!”

The attendant finally snapped out of it, excitedly exclaiming, “Second Elder, it’s true! This pill really speeds up spiritual energy circulation! That sluggish feeling completely vanished, and it feels like my spiritual energy is circulating even faster than usual!”

Tang Biao kicked him again. “You’ve lived in Xiling since childhood; what do you know about normal conditions?” Despite this, he could tell the Yang family hadn’t deceived them this time.

Accustomed to being kicked, the attendant continued eagerly, “Second Elder, we must bid for this pill. We need to secure all three sets! And it’s crucial to find out the source of this pill!”

In the Lin family’s box, a similarly astonished elder with a distinctive mustache wondered, “Could that grumpy old man from the Yang family really not have lied?”

“I was initially thinking of causing some trouble, but now it seems I might actually bid?”

In Qin Ruqing’s box, Luwei exclaimed, “Sister, ten thousand spirit stones per pill! It’s so expensive. Are they really going to buy it?”

Qin Ruqing chuckled, “Why wouldn’t they dare? For you, ten thousand spirit stones is a lot, but for them, it’s just pushing their limits. Spending ten thousand to test it early on avoids greater risks; it’s actually a good deal.”

“Why then split it into three sets for sale?”

“Of course, it’s to fleece more money… Ahem, of course, the fleece is just a bonus. The main reason is to give other families more opportunities to compete. After all, if it’s sold as one set, only one family can buy it, and the rest will just have to watch, which isn’t ideal. We’re considerate sellers!”

As she spoke, Qin Ruqing kept her eyes fixed on the screen.

The bidding for the first group of Vitality Pills had started.

Starting at fifty thousand spirit stones, the current price was skyrocketing. Qin Ruqing giggled like a bird pecking at rice.

Tang Zifeng, seeing her sly look, felt like patting her head.

But seeing the rising prices, he felt Qin Ruqing’s laughter was justified.

Her cunning was indeed quite useful, because the final selling price of the first group of Vitality Pills had reached two hundred thousand.

Even Lu Wei was a bit surprised.

As an alchemist, she knew that three bottles of Vitality Pills weren’t worth that much.

Qirong was doing the math, his black pupils widening. “Sister, two hundred thousand for one group. So, three groups would be six hundred thousand?”

That’s a lot of money!

This time, his mother had given him quite a bit of money, but compared to this, it was like a drop in the bucket.

Qin Ruqing waved her hand, “It won’t be that much for all three groups. The first group’s price will definitely be the highest. The subsequent groups won’t reach that high. It should be around one hundred thousand per group, so less than six hundred thousand total.” She sounded a bit regretful.

Less than six hundred thousand spirit stones was still quite a mountain of wealth.

Qi Rong suddenly thought of a crucial question, “Sister, how much does it cost our family to refine these Vitality Pills?”

He wasn’t an alchemist like Lu Wei or involved in management like Qin Ruqing, so he had no idea about these things.

As soon as this question came up, Lu Wei pursed her lips and glanced at Qin Ruqing.

Tang Zifeng also silently shifted his gaze towards her.

Qin Ruqing… grinned, showing her small white teeth. “Costs? Hehe… That’s not something we talk about.”