"Why is VIP Room Three being so low-key with their bids this time? Are they out of Spirit Stones?" someone in the main hall couldn't help but ask.
"That must be it. They know how precious this Soul Medicine is, but they don't have enough Spirit Stones now. They can only raise the price incrementally. They must really regret bidding so high earlier!" someone else chimed in.
"The people in VIP Room Three definitely won't get the Soul Medicine. Look, none of the other VIP rooms are willing to give up. It's not their turn at all."
The chatter was endless. Everyone had lost faith in VIP Room Three. If they still managed to win the bid, it would be truly incredible.
Right after Ye Tian raised the price, VIP Room One immediately responded, increasing the bid directly to seventeen million Spirit Stones. They clearly weren't taking Ye Tian seriously at all.
"Heh, do they all think I'm out of Spirit Stones? Trying to take me down a peg? Let's play along with them for a while," Ye Tian chuckled.
After VIP Room One raised the price, VIP Room Two also started bidding, adding another million. The number on the screen instantly jumped to eighteen million. The competition wasn't particularly fierce.
Then, VIP Rooms Four, Five, Seven, and Nine all raised their bids one after another. In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the auction price for the Soul Medicine had already reached twenty-four million, yet Ye Tian still hadn't made a move.
"Young Master, when should we place our bid?" Xu Chun couldn't help but ask.
"No rush. Let's wait and see. When they all think we're out of the running, we'll swoop in with the winning bid. The psychological blow will be immensely satisfying. I love that feeling," Ye Tian said with a smile.
At the moment, the competition between VIP Room One and VIP Room Two was the most intense. Neither was willing to let the other obtain the Soul Medicine, and the bid increments grew larger and larger. Sparks were flying between the two rooms.
Before long, the price had soared to thirty million Spirit Stones. A few of the competing VIP rooms had dropped out, leaving only Rooms One, Two, Four, and Seven in the running.
"The Soul Medicine will probably go to VIP Room One. They're Royal Family and Relatives, so their wealth is unquestionable!" someone remarked.
"Is there even a question? If VIP Room One can't get the Soul Medicine, what right do the others have? They might as well give up the 'number one' room!" someone else said.
These gossips were clearly trying to stir up trouble, hoping for a good show. Naturally, the Eldest Prince in VIP Room One could hear them, and his expression soured.
If he failed to win the bid for the Soul Medicine, it would be a true loss of face. "I must get my hands on this Soul Medicine, no matter what. I'd like to see who dares to challenge me. When the time comes, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Rest assured, Young Master. We will definitely obtain the Soul Medicine. If someone else really does get it, we can just snatch it from them. We brought several masters with us this time. It wouldn't be the first time something was stolen," the old man said.
"That's what I was thinking. It's best if we don't have to resort to theft, but if someone else gets it, we'll have no other choice. Who is in VIP Room Two? Why are they so relentless?" the Eldest Prince said.
"This subordinate is not certain. They're likely from another major family, or perhaps they support one of the other Princes. They probably know why you want the Soul Medicine, which is why they are fighting you for it," the old man said.
"Supporters of my brothers? All the more reason not to let them go! Daring to challenge me for the throne is a death wish. Once we have the Soul Medicine, we can proceed with our secret plans," the Eldest Prince said.
"Young Master, speak carefully. Walls have ears. This is not something to be discussed openly! Causing unnecessary trouble would be a greater loss than the potential gain," the old man said.
The Eldest Prince heard this and glanced at the maid beside him. "I know. After the auction is over, you take care of a few things. I don't want any... accidents," the Eldest Prince said.
"I understand! It will be a clean job," the old man said with a strange smile, his eyes also flicking toward the maid.
The maid wasn't a fool; she understood the implication. A cold sweat broke out all over her body. She immediately fell to her knees before the Eldest Prince. "Eldest Prince, spare me! This servant swears I will not tell anyone what I heard today! I beg you, spare my life!"
She kowtowed repeatedly, but the Eldest Prince remained silent. In his eyes, what was the life of a single maid? As long as he got what he wanted, he wouldn't even blink at killing those closest to him.
Just then, VIP Room Two raised the bid to thirty-five million. Young Master Ouyang in VIP Room Seven had already withdrawn. It wasn't that he didn't want to compete, but he felt he had pushed his luck far enough. There was no need to deepen the conflict, especially since VIP Room One was occupied by Royal Family and Relatives.
As the Eldest Prince had not yet made any major moves in the Imperial City, there was no need to offend the other Princes. Of course, he didn't know that the person in VIP Room One was the Eldest Prince himself. If he had known, he probably would have stopped bidding long ago.
"Keep bidding! We can't let them get it!" the Eldest Prince said, glaring at the number on the screen.
"Xu Chun, it's our turn to play," Ye Tian said, unable to hold back a smirk. "The competition is thinning out. This way, they won't feel pressured. I'm quite curious to see just how many Spirit Stones this Eldest Prince of ours has."
"Young Master, how much are you going to bid?" Xu Chun asked, unsure if Ye Tian planned to make a large jump or just a small increment.
"Add a million," Ye Tian said. "Let them know that VIP Room Three hasn't given up yet!"
Xu Chun immediately placed the bid. The number on the screen changed to thirty-seven million. This move shocked everyone once again. VIP Room Three was like a persistent ghost, showing up just when everyone thought they were out of the picture.
The re-entry of VIP Room Three surprised the occupants of Rooms One and Two as well. They couldn't understand the meaning behind this move. Bidding again now was a clear provocation.
"That person in VIP Room Three deserves to die," the Eldest Prince fumed. "After the auction, I'll be sure to teach them a lesson. There's no need to consider recruiting them. Someone so fickle isn't worth the effort!"
"Calm your anger, Eldest Prince," the old man advised. "There are still several finale items in today's auction. I believe the occupant of VIP Room Three has already offended many people. Someone is bound to make a move against them. When they do, we can just add fuel to the fire."
"Raise the bid to forty million! I'd like to see who else dares to bid! Unless they have a death wish!" This time, the Eldest Prince roared, his voice so loud that many people heard him loud and clear.
With that roar, he exposed his identity. However, it had no effect on Ye Tian whatsoever. Trying to intimidate him was a joke—he'd been scaring people his whole life!