Chapter Sixteen: The Potion Turmoil (3)

"Emperor Yao intends to bid for the Volcano Elixir at the Pearl Tower auction? Is the information confirmed?" someone inquired of the person before them, somewhere on Imperial Star.

"It's confirmed. As soon as Emperor Yao appeared today, we had people tail him. Though we lost him for a while, those stationed by Emperor Yan reported that Yao wants that elixir, and Yan has already directed his subordinates to handle the matter."

"Did you find out why?"

"No, only that it must be won at all costs."

"Has the elixir's function been verified? Is it genuine?"

"No, this is its first appearance."

"Test their attitude."

"Master suspects this is a trap they've set? But it's only an elixir, just a hundred thousand starcoins at most. I suspect it's a scam—Zhan Yu hasn't been on the star network for three years; it's no wonder he'd believe it was real and get duped."

"Test their attitude first. I have a feeling something's off. After three years of absence, he suddenly reappears and immediately orchestrates such a spectacle. Hmph. Investigate thoroughly. If Yan puts in significant effort to win the elixir, then I intend to compete for it myself."

"Master, you share the throne with Yao and Yan—how can they be so tactless?"

"I want to see what they're really up to. I invited him to stand with me; he refused, and that's fine. If I'm not worthy, very well—let's see just how capable they think they are."

"Naturally, Master, you are above comparing yourself to them."

Zhan Yu, for his part, had no idea these people were weaving such elaborate conspiracies around him. If he knew, he'd likely respond with a single sentence: You're overthinking it.

Their paranoia, however, did cause some trouble for Kuang Shao.

"Suddenly so many people want to bid for the elixir?" Kuang Shao sat on his sofa, a glass of red wine in one hand, asking.

"Yes, young master. The bidding's already up to two hundred thousand. Should we withdraw? We still don't know if the elixir does anything at all."

"Withdraw?" He shot a glance at his subordinate, then recalled how long he'd sought a cure for the freezing effect. Impossible. Money? That's the one thing I never lack! "Do I look like someone who gives up halfway?"

"Of course not, young master. Your resolve is unwavering."

"Continue bidding—get it for me if you can. Now I’m really curious: does this thing actually work?" He narrowed his eyes. He had faith in Zhan Yu’s judgment: the man could be reserved, but was generally reliable. There was no way this was something trivial.

"Understood. I’ll see to it at once."

Swirling the wine in his glass, he dialed Zhan Yu. "Well? Is your formula ready?"

Zhan Yu seemed still inside a mech, his hands busy, only glancing at Kuang Shao without answering.

Clearly used to Zhan Yu’s manner, Kuang Shao was unfazed. "The item you want is already up to two hundred thousand."

Frowning, he thought, Weren’t they all skeptics? Why the sudden competition? Someone else must know about her.

"I’ve already instructed them to raise the bid. If it goes too high, perhaps we should withdraw? Its effects are unproven—what do you think?" Kuang Shao wanted to test him. The claims about the elixir were so exaggerated, he needed to know if it was real and to gauge Zhan Yu’s attitude, so he could decide on the maximum bid. He had no intention of becoming a laughingstock with a reckless purchase.

That white figure flashed before his eyes once more; Zhan Yu’s black eyes showed a rare seriousness. "At any cost."

"What did you say?" Kuang Shao was startled by Zhan Yu's distracted look. "At any cost?"

Zhan Yu glanced at him again, then disconnected.

Startled, Kuang Shao nearly spilled his wine. What the hell was wrong with this man? At any cost? He had to be joking. But knowing Zhan Yu as he did, Kuang Shao realized he was serious. He immediately ordered his people to bid aggressively—they must secure the elixir.

Meanwhile, Wan Qi Yi was also troubled. Reports came in: within just five hours, the price had soared to half a million, with many bidders still vying for it. The price would only climb higher. Did someone already know its true effects? "No matter—hold back until the final moments, then raise the bid. We must win it."

"Emperor Yan truly is bidding all-out for this? Good, then I’ll compete as well. Hmph."

"Our team raised the bid to two hundred thousand, but in a blink, Emperor Yan's side pushed it to five hundred thousand. Do you still think it's worth it?"

"It's just a few hundred thousand. The more they value it, the more curious I become. Do everything you can to win it for me."

"Yes, sir."

Meanwhile, the star network was abuzz—everyone was talking about the auction.

"Don’t they care about money at all?"

"Maybe starcoins are about to depreciate?"

"Why don’t you believe the elixir is real?"

"Do you take us for fools?"

"Haha, I’d sooner believe the Zerg have become vegetarians."

"No, no, I’d sooner believe the Zerg are living peacefully with us."

"Look! The price has gone up again—one million now! My god, which loaded fool is this? If they'd just give me a tenth—or even a hundredth—of that, it's better than throwing it away here, where it doesn’t even make a splash."

"It's up again! One and a half million now—unbelievable. The sky's the limit!"

The entire network was caught up in the elixir frenzy. In just eight hours, all eyes were fixed on the auction. In the last two minutes, the bidding soared again and again. Everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see how this elixir storm would end.

Kuang Shao was beside himself with frustration. Over eight hours, the price had climbed from a mere hundred thousand starcoins to over two million. He wasn’t about to be duped into spending that much for nothing—especially if he didn’t even win, and then have Zhan Yu look down on him for it. So he ordered his people to raise the bid straight to five million. He couldn’t believe anyone would outbid him now. Watching the price stabilize, his heart ached at the expense, but he was also relieved. After three years, he couldn’t face Zhan Yu and be looked down on—winning the item was enough. He waved someone over. "Go and fetch it."

"Yes, sir. Uh, young master, someone else won the bid."

"What did you say?" Zhan Yu looked to his subordinate.

"Master, the elixir just sold for six million."

He ran a hand through his hair, golden locks in disarray. Who was so intent on going against him? "Find out who bought it, and see if there’s anywhere else we can get this elixir."

"Yes, young master. But what about Young Master Zhan?"

"Go, quickly—ah, never mind, I’ll talk to him myself." Annoyed, he slapped the table. What a mess this was!