Although the actual medicinal effect of this *bulaogen* was significantly different from the rumors, bidding still commenced with competition.
A starting bid of sixty million!
This might be an astronomical sum for ordinary people, but for true magnates, it was nothing!
It could restore the body, enhance immunity, and prolong life!
Wasn't this the ultimate desire of the wealthy?
As long as it could strengthen the body and extend their lifespan by a few more years, magnates would spend any amount.
Thus, as the bidding began, hands holding bidder numbers were repeatedly raised in the auction hall.
The starting bid of sixty million was surpassed by a hundred million within moments.
And the bidding continued to escalate.
This piece of *bulaogen*, now less than half of what Ye Cangtian had given away initially, still held immense value.
"One hundred fifty million!"
"One hundred sixty million!"
"One hundred..."
As the bidding progressed, the increments were no longer a mere million, but a starting jump of ten million.
In a seat in the front row of the auction house, Fu Qianxue, dressed like a sun-kissed maiden, held onto an elder's arm and asked, "Grandfather, can this *bulaogen* truly prolong life?"
The elder nodded with a benevolent smile, "Naturally. A few years ago, your aunt bought *bulaogen* for me from out of town, which allowed your grandfather to live a few more years. So, expensive things have their merits."
Several years prior, the Fu family had faced a great calamity. Patriarch Fu had been gravely ill, leaving the entire Fu family without a leader and on the brink of collapse.
Later, Liu Ruomei, as the daughter-in-law of the Fu family, managed to procure a small piece of *bulaogen* from elsewhere, which ultimately led to Patriarch Fu's gradual recovery and the Fu family regaining its vitality.
Fu Qianxue was aware of these events. She opened her bright eyes and eagerly said, "Since it's so precious, wouldn't it be better for our family to keep it ourselves?"
"Heh heh, although the auction house belongs to our Fu family, this *bulaogen* was put up for auction by the Tang family. Naturally, our auction house must abide by the rules."
"Then can we bid on it as competitors! Anyway, our Fu family has money!" Fu Qianxue added.
"It is a good item, but our Fu family cannot get involved with this *bulaogen*!" the elder chuckled and shook his head.
The Fu family was indeed the foremost family in Yangzhou, capable of producing one or two hundred million, or even several hundred million.
However, Patriarch Fu knew that today's auction was a deep affair.
Everyone knew how precious this *bulaogen* was, a treasure that money might not be able to buy. Given this, why would the Tang family put it up for auction?
Patriarch Fu was astute. He had also heard about the news of the Tang family being burgled a few days ago. That thief must have been after this *bulaogen*.
Therefore, at this moment, this incredibly precious treasure was, in fact, a hot potato.
Fu Qianxue, unaware of her grandfather's thoughts, simply felt it would be a pity if such a precious item were to be won by someone else.
Meanwhile, the bidding had reached a fervent stage.
The price had climbed to two hundred twenty million, and the bidder was a woman with deep blue eyes.
Everyone looked on curiously. This woman was not from Huaxia?
Tang Xinwan also glanced at the bidder and said with a touch of strangeness, "Why does this woman look somewhat familiar?"
Ye Cangtian did not respond, as he recognized the female bidder.
She was one of Xibeiya's personal guards!
Why was she here? Could Xibeiya also be present? Ye Cangtian couldn't help but frown.
Yet, he had confirmed that Xibeiya had already returned to Saudi Arabia. He had even called Viper a few days ago to verify.
Since Xibeiya had returned to the Saudi royal family, why was her guard still in Huaxia? Could she also be after this *bulaogen*?
"Two hundred thirty million!"
From afar, a middle-aged burly man said in a deep voice.
"Two hundred fifty million!" The Saudi royal family's female guard raised her bidder number again.
"Two hundred sixty million!" The middle-aged man's expression was grim.
"Three hundred million!"
At this moment, dozens of magnates in the hall fell silent.
This half piece of *bulaogen*, with a starting bid of sixty million, had been driven up to three hundred million. This was an absolute astronomical price.
Even though most of the magnates present were wealthy, not everyone could easily mobilize such a large amount of liquid capital.
Furthermore, both the middle-aged man and the blue-eyed Saudi woman were strangers to everyone, clearly unseen before.
"Three hundred thirty million!" The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, his face contorted, veins bulging on his hands.
"Five hundred million!"
"..."
The entire auction hall was instantly plunged into silence, with all eyes fixed on the Saudi woman.
A jump of one hundred seventy million in a single bid – was she mad? Or was she simply overflowing with money?
Ye Cangtian also gasped, clicking his tongue, "The Saudi royal family is indeed incredibly wealthy. Five hundred million, and they don't even bat an eye!"
Tang Xinwan was taken aback and looked at him, "She's from the Saudi royal family? No wonder she looks so familiar; she's Xibeiya's guard."
She remembered now; the reason she looked so familiar was because she had seen her before.
Tang Xinwan quickly stared at Ye Cangtian and questioned, "Didn't that Saudi princess return? Is she still in Huaxia?"
Ye Cangtian looked vexed, shrugging his shoulders, "Why are you looking at me like that? How would I know what's going on? However, Xibeiya should have returned to the Saudi royal family."
Seeing his earnest expression, Tang Xinwan nodded and dropped the matter.
She then smiled, "But I never expected this Shanhai Vine to fetch such a high price. Ye Cangtian, where exactly did you obtain it?"
During the birthday banquet last time, although she had heard that this Shanhai Vine was precious and worth over a hundred million, she hadn't thought it would be this valuable.
But the reality shocked her greatly; this thing, resembling a root, had been auctioned for a staggering five hundred million.
"Didn't I tell you before? I just happened to pick up a bargain," Ye Cangtian said with a smile.
"I'll believe you if pigs can fly!" Tang Xinwan rolled her eyes, knowing that not a word he spoke was true.
At this moment, the bidding had reached its climax.
Five hundred million – this price could already be described as exorbitant, so there was almost no one present who could offer a higher bid.
Everyone looked at the middle-aged man. Seeing his gloomy expression, they knew he likely couldn't bid any higher.
"Five hundred million, once!"
"Five hundred million, twice!"
"Five hundred million, thrice, sold!"
...
The auction concluded successfully. The *bulaogen*, with its life-prolonging effects, was ultimately purchased by a foreign woman for the astronomical sum of five hundred million.
Many magnates secretly inquired about the woman's identity.
While others began discreetly deploying personnel, preparing to track the Saudi woman.
Outside the auction house, the middle-aged man crossed the road and approached a black business van.
"Master, the item was won by someone else!"
"Hm? The price offered was even higher than mine?"
A surprised voice came from inside the car. After two seconds, the person inside the car sneered, "There has never been anything I desired that someone else could snatch away."