Chapter 201: Encountering Dongfang Ji

For the final round, Yun Qimu bundled up the last three tubes of Superior Red Potion and five tubes of regular Red Potion, packaging them together for today’s last potion auction.

This was the last chance—who knew when the next opportunity would come after this?

As a result, the bidding became even fiercer, and the auction reached its absolute climax. People who rushed over upon hearing the news, when they realized this was their final chance, couldn’t wait to join in.

The shouts grew louder and louder, the excitement and commotion nearly lifting the roof off the Longteng base.

Of course, the ones leading the bidding frenzy were still the usual suspects.

Lin Qiu from Bloodthirst, Sister Hong from Bloodthirst, Wu Gang from Bloodthirst, Bi Peng from Bloodthirst, Xun Min from Mercenary City, Wen Luo from Mercenary City, and the Blacksmith from Mercenary City.

That’s right—most of these deep-pocketed bidders were from Bloodthirst and Mercenary City, and now they were even starting to compete among themselves.

As for Bloodthirst, Yun Qimu knew very well how complicated things were within that faction. Although Lin Qiu was the nominal leader, there were actually several sub-factions inside. Sister Hong, Wu Gang, and Bi Peng were all leaders of these smaller groups.

Because the effects of the Red Potion had far exceeded their expectations, they didn’t hesitate to tear off the mask of civility and start openly competing.

Having these potions was as good as having an extra life in future battles.

Everyone wanted to keep a trump card for emergencies.

As for the Mercenary City group, Xun Min was the rumored illegitimate son of the Poison Dragon and the nominal leader, but he was only ranked fourth on the Mercenary Leaderboard, and his position was largely due to the Poison Dragon’s favor and support. Who knew if that ranking was even legit?

Wen Luo, on the other hand, was a solid number two, and the Blacksmith was number three—both ranked above Xun Min. They were all elite mercenaries with their own pride. How could they just follow Xun Min’s lead without question?

Anyone could see that was impossible.

Especially when it came to matters of life and death, they weren’t stupid enough to entrust their lives to someone less capable than themselves. They needed to secure something for their own survival.

The Red and Superior Red Potions were perfect for this, so they didn’t hesitate to bid, hoping to snatch a tube or two from Xun Min.

Meanwhile, Xun Min, with the Poison Dragon’s private backing, was flush with cash and bid more freely than anyone else.

Every round, he managed to outbid the others. Yun Qimu’s bundled auctions had been held five times so far, and Xun Min had already won two of them.

Now, in this final round, as the price soared, he was once again poised to come out on top.

Even if Wen Luo and the Blacksmith pooled all their energy credits together, they still couldn’t match Xun Min’s momentum.

On the other side, Lin Qiu was also a formidable bidder.

Although he did business with outsiders and was the leader of Bloodthirst, in reality, his wealth was only moderate—he wasn’t truly rich.

First, because Bloodthirst had countless underlings to pay, and second, because resources were scarce on the Exile Star, most of his trades were for practical supplies.

So in this regard, Lin Qiu couldn’t compete with Xun Min either.

“Master Dongfang, look—up ahead is where the potion auction is being held.”

Just as the bidding reached its fever pitch, Ding Rou led a group through the main gates of the Longteng base.

Today, Ding Rou had trimmed her bangs straight across her forehead, her face looking fresh and delicate. Her big, pitiful eyes peeked out, making her look like a shy little white flower swaying in the wind. She stole a glance—then another—at the young man beside her.

When the young man looked back at her, she quickly averted her gaze, but the excitement and joy in her eyes were impossible to hide.

A few days ago, with the help of a man from Bloodthirst, she’d paid off her debts to the Honglian stronghold. Then, she followed him into Bloodthirst and soon met Lin Qiu.

With her looks and a bit of effort, she easily caught Lin Qiu’s interest, quickly ditching the man who’d saved her and cozying up to Lin Qiu instead.

Though Lin Qiu was a bit older, he was refined and knew how to treat women well.

With Lin Qiu’s initial infatuation, he pampered her with top-grade nutrient solutions for two days straight, which greatly satisfied her vanity. Before long, she began flaunting her status as Lin Qiu’s woman within Bloodthirst, even trying to get Lin Qiu to deal with the Honglian stronghold and Yun Qimu.

But to her surprise, no one in Bloodthirst took her seriously. The other women mocked her, and even Lin Qiu’s subordinates didn’t give her any respect.

Yesterday, she even provoked one of Bloodthirst’s most notorious women—a stunning beauty who was even more attractive than Ding Rou herself.

Everyone in Bloodthirst called her Sister Hong.

Sister Hong held a high status in Bloodthirst. Even those who looked down on Ding Rou or mocked her were afraid of Sister Hong.

Naturally, Ding Rou didn’t get away unscathed.

With her bright red lips and dazzling smile, Sister Hong gave Ding Rou a harsh lesson, then pointed out her real situation in Bloodthirst.

Turns out, she was nothing more than a plaything for Lin Qiu’s amusement. There had been many like her before, but only a few ever lasted. Sister Hong even warned her, in a mocking tone, to behave herself—or she’d end up like those who’d disappeared.

Ding Rou didn’t dare ask what happened to them, and Sister Hong didn’t say, but she knew it couldn’t be anything good.

Finally, the pampering haze cleared from Ding Rou’s mind. She no longer dared to make demands of Lin Qiu, and every time she looked at this refined man, she felt a growing fear and couldn’t help but tremble.

Luckily, today the people from Mercenary City arrived, and Lin Qiu went out to meet them. Otherwise, she might have been exposed.

After Lin Qiu left, she seized the chance to find her father, Ding Huaxiong, who was stationed outside. She told him everything in fear, and after a tearful reunion, they came up with a plan—to find another patron.

Since Lin Qiu was unreliable and dangerous, she’d just have to find another man.

This morning, she saw how eager Lin Qiu was to please the newcomers from Mercenary City, which showed just how powerful they were. She quickly made up her mind to target Mercenary City and boldly approached them.

Ding Rou felt as if fate was smiling on her. Not long after leaving, she ran into Dongfang Ji and his group, who were lost in an alley just outside the Longteng base."