A Frenzy of Bids, Six Million Orders!
"I'll offer 10% above the market price!" Dai Mubai declared with a fiery gaze.
Although the Star Luo Empire wasn't as powerful as the Heaven Dou Empire, they could still afford a few chickens.
This chicken soup had actually allowed him, a Soul Emperor, to feel an increase in his soul power.
If it were used to help low-level soul masters build a foundation during their early years, it would give them a head start of twenty years!
Such a treasure must not be let go.
Hearing Dai Mubai's words, Prince Xue Xing's expression shifted slightly.
So, the bidding had already begun?
As expected, the Star Luo Empire still saw the Heaven Dou Empire as half an enemy at heart.
They believed in striking first.
Perhaps the Star Luo Empire really was behind the assassination attempt on Xue Qinghe.
Putting aside the diplomatic incident, he absolutely had to secure the purchase rights for the Fire Spirit Chickens.
Prince Xue Xing lightly tapped the table, glanced at Ye Tian, and smiled at Dai Mubai. "I'll offer 30% above the market price!"
"40%!"
Dai Mubai replied with a calm and polite tone:
"Your Highness, I won't fall behind in a commercial competition."
"70%, plus tax exemption privileges!"
Prince Xue Xing stated indifferently.
They were just a few chickens—how expensive could they be? Even doubling the price wouldn't be a problem.
However, Prince Xue Xing didn't want to go that far.
He believed that the tax exemption privilege alone would be enough to sway Ye Tian.
But Ye Tian's expression remained unchanged, showing none of the shock Prince Xue Xing had anticipated.
In truth, Ye Tian was only interested in the money.
After all, Bibi Dong was short on funds, and he could use the money from selling the Fire Spirit Chickens to lend her some.
In the future, he might even gain some benefits from the Spirit Hall.
Of course, Ye Tian had never considered giving anything to Bibi Dong for free.
After all, Bibi Dong had never given him anything for free either.
As for the tax exemption privileges Prince Xue Xing mentioned, Ye Tian couldn't care less.
He had long studied the laws of the Heaven Dou Empire.
As a commoner, he would indeed have to pay a lot in taxes.
But according to imperial law, nobles were exempt from taxes.
So, years ago, he had spent a small sum to register his workshop under the names of dozens of nobles.
Normally, he didn't have to pay a single coin in taxes.
Tax exemption privileges were as useless to him as chicken ribs.
Ye Tian shrugged and reminded them, "I forgot to mention, Fire Spirit Chickens aren't ordinary chickens. Even at a friendly price, they cost 150 gold soul coins each."
"If you don't believe me, you can check the market. 150 gold soul coins was the price before the typhoon hit."
"Now, it's more than 200 gold soul coins. Not to mention, the Fire Spirit Chickens I raise are specially bred. You've already experienced their effects."
"150 gold soul coins?!" Prince Xue Xing exclaimed as if he had heard something unbelievable.
This was way too expensive!
The price of one Fire Spirit Chicken was enough to buy 2,000 ordinary chickens.
A normal soul master couldn't eat 2,000 chickens in a year even if they ate nothing else!
"But there's a reason for the high price. Such a precious Fire Spirit Chicken is indeed worth it."
Prince Xue Xing muttered to himself.
"Although we can't feed it to all soul master schools nationwide, having the students of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy drink some chicken soup daily is something the Heaven Dou Empire can afford."
Then, Prince Xue Xing felt a pang of regret. He had just boldly offered 70% above the market price.
He had really dug his own grave this time.
Hearing Ye Tian's price, Dai Mubai also felt a sharp pain in his heart.
The Star Luo Empire's royal family wasn't particularly wealthy.
Purchasing a large number of Fire Spirit Chickens would be a significant expense.
He pondered to himself:
"Perhaps after buying the Fire Spirit Chickens, we can find skilled individuals in the empire to study how to breed them."
The Star Luo Empire was, after all, a vast empire. Dai Mubai refused to believe they couldn't figure out how to raise a few chickens.
"…In that case, using the high-quality Fire Spirit Chickens purchased from Ye Tian as breeding stock would be quite cost-effective."
Thinking this, Dai Mubai's expression regained its confidence. He raised his hand and looked at Ye Tian:
"The Star Luo Empire will also match the offer—70% above the market price for the Fire Spirit Chickens!"
After saying this, Dai Mubai turned to Prince Xue Xing and smiled:
"Your Highness, as guests, we should at least be given a fair chance. You can't monopolize the Fire Spirit Chickens in Ye Tian's hands."
"Why don't we both take a step back and end the bidding here?"
Perfect… Prince Xue Xing swallowed his bitterness but maintained a smile on his surface:
"Haha, Prince Mubai is absolutely right."
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi, who had been quietly observing the scene at the dining table, slowly swirled the chicken soup in his hand.
He examined it closely, then shook his head with a smile, thinking to himself:
"It's just a bowl of chicken soup. What's there to fight over?"
"It seems the higher-ups of both empires have been too comfortable for too long."
"They're so caught up in chasing culinary pleasures that they've forgotten the Spirit Hall, a behemoth quietly encroaching on the survival space of the two empires and the major sects."
As he mused, Ning Fengzhi also took a sip of the soup.
He wanted to see what was so enticing about this soup that even members of the two empires' royal families couldn't stop praising it.
The moment the soup touched his tongue, Ning Fengzhi's body stiffened, just like Prince Xue Xing had earlier.
"Father, what's wrong?" Ning Rongrong, sitting beside him, was startled and quickly supported Ning Fengzhi's shoulder.
"Ye Tian!" Ning Fengzhi's clenched fist dropped onto the table, then slowly relaxed.
"Master Ning, what can I do for you?" Ye Tian turned to look at him.
"…Count the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in for the Fire Spirit Chicken purchase."
As soon as these words were spoken, Prince Xue Xing and Dai Mubai simultaneously fell silent.
If Ning Fengzhi was buying, it meant they would get less.
But since Ning Fengzhi was a supporter of the Heaven Dou royal family, Prince Xue Xing couldn't refuse his participation.
Beside Dai Mubai, Yu Yuanzhen carefully pondered everyone's words.
He was utterly confused.
What was going on?
Why were they all fighting to buy Fire Spirit Chickens?
Staring at the bowl of chicken soup in front of him, Yu Yuanzhen picked it up with a curious expression and took a sip.
The moment the soup entered his stomach, Yu Yuanzhen was struck with awe.
Then, he was overcome with joy.
This wasn't just chicken soup!
It was practically divine medicine!
Yu Yuanzhen, swallowing his pride, spoke up: "…Young brother Ye Tian, could you…"
Before Yu Yuanzhen could finish, and before Ye Tian could respond, Prince Xue Xing bluntly interrupted:
"Anyone can buy, except you!"
He sneered at Yu Yuanzhen.
"Until the assassination attempt is cleared up, we are enemies!"
"Not only will you not be able to buy Fire Spirit Chickens, but if anyone from your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family steps foot into Heaven Dou territory, they will face immediate and severe retaliation!"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Yu Yuanzhen immediately fell silent and said nothing more.
Even he began to suspect his own grandson, Yu Tianheng.
Could it be that Tianheng had joined the evil soul masters?
"Your Highness, have you forgotten again? No diplomacy at the dinner table," Dai Mubai said with a smile, trying to smooth things over for Yu Yuanzhen.
Hearing this tactful remark, Prince Xue Xing's expression softened slightly.
He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and calmly stated, "Since we're not discussing diplomacy, let's continue with business."
"The Heaven Dou Empire is willing to offer six million gold soul coins to purchase the Fire Spirit Chickens!"
(End of Chapter)
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