All Things Are Contracts

Chapter 54

The middle-aged man was tall and straight, with an extraordinary temperament. His facial features were clear and defined, with deep contours, revealing a mature and steady charm. His eyes were deep and bright, revealing a hint of wisdom and determination.

“It’s actually Bing Qianqiu, Steward Bing from the Wu Wei Association,” people below whispered.

“The one hosting the auction this time is actually Bing Qianqiu, an expert at the ninth stage of Moon Profound Realm. One more step and he could be a city lord, becoming a high-ranking official,” others murmured. Among the hundred cities of the Eastern Kingdom, city lords were generally at the Sun Profound Realm, but some smaller, peripheral cities could have Moon Profound Realm officials. Ninth stage Moon Profound Realm was a high-level figure in any country. However, important cities like Sun City still needed someone like Zhan Yunfei at the peak of ninth stage Sun Profound Realm to keep things under control, while Pearl City even had a Spirit God Realm expert presiding over it.

“Everyone, welcome to this auction. As always, this auction is jointly organized by the Wu Wei, Fu Yuan, and Thousand Steeds Associations. There are quite a few treasures in this auction as well. I hope everyone enjoys themselves,” the middle-aged man said, cupping his hands. Then, changing his tone and looking serious, he added, “Without rules, there can be no square. Our auction has always had only one principle – ‘Regardless of background or strength, the highest bidder wins!’ I hope everyone can give face to our three major associations and refrain from showing off or making things difficult for us during the auction.”

Everyone understood Bing Qianqiu’s words clearly. In many small auctions, people from big factions often appeared, saying things like “This item, I so-and-so want it, whoever dares to bid is my enemy” and other threatening words, preventing items from reaching their true price. But the auction here was jointly organized by the world’s three major associations. Even if a Spirit God Realm expert were present, they wouldn’t have the face to say such things. Here, it was just as Bing Qianqiu said: regardless of background or strength, the highest bidder wins.

“Steward Bing, let’s begin. We all understand the rules. Whoever dares to threaten or bribe, this old man will be the first to object,” an old man’s voice came from a VIP room.

“That old monster is here too? Over 400 years old and only at Sun Profound Realm, he probably has no hope of entering Spirit God Realm in this life. Such people are the most terrifying,” people below whispered again. It was common knowledge in this world that ordinary people lived to 100, Profound Beings to 500, Spirit God Realm to 1000, and True Realm to 3000. A cultivator over 400 years old just entering Sun Profound Realm would probably die of old age before entering Spirit God Realm. Each minor stage breakthrough after the Profound Realm was very difficult. But Sun Profound Realm was still Sun Profound Realm, and that aura of pressure was chilling.

“It seems Old Master Gu can’t wait. Then let’s officially begin,” Bing Qianqiu clapped his hands, and a tall beauty in a red cheongsam walked up carrying a jade tray covered with golden silk. Nothing ordinary could appear at this auction.

“This first treasure is an illumination Stone,” Bing Qianqiu unveiled the golden silk, revealing a transparent illumination Stone. It didn’t look special.

“Haha, you all probably don’t know its uniqueness. I can tell you, this is a product of the ‘Holy Light Sacred Court’, an illumination Stone compressed a hundred times. One is equivalent to a hundred. The value of this item isn’t high, but its commemorative significance is extraordinary. Starting price is 100 purple crystal coins, each bid must be no less than 100 purple crystal coins,” Bing Qianqiu introduced.

Everyone looked at each other, not saying a word.

In the VIP room, Zhanyue showed a strange smile and quietly asked Baizhi beside him, “Is this an advertisement from the Holy Light Sacred Court, telling us they’ve developed this kind of illumination Stone?”

Baizhi nodded, “That’s right. The people here are either rich or noble. Selling just one is actually just for advertising effect, letting everyone know the Holy Light Sacred Court has this thing. If there’s a large demand, naturally people will contact the Sacred Court. Otherwise, what’s the point of buying one of these?”

It seems no place can do without sponsor advertisements.

“Zhanyue, buy it. I’m quite curious,” the illumination Goddess’s divine sense came in his mind.

“Alright,” Zhanyue immediately spoke up: “200 purple crystal coins.”

“300 purple crystal coins!”

“400 purple crystal coins!”

Not many people participated in the bidding. Who cares about commemorative significance? They were just bidding for fun, after all it was the first auction item.

“5000 purple crystal coins once, 5000 purple crystal coins twice, 5000 purple crystal coins thrice, sold!”

In the end, Zhanyue got it for 5000 purple crystal coins. This thing was just a sample; buying in large quantities wouldn’t be worth so much money. But Zhanyue was just satisfying his sister’s curiosity.

One advertisement was enough; any more and the audience would start to complain. Bing Qianqiu and the others naturally knew this principle.

“This second auction item is a fragment of a technique manual. It’s said this technique was originally a gold-grade technique, but it’s now incomplete. Those confident in completing the technique, or wanting to seek an opportunity, shouldn’t miss this. Starting price is 100,000 purple crystal coins, each bid must be no less than 10,000,” Bing Qianqiu revealed the second auction item. In a real sense, this was actually the first formal auction item.

“A fragment of a gold-grade technique?” Although it was just a fragment, many people were already restless.

“Sister, this technique, should I bid?” Zhanyue naturally knew the illumination Goddess had vast knowledge, so he consulted her opinion. Although he didn’t have much cash, he could use pills for deduction later.

“How many bargains do you think exist in this world? A fragment is just a fragment. You don’t even know how much is missing. Most people lose their rationality when they hear the words ‘gold-grade’. It’s probably just buying a few pieces of waste paper. You don’t need to take this risk. After all, you’re not some tycoon now. Save your money for more important things,” the illumination Goddess advised.

Zhanyue’s greatest virtue was that he listened to advice.

“1.2 million once, 1.2 million twice, 1.2 million thrice! Sold.” As Bing Qianqiu’s voice fell, this technique fragment was finally bought by that mysterious Old Master Gu. Many people knew this thing was probably waste paper, but for Old Master Gu, 1.2 million was just a small amount. He was willing to take a gamble. What if, what if it helped his advancement?

“Tsk tsk, there are still many rich people willing to spend 1.2 million on a fragment,” Zhanyue thought to himself. How much were the two complete gold-grade techniques his sister taught him worth? Probably an astronomical figure.

Zhanyue looked at Baizhi sitting beside him. That girl’s mind wasn’t on these auction items at all.

“What exactly are you here to buy?” Zhanyue asked curiously.

“You’ll know later. Don’t talk now, I’m a bit nervous,” Baizhi’s hands were trembling slightly, showing how nervous she was.

Various alchemy and artifact refining materials, pills, techniques, even ancient books and paintings were displayed one by one. The auction was in full swing, letting Zhanyue see how the rich people of this world spent money.

Gradually, there weren’t many items left in the auction. Bing Qianqiu cleared his throat, took a sip of tea, and said to everyone.

“Everyone, there are five treasures left in the auction. These are the highlights of this auction. Get ready and we’ll begin.”

The auction finally entered its climax.

“This first treasure is a fourth-grade pill formula. Everyone is familiar with the Qi Replenishing Pill, right? A fourth-grade pill, effective even for Profound Beings, can regulate internal qi and improve bodily functions, making one more enduring in battle. The formula for fourth-grade Qi Replenishing Pills isn’t rare, many of your families have it, but this formula has improved the refinement of Qi Replenishing Pills, increasing the pill yield by 30% and improving the pill quality. Higher yield, better quality, you all understand. To be honest, if the formula’s owner hadn’t insisted on auctioning it, our Wu Wei Association would have snatched it up long ago. Starting price, 1 million purple crystal coins, each bid must be no less than 50,000 purple crystal coins,” Bing Qianqiu said.