Auction's End
--- Chapter 53 ---
Liu Mei started the bid for Rune Stones, making everyone frantically open their mouths to trade their resources for Rune Stones. The male bidders seemed more eager after the Dragon Nest's secretary displayed her power. Since the Dragon Auction Event only placed 300 Rune Stones, it became a war of mouth between the factions.
Liu Mei walked to the nearest metal boxes Without wasting everyone's time and announced, "Dragon Nest placed 300 Rune Stones for today's auction. 100 Rune Stones are purple, 199 are black, and lastly was a red Rune Stone."
"The rule hasn't changed, and you can freely trade your resources/treasures with Rune Stone. Of course, the value has to be equal."
A series of papers flew to the bidders, which contained details about the Rune Stone's spirit ring. Each recorded the age and from what type of spirit beast the spirit ring came. The higher list caught everyone's attention because everything above number 30 could be considered a rare and even extinct Spirit Beast.
A thousand words aren't enough to describe their surprise because some of these Spirit Rings actually were recorded in the legend because of their terrifying abilities. Weirdly, number one on the list seemed unknown on the paper.
At the Shrek Academy's Vip Room, Yan Shaozhe clenched his hand excitedly and muttered, "He's right... That Young man's advice saved us from trading useless things."
Even so, Yan Shaozhe had to admit that he underestimated Rune Stone's value. They are no lower than Spirit Bone in significance, considering some Rune Stones contained a Spirit Ring from legends. 10.000 years ago, these spirit beasts were considered famous and even optimal pairs for a "certain." type of Martial Soul.
"Hehehe~! Looks, Who are laughing now." A vicious chuckle escaped Yan Shaozhe's mouth, making him look like a third-rate villain.
Sin Lin'er sighed inside because of her friend's reaction and was relieved because she wasn't dumb enough to bid before. She looked around the Auction Hall to find the mysterious young man's location because he wasn't on the first floor.
"There." She stared at the furthest VIP room, framed on the second floor's corner. "Hmm? I can't see clearly beyond the curtain."
Huo Yuhao glanced at Sin Lin'er, slightly amused by the Valkyrie Douluo's attempt to observe him from afar. Unfortunately, her vision won't pass through the enchanted curtain. Even if she used her spiritual energy, he could easily counter it with Haoshoku Haki.
A faint yet powerful Spiritual Energy emitted by Huo Yun'er and Huo Yuho smiled because she didn't have to use her illusion here. And he can't do anything about it because everyone who tried to pry into their secrets has received a backlash.
"Uugh." Sin Lin'er felt an intense pain in her head and groaned painfully for a few seconds. She gasped for air and solemnly watched the mysterious young man's room.
"H-How powerful..."
Yan Shaozhe noticed something was wrong and asked, "Are you okay? Your face becomes pale all of a sudden."
Sin Lin'er trembled slightly and replied, "Yeah. It must have been the wind. The room is quite chill, you know."
"Okay..." The Shrek Academy's Dean responded while giving her a suspicious look. It's not hard to know something was wrong with Sin Lin'er.
Liu Mei opened the first metal box and revealed several purple Rune Stones. She picked the nearest one because that was the lowest on the list. "We'll start from this Rune Stone. You can read the document and know how old and from what kind of spirit beast the spirit ring came." She said while gazing at the crowd.
"Go."
The bidders started to present their treasures' value at Liu Mei and hoped to win the trade. The Dragon Nest's Secretary fixed her glasses and listened carefully.
"First Purple Rune stone traded for 1.000 years old white lotus."
"Second Purple Rune stone traded for Geocentric Lightning Essence."
"Third Purple Rune stone traded for Water Core from the Balak Kingdom."
"Fourth..."
"Fifth..."
"Sixth..."
...
...
Liu Mei recorded everything with her tablet and kept everyone on a checklist because some guests might want to create a loophole later. She clicked on the last Purple Rune Stone and watched their expressions, overwhelmed by adrenaline.
"Okay, we are done with the appetizer." She said while leaning on the following metal box. "Now, we are on the entree."
"Warning, Major Factions like Shrek Academy, Sun and Moon Empire, and Body Sect couldn't trade more than 50 Black Rune Stones."
"And why's that even mentioned!" A short-looking man with cross-shaped scars on his chest suddenly yelled from the Vip room. "I have enough resources, so why should I let a lesser group of people take it?"
This man is from Body Sect, an organization where the Spirit Master trained a rare type of Martial Soul. And Body Sect is rather unorthodox as they only accepted members with Body's Type Martial Soul. It means someone with Spirit Eyes, like Huo Yun'er and Huo Yuhao, could join.
Liu Mei smiled at the man and replied, "Don't you think 50 is enough? After all, We have to share things. I won't force you to participate if you don't want to, but the exit door was there. You can get out anytime."
Even though Liu Mei doesn't release any form of pressure, the way she talks makes everything more threatening. The Body Sect's representatives could only grit their teeth in annoyance and accepted the rule.
"The first Black Rune Stone." She continued while opening the second metal box. "Bidders, go!"
"Heaven Spirit Empire traded 30kg of Heavenly Jade and Two 10.000 years old Spirit Bones for 20 Black Rune Stones."
"Dou Ling Empire traded Spirit traded 1 Ton of Volcanic Rupture Ore and 1 Spirit Bone for 20 Black Rune Stones."
"Oh? What a surprise, Star Luo Empire traded more Star Essence, 10.000 years old Ginseng, and 45 Kilo of Refined Meteorite Ore for 35 Rune Stones.." Liu Mei stared at the young woman in the Star Luo Empire's Vip room. "Such a splendid decision."
"Hmm? There is another surprise. Sun and Moon Empire traded 5 Seventh Class and 4 Eighth Class Spirit Guidance Tools for 24 Black Rune Stones."
At the Sun and Moon Empire's Vip Room, Jing Hongchen's expression darkened because they didn't have enough resources to buy 50 Black Rune Stones. He wasted most of them on Dragon Nest's equipment, which had the Rune Mastery's secret.
"God damn it... I should have saved our resources." He cursed while gripping the sofa's edge.
Yan Shaozhe laughed when hearing a frustrated groan from the Sun and Moon Empire's Vip room. He was delighted because Jing Hongchen actually lost it. "Imagine you don't have enough resources to bid in an Auction. It couldn't be me, Bwahaha." His laughter escaped the room.
Several people laughed too, and Jing Hongchen fumed inside when hearing Yan Shaozhe's comment, wishing death upon this Shrek Academy's bastard.
"Just you wait, Shrek..." Jing Hongchen mumbled indifferently.
Liu Mei ignored Shrek Academy and Sun And Moon Empire's banter and moved her gaze to the Body Sect. She heard a firm deal from the representatives and announced it.
"Congratulations to Body Sect for getting 50 Black Rune Stones by trading the 20.000 years old Geocentric Dark Pearl and several Heaven and Earth's treasures."
"Hmph. We could trade more if there is no limit." The representatives from Body Sect huffed arrogantly.
Sin Lin'er glanced at Yan Shaozhe and called Liu Mei to trade Shrek Academy's resources for the Rune Stones. She slapped Yan Shaozhe's shoulder and said, "That item should be enough, right?"
"Yeah." Yan Shaozhe replied playfully with a nod.
Liu Mei listened to Sin Lin'er and declared, "Congratulations to the Shrek Academy for getting 50 Black Rune Stones by trading 15 Spirit Bones, several Rare Medicine Ingredients, and Fallen Ancient Golden Tree's Branch."
"Shrek, they prepared some Good Shit for this Auction."
"As expected of the Shrek Academy."
"Oh my god, how could they have so many Spirit Bones?"
"I mean, it's Shrek Academy. What do you expect? Their roots started 10.000 years and even birthed several heaven-defying monsters, including the Thousand Hands Asura and Tang Sect's Master, Tang San."
Praises and jealousy come one after another, but Yan Shaozhe and Sin Ling'er have become numb because they are proud members of Shrek Academy. He even smirked when hearing Tang San's name from a random guest.
Liu Mei released a sigh and closed the metal box, leaving the last item for the Dragon Auction Event. "Ladies and gentlemen, open your eyes and witness this Red Rune Stone." She walked over to the podium and grasped the last metal box.
"This Rune Stone was unique, specially created to hold 400.000 years old Spirit Rings from a powerful Dragon Spirit Beast, Lord Sabtush. It possessed incredible power and two Spirit Skills."
"Dragon's Fear and Sky Dragon Lord."
"You also could gain Sabtush's Origin Bloodline from this rune stone. One of its kind, Blood Rune Stone." Liu Mei clicked on her tablet, and the box's lid was slowly opened from the inside, revealing an enormous black rock with a unique red marking.
ROAR!
BOOM!
The Auction Hall suddenly was swept over by powerful Dragon Roar, and everyone with Dragon-like Martial Soul felt fear from the depth of their soul.
"ARGHHHH!"
"NOOOOOO?!!!"
"MY HEAD!"
"M-MOMMY!"
"DADDY!!"
"AUHUUAAAHHAA!"
Sin Lin'er who possessed Greenflame Dragon Martial Soul felt a tight grip in her heart and let out a bloodcurdling scream. She hugged herself uncomfortably and hoped for this to end. The other guest is no better than Sin Lin'er because they also experience the same pressure, feeling imaginary dragon fang on their necks.
"What a weak group of people." An indifferent voice echoed in the Auction Hall.
"You can't even handle this weak sauce pressure?"
[Supreme King's Presence]
A golden light escaped Huo Yuhao's Vip room, surrounding the whole Auction Hall with a majestic presence. The blue-haired young man lazily leaned on the sofa and shattered Blood Rune Stone's pressure, isolating it inside the metal box.
Clasp!
The metal box gradually created a translucent barrier and covered Sabtush's Rune Stone from releasing excessive pressure. However, everyone still remembers the dread in their hearts.
"For those who possessed Dragon Martial Soul, you're a fucking disgrace to Dragon Clan." Huo Yuhao added while deactivating Supreme King's presence.
Liu Mei giggled when hearing Huo Yuhao's comment and looked at the baffled expression of the guests. She shook her head because the young lord was as outstanding as usual. "Now, let's see who wanted to bid for Sabtush's Rune Stone?" She questioned amusingly.
Jing Honchen immediately slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Sun and Moon Empire would like to trade 2 Ninth Class Spirit Guidance Tools for Sabtush's Rune Stone!"
"Hoho, 2 Ninth Class Spirit Guidance Tools going once."
"2 Ninth Class Spirit Guidance Tools, going twice."
The representative from Body Sect raised his voice and joined the bid, "Body Sect would like to trade 25 Spirit Bones for Sabtush's Rune Stone!"
"Oh my fucking gods, these guys are NUTS!" The audience couldn't help but comment. The amount of resources the Body Sect and Sun and Moon Empire possessed is ridiculous.
Sin Lin'er calmed herself down and gripped Yan Shaozhe's thighs. "S-Shaozhe, We can't let them grasp such a dangerous item. We have to. No, S-Shrek Academy had to get Sabtush's Rune Stone." She mumbled weakly.
"I know." Yan Shaozhe nodded solemnly.
"Shrek Academy would like to trade 25 Spirit Bones and Three drops of Ancient Golden Tree's Essence."
"5 NINTH CLASS SPIRIT GUIDANCE TOOLS!" Jing Hongchen declared, leaving everyone speechless. They couldn't believe their ears for a moment because the Ninth Class Spirit Guidance Tool cost more than 100.000 years old Spirit Ring.
Meanwhile, Shrek Academy and Body Sect are shocked by Jing Hongchen's decision. This man is mad.
"Congratulations to Sun and Moon Empire for getting Sabtush's Rune Stone by trading 5 Ninth Class Spirit Guidance Tools. What a good Auction we have today." Liu Mei responded naturally.
She bent her body slightly and continued, "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Dragon Auction Event has ended today. Thank you for participating."
"We, Dragon Nest, wish everyone to return home safely."
...
...
Huo Yuhao Vip room.
"They are more idiots than I thought." Huo Yun'er commented while resting her head on Huo Yuhao's shoulders.
"Who knows?" Huo Yuhao laughed and glanced into his Inventory.
[Inventory]
[...]
[Bronze Monarch's Rune Stone(20)]
[Water Behemoth's Rune Stone(34)]
[Insect Monarch's Rune Stone(11)]
[Pandora's Rune Stone(2)]
[Sabtush's Rune Stone(18)]