Chapter 39: The Auction: Part 3

The auction extended from the first light of dawn until well into the afternoon. Throughout those hours, a variety of objects and beings passed through the podium, each with its own story and value. Among all the auctioned items, there were some that stood out and captured the attention of everyone present.

First, an armor made by the Divine Craftsman Luo Gao capable of withstanding the full impact of a Spiritual King. Its surface shone with a metallic glow, and the runes engraved on it seemed to pulse with an ancient and powerful energy.

Then, a storage ring with a capacity of 10m³, found in some ruins, capable of holding vast amounts of resources and objects without altering their weight. This ring was a coveted treasure for any spiritual master seeking efficiency and convenience in their travels.

Additionally, a large number of slaves were presented, from common laborers to exotic cat women, whose feline ears and tails added a touch of mystery and attraction. Each of them was examined and bid on fervently, as buyers sought to add the most valuable and unique individuals to their ranks.

When only about a hundred people remained in the room, the auctioneer, with a satisfied smile, thanked those present for staying until the end. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I appreciate your patience and enthusiasm. For those who have stayed with us until now, I have prepared two very special surprises."

With resounding applause, the large doors of the room swung open. An elegant woman, dressed in a silver suit that shone under the lights, entered pushing a cart. On the cart rested a wand, but it was not an ordinary wand. Its surface was adorned with intricate engravings and gems that sparkled with their own light.

"Allow me to present the first surprise of the night," announced the auctioneer in a clear and exciting voice. "This wand was found in the same ruins where the storage ring was discovered. It is a Spiritual Guide Device of attack, and although it is damaged, it has the same power as a Saint's attack. However, it only has enough energy for two shots."

The audience held their breath as the woman in the silver suit lifted the wand so everyone could see it. The engravings on the wand seemed to come to life, and the gems shone with an intensity that captured everyone's attention.

"This wand is not only an object of great beauty but also a tool of incalculable power," continued the auctioneer. "The bidding for this treasure will start at 1000 gold coins, and each increment must be greater than 100 gold coins. Who will be the first to offer?"

The room filled with murmurs and whispers as the attendees evaluated the wand's value. A man in the front row raised his paddle and said firmly, "1100 gold coins!"

"1100 gold coins! Anyone going higher?" asked the auctioneer, his voice resonating with enthusiasm.

"1200!" exclaimed a woman from the back of the room.

The bidding continued, each offer surpassing the previous one, while the excitement in the room grew with each increment. The wand had captured everyone's imagination, and the competition to own it was fierce.

After a while, the price of the wand had risen to more than 8000 gold coins. The attendees continued bidding fervently: "8300!", "8500!" could be heard from different corners of the room. Suddenly, the man in the room next to Xue Sha's approached the balcony so everyone could see him and, with a refined voice, declared: "15000 gold coins!"

The room fell silent for a moment, surprised by the offer. Xue Sha, intrigued, turned to his butler and asked, "Who is that?"

The butler, with a slight bow, replied, "That is the Patriarch of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, his name is Ning Fengzhi."

Xue Sha raised an eyebrow, showing renewed interest. "Oh?" he murmured, while observing Ning Fengzhi with a calculating look.

Xue Sha, with a smile that mixed jest and truth, commented, "I've heard they have wealth comparable to a kingdom. Perhaps it would be worth considering a little reallocation of their possessions."

The butler gave a discreet smile, but before Xue Sha could continue, the auctioneer interrupted with a firm and theatrical voice: "Anyone else going to raise the price? 15000 gold coins going once...!"

The room fell silent, the tension palpable as everyone awaited the outcome.

"15000 gold coins going twice...!" continued the auctioneer, his voice resonating with a mix of authority and expectation.

The eyes of those present turned to Ning Fengzhi, who remained unperturbed, confident in his offer.

"And sold!" finally exclaimed the auctioneer, raising his gavel in a dramatic gesture. "The spiritual guide device goes to number 8."

Applause resonated in the room as Ning Fengzhi nodded with satisfaction. The wand had found a new owner, and the excitement in the room was palpable.

Ning Fengzhi returned to his room, satisfied with his acquisition. Meanwhile, the auctioneer, with an enigmatic smile, addressed the audience:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the last and most anticipated item of the night. I assure you that what you are about to see is something truly extraordinary."

The woman in the silver suit, who had brought the wand, left with the cart, while another woman entered the room. This time, she was pushing a cart covered with a cloth, increasing the anticipation among those present.

The woman stopped in the center of the stage and, with an elegant gesture, removed the cloth, revealing a cage. Inside the cage, a girl of about six years old looked at the audience with large, frightened eyes.

The room fell silent, surprised by the revelation. The auctioneer explained in a suggestive voice:

"This girl has a high probability that when she awakens her martial spirit, it will mutate, giving her tiger ears and tail. Her parents are very special individuals; both experienced a similar mutation when they awakened their tiger martial spirit. Therefore, this girl has up to a 50% chance of a similar mutation occurring."

The auctioneer paused, looking at the audience with a knowing wink. "For those who enjoy this type of peculiarity, I assure you that you will love it."

The audience murmured among themselves, evaluating the information. "The bidding for this girl will start at 40,000 gold coins, and each increment must be greater than 1,000 gold coins. Who will be the first to offer?" asked the auctioneer, with a voice full of expectation.