NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Auction Ends
Chapter 15: The Auction Ends
When the auctioneer announced the next item as a Xuan-class low-tier movement technique, the entire auction hall fell into a sudden silence. Compared to the earlier excitement over the Foundation Elixir, the impact of a Xuan-class technique was far more profound.
While elixirs are precious, their effects are temporary, which is one reason why in Mo Yu's past life, high-level weapon refiners were even more sought after than high-level alchemists. A weapon forged by a skilled refiner could accompany a warrior for a lifetime, while elixirs only provided a temporary boost.
Similarly, a powerful technique, much like a weapon, could be used throughout a lifetime and even passed down to future generations. In some ways, a high-level technique could drive people to even greater lengths than an elixir could.
Between two fighters of the same level, the one with the higher-level technique would undoubtedly have the upper hand and emerge victorious. This is why techniques are so highly coveted—after all, survival is the most important thing for a warrior.
Movement techniques are especially rare among all types of techniques. In the world of martial arts, speed is paramount, and this principle holds true on the Dou Qi continent as well. With a high-level movement technique, one can control the pace of battle and retreat easily if necessary.
After all, there's no shame in fleeing if you can't win—losing your life is the real tragedy.
With this in mind, the crowd began to snap out of their daze, and many pairs of fervent eyes fixated on the black scroll on stage, seemingly forgetting the alluring Ya Fei standing beside it.
"Everyone," Ya Fei began with a charming smile, lifting the black scroll with her delicate hands, "this Xuan-class movement technique has been consigned to our Mittel Auction House by a trustworthy source. Rest assured, there will be no trouble from acquiring it. You can bid with confidence."
"Miss Ya Fei, just tell us the price already!" someone in the crowd shouted impatiently.
Maintaining her alluring smile, Ya Fei announced, "The starting bid for You Long Jiu Shan is 60,000 gold coins!"
As soon as the high starting price was revealed, the auction hall quieted down considerably—most people there simply couldn't afford such a hefty sum.
Sitting in a secluded spot, Mo Yu nodded faintly upon hearing the price. An ordinary Xuan-class low-tier technique typically went for about 50,000 gold coins, and since You Long Jiu Shan was a movement technique, its slightly higher price was justified. But this was an auction, and the final price would surely exceed the starting bid.
Mo Yu's lips curled into a slight smile. While he wasn't overly concerned about money, getting a higher price certainly wouldn't hurt.
At the front of the room, the heads of Wu Tan City's three major families looked slightly tense under the high starting bid. The atmosphere in the hall became a bit stiff.
However, Ya Fei remained calm, her enchanting smile unwavering. She knew well the allure of a Xuan-class technique. Some people would go to great lengths, even ruin themselves financially, just to acquire such a technique.
As she expected, the silence didn't last long. A balding middle-aged man was the first to place a bid: "70,000!"
Mo Yu recognized the voice—it was Gree, the weapon tycoon from Wu Tan City, with whom he had previously done business.
"75,000!" Another bid quickly followed from an elderly man dressed in yellow, a well-known herbal merchant in Wu Tan City who owned several medicinal shops and was quite wealthy.
Gree shot a sharp glare at the old man before raising his bid again: "80,000!"
More bids followed from the crowd—after all, a Xuan-class movement technique was worth risking it all for.
"100,000!" A cold voice finally called out from the front row—Jia Lie Bi, one of the three major family heads, had joined the fray. Shortly after, the other two family heads also placed bids, and in no time, the price skyrocketed to 120,000 gold coins.
This steep price quickly discouraged many competitors. While the technique was valuable, it couldn't put food on the table.
At this point, Gree's face turned pale. After some hesitation, he gritted his teeth and shakily offered: "150,000!"
As soon as the bid left his lips, Gree seemed to deflate, as if the amount was a major strain on his finances. To everyone's surprise, however, none of the three family heads made another move, signaling their withdrawal from the bidding.
The crowd was puzzled—150,000 gold coins was a significant sum, but it shouldn't have been a dealbreaker for the three powerful families.
Only Ya Fei seemed to understand what was going on, as she smiled knowingly and struck the gavel. "Congratulations to Shopkeeper Gree on winning the Xuan-class technique, You Long Jiu Shan!"
Gree was momentarily stunned by his win. He glanced towards the three family heads, then a surge of joy washed over him. While 150,000 gold coins was a lot, it was still within his means as the owner of Wu Tan City's weapons monopoly.
Ya Fei then proceeded to introduce the next item with a flourish. "Now, for the final item of today's auction!" she announced as the lights dimmed again. She carefully revealed a silver tray containing an ancient-looking scroll that emitted a faint green glow.
"Xuan-class high-tier cultivation technique: Feng Juan Jue!"
The crowd finally understood why the three family heads had been holding back earlier—they had been waiting to bid on this. While Xuan-class movement techniques are rare, they are still low-tier. A high-tier Xuan-class cultivation technique was of far greater value!
Sure enough, as the scroll was unveiled, the three family heads' faces lit up with excitement, much like a groom seeing his bride for the first time.
Meanwhile, Mo Yu found himself growing a bit bored. Xuan-class techniques held no interest for him. However, the fact that You Long Jiu Shan had fetched 150,000 gold coins was a pleasant surprise. Combined with the earlier purchase of the large Shanhesh Stone, it had been a profitable day.
With little else to do, Mo Yu watched the three families' bidding war unfold like a spectator at a play. In the end, Jia Lie Bi won the scroll after a fierce battle with Xiao Zhan, paying a staggering 550,000 gold coins. Compared to that, the 150,000 for You Long Jiu Shan seemed like a bargain.
But Mo Yu didn't feel any regret. Standing up, he quietly left the auction hall.
"Time to collect my earnings and the item. Once I break through to Dou Zhe, it'll be time to leave Wu Tan City and explore the wider world," Mo Yu murmured to himself with a low chuckle as he exited.
(End of chapter)