Chapter 17: Snippet 3: Douluo Dalu: I have a Niffler as my Martial Spirit?:- Chapter 10
10. It's time for an Auction Scene. (Already?)
│3rd Person POV │
[Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Auction House...]
Heaven Dou Auction House was where any and all kinds of things were auctioned.
Only those with a bidding qualifications certificate may enter the Auction House to bid. Certification exists in several different levels, of which the threshold to enter is 10,000 Soul Coins.
In other words, hopeful participants must prove that they have assets equal to 10,000 Gold Soul Coins at least, and only then, could they participate in bidding.
This rule was in place so that people wouldn't enter to bid maliciously without having the ability to pay.
The Heaven Dou Auction House was bustling with activity on this particular day. It marked the anniversary of the Auction House's founding, a grand occasion celebrated with great fanfare. This day was especially significant as it was when the Auction House showcased and sold its most valuable and sought-after treasures, drawing crowds from across the region.
On this momentous occasion, the Auction Hall itself reflected the grandeur of the event, distinctly different from the venue used for daily auctions. This hall was an epitome of luxury and opulence, with intricate decorations that spoke of its exclusivity.
Golden embellishments adorned the walls and pillars, shimmering under the light of grand crystal chandeliers that hung elegantly from the high ceiling.
The floor was covered with plush red carpets embroidered with intricate patterns of silver and gold thread, adding a regal touch to the ambiance.
The seating arrangements were tiered, with velvet-cushioned chairs, ensuring that every attendee had a clear view of the stage.
The seats were altogether arranged into three sections. The five rows closest to the platform were Red, and moving successively out from there, the next were Black and Purple. Clearly, it was set up according to the different levels of bidders.
With the quality of items sold in this Auction, those with White and Yellow level qualifications weren't allowed to attend, so there were naturally no White and Yellow seats.
Next to each seat were special buttons to call out bids. Above the buttons were separately written 1,000, 10,000, 100,000, and 1,000,000, representing how much each bid would raise.
In the center of the hall was a grand auction stage, crafted from polished ebony and inlaid with golden filigree. Behind the stage, a backdrop of shimmering silk bore the emblem of the Heaven Dou Auction House, signifying the prestige of the establishment.
Attendants dressed in crisp, formal but slightly revealing attire moved gracefully among the guests, offering refreshments and ensuring every need was met.
The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation as distinguished guests, including nobles, wealthy merchants, and powerful Spirit Masters, took their places.
In the first five rows, not a single individual wore a mask to hide their identity. This was a clear statement—everyone seated here exuded confidence and was unafraid of the potential risks that came with openly displaying their immense wealth and influence.
So, it was immediately apparent that the first-row seats were exclusively occupied by representatives of the most powerful forces on the Douluo Continent.
At the center of this distinguished row sat the envoy from the Martial Soul Hall, with representatives of the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire seated on either side.
The remaining seats in the first row were held by members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Clear Sky Clan, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—acknowledged as the Upper Three Sects.
As for the remaining Red-seated rows, they were occupied by representatives from the Lower Four Sects, prestigious Advanced Soul Master Academies, and other sects or clans closely affiliated with the powers represented in the first row. This arrangement reflected a clear hierarchy, with the strongest and most influential groups claiming the best positions in the auction hall.
An interesting fact was that Dugu Bo was the sole Red-Level Guest unaffiliated with any major faction or power.
Despite this, he was the primary reason all the major powers had sent their representatives to attend the auction—a fact known only to the Dugu Family and a select few within the Heaven Dou Auction House.
Suddenly, the lights above the stage lit up, instantly turning the auction stage into the focal point of the whole venue.
An elderly man with powerful Soul Power fluctuations stepped onto the stage from the side of the auction hall. His dignified demeanor and refined, scholarly aura conveyed an air of trustworthiness, immediately putting most of the auction participants at ease.
"Distinguished guests, welcome to Heaven Dou Auction House's Grand Annual Auction. My name is Xuan Zi and today, I will be hosting this auction." With that said, Elder Xuan gave a short bow to the participants. This immediately prompted most of the participants to applaud.
With a professional smile, he positioned himself behind the auction table and addressed the crowd. "Today's auction will feature only the most valuable and rare treasures. Moreover, we have an extraordinary item that holds the potential to revolutionize the world of Soul Masters. Esteemed guests, this is an opportunity you absolutely cannot afford to miss.
"Alright, I will not prattle on any further. Let us commence the auction. Bring forth the first item for bidding."
No sooner had Elder Xuan finished speaking than two young women dressed in elegant red cheongsams wheeled a cart onto the stage. The cart was draped in a luxurious purple cloth that shimmered under the stage lights, hinting at the treasure concealed beneath it.
Upon reaching the center of the stage, the women gracefully removed the cloth, unveiling a stunning bracelet. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, adorned with a flawless emerald that radiated a soft, captivating glow. The intricate design of the bracelet combined with the brilliance of the gemstone immediately drew the attention of the audience.
With a smile, Elder Xuan began introducing the first item. "Our opening auction piece is a rare Storage Soul Tool. What makes this item extraordinary is not just its impressive storage capacity of 100 cubic meters but its unique ability to store living things as well.
"The starting bid is 50,000 Gold Soul Coins and each bid must not be lower than 1,000 Gold Soul Coins. Ladies and gentlemen, start your bidding."
As soon as Elder Xuan concluded his introduction, a bidder wasted no time, instantly raising the starting price of the Emerald Bracelet by an impressive 5,000 Gold Soul Coins. Barely a moment later, another bid surged forward, pushing the cost to a hefty 60,000 Gold Soul Coins. The atmosphere in the auction hall crackled with excitement as the bids came fast and relentless.
Storage Soul Tools capable of housing living things were exceedingly rare, coveted treasures among both noble families and powerful Soul Masters alike.
In no time, the price skyrocketed, breaking the 100,000 Gold Soul Coins mark. Only then did the bidding pause for a few moments. A few of those fighting to bid at the start were hesitating now.
This was because the last bid of 110,000 Gold Soul Coins was made by Yang Wudi, the head of the Breaking Clan.
They knew about Yang Wudi's keen interest in medicinal plants, so they could infer that Yang Wudi was determined to obtain this Soul Tool. Additionally, Yang Wudi had the backing of the Clear Sky Clan so they were hesitating to increase the bid any further.
Moreover, this was only the first auction item and everyone had limited amounts of money in their hands.
"125,000 Gold Soul Coins!" At this moment, Elder Xuan's voice reverberated across the auction hall. "A Red Guest has bid 125,000 Gold Soul Coins. Are there any further bids?" His question hung in the air, a challenge to the remaining guests.
The sudden silence that followed was heavy with tension. Many attendees exchanged curious glances, speculating about the identity of the bold bidder.
Among them, Yang Wudi's eyes immediately darted toward the representative of the Martial Soul Hall. His expression turned serious, for he knew that among the Red Guests, few would have the determination to bid so aggressively on such a Storage Soul Tool, however rare it may be.
His suspicions were quickly confirmed as his gaze settled on the calm yet confident figure of Yue Guan, seated at the center of the front row. A man of immense power and influence, Yue Guan had a reputation for being extremely fascinated with flowers and herbs.
Yang Wudi understood the implications. With Yue Guan in the competition, his chances of obtaining this Storage Soul Tool were close to nil. So, he chose to accept this loss and didn't bid any further.
Elder Xuan's question lingered for a moment longer before he smiled faintly. "125,000 Gold Soul Coins going once…" His voice carried a sense of finality, daring anyone else to challenge the bid.
"125,000 Gold Soul Coins, going twice... 125,000 Gold Soul Coins, going thrice! Sold!" Elder Xuan's voice rang out with finality as his gaze shifted to the front row, landing on Yue Guan. "This Storage Soul Tool now belongs to Red Guest Number 001!" He declared, sealing the deal.
There was no hesitation in his tone. As the host of this prestigious auction, Elder Xuan was intimately familiar with the seating arrangements and the identities of the prominent figures in attendance. He had been watching the bidding closely, and he knew exactly who had secured the rare item.
He didn't explicitly call out the guest number at the start to not intimidate the other bidders from bidding.
Yue Guan, calm and composed, gave a small nod of acknowledgment, accepting his victory with dignified grace.
As Elder Xuan moved on to prepare for the next item, a ripple of murmurs spread throughout the hall. The bid had gone beyond what most expected, and the excitement in the air was palpable. What else would this exclusive auction hold?
=+=+=+=< Scene Change >=+=+=+=
│3rd Person POV │
The auction proceeded with item after item being sold, each more precious and rare than the last. Yet, despite the flurry of bids around him, Dugu Bo didn't participate even once.
His presence at the auction was mainly to observe the sale of the item he had put up for auction himself. He was keen to see if his grandson's idea would really work or not.
Time passed quickly, and soon enough, the second to the last item to be auctioned was brought to the stage.
Elder Bai stepped forward, his tone carrying a sense of anticipation. "The next item was originally intended to be the grand finale of this Grand Annual Auction. I'm sure its significance and value need no further explanation. With that said, let us unveil the next treasure."
Two young women gracefully pushed a cart onto the stage, carrying the penultimate item of the auction.
Upon reaching the center of the stage, the two women gently removed the covering, revealing a sleek and refined glass display box. Nestled on a plush velvet cushion inside was a Soul Bone, emanating a faint gray glow. Its distinct shape indicated that it was a Right Leg Bone.
"A Soul Bone! It's a Soul Bone!!"
"Indeed, this is some excellent stuff. I didn't expect the Heaven Dou Auction House to sell a Soul Bone in this auction."
"I had heard some rumors about this, but I never imagined they could actually be true."
Noticing the growing excitement among the crowd, Elder Xuan's smile deepened ever so slightly. He stepped forward, gesturing toward the displayed Soul Bone as he began his introduction.
"This Soul Bone originates from a Ten-Thousand-Year-old Nether Wolf," Elder Xuan announced, his voice steady but filled with enthusiasm. "The Nether Wolf is known for its speed, and they possess a Dark Attribute.
"Based on our analysis, it is highly likely that this Soul Bone possesses an ability similar to the Nether Wolf's innate skill, Light of the Netherworld—a skill that not only enhances speed but also reduces damage taken from physical attacks.
He paused briefly, letting the significance of his words sink in before continuing, "Soul Bones like this are not only invaluable but also incredibly rare. The Nether Wolf itself rarely manages to reach the Ten-Thousand-Year cultivation level. To find such a Soul Bone is nothing short of a miracle."
Elder Xuan's tone grew more compelling as he added, "This particular Soul Bone is ideally suited for Soul Masters who possess Dark Attribute Martial Soul. Its compatibility promises to enhance the strength of its wielder significantly. For those of you seeking to bolster your abilities with an item of unparalleled rarity and value, this is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss.
"The starting bid for the Nether Wolf Right Leg Bone is 300,000 Gold Soul Coins with every subsequent bid not lower than 10,000 Gold Soul Coins."
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A/N: Here's another chapter of Douluo Dalu FF.
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First Tier:- Five Advanced Chapters for the following stories:
>>One Piece: As Portgas D. Ace.
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Second Tier:- Seven Advanced Chapters for the following stories:
>>One Piece: As Portgas D. Ace.
>>DxD | A Devil with Three Essences.
>>Chaos' Chaotic Snippet.
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