Kapitel 56: Auction Begins
"I'm delighted that everyone could join us for the New Era Auction. I trust you've all seen the promotional video, so I won't take up any more of your time. Now, please welcome the initiator of the new era, Mr. Bai Yi, to the stage!"
The announcement echoed through the room, spoken by a thin young man with enthusiasm.
All 200 seats in the venue were filled, but only about 30 people had their faces visible, while the rest wore identical black cloaks and faceless masks. The atmosphere felt eerie, with cloaks designed with stealth enchantments and further spells of concealment adding to the air of mystery. The auction felt almost like a secret gathering.
In the balcony seats upstairs, only representatives from four of the parliamentary families were present. The others participated from the comfort of their rooms, with their own private screens and bidding machines. They could observe the auction without showing their faces.
On the left side of the stage hung a massive screen, each split-screen showing a unique number and a green speaker light signaling a successful connection to distant wealthy bidders. On the right, cameras captured the reactions of the legislative families, projecting their images onto the big screen for all to see.
The venue wasn't overly large or lavish, but its significance was undeniable. It was a microcosm of the entire federation's capital, a reflection of Sabo's influence and the value of what Bai Yi was bringing to the table.
Bai Yi walked onto the stage, and as the camera focused on him, his legendary level surged from 63 to 66. The auction he was hosting was about to push the Dawn Federation's technology forward by at least 30 years. It was a turning point in history.
A young attendant respectfully handed Bai Yi a microphone, but Bai Yi waved him off, signaling for him to leave.
As he turned to face the audience, his image appeared on the large screen behind him, showing his every movement to those watching in the capital and beyond. Looking up, he saw Diane sitting on the left side of the sixth-floor balcony. Her eyes were a mix of anger and betrayal. The memories of their past—his deception, his abrupt departure—were still fresh in her mind. Despite her father's orders to get the Soul Lantern's manufacturing method at all costs, Bai Yi knew that her resentment would linger.
On the opposite side, the Koman family's representatives sat in the first row, with Sunu casting Bai Yi a satisfied nod, confirming that all negotiations on his end had been finalized.
Other notable families, like the Lot family from the elves and various council members, had their seats occupied, but only by their subordinates. The major families, the powerhouses of the federation, had sent their representatives, either staying hidden or maintaining a low profile.
Bai Yi's presence commanded attention, and as he prepared to speak, a subtle shift in the room's energy caught his attention.
The doors, which had been shut tightly, suddenly swung open. The entrance was filled with young figures, second-generation heirs, who walked in one by one, followed by waiters and strongmen who bowed as they entered.
"Go ahead. I'm just here to take a look. Bai Yi, please give me a seat," an old, familiar voice boomed.
The legendary city lord had arrived.
Bai Yi's legendary level shot up to 70 as the old city lord entered. His presence was monumental.
"City Lord, why are you here?" Bai Yi asked, stunned, quickly walking over to greet him.
Behind the city lord followed a night elf, an orc, and none other than Mossen, the legion commander of Dongwu City.
"It's nothing. I brought them here to broaden their horizons," the city lord said, leaning on Bai Yi for support as they made their way to the backstage.
Once they entered the luxurious backroom, Sabo had disappeared, but the room still retained its opulence, with a large screen broadcasting everything happening outside.
The old city lord, sitting down with a deep sigh, patted Bai Yi's shoulder. "Young man, there are still five months," he said kindly.
Bai Yi paused, nodding gravely. "I understand."
The city lord's visit was a sign of his support for Bai Yi, and Bai Yi felt the weight of that support. Still, the road to becoming a legend was one he would have to walk on his own.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Bai Yi returned to the stage. The atmosphere had shifted; the council families' subordinates were no longer present, and their absence made the stage feel empty. The city lord's arrival had brought a new level of respect to the auction. No one dared to sit in the corridors anymore, acknowledging the weight of the five strongest individuals in the federation.
Bai Yi cleared his throat, his voice amplified by magic, ensuring that everyone in the venue could hear him, as well as those connected remotely through communication devices.
"Since Mr. Eric is here, there's no need to introduce my rise to prominence. I'm sure no one is interested in hearing about it."
He paused, his voice deepening. "Let's get right to it. The first item of the auction is... the flesh and blood tissue of the ancient god, the Scarlet Lord!"
With a dramatic flourish, Bai Yi raised his hand, and a box containing shattered crystals appeared in the air. The blood-red gems inside glowed ominously, exuding an aura that was both captivating and terrifying.
A collective gasp rippled through the room. This was not a mere warm-up item. This was divine, a game-changer.
The wealthiest members of the audience, from Kami on the third floor to the gold-level individuals, stood up in shock. The first item was something extraordinary.
Bai Yi smiled gently, "Recently, Dongwu City experienced a major upheaval. The Scarlet Cult tried to use this piece of flesh to summon the Scarlet Lord, but their attempt failed. However, in the process, I discovered that the piece has been gradually cleansed by the righteous gods, losing its previous distortion. Now, it's a controllable fragment of an ancient god."
Bai Yi glanced at Kami before continuing, "And when I say 'controllable,' I'm sure you understand the value of such an item."
He raised his hand, and two worker bees fluttered into the air, holding the crystal so that the cameras could capture it clearly. The entire room fell silent as the weight of the object's significance settled in.
He turned back to the auction table with a smile. "Without further ado, the starting bid for this piece of ancient god flesh is 1 gold coin."
"Auction, start!"
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein