章 268: Chapter 268: Bidding
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Zeng Yi and Xue Qinghe, led by a receptionist girl with a voluptuous figure, entered the auction venue.
The auction center felt more like a grand hall, decorated similar to the main combat Spirit arena, with a circular podium in the center and seats arranged in concentric circles around it.
There were five main sections. The closest three rows of seats to the podium were red and radiated outwards. Following were black, purple, yellow, and white in order. It was evident that they were arranged according to the different levels of bidders.
Xue Qinghe explained to Zeng Yi the situation inside. The innermost red seats were accessed through a special passage and were protected by dedicated security personnel. That was the so-called "Millionaire VIP Area." and it required individuals with status to obtain the red VIP qualification.
The outer circle had black seats, the normal Millionaire VIP Area. As long as you had money, you could enter and belonged to the lower level black VIP.
Further out were purple seats for the 500K Spirit coins, yellow seats for the 100K Spirit coins regular VIPs and the outermost white seats, which were also the largest in size.
As the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe's identity was naturally self-evident. The girl led Xue Qinghe and Zeng Yi through the VIP passage covered with a red carpet and entered the premium auction seats.
The seats in this red VIP area were luxurious sofas that were five meters long. There was also a redwood coffee table in front with fruit platters, pastries, drinks, and more.
After Zeng Yi and Xue Qinghe sat down, a middle-aged man in a black suit, who seemed to be from the auction house, came to their position with two tall and beautiful women.
Seeing this man approaching, a cold glint flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, and he casually said, "Take them away, they are not needed here."
The man's face showed a touch of embarrassment, then he respectfully retreated with the two women.
Zeng Yi observed the surrounding red VIPs. Each of them was accompanied by a beautiful and enchanting woman, which made Zeng Yi realize that the auction also provided female companions.
Of course, only the red VIPs had this privilege.
"Oh? Do you find it regretful?" Xue Qinghe noticed Zeng Yi's gaze on those women and couldn't help but ask.
"Indeed, the lives of these nobles are really extravagant." Zeng Yi withdrew his gaze, reclined on the sofa, and paid no attention to the surroundings. He put his feet up on the table and rested his head on his hands.
Watching Zeng Yi's relaxed appearance, Xue Qinghe shook his head helplessly and poured himself a cup of tea, saying, "These women belong to the auction house themselves, including their lives. They were bought by the auction house as commoner girls at a young age and were trained since childhood. They not only serve here but also become part of the auction. If someone is willing to pay, they can be bought and sold."
Upon hearing this, Zeng Yi couldn't help but be surprised. He looked at Xue Qinghe in astonishment and said, "Buying and selling people? Isn't that treating them as slaves? I remember that slavery is prohibited by Imperial law. As a Crown Prince of the Empire, can you allow such things to happen at your doorstep?"
Xue Qinghe sighed helplessly, saying, "Indeed, the empire prohibits the buying and selling of slaves, but behind the scenes, such things still occur. It is difficult to eradicate such behavior as long as there are interests involved. Moreover, the forces behind this auction house are complex and involve the interests of many people. Even if I were the Emperor, it would be difficult to intervene."
"The so-called Imperial law is just a means to control the common people. For the nobility, it doesn't have much effect. They can do whatever they want within the law. In the end, the law is just a game rule set by them."
Zeng Yi fell silent. Now he understood how helpless Xue Qinghe felt about his own Empire.
At the moment, there weren't many bidders in the auction center. Looking around, there were only a little over a hundred people. On the auction stage, a Spirit tool resembling a belt was being auctioned, and the price had reached forty thousand gold Spirit coins.
Zeng Yi wasn't interested in the item being auctioned. He drank tea leisurely and chatted with Xue Qinghe.
After the transaction of the Spirit tool on the stage was completed, the auction house presented another item for auction.
This time, Zeng Yi was interested in the auction item.
It was a bronze rusted sword, only the size of an adult's finger, with a thin thread strung on the hilt, making it look like a pendant.
Zeng Yi could sense an ancient aura from the rust stains on the bronze sword.
For some reason, an idea sprouted in Zeng Yi's mind. He must obtain it.
It was extremely important to him.
Seeing Zeng Yi staring fixedly at the bronze sword pendant on the auction stage, Xue Qinghe couldn't help but ask, "Do you want to bid for this? Have you discovered something extraordinary about it?"
"I'm not sure, but my intuition tells me that I must have it." Zeng Yi said, his eyes not leaving the bronze sword pendant on the stage.
Xue Qinghe was slightly surprised. It was the first time he had seen such a serious expression from Zeng Yi. He glanced at the bronze sword pendant on the stage and smiled, "Since you need it, I'll help you buy it."
The auction host began to introduce the item to the bidders on the stage. "The sword pendant, we don't know its specific functions."
The host's words left the bidders speechless. If you don't know the effect of the item you're auctioning, how dare you present it? Isn't that deceiving people?
Seeing the bidders whispering among themselves, the host couldn't help but smile mysteriously. This was the effect he wanted. He continued, "However, judging from the rust stains on this bronze sword, everyone can see that this item is of ancient origin. Also, let me tell you something: the material of this bronze sword is extremely durable. Our auction house has tested it, and even the full force attack of a Spirit Saint-level expert couldn't damage this sword even a bit, not to mention removing the rust stains. It shows the remarkable nature of this bronze sword."
"Moreover, there are mysterious symbols engraved on the bronze sword, like a type of writing. Although we don't know what kind of writing it is, we believe it records important information. Our auction house speculates that this bronze sword may be a kind of key, a key to unlocking some ancient ruins."
"Just think about it, if you could bring it back, decipher the symbols on it, find a relic, and obtain the treasures inside. What a wealth it would be!" The host's tone grew excited, and he couldn't help but admire his own storytelling abilities.
After hearing the host's words, the bidders who were not originally interested in the bronze sword pendant became intrigued.
Although the talk of ancient relics and treasure keys might contain some exaggeration, there were indeed countless ancient ruins hidden on the Douluo Continent, and some had been discovered. What if this really was a key to a ruin? As long as the symbols on it were deciphered, the allure of the treasures within was self-evident.
Even if it wasn't, the fact that the sword could withstand the full force attack of a Spirit Saint-level expert alone was no joke.
"Isn't it just a rusty pendant? How can it be so expensive?" Xiao Wu, in the regular seating area, looked at the bidders going crazy and couldn't help but comment.
Tang San, beside Xiao Wu, said, "Xiao Wu, when looking at things, we can't judge solely based on appearances. That would only make us ignorant."
To be honest, if he had the money, Tang San also wanted to buy the bronze sword pendant and study it carefully.
"I didn't expect you, young as you are, to say something so philosophical." behind Tang San's seat was a middle-aged man with an elegant and kind demeanor. He was none other than Ning Fengzhi. He looked at Tang San with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Tang San shook his head and said, "That's not something I said, but rather a phrase taught to me by a friend."
"Oh? It turns out there is another person. It seems that your friend is also an interesting individual." Ning Fengzhi chuckled and then looked towards the stage.
"Do you also have an interest in this bronze sword pendant, sir?" Tang San couldn't help but ask.
Ning Fengzhi smiled, "Indeed, I have some thoughts. Even if it doesn't have any clues to ancient relics, it would be a nice addition to my collection."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had the ability to appraise items, and he, Ning Fengzhi, was the highest-level appraiser on the continent. Naturally, he wanted to examine this mysterious bronze sword.
"100,000 gold Spirit coins!"
Ning Fengzhi immediately made a bid.
"120,000 gold Spirit coins! Bidder number 67, white VIP, bids 120,000 gold Spirit coins! 120,000 gold Spirit coins once, do we have any more bids?" The host excitedly announced Ning Fengzhi's bid. The price at which the bronze sword pendant was being purchased exceeded his expectations.
The next moment, the host exclaimed again, "Bidder number 3, red VIP, bids 150,000 gold Spirit coins! 150,000 gold Spirit coins once! Any more bids?"
Ning Fengzhi, surprised that someone was competing with him, didn't expect that bidding 120,000 for an unknown item was already the limit price. He didn't expect someone to challenge him.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and didn't mind. He continued to raise his bid.
"Bidder number 67, white VIP, bids 200,000 gold Spirit coins!"
With this bid, Xue Qinghe was stunned. He didn't expect someone to challenge him. He couldn't help but feel annoyed. This was the gift he was buying for Zeng Yi, how could he hand it over?
Applause erupted as Xue Qinghe decisively pressed the bid button multiple times.
"Ah! Bidder number 3, red VIP, bids 500,000 gold Spirit coins! 500,000 gold Spirit coins once! Is there anyone else bidding?" The host shouted in excitement, announcing Xue Qinghe's bid.
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