Chapter 210: The Auction Begins

“Welcome, everyone, to the James Family Auction!”

The woman standing on the stage smiled as she looked across the hall. She wore a black dress and held a microphone in one hand. Her voice was clear and even those sitting at the back could hear her without difficulty.

“I’m your host for today’s auction. Before we begin, allow me to explain a few simple rules. Every item will have a starting price and interested guests can raise their bidding devices to place a bid. Once the blade lights up, simply announce the amount you are willing to pay. Our staff will record your bid and the highest bidder when the bidding ends will win the item.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“Please remember that every bid is final. If you win an item, you must pay the full amount. Anyone who deliberately causes trouble or refuses to pay will be placed on the James Family’s blacklist. We also guarantee that every item has been checked by our experts, though we cannot promise that every treasure will suit your needs. Please bid according to your own judgment.”

The woman smiled again.

“Now, let us begin!”

A staff member walked onto the stage carrying a tray covered with red cloth. The woman lifted the cloth, revealing a small jade bottle.

“Our first item is a bottle of Mid-Grade Body Tempering Liquid. It is made from several rare herbs and can help Origin Vessel Realm cultivators strengthen their bodies. It is also useful for those who have recently broken through and wish to stabilize their foundations.”

She raised the bottle for everyone to see.

“The starting price is fifty thousand yuan. Each increase must be at least five thousand yuan!”

“Fifty-five thousand!”

“Sixty thousand!”

“Seventy thousand!”

The bids began almost immediately. Within a short time, the price climbed to one hundred and twenty thousand yuan before finally being sold for one hundred and thirty thousand.

Mo Yuan watched quietly from his seat.

‘Body Tempering Liquid? It’s useful for ordinary cultivators but it does nothing for me.’

His body had already been strengthened through countless cultivation resources and his powerful talents. Something meant for Origin Vessel Realm cultivators could hardly attract his attention.

The next item was a box containing several cultivation pills. According to the host, they could help Origin Core Realm cultivators recover their strength after battle. The pills were sold for sever hundred thousand yuan.

After that came a box of hundred-year-old herbs. These herbs were useful for preparing medicines and improving cultivation, so they attracted quite a few bidders. In the end, a middle-aged man purchased them for nearly five million yuan.

The auction continued with one item after another.

There was a defensive bracelet capable of blocking a single attack from an Origin Core Realm cultivator. A beautiful jade pendant could slightly improve the wearer’s Primordial Qi circulation.

There was even a special pouch made from the hide of a beast with storage-related abilities, though its space was barely large enough to hold a few books.

Each item attracted some interest, and the prices rose steadily.

Mo Yuan, however, remained completely unmoved.

‘The bracelet might save someone’s life but I don’t need it. The pendant is too weak to make any difference and that storage pouch is practically useless compared to what I already have.’

He had come to the auction out of curiosity, not because he lacked resources. With his current abilities, most ordinary treasures were no more than decorations.

Soon, the host announced another item.

“Dear guests, our next item is a Steel-Grade sword technique called the Falling Star Sword Art!”

A staff member opened a long box and carefully took out a jade slip.

“This technique contains seven moves. Each move concentrates Primordial Qi along the blade, allowing the user to unleash powerful attacks. It is suitable for cultivators below the Origin Soul Realm and our experts have confirmed that the technique is complete.”

The woman raised the jade slip.

“The starting price is five hundred thousand yuan!”

“Five million!”

“twenty million!”

“hundred million!”

Several guests quickly joined the bidding. A young man sitting near the front seemed particularly determined to obtain the technique. He continued raising his price until it reached 400 million.

No one challenged him after that.

“Sold! The Falling Star Sword Art goes to the gentleman in the front row for 400 million yuan!”

The young man smiled proudly as an employee approached him to complete the transaction.

Mo Yuan glanced at the jade slip before looking away.

‘Steel-Grade? I already have techniques far beyond this level. Even if I wanted to learn a sword technique, this wouldn’t be worth my time.’

He had no shortage of combat techniques and his Boundless Saber Art was already at Major Achievement. Compared to that, a basic sword technique was nothing special.

The following items included a damaged defensive talisman, a map showing several beast territories outside Frostwind Base and a rare mineral used in weapon forging.

The map attracted the attention of a few experienced hunters, while the mineral was purchased by a blacksmith for a considerable sum.

Mo Yuan didn’t even bother to examine them closely.

He had seen countless beasts and collected plenty of valuable materials. Unless an item possessed some unusual ability, there was little reason for him to spend money on it.

Time passed and the auction hall grew noisier with every sale. Some guests looked delighted after winning their desired items, while others frowned whenever someone outbid them.

Mo Yuan simply sat back and watched.

‘So this is what an auction feels like. It’s not bad but most of the items are too ordinary.’

He had originally planned to spend an hour exploring Frostwind Base before visiting the Beast Association. Instead, he had ended up sitting here watching people compete over treasures he didn’t need.

Still, he wasn’t in a hurry. Louis wasn’t going anywhere and there was no harm in waiting a little longer.

Just as Mo Yuan was considering whether to leave, the host’s expression changed. She looked toward the staff member standing beside the stage and nodded.

The staff member brought out a covered tray and placed it on the table.

“Everyone, the next item is somewhat special,” the host announced. “It was discovered during an expedition into a dangerous region. Even our experts have been unable to determine its full purpose but they have confirmed that it contains an unusual energy.”

Hearing this, several guests sat up straighter.

Something even the James Family’s experts couldn’t fully identify was certainly more interesting than the previous items.

Mo Yuan also raised his head.

‘An unusual energy? Now, this might finally be worth looking at.’

The host slowly reached for the red cloth covering the tray.

“Everyone, let us reveal our next item!”