Chapter 374 - 373: Portable Ecological Maintenance Device

Chapter 374: Chapter 373: Portable Ecological Maintenance Device

"Throw it in my face! Throw it in my face!"

"Even if they did, you wouldn’t get a single coin. The consignor would pocket it all."

"Exactly, and besides... why would you want to offend a big shot?"

That last sentence seemed to do the trick, as no new bids appeared.

The Guide System’s voice sounded again, smoothly moving the process along. "2,400 Black Fog Coins is the current highest bid. Any higher?"

The countdown began ticking silently.

The public chat was abuzz with discussion, but the number didn’t budge.

Seraphina Sinclair’s heartbeat remained steady. She was very satisfied with this price.

Her VIP status was also far more effective than she had imagined. No one else placed a bid before the countdown ended.

The Guide System brought the hammer down! For 2,400 Black Fog Coins, Seraphina Sinclair officially won the Enhancement Scroll.

A transaction notification immediately popped up before her. A five percent processing fee was added to the purchase, and 2,520 Black Fog Coins were deducted from her account. The phantom image of the [Enhancement Scroll] transformed into a streak of light, flowing into her hand and solidifying into an ancient Sheepskin Scroll with a smooth, warm texture.

Seraphina Sinclair carefully examined the scroll’s Description. Not only did its effect match what was stated during the auction, but it also had no additional usage requirements.

This made Seraphina Sinclair even more satisfied.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a little grateful for the person in the public chat who suggested the scroll might have usage conditions. If it weren’t for him, Seraphina Sinclair would never have gotten the scroll at such a low price!

Just as the public chat had predicted, the next few items were of a decent quality.

There was a D-level Fine Weapon and some rare materials. Seraphina Sinclair didn’t bid again, simply watching quietly.

Time ticked by, and the auction reached its midpoint.

A new item was presented on the auction stage.

It was... a peculiar, palm-sized metal device with complex runes etched on its surface and a transparent viewing window.

"What’s this? A puzzle box?"

"Doesn’t look like it’s for combat..."

Just as everyone was guessing, the item’s information finally appeared:

"[Portable Ecological Maintenance Device (Damaged)], a D-level item. Its core functions are severely missing. It can currently only sustain a basic life cycle within an extremely small range (approx. 1 cubic meter), producing simulated sunshine and nutrient mist suitable for the growth of some basic plants. Its effect is extremely limited and highly unstable, with a risk of complete failure at any moment. Ineffective on withered or dying plants."

"Starting Bid: 8,000 Black Fog Coins. Minimum bid increment: 100 Black Fog Coins."

The reaction in the public chat was a bit strange.

"An Ecological Maintenance Device? And a broken one at that..."

"It can only sustain one cubic meter? And it’s highly unstable? What’s the use of that? It’d be too cramped to even grow a blade of grass, right?"

"Simulated sunshine is a rare function, though... You have to know, even the most basic sunshine is Radiant Level. But even though the description is putting it nicely, you can still tell how terrible this thing’s effect is, right?"

"Radiant? What’s Radiant?"

"Starting at 8,000? That’s way too expensive. I have a feeling this is going to go unsold."

"Who would buy this piece of junk? The cost to repair it would probably be higher than buying a new one. What’s the point?"

"Only those chefs would like something like this, right? Don’t they only want the freshest ingredients? The ones they grow themselves are obviously the freshest."

This comment, tinged with ridicule, instantly shifted the direction of the public discussion.

"Chefs? You mean those maniacs who only think about cleavers and spices?"

"And ingredients. They might actually be interested in this piece of junk. After all, in their eyes, a single wilted leaf plucked fresh from their own garden has more ’soul’ than top-grade stuff bought from outside."

"Hahahaha, a soul leaf! If someone actually spends eight thousand Black Fog Coins on a piece of trash that could break at any moment just for a bit of ’soul,’ I’ll die laughing!"

"I heard they have some kind of Sanctuary, where they specifically collect all sorts of weird and wonderful cultivation and breeding items. They’re willing to throw money at anything, even if it only makes their ingredients a tiny bit fresher."

"A bunch of guys whose brains have been scrambled by spatulas."

The taunts scrolled across the public chat. Nearly everyone associated the damaged item with the group of chefs, who were regarded as lunatics, their tone full of ridicule and disdain.

It seemed to make it a foregone conclusion that the item would attract no bids, and that even its starting price was absurdly high.

But Seraphina Sinclair’s gaze never left the small metal device.

The ridicule in the public chat, far from shaking her resolve, actually made her heart stir.

’Chefs... isn’t the waiter a chef? As for the Sanctuary... it’s never mentioned it before...’

Seraphina Sinclair pushed aside these irrelevant thoughts and focused on the present.

’In other words, if I make a move, my potential competitors will most likely be these chefs or people related to the Sanctuary?’

Seraphina Sinclair analyzed the situation quickly.

Judging by the attitude in the public chat, ordinary participants had little interest in the item, even viewing it with contempt.

Therefore, the only ones who would actually bid would be those who knew its true value and had a special need for it.

These people were probably like her, willing to spend a great deal to acquire it. If chefs from the Sanctuary were truly part of the bidding, their obsession with such items and their financial power could be beyond imagination, easily driving up the price.

’If there are no other bidders... I can get it for 8,000 Black Fog Coins...’

It was all up to luck.

With this in mind, Seraphina Sinclair had already resolved to win this item no matter what.

For her, this item’s greatest value was providing sunshine for the Sunflower!

She took a deep breath, her finger hovering over the bid button.

The countdown ticked down slowly. The starting bid of 8,000 Black Fog Coins hung there, solitary and unanswered. The public chat was still filled with mockery aimed at the chefs and the item, as if its failure to sell was already a foregone conclusion.

Just as the countdown entered its final seconds, when almost everyone assumed the item would end in an embarrassing failure to sell—

8,000.

Seraphina Sinclair placed her bid.

The public chat went silent for a moment, then erupted with even more discussion, now tinged with surprise and amusement.

"Someone actually bid? The VIP?"

"Could this VIP... also be a chef? Or maybe an errand runner for the chefs’ guild?"

"Interesting. Looks like this broken box really did find its kindred spirit."

"Are they buying it for 8,000 Black Fog Coins to use as a decoration? Or does our esteemed VIP want to experience ’soul gardening’ too?"

The mockery didn’t stop; its target simply shifted to Seraphina Sinclair, the bidder.

But Seraphina Sinclair paid them no mind. Her attention was focused entirely on the light screen, waiting for a potential competitor to appear.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

The three-second holding period ended! Sold!

A 400 Black Fog Coin processing fee was deducted from Seraphina Sinclair’s account, for a total expenditure of 8,400 Black Fog Coins.

The palm-sized "[Portable Ecological Maintenance Device (Damaged)]" transformed into a slightly dim streak of light and landed in her palm.