Chance Encounter with Dongfang Lie at the Auction

The Zhao Trading Company truly deserved its reputation as Magic City's number one trading company. The moment Li Xingze entered the auction hall, he found it already packed to the brim, the atmosphere grand and bustling.

"Welcome, gentlemen, to the Zhao Trading Company's auction. This auction will most certainly not leave any of you disappointed!"

"This is the first item up for auction: a Nebula Magic Tool. Given your cultivation and knowledge, I trust I need not explain its purpose."

"Still, I should mention its effect. Its user can gain a threefold increase in Nebula cultivation speed!"

"Three times!"

Li Xingze was slightly startled. The Zhao Trading Company was indeed extraordinary. Even Mo Fan's Little Loach had only achieved a 2.5-times effect on Nebulas in its early stages after devouring quite a few Soul Essences, residual essences, and the Terra Sanctum Spring.

Although this Nebula Magic Tool could not affect Star Dust the way Little Loach could, it was exactly what Li Xingze needed.

However, judging from the other bidders' expressions, Li Xingze was clearly not the only one interested in it.

Quite a few mages had come specifically for this Nebula Magic Tool. They stared at it on the stage with undisguised fervor, as if they were determined to win it.

A threefold boost was already considered top-tier among Nebula Magic Tools. Even among the most elite Aristocratic Family Disciples, very few possessed one.

"The starting bid is thirty million!"

As the auctioneer called out, the hall suddenly fell silent again.

Thirty million was enough to buy a Top-Grade Spiritual Seed with money left over. It was no small sum.

Those interested in the Nebula Magic Tool were basically Aristocratic Family Disciples who had reached the intermediate level.

But thirty million was enough to buy a Top-Grade Spiritual Seed.

A Top-Grade Spiritual Seed could greatly enhance a mage's combat strength. Only by growing stronger could they strive for higher rankings at Pearl Institute.

Higher rankings meant more resources, creating a positive cycle.

Most Aristocratic Family Disciples could not simply have whatever they wanted. Only if they created more value for their families would those families invest more in them.

Yet most Aristocratic Family Disciples were content with the status quo and had barely ventured outside the safe zones even after reaching the advanced level, like Bai Hongfei and the others.

Seeing that there was still no movement below, the auctioneer onstage looked somewhat embarrassed. Please, don't let this item go unsold.

"Thirty-one million!"

"That seems to be Dongfang Lie of the Dongfang Family. I didn't expect him to be here too."

"Dongfang Lie, the most talented of the Dongfang Family's younger generation—who would dare compete with him?"

The previously aggressive Aristocratic Family Disciples immediately deflated when they saw Dongfang Lie make a bid.

Innate Talent—Mutated Star Particles. Magical skills that normally required Soul Essences to strengthen before one could master them were completely unnecessary for Dongfang Lie!

"Dongfang Lie."

Li Xingze naturally noticed that prideful peer of his. Dongfang Lie's talent was formidable!

Especially since his talent was not limited to a single enhancement. In the original story, Dongfang Lie had mastered the level-five Blazing Fist—Flame Dragon—while at the National Hall!

Unfortunately, he had failed to break through to the advanced level for a long time. Otherwise, he would certainly have earned a place on the National Team.

This talent became more outrageous the further one progressed, but unfortunately, Dongfang Lie had not made good use of it.

"Thirty-one million, going once!"

"Thirty-one million, going twice!"

"Thirty-five million!"

Li Xingze did not care what kind of Aristocratic Family Disciple Dongfang Lie was. He made his move decisively.

The crowd erupted in an uproar. What faction did this young master belong to? He either did not bid at all, or made a shocking bid the moment he did!

Seeing someone else enter the fray, the auctioneer onstage was immediately delighted. He did not care about any of that other nonsense—the higher the bid, the bigger his commission.

"This guy actually dares to compete with me."

Dongfang Lie frowned. A few million was not a trivial sum even to him, but he would not simply give it up.

"Forty million!!"

Dongfang Lie stopped raising the price by one million at a time and added five million in one go.

He could not lose in terms of momentum, lest anyone say Dongfang Lie was stingy!

"Fifty million!" Li Xingze decisively raised his paddle.

"Damn, where did this guy come from? He actually dares to go head-to-head with Dongfang Lie."

"I recognize all the younger generation from Magic City's great families, but I've never seen this guy before. Could he be from the Imperial Capital?"

"Fifty million? That could buy two Spiritual Seeds."

These Aristocratic Family Disciples stared in shock at this unfamiliar peer. Other than direct descendants like Dongfang Lie, they truly could not think of anyone who could offer such a high price.

Fifty million. Dongfang Lie clenched his fists tightly. This guy was definitely doing it on purpose.

That was the price of half a Star River Vein. Even he had to weigh it over repeatedly, yet this person had not hesitated in the slightest!

Dongfang Lie could still raise the bid, but he needed to prepare for the Spiritual Seeds later on. In the end, he could only choose to give up.

He then gave Li Xingze a deep look, as if he wanted to etch him into his memory.

"Fifty million, going once!"

"Fifty million, going twice!"

"Fifty million, going three times!"

"Congratulations to this gentleman for successfully bidding on the Nebula Magic Tool!"

Li Xingze chose to ignore Dongfang Lie's attention entirely.

He did not want to deal with powerful families, but that did not mean he feared them.

He possessed three elements. He was determined to get this Nebula Magic Tool; even if the price doubled again, it would make no difference.

"The second auction item is a Wind Element Spirit Seed named Wind Cyclone. It was acquired by the Wolf Head Mercenary Group in the Qinling Mountains. In order to obtain this Spirit Seed, their team was even attacked by a Small Commander, losing two companions."

"This Spirit Seed allows Wind-type mages to wield wind magic with greater ease, and its wind blades gain several times their original power. Its quality can be considered top-grade, with a magic amplification of 2.5 times!!"

"The starting bid is eighteen million!"

"Nineteen million!"

"Twenty million!"

"..."

Compared to the expensive Nebula Magic Tool earlier, this Wind Element Spirit Seed sparked a fierce bidding war. Even those who did not need it could buy it as a gift.

Watching the heated auction, Li Xingze's lips twitched. Magic City truly was not comparable to Bo City.

In Bo City, a mage who could produce a single Defense Magic Tool was already considered wealthy.

"Twenty-two million!"

Dongfang Lie stood up. His second element was Wind, and with this Wind Element Spirit Seed, who at Pearl Institute could possibly be his match?

Twenty-two million was already considered the limit for this Spirit Seed, so the moment Dongfang Lie spoke, all the mages fighting over it fell silent.

"Wind Element Spirit Seed."

Li Xingze pondered it to himself. He also had the Wind element. Although this Spirit Seed was not quite to his liking, its quality was still fairly good.

Top-Grade Spiritual Seeds were not something one could encounter whenever they wished. Since he had come across one now, he might as well secure it first.

"Twenty-four million!" Li Xingze directly dropped a bombshell bid.

With Hai Bo Dong taking Hunter's League missions, Li Xingze did not need to worry too much about funds.

With Hai Bo Dong's strength, he could easily establish a hunter team, one that would surely attract quite a few High-level Magisters.

"It's him again!"

The instant Dongfang Lie saw that Li Xingze was the one bidding, fury surged through him. This guy was clearly targeting him!

"Are you really going to offend my Dongfang Family?" Dongfang Lie rose to his feet and glared viciously at Li Xingze as he threatened him.

"Tsk~" Li Xingze sneered. "This is fair competition. What is there to be afraid of?"

An uproar broke out, and everyone's gazes converged on Li Xingze once more.

This young man was not afraid of the Dongfang Family—just what was his background?

He absolutely could not be offended!