Bidding

It turned out that the four titles all referred to the same square-faced man.

This man's full name was Gao Junmo, the highest commander of Guang'an City's security forces, the Director of the Patrol Division, hence "Director Gao."

The Great Yue Royal Court's local security forces ranked status by five colors: gold, purple, black, white, and green. In the entire Guang'an City, only Gao Junmo was qualified to wear the black official uniform, thus he was also known as "Gao the Black Robe."

Furthermore, because he roamed Guang'an with his Seven Absolute Swords, he was also called "Gao the Seven Swords."

"Do you all trust me to be the inspector?"

Gao Junmo removed his cloak, revealing a sharp, black official uniform. He stood tall and surveyed the crowd.

As soon as he spoke, the crowd responded in agreement.

Gao Junmo smiled casually. With a flash of cold light, a treasured sword appeared in his hand. Under the white light, it shimmered like autumn water.

"Wait!"

Just as Gao Junmo was about to make a move, the silver-robed elder spoke again. "As everyone knows, Director Gao's martial arts are peerless, and his Seven Absolute Swords are renowned throughout Guang'an. However, we haven't fully explored the defensive limit of this Dragon Crocodile Hide. If Director Gao were to use his Seven Absolute Swords to shatter this hide, the loss would be too great, and it would be difficult for us to explain to the client. Therefore, I kindly request Director Gao to test it with pure strength, without using any martial arts techniques. If it can withstand the blow, it will prove the Dragon Crocodile Hide has excellent defensive capabilities. If it cannot, it will prove to be merely superficial, unworthy of your bids."

After the silver-robed elder finished speaking, there was no uproar from the crowd. After all, everyone knew the formidable power of Gao Junmo's Seven Absolute Swords. A dragon crocodile was not a divine dragon, so how could one expect this piece of hide to be indestructible?

Inside, Xu Yi's heart grew solemn. At this moment, he realized the importance of martial arts techniques even more.

Gao Junmo nodded. With a slight flick of his wrist, the autumn water in his palm came alive. A flash of clear light cut through the air, which suddenly emitted a clear, elegant hum. With a muffled "clang," the tip of the sword pressed firmly against the hide, bending but failing to advance an inch.

"Wow!"

The entire venue erupted in astonishment. Gao Junmo was a powerful expert in the Mid Qi Sea Realm, one of the most formidable figures in Guang'an City. The power of his sword strike was terrifying; it could likely destroy a room, yet it was easily resisted by this small piece of hide.

If one could obtain this piece of hide and make it into armor, wouldn't it be an unparalleled life-saving artifact? After all, it was something that even a Mid Qi Sea Realm expert couldn't break with a single sword strike.

Instantly, everyone in the venue became excited. Xu Yi's blood boiled, and he gritted his teeth to suppress a shout. He had already made up his mind that no matter what, he had to acquire this piece of hide.

As Xu Yi stared intently, the hide was stretched over a piece of nanmu. Gao Junmo let out a long roar, and his fist, like a flying meteor, struck the hide. The entire venue seemed to shake. After a deafening muffled roar, the hide was lifted, and the nanmu snapped in two.

"Hoo!"

Countless gasps of surprise arose, and the fervent cheers seemed to scorch the air, making it feel on the verge of exploding.

Xu Yi was also stunned. His powerful soul force had granted him exceptionally keen eyesight. He had clearly seen Gao Junmo's punch just now; it was undoubtedly more than a notch stronger than Elder Feng's desperate Nirvana Divine Fist.

Such a powerful punch not only failed to damage the hide in the slightest but, remarkably, the nanmu didn't turn to dust. It simply broke into two pieces.

What was nanmu? It was merely a slightly harder type of wood. In this world, affluent families often used it to make door panels and tables and chairs.

The body of a Body Tempering Peak martial artist was as tough as ox hide and their bones as hard as iron, far surpassing nanmu. Nanmu, after enduring such a heavy blow, only broke into two pieces. If a Body Tempering Peak expert wore armor made from this hide, they would likely only feel a sting, without any injury.

Excellent puncture resistance and perfect shock absorption and vibration dampening properties. In an instant, the value of this piece of hide skyrocketed in everyone's eyes.

The silver-robed elder, being experienced, knew perfectly well that the atmosphere had been sufficiently heated. He lightly struck his silver hammer. "The demonstration is complete. Those interested can now make their offers! The starting bid is five hundred gold, with each subsequent bid no less than fifty gold."

"Five hundred gold!"

"Five hundred and fifty gold!"

"Seven hundred gold!"

Before Xu Yi could even speak, the Dragon Crocodile Hide had already reached astronomical prices.

Indeed, a piece of armor that could withstand the full force of a Mid Qi Sea Realm expert's strike was something all martial artists below the Qi Sea Realm dreamed of.

As the price climbed past a thousand gold, the number of bidders rapidly decreased.

Firstly, although the Dragon Crocodile Hide was extraordinary, it had its limits. Previously, a Hundred Refinements Golden Saber produced by the Alchemy Hall, capable of cutting through ten layers of fine armor, had only sold for five hundred gold.

Secondly, those below the Body Tempering Stage had limited financial resources. Even if they could afford it, they were unwilling to spend more than half their fortune on an unfinished product. Compared to the extremely expensive Dragon Crocodile Hide, there were far too many choices for defensive armor and weapons for a thousand gold.

Of course, where there was a perceived lack of value, there was also perceived value. Three individuals remained locked in a bidding war, quickly pushing the price past a thousand gold.

"One thousand and fifty gold!" shouted bidder number seven angrily.

"One thousand one hundred gold!"

The bidder was none other than Gao Junmo.

Having personally tested the Dragon Crocodile Hide, Gao Junmo felt a faint, inexplicable excitement. He even suspected that even if he used his Seven Absolute Swords, he might not be able to break this hide. Such material was unheard of to him, and he naturally desired to possess it.

"One thousand one hundred and fifty gold!"

The bid came from number twenty-nine.

This individual was located not far from Xu Yi and was one of the last two to arrive.

Xu Yi had a deep impression of him, not only because he was one of the few people who gave Xu Yi the feeling of a Qi Sea Realm expert, but also because he was incredibly wealthy. He had snatched up three of the first thirteen auction items, spending nearly four thousand gold, which left Xu Yi mesmerized.

After number twenty-nine placed his bid, he added, "Although this Dragon Crocodile Hide is extraordinary, it is not invincible. An Alchemy Hall low-grade magic robe only costs two thousand gold. Why do the two of you insist on competing with me? Why not do me a favor and sell it to me?"

"Do you a favor? Who do you think you are! Since we're at an auction, the highest bidder wins. If you want the Dragon Crocodile Hide, let's settle this with our abilities!" bidder number seven said menacingly.

"Who do I think I am? Heh heh, it's been many years since I've heard that question in Guang'an City."

With a swish, number twenty-nine pulled off his wide black hat, revealing a fierce and broad face.

"Elder Shui!"

"Could it be the Shui Family, one of the four great families?"

"Nonsense, besides that Shui Family, which other Shui Family has an elder in the Late Qi Sea Realm!"

The area buzzed with discussion.

The silver-robed elder wanted to say something, but Elder Shui's tiger-like eyes fixed on him, the immense pressure pinning him in place.

"Director Gao, will you grant this old man some face? The Shui Family will surely repay this favor!"

Elder Shui gazed at Gao Junmo and said calmly.

Gao Junmo's sword-like eyebrows, sharp as a knife, furrowed slightly. "Since Elder Shui has spoken, if I were to press the matter further, it would mean we'd be falling out. Remember your words, the Shui Family owes me a favor." With that, he stood up and strode away.