Imperial Capital's Intrigue and Deceit

Instantly, cheers and applause erupted, proving that Spirit Artifacts were indeed the true stars of the auction!

"First up is this item!"

The first Spirit Artifact was a bone dagger, inscribed with rather futuristic-looking patterns.

"High-grade Lower-tier Spirit Artifact, the Phantom Bone Dagger, crafted by the renowned artisan Tao Yezi! Made from the spinal bone of a Phantom Body Beast, it is incredibly sharp and can create illusions to disrupt the user's five senses during attacks! Starting bid: sixty million. Let the bidding begin!"

The highest price for the art pieces earlier was only a little over thirty million. This High-grade Lower-tier Spirit Artifact's starting bid alone was fifty million. Equipment like this... it's really expensive.

"Fifty-six million!"

"Sixty million!"

"Seventy-three million!"

"If you want it, just bid directly. Don't overthink it," Si Nan Yuan suddenly said to me.

"Thank you for the offer... but I don't think a dagger suits me."

"Is that so? Then let's wait for the next one."

In the end, the dagger sold for ninety million. I don't know if Tong Coins can be converted to RMB, but ninety million is definitely a sky-high price in my opinion.

"Next up, please welcome the second item~"

A Zuo and A You brought out a small stone mirror. It looked quite ancient, with intricate patterns carved around the edges. Other than that, there didn't seem to be anything special about it.

"High-grade Mid-tier Spirit Artifact, the Shining Stone Heart Mirror! Carrying this mirror on your person can completely block three attacks from High-grade Top-tier Spirit Artifacts, and even defend against weaker Lower-grade Lower-tier Treasure Artifacts! Truly a one-in-a-million protective magical treasure! Starting bid: eighty million Tong Coins. Let the bidding commence!"

Completely block three attacks from High-grade Top-tier Spirit Artifacts?

This was practically a life-saving artifact! I was finally starting to get interested as the auction progressed. Should I place a bid?

"Ninety million!"

To my surprise, Si Nan Ying was the first to bid. Her eyes sparkled; it seemed she was very interested in this item.

"One hundred million."

A familiar voice chimed in – someone from the Cleon Family!

"One hundred and ten million!" Si Nan Ying said unhappily, her competitive spirit pushing her to bid higher.

"One hundred and twenty million," the other party calmly replied with another bid.

"One hundred and thi... oof!"

At the critical moment, Rui Xin covered Si Nan Ying's mouth.

"Calm down, Miss! That guy is clearly trying to trap us! We're not good at psychological warfare."

"...Tch."

"Are there any higher bids? One hundred and twenty million once, one hundred and twenty million twice. Alright, sold--"

"One hundred and forty million."

From a side of the venue, in a VIP room roughly between us and the Cleon Family's box, a pleasant female voice like a silver bell rang out. Just hearing it made my ears feel incredibly comfortable; it was undoubtedly the most beautiful voice I had ever heard, far surpassing any famous voice actor!

The entire venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a frenzy.

"That voice... could it be the legendary Miss Haoyue?"

"It must be! She's here too!"

"Goddess! My goddess, ahhh!!!"

Is that... the rumored number one beauty of the Imperial Capital, Haoyue Tartaglia?

I quickly joined everyone else in looking towards the source of the voice. Unfortunately, the lighting was too dim, and the curtains of the VIP box window were only slightly open, making it impossible to see anything.

"One hundred and forty million. Are there any higher bids?"

Su Ya's voice suddenly cut through the crowd's clamor, drawing everyone's attention back to the auction.

"One hundred and forty million once, one hundred and forty million twice. Alright, sold!"

In the end, I never got to see the face of the Imperial Capital's number one beauty. Is she really comparable to me, just as Elder Hong said?

The subsequent auction items were all High-grade Spirit Artifacts of various kinds. There was even a Lower-grade Treasure Artifact, the Youth Preserving Pearl, which was sold for eight hundred million – the highest transaction price so far. The highest starting bid among the Spirit Artifacts was that eighty million Heart Mirror, while the Lower-grade Treasure Artifact Youth Preserving Pearl had a starting bid of five hundred million! This clearly shows the vast difference in value between Spirit Artifacts and Treasure Artifacts.

"Next is the final item, and the grand finale of this auction!"

The entire audience straightened their backs, countless eyes focused on the stage. What was about to appear was the true treasure!

A Zuo and A You carried a long cloth-wrapped package onto the stage. Judging by their strained efforts, the package seemed incredibly heavy.

Su Ya elegantly unwrapped the cloth, revealing a long spear of crimson bronze. The spear had an ancient design, its blade covered in deep red markings that resembled dried bloodstains, exuding a bloody, oppressive aura.

"Lower-grade Top-tier Treasure Artifact, the Crimson Spotted Spear! This spear originates from a thousand years ago, its artisan's identity lost to time. It participated in the war between two nations a millennium ago, slaying countless enemies. The bloodstains on its blade have yet to fade. By injecting Spiritual Energy, one can awaken the fierce, malevolent energy contained within the spear, aiding the user in combat and greatly increasing their fighting power! Therefore, although it is a Lower-grade Treasure Artifact, if used properly, it can completely contend with Mid-grade Treasure Artifacts! Its only drawback is that if the user lacks sufficient willpower, they may be backfired by the fierce energy. Please be extremely cautious when using it! Alright, starting bid: eight hundred and eighty million. Let the bidding begin!"

Eight hundred... and eighty million!

Mo Xiao Hong quietly told me, "Originally, this spear's value wouldn't exceed seven hundred million, but the fierce energy it accumulated over a thousand years has greatly increased its worth!"

"One billion!"

"One billion and thirty million!"

Several people immediately started bidding, it seemed they were all well-prepared.

"Miss, Liu Ye, if you want this spear..."

"I'll pass. This spear feels really menacing, I don't like it," Si Nan Ying said immediately.

"I'll pass too. I don't really like spears as weapons."

Spear-users have always had Luck E since ancient times, that's common knowledge. I wouldn't dare risk it.

By this time, the spear's price had already soared to 1.6 billion, nearly double... These guys are truly rich and willful.

"1.6 billion, any higher? 1.6 billion once, 1.6 billion twice, sold!"

Sigh, the grand finale item has finally found its owner. In the end, I didn't get anything. Novels are really deceiving...

"Wait!!"

Suddenly, the lights in the venue were turned on, and three men stood up from the crowd, rushing onto the stage!

"You... what are you doing!?" Su Ya was startled. Her auctions had never had something like this happen before!

"Insolent fools, get down!"

Several guards in uniform immediately stepped forward. Powerful Spiritual Energy condensed around them, clearly indicating they were powerful Supernatural Ability users!

"Insignificant ants... Black Coffin!"

One of the men in black waved his hand, and several black ribbons immediately appeared in the void. The ribbons swirled and folded, quickly forming a square black coffin that trapped all the guards inside!

"Next, watch my move. Brother Black, cooperate!"

Another burly man with a middle part walked towards the Black Coffin. He grinned, and a stream of gas drifted from his mouth. The man in black opened a small gap in the Black Coffin, and the gas immediately poured in through the opening. Following that, piercing screams echoed from within the coffin.

Then, the Black Coffin opened again, and several bodies, completely red, rolled out. They were the guards from just now!

"You... what exactly do you want!?" Seeing the usually formidable guards so easily killed, Su Ya's legs went weak, and she collapsed onto the ground in fear.

"Don't be so scared, beautiful lady."

A middle-aged woman with high cheekbones walked onto the stage unhurriedly. Her voice was exactly the same as the sharp, sarcastic one from before.

"I am Amansa Cleon. We are here today simply to seek justice for the Cleon Family, because..."

She pointed at the Crimson Spotted Spear.

"This spear rightfully belongs to our Cleon Family! We don't know which scoundrel stole it and sold it to you!"