The curtain rose fully, and all the lights in the hall suddenly converged on the central auction platform.
A foreign host with three eyes, dressed in an exquisite silver gown and wearing a standard professional smile, walked slowly to the center of the platform.
She carried herself with grace, resting her fingertips lightly on the crystal auction stand before her. Her three eyes swept across the hall in turn, and her clear, captivating voice echoed throughout the room through the sound system:
"Distinguished guests, good afternoon! Welcome to Rogue Star No. 91 Auction House. I'm Lina, your host for today's auction."
She bowed slightly, her skirt swaying as she smiled graciously. "There are 108 lots in today's auction, covering cultivation resources, rare materials, ancient relics, special life-forms, and more."
"Allow me to announce the rules. First, the highest bidder wins. Bids cannot be withdrawn, and each increase must be at least 10% of the starting price. Second, successful bidders must pay in full on the spot. Third, fighting, making a commotion, or deliberately disrupting the auction is forbidden. Violators will be removed by the Alliance Enforcement Team and blacklisted by auction houses across the galaxy."
"Without further ado, I now declare this auction officially open!"
When she finished speaking, a modest round of applause rose from the hall. The aliens in the general seating straightened up and gazed eagerly toward the stage.
The host raised a hand and gestured. An attendant behind her immediately brought out the first lot, covered in red velvet.
"The first lot: a Gathering Origin Bead!"
The attendant pulled back the velvet. A pale blue orb, about the size of a pigeon's egg and glowing with a soft, warm light, lay in the brocade box. It radiated a faint fluctuation of Primordial Spirit energy.
"The Gathering