The Earth Rank auction hall was much smaller than the Profound Rank hall.
But its opulence surpassed the latter by several levels.
Glazed floor tiles and dragon-carved pillars were everywhere. Even the chandeliers overhead were strung together from countless sunlight stones.
They illuminated the entire hall, filling the eye with a dazzling display of gold and splendor.
Moreover, there were no ordinary seats in the hall. Instead, private boxes fitted with one-way glass formed a ring around the auction platform.
At that moment.
Ya Fei was introducing an item on the auction platform.
From time to time, bids rang out from the private boxes.
Although the auction's final highlight was a Tier 5 Spirit-Gathering Armament, the other items were also treasures rarely seen outside, each of some use to those present.
As such, the experts attending were hardly stingy with their bids.
Inside one particular box.
Teng Shan was bowing respectfully to a white-haired elder before him, his expression brimming with excitement.
"Elder Hai, I never imagined it really was you!"
"Heh, what? Did you think I was dead?"
"I wouldn't dare. With your strength, who in the entire Jia Ma Empire could keep you from leaving?"
"Enough. Spare me the flattery. Queen Medusa injuring me back then was hardly some great secret. You, on the other hand, you useless fellow—after all these years, you've actually broken through to Dou Wang and become Clan Chief. Now that is a surprise."
Clad in blue robes, Hai Bodong had white hair and a white beard, yet his face looked middle-aged. He glanced at Teng Shan as he spoke indifferently.
Teng Shan lowered his head respectfully. "I merely got lucky. Now that you've returned, Elder Hai, you should take charge of the Mittel Family."
Hai Bodong waved a hand slightly at that. "Forget