The host standing on the auction stage had long since grown accustomed to such scenes. Still, surely the first warm-up lot could not end so hastily with only two pieces sold?
"This whale rubber is a rare treasure. Would any other distinguished guests care to bid?"
"Six thousand Gold Soul Coins, going once, going twice..."
The host spoke exceedingly slowly, waiting for anyone interested to continue bidding on the remaining ten-thousand-year whale glue.
Just as she gave a faint sigh and was about to bring down the hammer, Long Qianming raised his bidding paddle with his right hand.
"I want three pieces. Nine thousand Gold Soul Coins."
Beside him, Si Long looked at Long Qianming curiously and could not resist teasing him.
"Brother Long, buying three pieces in one go? Your motives are rather suspicious, aren't they?"
Hearing this, the host finally breathed a sigh of relief. Half of the whale rubber in the first warm-up lot had been sold, but she still had to ask again.
"Distinguished guest number five has bid on three pieces of ten-thousand-year whale glue. Would anyone like the remaining five?"
When no one responded for a long while, the auction hammer finally fell heavily, and she announced the result with a broad smile.
"Congratulations to distinguished guests number one and number five on winning the ten-thousand-year whale glue."
The attendants delivered the purchased goods to them one by one. While Long Qianming and Spirit Hall's purple-robed bishop paid, the second lot was brought out.
When the covering was lifted, three exquisite weapons, each three times larger than a Gold Soul Coin, appeared before everyone.
"What are those?"
"Could they be new weapons forged by a divine craftsman?"
The guests stared in puzzlement at the three round weapons displayed on the auction stage, while Long Qianming turned to look at Lou Gao. Lou Gao was equally bewildered.
"I've never made these three little things."
Looking at the guests whose attention had been captured by the weapons, the host smiled faintly.
"These three weapons were not made by a divine craftsman. Rather, they are products of an ancient technology long since lost-Soul Tools. Moreover, these three Soul Tools, which all have the same function, are relatively rare offensive Soul Tools. They can break through the first three defensive Soul Skills of an ordinary defense-type Soul Master."
"The starting price for each Soul Tool is three thousand Gold Soul Coins. Each increase must be at least one hundred Gold Soul Coins, with no upper limit. Please place your bids."
At this, the seated guests could no longer sit still. Long Qianming, who had just acquired the ten-thousand-year whale glue, was also extremely curious.
Soul Tools were exceedingly rare across the entire continent. Aside from a few storage and support-type Soul Tools that remained in the world, he had never heard of an offensive Soul Tool appearing in public view.
He had never expected today's auction to bring out three at once. Judging by their power and shape, they were extremely similar to the Level 3 Soul Guidance Rays of ten thousand years in the future.
By now, the guests on the first floor could no longer restrain their restless hearts. They raised their bidding paddles one after another and excitedly called out their bids.
"I want one. Three thousand Gold Soul Coins."
"I want them all. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins."
"Eleven thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
In just one minute, the Soul Guidance Rays worth nine thousand Gold Soul Coins had reached the astronomical price of twelve thousand. At that price, however, everyone shrank back.
Though immensely wealthy, they were no fools. Fifteen thousand Gold Soul Coins could recruit three or four Soul Kings as guest retainers for their families. Why buy Soul Tools with only the power of a Soul Elder?
"Twelve thousand, going once, going twice..."
Just as the host began counting down, Lou Gao, seated in guest box number five, decided that the three Soul Tools were rather interesting and could be taken back for study. He immediately bid.
"Thirteen thousand Gold Soul Coins."
"Distinguished guest number five has bid thirteen thousand. Does anyone wish to bid higher?"
The host kept surveying all the guests in the auction hall, looking for anyone else willing to bid.
"Thirteen thousand Gold Soul Coins, going once, going twice, going three times."
As the host brought down the hammer, Mai Ruimi, seated in guest box number one, glanced toward box number five, his eyes filled with boundless excitement.
He had never expected the Soul Tools made by the three people he had happened to capture-whose movements were secretive and who did not seem to be from the continent-to fetch such a high price, more than twelve times the original amount.
As long as he had those three, raking in bushels of gold every day would be perfectly normal in the future.
Lou Gao was particularly pleased to have obtained the three Soul Tools. He handed one to Si Long.
"Si Long, this is my first gift to you as your teacher. I hope that one day, you too will be able to make a similar Soul Tool."
Lou Gao had extremely high expectations for Si Long. If this disciple of his could one day produce Soul Tools, whose crafting methods had long been lost,
then the entire continent would enter a new order with the emergence of Soul Tools, and the status of blacksmiths like them would also undergo a qualitative leap.
"Thank you, Teacher. I certainly won't let you down."
Si Long accepted the Soul Tool, his resolve to become a divine craftsman growing even firmer. After a little thought, Lou Gao handed another Soul Tool to Long Qianming.
"Boy, I know about that crazy Soul Hunting Plan of yours. This Soul Tool isn't a gift. I'm lending it to you. I don't intend to meddle in those plans of yours, but you mustn't die."
"Then thank you, Senior."
Long Qianming lowered his head to glance at Si Long, then looked at Lou Gao. He gladly accepted the somewhat heavy Soul Tool. With this Level 3 Soul Tool, he would at least be able to handle Soul Beasts under a thousand years old with room to spare and dispose of them easily.
The next few lots consisted of minerals and some equipment forged by grandmaster blacksmiths. Although there was no top-tier equipment forged by Lou Gao, these pieces still prompted most of the distinguished guests to bid against one another.
As time ticked by, the attendants brought out the final lot. Looking at the guests below, whose enthusiasm remained undiminished and who were still brimming with anticipation, the host instead sighed.
"All of you have, to some extent, either seen this auction item or heard of it."
The host then pulled away the red covering, revealing a blue ring. Unfortunately, one corner was already damaged, exposing the blue crystal within. Everyone was deeply disappointed.
"A damaged Storage Soul Tool? How does this qualify as a finale lot?"
The host had anticipated the guests' reaction, but they had not put this Soul Tool up for auction without any preparation. With a hint of delight, she introduced it to everyone.
"Our auction house has brought its full sincerity this time. Besides auctioning this damaged Soul Tool, we are also including three sets of analytical dismantling diagrams for Storage Soul Tools."
"You must understand just how valuable this damaged Storage Soul Tool would be if repaired. It may contain treasures beyond your expectations: vast quantities of Gold Soul Coins, Soul Tools, or even Soul Bones!"
At this, everyone in the auction hall lost their composure. This damaged Storage Soul Tool was like opening a blind box. With good luck, there was a profit to be made; with bad luck, they would lose every last coin they put into it.
The reason it had repeatedly gone unsold before was that no one dared spend money on a useless piece of junk. Now that there were some structural dismantling diagrams for Storage Soul Tools, it was worth taking a gamble.
Long Qianming had come to the auction precisely for this damaged Storage Soul Tool. By his calculations, his remaining money should have been enough to win it.
He had simply never expected the auction house to offer structural dismantling diagrams for Storage Soul Tools this time-and three sets at that.
With that, there would certainly be plenty of people wanting to win this damaged Soul Tool, and its auction price would inevitably rise severalfold.
Still, no matter what, he, Long Qianming, had to take a gamble. After all, who would not want a Storage Soul Tool that made carrying things convenient?