Greed

Whenever a piece of Void Beast Hide appeared, it could sell for an astronomical price. Its natural properties alone made it a treasure, to say nothing of what could be done by refining it.

It could let a person hide within the void, utterly beyond detection. If properly refined, it could even travel through the void. It was truly a treasure!

Legend had it that the Fire Kingdom possessed a piece of Void Beast Hide that had been refined into a precious artifact. It could travel through the void, making it convenient for journeys.

Of course, that piece was far larger than the one before them. This hide was only a meter square and could bear limited weight.

"There's no need for me to say much about the Void Beast Hide. I'm sure everyone knows what divine powers it possesses." The woman in red on the platform announced a staggering starting price.

The crowd could not remain calm. A beast hide like this had far too many marvelous uses. It could help one escape a great calamity: one could stand on it, rush into the void, hide within it, and travel through it.

And if it fell into an assassin's hands, it would be even more terrifying. Where could they not go? Who would they not dare assassinate? It would be practically impossible to guard against.

Of course, if it were refined together with other heavenly and earthly treasures, it would become even more valuable, and an unparalleled magical artifact would surely be created.

Someone brought out several pieces of rare material. Their brilliance shone so brightly that people could not keep their eyes open.

Another person took out a large piece of earth essence, something said to prolong life.

"I bid a piece of Blue Spirit Soil," Lei Chong called out first.

"I bid most of a piece of Sea Blue Essence," Shi Hao said at the right moment.

Besides the two of them, the other honored guests also began bidding.

"I bid a piece of Mutton Fat Iron and a piece of purple crystal."

"I bid three Blood Spirit Pearls and a piece of Sea Blue Essence."

"I bid ten spirit herbs and a precious pill."

"..."

The honored guests all called out high bids, causing a stir throughout the hall.

"Brother Lei, if you want to bid for this beast hide, that little bit of material won't be enough," the Witch said, staring at the Blue Spirit Soil.

Lei Chong took out a Qiankun pouch and tossed it in front of the Witch.

"Help me bid. You can use any of the materials inside." Lei Chong stared at the Void Beast Hide, fire kindling in his eyes.

"Where did you rob all this? Take me with you next time." The Witch looked startled at first, then spoke with a grin.

"Am I that kind of person? Just help me win the Void Beast Hide first." Lei Chong shook his head helplessly.

The Witch did not refuse. She took out materials and began bidding.

The bidding this time was frenzied. The Witch had to put up more than a dozen kinds of materials before she finally suppressed the other bidders and secured the Void Beast Hide.

Before long, a young woman carried the hide into his private room.

Lei Chong took the hide at once and examined it closely in his hands.

The hide was covered in patterns. Whenever Lei Chong circulated his magic power, those patterns lit up, then vanished into the void.

"As marvelous as expected." With the Void Beast Hide in hand, Lei Chong's confidence grew greatly.

After the climax, a quieter period naturally followed. The next item displayed was a black figurine as tall as a fist. It was made of some unknown metal and was dull and lusterless.

Nothing about it seemed special. It merely gave people the impression that it was an ancient object, and a very old one at that.

"What is this?" someone asked.

"This is an ancient magical artifact, so old that many people might find it difficult to trace its origins," the woman in red explained with a smile.

Lei Chong stared at the Indestructible Golden Body, considering whether to make a bid.

After thinking it over carefully for a long time, he decided not to bid.

The Indestructible Golden Body would be of little use to him, and its interior was severely fractured. It would take many materials to repair it.

The Witch also studied it for a long time, considering whether to bid.

In the end, she shook her head and abandoned the idea.

Bidding soon began, but there were very few bidders.

In the end, Shi Hao made a bid and won the treasure.

Shi Hao won it for a very small price. When the precious hammer in the glamorous woman's hand fell on the stage, he let out a long breath, completely satisfied.

It was truly a bargain, exchanging a few materials for such a supreme treasure!

The instant the hammer sounded, a voice rang out at the entrance to the auction hall. Like lingering celestial music, soft and pleasant to hear, it reached into the hall.

"Wait a moment."

Everyone turned to look. The voice was so gentle, as though it had come from the divine realm, that it washed over their souls like a spring breeze.

Almost everyone looked over. She was dressed in white, transcendent and otherworldly, with a graceful figure. A head taller than most women, she was slender, statuesque, and captivating.

Her long black hair gleamed, and her neck was fair and delicate, like a swan's. Unfortunately, a light veil covered her face, making it hard to see her features. Only her eyes were visible, hazy beneath a layer of mist and stirring to the heart.

People could not see her true face, but from her slender, beautiful figure, they could guess that she was a woman of extraordinary beauty, most likely a peerless beauty.

The instant she heard the voice, the Witch sprang to her feet.

She stared at the figure by the entrance, a strange light flickering in her eyes.

"She actually came." A sly gleam flashed in the Witch's eyes. "Little brother, do you want a wife? I can give you a fairy."

Lei Chong glanced at Yue Chan outside and instantly understood what the Witch had in mind.

Nevertheless, he feigned confusion and reached an arm around the Witch's waist. "Forget the fairy. I'd rather feed a demon with my own body."

Smack!

The Witch was clearly faster. She slapped his hand away, evidently having long been prepared, wary of him letting his hands wander.

The Witch ground her teeth in secret and bared her teeth and claws at Lei Chong.

At last, unable to hold back any longer, she rushed out of the private room in a few strides.

Outside the room, she competed with Yue Chan openly and in secret, deliberately bidding against her and drawing the attention of countless cultivators.

Lei Chong shook his head helplessly and began refining the Void Beast Hide.

As for the later lots, none were of use to Lei Chong, and none caught his eye, so he did not take part in the bidding.

Only after the auction ended did the Witch return to the private room.

"Little brother, there's a gathering in two days. The geniuses of the imperial capital will all be there. Do you want to go?" the Witch asked with a smile.

"Forget it. I don't have time," Lei Chong refused outright.

"You really are no fun." The Witch left in a huff.

Yue Chan had long since left the auction hall, so the moment the Witch emerged from the private room, many people gathered around her.

Many did not know the Witch's identity and wanted to trade for the Void Beast Hide.

"The hide isn't with me. You can ask him for it." The Witch pointed at the private room, just as Lei Chong emerged from it.

Whoosh!

All of them crowded around Lei Chong, surrounding him so tightly that not even water could pass through.

"Young brother, which manor are you from? We're from Rain King Mansion and would like to make your acquaintance," an old man said.

"I'm from the Martial King Manor, the maternal cousin of Shi Yi, the bearer of the Double Pupils. Do you have time for a chat, young brother?" a young man asked with a smile.