The auction hall was as large as a stadium, its hemispherical dome sealed and studded with glowing crystals that illuminated the fully enclosed space.
Inside, round tables were arranged at intervals. Representatives from various factions, accompanied by their guards, took their seats at these tables, with each table practically representing a single faction.
The hall was spacious and had many seats, yet the bidders at the round tables were only in small groups, appearing sparse, giving the impression of a cold, unsuccessful auction.
However, most of the powerful individuals present had traveled extensively and were well-traveled. A mere sweep of their gaze was enough to elicit silent gasps.
"My goodness, so many powerhouses. Many aren't even suppressing their auras; the space here feels like it's about to warp."
Lott, the captain of the War Flame mercenary group registered in the Crimson Lotus Empire, was currently clad in a black robe with hidden and concealing effects, shrouding him completely.
He was seated in a secluded corner of the hall with two other mercenary group powerhouses similarly dressed.
He looked around, utterly astonished.
"As expected, it was right to make some disguises. Otherwise, if I got something at the auction, I might not be able to leave."
"Brother, to be honest, I don't think we have the financial means to acquire anything."
"Why speak such blunt truths!"
Lott was realistic and knew their finances were meager.
Their mercenary group was not weak, with the three brothers all being Six-Awakened Thrones. He had also spent a large sum to study at a place of inheritance in the Crimson Lotus Empire, but to no avail. A substantial amount of strange crystals had gone down the drain.
Yet, Lott was still a top-tier powerhouse below the titled Six-Awakened.
However, the financial resources of their mercenary group were far from comparable to that of the Great Oasis Lords. He knew that he and his brothers would most likely be mere spectators today.
"Spectators it is. We weren't here for the auction in the first place, but since we're here, it would be a shame not to see the so-called treasures with our own eyes."
"Indeed. But Brother, you're being very sensible today."
"Why speak such blunt truths!"
Similar to Lott and his companions, there were quite a number of bidders wrapped in black robes, concealing themselves thoroughly. However, those who chose to sit at the front of the hall, exuding an extraordinary presence, were not concealed at all. Many factions even had clan emblems or oasis insignia engraved on their combat suits.
They had no need to hide; they disdained to hide!
"Marquis Lin of the Ancient Moon Dynasty. This seems to be Lin Yetian, the eldest son of the current head of the Lin clan. He clearly places great importance on this."
"The Lin clan doesn't even stand out here. Over there is Sabir, the guardian lord of Starfall Bay in the Seven Stars Alliance, a titled Six-Awakened."
"Titled Six-Awakened? Who isn't a titled Six-Awakened!"
"There are many factions from other great domains too. Look there, it's the Dawn Legion from the Blazing Earth Core Great Domain. They worship strength and are very powerful."
"Hmph! Barbarians."
"And the local power here, the Fallen Star City! The First Prince of the royal family and the lord of Starfall Fortress have come. Both of them are said to have peak Six-Awakened combat power."
"Mm, not just those two. Many powerhouses have come from Fallen Star City. After all, they are the dominant power here."
Yet, as the dominant power, they had no semblance of leadership.
This made the First Prince and the Duke of Starfall Fortress look somewhat grim.
"Ignore the opinions of outsiders. Our target this time is clear: the Water of Origin. Other factions might doubt or hesitate about the Water of Origin, and many individuals cannot represent their entire factions. But we are different. We come with the orders of our ancestors, and this is our advantage! We must acquire the Water of Origin at all costs!"
Compared to the Great Oasis, the super-oases, which had existed for a much longer time, had incredibly complex internal factions. Even an emperor like Stellarler XIII could not always act according to his own will.
After all, Stellarler XIII was merely a mortal emperor.
He could govern a vast country but could not ignore the objections of his ministers, especially from within the royal family. The other super-factions were similar; although they were called representatives, they could only represent their own factions.
But... Pelai Zemon, as a Mythical Crowned One, his will was the will of Fallen Star City. Under the divine decree, it would be carried out to the end.
"The first item for auction is the Thunder Fruit from an ancient ruin. Three fruits will be auctioned together."
Onstage, Bai Yan Si, adorned in phoenix robes, emerged. Liu Ru, a plant-based demoness with peak Six-Awakened combat power, carried the auctioned item onto the high platform.
Three fruits with mysterious patterns appeared before everyone's eyes.
The treasure's aura was faint but contained profound truths that the powerhouses present could not comprehend.
They took out their pre-prepared detection-type strange devices and props, their eyes fixed on the fruits.
Soon, bidding began.
"Three million strange crystals!"
"Three point six million strange crystals!"
"Six million strange crystals!"
"Seven million strange crystals!"
The price climbed steadily. Powerhouses like Lott, who were strong Six-Awakeners, found themselves unable to even afford the starting bid, a bitter realization.
Looking at the representatives of various factions vying to bid, he finally understood the gap between the striving class and the landed gentry.
"Who told them they have mines at home?"
"I used to think we earned a lot, but I never imagined it was just hard-earned money. These damned merchant guilds, greedy merchants!"
"The Blazing Fire Merchant Guild is truly making a fortune. Just a few small fruits sold for such a sky-high price. Envious!"
After the three Thunder Fruits were auctioned as a bundle, items like the Serene Heart Tea, Water of Life, Sumeru Gourd strange artifact, and Gull-class flying craft were successively auctioned. Several ability fruits were also included.
This opened the eyes of many Six-Awakened powerhouses.
Crucially, these auctioned items were not unique; there was a substantial quantity! No, there was a large quantity! For instance, the Serene Heart Tea, sold in 'cans,' saw a total of 88 cans sold at this auction!
Space strange artifacts, Bright Empire flying craft, Water of Life, and so on, all had considerable quantities.
Many factions that thought they would return empty-handed gritted their teeth and bid on some items, feeling the trip was worthwhile.
"Is the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild clearing out its warehouse? Treasures like the Water of Life are hard currency; no one has too much!"
"Aren't space strange artifacts also hard currency? Several direct descendants in my clan don't have space strange artifacts to use. I managed to acquire two this time, hehehe."
"The most exaggerated is the Serene Heart Tea. Did the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild take out all its accumulated inventory from hundreds of years? They are truly generous!"
Innumerable faction representatives exclaimed in awe.
The most astonished were those from the Ancient Moon Dynasty. They occasionally obtained a tiny bit of Serene Heart Tea, but compared to the quantity of 'cans' before them, the difference was too vast.
Hundreds of years of inventory, of course, there wasn't.
From planting that small legendary tea tree to now, it had only been a few months. This batch was only a few months' inventory.
However, these few months were not easy.
Planted on Level 3 soil and supplied with nutrients from a total of 27 planting areas, each 3x3x3, this tea tree was not as delicate as the Yidola Tree of Life and grew rapidly.
But it was still...
"Tree of Life!"
"Again, Tree of Life!"
Thinking about how he had to frequently go to the planting area these days, borrowing Liu Shang's legendary skill to exhaust his body to aid the cultivation of the tea tree, Fang You wiped away the non-existent sweat and continued to focus his gaze on the auction hall.
Cultivating tea trees was not easy.
The countless tea leaves harvested were infused with Fang You's sweat and required countless strange crystals as energy supplements in the early stages.
But the effort was worth it.
Such treasures, which could reduce erosion and pollution, were highly sought after and craved by the powerhouses present.
"Our Wang family bids 1.3 million strange crystals!"
"Our Li family bids three Epic-grade mysterious plants, Frost Dragon Flowers!"
"Karin Family bids one Water Ripple Defense Flow Rite, complete with two sets of fully inscribed ritual diagrams."
"Hahaha, just a rite to bid? I bid 2 million strange crystals!"
Even powerful factions might not be able to produce millions of strange crystals in cash.
However, the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild allowed bidding in kind. As for the valuation, it would depend on whether the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild—the supplier of the auctioned item—needed it and their valuation.
Fang You wished for bartering.
At least currently, strange crystals far exceeded their needs, while they were severely lacking in other treasures and high-end technologies.
Of course, strange crystals could not only be used for daily consumption and construction but could also allow Qian Qiu or someone else to shop in the Shattered Sea. In this Fallen Star Grotto, many ritual technologies were unavailable for purchase, but he believed they were not an issue in the Shattered Sea, where it was more advanced, and many goods could be procured.
Forming a cross-domain caravan was an urgent matter.
The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion. Many powerhouses called out with flushed faces, but a few representatives from top-tier factions remained indifferent, having not spoken yet.
They were waiting for the treasures they desired to appear.
The auctioned items presented on stage became increasingly rare.
"The next item to be auctioned is a high-level ability fruit, also known as the Gigantification Fruit. Those who eat the fruit will gain the ability to arbitrarily enlarge any part of their body, or their entire body. While practicing this ability, it also effectively enhances personal physique."
"The Gigantification Fruit has no starting price and supports bidding in kind. Now... bidding begins!"
The scene instantly fell silent.
It wasn't that no one was bidding; all eyes were fixed on the fruit. It could be seen that the mysterious patterns on this fruit were more numerous and intricate than those on the Thunder Fruit, and the treasure aura emanating from it was even stronger.
It was a genuine high-level ability fruit.
Such advanced abilities were very difficult to cultivate in places of inheritance. Even if successfully created, the success rate of inheritance was extremely low.
However, ability fruits were guaranteed to be learnable.
"Two million strange crystals!"
"Only two million? You poor beggar, bidding for what? I'll bid three million!"
"Three point two million!"
"Three point six million!"
At this moment, a distinguished guest at a round table in the front row slightly raised his chin. A powerhouse beside him immediately spoke,
"Our Seven Stars Alliance bids four million strange crystals. This Gigantification ability fruit is ours!"
The voice did not sound loud, but it instantly suppressed the clamor in the hall, demonstrating the fearsome power of the speaker.
This was clearly a titled Six-Awakener.
What was even more daunting and fearful was the content of the statement: "Our Seven Stars Alliance."
The Seven Stars Alliance!
One of the most powerful factions in the Shattered Sea region, composed of seven great star islands. Each star island was presided over by a mythical being. A single star island was a super-oasis, stronger than the dominant factions of many great domains.
The seven great star islands supported each other, like one entity. The only human factions in the entire Shattered Sea comparable to it were the Crimson Lotus Empire and the Ancient Moon Dynasty.
The speaker of this statement was recognized by some as being from the Sixth Star Island.
The great figure sitting there, a refined man in a wide-sleeved white robe and black-rimmed glasses, was Kairios, the Deputy Island Master of the Sixth Star Island!
A figure that even mythical beings had to regard with respect!
As his personal guard spoke, the entire hall fell silent. Many were covetous of this Gigantification Fruit, but they dared not speak.
At this moment, a powerful oppressive force emanated from behind the scenes of the hall, and the space seemed to freeze, rippling with a hum. The very space of the entire world seemed about to shift and distort.
The pressure fell upon the Sixth Star Island group.
The speaker's face turned red.
"This is... a warning from the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild's mythical being!"
"Yes, the Seven Stars Alliance is formidable, but this is the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild's territory. There is a mythical being watching! It's that Empress Mythical Being!"
"This is a silent warning."
In the backstage area of the high platform, the Empress Mythical Being Illoxi, whom everyone saw, was lounging with her long, shapely legs crossed, sitting on a chair. As the oppressive force spread, she suddenly stood up, about to unleash her empress's demeanor.
She was suddenly covered.
Illoxi emitted muffled groans, her eyes wide as she struggled desperately. However, the white hand covering her mouth remained motionless, pressed tightly against it with not even a sliver of a gap.
Not a sound could be heard.
After a while,
When the white hand was released, a crystal-clear white thread stretched out from her fingers until it snapped and dripped down.
"What are you doing! Let me curse that ignorant fool!" Illoxi glared angrily.
Xitina wiped her hands and said expressionlessly, "Mentor instructed me not to say too many unnecessary words. I am merely carrying out Mentor's task."
"I was just going to curse a little... Alright, alright. Mentor did give instructions."
She lifted her snowy neck and huffed, ╭(╯^╰)╮.
Fine.
At least she had partially put on a show.
On the high platform, Bai Yan Si glanced around and said, "Esteemed guests, please continue bidding. Our Blazing Fire Merchant Guild guarantees the safety of every client."
With that, Xitina, located backstage, produced a legendary strange artifact.
The Veil of Seclusion!
Concealment! Obscurity!
The entire hall was plunged into darkness, and a faint gray-black light shrouded many bidders, making them indistinct. The space itself seemed to shift and intertwine through layers.
Only the representatives from top-tier factions seated in the front rows were not enveloped by the Veil of Seclusion and remained clearly visible.
Bidding continued.
The price of the Gigantification ability fruit continued to rise.
At this point, Kairios, the Star Forger, personally spoke, "One divine crystal. I bid one divine crystal."
Divine crystals, crystals containing refined energy and pure divine particles, could be unearthed in twos and threes at the core of large strange crystal veins, or manufactured by high-ranking beings expending their own essence.
Their function was simple: to replenish depleted divine particles or for mythical cultivation.
However, usually, few mythical beings were willing to use them for cultivation; they were mostly used to replenish losses and maintain the consumption of their great power.
This was a legendary hard currency.
The price of one divine crystal was, in the eyes of many, an overbid, far exceeding the value of the Gigantification Fruit.
"Just one divine crystal. I am very interested in that fruit, and this can serve as a small token of apology for my previous offense."
As the Gigantification ability fruit was sold, the entire auction entered its final countdown.
Only two items remained, which the top-tier factions were most concerned about.
The Water of Origin!
Pure Divine Radiance!
Sky-high prices that astounded countless onlookers were bid one after another.
"Ten divine crystals!"
"On behalf of the Ancient Moon Royal Family, I bid one legendary Life Nurturing Rite, which can be verified on-site."
"Our Great Misan City bids a rite that can gather 'popularity.' Don't look at its low grade; this rite can solidify the popularity of a large city and transfer it to an oasis. Our Great Misan City also includes the popularity of several million people for one year."
"The maximum popularity this rite can solidify is for one year."
An envoy from Great Misan City spoke.
This rite was actually quite useless, possibly worth less than one divine crystal. He proposed it precisely because he saw the weakness of the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild.
They had fled here and urgently needed to upgrade the oasis.
And this Epic rite, excavated from a ruin and very difficult to replicate, fit this requirement!
This rite was used to bid for a wisp of Pure Divine Radiance.
The legendary Life Nurturing Rite, along with a complete set of rite slabs, was used to bid for three masses of Water of Origin.
At this moment,
Only three masses of Water of Origin, bundled for auction, and a wisp of Pure Divine Radiance, which could aid in mythical breakthroughs and provide a safety net for failures, remained.
However, there were over a dozen super-factions present: the Dawn Legion, the Seven Stars Alliance, the Crimson Lotus Empire, Fallen Star City... Many factions had not acquired anything and were gradually becoming anxious.
A divine aura erupted from the position of the Dawn Legion.
Like a glorious great sun, it dispelled the gloom in the hall. A being shrouded in glorious orange-red divine radiance spoke faintly, "15 divine crystals."
This was a mythical being!
A mythical being had personally arrived!
Hiss—
The Six-Awakened powerhouses from various great domains and factions were both excited and reverent. Many words seemed to well up in their hearts but were stuck in their throats, unable to be uttered.
Because of the might of a mythical being!
Because of the reverence for mythical beings that had persisted for so long!
But a second mythical being appeared. Wisps of starlight descended, and a river of stars surged from the horizon. A noble being, dressed in opulent robes and wearing Fallen Star earrings, whose face was obscured, appeared at some unknown time.
Pelai Zemon spoke, "16 divine crystals."
Following this, two more mythical beings appeared. Although they were merely divine avatars, they represented the personal presence of mythical beings and were not at all intimidated.
It was Lord Asphos from the Crimson Lotus Empire!
And Lord Nereids from Great Misan City!
Four different divine auras disturbed the space, and the entire hall instantly plunged into a kaleidoscopic chaos.
Others began to worry, unsure whether to stay or leave.
They feared that these mythical beings might actually fight. The Blazing Fire Merchant Guild did have a mythical being, but only one, which might not be enough to maintain order!
The atmosphere grew tense. The wine-red mythical empress also appeared on the high platform, silent, saying nothing.
Her mood seemed rather heavy.
"Hey, hey, why is no one bidding anymore? How much was the last bid again? Let me think..."
Wearing a blue long gown and holding a folding fan, this person, with an exaggerated expression, ascended the high platform.
This fellow was the storyteller from the teahouse, wasn't he? But he seemed unaffected by the mythical pressure!
Not only was he unaffected, but a faint mythical aura also emanated from Qian Qiu. He unfurled his folding fan, and the landscape painted on its surface seemed to be a world in itself.
This instantly diffused the tense atmosphere.
Two mythical beings?
An oasis, merely the size of a palm, was guarded by two mythical beings? What audacity!
No, more than two!
That golden-haired girl from that day was likely here too.
Pelai Zemon pondered, his expression unchanging despite his surprise. With a gentle smile, he said, "As your neighbor, Fallen Star City wholeheartedly supports the Blazing Fire Auction. I bid... 17 divine crystals."