In the old house, there were at least twenty or thirty people, each wearing a mask, sitting quietly in their chairs, utterly silent.
Despite the crowd, the room was eerily quiet, the scene somewhat unnerving.
Fabian Vasquez led Carson Flores to two empty seats and sat down.
Carson Flores nodded and sat silently, not speaking.
Seven or eight more people arrived intermittently; the black curtain on the wall in front was lifted, and a man also wearing a mask came out, walking straight to the temporarily arranged auction platform at the front.
"It seems that nearly everyone has arrived, so let’s begin," the man said, his voice low and authoritative as his eyes swept around, gleaming: "I will briefly describe each item and announce the starting price. Where I can disclose the origins, I will inform you, and I urge everyone to heed my words. Do not ask about those I cannot reveal. If you wish to buy, bid higher; if you do not, simply watch, it’s as simple as that."
"There are not many items today, only twelve in total. We will start with the first one."
"The first item, Wilona Carter, a top-grade Flying Sword, originally belonged to Xue Wu, the Fairy of Li Yue Sect, and it’s named after her. The starting price is one million spirit stones, with each bid increment set at one hundred thousand spirit stones."
Carson Flores’s eyes lit up; the black market indeed sold exceptional goods and went straight to the point, explaining the origin in one breath.
Carson Flores didn’t know what had become of this dancing Fairy, her Flying Sword ending up in a black market auction, but regardless, unveiling this sword would surely bring trouble if recognized by Wilona Carter or someone from the Li Yue Sect.
Bidding signs were raised and prices called out, one after another.
It seemed everyone was aware of the risks, but the sword was of fine quality and still sparked demand.
After an intense bidding war, Wilona Carter was sold for two million seven hundred thousand spirit stones.
For a Flying Sword, that price was quite high, but naturally, the higher the quality, the more exponentially its value increases—it was to be expected.
A thousand soldiers are easy to obtain, but a general is hard to find; the same goes for Flying Swords and magical treasures.
The man on stage continued to bring out auction items, all of high value but with clearly dubious origins.
None of these items failed to sell; each sparked a bidding frenzy.
Carson Flores did not participate in the bidding; he didn’t want unnecessary trouble, and furthermore, he was already quite powerful except for a slight shortfall in Defense Treasure.
The Dragon Turtle Pendant that could withstand three strong attacks from a Nascent Soul, the sharp Three Provinces Sword, the Water-Fire Mirror that controlled both elements, the large dumbbell that could withstand attacks from a Nascent Soul, and the Dark Seal of unknown origin but astonishing power...
"Next, the tenth auction item is the Beast Taming Bag. I won’t go into detail about this item; those who want it will surely understand. The starting price is two million spirit stones, with increments of one hundred thousand spirit stones per bid."
Carson Flores’s eyes suddenly brightened—damn, there really was a Beast Taming Bag!
Fabian Vasquez’s eyes also shone with joy; he hoped Carson Flores would acquire the Beast Taming Bag, as that would enhance his own value, increasing his chances of survival, wouldn’t it?
Through casual conversations over the past two days, he had gauged Carson Flores’s character who held to his principles and would not kill recklessly for profit, but was ruthless towards his enemies.
He believed that as long as he completed the tasks for Carson Flores and paid the ransom, Carson Flores would spare him.
Fabian Vasquez raised his bidding sign.
"Two million one hundred thousand."
Carson Flores sat still, not moving a muscle.
It had been agreed beforehand that no matter the cost, Fabian Vasquez would keep bidding; he must win the auction.
Money was not an issue!
Although Carson Flores needed spirit stones to purchase Dark Iron Raven Essence and the corresponding herbs, the Beast Taming Bag was his most urgent need. With two Beast Taming Bags, he could carry two beasts on par with Nascent Souls, enhancing his personal safety.
Money can be earned again, right?
Hadn’t Fabian Vasquez offered twenty million spirit stones as a ransom to save his own life?
Carson Flores’s trip to Fierce Lion City, though starting with being sold, resulted in a windfall of twenty-eight million spirit stones plus a Beast Taming Bag, almost tantamount to finding free money.
Fabian Vasquez was a good man indeed.
The price climbed steadily, quickly reaching four million five hundred thousand, and the crowd of bidders thinned as the bids approached exceeding the normal price.
Fabian Vasquez raised it by five hundred thousand, showing a determination to win.
"Five million one hundred thousand."
A cold, clear voice rang out, and Carson Flores turned his head. The bidder was about three meters away from him, recognizable as a woman by her voice and figure, and not an old one at that.
Fabian Vasquez continued bidding, with the woman following closely; the price swiftly breached six million.
Carson Flores frowned.
Though he was prepared to pay any price for the Beast Taming Bag, spending far more than its worth was still irritating.
Only Fabian Vasquez and the woman remained in the bidding, both adamant and refusing to back down.
"Six million one hundred thousand!"
"Six million two hundred thousand!"
Fabian Vasquez increased the bid again: "Six million five hundred thousand!"
The woman suddenly turned her head, her gaze sharp as a blade, firmly fixed on Fabian Vasquez. After a long moment, she gritted her teeth and declared, "I withdraw."