Chapter 78: A Sky-High Transaction


    "Shall we continue?" Kulo asked, her expression calm and unreadable, as if she hadn''t noticed the tension in the air.


    Cold sweat poured down Han Ming''s face. "Yes!" he gritted his teeth. What was there to fear? Surely, no one would dare to threaten him openly in the auction house. Using force to intimidate bidders was a grave taboo in any auction, and such behavior was strictly forbidden.


    Han Ming couldn''t gauge the old man''s exact strength, but he was certain this was the most formidable opponent he had ever encountered. Li Xiaotian, of course, was far more powerful—his reputation as a conqueror of two continents was no exaggeration. However, Li Xiaotian had been severely injured decades ago and was now in his twilight years. Moreover, Li Xiaotian had never directed such a murderous gaze at Han Ming, so Han Ming had never experienced this level of pressure before.


    Meanwhile, the auctioneer had already noticed the tension. With a smile, he nodded toward the backstage.


    An elderly man with gray hair and cloudy eyes emerged, leaning on a crooked cane. He slowly made his way to the side of the auction stage and coughed lightly before speaking in a trembling voice.


    "In the spirit of fairness and justice, we ask all esteemed guests to abide by the rules of our Mercenary Auction House. As the saying goes, ''A nation has its laws, and a family has its rules.'' While our auction house may not be as vast as a nation, we will not tolerate any attempts to undermine our honor. Rest assured, bid freely on the treasures you desire. For one month after leaving the auction house, we will assign experts to protect the winners of our auctions. Should anyone dare to harm our guests or violate our rules, do not blame me for showing no mercy."


    Though the old man''s voice quivered, his words carried an undeniable weight, striking deep into the souls of everyone present. No one dared to defy him. After finishing his speech, the old man cast a subtle glance toward the shadowy figure in the corner.


    In that instant, the oppressive aura emanating from the figure dissipated completely. The crowd, oblivious to what had just transpired, began murmuring in confusion.


    Han Ming, too, felt the tension ease. For a moment, it had felt as though his life was hanging by a thread, ready to be snuffed out at any moment. This sensation was both unfamiliar and deeply unsettling.


    *I must gather all the necessary items as soon as possible and capture the Profound Ice Silkworm. Once I master the first form of the Water God''s Art, I won''t be so helpless anymore,* Han Ming resolved silently. With only six months left until the two-year deadline, time was running out.


    "One hundred eighty-five thousand," the hoarse voice called out again.


    Han Ming clenched his teeth, his eyes blazing with determination. He had never been one to back down from a challenge. If he were cowardly, he wouldn''t have come this far.


    "One water-attribute beast core and one wood-attribute beast core, both at the third tier," Han Ming declared.


    The auction hall erupted in chaos.


    The rarity of beast cores was common knowledge. They were treasures that couldn''t simply be measured in gold coins. While there was a general exchange rate—ten thousand gold coins for a third-tier beast core—such cores were rarely available for sale. Most people who obtained them would either absorb their power themselves or pass them down to their descendants. Even in the elite Magic and Military Academies of the Monte Empire, few possessed beast cores, underscoring their scarcity.


    For Han Ming to offer two cores at once was an astonishing move.


    The usually composed auctioneer''s eyes lit up at Han Ming''s offer.


    "Please wait a moment. The consignor of the Blood Pomegranate Stone, please come to the backstage. Everyone, please remain calm," the auctioneer said before hurrying backstage.


    Han Ming sipped his tea calmly in the private booth, confident that no one would outbid his offer.


    Backstage, the auctioneer smiled at a masked individual. "Sir, someone has offered two beast cores in exchange for your Blood Pomegranate Stone. If you agree to the trade, we will deliver the cores to you directly. If you prefer gold coins, we will purchase the cores from you at their estimated value and pay you the equivalent amount."


    The auctioneer waited patiently for a response.


    The masked person hesitated, clearly torn. After a long pause, they finally spoke. "I''ll take the gold coins."


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The auctioneer breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Very well."


    Returning to the stage, the auctioneer announced, "One water-attribute core and one wood-attribute core, valued at two hundred forty thousand gold coins. Are there any higher bids for the Blood Pomegranate Stone?"


    The question was rhetorical. Even a fool could see that no one would outbid this offer.


    The shadowy figure in the corner remained silent. Two hundred forty thousand gold coins was an astronomical sum, even for the wealthy.


    "Sold!" The auctioneer''s gavel struck the podium.


    Han Ming smiled faintly. He didn''t regret spending such a fortune. He was a man of principle—what belonged to him was his, and what belonged to others, he wouldn''t covet. Of the six beast cores he possessed, half rightfully belonged to Kulo. Though he hadn''t voiced this, it was what he believed.


    Moreover, after trading the two cores for the Blood Pomegranate Stone, he planned to use the proceeds from the water-attribute core to purchase the herbs Kulo needed. In this regard, Han Ming was a man of integrity. Others might have balked at such generosity or even resorted to treachery to keep the treasures for themselves. But Han Ming was different.


    Of course, if it came to seizing treasures from enemies or outsiders, Han Ming had no qualms.


    "Thank you," Kulo said softly, her voice barely audible.


    Han Ming felt a twinge of frustration. After such a costly and nerve-wracking ordeal, all he received was a simple "thank you." This woman truly was stingy with her words.


    Following the climax of the Blood Pomegranate Stone auction, the subsequent items felt lackluster in comparison.


    Han Ming''s water-attribute crystal, as expected, didn''t attract much attention and sold for a modest ninety thousand gold coins. It was likely purchased by a wealthy individual for their underachieving descendant. Water-attribute mages were often seen as disadvantaged, gifted with the potential for magic but burdened with an element considered lackluster.


    Han Ming paid little attention to the remaining items, waiting patiently for the final highlight of the auction.


    *What could the last item be?* he wondered.


    The shadowy figure in the corner occasionally glanced toward Han Ming''s booth but refrained from projecting any intimidating aura. Han Ming ignored him.


    "Esteemed guests, the final item of our auction! A third-tier, fire-attribute beast core from a Flame Rat! Starting bid: one hundred thousand gold coins!"


    The auction hall erupted once more.


    The final item was a fire-attribute beast core, the second core of the auction. The first, Han Ming''s water-attribute core, had been met with lukewarm interest. In contrast, the fire-attribute core ignited an unprecedented frenzy.


    "One hundred fifty thousand!"


    "One hundred eighty thousand!"


    "Two hundred thousand!"


    The bidding soared, threatening to overwhelm the auction hall.


    In just three bids, the price had doubled from the starting bid, showcasing the immense popularity of fire-attribute cores.


    Han Ming''s pupils contracted. A fire-attribute beast core! This was exactly what he needed most.


    *Damn it, the price has already reached two hundred thousand. This is far beyond what I expected,* Han Ming thought, his mind racing.


    If he missed this opportunity, he might not encounter another fire-attribute core for a long time. Although he needed five fire-attribute cores in total, securing even one now would save him from venturing into the treacherous Blazing Wasteland, a nightmarish realm teeming with fire-attribute beasts.


    The bidding continued to climb.


    "Two hundred fifty thousand!"


    "Two hundred sixty thousand!"


    The crowd was in an uproar. The price had surpassed Han Ming''s previous record of two hundred forty thousand gold coins.


    "Two hundred sixty-five thousand! Any higher bids?"


    The excitement in the room showed no signs of waning, but no one raised the bid further. Two hundred sixty-five thousand gold coins was an astronomical sum, far beyond the means of most.


    "Two hundred eighty thousand!"


    "Three hundred thousand!"


    Even Han Ming was stunned.


    *Three hundred thousand? Is this a joke? That''s three times the price of my water-attribute core!*


    The market value of a fire-attribute core typically ranged between one hundred fifty and two hundred thousand gold coins. However, the bidders, perhaps spurred by Han Ming''s earlier display, had driven the price to an astonishing three hundred thousand.


    Han Ming sighed inwardly. *I''ve reaped what I sowed.*


    "Three hundred thousand going once! Three hundred thousand going twice! Three hundred—"


    "One wood-attribute core, one wind-attribute core, and one earth-attribute core, all at the third tier. Three cores in exchange for the fire-attribute core."


    Han Ming''s voice cut through the chaos like a bucket of cold water dousing a blazing fire.


    The room fell silent once more.


    The rollercoaster of emotions had left many attendees overwhelmed. Some clutched their chests, struggling to calm their racing hearts. Most, however, turned their gazes toward Han Ming''s private booth in awe.


    *This man has offered five beast cores in total!*


    The crowd was stunned. If Han Ming had bid with gold coins, it wouldn''t have been as shocking. But five beast cores! How many magical beasts had he slain to amass such a collection? Given the low drop rate of cores from third-tier beasts, the number of creatures he must have killed was staggering.


    What the crowd didn''t know was that the water-attribute core earlier had also been Han Ming''s. In total, seven cores had appeared in the auction, and Han Ming had accounted for six of them. The seventh might very well have been his as well.


    Even the usually composed auctioneer was visibly excited. The elderly man who had intervened earlier also stepped forward, standing beside the auctioneer with a smile, awaiting the outcome.


    After a brief discussion, the auctioneer announced, "Three beast cores, valued at four hundred thousand gold coins! Are there any higher bids?"


    "Four hundred thousand!"


    Many in the audience were numb. When a series of shocks continuously pushed the limits of one''s mental endurance, a sense of detachment sets in. Even if someone offered a higher bid, it would no longer stir the same level of excitement.


    "Four hundred thousand, sold!"


    The auctioneer''s gavel struck the podium with finality.


    The elderly man smiled toward Han Ming''s private booth. "Whoever you are, thank you for your generous support of our Mercenary Auction House. For the next month, I will personally ensure your safety. We hope to earn your trust and welcome you back to our underground city''s auction house in the future."