Chapter One Hundred: The Dry Witch Auction

“The propulsion system is intact!”

“Luo Yuan, you really made a haul. The propulsion system of this Mechrace ship is outrageous. No wonder the whole vessel is built in a ring-corridor structure; it’s clear the central core is nearly all propulsion compartments.”

“A 1,200-meter ship, and more than two-thirds of it is devoted to propulsion chambers.”

“It’s insane. Its instant acceleration, dodging, and every kind of maneuverability are certainly no worse than your teacher’s Yumo Star.”

“I’m dizzy.”

“According to the data from this ship, its alloy reaches the peak of E-rank. It can even self-repair. Add in the stacked energy shields… this is absolutely an E-rank ship at the absolute peak. Coupled with its incredible agility, it becomes impossibly expensive.”

“That doesn’t even include the cost of the Star-Slayers and the rest.”

“Luo Yuan, you’ve really struck it rich this time. A 1,200-meter Mechrace ship at the top of E-rank is worth one to two thousand Hunyuan units. Just this one ship alone is more expensive than all the treasures of the entire Mid-Realm combined!” Babata went on.

“Good heavens,” Thor, his eyes wide, muttered, “even a Realm Lord couldn’t afford a ship like this!”

“Yeah, how many cosmic-level slaves would you have to buy?” Luo Yuan admitted he was shaken too. He knew that the total treasure of that Mid-Realm had only been around 200 Hunyuan units, and his own assets were only 71.

A Mechrace ship this costly could set even the Immortals stirring; it would make Realm Lords go mad. Not to mention Domain Lords and Cosmic-level ones…

Even just the ship’s “Star-Slayer” cannons would make civilized worlds in the middle ranks of the cosmos covet it. It was undoubtedly strategic-grade—a “death device” of deterrence.

“Luo Yuan, you must not expose this Mechrace ship,” Babata said. “Just like the Yumo Star in your hand, this is one of the treasures that must not be exposed. It can only be sold to your teacher’s five-star clients.”

“I won’t sell it!”

“I’m not short of money now,” Luo Yuan smiled. “Anyway, this is a hot item and easy to sell. And if kept on hand, it’s also a trump card. With nine laser cannons and the ship’s maneuverability, any Domain Lord would be finished for sure. Even a peak Realm Lord couldn’t break through its defenses if you’re inside it.”

Even though he had obtained an E9 Mechrace ship, such a vessel could not be used lightly. The moment he used it, he risked exposure… So this Mechrace ship, like the Yumo Star, Luo Yuan knew it was precious and still kept it in Babata’s storage bay.

The Pyramid ship, at least, was undamaged and intact and could be used at any time. The F9-class Yumo Star was far more expensive than the Pyramid, but it was damaged and unusable. If he got a chance later, he would repair it.

After taking this ship away, Luo Yuan let Trita and the others continue developing those ancient-civilization ruins. He and Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God each went back to their own quarters.

Life became utterly peaceful after that. By day he trained in the Virtual Cosmos—in the slaughter grounds and in decisive battle space—practicing all kinds of skills and gathering specific attributes. At night he returned to his palace to discuss the meaning of life with Jiang Fang, and whenever he had spare time he and Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God explored ancient ruins on Earth.

Before he knew it, it was December 15 of Hua-Xia year 2065. The next day, the 16th, was the day of the triennial Qianwu Auction.

……

Virtual Cosmos, Black Dragon Mountain Island, Jiuxing Bay, an antique-style palace.

In the teahouse, Luo Yuan sat with a glass of pale green tea in hand. Beside him, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God were also sipping tea.

“Tomorrow is the Qianwu Auction. The minimum threshold is a three-star client, meaning ten Hunyuan units in circulating funds.”

“I still have 71 units in my account. I’m going to temporarily give each of you 10 units so your account levels all reach three-star. Tomorrow we go to this Qianwu Auction and enjoy ourselves. Don’t be shy—if you see something you want, buy it.”

“Good, good, Third Brother, you’re so generous. I’ve heard about this Qianwu Auction in the Virtual Universe for ages and always wanted to see how it is.” Thunder God laughed broadly.

“Third, I want to go and see it too. I’ll return the 10 units later.” Hong said with a smile. They were blood brothers with Luo Yuan, so he didn’t hesitate.

“Third, me too.” Luo Feng added.

“Fine. Tomorrow we’ll go and witness the bearing of those Realm Lords.” Luo Yuan raised his cup and drank a toast with Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God.

………………
December 16 of Hua-Xia year 2065.

After exchanging greetings with Jiang Fang, he and she put on consciousness helmets and entered the Virtual Cosmos.

In the Virtual Cosmos, Luo Yuan met Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God, and the four left Jiuxing Bay district together.

They summoned a heavenly steed and rode it to the teleport point.

“Teleport.” The four stood inside the point, each holding an invitation to the Qianwu Auction, which every three-star client received.

Whoosh!

The four vanished at once, leaving Black Dragon Mountain Island, and were transported to a floating city above Qianwu Continent. The invitation card flashed with tiny lights, and the city’s defenses automatically opened a passage for them.

It was an exquisitely elegant land suspended in mist, beautiful with flowering plants and greenery everywhere. The most dazzling sight was the vast structure rising above all else—the auction hall.

Every three years, the Qianwu Auction was held in this very hall.

“Sir, welcome to this session of the Qianwu Auction. Here is your seat number.”
“Miss, welcome to this session of the Qianwu Auction. Here is your seat number.”

People in both sumptuous and plain attire came and came—some with serpentine bodies, some towering seven or eight meters high with iron-laden physiques. The place was packed beyond count, two long lines already winding through the hall entrance as everyone queued to enter.

“So many three-star clients?” The four stood together in line. Ahead of them stood a broad, cold giant like a living torch of burning flame. Behind them was a chilling dwarf only a meter tall, with three eyes. Their natural aura of force made all four feel pressed down; this was the sort of mental pressure only a Realm Lord level carried.

“Three-star clients are almost all Realm Lords,” Luo Yuan said casually after looking up some records. “Only a tiny minority are powerful merchants or extraordinarily connected young people.”

“Almost all Realm Lords?” Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God looked over the crowd. This queue alone had already split into two long lines—at least several thousand, likely that many Realm Lords.

“My goodness,” Luo Yuan murmured. “This hall has sixteen entrances. So it’s not just this queue—there are lines at all the other fifteen as well. The Realm Lords waiting here are probably around one hundred thousand.”

“Hundred thousand?” said Luo Feng and the others, eyes widening in disbelief.

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