Chapter 767, Sold for a Sky-High Price
The first item was sold, and the second potion was brought up.
The auctioneer gave no introduction, only lifted the silk and announced, "Same rules, everyone can start bidding."
"600~!"
"1200."
"..."
"7000..."
The price shot up to 7,000, and fewer people continued bidding.
Lilith glanced to the side as the old man walked to the window and raised his placard. "8000 gold."
"VIP on the second floor bids 8000 gold, any higher offers?" the auctioneer repeated.
"9000."
The old man raised again. "12000..."
Once the price reached 12,000, no one else increased the bid.
The auctioneer asked three times before Lilith won the item.
Wu Heng listened and didn't interfere.
He had already given her one bottle. If she wanted a second, it was her choice.
Auction rules had to be followed.
Helping in secret would only diminish the potion's value in her eyes.
Knock knock knock~!
There was a knock. A staff member brought in the potion.
Seeing Wu Heng in the room, the staff paused momentarily.
Wu Heng gestured beside him. "This lord made the purchase."
"My lord, your potion." The staff's tone grew more respectful.
Lilith stored the potion, and the old man pulled out gold bricks to pay.
Several staff members began verifying the payment.
Downstairs, the auction continued.
The third bottle sold for 36,000 gold coins to an elderly man in the center.
The fourth went for 37,000 gold coins, purchased by a woman.
Then, the final bottle was brought up.
The auctioneer reminded softly, "Everyone, this is the final bottle. Starting price is still 500 gold. Miss this today and who knows when the next auction will be—perhaps never. Let's begin."
The hall went silent for a few seconds, then someone spoke.
"7,000. It's just a potion—no need to fight like this."
"True, this gentleman has a point. Gold-Silver Island has made enough. Don't let him profit more—8,000."
"Long-lived races, stop competing with us—9,000."
"Can't let Wu Heng make too much. Everyone calm down—9,500."
The room grew noisy.
While urging restraint, the bids kept skyrocketing.
The final price settled at 50,000 gold.
"50,000 once! Any further bids? No investment is better than one in yourself..."
"50,000 twice. Guests on the second floor, this is your last chance."
The hall stayed quiet.
It seemed the price had truly peaked.
Seeing no further bids, the auctioneer struck the gavel.
Thud~!
The gavel dropped. "Congratulations, guest number 387. The potion is yours."
The winner showed no joy.
Gritting his teeth, he pulled out gold bricks and some Snake Emblem Consortium notes.
Others chatted about the auction as they slowly made their exit.
Knock knock knock~!
A knock on the door.
Then, Sheila Grey stepped in, bowed to Lilith, and said, "A few elders from headquarters are taking a ship to leave directly."
"So soon?" Wu Heng was surprised.
"They're in a bit of a rush."
Wu Heng looked at Lilith and said, "Leader, I'll see the elders off. The carriage to the Guild Hall is still parked in the usual spot."
Lilith lightly waved her hand, and Wu Heng left the room with Sheila Grey.
......
In the carriage.
Wu Heng sat to one side, across from him was Kelmik, deputy to the head of the Hongwen Society.
"Mr. Kelmik, leaving in such a hurry?"
Kelmik smiled, "Headquarters still has much for me to handle."
"Just one day won't matter. Let me give you a proper tour of the island," Wu Heng tried to persuade him.
After all, they were guild colleagues—he had to be extra hospitable.
"Next time, perhaps," Kelmik replied.
Wu Heng continued, "Did you gain anything at the auction?"
"The head asked me to bring back one potion, but the price exceeded expectations," Kelmik said awkwardly.
The price was steep for the head, though not unaffordable.
Just unexpected.
Hearing he hadn't gotten the potion, Wu Heng hesitated.
Then gritted his teeth, pulled out a potion and a watch, and said, "Mr. Kelmik, this is our island's latest model. I hope you don't mind. This potion was saved for myself—please give it to Head Claudio."
Kelmik raised a brow. "That's too much—next time is fine."
"It's a small token. I can't cater to everyone, but the Head must receive one," Wu Heng insisted.
Seeing Wu Heng's sincerity, Kelmik accepted. "Alright, many thanks, Island Master. I'll relay your gesture to the Head."
"Mm." Wu Heng nodded.
Soon, the carriage reached the port.
Kelmik and a few others from headquarters disembarked and bid farewell.
Then boarded their designated cargo ship.
As the ship sailed off, Wu Heng returned to his own vessel.
Giving the potion to the Hongwen Society leader had always been the plan.
Such Tier-1 potions only held value in this world—useful for smoothing relationships.
It felt worthwhile.
Especially since the Church's leader was quite biased against him.
Relying solely on Lilith wouldn't grant him much say among the five ruling leaders.
......
Back at the Island Lord's estate.
After returning, Wu Heng called Sheila Grey.
He asked about Lilith's situation.
Confirmed she had returned to the dorms and had no plans to go out.
It seemed she didn't intend to leave.
Wu Heng scratched his nose. Lilith was in charge of the Whisperers at the Guild—still intel work. How was she so free?
Should he remind her that there wasn't much left to do on the island, and maybe it was time to go home?
He only thought about it—he couldn't really say that.
Truthfully, of all the Guild's headquarters members, he was closest with Lilith.
He had to maintain that bond.
After a brief chat with Sheila Grey, he hung up.
That afternoon,
The gold from the auction was delivered to the estate under escort. The maids and city hall staff began counting it, then moved it to the underground vault.
Wu Heng continued his call with Shanaila.
Told her about the auction's success—the potion prices had hit sky-high levels.
......
Zombie World, South Korea Rescue Team.
In the director's office.
A middle-aged man held a cigarette in one hand and a phone in the other. His expression grew grimmer with the call.
After hanging up, he took two deep drags and dialed another number.
Then, a knock. A woman in business attire entered. "Director."
"Any intel on the skeleton ability user?" the director asked.
The woman shook her head. "We've quietly asked a few survivors from the base, but no confirmed info yet."
The director puffed again, then said, "Send another message to Sangpo Port. This time, we need a clear face and trace."
"Yes, Director."
......
Next morning.
In the tavern on Gold-Silver Island.
A bard described the auction scene.
When they heard the final price reached 50,000 for one potion, everyone in the tavern was stunned.
50,000 gold... for a potion.
Crazy!
"That much gold could fill a whole ship hold!"
"Like you've seen that much."
"I've never seen that much gold, but I've caught that many fish! Definitely worth it."
"God, how many women could you buy with that?"
"You could forge a woman out of gold and use her forever."
The crowd laughed in awe.
Then someone added, "By the way, the Church closed its doors. No priests seen around."
"Maybe too many people on the island recently—just a temporary closure."
......
Island Lord's estate.
After breakfast, Wu Heng returned to his study.
Glancing at the three phantoms inside, he asked, "Xiaoxiao, why have you been sneaking out at night?"
Xiaoxiao raised her chin, "Uncle, don't tell me you're gonna say it's dangerous out there at night?"
"There are still some high-level Professionals on the island. I'm worried they'll hurt you if they find you," Wu Heng said.
"I'm level 18 now, okay? I could go to college. I just made a friend—we chat."
Wu Heng glanced at Benny. She shrugged, clueless.
"She's... not a problem?" Wu Heng hesitated—was the girl not scared of phantoms?
He rephrased, "She's alright?"
"She's fine. We get along great. Maybe she doesn't have a dad either."
Uh...
That line made Wu Heng's heart ache. He said, "It's great you made a friend, but don't tell her our secrets. Don't let her trick info out of you."
"What do you mean, trick info?"
"Like asking around corners to find out stuff," Wu Heng explained.
Xiaoxiao nodded. "Don't worry. I think I'm smarter than her."
Wu Heng didn't push it further. "Alright, get back in. We're visiting the Zombie World—it's been a few days."
The three phantoms re-entered his body.
Wu Heng opened the portal and stepped in.
......
He exited in the base bedroom.
After a short wait, Benny flew back from outside.
"The Corpse King seems different. I'm not sure if it's a sign of evolution."
"Let me see," Wu Heng said immediately.
Benny returned to his body, sharing the image to his mind.
In the dim room, the Corpse King had swollen. Bulging muscles left deep grooves against the chains.
Even the chains creaked under tension.
Veins and pulsing muscles were more pronounced.
It really did look like evolution.
Nearby, the corpse cores in the plastic bag were nearly gone.
Wu Heng let Benny out again.
"Well? Is it evolving?" Benny asked.
Wu Heng said, "Seems like it. Let's feed it a few more days and see."
"Okay!"
Having confirmed the Corpse King's state, Wu Heng picked up the radio and called Chi Hansae.
Soon there was a knock—Chi Hansae entered with her owl.
After sitting, she said, "Korean HQ contacted us. They want to trade supplies again soon. Might be trying to gather intel on you."
Wu Heng narrowed his eyes. "Set it for tomorrow then."