The scale of the Earth-Tier auction hall was significantly smaller than that of the Xuan-Tier, but its luxury was several notches higher. Glazed floor tiles and pillars carved with dragons were everywhere. Even the chandelier illuminating the hall from above was strung together from countless sunstones, bathing the entire venue in a brilliant light and creating a scene of dazzling splendor.
Furthermore, there were no ordinary seats in this hall. Instead, private boxes with one-way glass surrounded the central auction stage in a circle.
At this moment, Ya Fei was on the stage, introducing the latest auction item. From time to time, bids would ring out from the private boxes. Although the finale of this auction was the Tier 5 Spirit-Gathering Weapon, the other items were also rare treasures seldom seen in the outside world. They were of some use to everyone present, so the various experts in attendance did not hesitate to place their bids.
Inside one of the private boxes, Teng Shan was bowing respectfully to a white-haired old man, his expression one of extreme excitement.
"Elder Hai, I never thought it was really you!"
"Heh heh, what, you thought I was dead?"
"Teng Shan wouldn't dare! With your strength, Elder, who in the entire Jia Ma Empire could possibly stop you?"
"Alright, cut the flattery. It's no great secret that I was wounded by Queen Medusa back then. But you, you useless brat... so many years have passed, and you've actually broken through to the Dou Wang realm and become the clan head. That's quite the surprise."
Dressed in blue robes, with white hair and a white beard but the face of a middle-aged man, Hai Bodong glanced at Teng Shan and spoke indifferently.
Teng Shan lowered his head respectfully. "It was just a stroke of luck, Elder Hai. Now that you've returned, the Miteer Clan should be under your leadership."
Hai Bodong waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. I have no desire to manage such troublesome affairs. You've done a good job over the years; continue leading the Miteer Clan."
"By the way," Hai Bodong added, "this young brother here is a good friend of mine, Xiao Yan. Get to know him. If he needs anything in the future, you all should do your best to accommodate him."
"Xiao Yan greets Clan Head Teng Shan," Xiao Yan said, cupping his hands in a small bow.
Teng Shan waved his hands with a smile. "Young brother Xiao Yan, no need for such formalities. Since you are a friend of Elder Hai, you are a friend of the Miteer Clan. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to find me."
"The auction needs you. You may go. We can discuss other matters after it's over," Hai Bodong said, waving his hand as he saw the auction below was about to reach its climax.
Seeing this, Teng Shan, though still filled with excitement and many questions, could only obey. "Yes, Elder Hai. If you see anything you fancy, please feel free to bid. I will make the arrangements."
With that, Teng Shan left the box, leaving only Hai Bodong and Xiao Yan behind.
Straightening the black and red robes he wore, Xiao Yan plopped down onto a luxurious, soft chair and looked at Hai Bodong with curiosity. "Elder Hai, I only knew you were one of the former top ten experts of the Jia Ma Empire. I never imagined you had such deep ties to the Miteer Clan."
"It's all in the past. Best not to bring it up," Hai Bodong said, shaking his head slightly, clearly unwilling to dwell on the topic.
Xiao Yan took the hint and wisely held his tongue, asking no further questions. His attention shifted back to Ya Fei on the auction stage below. He remembered that this woman's relationship with Old Zhou was anything but simple. Back in Wu Tan City, he had suspected they were having an affair. Now, it seemed he was most likely right.
Soon, the auction entered its final phase.
After having the previous item carried away, Ya Fei, still on stage, clapped her hands, and the last auction item was brought forward. It was a rather large chest that looked quite heavy.
Thud!
The chest landed with a low, muffled sound. Waving her attendants away, Ya Fei reached out and opened it. Instantly, a faint light, a mixture of azure and crimson, escaped from the crack.
When the chest was fully opened, its contents were revealed. It was a greatbow. Its body was a blend of azure and crimson, and while it looked like it was made of wood, it was as hard as steel and had a metallic sheen. The grip protruded on both sides, intricately engraved with patterns of flames and giant pythons. The bowstring was a long strip, a mix of fiery red and verdant green, resembling a tendon or a vine, pulled taut by the bow's frame.
Beside the bow lay five sharp arrows of a mixed azure and silver color.
"Heh heh, I imagine our distinguished guests have been waiting eagerly. Ya Fei won't waste any more of your time. This greatbow, named the Azure-Crimson Flame Python Bow, is the grand finale of today's auction—a Tier 5 Spirit-Gathering Weapon!"
"Our Miteer Clan's Head has verified that this bow can amplify the combat power of a low-level Dou Wang by nearly double! For a mid-level Dou Wang, the boost is about seventy percent, and for a high-level Dou Wang, it is still around forty percent!"
"Even a Dou Zhe, as long as they have the strength to draw this bow, can unleash power comparable to that of a one-star Dou Wang!"
"I'm sure all our honored guests understand what this means. Whether you use it to enhance your own strength or bestow it upon a junior in your clan to grant them the self-preservation ability of a Dou Wang, it is an excellent choice."
"That is all the information I have on the Azure-Crimson Flame Python Bow. Now, the auction officially begins. The bidding will be prioritized for refining materials with a value no less than that of a Tier 5 pill."
"Distinguished guests, a treasure of this caliber is not to be missed!"
After displaying the item, Ya Fei introduced it to the various boxes with a charming smile and then announced the start of the bidding.
As her voice fell, the hall plunged into silence. No one made a bid. However, those with keen hearing could discern the slightly quickened breathing coming from the private boxes.
Inside Hai Bodong's box, Xiao Yan's breathing grew heavy after hearing Ya Fei's introduction. His eyes glowed as he stared at the greatbow and arrows resting in the chest on the stage below.
"Damn! What an incredible bow!"
Even a Dou Zhe, just by holding it and being strong enough to draw it, could unleash the power of a Dou Wang. Such an absurdly powerful weapon made Xiao Yan curse under his breath.
Right now, only one word echoed in Xiao Yan's mind: want!
But upon hearing the price, he shrank back, his gaze retracting with some disappointment. With his current assets, he couldn't possibly produce refining materials comparable in value to a Tier 5 pill.
Beside him, Hai Bodong, though outwardly calm and composed, was also taken aback by the effects of the Azure-Crimson Flame Python Bow. A trace of shock flashed in his eyes.
The situation in the other boxes was much the same, if not more pronounced. Although they had guessed from the Tier 4 Magical Weapon at the last auction that this so-called Tier 5 Spirit-Gathering Weapon would be powerful, they had not expected it to be this explosive. For a moment, the entire hall had forgotten to bid.
A moment later, a voice shattered the silence.
"A portion of Remnant Rainbow Black Gold, equivalent in value to a low-grade Tier 5 pill!"
Immediately following, bids came from other boxes.
"The hide of a Tier 5 Baleful Yin Wind Ape!"
"Jade Treasure Plumage!"
"..."
In an instant, the once-quiet hall erupted into a flurry of activity, the calls of bids echoing relentlessly.
Listening to the increasingly frantic bidding, Xiao Yan couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. Each material was more outrageous than the last; he hadn't even heard of many of them, but their names alone bespoke their rarity. Still, a treasure of this magnitude was indeed worthy of such a price.
"Old Zhou the refiner's ability to rake in money is probably no worse than an alchemist's," he muttered.
As the bidding grew more intense, the materials offered became ever more precious. Just as the value of the materials reached a new peak, an aged voice called out from one of the boxes.
"A portion of Sea-Blue Gold, from a Tier 6 mid-rank Magical Beast!"
The moment this price was called, the others fell silent. Faint gasps could be heard from every box. A Tier 6 material! A treasure like that was beyond what most people present could afford.
Just as everyone thought the outcome was certain, another voice rang out.
"A material from a Tier 6 high-rank Magical Beast, a Nether Sea Flood Dragon Scale!"
Everyone who heard this bid felt their eyelids twitch, their shock plain to see.
Xiao Yan cursed their obscene wealth. That was a Tier 6 high-rank Magical Beast! An existence comparable to a high-level Dou Huang expert! The value of its materials was likely not far off from some Tier 6 pills. Even if this Flame Python Bow was powerful, it couldn't be worth that much, could it?
Hai Bodong, however, wore a thoughtful expression, as if he had realized something. Others in some of the boxes had similar thoughts.
"Heh, the Imperial Family is certainly making a grand gesture. I suspect their aim isn't this bow, but rather to curry favor with that master refiner."
With this bid, the person who had offered the Sea-Blue Gold went silent. The entire venue quieted down, as if the result was already set in stone.
Just then, a calm, aged voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Little Yan, bid for this bow."
"Teacher!"
Xiao Yan's astonished expression instantly turned to one of wild joy. But it lasted only a split second. His face returned to normal, and after altering his voice, he calmly called out:
"A portion of Dragon's Blood Gold Essence, worth a Tier 6 pill!"