After waiting idly in the private room for a while, Gu He finally saw the auction venue fill to capacity.
Shortly after, a clear chime resonated through the auction house, signaling the start of the event.
As the bell rang, the chaotic noise in the venue gradually subsided, and countless eager eyes turned toward the crystal auction table at the center.
At that moment, Mittel Tushan, who had previously appeared in the treasure appraisal room, stepped onto the crystal auction stage. His presence immediately silenced the crowd, and all attention focused on him.
"Hehe, everyone, I'm sure you've grown a little impatient from waiting. In that case, I'll skip the formalities and get straight to the point," Mittel Tushan said with a smile, his deep eyes scanning the packed venue and briefly lingering on the private rooms where the major factions were seated.
As a seasoned auctioneer, he knew exactly what the audience wanted—and what they didn't.
By cutting out the unnecessary opening remarks, he earned a round of applause from the crowd, including a slight nod of approval from Gu He.
"As the number one auction house in the Jia Ma Empire, I assure you that our Miter Auction House will not disappoint this time," Mittel Tushan declared confidently, his tone hinting at the high-value items to come, particularly the sixth-grade Dou Spirit Pill slated as the finale.
With a light clap of his hands, he announced, "I hereby declare the Mittel Auction officially open!"
As his voice sounded, the crystal platform suddenly lit up with a dazzling glow. When the light faded, a blue long sword lay on the platform, its cold, icy sheen reflecting under the lights.
The faint traces of dou qi swirling around the blade indicated it was a finely crafted magical weapon.
"This sword is named Hanfeng. Forged from cold iron, it cuts through metal like mud and is embedded with a third-grade ice-type magic core."
"In the hands of someone who cultivates water or ice attributes, its power will be significantly enhanced. It's a must-have for any adventurer. If you're interested, don't hesitate to bid. After all, wealth is precious, but it's meant to be enjoyed while you're alive, right? Haha," Mittel Tushan explained, holding the sword aloft.
A faint chill emanated from the blade, forming a wisp of white mist. He glanced at the audience and added, "The starting bid is 100,000 gold coins. Please, everyone, feel free to bid."
"A magical weapon?" Gu He murmured, his eyes fixed on the sword. While he favored long swords, this one's ice attribute clashed with his fire affinity. Otherwise, he might have considered purchasing it for his disciples.
After a quick mental review of the auction list, Gu He found little of interest except for a Magical Beast Egg and a rare medicinal herb listed later. Deciding to hold back, he leaned back in his chair and watched the bidding unfold.
Unsurprisingly, the blade attracted considerable attention. For a fighter, a good weapon was as essential as a cauldron to an alchemist. Within minutes, the bidding concluded, and the blade was sold to a thin, excited man for 150,000 gold coins.
As the auction progressed, a variety of dazzling treasures appeared on the stage: rare armor, combat techniques, cultivation manuals, and medicinal herbs.
Gu He observed the frenzy with calm detachment, occasionally closing his eyes to rest while waiting for the items that truly interested him.
Similarly, the private rooms of the major aristocratic families remained silent. The items on display so far were not enough to pique their interest.
…
In the private room reserved for the Nalan family, Nalan Jie watched the auction with a composed expression.
"This Mittel Auction House is becoming increasingly dull," he remarked, his tone tinged with boredom as he observed the items being auctioned. "If it weren't for that Rank 5 magical beast egg, I wouldn't have bothered attending."
The thought of the Rank 5 magical beast egg briefly lifted his spirits. If nurtured properly, it could grow into a Dou King-level combatant in the future. Nalan Jie intended to acquire it for his granddaughter, Nalan Yanran.
A proud smile crossed his face as he thought of Yanran.
It was a great honor for the Nalan family to have her accepted as a disciple under the sect master of the Yunlan Sect. Moreover, she had been named the next successor to the sect.
Once Yanran assumed leadership, the Nalan family's influence would rise significantly, to the point where even the Jia Ma royal family would think twice before challenging them.
However, Nalan Jie's smile faded as he recalled the recent incident where Yanran had forcefully annulled her engagement with the Xiao family against his wishes.
"When Yanran returns, I'll have to teach her a proper lesson," he muttered, his expression darkening with a mix of anger and disappointment.
Suddenly, Nalan Jie winced, a flicker of pain crossing his face. A faint grayish-black hue briefly appeared on his skin before he quickly suppressed it with his dou qi.
"Damn it, it's happening again," he muttered, his expression grim.
The branding poison within him was worsening.
Four years ago, during a battle with a highly venomous Tier 5 magical beast, the Branding Iron Poison Yinmang, he had been injected with a deadly toxin. Despite killing the magical beast, the poison had remained in his body, growing stronger over time.
Nalan Jie's face darkened as he recalled the records he had studied.
The Branding Iron Poison was infamous for its lethality, capable of felling even Rank 5 magical magical beast. Few on the continent dared to face it.
Over the years, he had relied on his formidable Dou qi to suppress the toxin, but as he aged, its resistance grew weaker.
He had a sinking feeling that the poison would soon erupt, and when it did, the consequences would be dire.
…
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