The succinct auctioneer practiced a conservative style of presentation. Other auctioneers might exaggerate an average product to appear great, but he did it the other way around, lowering something great to appear average.
When he deemed something great, how great would it be?
The crowd waited for the auctioneer to read the manual, but what they saw was a transparent cottage rising from the center of the stage.
“The Deciphering Cottage is here!”
“This thing needs the Deciphering Cottage?”
Unlike Tang Ling’s ignorance, the other guests seemed to know this Deciphering Cottage well enough. The moment it rose, a heated discussion followed and the atmosphere in the auction hall rose to new heights.
The auctioneer quietly took the super-advanced technology item into the so-called Deciphering Cottage.
“I supposed it’s better for us to see the results ourselves rather than listen to me talking.”
As he spoke, the auctioneer strapped the wrist guard to his own wrist.
Click!
The wrist guard automatically adjusted itself to his wrist and tightened to a comfortable level. He looked valiant and powerful with the wrist guard on. Then, he swung his arm with the wrist guard around and said, “It’s as light as a feather.”
He then opened up the little box that came along with the wrist guard for the crowd to see. “The attachment is the energy that comes with it.”
Inside the little box was a small purple stone. Without a doubt, it was a Universal Source Rock.
This strange-looking wrist guard was powered by a Universal Source Rock?
The auctioneer did not explain. He opened a small hatch on the wrist guard and put two pieces of Universal Source Rock in. The pattern on the wrist guard lit up with a dark glow followed by a purple glow over the entire frame. It was as cool as it could get. At least, it piqued many men’s interest below the stage. All of them were inevitably moved by the coolness of the weapon.
After that, a tiny hill that was less than 10 meters in height appeared in the auctioneer’s little cottage. He said, “The conditions aren’t met, so this will only be a simple demonstration.”
As he spoke, the metal claw on the frame shot out and latched onto the virtual hill at lightning speed.
“There’s a hill inside there?” Tang Ling was excited but he could not conceal his ignorance.
The person beside Tang Ling was already envious of his luck, and now he realized that Tang Ling did not even know about the famous Deciphering Cottage of the black market auction.
He sighed with heavy emotions and was once again impressed by Tang Ling’s ridiculous luck. He answered by instinct, “Everything inside the Deciphering Cottage is virtual and is powered by energy. This is also one of the products of super-advanced technology. The virtual reality inside might not be real, but sometimes it’s better than the real thing.”
Tang Ling understood what he was seeing with the explanation.
When the metal claw latched onto the hill inside the Deciphering Cottage, a rope-like object that glowed purple appeared in between the auctioneer and the hill. When the auctioneer gave the ‘reel’ command, his body flew towards the spot where the metal claw latched onto.
Whilst his body was flying forward, he followed up with another command of ‘release’, and the metal claw unhooked itself. He started free-falling and would reach the ground in a matter of seconds since the hill was only 10 meters tall.
However, the auctioneer quickly swung his hand and the metal claw was fired out at lightning speed again. It latched onto the other end of the hill and the auctioneer found himself hanging mid-air after a serious drag.
He then slowly reeled the metal claw in and landed back on the stage. “This metal claw is something similar to a tactical movement disk. Although it’s only similar, it has quite a practical function.
“However, it does not have a rope. The rope that you see is actually an energy rope generated by the Universal Source Rock inside, so the active range is only limited to 100 meters.”
100 meters? The metal claw provided such high agility to its user, even if it was not as good as the tactical movement disk, it could be a life-saving trump card during critical moments. Even with the tactical movement disk, the metal claw would be a decent addition.
Tang Ling was already over the moon because he had longed for a tactical movement disk since forever. The metal claw already struck his chord even if it did not have other functions. Nevertheless, it was obvious that the metal claw was not the main function of this wrist guard.
The auctioneer added, “This energy rope can sustain a weight of 5 tons which is considered a decent weight.” It was indeed decent. At least, it was better than the ropes used in the tactical movement disks back at Safety Sector No. 17.
“Let’s look at its other function.” The metal claw’s function was displayed clearly, so the auctioneer did not want to delve into it.
He raised his hand equipped with the super-advanced wrist guard, and the virtual hill was turned into an iron target.
“The virtual target’s integrity is similar to a Grade S alloy.” As he spoke, energy started to concentrate on the barrels and a purple glow radiated at the muzzles.
In the next moment, the five small barrels that were arranged neatly in a row fired out five purple energy bullets, every of which hit the bull’s eye. The target, which claimed to be as strong as a Grade S alloy, had five holes in the center.
“Automated target shooting: the precision of the shooting varies depending on the distance. It can still hit anything within a 30-meter range without missing. If it’s used for a longer range, it can be manually aimed, but the firepower will only be maintained within a 100-meter range. Any distance beyond that and the firepower will decrease,” said the auctioneer.
The crowd was silenced by the description.
Those were Rank 2 Purple Moon Warriors or below, had a single term pop up in their minds— assassination weapon!
Without a doubt, the firepower of the energy bullet could threaten even the life of a Rank 2 Purple Moon Warrior and might cause a Rank 3 Purple Moon Warrior problems.
In simpler words, a Rank 2 Purple Moon Warrior’s body was not as tough as Grade S alloy. On top of that, their talent ability had yet to take shape. If they were within firing distance, they would be helpless against the energy bullet.
The firepower was astounding for its range.
Tang Ling should be excited after seeing the second function of the wrist guard, but his brows behind his mask furrowed slightly. Something was bothering him.
The auctioneer continued his introduction of the item. According to the description, the energy bullet was not the strongest weapon of the super-advanced wrist guard. It was the crossbow.
The auctioneer demonstrated with the silver arrow that came with it. When fully charged, the silver arrow was able to perforate three targets in a single shot!
All three targets were as tough as Grade S alloy!
On top of that, the silver arrow was recycled automatically!
The crowd went wild! This wrist guard was not insignificant, not at all! It was a high-quality product of super-advanced technology!
“Its full name is Jian Fei’s Super-Advanced Combat Wrist Guard. Sounds normal, but Jian Fei…” As the auctioneer went speechless, his silence exploded like a bomb in the crowd. Those who were excited by its function further exploded after the name was mentioned.
Who exactly was Jian Fei? He was none other than the most renowned scientist of the world and he was also the scientist with deeper attainments in super-advanced technology! He had never participated in crafting large scale super-advanced machinery because his interest lay in creating smaller super-advanced technological items with extremely practical use.
This Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard was exactly his taste!
No wonder the auctioneer had announced that it was a decent item. It was not only decent, but it was also the best of the best!
Tang Ling’s luck was off the charts!
With a swing of the auctioneer’s hand, the Deciphering Cottage was kept away.
Jian Fei’s Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard was placed on the display stand again. The auctioneer glanced at the crowd in silence and allowed everyone to vent their excitement.
Five seconds later, he said, “The estimated price of Jian Fei’s Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard is 20,000 Black Sea coins. The black market will reclaim this item at the price…”
20,000 Black Sea coins was certainly an astounding number, but for the heaven-defying wrist guard, the number had yet to meet its value.
Just think about it. If a normal John Doe owned something that could threaten a Rank 2 Purple Moon Warrior, not even the latter could do anything. In that case, 20,000 Black Sea coins was not expensive at all.
Then. someone on the first floor eagerly shouted, “Don’t reclaim it! I offer 22K Black Sea coins. Sell it to me.”
His words were like a stone that caused countless ripples on the surface of the lake as several other people on the first floor offered their prices too.
The auctioneer put his hands out and told the guests to calm down, “Making an offer now is against the rules. Lucky owner, what is your decision?”
Tang Ling’s brows were locked tightly. If the combat wrist guard only had the metal claw function, he would never have sold it, but with its other two functions, which could directly threaten a Rank 2 or Rank 3 Purple Moon Warrior, he believed he should not have it anymore.
Some might find Tang Ling’s thoughts outrageous, but he was doing the right thing.
Such a heaven-defying item had appeared in a crowded auction. If any intentional party wanted to trace it back to the owner, Tang Ling would be exposed.
On top of that, with its function fully displayed before the crowd, the wrist guard had lost its meaning, at least, to Tang Ling.
Why? The answer was simple.
First of all, it broke the balance of strength and might put him in a dangerous position. What followed might be a series of endless danger. Those hostile parties who had yet to threaten Tang Ling until now might think otherwise with the presence of the wrist guard.
This wrist guard should be an assassination weapon, but since it was already exposed, everyone would be cautious, and soon, the public would know what kind of arsenal Tang Ling had.
In short, it was meaningless and it was better for him to sell it off for money.
Relying on external means was never as good as relying on his own strength. Tang Ling really wanted the combat wrist guard but only if others did not know about it. Otherwise…
He even started to suspect how come his luck was so ridiculously amazing for him to get this Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard.
A moment later, he made up his mind. Tang Ling stammered, “I-I c-can’t use it. I want to sell it off right away.”
Many other guests sighed heavily at Tang Ling’s decision. If they were him, they would have rather died than sell it off, or so they thought. They never considered the fact that the wrist guard might put them in danger.
“Smart kid,” said an elder after a sip of alcohol. The elder was inside a VIP room up on the third floor. He was none other than the elder who always fished on his fishing boat alone—Elder Black.
“Hmph, that lil bastard.” Boss Huang was also in the VIP room. He grumbled as if he knew the one who had won the wrist guard was Tang Ling.
In fact, there were several VIP rooms on the third floor where guests had the right to know the information of every attendant. It was a secret known to only a handful of higher-ups. Would Tang Ling have shivered in fear if he knew this?
“Is he going to sell it? Twelve, try to make an offer. If it’s too expensive, then let it go.” Tang Long seemed to be interested in the wrist guard, but it was not something he ought to get his hands on. He shared the same thought with Tang Ling. Relying on external means was never as good as relying on his own strength.
Although the Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard might be good, it used Universal Source Rock as its energy source. How long could the energy last? What if its ‘batteries’ were depleted? It would be nothing more than a piece of junk.
Smart people always viewed things from a different angle.
Back on the first floor, the appearance of the Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard brought the auction hall to the climax for the first time. The guests were in a bidding war, and soon, the price of the wrist guard skyrocketed to 30,000 Black Sea coins, nearing its actual value.
The latest offer came from a VIP box on the second floor. After that, the bidding war slowed down slightly. A large portion of guests on the first floor stopped bidding.
Someone on the third floor finally raised the offer to a new high. The number he offered was higher than the latest by 6,000 Black Sea coins, and he even added a meaningful reminder, “36,000 Black Sea coins. I’d advise those who aren’t Rank 2 Purple Moon Warriors yet to stop bidding. Disrupting the balance usually doesn’t end well and easy although that’s just a minor description.”
Those who knew the meaning would appreciate it while even those who did not would also find it reasonable and assuring.
After the reminder, the hall stopped bidding.
Then, a woman’s voice from another VIP room of the same floor insulted, “Hoho, look what’ve you done. A tiny reminder and everyone has stopped bidding.”
“What’s the problem here? Am I not saying the truth? I’m just buying a toy for my granddaughter. Are you going to fight me for that?” the man who made the highest bid answered.
“Nope, it’s just a toy, I’m not interested. I’m being a busybody. I’m just here for the show.” The woman then kept quiet.
Their voices were, of course, altered but since some expert was talking, the crowd did not mind listening either and people started to wonder who was the one who offered the highest bid? Which lucky girl was the man’s granddaughter? If someone knew the answer, it would be best for them to stay away from either the girl or the man.
Tang Ling was cursing non-stop at the man on the third floor.
What the hell, pressuring people with his power and status? What if my wrist guard can fetch 50K?!
People would notice him because of the wrist guard but not the money that he was about to make. Things were sometimes as strange as it could get. No matter how hard Tang Ling cursed in his heart, he could not change this fact.
“Do you want to top the highest bid, Young Master?” Twelve asked.
“No.” Tang Long poured another glass of wine for himself. Given his identity and status, getting the wrist guard would not be a problem. He might be able to create a huge problem for Tang Ling during their life or death match.
Unfortunately, the wrist guard was made public and he had not forgotten that Tang Ling was currently staying in Dvesha Moha which owner was a master craftsman.
As a matter of fact, he should keep his match with Tang Ling fair and balanced. Any injustice would cause unwanted trouble and the factions behind either of them might step up.
In the end, it would probably end with a mutual agreement to keep things fair, and Tang Long would return to square one.
That would be the ultimate outcome.
Tang Long was destined to have a better insight at things than Tang Ling because of his status.
Ever since Tang Ling came out from nowhere, he was never alone. There were forces brewing behind him and the forces might have already existed before Tang Ling announced his presence to the world.
How could Tang Feng not have arranged this beforehand? It was nearly impossible.
With that in mind, a familiar sourness gushed into Tang Long’s heart again. He slightly gripped his glass but remained calm.
Regardless, no one offered a higher bid.
The Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard was sold to the highest bidder, and after deducting the auction fee, Tang Ling could get a total of 32,000 Black Sea coins.
Tang Ling could contact the staff in the auction hall to bring him to the office area behind the auction hall and get the money right away. He could then leave the auction hall without raising attention.
He could also choose to stay, and even if he still did not have the money, he could use the credit to bid on other items and the money would be calculated in the end.
Tang Ling was overwhelmed. Ever since he got rich, the more he spent, the more money he got! Was it some kind of hint?
Tang Ling would never have left the auction hall this quickly since he was there for the combat arts, but with such a large sum of money in his pocket, what should he do? He felt lost for a moment.
As expected of him, the so-called noble-like spending could withstand the pressure. The more money he got, his true nature was revealed. The poor kid was finally got knocked out cold by the sheer amount of money.
The auction continued.
Since the first two sets of Intricate Dori Boxes delivered an astounding result, the crowd’s interest in the remaining boxes reached a new high.
The result was not that bad either. The remaining sets might not have delivered something as heaven-defying as Tang Ling’s set, but there were two more items that shared the same value as the first set of boxes which further excited the crowd.
After the lot for the Intricate Dori Boxes was over, the next auction items were either some defect goods or items with mysterious origins. No one knew what they were or what they did.
Tang Ling finally knew why the first session was called the Heart-throbbing Cliff. It was literally a gambling session and it was all up to one’s luck to get something good.
One might find himself in heaven for a moment but in hell the next. Strangely, these boxes usually attracted a great amount of interest as it was able to send the crowd into a strange fever.
There were a few times when Tang Ling wanted to bid again since he had somehow gotten richer and his total fund was reaching 40,000 Black Sea coins.
Fortunately, he did not do it. He was really afraid that he might get richer, and the continuous good luck felt strange and eerie to him. He felt that he must calm down and only bid when there was something truly good on stage.
I don’t believe I can’t finish spending my money!
Such a strange thought lingered in Tang Ling’s mind as he continued waiting in the auction hall.
…
“I think that stupid kid got his mind blown.”
Inside a sprawling room on the fourth floor, a man with typical Dongsheng Continent facial features and a head of pale gold hair found it amusing as he watched Tang Ling sitting in the auction hall.
There was another person in the room. It was the copper-faced man. Ever since he made an appearance, he was everywhere. However, no one would have expected the copper-faced man to be at the auction on the secret fourth floor.
After all, there were less than 20 people in Darkness Port who knew that there was a fourth floor in the auction hall. Not even Boss Huang knew about it.
Someone like Elder Black would know, but even if he did, he was not simply invited to the fourth floor.
The copper-faced man looked casual as he did not even care about what the man with the pale golden hair said. Half of his copper mask had been lifted off and he was drinking the yellow liquid with a rich aroma from his cup.
“Actually, these two kids are really lovable.” The man with the pale golden hair did not mind the copper-faced man making himself at home. He was holding a remote control and controlling the scenes around the auction hall.
The camera was switched to Tang Long’s VIP box.
The copper-faced man put his cup on the table. He did not want to answer the topic that the man with the pale golden hair started. Instead, he spoke in his strange mechanical tone, “You are being too obvious.”
“No matter how obvious I am, that little Tang Ling must work with me to make it right.” The man with the pale golden hair smiled.
“I think even if he hadn’t bid on the Dori Box, you’d have found a way to let him earn more money in this auction.” The copper-faced man had seen through everything clearly.
“What else can I do? There’s something in the auction that suits him well, but I’m afraid that he doesn’t have the money…” The man with the pale golden hair scratched his head and feigned a bitter look. “And I don’t deal in losing business.”
“Hmph.” The copper-faced man chuckled. He is this wealthy and he doesn’t even deal in a losing business? Maybe this is his way of life…
“Are you sure he will bid on that thing? Are you sure no one else who will compete with him?” the copper-faced man asked.
“You should have the answer to the first question, and you should know better than me. He will surely bid on it as well. As for the second question, I don’t know, but an auction is an auction and it must go on.” As he explained, the man with the pale golden hair picked up the remote control and shifted the scene to Draconic Twelve.
“Motherf*cker, planting a bomb in my auction? Will Tang Ling go crazy because of this?” said the man with the pale golden hair, but he did not look as concerned as he commented.
“The bomb won’t explode this time. You are the one who will stir things around and add unpredictable variables in the equation. Jian Fei, is your life this boring? Moreover, the auction is held once every three months in Darkness Port, so why do you even care?” said the copper-faced man in a mocking tone.
“Even if a hundred auctions got messed up and can’t operate anymore, I don’t think you will care. After all, you are the owner of the whole Floating Ice Black Market. Your shadow is everywhere in the world…” The copper-faced man revealed an astonishing fact about the revered identity of the man with the pale hair.
However, the copper-faced man did not seem to be overly concerned as well.
“My my, why must you point me out? I like to keep a low profile.” Jian Fei reacted bashfully but he did not show any sincerity in his eyes.
The copper-faced man did not care about the answer since only idiots would play along with Jian Fei.
