Urban All-Round Master-Chapter 1601 - 1635: Bidding for the Millennium Lingzhi
"I’ve been here before, but it didn’t seem as grand as it is now. Back then, I came with my mother and just caught a glimpse, didn’t have the chance to take a good look," Beiming Lan said.
Lin Zifeng nodded, surveying the surroundings, there were quite a few experts, and most of the guards inside the Earth Castle were of the Condensation Realm.
He even spotted some strong cultivators from the Qi Dao Realm. Truly a place full of hidden talents.
"By the way, young miss, since all sorts of people come to trade here, wouldn’t there be robbery incidents?" Lin Zifeng was curious. With an auction of this size, if some people took offense at others’ large amounts of Primordial Energy, it would be tragic if they got robbed as soon as they stepped out.
"No, as long as people who come here don’t engage in snatching within the auction area’s range after exiting, generally nothing happens."
"Seems like this auction has quite some backing," Lin Zifeng thought.
The Earth Castle was huge, as large as a hundred soccer fields, and the buildings inside were quite ancient, with blue bricks and porcelain tiles, yet the flow of people wasn’t scarce; many domestic and international notables would come here to auction suitable items.
Soon, the two arrived at something resembling the entrance to an underground passage, where four men wearing black vigor outfits stood guard. The men had fierce eyes and strong limbs.
"Sir, are you here to attend the auction?"
"Yes."
"Please take this," the man handed him two copper plates. On the copper plates were the numbers ’502’ and ’503.’ These should be used for bidding by the number during the auction.
"Thank you," Lin Zifeng continued walking with Beiming Lan.
"Hey, little follower, what did they give you?"
"I guess during the auction, each person has a special number," Lin Zifeng replied.
"Oh, I get it. When you enter the auction hall later, find the seat corresponding to the number on the copper plate, put the plate on the seat, then during bidding, just press the button on your seat, and the auctioneer will know your number."
"Is it that magical?" Lin Zifeng was amazed, it sounded so cool.
Upon entering the underground passage, Lin Zifeng found the auction held surprises.
The underground passage was incredibly long and winding, without a professional guide, it would be truly challenging to navigate; even the first passage had numerous branches, who knows what troubles lurk within those detours.
"Hey, little follower, this passage is really long," Beiming Lan also noticed the difference.
"It is long, and every passage is dangerous, a slight mistake can easily lead to demise."
"Hey! Don’t scare me, I’m timid..."
"Why would I scare you? It’s the truth," Lin Zifeng paid her no mind, quickening his pace down the passage.
The passage twisted and turned, continuously heading underground.
Upon reaching the final underground passage entrance, when witnessing the true auction hall, Lin Zifeng speculated that this auction was several hundred meters deep below ground!
Such a grand scale! Truly astonishing.
On truly entering the auction hall, Lin Zifeng found himself captivated by the scene.
The auction hall seated over a thousand people; the seats rose in tiers. This auction venue was enormous, akin to an underground palace, accommodating tens of thousands was no issue.
The front of the auction hall featured a large high stage, lit with bright lights, where seven or eight elderly men of high cultivation held court.
Soon, Lin Zifeng and Beiming Lan found their seats. Observing, the auction hall housed about a thousand attendees.
At this time, the auction had begun with items already, but these were mostly worthless things; the most eye-catching were merely some herbs, which were neither here nor there for cultivators.
"The next items might catch everyone’s eye, and if interested, you can begin bidding. After bidding, I’ll announce three times for finalization. If no one else bids, the item belongs to the last bidder," an elderly man passionately introduced the auction process. All present understood, as did Lin Zifeng.
"Hey, little follower, what do you think will be auctioned next?"
Beiming Lan turned to ask.
"No idea, but it won’t be weak stuff," Lin Zifeng replied.
"Earlier, the bidder offered fifty Vital Energy. Now would the gentleman proceed backstage to transact Vital Energy," on stage, the long-bearded elder spoke again.
"Swish swish..." Everyone turned to look as a middle-aged man sat motionless, gently tapped his copper plate, and then, with a rustle, disappeared without a trace from his seat.
Lin Zifeng noticed the disappearing man had a large opening beneath his seat, sliding him down with his seat.
"Good! Clever auction method. After acquiring items, people don’t need to get up; they stay seated, press a button, then slide down from their seat. Such a fascinating auction method!"
A nearby person marveled at the transaction mode, which prevented identity exposure and spared movement time.
As long as you sit at your spot, bid for desired items, and press the button, a hole opens beneath your seat, sliding you down for a secure transaction...
"The next auction item will demand a higher Vital Energy amount, starting at fifty units. It’s a millennium-old Lingzhi, remarkably enhancing a cultivator’s cultivation. If everyone finds it useful, commence bidding," the elder briefly discussed its uses and opened bidding.
"Sixty Vital Energy!"
Bidding began below.
"Eighty units of Vital Energy!"
"Two hundred units, I’ll take it!" someone shouted.
Wow... Everyone turned; a middle-aged man offered two hundred units for a piece of broken Lingzhi, quite extravagant.
Lin Zifeng glanced towards the speaker at the dark end, an eloquent middle-aged man, but he found the Lingzhi non-essential.
"Two hundred Vital Energy and you want it? Ridiculous, I offer five hundred units! Does anyone want to contest?"
At this point, another bidder raised the stakes for the Lingzhi.
The mood turned more chaotic.
The poor piece of Lingzhi was only fifty units, yet now bid to five hundred units! Certainly several times over.
Auctions were essentially a contest of wealth and resources, Lin Zifeng mused. Today he was purely there to observe, not intending to participate. Once familiarized, he could join in bidding on whatever he desired later.
(Announcing a private WeChat number, be cautious, it’s a WeChat number, not Huahua’s public account. gyb122 named "Neighboring Old Wang," but Huahua won’t private chat due to being busy; I’ll post items on the circle for interactive engagement.
