NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 202: The Final Item
Su Kuan continued, "I came in a rush after hearing about the Siren's Melody Poached Egg. Now that I've had a taste, I must be on my way. We're busy men, after all."
'Liar. I didn't get to have a taste.' Su Bei inwardly snorted.
Cai Jinbao returned the bow, "Of course, we have many responsibilities on our shoulders. I had to postpone several matters just to attend this auction."
Because of their status, they had subordinates throughout the city. So even though they were not present to order the Siren's Melody Poached Egg, they easily got their hands on a plate.
It was something Lucian could not prevent, so he turned a blind eye to it. Fortunately, the System did not make a fuss.
After that, Cai Jinbao turned to Su Bei, "It's rare to see Young Miss Su looking so displeased. Do you want to stay? If you want, I can assign a few City Guards to protect you. Once the auction ends, they'll ensure your safe return to the Dragon's Feast Restaurant."
Before Su Bei could open her mouth, Su Kuan interfered, "We appreciate your kind offer, City Lord Cai. However, Little Su is displeased because she did not want to come to the auction. You know how kids are. They're very antsy and don't like to stay in one place for too long."
Su Bei nodded in agreement.
Cai Jinbao merely smiled in response and followed behind them out of the auction house before watching as the uncle and niece pair disappeared into the dimly lit streets, barely illuminated by the street lamps.
'Interesting.' Was all Cai Jinbao said before he returned to his manor.
While on their way back to the Dragon's Feast Restaurant, Su Bei could not help but ask, [Uncle, wouldn't it have been better if we stayed? Now, they might even be more suspicious of us. Even City Lord Cai is suspicious of us now.]
It would have been fine if she had not spoken, but now that she did, Su Kuan furrowed his brows and shot her a glare. [Isn't it all because of you?] He snapped
[Uncle, you created the genius foolproof plan.] Su Bei rolled her eyes.
[Plans can fail.] Su Kuan said with narrowed eyes. [Even the most powerful Mages fall. But that doesn't mean they'll fall easily. They'll struggle and hold onto dear life like cockroaches. But one day, they'll fall.]
[What does that even mean?] Su Bei was exasperated by her Uncle's long-windedness.
Sighing, Su Kuan replied, [What I'm trying to say is, even if my plan fails the first time, as long as I have a breath in me, there'll always be a second, a third, and so forth.]
Su Bei's brows furrowed in confusion. Her mind returned to what her uncle previously said, 'But one day, they'll fall'
'Does Uncle not know what he said?'
However, Su Bei, instead said, [But, Uncle, wouldn't that just make our situation worse? How about we stay low for a while?]
[Little Su, do you think this is a game? That you can just walk away when things don't go your way? Now that we acted against James and Yoshiko, we have no choice but to continue.] Su Kuan would be lying if he said he was not vexed by his niece's persistent questions. Unfortunately, despite his annoyance, he could not lash out too much, less he angers her father.
Su Bei was startled for a moment, [But-]
Su Kuan cut her off by saying, [Either we fail, or we win, there's no in-between. Now be quiet.]
Speechlessly, Su Bei closed her mouth, not before rolling her eyes at her Uncle.
'Humph! Only you'll fail, or we'll win.'
It was practically impossible for Su Bei to lose.
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Meanwhile, back in the Dragon Phoenix Auction House, the auction was still going strong.
Item after item flashed on the large screen and on everyone's Auction Tablets, each being sold after a fierce bidding war.
On the other hand, Lucian had long ago fallen asleep in his chair, though not before giving free rein to Lily to spend as much as she wanted. Of course, he gave her a maximum amount she could spend, which was 2,768 Low-Grade Mana Stones.
That was the total sum of Low-Grade Mana Stones he had, including what he would later receive from Branch Leader Yoshiko.
After all, Lucian did not want to be in debt to another person. Being in debt to the System was already hard enough.
Minutes soon turned into hours, and it was not long before the bright rays of the sun shone through the windows.
However, other than Lucian, who found the auction boring, the guests were still animatingly participating in the auction.
"Alchemist Vahn has bid 100 Low-Grade Mana Stones for the Ignis Flare Potion. Does anyone have a higher bid?" Meng Ruo looked around the venue with her gavel raised high in the air, ready to be brought down.
"Esteemed Guests, please take a moment to carefully consider this opportunity. The Ignis Flare Potion is a must-have item for Mages who lack a natural affinity for the Fire Element, but aspire to be Alchemists, Blacksmiths, etcetera."
'The price is already so high. Who would pay more for a one-time use, temporary item?' Someone muttered with a shake of his head.
After receiving not even a single sound, Meng Ruo began announcing, "100 Low-Grade Mana Stones, going once, going twice, going thrice, and sold."
Following her final word, her gavel struck the air decisively, producing a loud sound.
"Congratulations Alchemist Vahn, the Ignis Flare Potion now belongs to you. You may pay now or at the end of the auction."
Alchemist Vahn, already accustomed to the process, shook his head at a nearby attendant, indicating he would pay and collect his item later.
Understanding what Alchemist Vahn meant, the attendant bowed respectfully and returned to her position.
On the other hand, a serious expression appeared on Meng Rou's beautiful face, taking many in the venue by surprise.
"Why is Miss Meng being so serious all of a sudden?"
"You idiot, can't you tell it's time for the final item?"
Just like that person stated, Meng Ruo solemnly announced, "Esteemed Guests, we have now arrived at the finale of today's auction. Before I present the final item, I would like to inform you that it is quite special. Firstly, the consignor wishes to remain anonymous. Secondly, this last item will be presented openly for your senses to view.
However, Mana Sense and other Detection Skills are still strictly prohibited. Lastly, for your safety, please continue placing bids using the Auction Tablets."
As Meng Ruo spoke, an attendant walked up to the stage, holding a black tray.
Driven by curiosity, all the Mages in the venue focused their eyes not on the tray but on the item that lay on it.
It was a coin…
At first glance, it appeared ordinary, seemingly made of silver, and lacked any distinguishing features.
Instantly, as they saw the item, weird expressions covered their faces. Some even had to do a double take, while others glanced at their neighbors, wondering if they were seeing things.
However, after seeing a similar expression on their face as well, they realized what they saw was not their mind playing tricks on them.
"Is that really just a coin?" An honest-looking Mage said. But then he shook his head in disbelief. "How can the final item just be a coin?"
However, the sharp-minded individuals in the venue understood Dragon Phoenix Auction House would never auction a worthless item. This was especially true for the final item.
The final item would always be the pièce de résistance — an item that would leave a lasting impression.
"Esteemed Sir is correct, how can the final item be just a coin?" Meng Ruo asked curiously with a shake of her head, almost as though she was asking herself. But everyone in the venue, even the honest-looking man, knew she was just saying that to create suspense.
"Please don't leave us in suspense, Miss Meng." Someone urged. "Introduce the item."
Despite being urged, Meng Ruo merely chuckled. For a moment, she pondered, recalling what the Branch Leader had told her. Only then she began giving an introduction, "Although the consignor wishes to remain anonymous, I am permitted to share certain details. The item you see before you, as unassuming as it may seem, was submitted by a close friend of our Esteemed Branch Leader."
"The item was submitted by the Branch Leader's friend?"
"Not only friend… but a close friend."
"A friend of a Mana Soul Realm Mage would definitely not be simple. Then that coin… is definitely not simple. It's probably a peerless treasure!" Someone guessed, followed by countless gulps as everyone gazed at the coin with greed.
Meng Ruo continued, "This coin isn't just any currency, it is an Artifact, to be more precise, it holds a map to a Secret Realm somewhere in our world. Unfortunately, Branch Leader's friend despite using all methods couldn't remove the Sealing Runic Formation on the coin. Otherwise, she would have never put this valuable map up for auction."
Contrary to expectations, the guests' eyes did not light up upon hearing those words. Ever since the Secret Realm was discovered in Moon Grove Forest, they had been disgruntled. In Arcadia, they were at the bottom of the food chain. If they could barely survive in Harmony City, how could they survive in a Secret Realm?
Therefore, the last item — the Secret Realm — held no value to them.