When Zhuiyue's jade-white hand touched the red cloth, Mingqi could even sense the breathing of many people around them grow heavier, clearly anticipating the potential of this first, opening treasure.
The first treasure at an auction is usually quite valuable and rare, thus sparking a significant bidding frenzy right from the start, bringing a surge of bidding fever to the entire auction. Clearly, Junzilou had also adopted this common tactic.
Whew!
Zhuiyue didn't hesitate any longer. With a single wave of her bare hands, she peeled back the red cloth, revealing the treasure on the tray.
What was this treasure?
Although there were exclamations of surprise from the surroundings, Mingqi had no idea what it was.
The dark tray holding the treasure was covered in a layer of unidentified gauze, emitting a dazzling golden hue. On top of the gauze lay six oval, egg-like objects, neatly arranged. However, unlike chicken eggs, these six oval eggs were a dazzling white. Upon closer inspection, one could even detect tiny arcs of electricity flickering within them.
What kind of eggs were these? They could actually generate lightning!
Ming Qi quickly searched his memory, but could find no information on these eggs.
At this point, the surrounding shouts intensified, and Ming Qi kept hearing bizarre names from the crowd. While he still couldn't pinpoint their exact nature, he was certain of one thing: these six strange eggs, emitting lightning, must be the eggs of some demonic beast, capable of hatching demonic creatures.
"Demonic beast eggs?"
Ming Qi pinched his chin thoughtfully, gazing at the six egg-like objects on the display stand. Clearly, they wouldn't be able to suppress demonic energy, so he dismissed them.
At this moment, Zhuiyue gently stroked her hands to silence the surrounding cheers, then said in a charming voice, "I'm sure someone already knows what this treasure is. Yes, it's the egg of the Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant, a rare demonic beast!"
Boom!
A shocking exclamation immediately erupted from the crowd below. The Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant was said to be an ancient species, now extremely rare in the world. Unexpectedly, it would appear in this small, Junzi Tower in Fengxian City.
"Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant, um..."
A thoughtful look crossed Mingqi's face, for the name was familiar to him.
The Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant, an ancient species, possessed the innate properties of lightning and possessed immense potential for growth, even surviving tribulations and ascending to become a Celestial Spirit Beast. However, since ancient times, the Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant had practically disappeared from the human world. Therefore, for a long time, it was only casually mentioned as an extinct ancient demonic beast.
Clearly, many cultivators present were familiar with the Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant. Ming Qi had clearly heard many speculating on the starting price for the six Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant eggs.
Many were already eager to bid, their eyes blazing with excitement.
Once a Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant reaches the fourth-level demon beast realm, its lightning attributes awaken, allowing it to unleash powerful lightning abilities and grow wings, swift as lightning.
Although the Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant hasn't hatched yet, once it does, it will possess the power of a sixth-level acquired human cultivator. This alone fully demonstrates the preciousness of these six Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant eggs.
"Then, the starting price for these six Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant eggs is 100,000 crystals. They cannot be bid separately, and each bid must be no less than 1,000 crystals."
Seeing the enthusiasm in everyone's eyes, Zhuiyue announced the reserve price.
One hundred thousand Yuan crystals, or rather, one hundred thousand low-grade Yuan crystals—this reserve price was already a bit too high to be accustomed to.
Although the Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant was an ancient species naturally endowed with lightning attributes, it still needed to reach level four before its lightning awakening could take place, leaving many uncertainties. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that any of the six Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant eggs were dead. Spending a fortune on a few dead eggs would be a huge loss.
After the reserve price was announced, there was a moment of silence; no one immediately bid.
Zhuiyue seemed to have guessed everyone's thoughts long ago. With a smile, he said, "Rest assured, everyone! These six eggs have been sealed by a master. Once you infuse them with essence and blood, they will hatch in less than half an hour. Furthermore, after accurate identification by a master beastmaster, these six eggs are indeed three pairs. This information is guaranteed to be accurate. If any customer finds that the eggs they purchase do not match the description, Junzilou will refund the full amount."
Zhuiyue's confident words immediately dispelled the concerns of those who wanted to buy. Just as Zhuiyue finished speaking, someone somewhere in the hall called out a price.
"One hundred and fifteen thousand crystals!"
Zhuiyue's eyes flickered, quickly landing on the bidder. After clearly gazing at the bidder, she smiled faintly and said, "A monster's blood oath of recognition is even more secure than a beast-taming magic cube. It's practically equivalent to establishing a life-and-death contract. There's no need to worry about the monster rebelling. Even a single Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant as a combat partner can yield unexpected results, let alone six."
Her alluring eyes flickered across the audience, her captivating gaze and voice instantly igniting their competitive spirit.
"One hundred and fifteen thousand crystals!"
"One hundred and twenty thousand crystals!"
"One hundred and thirty thousand crystals!"
"One hundred and thirty-one thousand crystals!"
......
Mingqi was somewhat shocked by the excitement in the room. It was as if the competition was no longer for the eggs of the ancient Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant, but for the stunningly charming Fairy Zhuiyue, who stood on the stage with an infinite allure.
"Two hundred thousand crystals!"
In a short while, the price of six Nine-Thunderface Ant eggs had doubled amidst the frenzied bidding.
Ming Qi also noticed that the person offering the two hundred thousand crystals came from a VIP room on the second floor.
VIP room number: sixty-six.
It was the same VIP room where the beautiful maid had invited Ming Qi earlier, and it belonged to the mysterious man suspected to be the Lord of Fengxian City.
"Two hundred thousand crystals, is there a higher price?"
At this moment, the imposing young man spoke calmly, hammer in hand.
A brief silence fell again. For any innate cultivator, two hundred thousand crystals was no small sum, and using two hundred thousand crystals for six demon beast eggs seemed a bit extravagant.
"Two hundred thousand at a time, anyone else wanting to bid?"
The young man asked again, his voice still calm and composed, but he had already raised the hammer, clearly aware that at two hundred thousand, he had reached his limit.
"Three hundred thousand!"
With that voice, all was silent, the entire hall instantly becoming so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Who could possibly be raising the bid by a hundred thousand?
At the sound of that voice, almost everyone turned their gaze to search for the source. Even the young man holding the auction hammer couldn't help but cast his gaze towards the second floor.
Second floor VIP room, room 88.
Ming Qi quickly found it. It was also a very auspicious number: VIP room 88.
It was a woman's voice. Ming Qi had just recognized it. The bid was made by a woman, clear and melodious, crisp and efficient.
"Wow, the distinguished guest in VIP room 88 is so bold! He's already bid three hundred thousand. Is there anyone who can offer more?"
Zhuiyue spoke in a beautiful voice, her beautiful eyes darting back and forth across the auction hall.
"Three hundred thousand! That seems to have already exceeded its original value."
Ming Qi muttered to himself, but he had no intention of bidding, nor did he care how high the price would go; he simply waited to see the excitement.
After the high price of three hundred thousand was announced, a brief silence fell in the hall.
But the silence didn't last long, as it was broken.
In VIP Room 66, another bid was made.
"Three hundred and fifty thousand!"
A sudden increase of fifty thousand showed the man's financial resources were undoubtedly impressive; the word "strong" was insufficient to describe his wealth.
Surprisingly, the bid in VIP Room 66 had barely finished when the crisp voice from VIP Room 88 rang out again.
"Five hundred thousand."
Clearly, the competition for the six Nine-Reggae Ant Eggs had completely settled between the two individuals in the VIP room, making it impossible for anyone else to get their hands on them.
And judging by the tone of voices from both parties, there was already a hint of conflict.
"Hmph, six hundred thousand!"
A cold snort echoed from VIP Room 66, sounding rather disdainful.
"Eight hundred thousand."
After a while, a voice rang out from VIP Room 88, accompanied by a small yawn.
When the offer of eight hundred thousand was made, many people present rolled their eyes. Even if the Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant Eggs were precious, they weren't worth eight hundred thousand. It was clear the two were competing.
"One million!"
An extremely cold voice echoed from VIP Room 66, seemingly tinged with anger.
One million!
...
Hearing this price, Ming Qi was speechless. This was simply someone who didn't care about money so carelessly squandered money like this. One million yuan in crystals for six Nine-Thunder Ghost Ant Eggs was simply not worth it, no matter how you looked at it.
Everyone fell silent at this point. After VIP Room 66's bid, they all turned their attention to VIP Room 88, hoping the girl inside would come up with a shocking price.
A moment later, a voice emanated from VIP Room 88, but it wasn't the long-awaited bid.
"You fool! Spending a million on a few insect eggs!"