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Astral Crystal!
A gemstone formed from condensing the essence of Star Energy. It was also called the Crystal of the Stars. One piece of good Astral Crystal was not only able to rapidly recover significant amounts of Star Energy, an Astral Crystal could also be forged into a weapon, maximizing the weapon’s Star Energy level.
It was practically a treasure comparable to Astral Stones, and they were very precious in Star World. Although Astral Crystals were a currency in Star World as well, the number of times they appeared was very low. Top-notch Star Generals that obtained Astral Crystals would always use them as collectibles. In their eyes, most of the things in Star World were not as enticing as an Astral Crystal, so unless they were forced to, very few Star Generals were willing to barter away their Astral Crystals.
In Star World, an Astral Crystal was approximately equal to fifty thousand Astral Dollars, but in truth, it was difficult for even a hundred thousand Astral Dollars to purchase one.
Hearing Lady Wei’s final auction actually needed to use Astral Crystals, everyone gasped and complained.
“No way. Lady Wei, if the Thousand Gold Pavilion does this, then that makes us completely unable to buy it, right?”
“Exactly. Astral Crystals are too difficult to obtain. Only Heavenly Stars have the qualifications to go excavate the places where they grow.”
“How can we possibly have Astral Crystals.”
“Besides, what thing actually needs Astral Crystals. Could it be a Heavenly Book? A Purple Rose Astral Treasure? Universe Eternity or Primeval Chaos Spirit Treasure?”
Everyone’s tones were slightly critical, but this was no wonder. Astral Crystals themselves could be items on the auction block, and the Thousand Gold Pavilion had indeed auctioned them before. In addition, whenever an item needed Astral Crystals, they generally only appeared during the Central Star Field’s Thousand Gold Pavilion year-end auction banquet.
Lady Wei faintly smiled: “Everyone, calm down first and please listen to everything This Lady has to say.”
The atmosphere became quiet.
Lady Wei glanced at the maids.
The maids carried out four boxes which did not appear remarkable at all.
“The finale items are these four treasure boxes.” Lady Wei smiled: “Presumably, everyone knows of the Five Emperors Seal of Connecting Valley’s Li Si. The great seal she left behind is a True Work that Star World desires.”
“Ever since ancient times, countless Star Generals came and went through the Connecting Valley. The Central Star Field also dispatched people to excavate, but no news had ever been found.”
“Don’t tell me…Has the Thousand Gold Pavilion found it?” Some cultivators restrained their excitement.
“Not at all.” Lady Wei said unhurriedly: “But the Thousand Gold Pavilion has spent a hundred years of meticulous study, and we have finally discovered a small clue from generations of Star General calligraphy and records.”
“Clue?”
“Yes, it might be a clue to the Connecting Valley’s core region. These four boxes are none other than the items that can allow everyone to find said core region, but everyone knows that that the Connecting Valley’s interior is refined from Primeval Chaos True Qi. The area becomes more dangerous the closer to the center one goes. The average cultivator cannot easily enter. This Astral Crystal is a certificate. Only those cultivators who possess Astral Crystals have the qualifications.”
“The Thousand Gold Pavilion has no need of everyone’s Astral Crystals at all, but to obtain these four certificates, you must use Astral Crystals. After everyone presents their Astral Crystals, they will be returned.”1
When Lady Wei said this, everyone suddenly understood, but they looked uncertainly at the treasure clues at hand. They were unable to obtain it themselves, however, their hearts were still very unreconciled. Still, they were very aware that even a Lord Of Heaven was in grave danger going to the Connecting Valley’s central area. Though unreconciled, they could only curse themselves for their own lack of strength.
“Lady Wei, I have a question.”
A man suddenly spoke.
Everyone looked.
Chen Mo had spoke.
“Please ask, Young Lord.”
“Since this is a clue to the Connecting Valley’s Five Emperors Seal and Great Seal, the Thousand Gold Pavilion wouldn’t just sit and watch as others take it, right??”
Chen Mo’s question made the other cultivators have an epiphany.
“Right. The Great Seal and the Five Emperors Seal, things that the Central Star Field want. Your Thousand Gold Pavilion has this clue, yet you aren’t preparing to take them for yourselves? Why split it up?”
Lady Wei gazed deeply at Chen Mo, a grin on the corner of her lips: “To be quite honest, these four proofs cannot guarantee that everyone will be able to obtain what you want, only that they are clues to take you even further. As for whether or not you can obtain it, that depends on your luck.”
“In five days, there will be opportunity to once again enter the Connecting Valley. Fellows with the thought to do so can try.”
Everyone looked at each other. Their excitement had cooled. After so much talking, it turned out this was only a few clues to the Connecting Valley’s central area.
Chen Mo sized up the Lü Clan Spring And Autumn and the Wang Clan of Langya. The latter was not moved. A sort of very indifferent and very mocking grin hung upon her face. Even Nian Xuesong, who sat next to him, was indifferent.
It seemed that this proof was not so simple.
“It turns out the finale is this. But to need Astral Crystals, we won’t be able to buy it.” Mi Ji said regretfully. However, even if they had an Astral Crystal, she would be unable to purchase it. The Connecting Valley’s inner area was too dangerous. Her current Realm was not sufficient to support her going to take that risk.
“Yes, if I could even glance the Great Seal True Work, that would be great.” Jiang Yuezhuo was very regretful.
After the venue calmed down, the auction for the four proofs continued.
“For the purpose of guaranteeing fairness, the Thousand Gold Pavilion has decided to adopt a ‘closed bid auction.'”
“Closed bid auction?” Chen Mo felt this was very ridiculous when he heard it. He never imagined he could hear this modern auction terminology. A sealed bid auction was also called a tender auction. It referred to when the auctioneers first announced the specific details and conditions of the auction. Then, competing buyers would secretly make bids to the auctioneers inside a fixed time period. The auctioneer would begin at a predetermined time. After confirming everyone’s bids on the spot, they would choose the highest bid for the deal.
This type of auction could use all kinds of high bids, concise explanations, and results.
“This auction’s minimum bid is a low tier Astral Crystal and a hundred thousand Astral Dollars. The four highest bids win.” Lady Wei finished explaining the rules. The Thousand Gold Pavilion’s servants delivered sealed envelopes to the tables.
However, everyone knew that the people present able to bring out an Astral Crystal could be counted on fingers.
Only the Lü Clan and the Wang Clan had this luxury.
“The Currency School honestly is cunning and shrewd.” Jiang Kui sighed. To adopt a closed bid auction, did this not show clearly only high bidders would win. Of course they wanted the bidders to bleed. “However, only three groups can bring out Astral Crystals.” Clear Empty Shadow looked around the auction hall. She saw that the majority of cultivators could only smile bitterly.
“Exactly, was can consider the Thousand Gold Pavilion as having passed.” Mi Ji was still quite clear on this. “The Thousand Gold Pavilion did not publicize this finale auction at all. At the most, only the Cangwu Star Field knows. Even if the Langya Star Field’s Wang Clan is among them, of the others able to bring out Astral Crystals and have the strength to go to the Connecting Valley’s central regions, only Lords Of Heaven like Elder Under The Pine could do so.”
“However, only Elder Under The Pine’s disciple is participating in the Thousand Gold Pavilion this time, so if the three of them are able to obtain one, that means one is left. The Thousand Gold Pavilion will definitely use this one for themselves.”
Jiang Yuezhuo nodded, feeling that what Mi Ji said was very logical.
All the competing bidders began to write numbers on their slips. Then, they proceeded to the final determination.
“Mi Ji, would you it is possible to find it without spending money?” Chen Mo asked.
Mi Ji shook her head and softly said: “The Thousand Gold Pavilion has its own advisors. They analyze the clues to many of Star World’s legendary ruins for the sake of obtaining the treasure inside before any others. The Thousand Gold Pavilion has also investigated the Connecting Valley for a very long time, and since they dared to start an auction, they definitely won’t ruin their own reputation. There must be a hidden meaning.”
“Perhaps if the other cultivator is a genius, they might be able to solve the Connecting Valley. Otherwise, it should be very difficult to find.”
Chen Mo believed this was the reason, too.
“Little Sister Ji, how much money do you think is needed to obtain this proof?”
“I have no idea.” Mi Ji shrugged. Things were already very clear. The four pieces would be obtained by the three groups, and probably they would all bid an Astral Crystal plus a hundred thousand Astral Dollars. To guarantee a safe Astral Dollar number, there would be a bit of struggle, but that likely would not exceed a hundred fifty thousand Astral Dollars.
“Hmph, since there are four proofs, seems that I was worried for nothing.” Nian Xuesong showed a complacent grin. Originally, he was very worried when the Lü Clan and the Wang Clan joined because his master had instructed that the finale item must be obtained. Now, it seemed he had been thinking too much.
Chen Mo heedlessly glanced at him, then asked: “I hear I can auction my own items at the end?”
“Yes, but the value must exceed a hundred thousand Astral Dollars for this kind of extra auction. No matter what, the Thousand Gold Pavilion collects ten percent of the Astral Dollars as a fee for using the venue.”
So it turned out to be this, Chen Mo narrowed his eyes.
“Chen Mo, what are you thinking of doing?” Mi Ji stared at him, feeling this man’s thoughts were up to no good.
“Nothing.”
“You wouldn’t be thinking of buying that proof, right? Even if you really do want to let Sister Yuezhuo go see that work, you can’t goof off like this.”
“Junior Brother, you can’t mess around.”
“I don’t have so many Astral Crystals.” Chen Mo smiled.
“Good.”
Mi Ji nodded. Astral Crystals were so valuable. A Human Immortal cultivator could obtain one when meat pies dropped from the sky.
Chen Mo wrote a few strokes. It seemed he was clutching onto a mentality of luck like the other cultivators.
A little white later.
The secret bids were finished.
All of the envelopes were handed over to Lady Wei, and the results were very quickly announced.
Lady Wei’s expression became somewhat bright. She looked around at everyone and smiled.
“Now, then, This Lady shall announce the highest four bids.”
Dancers came to liven up the atmosphere, however, no one was in the mood to watch them right now. Every gaze was fixed firmly on an enormous empty signboard on the stage.
Lady Wei threw the envelopes onto the board. The highest bid very quickly was displayed.
Upon seeing that figure, everyone shouted.
Two Astral Crystals plus five hundred thousand Astral Dollars!
“Ah, so high!!” The Unknown Literati’s jaw dropped. She did not dare believe her eyes.
This bid far exceeded her imagination.
Not only her, but every person present was also stupefied.
The bidder was also a surprise to everyone, for they were neither the Lü Clan or the Wang Clan. Instead, the bidders were the two cloaked people in the private booth on the third floor.
The name was very unfamiliar.
“Elder Yu.”2
“Who is this Elder Yu, why haven’t I heard of him before.”
“Central Star Field?”
“Impossible, do people from the Central Star Field have a need to cloak their identites here?”
“There must be something they’re keeping secret.”
“Don’t tell me that the important part isn’t that he can actually fork over two Astral Crystals and five hundred thousand Astral Dollars?”
Everyone talked over each other.
Cultivators could not possibly bid so high in this closed bid auction. The envelopes were specially made after the Thousand Gold Pavilion put in a request to a casting master. Writing a bid required the usage of Divine Intent as well as a link to the wealth inside an Astral Stone. After writing, the intention contained in the sealed envelope would be linked together to see whether or not the bidder could pay. If unable, the bidder would be unable to write.
“Elder Yu, how extravagant.” Lü Meng sneered: “I am very eager to collaborate with you in the Connecting Valley.”
“…”
“A Star General even needs to conceal her identity. They are not very confident about themselves.” Wang Xianzhi drank tea.
The Lü Clan and the Wang Clan were not at all surprised by this bid, acting as if this was within reason.
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