Chapter 178: Leaving Early
When Duanmu Lingyan saw that Scorpion-Lion seemed unaware of Zhou Ming’s past, she immediately recounted all the rumors she had heard at the Scientific Research University.
“Who would’ve thought you had such experiences, and that you even managed to win over a true genius.”
Faced with Scorpion-Lion’s teasing, Zhou Ming acted as if he hadn’t heard it at all and instead walked toward Duanmu Lingyan.
“What are you trying to do? My cousin is here.”
Sensing something amiss, Duanmu Lingyan was about to move closer to Scorpion-Lion, but in the very next moment she was directly knocked unconscious by Zhou Ming and placed onto a nearby sofa.
When Scorpion-Lion saw Zhou Ming’s action, an expression of shock immediately appeared on his face.
“Too noisy.”
Zhou Ming casually explained.
“Do you know who her father is?”
“Who?”
Hearing Scorpion-Lion ask such a question, Zhou Ming grew somewhat curious as well.
“My father’s younger brother, also my third uncle. A professional high-level Beast Tamer, and he dotes excessively on his precious daughter. If he finds out you did something like this to Lingyan, I’m afraid you won’t be able to walk out of Yunhai Base.”
“If my third uncle hadn’t spoken up this time, I wouldn’t have been able to bring her to see you at all.”
“Then how did she end up going to Qinghui Scientific Research University?”
“Lingyan is completely unable to sense the Spiritual Sea during meditation, so she can only pursue the humanities and take the research path.”
“You also know that the best Beast Tamer university in the northern part of the Alliance is in our Yunhai Base, while the best scientific research university is in Qinghui Base, which is why she went to Qinghui Scientific Research University.”
Only now did Zhou Ming realize that Duanmu Lingyan not only had a father who was a complete daughter-dotter, but that her father was also a professional high-level Beast Tamer.
“Help me stall for time. I remember there should be an airship to Qinghui Base today. Once the auction ends, I’ll leave.”
“I’ll give you one Sapphire Fish as payment.”
Hearing that there was a benefit involved, Scorpion-Lion’s eyes immediately lit up, but he was clearly dissatisfied with the reward.
“Five.”
“Two. Take it or leave it. I don’t believe your third uncle would really start a slaughter with me inside the base.”
“Deal.”
Scorpion-Lion silently glanced at his unconscious cousin. For the sake of two fish, he could only help Zhou Ming this once.
With the deal struck, the two tacitly ignored Duanmu Lingyan and moved to the side of the auction hall to watch.
As for the small incident just now, neither of them mentioned it again.
Because of Duanmu Lingyan’s sudden arrival, Zhou Ming had missed Scorpion-Lion’s introduction to the various factions of Yunhai Base, and not long after, the auction officially began.
On the auction platform, a dignified middle-aged woman walked up and, after a brief opening statement, directly announced the start of the auction.
“That’s my paternal aunt, Duanmu Hengxue, a professional mid-level Beast Tamer. Jinque Building is usually managed by her.”
Perhaps guessing that Zhou Ming would ask, Scorpion-Lion very conscientiously took on the role of commentator.
“Does your family not have any professional low-level ones?”
Although he had long heard of the strength of the Duanmu Family, only by experiencing it firsthand could Zhou Ming truly feel how terrifying it was.
A professional mid-level Beast Tamer, placed anywhere in a medium-sized base, would be among the top figures.
Even in the second-tier forces of Qinghui Base, such a person would either be the family head or a grand elder, not to mention the existence of professional high-level Beast Tamers.
“Yes. Isn’t that me?”
Scorpion-Lion replied, rarely teasing Zhou Ming.
However, Zhou Ming paid him no attention, because the first auction item was precisely the two Earthcore Fire Stones he had submitted.
“Tier-three spiritual item, two Earthcore Fire Stones. They can be used to prepare for transcendence, or to enhance the strength of fire-attribute Phantasmal Beasts.”
“Starting price, one thousand Source Crystal Coins.”
Without excessive hype, the auction began after a simple introduction.
After all, the name of a tier-three spiritual item was enough to demonstrate its value, and guests capable of bidding on Earthcore Fire Stones were not people whose emotions could be swayed by atmosphere alone.
Just as Zhou Ming was waiting to see what price his Earthcore Fire Stones would fetch, Qi Shoufeng, seated in the auction hall, frowned slightly. He knew that Qi Shouwu had two Earthcore Fire Stones in his possession.
Those two Earthcore Fire Stones had cost Qi Shouwu an unknown amount of time and Source Crystals to obtain, originally prepared for his own Phantasmal Beast when advancing to professional mid-level.
Now that two Earthcore Fire Stones suddenly appeared at the Jinque Grand Auction, he faintly felt that these were Qi Shouwu’s Earthcore Fire Stones.
Unfortunately, the gap between the Qi Family and the Duanmu Family was far too great, and he had no evidence whatsoever. If he dared to disrupt the auction’s order, the Duanmu Family could take the opportunity to kill him, and the Alliance would not trouble the Duanmu Family over it.
After all, rules were dead, people were alive, and the Alliance would not clean up the mess that the Qi Family brought upon itself.
As bids continued to be called, the two Earthcore Fire Stones were ultimately sold for one thousand three hundred and fifty Source Crystal Coins.
This price could only be considered slightly above market value. After all, among items of the same tier, Earthcore Fire Stones were fairly ordinary, and not many people truly needed them.
“Can I use Source Crystals to replace one Sapphire Fish?”
Seeing the amount of Source Crystals in his possession increasing, Zhou Ming tentatively asked Scorpion-Lion.
“Does our Duanmu Family lack that little bit of Source Crystals?”
“In past auctions, the total transaction volume of Source Crystals always exceeded one ton. Converted into Source Crystal Coins, that’s over a hundred thousand.”
After hearing Scorpion-Lion’s reply, Zhou Ming could only silently complain in his heart about the extravagance of the rich.
As the Earthcore Fire Stones auction concluded, the subsequent items were of relatively lower value, mostly remaining between several hundred to one thousand Source Crystal Coins.
However, this did not mean the items were not precious. Any item settled in Source Crystal Coins was something rarely seen on the open market.
As the auction entered its middle to late stages, items valued at over a thousand Source Crystal Coins began to appear.
“The thirty-fifth auction item: rare equipment, the Phantasmal Spirit Sword. Its effects include Toughness, Sharpness, Morphing, and Enchantment.”
Under Duanmu Hengxue’s explanation and demonstration, everyone quickly understood the effects of Morphing and Enchantment.
Morphing: under the impetus of Spiritual Power, it could change form. One form was a straight, rigid longsword, while the other was an unpredictable flexible sword.
Enchantment: it could be imbued with various forms of power, with no specific additional requirements.
This rare piece of equipment had a starting price of two thousand Source Crystal Coins.
With no specific usage restrictions, the starting price was directly pushed to two thousand Source Crystal Coins.
Of course, a transcendent piece of equipment with four effects was well worth the price.
“Two thousand five hundred Source Crystal Coins.”
“You’re interested in this equipment? Makes sense. With your crafty personality, this suits you perfectly.”
Hearing Zhou Ming suddenly bid, Scorpion-Lion did not miss the chance to tease him.
Zhou Ming had no mood to respond to Scorpion-Lion’s sarcasm. In the end, he secured it for two thousand eight hundred.
“Have someone bring the Phantasmal Spirit Sword over. The airship won’t wait for me.”
Pressed for time, once Zhou Ming obtained the item he wanted, he had no intention of staying any longer.
After all, Duanmu Lingyan’s father was definitely trouble. With Scorpion-Lion present, there would be no danger to his life, but the other party would certainly take the chance to extort him.
Hearing Zhou Ming’s request, Scorpion-Lion did not delay his return to Qinghui Base either, especially since Zhou Ming still needed to arrange for the delivery of the Sapphire Fish.
Not long after, Zhou Ming left Jinque Building ahead of time and boarded the airship returning to Qinghui Base.