The bid of 13 million gold coins left everyone in a daze, astonished at such a high price for a magic wand ranked ninth on the continent.
The auction house fell into a silence so profound it was as if one could hear a pin drop, everyone waiting for the two VIP rooms to make their move. Surprisingly, after a brief interlude, there was no response from either room.
The red-haired girl glanced in the direction of the two VIP rooms, a stunning smile on her lips. "Mr. Auctioneer, can we settle this?" she asked in a clear voice, breaking the silence.
"Hehe, yes," Penelope replied with a smile. "Does anyone else wish to bid? Imagine owning this magic wand, capable of casting spells two levels above one's own and saving half of one's magical power while doubling the casting speed. Such a practical, powerful weapon—aren't you mages tempted?" Penelope tried to incite more bids.
"1.5 million," a sweet female voice from VIP Room No. 13 bid an astonishing price just as Penelope finished speaking.
Ye Han watched the bidding unfold, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly under his cloak. Those willing to bid so high must be from powerful factions. He had many enemies here. The girl in the VIP area, however, puzzled him.
If she could afford such a price for a weapon, she must be backed by a significant power or family. Why then was she sitting among second-rate nobles in the VIP area?
"How interesting," Ye Han mused to himself in VIP Room No. 5, observing the red-haired girl and those who hadn't bid. A chill flickered in his eyes.
"20 million," the red-haired girl raised the bid by another 5 million, seemingly losing interest in incremental increases.
"You!" an angry voice exclaimed from VIP Room No. 13. The girl's bid had clearly infuriated her.
The red-haired girl remained silent, simply glancing in the direction of Room No. 13. Ye Han read a message in her eyes: she was determined to win.
"Does anyone offer more? The bid is now 20 million. Can anyone go higher?" Penelope shouted. But the only response was silence.
"20 million for the first time."
"20 million for the second time." The auction house remained quiet, and finally, with Penelope's "20 million for the third time," the bidding war ended.
The magic wand, ranked ninth on the continent, was acquired by the red-haired girl for 20 million gold coins. People gradually recovered from their shock and the next phase of bidding began.
Following the magic wand's influence, the subsequent auctions reached new heights. Each item brought fierce bidding from both the VIP and general areas, with prices far exceeding those outside the auction house.
Penelope, beaming, watched the frenzied bidding below. The higher the price, the greater his earnings. He now eagerly anticipated the finale—the sacred-tier magic core.
As the routine bidding unfolded, Ye Han eventually closed his eyes, sorting through his memories. He had no interest in the auctioned items, only waiting to collect his earnings at the end.
Finally, after an hour, all the selected items were sold, leaving only the last one—the sacred-tier magic core.
Penelope was delighted with the prices far exceeding his expectations. After tonight's successful auction, the Camilla Auction House would become renowned throughout the Frostwind Empire, taking its place as a leading auction house.
Without pause, Penelope clapped his hands, and four strong men, followed by a delicate-looking girl carrying a tray, emerged from behind. She gently placed the tray on the auction table and stood aside, while the four men vigilantly watched the surroundings.
Ye Han, observing the scene, noted, "The Camilla Auction House's security measures are thorough." Judging by the traits shown on the screen, he estimated the men were no less than eighth-tier powerhouses.
"Ladies and gentlemen, next is the highlight of our auction: a sacred-tier fire magic core. Certified by our chief appraiser, this core is intact and unabsorbed. I won't waste words on its effects; you all know its worth. No reserve price. No limit on bid increments. Let the auction begin."
Everyone had come tonight for this sacred-tier magic core. Even those lacking the strength and funds to compete with major powers wanted to witness it. On the Qingming Continent, no one could guarantee reaching the sacred tier in their lifetime.
Normally, at the appearance of the most important item, bidding would erupt fiercely, marking the auction's climax. However, as Penelope finished speaking, the auction house fell deathly silent. No one dared to bid.
This was a difficult choice. No power dared to be the first to break the silence. A low bid would be ridiculed, while a high bid could bring trouble,
so no one wanted to take the lead.
Penelope saw everyone's hesitation but showed no concern, confident in his approach.
Time passed, but still, no one bid. All waited for someone to break the ice. Ye Han calmly observed everything.
Moments later, Ye Han, beneath his cloak, slightly smiled and called in a staff member. "May I place a bid?" he asked indifferently, not even glancing at the entering staff member.
"Yes, but that's your item, you—"
"Go," Ye Han interrupted, dismissing the staff member. Hearing the door close, he approached the screen.
"One gold coin," Ye Han's cool voice echoed in the auction house. Everyone turned towards VIP Room No. 5.
The crowd swallowed hard, baffled by the bid. One gold coin for a sacred-tier magic core was absurd, yet Ye Han dared to make it. Only a few shrewd nobles and individuals understood his intent.
Ye Han's bid, effectively negligible, also served as fuel to the fire. The first bid was bound to be made, but a bid of one gold coin, while seemingly unrealistic, conveyed a deep message. It showed shrewdness, shifting the burden to the next bidder. If no one bid higher, he could acquire the core for one gold coin. It also demonstrated his faction's audacity to bid first, thereby overshadowing other powers.
A quarter of an hour passed quickly. As per auction rules, if no higher bid was made within fifteen minutes, the item would be sold.
"One gold coin for the first time," Penelope announced, his heart filled with worry. If no higher bids came, the sacred-tier magic core would indeed be sold for one gold coin, to its original owner.
"One gold coin for the second time." The penultimate call went unanswered. Everyone watched the auction stage disheartened, wondering if the core would really be sold for one gold coin.
"What's wrong with all of you, cowering like that? You strut around all day, and now you're mute," someone shouted angrily, and others looked on in agreement. They had spent so much just to witness the auction of the sacred-tier magic core. Now, it was unfolding in an unexpected way.
"That's right. Aren't you major powers always boasting about your strength? Why so silent now?" With the first voice, others joined in, criticizing the major powers.
"The sacred-tier fire magic core, bidding at one gold coin, for the—" Penelope was about to declare the third and final call when someone interrupted him.
With that interruption, the auction for the sacred-tier magic core finally began in earnest.