The old man, Bloody Hand, flashed a bright smile as the crowd glared at him, their eyes burning with impatience. He chuckled softly, "I won't say anything as I'm sure all of you know how rare today's treasures are. So, let's begin."
With a subtle gesture of his hand, he signaled to the staff standing off to the side to bring in the 1st item. The staff quickly moved toward the back of the stage and a few moments later, a guard clad in bright, shiny silver armor came out with a large tray covered in a dark cloth.
The guard carefully placed the tray on the podium at the center of the stage for everyone to see. The audience watched closely, their curiosity piqued as Bloody Hand moved and placed his hand on the cloth hiding the item within as if he was about to unveil the first item.
People held their breath as they knew any item auctioned by Bloody Hand would definitely be a treasure. But then, he paused, slowly lowering his hand. He turned toward the crowd, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Ah, how could I forget?" he said, his tone jesting. "A small detail I forgot to mention."
Every single person in the hall groaned in anger. Yuan clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration. He felt like tearing Bloody Hand into pieces. But Bloody Hand smiled joyfully, taking pleasure in their anguish.
"Damn it, Bloody Hand! Begin the auction already." A heavy voice sounded from Room 01 on the upper floor.
"Ah, Mr. Han! Welcome, welcome!" Bloody Hand's voice rose in false cheer as he tilted his head toward the distant room, his smile widening. " "Sorry for the wait. It's just a small detail."
From his voice and the smile on his face, even a child could tell he wasn't sorry. But Mr. Han, whose patience had clearly run out, could only grind his teeth in silence.
Turning back to the crowd, Bloody Hand's tone shifted slightly as he seriously said, "Today's auction is little different from the previous ones. Rather than offering many items, our Palace has gathered a few rare treasures. Unfortunately, due to their rarity, we only have fifteen items to auction today."
Audience hearts sunk. Many had come with high hopes, expecting to find something valuable to further their cultivation. With so few items on the block, and many more people than riches to go around, the mood shifted. This was especially true for people on open floor before the stage as they weren't rich to begin with and with there lower budget how can they compete with them.
On the upper floor, however, the tension was palpable. Faces hardened, expressions fierce, ready to take on everything.. There, money was no object.
"So, let's begin!" Bloody Hand snapped, swiftly removing the dark cloth hiding the item.
On the tray lay a smooth, silky green Cloth Armor, woven with delicate silver threads, giving it extra shine. At first glance, the armor looked nothing more than a piece of beautiful craftmanship, but then the atmosphere shifted.
A gasp swept through the hall. The atmosphere shifted from curiosity to awe. The room fell into a stunned silence, the weight of the discovery sinking in.
Bloody Hand smile disappeared as an exaggerated sad look appeared on his face, "Ah! You guys already recognised it and here I was thinking how to introduce this beautiful piece."
The audience seethed with frustration. Some wanted to shout at him, to punch the smug expression off his face, but Bloody Hand enjoyed these their anger very much.
"You recognised it right. "This is a Grade 3 defensive treasure, known as the Silver Shield. Crafted by none other than the renowned Weapon Master, Sir Breeze."
The audience went silent, the shock settling in. Not only was the armor a Grade 3 defensive treasure—an item of immense value—but it had been forged by Sir Breeze, one of the few Master Grade Weapon Refiners in the entire Crimson Empire. Even Emperor Shu held Sir Breeze in high regard.
Yuan felt a flicker of surprise. Although he had no idea who this Sir Breeze was as he never cared about such things but the looks of awe from the crowd were enough to tell him that this person must be very famous. If anyone were to know his thoughts, they might think he was an unassuming monster and attack him on the spot.
"The starting bid is only one Silver coin." Bloody Hand announced, spreading his arms wide. "Let's loosen up a bit, shall we?"
Audience lips twitched hearing the price but they knew such treasures were priceless. One silver coin? It was a joke.
"One gold coin," a voice called from the back, and the bidding began in earnest.
"One gold coin from Room 21. Any other bids?" Bloody Hand's excited voice rang out.
"One gold and five silver," another bidder chimed in.
"Two gold coins," someone else added, voice sharp.
The numbers climbed quickly. By the time the bidding reached 10 gold coins, the room fell into a tense quiet. No one seemed willing to go higher.
But the price didn't stop there.
"Fifteen gold coins."
A voice rang out from Room 02, confident and unwavering. A few whispered gasps rippled through the crowd, but the bidding only continued to climb.
"Fifteen gold and five silver."
"Fifteen gold and seven silver."
The bids were slowing now, but Bloody Hand wasn't about to let them off the hook. He leaned forward, his voice coaxing, sweet as honey. "This treasure can save your life in a moment of peril. Don't let this chance slip away."
"Seventeen gold coins."
"Seventeen gold and five silver."
"Seventeen gold and seven silver," someone murmured, but the bids were dragging, growing sluggish.
People lips twitched. They could tell Bloody Hand was goading them into action, but no one could deny what he was saying nor anyone was in a mood to do that.
"Twenty gold coins."
A heavy, commanding voice came from Room 03.
"Twenty gold coins, going once…"
The bidding had taken an unexpected turn.
"Thirty gold coins!" A sharp voice cut through the air. The audience recoiled as a sudden, oppressive energy filled the room. Mo Xiang, the representative from the Brilliant Sword Sect, had thrown down the gauntlet. Everyone felt as if a sword hanging on their heads, watching their every move.
Then, a slight hum—a sound barely audible to the ear—vibrated through the air. It was a subtle disturbance, but to those with sharp senses, it was unmistakable. Mo Xiang's oppressive Qi dissipated, as smoke dissipate in the wind.
Mo Xiang face turned pale when his qi dissipated under the slight 'hum' of other party. He was a 3rd Stage Foundation Formation cultivator, but here, he knew, even ten of him couldn't stand against the force he'd just sensed.
Bloody Hand's expression faltered, the smile slipping from his face. He never expected that person to act, the guardian of this branch of Treasure Palace, a Peak 9th stage Foundation Formation Realm cultivator. All the people in upper floor rooms had solemn expression on their face.
Blood Hand quickly adjusted his posture, the playful air gone. He turned toward Room 02 and said, his voice suddenly stern, "Remember the rules of Palace. Otherwise, not only you will be thrown out but you will also be forbidden from participating in any auction held by Treasure Palace."
The room was still. Tension simmered in the air.