"One billion star credits—would the gentlemen be kind enough to let a lady have this one?" The sultry voice rang out across the auction hall.
Feng Mo immediately recognized it, as did Chu Yunjian, who flashed him a knowing look. Feng Mo caught on instantly: it was the same lady who had quite notoriously taken six men to her chambers just the other night.
"A real powerhouse," he thought. Feng Mo couldn't imagine himself enduring a similar "night of revelry" unscathed.
"Seven or eight centuries old and still calling herself a 'girl'… shouldn't she be home resting with all those life-extending treasures she bought yesterday, instead of stirring up a fuss here?" The voice from Box Three sounded smug and taunting.
"One billion, two hundred million!" Another voice echoed from the same box, escalating the already tense atmosphere.
Feng Mo was taken aback to learn that the elegant voice he had heard was coming from a woman so old. The knowledge only deepened his respect for her formidable vitality. The three women beside him burst into laughter, the whole scenario a strange mixture of humor and scandal. Feng Mo couldn't help but grin at their amusement.
"Jin Qifeng! Just because I don't show up often doesn't mean I don't recognize that voice of yours. So what if I'm seven or eight hundred years old? I'm still as sprightly as ever, and I've been told I'm 'soft, gentle, and a delight in bed' by more than enough people. And no, you won't be one of them!" The woman's feisty response silenced the entire auction hall.
Chu Yunjian leaned close to Feng Mo and whispered, "That's Hua Jinxiu, one of the oldest members of the Hua family. Back in the day, Jin Qifeng was hopelessly infatuated with her. He courted her for years but was ultimately rejected, and now the two constantly badmouth each other in public."
"A true tale of spurned affection," Feng Mo mused. It seemed even the most esteemed figures had their share of grievances and rivalries.
"Take your bickering elsewhere. This is an auction hall, not a playground for your childish antics." The calm, elderly voice from Box One quieted both Hua Jinxiu and Jin Qifeng in an instant.
"Is that so? Fine, I'll put in my bid then—one billion, four hundred million," the elder added, addressing the auctioneer with authority.
"One billion, four hundred million from VIP Box Seven. Any further bids?" The auctioneer, Lian He, gave the customary three calls, then dropped the gavel.
The first item was sold at a relatively modest price due to the disruptive exchange. Feng Mo had anticipated it would fetch at least 1.6 billion, but the interruption had deterred some bidders.
Moving swiftly, Lian He introduced the second high-profile item: a mysterious T5-grade stellar seed. With an initial bid of one billion, it eventually sold for 1.8 billion. Although the seed was technically T5-grade, it remained unclassified in the Federation's records, warranting its sale here. Once purchased, Federation scientists would study and document its properties, adding it to the database.
Had the seed's classification been established, its price would have likely exceeded 3 billion. Feng Mo's own T5 stellar seed was worth at least 10 billion, given its authenticated status and known capabilities.
"And now, esteemed guests, our final item—the T5 Combat Armor. The specifications are no mystery to any of you. Provided directly by the Federation, the starting bid is 2.4 billion star credits."
As Lian He announced the initial price, the hall went silent. The staggering figure was beyond the means of the smaller families on the ground floor, even if they liquidated all their assets.
Feng Mo had anticipated this number, but hearing it in person was a shock. He knew the armor was worth every credit, yet such an amount was unfathomable.
"If no one's going to start, then let me break the ice—2.5 billion." A youthful voice echoed from Box Twenty-Four. Chu Yunjian's expression hardened as soon as she heard it.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Hua Mingling. Did you really think 2.5 billion was enough for this T5 Combat Armor? Try 2.6 billion," she retorted, her tone as sharp as her gaze.
"Ah, the infamous Miss Chu herself! Shouldn't you be busy protecting that boy toy of yours, instead of squabbling with me? What if he gets assassinated again? Three billion. Come on, Miss Chu—how about four billion?" Hua Mingling's voice dripped with mockery, his sneer all but visible through the speaker.
Chu Yunjian gritted her teeth, ready to raise the bid, but Feng Mo gently held her back, calmly taking the microphone.
"Three billion and one," he said coolly. "I have to say, Hua Mingling, living off others is an art that not everyone can master. However, those who lack... shall we say, 'staying power' might find it even harder to enjoy their meals. And I'm not implying that's you—I'm making it clear."
Feng Mo's rule was simple: if you're not on my side, you're the enemy. In that case, mercy was a foreign concept. He wasn't above calling someone out publicly; his only restraint was in deference to the auction's setting.
"A mere provincial upstart, unrefined and uncouth. Three billion, one hundred million!" Hua Mingling spat back, still raising the price.
"Three billion, one hundred million and one," Feng Mo replied in an unhurried tone, making it clear he would add a single credit each time Hua Mingling raised the stakes.
"Three billion, two hundred million!" Hua Mingling, visibly agitated, was barely containing his rage.
"Three billion, two hundred million and one," Feng Mo responded, unfazed.
At the outset of the auction, Feng Mo had been respectful, usually capping his bids with significant increments to end the contest amicably. But after learning of Hua Mingling's sordid deeds, his distaste had turned to loathing.
Hua Mingling was no ordinary aristocrat. The notorious younger brother of one of the Hua family's most respected figures, he had carved out a reputation as a menace in high society. Arrogant behavior was one thing, but he was far worse—a true degenerate.
His most infamous pastime was a twisted game he called "horse and rider." Hua Mingling's "mounts" consisted of two people fused together through surgical methods—one with their head shrunk and surgically attached to the other's lower body. Alive but contorted into a grotesque form, this "steed" would be forced to run around for his amusement. His most prized "horse" was composed of nine people, forming an eighteen-limbed monstrosity he boasted about frequently.
Such behavior was the reason Hua Mingling was largely shunned by high society.
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