"She needs to calm down, calm down," Lan Qing interjected.
"Why did you promise dad to let her go?
A hundred deaths wouldn't be enough to wipe out her crimes.
I don't know how many she's killed. "
Lan Jue smirked. "I did it for you."
Lan Qing blinked. "For me?"
Lan Jue went on. "I was going to kill her myself, but she's pretty, and she's a Paragon.
That's why I let her live. "
Lan Qing was baffled. "What does that have to do with me?"
Lan Jue snapped. "What do you mean it has nothing to do with you?
Dad's asked me many times to help you find a woman. "
Lan Qing's face went rigid. "None of your business."
Lan Jue looked at him quizzically. "Brother, are you sure there's something wrong with your body?
You're a Paragon now, you can heal yourself. Don't feel inferior … "
"Do you have a death wish?" Lan Qing's voice thundered.
Lan Jue chuckled. This was the first time he'd seen Lan Qing so flustered and exasperated.
It was an interesting thing to see someone as calm as him act like this.
"Angry from embarrassment?" Lan Jue chuckled.
Lan Qing quickly calmed down. "Ah Jue, you're getting closer and closer to Paragon. You need to learn more about protogenia."
"Stop!
Don't even think about it, I won't give you the chance to torture me.
By the way, your military meeting is almost over. Shouldn't you be heading back to An Lun? "Lan Jue knew what he was up to.
Lan Qing huffed. "Then you'd better behave."
Lan Jue's face was innocent. "I'm behaving, aren't I?
When have I ever been dishonest?
If you bully me, I'll tell mom! "
The corner of Lan Qing's mouth twitched. He turned his head away.
He ignored him.
Most of the people in the auction house had arrived.
The venue was tightly packed, with no extra space. The auction was not open to the public.
Therefore, there were no outsiders or people from the media around.
There wasn't much discussion. Everyone represented a different faction, each with their own agendas. Although they tested each other, there was no doubt they all had a burning desire for the vital crystals.
Yesterday's appraisal.
That had laid the foundation for today's auction.
Soon, a young girl pushing a small cart appeared on the stage. It was the captain of the enforcement team, An Liu.
Only Skyfire Avenue would be able to employ a ninth level Adept as an auctioneer.
An Liu pushed the cart onto the stage, her eyes drifting to Lan Qing and Lan Jue.
Her eyes met Lan Qing's, and her steps slowed by half a beat.
Lan Jue caught his brother's eye. He nodded and smiled back at her.
"You like her?" Lan Jue asked in a low voice.
"An Liu is a good girl. I've never heard of her having a boyfriend.
Do you want me to help you? "
Lan Qing didn't even look at him. "If you want to go out and get beaten up, then keep talking.
You don't have to worry about my feelings.
I'll handle it myself.
Do you think I have time to pursue women? "
Lan Jue said helplessly, "I'm just worried for you!
Do you need to pursue them?
If you let go, who knows how many girls in the Eastern Alliance will throw themselves into your arms. "
Lan Qing's eyes narrowed, his gaze distant.
"My goal is the sea of stars. Since we have different ambitions, we naturally want different things."
Lan Jue gave him a thumbs up. "Good!
No wonder you're the Supreme Light Middle Ultimate God. I wonder when His Highness is going to announce your title? "
Lan Qing's face stiffened.
It was a pain in his heart.
But he couldn't refuse his father's words.
He couldn't just ignore them!
"It's only a matter of time for you.
Do you think you can outrun them?
You're just eight words too. "Lan Qing's voice was cold and hard.
Lan Jue smiled. "I'm not in a hurry. I'm still early.
Besides, with you leading the way, I'm sure everyone's used to it.
Hurry up and announce your title. We might as well use this auction as an excuse.
What a powerful and domineering title. Just by hearing it, one could feel the domineering aura of a king rushing towards them.
Hahaha! "
He couldn't help but burst out laughing. An Liu stared at him from the stage.
An Liu was surprised to see the man she'd always known to be deep, reserved, and full of wisdom. Now, he was exasperated.
She looked at Lan Jue with a sharp gaze.
Just then, a deep voice rang out. "The Proliferation Auction is about to begin. Participants, please prepare to bid."
There was a flash of silver, and a door of silver light appeared on the stage. The Wine Master walked out, his face expressionless.
Today he was dressed in formal black, and his scepter was in his hand. As soon as he appeared, the aura of a Paragon enveloped the entire arena.
A thin layer of silver light surrounded the arena, isolating it from the outside world.
An Liu bowed respectfully to the Wine Master. Then, at his signal, she lifted the red cloth covering the cart.
Beneath the cloth was a translucent crystal cover. Inside, a tray held a purple vital crystal. It was about the size of a fist, and shaped like a diamond.
The Wine Master began. "Vital Crystal Number One. You've all seen it during the appraisal yesterday. I'm sure you all know how strong it is, so I won't elaborate.
Let's begin the bidding. The starting bid is a battleship, and each increment must be a patrol boat.
Every ten patrol ships made up a battleship, every ten battleships made up a main force ship, and so on.
I won't elaborate further.
Vital Crystal Number One. Let the bidding begin. "
There was no need for further elaboration or introduction, because it was pointless. Everyone knew enough about vital crystals, and any more would be a waste of time.
There were over a hundred vital crystals to be auctioned today, and it was important to be quick.
As for how fierce the competition would be, that would depend on the participants' thirst for vital crystals.
"One battleship!" Someone in the back raised their number plate.
"Number forty-three bids one battleship. Valid." The Wine Master answered. He was a competent auctioneer.
A fist-sized vital crystal worth a battleship wasn't too expensive.
According to research, a crystal this big was enough to perform the exuvium process ten times over.
Yesterday, everyone had analyzed and recorded the vital energy contained in each crystal, so there was no mistake.
"One battleship and one patrol ship." Soon, a voice called out for bidding. However, it was very conservative to only add one patrol ship.
Although the bidders hadn't discussed this with each other, there were more than a hundred Life Crystals in this auction, which was relatively more than enough. No one wanted to raise the price right away. If that happened, the value of the Life Crystals would be even higher, and it would be even harder to get them.
"One battleship and two patrol boats!"
"One battleship and three patrol boats."
The bidding didn't sound too intense. Instead, it was somewhat intermittent. It seemed that everyone was very hesitant.
Just then, a deep voice called out from the front row. "Five battleships!"
The originally not very intense bidding came to an abrupt halt. Everyone's eyes simultaneously looked at the person who bid in the first row.
It was the man who'd walked in, shrouded in his robes. He sat in the first row, mysteriously.
The price of the five battleships had been raised by several times, which surprised everyone.
"Bidder number three has bid five battleships. Are there any higher bids?" The Wine Master asked calmly. He wasn't the least bit surprised by the price.
Five battleships for one vital crystal, wasn't that a little too much?
Everyone was hesitant.
To everyone's surprise, the Wine Master didn't seem to want to argue. After asking twice, he said, "Vital crystal number one, five battleships. Going once, going twice, going thrice. Sold!"
He spoke very quickly, and before the bidders could react, the gavel in his right hand had already slammed down.
Bang! The first vital crystal was sold.
An Liu pushed the second cart forward and lifted the red cloth. She pushed the first cart down as well.
"The second vital crystal, let the bidding begin.
The starting bid is one battleship!
You may bid, "the Wine Master said.
Before the bidders could react, the auction for the second piece of Vital Crystal had officially begun.
"Five battleships."
This time, before anyone else could make a bid, the mysterious Bidder number three raised his paddle and called out the same number as before.
Those who were just about to raise their paddles found their voices stuck in their throats.
The Wine Master glanced at Bidder number three. "Bidder number three has bid five battleships. Are there any higher bids?"
Many of the bidders hesitated because they clearly remembered that this second piece of Vital Crystal was a little smaller than the first one. Yet, the price was already so high. It didn't seem worth it.
Who the hell was the third bidder?
Why would he bid so high?
It didn't make sense.
Was it a scam artist?
The Wine Master didn't give them time to think. "Five battleships. Going once, going twice, going thrice. Sold!"
Bang! The gavel fell again, and another vital crystal was sold.
It took only a few minutes for the first two vital crystals to be sold. There wasn't even a bidding process.
An Liu pushed the third vital crystal forward. It was only then that the bidders made their voices heard. For a moment, the murmurs of discussion filled the air. All eyes were focused on Bidder number three.
End of third. Sincerely seeking recommendation votes.
(To be continued)