Whether or not the Eastern Alliance would be able to take advantage of this war would depend on where the alien home worlds appeared first.
Without a doubt, the Human Alliance would be the first to face the aliens, and would bear the most pressure.
Who would get the one in three chance? No one could say.
"It's about time, I'm sure they're ready. I'm looking forward to seeing how much this vital crystal will fetch." Lan Jue smiled and rose to her feet.
The Wine Master sighed and shook his head. "You're getting more and more cunning. It's a good thing we're not your match."
Lan Jue had been the one to come up with this auction. Of course, he'd discussed the situation with the leaders of the Eastern Alliance and Skyfire Avenue.
Lan Jue smirked. "You're still in the mood to mock me?
Once the auction is over, we'll have to get ready for the next mission. "The scouting mission couldn't be stopped, it was more important to get a handle on the alien home worlds.
When they returned to the auction house, the atmosphere could no longer be described as enthusiastic. Many people's faces were even slightly flushed.
Lan Jue wasn't worried in the slightest that they'd come to an agreement, or that the Orbiter's vital crystal would sell for a lower price than he'd hoped for. It was too important to the Adepts who'd reached their limits. It was no different to a Paragon like the Terminator.
It could even be said that this vital crystal could change the balance of power.
This was Lan Jue's other goal. She hoped that these powers would produce stronger Adepts. Every Paragon they had would be more effective against the aliens.
Imagine if the Pontiff could live longer, and Metatron and Constantine could use the crystal to become Paragons.
How strong would the Pontiff's Citadel be?
It was the same for the Major League and the Dark Citadel.
At least three parties were determined to win, and there was no room for compromise.
No one knew how long this top-notch Life Crystal could be used or how many people the life energy within it could help.
"I'm sure everyone is ready," the Wine Master said. "Let's not waste any more time, and begin the auction."
"Top-level Vital Crystal. The starting price is three large ships. Each increment must be at least five battleships. The bidding begins." The high starting price was also the most important thing to ensure the value of this Vital Crystal.
According to this starting price, Lan Jue had predicted that this Vital Crystal would be sold for the price of a mothership.
It was difficult to say which was more important, a Paragon or a Capital ship. From the perspective of space warfare, a Capital ship's main cannon could easily obliterate a Paragon. It didn't matter how many Paragons there were, as long as they weren't as strong as Nirvana, they'd be obliterated in an instant.
Even Jueti would be severely injured if he were to block such an attack head-on.
However, after reaching the level of Nirvana, he would have the ability to evade such an attack.
However, if a Paragon was able to get close enough to a Capital ship or enter it, then destroying it wouldn't be a problem.
At the same time, a Paragon was far more useful than a Capital ship on a planet.
Generally speaking, the smaller a Paragon was, the more powerful they were.
There were many things a Paragon could do that a Capital ship couldn't.
The Eastern Alliance had stood strong for so long because of the Eastern Alliance's many Paragons. For the Alliance, this was a strategic position.
The Dark Citadel and the Pontiff's Citadel had already discussed the importance of this crystal with the Western Alliance. The reason was simple – they couldn't afford enough ships, and needed the support of the Alliance.
The Northern Alliance was the same. The Terminator and Northern Alliance had reached an agreement.
… …
"Your Excellency, please report to the Western Alliance. If the Pontiff's Citadel acquires this vital crystal, His Holiness's life will be extended by at least fifty years. Constantine and I will also become Paragons." Angel Monarch spoke to the representative of the Western Alliance.
"Your Excellency, if His Majesty Satan gets his hands on this vital crystal, then with our ability to devour life force, he could become a second level Paragon, equal to the Terminator. It could also help me become a Paragon." Lucifer didn't back down.
"Your Excellency, I cannot make this decision on my own. I must consult with my superiors. Please wait a moment." The representative of the Western Alliance couldn't bear the pressure of two peak-level Paragons.
Metatron and Lucifer glared at each other. Sparks flew between them.
When it came to matters that concerned one's future, no one could give way.
Becoming a Paragon didn't just increase their strength, it also increased their lifespans.
They quickly contacted Satan and the Pontiff, asking them to put pressure on the Western Alliance.
… …
"Your Majesty, how certain are you that this vital crystal will be of use to you?" The representative of the Northern Alliance asked the Terminator respectfully.
The Terminator's voice was low. "From the aura I sensed just now, this vital crystal could help me overcome the hidden dangers that have plagued me for many years. It could help me break through to the next level.
For at least the next fifty years, my life will be in no danger.
Titan's hidden dangers will also be eliminated. His use of the artificial Paragon process has caused great damage to his body, but it has also allowed him to enter the realm of protogenia. Once the hidden dangers are eliminated, he'll be able to break through in no time at all.
That's why we're determined to get this life crystal. "
At this point, there was no need to say anything more.
… …
"Three giant ships and one capital ship!" The first to speak was the Terminator.
This was the first time the leader of the Major League had expressed such a strong desire.
"Three giant ships and two capital ships!" Archangel Metatron raised his placard.
To everyone's surprise, Lucifer sat beside him, his face impassive. His placard lay on the table in front of him, as if he had no intention of competing.
Not long ago, Satan and the Pontiff had come to an agreement to join forces in bidding for this vital crystal. They knew the difference in wealth between the Northern Alliance and the Western Alliance. Any disagreement now would only benefit the Northern Alliance.
The Pontiff's need for the vital crystal was higher than theirs, but he still had to pay sixty-five percent of the price. The Dark Citadel would take care of the remaining thirty-five percent.
The Western Alliance would provide the necessary warships, and the two Citadels would use their own resources in exchange.
This was the agreement they'd reached in the last thirty minutes.
The two Citadels had always been at loggerheads, but now they'd come to an agreement. It was further proof that in this world there were no eternal enemies, only eternal profit.
"Three giant swords and three capital ships!" The Terminator didn't raise the price any further.
Everyone was testing the waters.
"One capital ship!"
An earth-shattering voice boomed through the air. The Terminator and the other representatives of the Northern Alliance and Western Alliance found it hard to breathe.
One capital ship?
He had increased the price by more than three times.
What kind of crazy thing was that?!
Even the auctioneer, the Wine Master, wasn't surprised. They'd all hoped for this vital crystal to be a capital ship.
But after a few bids, they'd achieved their goal.
Only the wealthy chairman of the Hanhai Group, Neptune Huali, was able to make such an outrageous bid.
Huali looked calm, as elegant as ever. She sat there with a smile on her face, as if she wasn't the one making the outrageous bid.
There was a stifling feeling in the room. Up to this point, the Eastern Alliance had acquired a massive fleet of warships.
Many looked at each other in dismay. They wondered if they should send their own Adepts to hunt down the alien home worlds and harvest their vital crystals.
What an exorbitant price!
Of course, if they knew that Jueti was the one who'd gotten the crystals, they wouldn't be so naive.
The audience fell into a momentary silence. A space carrier was definitely a sky-high price.
One had to know that the resources needed to build a space carrier could only be gathered after three years of mining on three Resource Planets.
It had to be a planet rich in resources.
A capital ship was worth more than a hundred s-ranked power gems.
The Wine Master didn't rush them this time. He stood there with a smile on his face, allowing the crowd to sink into silence.
Huali sat there, eyes downcast. She seemed to be deep in thought.
Lan Jue glanced at Huali with surprise. He hadn't asked Huali to raise the price for the last item. The smell of gunpowder was thick enough at this point in the auction.
Not to mention the importance of this vital crystal.
For Hua Li to bid like this, it was clear he was interested in the vital crystal.
"One capital ship and one capital ship!" After a moment's hesitation, Metatron struggled to continue.
It was clear the bidding was becoming more and more difficult for him.
But the Pontiff's Citadel needed this vital crystal more than anything else.
"One capital ship and one capital ship." Neptune's cold voice silenced the crowd. He raised the price again.
"One capital ship, one capital ship, and one capital ship." The Terminator's voice was a little louder than usual. It was clear he was angry at Huali.
The Hanhai Group had reaped the most profit from today's auction.
The fact that they had offered a high price early on allowed them to buy the most Life Crystals.
But as the price rose, they'd cut back. Still, they'd come in at the most critical moments to reap the benefits.
Huali seemed to fear the Terminator, and didn't speak again.
Metatron looked at Lucifer, and Lucifer looked back at him. Both of them had hesitation in their eyes.
Their bottom line had been one capital ship, but now they'd exceeded it!
— —
The explosion had begun!