275: Sucker

"Clan Chief, is there something you need at the auction?"

Zhao An'guo appeared to be a rough man, but he was actually meticulous. He knew that Xu Qing's presence at the auction meant there was an item that had attracted him.

Xu Qing said, "Do you see that key? Bid for it for me, no matter the cost!"

"Yes, Clan Chief!"

Zhao An'guo's heart tightened. It was the first time he had seen Xu Qing care so much about an item.

He surmised that this key was absolutely extraordinary and couldn't help but feel curious. However, he knew very well that if Xu Qing didn't speak, he couldn't ask, couldn't be curious.

This was a principle for a subordinate.

Xu Qing was very satisfied with Zhao An'guo's performance. Counting them, Zhao An'guo and the others were his old retainers from his time in Xu City, having previously served in the City Guard. They could be considered his confidants.

The beautiful woman in the red dress explained, "Esteemed guests, this auction item comes from the Upper God Ruins in the Dongxuan Divine Continent two years ago. This key was an item from that Upper God's tomb, which we acquired from a mercenary group."

"This key is very peculiar. It is crafted from a special material that is extremely hard; even a Half-Step Emperor Weapon cannot leave a single mark on it."

"According to our Commerce Guild's appraisers, the key contains the power of the Thunder Dao lineage. If the method to open it is found, perhaps one could obtain the Legacy of that Upper God."

As soon as these words were spoken, the various forces present were shaken and developed a strong interest.

However, there were also rational people. After all, whether the energy inside was real was one thing, and opening it was another.

The Nine Void Commerce Guild was a force that once produced a Great Emperor. If it could be opened, they would have opened it long ago. Since even they couldn't open it, how could others easily open it?

Although they thought this way, no one would just let it go.

People always have a Luck mentality (stroke of luck) mentality. What if others couldn't, but they could?

Xu Qing looked at the crowd and couldn't help but smile. There was indeed a power within that key, but how could it be opened?

"The mysterious key, starting bid of ten billion Saint Source, with each increment not less than one hundred million!"

The beautiful woman in the red dress announced.

This price instantly eliminated many top Holy Lands.

"I bid ten billion Saint Source!"

"I bid eleven billion!"

"Fifteen billion!"

... There were still forces on the field that were not short on money. Those top forces all entered the bidding, and in the blink of an eye, the price broke through the fifty billion mark.

But looking at the situation on the field, there were still quite a few bidders.

"One hundred billion Saint Source!"

Just then, a voice came from Sky-Tier Private Room Number One, causing the entire venue to fall silent.

Because sitting in this private room was precisely the Star Palace.

For a time, the forces in the eastern region wisely kept quiet. Even if forces from other regions wanted to compete, they thought about it and gave up.

Moreover, one hundred billion was not a small number; many top forces might not even be able to produce it.

Seeing this, the beautiful woman in the red dress looked at the crowd and said, "Palace Master Zhao has bid one hundred billion Saint Source. Is there any further bidding?"

The various forces exchanged glances but did not bid.

An unknown item that they didn't know how to open, and on the other side, the formidable Star Palace. They were clear about which was more important.

However!

"One hundred and one billion!"

Also from a Sky-Tier Private Room, a provocative voice came from Private Room Number Three.

"Hiss!"

"It's someone from Black Dragon City!"

Everyone was startled. They looked at the source of the voice and revealed the origin of Private Room Number Three.

"So it's someone from Black Dragon City, no wonder!"

Black Dragon City, this was the southern overlord of the Land of Chaos. It also had Peerless Quasi-Emperor powerhouses within its gates. It is said that the name Black Dragon City came from the first City Lord of Black Dragon City, who, years ago, entered Blackwater Lake, slayed a powerful evil Dragon, and then used the body of this evil Dragon to build Black Dragon City. From then on, the force of Black Dragon City came into being.

Black Dragon City and the Star Palace had a grudge. Some time ago, a Prodigy emerged from the Star Palace who defeated the contemporary Young City Lord of Black Dragon City, causing Black Dragon City to lose face. Coupled with conflicts of interest, this led to a deep enmity between the two sides.

"Hmph! Long San, do you want to oppose my Star Palace?"

Zhao An'guo's face was gloomy as he asked in a cold voice.

What he thought was a sure thing was now being disrupted by someone. If it were in the past, he wouldn't mind, but now that his Clan Chief was here, wasn't this a slap in his face?

"Palace Master Zhao, the rules of the auction house state that the highest bidder wins. Has Long ever broken the rules?"

A mocking voice came from Private Room Number Three.

Hearing this, the beautiful woman in the red dress's heart sank. Their Nine Void Commerce Guild did not want to be used as a pawn.

"Very well!"

Zhao An'guo suppressed his anger and said, "One hundred and ten billion!"

"One hundred and eleven billion!"

Long San followed suit.

"One hundred and twenty billion!"

"One hundred and twenty-one billion!"

... As Zhao An'guo called out prices, Long San would follow suit with each bid, adding only one hundred million. This was clearly intentional.

This truly infuriated Zhao An'guo.

By now, the price had already risen to two hundred and thirty-one billion!

"A bit interesting!"

Xu Qing couldn't help but smile.

"Clan Chief, your subordinate..."

"No need. Isn't he rich? Let him pay!"

Xu Qing interrupted Zhao An'guo.

Zhao An'guo was stunned at first, but quickly understood, and asked tentatively, "Clan Chief, do you mean?"

Zhao An'guo made a cutting gesture.

"Fighting and killing is not good! Moreover, he is willing to pay for me!"

Xu Qing smiled. If it were in the past, he would definitely have taken action to eliminate the other party, but now there was no need. If he wanted an item, wasn't it as easy as picking it up?

This Long San was purely a big fool!

"Yes!"

Zhao An'guo responded with a clasped fist.

Outside, because Zhao An'guo remained silent for a long time, the atmosphere suddenly became strange. Some forces looked at the private room where Black Dragon City was located with schadenfreude.

In Private Room Number Three, a black-robed middle-aged man with a high crown and a gloomy expression was frowning, feeling a bad premonition.

Sure enough, the next moment.

"Since City Lord Long San likes it, then Zhao will not force it!"

Only Zhao An'guo's voice was heard coming from the private room.

"Damn it!"

Long San's face was full of anger. Although he could afford two hundred and thirty-one billion, there were still several finale items that Black Dragon City needed later.

Who would want to quarrel with Zhao An'guo and waste more than two hundred billion? It was impossible not to be angry.

"Two hundred and thirty-one billion, going once!"

"Two hundred and thirty-one billion, going twice!"

"Two hundred and thirty-one billion, going thrice! Congratulations, City Lord Long San, on successfully bidding for the mysterious key. This servant wishes Black Dragon City success in unraveling the secrets within the key!"

The beautiful woman in the red dress seized the opportunity and offered her congratulations repeatedly.

Listening to the other party's congratulations, City Lord Black San was furious, but reneging on the debt was impossible.

"Tell Zhu Yuan and the others that the Star Palace is developing well, and I am very satisfied!"

"Additionally, there's no need to rush expansion during this period. All actions should be shifted to the shadows, secretly supporting forces in the Land of Chaos, and awaiting the opportune moment!" Xu Qing instructed.

"Yes, Clan Chief!"

Zhao An'guo said seriously.

Xu Qing feared there might be omissions, so he swept his Dao sense across the entire Nine Void branch, but found no other keys.

"During the upcoming auction, if a bronze ge appears, you can acquire it. It is an Emperor item, but its treasure is restrained, and you need to use Nine Nether Cold Marrow to cut open the outer Seal!"

"Furthermore, there is a scroll..."

Xu Qing told Zhao An'guo about the auction items he had seen. These items he mentioned were all undervalued treasures, enough for Zhao An'guo and the others to pick up a bargain.

"Thank you, Clan Chief!"

Zhao An'guo was overjoyed. With Xu Qing's reminder, they would be the winners of this auction.

Xu Qing left the auction. Staying there, he only felt bored, so he might as well go to a restaurant for a good meal.