Chapter 1732: Map Fragment
Chapter 1732: Map Fragment
Lady Wu scanned the entire auction hall before she began to speak...
"Welcome, everyone, to this year’s Brown Maple Mega Auction. I know it has been 10,000 years since we last gathered like this to bid on some of the most valuable treasures collected over the last 10,000 years.
It had been a great experience for all of us. The last Mega Auction witnessed the sale of legendary weapons, armour, artefacts, and all kinds of mind-bending treasures.
However, rest assured that this time around, we will be auctioning even more invaluable treasures, some collected millions of years ago by Supremes and Celestials."
Many gasped upon hearing where some of the treasures had come from.
They knew Lady Wu had extensive reach and countless connections, so they didn’t doubt her words. This meant she truly possessed treasures once owned by such powerful figures.
"Just like 10,000 years ago, only twenty-five items will be auctioned today, and every single one of them is extraordinarily valuable. So I urge everyone to give it your all because, as I always say, there won’t be a second chance for regret."
She smiled, and determination immediately filled many eyes.
"However, before we begin, I would like to announce that we have in our midst the recently ascended Pill God Flura, who, despite still being at the Immortal Cultivation stage, has become a Pill God and had her name inscribed upon the Pill Dao Tablet."
Pill God Flura’s projection appeared in the air, causing many to clap and cheer. It was every alchemist’s dream to establish connections with Pill Gods, so learning that one of them was present made everyone excited.
"We also have with us Lady Veth of the Dream Pill Emporium."
Applause once again filled the auction hall.
Just like Pill God Flura, those seeking God Pills knew that getting closer to Lady Veth would greatly increase their chances. She might not possess a network as extensive as Lady Wu’s, but she had several Pill Gods practically on speed dial.
Aside from that, it was common knowledge that she and Pill God Flura were as close as sisters. Now that Flura had become a Pill God, Veth’s own status had naturally risen alongside hers.
Lady Wu continued introducing several distinguished guests. After five minutes, she returned to the matter at hand.
"As you all know, the same rules still apply," her voice echoed throughout the auction hall, reaching every corner. "In here, your overwhelming authority—whether you are a Demigod, God, or even a Supreme—means nothing. Within these walls, only wealth speaks.
No one is allowed to threaten another bidder using their background or status. Nor will anyone attempt to manipulate the auction for personal gain.
Doing so will result in a permanent ban from every Brown Maple Auction House across the universe. Follow these rules, and we will all have a wonderful time. Break them, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Lastly, all bids must be made using Spirit Stones. However, payment may be made with God Coins, Supreme Crystals, or Celestial Jade. You may either pay immediately after winning a bid and receive your item at once or settle your payment after the auction concludes, before collecting your winnings."
The rules and additional information were already familiar to most of the attendees, but announcing them remained a necessary part of every Mega Auction.
Now that the formalities were complete, the first item was brought onto the stage.
It was a small map fragment sealed inside a thick glass chamber powerful enough to block every known form of appraisal.
"With the announcements concluded, allow me to officially begin the 21st Brown Maple Mega Auction with our first item."
She swept her gaze across the crowd one last time before continuing.
"Enclosed within this glass chamber is a map fragment recovered by a powerful God two million years ago from an ancient ruin believed to be the tomb of a legendary explorer from the Chaos Era.
According to the item’s owner, this map reveals the location of an extraordinary treasure known as the Grand Mage Key, an artefact once wielded by the legendary Three-Star Fire Mage during the Chaos Era."
Gasps spread across the auction hall, but Lady Wu wasn’t done.
"According to the owner, this map will prove its true value when the Chaos Rift opens a hundred years from now. After all, this map will lead to the Grand Mage Key, a treasure that even Celestials would kill for."
Everyone knew she wasn’t exaggerating. Celestials would indeed kill for such a treasure simply because of who it once belonged to. The Grand Mage Key was said to contain three legendary 100-layered flame spells, each created by the Three-Star Fire Mage during the Chaos Era.
Kent, seated comfortably in the embrace of two beautiful women, smiled.
"Looks like that old fogey really died during the Chaos Era, huh?" A smile formed on his face, causing Veth and Flura to wonder why he seemed so pleased.
If only they knew that one of the Divine Beast Tamers’ greatest rivals had been the Three-Star Fire Mage. The two had fought countless times before, eventually joining forces against the Chaos Beasts.
However, during one of those decisive battles, the Three-Star Fire Mage betrayed the Divine Beast Tamer and deserted the battlefield, leading to the deaths of many great warriors, most of whom belonged to the Divine Beast Tamer’s beast legion.
Had it not been for the Divine Beast Tamer’s Thirteen Divine Wonder Beasts, they would have lost that battle to the Chaos Beasts.
"Serves him right," Kent muttered, his mood improving even further.
"The starting price is set at 10 billion High-Grade Spirit Stones. Each subsequent bid must increase by at least 100 million High-Grade Spirit Stones."
She paused for a brief moment before announcing,
"Begin."
"15 billion!"
The first bid immediately increased the price by 5 billion, a clear sign that everyone wanted the map fragment.
"20 billion!"
"30 billion!"
"..."
"..."
"60 billion!"
The price quickly reached 60 billion, yet not even a minute had passed since the bidding war began.
"Aren’t you going to bid for it?" Veth asked Kent, knowing he intended to enter the Chaos Rift when it opened. Obtaining the map would surely give him a significant advantage.
To her surprise, Kent smirked.
"I don’t need a map to navigate the Chaos Era. I know that era like the back of my hand."
The two women narrowed their eyes but remained silent. Their sisters had already briefed them on the monstrous nature of the man they loved, so they recognised this as one of those moments.
"Then, can you tell us more about this Three-Star Fire Mage?" Flura asked.
Kent smirked once more.
"He was a scum, a coward, and a traitor. I don’t know what people think of him these days, but the bastard I knew was a coward who abandoned his comrades when they needed him the most."
Kent clenched his fist and muttered coldly,
"I don’t know whether he’s dead or alive. If it’s the former, then good riddance. But if he’s still alive, then one day, when I find him, I’ll make sure he dies screaming."
Veth and Pill God Flura could clearly see how deeply Kent hated the Three-Star Fire Mage. Whatever that man had done to earn such hatred had left an unforgettable scar, and if he were still alive, it would one day become his greatest calamity.
The price of the map fragment continued to climb. Before long, it had surpassed 100 billion High-Grade Spirit Stones, yet the bidding war had only just begun.