Chapter 1033 - The Auction

Han Wu bought all four Time Particles in one go for a total of twelve Microcosms. He had seized over 50,000 Microcosms after killing Gu Feng, so twelve was pocket change.

The Commerce God King beamed. Han Wu has gotten seriously rich since we last met. To think he would hand over the Microcosms without so much as blinking.

“Got anything else worth looking at?” Han Wu asked after planting the four Time Particles into his divine realm.

Commerce shook his head. “Time Particles are the best I can offer within my clearance level.”

“So your rank in the Wealth Faction isn’t that high, huh?” Han Wu observed.

Anyone else who said that would’ve earned a slap. Since it came from a big spender like Han Wu, however, Commerce let it slide.

“If you want rarer resources, you should attend the Wealth Faction’s annual auction. I have shares in several of the lots,” Commerce said, casually flaunting his status, “I could try to get you a ticket.”

Naturally, he was secretly trying to show off his position in the Wealth faction.

Han Wu didn’t even notice. He opened the Wealth Faction’s system, logged in with his own credentials, and pulled a VIP pass.

“No need. Already got one.” He flashed the VIP pass in front of Commerce’s face.

Commerce’s eyes nearly popped out. With his clearance, he could barely wrangle a few standard tickets. Han Wu hadn’t even officially joined the Wealth Faction, yet he had casually obtained a VIP pass?

“How did you get that?” he asked.

“Just log into the Wealth Faction’s system, and it gives you one. It’s that simple. Don’t tell me you don’t have one?” Han Wu said, puzzled.

Commerce’s face paled, but he still forced himself to keep up appearances. “I just didn’t want one!”

“The pass says I can bring four guests into the VIP box,” Han Wu mentioned.

“Please take me with you,” Commerce said immediately. As long as he could get into that VIP box, he’d lower his standards as far as necessary.

Han Wu agreed on account of the Time Particles.

***

On the day of the auction, Han Wu brought Qin Shuang, Jing Jing, Sun Qingnian, and Commerce to the venue.

Commerce was already waiting at the entrance in a flashy outfit. His snow-white hair made him impossible to miss.

Their group of five was escorted into a VIP box with a clear view of the general seating below. The floor was packed with prominent figures from across the Divine Civilization. Any one of them would be considered a titan of wealth elsewhere. At the Wealth Faction’s annual auction, however, they were merely ordinary attendees.

As they waited, Commerce took photos of the VIP box from every angle and posted them on his social feed so he could subtly show off to his business contacts. Anyone capable of entering a VIP box at an auction of this caliber was definitely at the top of the Divine Civilization. Commerce did his best to flaunt his connections and promote himself so that everyone in his circle would look up to him.

Sun Qingnian was even busier. He’d encountered wave after wave of female acquaintances on the way in. Given that they were all women, Han Wu was fairly certain they were Sun Qingnian’s informants.

Han Wu had only one rule: keep them out of the VIP box. Therefore, Sun Qingnian spent the entire wait running in and out. He made seven or eight trips before the auction even started.

Commerce, who knew nothing about Sun Qingnian’s true identity, nudged Han Wu. “Did your boy eat something bad? He keeps running outside.”

Han Wu decided to keep quiet. If he told Commerce how many women Sun Qingnian was juggling at once, it would likely shock the worldly merchant.

Qin Shuang and Jing Jing sat quietly on the sofa, but anyone within five meters could feel the tension crackling between them.

Han Wu was fairly certain they’d attack each other if he left the room. Under the circumstances, he seemed to be the only normal person there. He turned his attention to the stage and waited.

The host took the stage. It was Shaura, the Gift God King Han Wu had dealt with before. After delivering his signature opening, he officially started the auction.

Commerce stopped taking photos, Sun Qingnian returned, and Qin Shuang and Jing Jing turned their attention to the lots.

Han Wu finally relaxed and paid attention to the first lot. Usually, the opening item set the tone, and it typically wasn’t too expensive.

Shaura shouted his signature “Ura” and revealed the first lot: a Microcosm Divine Weapon called the Withered Staff. It was a wood-attribute weapon infused with Wilt-Bloom Jurisdiction power. It had two effects. The first allowed its wielder to control trees and tree-related life forms, such as Treants. The second granted its wielder eternal youth.

The moment it was revealed, every woman in the hall wanted it. Some men did too, since youth meant more than just appearance. It also meant vitality. Nobody cared about its tree-controlling ability.

Bidding on the first lot started at forty Microcosms. The price immediately soared and continued climbing until it reached 125 Microcosms. A man who looked at least sixty ultimately claimed it.

“All that for a staff that controls trees? Is it worth it?” Han Wu muttered.

Sun Qingnian disagreed. “I envy that old man. If I had the Microcosms, I’d have fought for it.”

Commerce murmured, “That old fool’s got more money than sense. I’d love to do business with him.”