Eldritch Assassin: Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Devouring System-Chapter 142: Auction II

"Two million and six hundred thousand!"

"Two million and seven hundred thousand!"

"Three million!"

Shouts rang out incessantly within the auction hall as voices overlapped and competed. The noise level rose dramatically.

The Sky Bamboo Nine Sound Qin was a precious item that originally came from the Celestial Harp Pavilion. Not only was it a sacred artifact for those who trained in the Dao of Entertainment, it was also incredibly valuable as a collector’s piece. A symbol of status and history.

Seeing that the price easily exceeded three million low-grade Primal Stones, a smile surfaced on Kael’s face. Hidden behind his privacy formation, no one could see his satisfaction. But it was there, growing with each bid.

"Four million!"

A cold woman’s voice suddenly sounded from a certain Esteemed Guest Stand, clear and authoritative. She increased the price by a full million low-grade primal stones in one jump.

The crowd fell silent immediately. The dramatic increase shocked everyone. Many people glanced toward that stand, trying to see who had bid. But the privacy formations kept them hidden.

"The people in that stand should be from the Celestial Harp Pavilion," someone whispered. Their voice carried in the sudden quiet. "The Sky Bamboo Nine Sound Qin originally came from there..."

A few of the remaining competitors thought about it carefully, weighing their options. Most of them decided to give up and withdraw from the bidding.

The Celestial Harp Pavilion was ranked the same as the Moonfall Sect. One of the top twenty factions under the Aurelian Empire. Extremely famous and very much powerful.

Most people didn’t want to offend a monster like the Celestial Harp Pavilion, not over a single item. And their personal wealth couldn’t be compared to a high-tier faction’s treasury either.

The silence stretched. Master Feng waited patiently, ready to call the bid.

"Four million and one hundred thousand!"

A voice broke the quiet, sounding defiant. Someone was still competing.

"Four million and two hundred thousand!"

Another bidder joined, refusing to back down.

However, there were only a small number of people continuing now. Those who had cultivated deeply in the Dao of Entertainment.

Their cultivation had reached at least Primal Master Realm and they had backing from powerful forces that weren’t scared of the Celestial Harp Pavilion. Factions that could weather any retaliation.

"Five million!"

The woman’s voice from the Celestial Harp Pavilion rang out again, sounding cold and conclusive. She upped the bid by another full million. This was a clear message to her competitors; We will win this. Stop wasting our time.

The auction went silent once again. This time around, the silence was even more profound than before.

No matter how foolish these people were, they had realized something. The Celestial Harp Pavilion was absolutely bent on buying this item. They would pay any price and crush any competition.

Most of the remaining competitors began to hesitate. Uncertainty showed on their faces, visible even from the distant boxes.

Five million low-grade primal stones was almost the maximum value of this Sky Bamboo Nine Sound Qin. Probably slightly over its actual worth already. If they added more, it wouldn’t be economically sound. They’d be paying more than the item was actually worth.

But wasn’t that the essence of auctions?

"Five million and three hundred thousand."

A new male voice suddenly sounded, mocking and deliberately provocative. It came from the 5th Esteemed Guest Stand.

Everyone’s heads turned. Who would dare offend the Celestial Harp Pavilion in public like this? So brazenly? Where they looking to die from a wild note?

But then people noticed something. The 5th Esteemed Guest Stand was positioned right next to the Celestial Harp Pavilion’s box. That placement symbolized equal status between them. Equal power and equal rank.

"It’s the people from the Lotus Cloud Sect!" someone exclaimed, recognition dawning.

"No wonder they dared to offend the Celestial Harp Pavilion," another voice added. Understanding spreading. "The Lotus Cloud Sect is also one of the top twenty factions. Ranked 19th in the top fifty list. One spot higher than the Celestial Harp Pavilion."

Everyone understood now. This wasn’t a random competitor, this was a rival faction that was equal in power and unafraid of consequences.

The Lotus Cloud Sect was one of the top twenty factions under the Aurelian Empire. And apparently, their relationship with the Celestial Harp Pavilion wasn’t very good.

They had old grudges, political differences, and territorial disputes. The kind of things that built up over decades or centuries.

The Celestial Harp Pavilion was closer aligned with Mei Kingdom politically. The Lotus Cloud Sect was closer with the Moonfall Sect. They had different alliances and different interests.

"Five million and five hundred thousand."

The woman’s voice from the Celestial Harp Pavilion carried a clear tone of irritation now, and annoyance. They were being played with and mocked by their foes. And they knew it, but couldn’t do nothing about it.

"Five million and six hundred thousand."

The voice from the Lotus Cloud Sect carried obvious joy and amusement. They were enjoying this little money game called "driving up the price." Making their rivals pay more.

"Five million and seven hundred thousand."

The Celestial Harp Pavilion added another one hundred thousand, showing off their wealth, their determination, and their refusal to lose.

At the same time, in a certain Esteemed Guest Stand overlooking the entire auction, conversation took place.

"Hmph! Even if the Lotus Cloud Sect raises the price, what can they do with the qin afterward?" A beauty wearing a royal gown spoke. Her voice was cold and dismissive. Her eyes flashed with calculation. "It’s only a collector’s item in the hands of someone who doesn’t understand Entertainment."

This was Queen Ruxi. Wife of the ruler of Mei Kingdom. Her presence commanded respect and authority.

"Queen Ruxi is correct, as always." a Primal Grandmaster Realm expert nearby agreed with her statement. He smiled faintly in a knowing manner. "The Sky Bamboo Nine Sound Qin is worthless to them. They’re just causing trouble for their rivals."