"One hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand!..."
Bidding erupted as everyone was captivated by the grand finale of the first round, the crystal globe, all hoping to extend their lifespan, reverse their fortunes, and command wealth.
Before long, the bids reached "Eight hundred thousand!"
Auctioneer Xiao Ci announced, "This gentleman offers eight hundred thousand! Are there any higher bids? Eight hundred thousand for the first time, eight hundred thousand for the second time..."
Someone scoffed, "Eight hundred thousand and you think you can take it? Ridiculous! I bid one million!"
"Whoa!..."
All eyes turned to the bidder, who ultimately secured the crystal globe for one million.
Xiao Ci said, "Time flies when you're having fun. Many have had good luck today and graced the Hongchang Auction House. The real highlight is yet to come, the second item..."
Stoking the auction's fervor, Xiao Ci skillfully guided everyone’s thoughts, making it easy for them to open their wallets.
After a considerable time, the true main event arrived. Xiao Ci smiled, her fiery red lips curling slightly, "Next, we present a Royal Grade magical artifact, the Cold Iron Gauntlets!"
"!!!"
Ming Zhi Tian shot to his feet! Guo Qiang, standing beside him, was startled, "Zhi Tian brother, what are you doing?"
Ming Zhi Tian smoothed his racing heart, "It's nothing. I won't resort to outright theft."
Four beauties in high-slit cheongsams pushed a golden red carpet cart forward, bearing a pair of gauntlets – the Cold Iron Gauntlets.
Ming Zhi Tian knew without a doubt: these were the Cold Iron Gauntlets that Wu Shang Jin Bie had snatched from him in the wilderness.
Xiao Ci exclaimed excitedly, "You've all been waiting, haven't you? That's right, this is the main event, a Royal Grade magical artifact, the Cold Iron Gauntlets. I needn't elaborate on its functions, right? As a Royal Grade artifact, it is a symbol of a cultivator's strength. These are exceedingly rare at our Hongchang Auction House, requiring significant resources to acquire. Its starting bid is eighty thousand, with increments no less than ten thousand."
Ming Zhi Tian suppressed his surging emotions, "Cold Iron Gauntlets, I must have them."
He looked at Guo Qiang, "Senior Brother Guo, if it comes to it, please lend me some money."
Guo Qiang paused for a moment, then replied, "Uh... no problem."
"Nine hundred thousand!"
"One point one million!"
...
"One point eight million!..."
Ming Zhi Tian spotted a few familiar faces. It was like seeing them at Nan'an Temple. Yan Li Xue was also determined to acquire them, "Two hundred thousand!"
The bidding quickly reached three hundred thousand. Seeing Ming Zhi Tian stirring, Guo Qiang asked, "Zhi Tian brother, the Cold Iron Gauntlets are not worth this much anymore. Are you still bidding?"
Ming Zhi Tian nodded, "In my heart, they are priceless."
Guo Qiang asked, "Are they that important to you?"
Ming Zhi Tian replied, "They are the legacy of my Martial Saint."
Guo Qiang nodded. At this moment, Xiao Ci began to scan the room, "Royal Grade magical artifact, the Cold Iron Gauntlets, for the first time... second time... third time..."
Just as everyone assumed the Cold Iron Gauntlets would be taken by Yan Li Xue, Ming Zhi Tian raised his hand, "Three hundred and twenty thousand."
Yan Li Xue glared resentfully at him. It was Ming Zhi Tian? She had only brought one hundred thousand, and after borrowing from Hai Bu Bu and the others, she had a total of three hundred thousand, but no more funds to bid.
Ming Zhi Tian cast an apologetic glance at her, "I will take these gauntlets."
Xiao Ci finally called, "...Cold Iron Gauntlets, third time... Congratulations to this gentleman for acquiring them at three hundred and twenty thousand Divine Martial Coins."
Normally, Royal Grade swords and sabers fetched around five to eight hundred thousand. However, due to the rarity of gauntlet-users, the Cold Iron Gauntlets were less valuable, at most two hundred and fifty thousand. Three hundred and twenty thousand far exceeded their market value, so no one else bid.
As expected, the next item was a Royal Grade sword, but it was no longer of interest to Ming Zhi Tian. He was only concerned with the Cold Iron Gauntlets, as they were one of the legacies left by his Martial Saint, and he had to safeguard them.
Someone immediately remarked, "Look, that's the Ren Li Sword. Fortunately, I didn't bid on that useless pair of gauntlets, or I would have missed this."
Ming Zhi Tian paid the money, the Cold Iron Gauntlets were placed into his storage bag. He stood up to leave, "Senior Brother Guo, let's go."
Guo Qiang asked, "You're not bidding on anything else?"
Ming Zhi Tian replied, "I'm out of money."