The man and woman clearly held prominent positions within the Shadow Moon Hall, or else they wouldn't have been seated beside Qian Tong.
Several other young disciples standing nearby cast glances at the pair that held a distinct hint of envy.
"Elder Qian, you have a good relationship with Steward Yan — do you have any idea what this final lot actually is?" one of the young female disciples standing nearby asked curiously.
Qian Tong's expression was grave, and he seemed not to hear the girl's question. Seeing him like this, everyone held their breath, feeling all the more certain that this final lot was something extraordinary. The elder must have known some inside information, or else he wouldn't wear such a solemn expression.
"Luo Qing!" Qian Tong suddenly called out.
"Here, Master." Luo Qing, who had been standing guard nearby, hurriedly stepped forward.
"How many Holy Crystals have you managed to gather?"
Luo Qing replied respectfully, "As per your instructions, Elder, I've managed to gather fifty million Holy Crystals, though a large portion was allocated from the sect's reserves."
"Fifty million..." Qian Tong narrowed his eyes slightly. "I have nearly thirty million on my end, so we have roughly eighty million Holy Crystals altogether..."
Inside the private box, most of them were visibly shaken. Even though they came from the Shadow Moon Hall and held no small status within the sect, the figure of eighty million Holy Crystals still staggered them.
What shocked them even more was that Qian Tong muttered under his breath, "I wonder if it'll even be enough!"
The delicate-featured young woman sitting beside Qian Tong finally couldn't help but ask, "Master, what exactly is this final lot? Could it really be something that even eighty million won't be enough to secure?"
Not only was she curious, but even the stalwart, handsome man who had maintained a composed expression throughout finally turned to look at Qian Tong, hoping for an explanation.
Since the auction began, the most expensive item sold had been the Exquisite Double Forks for a mere two point one million Holy Crystals. Could this final lot be a Void King-grade artifact?
If it truly was a Void King-grade artifact, then eighty million might indeed not be enough — but where would the Treasure Tower have obtained such a thing?
"You don't understand!" Qian Tong said with a bitter smile. "Eighty million sounds like a lot, but others likely have far more. The Shadow Moon Hall may be considered a major power on the Dark Star, but compared to the three top-tier powers — the Thunder Terrace Sect, the Star Emperor Gate, and the Battle Heaven Alliance — we're still a step behind. Even factions like the Glazed Gate, the Li Fire Sect, the Twin Heart Valley, and the Misty Hall are stronger than us. I'm worried they've gathered even more Holy Crystals."
"Master, what exactly is this thing?" the delicate-featured woman asked again.
"See for yourself." Qian Tong was in no mood to answer, because even if he did, these juniors might not grasp the item's true value. It would be easier to explain once everyone started bidding ferociously, and they could understand then.
No one in the private box said another word, and all eyes turned to the auction stage.
The dark-faced Yan Pei stood there, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, and announced in a booming voice, "I am Yan Pei. I thank you all for attending this auction hosted by our Treasure Tower. So far, I'm generally satisfied with how things have gone. The only thing that displeases me is that you've all been keeping your purses far too tightly shut. I hope you'll display the spirit and boldness befitting major sects and great powers — don't bother saving face for anyone, and certainly don't worry about saving face for our Treasure Tower. If you see something you want, what does it matter if you go bankrupt? As long as you win the bid, that's all that counts."
Yan Pei's blunt words made the experts in every private box gasp.
The old dark-face had ill intentions! From the sound of it, he wouldn't be satisfied until he'd driven them all to ruin. It was far too sinister — quite a few people were already thinking about leaving this den of trouble immediately. If they stayed any longer, they might truly end up penniless.
But Yan Pei gave them no chance. He continued, "Enough talk — let me introduce the final auction item!"
With a great sweep of his hand, a woman in ceremonial robes immediately stepped forward carrying a jade tray. The tray was covered with a red cloth, and everyone craned their necks in vain, unable to see what lay beneath, which made their teeth itch with frustration.
The woman in ceremonial robes took her place before Yan Pei, who called out in a loud voice, "Open your eyes wide, everyone, and watch carefully..."
As he spoke, he flipped aside the red cloth, revealing a crimson whip resting on the jade tray. The whip had a sleek, flowing design, its segments linked like a scorpion's tail — seamlessly joined with no gaps. The tip was shaped like a venomous barb that glowed with an eerie green light, making it immediately obvious that it carried a deadly poison.
"The Dragon-Beating Whip!" Yan Pei bellowed.
In Private Box C-13, Yang Kai had just taken a sip of tea. When he heard the name Yan Pei had bestowed upon this crimson whip, he nearly spat the tea back out.
The previous item, the double-pronged spears, had been given the name "Exquisite Double Forks" by the Treasure Tower — that was passable enough, neither impressive nor unimpressive, just middling.
But this crimson whip being dubbed the Dragon-Beating Whip by Yan Pei — now that was audacious to the extreme. The old dark-face certainly had thick skin to dare give it such a name.
Scorching gazes converged from every direction, and countless strands of Divine Sense swept toward the stage. Murmurs erupted throughout both the main hall and the private boxes.
Yan Pei declared in a deep, resonant voice, "This is an authentic Void Grade, Medium-rank artifact. According to the assessments of our Treasure Tower's master appraisers, the primary material used in this whip is the tail of a ninth-rank demon beast — the Red-Tail Purple-Armored Scorpion — supplemented by various Void Grade minerals. I need not explain what Void Grade Medium-rank means; you all understand perfectly well. This piece already surpasses the crafting standards of our Dark Star — none of our artificers could have produced it. The whip measures two zhang and one chi in length, and when infused with Holy Origin, it can extend or retract at will, moving as naturally as one's own arm. What makes it most remarkable is that the master who crafted this Dragon-Beating Whip perfectly preserved the venom from the Red-Tail Purple-Armored Scorpion's tail barb. Though it carries a somewhat underhanded quality, it dramatically enhances the whip's power."