Chapter 81: Auction

Tie Li silently recorded their fighting methods, then imagined himself in a battle with a Sea Soul Master; if he were to encounter a Sea Soul Master, how could he seize the advantage in an unfavorable environment?

Several scenes flashed through his mind, all unable to stand up to scrutiny; the reason was simple—he had never actually experienced a fight with a Sea Soul Master, lacking combat experience, but he had some ideas.

……

Three days passed quickly, and Tie Li arrived at the White Whale Consortium for a soul power test.

Without an invitation from the White Whale Consortium, to join this auction one must verify your Soul Power Level or capital level to ensure purchasing power.

An auction of such a large consortium is surely profit‑driven; they can't let just anyone in.

If you're a Soul Master, the minimum is three rings or above, and Tie Li just meets the requirement.

The White Whale Consortium's auction venue is huge, divided into three sections: the VIP area, which showcases status with private boxes; then the exclusive zone for those holding a White Whale Consortium invitation; and finally the general area.

Tie Li, of course, is in the general area, seated toward the back, escorted to his seat by a hostess in charge of reception.

"Soul Master Great Sir, this is your seat."

The hostesses in charge of reception are all top‑class beauties, dressed revealingly, with seductive figures; silk garments cling tightly to their delicate bodies, and the dim ambient lights render everything faintly visible.

The larger the consortium, the more refined the details; even a simple reception reveals the overall standard.

According to the White Whale Consortium's standards, Tie Li's spending tier should be the lowest bracket at the auction, yet the staff's faces remain consistently enthusiastic, showing no hint of impatience.

"Alright," Tie Li replied.

He glanced around, seeing most seats already occupied, and many eyes lingered on the hostesses' graceful figures; they only dared to indulge in a fleeting glance.

The auction has a strict time limit; once it expires, the doors close.

"I heard the White Whale Consortium's fleet captured a ten‑thousand‑year Sea Soul Beast this time."

"A ten‑thousand‑year Sea Soul Beast? I thought I heard they discovered an underwater treasure vault."

"Nonsense; if there were an underwater vault, why would it involve them?"

Around Tie Li, many discuss the auction's items, but only a few actually know the details.

When the time arrived, a woman in a bright white dress walked onto the Pai Mai Tai.

A melodious, pleasant voice emanated from her; though not loud, it was clearly heard by everyone.

"Welcome, distinguished guests, to the White Whale auction. Today we present seventeen valuable lots; we hope you will like them."

"I am the auctioneer Youya for this event; I will now introduce the items, beginning with the first lot."

At Youya's signal, White Whale staff carried a white cloth onto the auction platform.

"First lot: a pearl born from a hundred‑year Sea Soul Beast dragon‑blood clam; whether for collection or cultivation aid, it is an excellent choice."

Hundred‑year Sea Soul Beasts are common, but the dragon‑blood clam is a rare Sea Soul Beast; its bloodline contains a trace of true dragon blood, yielding a pearl of sky‑blue hue.

For a Sea Soul Master or a Soul Master possessing a dragon‑type martial soul, the pearl's value increases dramatically.

Before the auctioneer announced the price, a chorus of chatter erupted below.

"Starting bid: one thousand Gold Soul Coins; each raise must be at least one hundred Gold Soul Coins."

The starting price was low, yet within moments the bids rose to five thousand Gold Soul Coins.

The final price reached thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins.

Tie Li brushed his storage ring, worrying his money might not be enough.

The second lot was a fish‑type Soul Beast scale, extremely hard, but with few buyers; the final price stalled at one thousand seven hundred Gold Soul Coins.

This formed a stark contrast to the dragon‑blood clam pearl.

He brushed his storage ring again, feeling it was still sufficient.

Tie Li never placed a bid, waiting for the whale glue he needed.

It wasn't until the seventh lot.

"A two‑thousand‑year-old whale glue; I won't elaborate on its specific uses."

The auctioneer flashed a look every man understands, instantly provoking a burst of laughter.

But no one dared to tease Youya on the stage, unless they wanted to become a pile of fish feed.

"Only two thousand years?"

Tie Li sighed inwardly.

"Starting bid: one thousand Gold Soul Coins; each raise must be at least one hundred Gold Soul Coins."

Although it didn't meet his expectations, he still joined the bidding.

Daise Earl may possess three‑thousand‑year whale glue, but an earl never lacks money; buying the glue from him with cash is virtually impossible.

Better to win this piece of whale glue first, then visit Daise Earl's manor to see how to obtain the glue from his hands; if it exceeds his capability, he can only decline.

When Tie Li shouted a price of two thousand seven hundred Gold Soul Coins, no further bids followed.

The staff will note Tie Li's number tag and handle delivery backstage later.

Tie Li showed no interest in the remaining lots—perhaps he was out of money—and simply went backstage for settlement.

"Sir, this is the item you won."

"Fine."

Two thousand seven hundred Gold Soul Coins changed hands, yielding a golden‑colored whale glue.

Grabbing the whale glue, Tie Li immediately stored it in his storage ring; the staff, seeing his disinterest in the remaining auction, bluntly told him he could exit through a side door.

Tie Li bowed his fist in thanks and left the auction through the side entrance.

Next, Tie Li will go to Daise Earl's manor to see if he can obtain the three‑thousand‑year whale glue; if not, there's nothing he can do.

The first ingestion of whale glue yields the best effect, but Tie Li's first use was only a hundred‑year grade; subsequent effects will diminish, so to maximize the forging effect in Baidi, he must consume the highest‑age whale glue possible.

At that time, hundred‑year whale glue was the finest celestial material Tie Li could obtain, and the situation demanded rapid recovery.

The steward of Daise Earl's manor is a Soul Master who greets prospective Soul Masters at the gate; he sensed a strong soul power fluctuation from Tie Li.

"May I ask, are you here to see the Earl Great Sir?" the steward, subconsciously treating Tie Li as a recruited Soul Master.

"Yes."

"The Count is in the main hall; you can see him as soon as you go in."

"Alright."

"Count Daise's residence is huge, but the main hall is easy to locate; outside the hall, on an open area, many Soul Masters have gathered, and there is the commotion from battles erupting among Soul Masters."

"Count Daise is at the very top of the open area, seated on an exquisite, luxurious armchair."

"(End of chapter)"