Chapter 1099

Moving on to the second auction item.

Once again, the front door opened.

This time, five cages were wheeled out at once.

But these five cages were clearly smaller and shorter, and had no talismans affixed to them.

Lifting the covering cloth, inside the cages were five short, stocky dwarves.

Big beards, big noses.

All male dwarves.

They wore tattered cloth clothes, glaring furiously at the people present.

Soon, the staff pushed them out.

Once the host finished introducing them, the auction began.

In the end, they were sold for 130 gold coins.

Only two people bid — looks like nobody here is short on blacksmiths.

Dwarves are professional blacksmiths.

This profession seems tailor-made for dwarves.

They have an extraordinary understanding of forging.

130 gold coins for five expert-level dwarven blacksmiths — actually pretty good, a fair price.

The third auction item was the Celestial Fragrance Life-Continuing Dew.

He'd seen it on the New Talent Competition prize list.

The Celestial Fragrance Life-Continuing Dew's effect is just like its name — it can extend life.

If a vassal has died, as long as it hasn't been too long since their death, drinking it can revive them.

But only vassals can drink it; it's ineffective for lords.

80 gold coins a bottle — for a life-saving effect, it's not expensive.

Even for vassals, if they're master-level craftsmen or high-tier soldiers, they're worth rescuing.

But Zhao Chi has no use for it.

Before long, it was auctioned off for 600 gold coins.

Next came 100 Wujin Shields.

Very high durability.

Zhao Chi actually quite wanted them.

But right now all his money had to be saved for the auction of the Race Expansion Stone.

Besides, these shields weren't a must-have.

Those women have high load-bearing capacity — at worst, just bring a few more iron shields.

These shields were ultimately knocked down at 550 gold coins.

Next was the Mountain Press skill book.

This was a top-tier earth-element spiritual technique.

Just hearing the name, one could infer the power of this move.

High-level spiritual technique skill books are very rare.

Usually, one has to comprehend them on their own through lower-level spiritual techniques.

The skill book was good, but a top-tier skill book probably wouldn't be usable for quite a long time.

It was useless to Zhao Chi too.

In the end, it sold for 600 gold coins.

Right after that came the Race Expansion Stone that Zhao Chi had been looking forward to.

Two staff members stepped forward.

Each carried a small wooden box; opening the boxes revealed the Race Expansion Stones inside.

The host smiled and said:

"Alright, then what we auction next are these two Race Gene Expansion Stones.

"Everyone knows their function and effect, so I won't go on about it.

"Then let's begin the auction of this sixth item.

"Starting price 4,000 gold coins, minimum bid increment 100 gold coins.

"Let the auction begin!"

Soon, four people raised their hands in succession.

Seems these Expansion Stones are quite popular.

The host's smile grew wider, looking extremely pleased.

Could it be that he gets a bonus when high-value items like this are auctioned off?

Zhao Chi was a little worried his money wouldn't be enough.

But he raised his hand too — even if he couldn't win the bid, at least he'd participated…

The host saw Tang Ruan raise her hand and was very pleasantly surprised: "Wow, Black Crystal Town really is full of hidden talents — VIP L0024 bids 4,500 gold coins! Any other bids?"

The orc seated diagonally ahead glanced back at Tang Ruan, noticed she was fully armed, frowned, then raised his hand again.

"Alright, Mr. D016 bids again — we're now at 4,600 gold coins."

Zhao Chi waited a moment — surprisingly, no one raised the bid?

Did they not want it? Or were they all waiting too?

Still, 2 Expansion Stones at this price is a good deal. Continue.

Zhao Chi raised his hand again.

"4600 gold coins, second call… good! VIP L0024 has raised the bid again! 4700 gold coins!"

The host shouted excitedly.

The beastman in the front-diagonal seat turned his head again, glaring at Tang Ruan: "I'm from the Emerald Stone Society, can't you see?"

He pointed at his own ear.

Zhao Chi was very surprised.

He had no idea why that beastman was talking to him, and saying such baffling things at that.

Could it be that he didn't want Zhao Chi to raise the bid?

But this is an auction…

Can an auction be conducted like this?

Still, Zhao Chi did notice the green earring on his earlobe.

A green beastman, a green earring — but they actually matched quite well.

But what exactly is the Emerald Stone Society?

What does it have to do with me?

Zhao Chi wasn't stupid; he knew that beastman wanted those 2 Race Expansion Stones, and this was a threat.

But Zhao Chi simply had no idea what the Emerald Stone Society was.

Maybe some local-bully organization?

But Zhao Chi was just normally attending an auction, and was inside Tang Ruan's body anyway.

If there was danger, he could just use the Random Mark talisman to return to Penglai Village later.

He couldn't care less who the beastman was.

Besides, that beastman was still obediently participating in the auction — at least his authority didn't override the auction house.

The Emerald Stone Society might have some power, but certainly not to an overwhelming degree.

Then there's even less reason to fear him.

Seeing Tang Ruan say nothing, the beastman assumed she was afraid, turned back around, and raised his hand again in displeasure.

The host laughed: "Wow, Mr. D016 has raised the bid again — 4800 gold coins! A brand-new high! Any other bidders?"

4800 gold coins.

That was already a fortune among fortunes.

Completely on a different level from the few hundred gold coins earlier.

This time, still no one else raised their hand.