While they were eager to not spend too much before the auction even began, Lassim felt that they should at least purchase something so that the guide earned something as Sirium quietly whispered to him that most employees make commissions off of items they make sales on.
It also explained why the guide seemed to be pushing several items that seemed to favor their elements or could help shore up common weaknesses with complimenting elementally enhanced goods.
"We’ll go ahead and take the scrolls and the bracelet." Lassim pulled out his gold vault card, not bothering with the price.
"Thank you sir!" Grabbing the card with both hands in a show of extreme professionalism as he bowed, "While not overly expensive, The price for these items combined is 245 mid-grade elemental source stones." With practiced familiarity from using such type cards, he quickly activated it with Lassim’s permission and retrieved the total.
Then he unlocked the two display cases holding the items before handing them over.
"Please enjoy your new possessions and we thank you for becoming patrons of the Golden River Auction House."
As they continued their exploration of the first floor, the atmosphere was less about persuasion to buy something from the guide, and more about genuine curiosity and admiration for the myriad of items on display as he expertly toured them around the premises. Lassim, Lustria, and Sirium wandered among the aisles, their eyes catching glimpses of the exotic and the extraordinary.
Each item showing the vastness and diversity of their world’s cultures and elemental powers.
Lustria, though initially reserved, slowly became more animated with her cute twin-tails bouncing under her veil as she turned every which way from display case to display case, her interest piqued by the various artifacts that aligned with her affinity for the night element. Lassim smiled seeing her have a good time.
Sirium, ever the inquisitive mind, asked the guide numerous questions about the origins and histories of certain pieces, his merchant background showing through his keen interest in their potential value and utility.
After fully exploring the first floor’s wares, it was time to finally go upstairs to their VIP suite.
As they approached the grand staircase leading to the VIP suites under the guide’s escort, the trio could feel the anticipatory buzz from the other patrons nearby gearing up for the auction. Their guide, now more relaxed, thanked them once again for their patronage, his expression one of genuine gratitude for the commission he earned from their purchases.
Ascending the staircase, they were met with a grand view of the auction hall, a vast space filled with rows of seats and a large stage where the auctioned items would soon be presented. They continued up another set of stairs that was guarded by a velvet rope and two guards with their elemental weapons on full display; twin saber users standing at full attention in gaudy golden armor.
Entering their private room, their VIP suite offered a panoramic view of the hall, plush seats, and refreshments that would ensure their comfort during the event.
Settling into the plush seats, Lassim, Lustria, and Sirium shared excited glances, their earlier purchases momentarily forgotten in the face of the upcoming auction. They were now part of an exclusive gathering, where the rarest and most valuable items would soon change hands, and they were eager to see what wonders the Golden River Auction House would unveil.
The lights of the private suit began to dim as did the main hall’s lights all shut off except for the spotlight that illuminated a single individual gracefully walking onto the stage.
The host, a woman of stunning presence, took the stage with an air of confidence and elegance that captivated the audience. Her voice, clear and enchanted with some sort of voice projection artifact, filled the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to the Golden River Auction House," she began, her words weaving a spell of excitement. "Tonight, we have curated a collection of items that are not only exceptional in their rarity but also in their power and heritage.
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While we save the best for last at the end of the evening, rest assured, every piece presented tonight holds its own allure and significance."
With a graceful flourish of her hands, the curtain behind her opened and unveiled the item, drawing gasps and murmurs of admiration from the crowd.
There, under the spotlight, stood a magnificent statue of the goddess Moftia, revered deity of Metal. Crafted from what appeared to be the finest silver and gold, the statue depicted Moftia in a pose of both elegance and strength, a sword in one hand and an hammer in the other, symbolizing the dual nature of her influence over warfare and craftsmanship.
"The Statue of Goddess Moftia," the host announced, her voice imbued with reverence. "An embodiment of strength and elegance, this masterpiece is a tribute to the goddess. I’d say if you’re a spirit warrior who is beloved by her with a metal elemental being, you should bid on this piece. Bidding starts at one hundred mid-grade elemental source stones."
The bidding began slowly, with the event warming up, as patrons like distinguished warriors or wealthy collectors, competed for the divine statue.
Lassim, Lustria, and Sirium watched intently from their suite, their eyes reflecting the gleam of the precious metals.
"Such an incredible piece," Lassim whispered, his gaze locked on the divine figure. "The detail in the craftsmanship... it’s as if Moftia herself is standing there."
Recalling having met her on his awakening ceremony, he did notice that some minor details were not correct, but was surprised by how much of her image was similar. It appeared that the creator had definitely been inspired somehow.
Lustria, her veil subtly masking her scars, nodded, her eyes reflecting the statuette’s glow. "It’s beautiful. Can you feel the mana radiating from it? It’s like a gentle pulse that’s very soothing, yet sharp."
Sirium, meanwhile, was engrossed in the bidding dynamics. "Look, it’s heating up," he noted, his analytical mind appreciating the strategic bidding plays unfolding below.
"This is more intense than I expected," he murmured, his analytical mind tracking the rising figures. "See that man in the third row? He’s from the southern provinces, based on his accent and what he’s wearing. My father has a customer that wears the same outfit every time I’ve met him. I think he’s an artifact collector. He seems really eager to buy it."
As the numbers soared, reaching four hundred and fifty mid-grade elemental source stones, the intensity in the room peaked. When the final bid was called, and the statue was sold for a total of 1,655 mid-grade source stones. A wave of applause erupted through the hall which marked the successful sale of a reverential statue.
The auction had officially began with the first item having warmed up the magic pouches of the crowd and brought the room to a fever pitch of excitement.
"That was fun," Lassim exclaimed, the energy of the auction invigorating him as he watched the statue was teleported off the stage.
Sirium nodded, his earlier enthusiasm tinged with a deeper understanding. "Indeed, and this is just the first item!"
The item, while impressive, had held no practical application for the group’s cultivation paths or immediate needs. Observing the dynamics of the auction and the strategies employed by the seasoned bidders was an education for them on what to do later if they saw something they liked. The group hoping that the following items would be more appealing.
As the auction progressed, various items of grandeur and mystique were presented, each eliciting gasps and murmurs from the eager crowd. Though many caught the trio’s interest, none seemed directly relevant to their needs until a new lot was introduced.
The host, with a knowing smile, unveiled the next item, a set that included what appeared to be a pomade of some kind next to a pill flask filled to the brim with many pure white and pink spheres. "Ladies and loving husbands, prepare to be captivated by the next offering," she announced, her voice laced with excitement.
"This is not merely a set of beauty products but a treasure that promises the allure of eternal youth and radiance."
The crowd hushed, the anticipation palpable in the air. The host continued, "Crafted by renowned alchemists at the Veridian Alchemy Guild, these beautification pills and cream are infused with rare herbs and elemental essences.
Together, they 100% verified by our resident alchemists to work in harmony to not only enhance one’s external beauty but also to rejuvenate the body’s vitality, offering a lasting permanent transformation in beautifying the user."
As she detailed the effects, including the reduction of scars and imperfections, glowing flawless skin, the women in the audience reacted with audible admiration, their eyes alight with desire for the promised transformations.
Lustria, usually composed, couldn’t hide the wistful glint in her eyes as she listened to the description. Lassim, noticing her interest, felt a surge of resolve. ’I have to get this for her,’ he thought, his determination fueled by the guilt of her injuries and the scars that remained that she’d have to wear for years until her cultivation rose.
The bidding started energetically, with numbers climbing swiftly like a fire was burning under the seats of all the ladies in the crowd. Lassim, with his hand poised over the bidding device, waited for the right moment. The bids flew in a frenzy, but he remained focused, his gaze shifting between the items and Lustria.