"Twenty-five million!"
"Thirty million!"
"Forty million!"
"The prices really are outrageous," Silvermoon remarked with a sigh. "But for true powerhouses, the quality of their weapons does matter."
"That's true, but materials of this grade aren't enough for us anymore," Rowan replied, shaking his head. "The Virtual Universe Company's armories contain far superior resources."
The auction continued as one rare treasure after another appeared on stage. Most of the items were related to cultivation, and all of them commanded astonishing prices.
"The thirtieth item: an Intelligent Cultivation Assistance System," the auctioneer announced. "This is the latest technological breakthrough, capable of monitoring a cultivator's physical condition in real time and providing personalized training recommendations. Starting bid: fifty million credits."
The technological device immediately attracted considerable interest. After all, intelligent support systems genuinely enhanced cultivation efficiency.
"This one's actually kind of interesting," Silvermoon commented.
"But we already have access to much more advanced guidance systems," Rowan said casually. "The Virtual Universe Company's cultivation programs are generations ahead of this technology. Compared to what we use, this is basically a toy."
As time passed, more and more treasures were sold, and the prices continued to climb. Throughout the auction, however, Rowan and Silvermoon remained spectators, quietly observing the proceedings.
"The fiftieth item: the legendary Star Core Fragment."
The moment the auctioneer introduced the item, the entire auction hall fell silent.
"This fragment originates from the core of a dead star and contains immense energy. The starting bid is one hundred million credits."
"One hundred million?!"
The price alone shocked many of the attendees.
"Star Core Fragments are indeed extremely valuable," Rowan commented. "But this appears to be only a tiny fragment, so its energy reserves are limited."
"For cultivators at our level, it doesn't offer much practical value," Silvermoon agreed. "And the price is absurd."
Despite the astronomical starting bid, several mysterious bidders still joined the competition.
In the end, the Star Core Fragment sold for an astonishing three hundred and fifty million credits.
"That's a truly insane price," Silvermoon said.
"The world of the ultra-rich is something we'll probably never fully understand," Rowan laughed. "Still, they're entitled to enjoy their luxuries."
The auction continued, but although the remaining items were equally rare, none reached the same staggering price as the Star Core Fragment.
"The eightieth item: a fragment of an ancient civilization's spatial transportation device," the auctioneer announced. "Although damaged, it still contains traces of the mysteries of spatial laws. Starting bid: eighty million credits."
At those words, Rowan's interest was finally piqued.
After all, he was currently researching spatial laws himself. Perhaps an ancient device like this could provide useful insights.
"Are you thinking of bidding?" Silvermoon asked after noticing the subtle change in his expression.
Rowan considered it for a moment before shaking his head.
"No. Even if it's an ancient spatial device, a fragment like this won't hold much value. Besides, the Virtual Universe Company gives us access to far more complete data on spatial technologies."
"True," Silvermoon agreed. "There's no reason for us to waste money here."
The auction lasted nearly four hours.
All one hundred and eight lots were successfully sold, generating a total revenue of more than five billion credits.
Even for well-traveled individuals like Rowan and Silvermoon, the figure was astonishing.
"That concludes today's Galactic Auction," the auctioneer announced with a graceful smile. "Thank you all for attending. Next week, at the same time, we will host our Rare Exotic Creatures Auction. We look forward to seeing you again."
After the auction ended, Rowan and Silvermoon left the Galactic Auction House.
"Even though we didn't buy anything, it was definitely an eye-opening experience," Silvermoon said. "I had no idea there were so many wealthy collectors throughout the galaxy."
"In a way, it reflects the prosperity of galactic civilization," Rowan observed. "The fact that so many people are willing to spend fortunes on these items proves that the overall economy is thriving."
"Our perspective has really changed," Silvermoon said thoughtfully. "If this had happened a few years ago, we probably would have been fascinated by everything we saw."
"That's what growth means," Rowan replied with a smile. "As our strength and experience increase, the way we see the world changes as well."
"So where should we go next?" Silvermoon asked.
"Since we're already in the Central Business District, why don't we visit the shopping center?" Rowan suggested. "We could pick up some interesting souvenirs."
"Good idea," Silvermoon agreed. "The cultivation treasures may be useless to us, but meaningful keepsakes are always worth collecting."
After leaving the Galactic Auction House, Rowan and Silvermoon strolled along the bustling commercial avenue toward Reno Port's Central Shopping Complex.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the artificial atmosphere, bathing the streets in a warm glow.
Buildings of every imaginable architectural style lined both sides of the road, showcasing the artistic traditions of countless civilizations.
"The architecture here is incredibly diverse," Silvermoon remarked as she admired the scenery. "It feels like walking through a museum of civilizations."
"That's because Reno Port is a crossroads of countless cultures," Rowan explained. "Every species that settles here builds according to its own traditions. Over time, those styles merged into this unique blend."
The streets bustled with intelligent lifeforms of every shape and color.
There were towering giant merchants over three meters tall, reptilian species covered entirely in scales, and strange creatures that even Rowan and Silvermoon had never seen before.
"Look over there," Silvermoon said, pointing toward a street performer. "Is that some kind of magic show?"
The performer belonged to an unfamiliar species. Although the act resembled magic, it was actually a sophisticated application of psychic power, allowing small objects to float and transform in midair.
"That's not magic," Rowan observed after watching for a moment. "It's genuine psychic manipulation. The technique is impressive, even if the power level itself isn't particularly high."
"It may be simple for us," Silvermoon said appreciatively, "but to ordinary people, it's truly magical. And there's real artistry behind it."
The two paused to watch for a while. Silvermoon dropped a few coins into the performer's hat.
The performer nodded gratefully before continuing the show.
Soon, they arrived at the Central Shopping Complex.
The massive structure featured a transparent dome ceiling that allowed natural light to illuminate every corner of the interior. Multiple levels stretched upward, each dedicated to different themes and merchandise.
"Welcome to Reno Central Shopping Complex," a greeting robot cheerfully announced at the entrance. "We offer premium stores from every corner of the galaxy. We are confident you'll find something to your liking."
"Thank you," Silvermoon replied politely before turning to Rowan. "Where should we start?"
"Let's begin on the ground floor and work our way up," Rowan suggested. "That way we won't miss anything interesting."
The ground floor mainly housed souvenir and daily goods stores.
While these items weren't necessities for either of them, they made excellent travel mementos.
"This little statue is adorable," Silvermoon said, picking up an exquisite crystal model of Reno Tower.
"The craftsmanship is excellent," Rowan observed carefully. "And it's made from natural crystal. The refraction under light is beautiful."
"Then I'll buy one as a souvenir," Silvermoon decided. "I can keep it in my office."
After purchasing several small keepsakes, they headed to the second floor.
This level was devoted primarily to fashion and accessories. Clothing of every conceivable style filled the shops.
"These designs are incredibly creative," Silvermoon said as she stopped in front of an upscale boutique. "They blend fashion elements from multiple civilizations."
"Want to try something on?" Rowan suggested. "Since we're on vacation, changing up your style might be fun."
"Actually, that's not a bad idea," Silvermoon admitted. "We spend most of our time in uniform. We rarely get the chance to experiment with other styles."
Following the recommendations of the store staff, Silvermoon tried on several different outfits.
Thanks to her elegant temperament and flawless figure, every style suited her beautifully.
"What do you think?" she asked as she stepped out of the fitting room wearing a dress inspired by interstellar fashion trends.
"You look stunning," Rowan said sincerely. "That color suits you perfectly."
After choosing two outfits she particularly liked, they continued upward.
The third floor housed jewelry and luxury goods.
The atmosphere here was noticeably more extravagant. Every store radiated elegance and wealth, and the jewelry displayed under the lights sparkled brilliantly.
"The craftsmanship here is exceptional," Silvermoon commented as she admired the displays. "Though I imagine the prices are equally exceptional."
"You're right," Rowan said after glancing at a price tag. "These shops cater to the ultra-rich. Even an ordinary necklace costs hundreds of thousands of credits."
They browsed casually, appreciating the artistry more than the products themselves.
Although they had more than enough money to purchase such luxuries, neither of them was inclined to spend heavily on decorative items.
At that moment, a luxury boutique named Celestial Treasures caught their attention.
The store's interior featured deep blue tones and lighting effects resembling a starry sky, creating an atmosphere that was both mysterious and elegant.
"This store has a beautiful design," Silvermoon said, drawn in by the ambiance. "Let's take a look."
The moment they stepped inside, they were stunned by the displays.
These were not ordinary jewelry pieces.
Every item emitted subtle energy fluctuations, indicating that they were crafted from extremely rare materials.
"Welcome to Celestial Treasures," an elegant sales consultant greeted them. "My name is Aria. How may I assist you today?"
"We're just browsing," Rowan replied politely.
"Of course. Please take your time," Aria said with a smile. "Every piece in our collection has its own unique history and special properties. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask."
Silvermoon soon found herself captivated by a particular display case.
Inside rested an exquisitely crafted necklace.
Its chain was forged from a silver-white metal, and at its center hung a brilliant blue gemstone that shimmered like a star.
"This necklace is extraordinary," Silvermoon said as she leaned closer. "The gem almost seems alive."
"You have excellent taste," Aria said as she approached.
"This is one of our signature pieces, the Heart of the Galaxy. The chain is crafted from rare Star Silver, while the gemstone is condensed essence extracted from Stellar Stone found within distant nebulae."
"Stellar Stone essence?" Rowan repeated, now equally interested. "That's an exceptionally rare material."
"Indeed," Aria replied. "Not only is it beautiful, but it also possesses unique properties. It can slightly enhance the wearer's spiritual power while promoting mental calmness. Most remarkably, its radiance changes according to the wearer's emotions."
A faint longing flashed across Silvermoon's eyes.
The necklace truly was beautiful.
Its elegant design suited her perfectly.
But when she noticed the price tag, her expression immediately returned to normal.
"Eight million credits," she read softly before saying casually, "It's certainly a beautiful work of art."
Rowan noticed the subtle change in her expression.
Eight million credits wasn't an impossible amount for them, but Silvermoon clearly felt that spending so much on jewelry wasn't justified.
"It really is exquisite," Rowan agreed. "Though we're just browsing today."
Silvermoon remained in front of the necklace for a few more seconds before finally turning away.
Yet Rowan noticed that her gaze kept drifting back toward it.
"It really does suit her," he thought to himself.
"And the blue glow matches the color of her eyes perfectly."
They spent a little longer browsing the store.
Although the other pieces were equally impressive, none captured Silvermoon's attention like the Heart of the Galaxy.
"Let's go," she finally said. "I'm sure there are more interesting shops upstairs."
"Sure," Rowan agreed.
But in his mind, a plan had already begun to form.
After saying goodbye to Aria, they left Celestial Treasures.
Silvermoon appeared calm on the surface, but Rowan could sense the faint disappointment she was trying to hide.
"What's on the fourth floor?" she asked, attempting to change the subject.
"Technology and collectibles, according to the directory," Rowan replied after checking the map. "Let's take a look."
The fourth floor was exactly as advertised.
It featured cutting-edge technology, rare collectibles, advanced personal aircraft, sophisticated communication devices, and countless strange technological gadgets.
"This holographic projector is fascinating," Silvermoon said as she stopped at a display booth.
"It can create fully immersive three-dimensional virtual environments."
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