Chapter 58: The Final Decision
In a short amount of time, the number began to jump rapidly, rising in a straight line and quickly surpassing the one-million mark. However, after breaking past one million, the speed of the increases began to slow.
Ji Lin spoke calmly:
"One million three hundred thousand."
The moment he placed his bid, the maid in the golden dress made a swift operation on the spirit-guidance screen, and the large number instantly changed to 1,300,000.
One million three hundred thousand soul gold coins—this was considered a conservative estimated price for this sword.
As Jiujiu had said, everyone present was an expert and lacked no insight. Everyone clearly understood the true value of the item.
Indeed, after reaching one million three hundred thousand, the bidding pace slowed noticeably, as each person began carefully weighing gains against losses.
In the end, the number on the screen rose to 1,560,000—and then stopped.
The person who placed the bid of 1,556,000 soul gold coins was none other than Dai Yaoheng from Shrek Academy.
This was already the maximum he could offer. He truly liked this sword; otherwise, he would never have pushed his bid to such a high level.
Just as Dai Yaoheng thought the sword was about to become his, the number on the screen suddenly changed once more, becoming 1,580,000.
Dai Yaoheng slumped back into his seat with a look of disappointment, while Wang Yan patted his shoulder in consolation. After all, in auctions, the winner is always the one with the highest bid—there was no room to blame anyone else.
Room Number Two.
Ji Lin placed a bid of one million five hundred and eighty thousand, and the price remained unchanged for a full minute—bringing the auction to an end.
At that moment, the room was filled with dazzling golden lights like fireworks, announcing the successful completion of the purchase.
After Ji Lin successfully obtained the Tyrant Tiger Spirit-Refining Blade, Jiujiu appeared on the screen once more, wearing her long red dress. With a charming smile, she bowed gracefully.
She said, "We thank the honored guest who has just won the Tyrant Tiger Spirit-Refining Blade for supporting this auction. Now, we will move on to the second auction item. Although these items are single-use, they are extremely rare, and assembling a complete set like this is no easy task. Honored guests, please take a look."
The image on the spirit-guidance screen changed.
The entire screen split into twelve equal sections, and in each section appeared a fixed-position spirit-guidance cannon shell.
Princess Jiujiu's voice resounded throughout the hall:
"These twelve fixed-position spirit-guidance cannon shells are also products of Mingde Hall. Each one contains a precise core formation, and their level of complexity is in no way inferior to a Grade Six spirit-guidance device."
She continued, "Their attributes, in order, are: water, fire, earth, wind, light, darkness, extreme poison, lightning, frost, metal, explosion, and paralysis. To fire them requires at least a Grade Six fixed-position spirit-guidance cannon, while sustained firing requires a Grade Seven cannon or higher.
Inspection time: five minutes."
Elder Ma showed great interest in the twelve shells and immediately stood up to examine them more closely. Several team members who were also interested in fixed-position spirit-guidance cannons followed after him.
And the more Elder Ma carefully examined the auction item on the screen, the greater his admiration became.
A complete set of fixed-position spirit-guidance cannon shells like this was not something even Mingde Hall could produce easily.
When the inspection period ended, Jiujiu appeared once again.
"Honored guests, the opening price for these twelve shells is six hundred and fifty thousand soul gold coins. Each increase must be no less than five thousand soul gold coins."
After the starting price was announced, the auction for the set officially began. Unfortunately, the atmosphere quickly cooled. The number 650,000 remained hanging on the screen, and no one was willing to place even an opening bid.
After all, the number of people capable of using—or willing to use—fixed-position spirit-guidance cannon shells was extremely limited. Their power was indeed tremendous, but they were consumables that vanished once used.
On top of that, their price was truly exorbitant.
The auction entered the final twenty-second countdown. If no bid was placed, this set would be skipped.
Elder Ma turned his head and asked Qing Ya in a low voice:
"How long does it take to place a bid?"
Qing Ya replied, "Instantly."
Elder Ma nodded lightly, his gaze deep and focused.
Five… four… three… two… one.
At the moment when the countdown reached the second-to-last second, Elder Ma was just about to speak—when Ji Lin spoke first.
"I bid six hundred and sixty thousand soul gold coins."
Elder Ma looked at Ji Lin. He had originally planned to place a bid at the opening price, but Ji Lin had raised it by ten thousand. He cast Ji Lin a questioning glance.
Ji Lin said confidently, "Elder Ma, trust me."
Ji Lin could clearly see that Elder Ma truly liked this set of shells, so he decided to step in and help him.
If Elder Ma had only bid the opening price, it would have been impossible for him to win this set.
Upon hearing Ji Lin's words, Elder Ma nodded. Since the young master had spoken, what more could he say?
The price was entered immediately. At the very last second, the projected number changed from 650,000 to 655,000, then jumped straight to 660,000.
Qing Ya first covered her cherry-red lips in surprise, then could not help but exclaim:
"Young Master Ji Lin, you are truly amazing!"
As a Soul Douluo, Elder Ma was also able to see what had happened. In the final moment, he was not the only one who had placed a bid—there was another bidder who had raised the price by five thousand.
Under such circumstances, the additional ten-thousand increase placed by Ji Lin became the decisive factor.
As for Qing Ya knowing his identity, Ji Lin was not surprised in the slightest. He scratched his head and smiled.
"Just luck—pure luck. I only did it as a precaution."
Qing Ya smiled and congratulated them, joy filling her face. After all, the Sun and Moon Team, for which she was responsible, had successfully obtained two auction items in succession. Not only would she receive a commission, but it would also greatly benefit her performance evaluation at the auction house.
Elder Ma spoke with gratitude, clearly delighted at having obtained the shells:
"Thank you very much.
Alright, Elder Ma, there's no need for such courtesy.
Then Elder Ma turned to one of the elders and said:
"Old fellow, I will pay for this set of shells myself. It has nothing to do with the academy."
The elder nodded in response:
"I understand."