Transcending Dreams

B2 - Chapter 28: Auction Start

He was already stepping out into the bidding area when he noticed that there were no footsteps behind him.

“You don’t want to participate?” William asked with confusion. What was the point of coming to an auction if you didn’t participate?

Xu Feng hesitated before he nodded firmly and walked toward him. “It’s hard to decide between the Qi Refining room and the auction.”

He could understand that. After William saw how the auction was held to satisfy his own curiosity, he intended to lock himself inside the Qi Refining room.

“I’m guessing your sect doesn’t have something like that,” William commented as they left their room.

Every seat in the bidding area was packed. Most were clearly from outside the Jade Healing Sect. A few people glanced at them after their entrance but quickly returned to the soft conversations they were having previously.

Lan Yang waved them down, already having taken a seat with two others empty beside him.

“Very funny, Brother Wei,” Xu Feng huffed as they made their way to Lan Yang, “It’s rude to say that when you obviously know it doesn’t.”

“Why would it be obvious?” William didn’t know much about the Heavenly Sword Sect besides its location. The sect wasn’t mentioned as something special either, so he didn’t know any specifics.

“The only sect with Qi Gathering rooms of this capability is yours.”

He glanced at Xu Feng and found the boy staring at him strangely. “I’m new here.”

“… Clearly,” Xu Feng muttered before smiling brightly when they reached their seats, “Thank you for saving us places, Senior.”

“I didn’t. They were already reserved,” Lan Yang said gruffly, “Junior Wei, how did you like the Qi Refining room?”

William raised a brow at the blatant way Xu Feng was ignored. “It was good.”

“Just good?” Lan Yang stared at him.

“I was told to go to the lobby to speak with a manager,” William dove right into the issue. “Apparently, approval is needed before I am allowed my request. It was sent to the manager. If it wasn’t for that, the room would have been great.”

“I see,” Lan Yang narrowed his eyes in thought, “We’ll do that after this auction round.”

“Thank you, Senior Yang,” William said sincerely, “I also have some other questions, but they can wait.”

“Hm,” Lan Yang nodded absentmindedly as he stared at the empty stage below.

William followed his gaze to where the bracelets had been placed at the viewing. “Did you see anyone else interested in what you wanted?”

“Some, but nobody to be concerned about,” Lan Yang was still tense. “I’m mostly worried about the Wei Clan member. He might cause trouble just for amusement.”

That didn’t seem too far from his own perception of Wei Ming. “Is it going to be auctioned today?”

“Thankfully, no. The cauldron is scheduled for this round,” Lan Yang sighed. “Ignore me, Junior Wei. I’m too invested. Just enjoy the auction and bid on something for fun.”

As a cultivator with the great wealth of two Spirit Stones, William didn’t think he could buy much of anything. Unless…

“Are you offering to cover my bid, Senior Yang?” He asked hopefully.

“We’ll see after by the end.”

William’s eyes lit up, but he kept his mouth closed. The bracelets would likely be the decider.

Xu Feng was content being left alone as he read something that looked like a menu at first glance. There were more on the shared table before them.

William assumed it was for the bar and was going to take a look, but the lights suddenly dimmed, leaving only the stage to be brightly lit.

[Name: Xia Qing | Level: 199]

A woman who could rival Mei Lingxi walked onto the stage with a charming smile. Her long black hair was coiled up in a bun, secured by a striking green jade hairpin that contrasted the form-fitting red robes embroidered with dragons and phoenixes.

Xia Qing stood at the center, looking at the clapping disciples on the first floor with bright eyes.

William was proud of himself for not staring wistfully at her like Xu Feng was doing. He was more curious about how she was allowed to have dragons and phoenixes embroidered into her robes.

He was reasonably confident that it was reserved for the Imperial Family.

“Shame this will likely be her last auction. She should be advancing soon,” Lan Yang muttered, “It’ll be odd to not have the flower of the Inner Court be the auctioneer.”

“Are the bracelets for her, Senior Yang?” William teased, but immediately regretted opening his mouth.

The glare Lan Yang gave him could have destroyed cities. “No.”

He nodded rapidly, his heart only calming down when Lan Yang turned his attention back to the stage. So, that was off-limits.

Good to know.

“The Jade Healing Sect welcomes you to the one thousand seventy-second annual auction!” Xia Qing waited for the claps to slow. “Before I bring the first lot to the stage, allow me to remind the newcomers of the rules. They are the standards suggested by the Tianxia Empire.”

“One,” she held up one slender finger. “Most lots are assigned numbered grades. The higher the number, the higher the cultivation needed to make full use of it. Do not bid on an item meant for a lower cultivation than you currently have. The opposite is not prohibited.”

William tilted his head, initially finding it ridiculous, but he supposed lower cultivation almost always meant less funds. He guessed the sect didn’t want to lock out its own disciples.

“Some lots have not had their grades identified,” Xia Qing continued. “There are no restrictions on who may bid for those.”

“Two,” two fingers were held up, “To our patrons on the Red Floor and Gold Floor. Once you make a bid, only ten more bids are allowed after yours, none of which can be from you. Once the ten bids are submitted, or the bidding is finished, you have the opportunity to buy the lot by beating the last bid.”

That took a good second to process, and it seemed Xia Qing knew that would be the case since she paused for an extended period. He could see Xu Feng was in the same boat as him.

But in the end, William realized this was the ultimate gamble. Sure, it might work out and cut off the bidding quickly, but how often would that be the case?

The more likely scenario was a cascade of bids, some because they were interested in the item and some purely due to curiosity about why it was desired by a peer. The price could shoot up quickly.

Even if the original bidder had the option of buying it for a larger price than the last bid, it could easily fall out of an affordable range.

“Third!” Xia Qing’s red lips formed a smile, showing her white teeth to the crowd. “The Empire requires us to accept Qi and Spirit Stones, but nothing stops you from using your sect points! Happy bidding!”

The dimmed light brightened again as Xia Qing waved from the first lot to be brought onto the stage.

“Senior Yang,” William leaned toward him and spoke quietly, “how often does that ten bid rule fail to bring in a high price?”

“Rarely,” Lan Yang said grimly, likely due to thinking about the bracelets again.

He nodded in reply. It was as he thought.

William might not get to see cultivators lording over each other, warning others to stop bidding due to their great backgrounds. Still, he would see a tremendous amount of wealth being thrown around due to the same type of ego.

He saw the first item get uncovered and settled in for the show.

Note: If you are reading this on a website that is not Royal Road, Scribblehub, Spacebattles, or on my Patreon, you are reading a pirated version and that website does not have the permission of the author to host the story. Instead, please read the story on the sites mentioned above.