Free Web NovelChapter 575: Chapter 575: Oasis Auction (Part 2)
The truth is, even insignificant people can play a substantial role.
Zhang Yuan only spent five hundred silver taels to obtain an invitation to the Crescent Oasis auction.
According to the warrior leader, the oasis auction has a rather high entry threshold. Ordinary people, even if they are wealthy, might not be able to find their way in even if they walk around with a pig’s head.
The auction is held once a month, with all auctioned items being extraordinarily valuable and coming in a wide variety of special categories.
For instance, an item up for auction could be a stunning beauty.
Zhang Yuan knew very well that as an outsider new to the place, obtaining the qualification to participate in the auction with just a little silver was quite rare.
The main reason was likely that the other party did not want him to hold a grudge.
After all, being targeted by a Tier Five master who kills without blinking would make most people live in constant fear.
After obtaining the invitation, Zhang Yuan did not continue to stroll around the oasis.
He patiently stayed at the inn until the morning of the third day before stepping out again.
This time, Zhang Yuan came to the other side of the Central Lake of the oasis.
There stood a giant domed tent.
Around the tent, thick bronze pillars stood tall, with long ropes tied to the tops, collectively suspending the top of the tent and further secured with cords between them.
Burly samurai patrolled around the domed tent, appearing highly vigilant.
After showing his invitation, Zhang Yuan was led into the tent by a lovely maid.
Inside the tent, over a hundred people were already seated, each looking affluent or noble.
More than two to three hundred seats faced an auction stage.
After Zhang Yuan took his seat, the maid brought drinks and snacks, along with a bidding number plate.
On it were the words "One Hundred Sixty-Seven"!
Zhang Yuan played with the bidding number plate, feeling indescribable.
This item was most likely brought into this world by a Celestial Being.
It was almost identical to the bidding plates held high at auctions in his previous life.
Zhang Yuan knew long ago that the so-called Celestial Beings were actually humans from another highly civilized world.
They only descended into this world through possession.
Interestingly enough, although it has been a few hundred years since the first Celestial Being descended, the Celestial group has not introduced many technological products and knowledge to this plane.
They had clearly maintained strict control over this!
Perhaps only such inconsequential items show glimpses of another civilization’s marks.
Zhang Yuan pondered secretly, while more and more people entered the auction site.
Among the participants, some wore headscarves, others were cloaked, and some were apparently in disguise.
Some sat in separate small tents—these should belong to the VIP boxes.
Once all the seats were filled, a handsome auctioneer stepped onto the auction stage.
He politely bowed to everyone and then announced the start of the auction.
Without any unnecessary words, he proceeded smoothly.
The first auction item was quickly brought up.
A Profound Weapon Greatsword.
"Number Seventy-Six, seventy-five thousand taels!"
"Number Nineteen, eighty thousand taels!"
"Any higher bids?"
The auction entered a highly competitive phase right from the start, with bidding prices rising steadily.
Zhang Yuan could even sense a hint of hostility.
The first auction item was eventually sold for a high price of a hundred and fifty thousand silver taels, allowing Zhang Yuan, who attended the Crescent Oasis auction for the first time, to truly experience the unique features of this lawless place.
Then the second item, the third item...
One auction item after another appeared on stage. Besides common items like weapons, elixir and medicinal materials, cultivation techniques, there were also antiques from past dynasties, peculiar natural items, extraterrestrial meteorites, and even eerie remains, among others.
During this process, Zhang Yuan watched without bidding, fully playing the role of a spectator.
This situation continued until a new item appeared on stage.
"Seven-leaf reishi, a seven hundred-year-old natural treasure, starting bid thirty thousand taels!"
Zhang Yuan instantly felt a surge of spirit, not expecting to actually guard this treasure looted from the Wu Family here.
He didn’t hurry to bid but waited for a while.
"Thirty-five thousand!"
Besides Zhang Yuan, many were interested in this natural treasure, quickly raising the price to fifty thousand.
Feeling that it was about time, Zhang Yuan then calmly raised his plate: "Sixty thousand!"
The advantage of having Storage Space is that he could carry all his wealth with him without any impact.
Over the past two years, although Zhang Yuan did not deliberately earn money, through salvaging shipwrecks, looting, and other channels, he had accumulated a seven-figure wealth by now.
He was entirely capable of participating in this competition.
"Number One Hundred Sixty-Seven, sixty thousand taels!"
The auctioneer shouted loudly, "Any higher bids?"
"Sixty-five thousand!"
The competitors did not give up and raised the bid again.
Before the auctioneer could speak, Zhang Yuan raised his plate a second time: "Eighty thousand."
"Eighty thousand, Number One Hundred Sixty-Seven bids eighty thousand!"
The auctioneer was so excited that his face turned red, almost wishing the bidders would fight right there.
At this moment, Zhang Yuan acutely noticed several gazes falling on him.
Some were curious, others filled with malice!
But he remained unfazed.
"Eighty thousand taels, second call."
"Eighty thousand taels, third call?"
"Sold!"
Zhang Yuan originally thought there would be a fierce competition, but unexpectedly, his opponent backed down directly.
Perhaps this price already exceeded the actual value of the seven-leaf reishi.
Or maybe the opponent had other ideas.
In any case, with the sound of the gavel hitting, Zhang Yuan successfully secured the Wu Family’s lost item for eighty thousand silver taels.
Afterward, led by a maid, he went to the back of the auction stage, paid the corresponding amount, and received the seven-leaf reishi contained in a sandalwood box.
Comparing with the data previously provided by the Wu Family, Zhang Yuan could confirm it was authentic.
To be honest, he felt the process was almost too smooth.
But regardless, since his purpose was already achieved, Zhang Yuan did not remain at the auction site.
He left the big tent with the seven-leaf reishi.
On his way back to the inn, Zhang Yuan noticed there were several "tails" behind him.
He wasn’t surprised by this at all.
Instead, he felt a sense of inevitability!
Upon returning to the inn, Zhang Yuan promptly checked out, then led his old horse, making his way out of the oasis.
It wasn’t long before he exited the oasis.
Mounting his steed, Zhang Yuan galloped towards the southeast.
Only a moment passed before several riders dashed out of the oasis, closely pursuing him!
