Chapter 977: A High-Tech Product?

Even though the God-Slaying Shuttle was damaged, there were still plenty of people interested in it. After all, the legends surrounding it were simply too fearsome. If it really could be restored, it would be an item capable of threatening an Emperor's life. Of course, to the Ancestral Court, it was certainly considered a bottom-of-the-chest treasure, and for it to appear in this super auction meant they were truly squeezing out everything they had.

"Alright, let the bidding begin. The starting price is one thousand amethystine coins, with each increment no less than one hundred amethystine coins," announced the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.

The starting price wasn't high. The most attractive thing about the God-Slaying Shuttle was its research value, after all; since it was entirely unusable, it could only be used as a research object or a fancy collectible. If even the Emperors couldn't fix it, then it likely couldn't be fixed at all, and that made the legendary weapon become nothing more than a legendary paperweight. That was why most bidders were hesitant.

"One thousand one hundred amethystine coins!" A first bid appeared, not from one of the VIP rooms.

"One thousand two hundred amethystine coins..."

The bidding began. There were indeed people interested; after all, this was the God-Slaying Shuttle, famous for slaughtering dragons and even an Emperor! The pace of bidding wasn't fast, though. At another auction, this item might not have even sold at all. Anyone with a brain would give up on it. But as the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor had said, it still had research value. Maybe something useful could be learned from it.

As a result, those bidding were generally considered the "brains" of the demon and nymph races—those keen to obtain it and carefully study it, even if they couldn't restore it. Perhaps they'd find something.

"One thousand seven hundred amethystine coins, VIP Room Eleven." The Peacock Demon clan also joined the bidding. While they weren't known for their research capabilities, the Aetherhorn Deer clan was; as one of the most intelligent demon clans, they had to give it a shot.

Tang San hesitated for a few moments but ultimately didn't bid. He didn't dare compete with Mei Gongzi. Otherwise, he'd definitely get "dealt with" later. He decided that if Mei Gongzi won this item, he'd ask to borrow it for a look later. If she gave up, he'd then join the bidding.

In the end, the Peacock Demon clan really was determined and won the damaged God-Slaying Shuttle for 2,300 amethystine coins.

The Illusion God Mask and the God-Slaying Shuttle—two of the final ten items had already appeared, and both had been won by the previously low-key VIP Room Eleven, showing that the Peacock Demon clan's wealth was not just a rumour. Indeed, throwing in over seven thousand amethystine coins for just two items, and both of questionable use, was a clear sign of having nothing better to do with one's money.

These two auction lots definitely left many hopeful bidders a bit disappointed. Considering these were the final treasures, they didn't seem as impactful as they'd expected, and the bids reflected that. Few people had competed for them. So how would the rest fare?

"Bring forth the third auction item," said the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor, unfazed by the lack of enthusiasm so far.

As a new auction table rose up, another item came into view.

It was a weapon made in a very ancient-looking style. It was shaped somewhat like a saber and about two meters long, with the hilt taking up a third of its length and the rest a broad, curved blade. It was a dull gray in color, and the many scratches and nicks that decorated the blade showed that it had been well used.

No powerful aura emanated from it. If it weren't in this auction, it might've been mistaken for an old battle saber, nothing more.

The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor looked at the blade as it rose before him, then stepped back and, to everyone's surprise, bowed slightly to it in full view of the crowd.

This scene stunned the entire hall.

Straightening back up, the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor spoke solemnly. "This saber originally had no name. It belonged to a friend of mine—a comrade, I should say. As you know, the Celestial Fox clan has little to show in terms of combat abilities. We typically have protectors by our side, as we are too vulnerable before reaching godhood. The owner of this war blade was my protector, and also my dearest friend. On the day of my tribulation, I was suddenly attacked. He gave his life to shield me, buying me the chance to ascend. Without him, I would not be who I am today.

"After his death, I kept his blade with me. Today, I bring it forth to find a new inheritor. It holds a fragment of my comrade's will; after his death, part of his divine consciousness fused with it. Over these years, I have nurtured it with the power of fortune, and it has grown. I have given it a name: Soaring Cloud. It is a symbol of will and power, and as befitting of an item that hosts my comrade's spirit, it is now a true divine item. The starting bid is three thousand amethystine coins, with each increment no less than one hundred amethystine coins. The bidding begins now."

The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's story was brief and not particularly thrilling, but it said everything it needed to.

The Soaring Cloud Divine Blade might not be the most powerful divine item, yet it represented not only a divine item suitable for combat, but also the friendship of the Celestial Fox clan. That was the true prize. Whoever obtained this blade would surely win the friendship of the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor, something that couldn't be measured in mere amethystine coins.

As soon as the bidding opened, the price exploded.

"Five thousand amethystine coins!" The first bid jumped dramatically, and it didn't even come from the VIP rooms, but from outside.

Anyone participating in this auction, even those outside the VIP rooms, was undoubtedly a powerhouse. Not just anyone could afford something like this.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Fifty-five hundred amethystine coins, VIP Room Six." The Behemoth clan had always been close allies of the Celestial Fox clan; unlike the dragon and phoenix races, their numbers were lacking, and they needed support.

The price kept climbing, mostly in increments of five hundred.

Tang San, in VIP Room Eight, couldn't help but be speechless. These bidders thought that if they won this blade, they'd get the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's blessing in the Emperor's Tournament?

What a fantasy! If the Celestial Fox clan directly interferes in the tournament, wouldn't that trigger a war with the Solstice Empire? And as for friendship with the Celestial Fox clan... Isn't that just up to the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor himself? Whatever happens depends on who ends up buying it.

Tang San glanced at the saber. Indeed, it contained a strong battle will, but calling it a divine item was a bit of a stretch.

The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor is really something else. Now this is clearly a money grab.

This was a real fool's tax, and something Tang San had no intention of paying. Fortunately, he was a denizen of the Solstice Empire, so no one expected him to flatter the Empyrean Dominion.

He wasn't interested, but that didn't mean no one else was. The price kept going up and quickly surpassed ten thousand amethystine coins.

A weapon worth at most a thousand, and that even with the "special" auction prices, going for over ten thousand... What madness!

Tang San could only sit back and watch the drama unfold. In the end, the Soaring Cloud Divine Blade was won for 11,300 amethystine coins by an anonymous buyer not from a VIP room.

Most of the auction's participants were silently sighing.

So many rich fools...