Chapter 422 - Auction Request

The auction officially commenced with the three God Kings’ arrival. As the treasures were brought out one after another, the guests eagerly joined the bidding.

Most of the Gods knew that they couldn’t compete with the Major Gods and God Kings in terms of wealth, so few even considered vying for the Fire Ring. Instead, they focused on securing some of the rare treasures that Imperial College was auctioning.

The three God Kings sat upon their thrones and looked at the items, watching the proceedings with keen interest. Even they found themselves tempted by some of the treasures. Anything qualified to appear in an Imperial College auction was bound to be of exceptional quality.

When an 8-Star God equipment appeared, the True Martial God King joined the bidding. The Gods and Major Gods immediately withdrew. However much they desired it, none were foolish enough to risk True Martial’s ire. In the end, he won the treasure for an astonishingly low price and looked quite satisfied with the result.

Light offered a cordial smile. “Congratulations on acquiring something to your liking, True Martial.”

True Martial replied, “It’s just luck. I have to admit, Imperial College’s wealth is staggering. They can bring out enough treasures to bankrupt a God King just trying to bid for them.”

Light chuckled. “True Martial, you are exaggerating. The resources your faction controls could easily rival theirs.”

True Martial sighed. “Those belong to the faction, not to me. Every member in my faction is a greedy bastard. They lose their minds whenever I try to claim anything for myself. It’s nothing like your situation, Light.”

Light chuckled again, silently agreeing. His faction operated under a different system altogether. He stood at its pinnacle, revered by every Major God and God beneath him. All their offerings went directly to him without fail. In a sense, he could take whatever he desired without needing to ask or announce it. He was quite literally their god.

As they spoke, the newly ascended Blazing God King approached. “Greetings, seniors. May I ask for your advice? I have just ascended and plan to form a faction of my own.”

The two God Kings welcomed him warmly and shared what they had learned through hardship. They spoke of the various obstacles they faced when establishing their factions, and Blazing listened intently. After all, their experience had been earned at the cost of a huge amount of Divine Essence.

As time went on, the auction neared its end. The final item, the Fire Ring, was revealed on stage.

Blazing excused himself from the two and turned his full attention to it. The Fire Ring was the reason he had come. To purchase it, he had prepared an obscene amount of Divine Essence, even borrowing from his friends to ensure he had enough.

Xu Hai, who oversaw the auction, stepped forward to explain how the bidding for the Fire Ring would proceed. Unlike the other treasures, the Fire Ring’s owner had requested that bidders offer items in exchange rather than Divine Essence.

However, the exchange items came with specific restrictions. Han Wu had already provided Xu Hai with a list of his conditions. According to it, bidders needed to present at least four treasures that could be used by Major Gods to qualify for the exchange.

The first needed to be a fire-type treasure, ideally one compatible with the Flame Demons. The second needed to be tailored for insect races, such as a treasure that could advance a powerful Evolution Path for locusts or a Rank 6 Sacred Object with similar effects. The third needed to be a treasure for the undead, preferably one that improved the skeletons’ strength. The fourth needed to be related to martial arts, capable of completing an Evolution Path for races that relied on physical combat.

If multiple bidders offered treasures of comparable value, the one presenting more powerful items would gain the advantage. Xu Hai concluded by stating that the Fire Ring’s owner reserved the right to reject any treasures that they found unsatisfactory.

The conditions were so restrictive that many Major Gods grew resentful. They suspected that the owner never intended to part with it at all. Yet none dared to act out while under the watchful eye of Imperial College.

Even Blazing was taken aback. He had come prepared with vast stores of Divine Essence but hadn’t expected the bidding to depend on barter.

Finding treasures, especially ones meeting those exact criteria, was nearly impossible on short notice. Still, he refused to give up. The Magic Rings were legendary even within the Divine Civilization, and this one aligned perfectly with his element.

If he could claim it, his strength would rise by at least 20%. That was more than enough firepower to solidify his standing as a newly ascended God King and give him the strength to found his own faction.

Determined to seize the opportunity, he stood up and addressed the crowd. “I am Lie Zhentian, and I must obtain the Fire Ring at all costs. I ask to borrow your treasures for the time being. Whatever you lend me, I will repay twice over in the future. I hope everyone can lend their support.”

Everyone was stunned. None of them had ever seen a God King lower his head to plead with those beneath him. Many of the Gods who had no chance of obtaining the Fire Ring but possessed one or two treasures that fit the conditions started stepping forward to offer them to Blazing.

“Lord Blazing God King, I once fought an intense battle in another civilization and almost died. By chance, I obtained a powerful fire treasure. I hope it will be able to help you.”

“Lord Blazing God King, I managed to purchase a treasure fit for the insect race from a mysterious merchant during my travels in another civilization. I hope it serves your purpose.”

“Lord Blazing God King, I have an undead treasure that has followed me for many years. I am willing to part ways with it today, if you’ll allow me to join your faction once it’s established.”

“Oh, Lord Blazing God King, I possess an Epiphany Tree capable of assisting the races to improve their martial arts. Please accept it.”

“Lord Blazing God King, my son has the Fire Aspect. I hope you can accept him into your faction, even if it means assigning him a low-level position. In return, I am willing to part ways with a Rank 6 Sacred Object that can help the insect race grow stronger."

Many offered their treasures to Blazing. Sensing that the Fire Ring was already within his grasp, he quickly examined the items and selected four that suited Han Wu’s conditions.

While plenty supported Blazing, just as many despised him. Those who opposed him had the Fire Aspect and specialized in using flames as well. To them, the Fire Ring was equally important. If they could obtain it, they would even have a chance to dethrone the current Blazing God King one day.

Still, Blazing had received an impressive number of treasures, many of exceptional quality, which gave him a clear advantage. With so many powerful offerings, his chances of securing the Fire Ring were remarkably high.

Meanwhile, several Major Gods whispered among themselves, conspiring to combine their resources. They all signed Soul Oaths agreeing that, should they obtain the Fire Ring, they would share it equally.

In the end, Xu Hai received eighteen lists of treasures from eighteen different individuals. He discreetly passed them to Han Wu, allowing him to make the final choice.