It was an irregular, crimson crystal, as large as an adult's head. Its entire body was blood-red and translucent, devoid of any impurities. When light shone upon it, the crystal cast a vast, red shadow, like a sea of blood.
"This crystal ore has a starting bid of one copper soul coin. Bidding increments are unlimited. Any guests or VIPs who are interested may place their bids."
The auctioneer's calm words elicited expressions of understanding from many in the audience.
In auction houses, when items appear that even the auction house cannot appraise, or that have been certified by various parties as having no value but are extremely mystical, such a bidding format emerges.
Free bidding!
Starting at one copper soul coin, with no upper limit to the bids.
"Little fox, what is this thing? Why are you so concerned?"
Wang Zhong communicated mentally with the small fox hidden within his sea of consciousness, asking with curiosity.
Meanwhile, below the stage, many people had already begun placing bids. Although no one present could process or forge this crimson crystal, its extreme hardness still sparked interest.
What if they accidentally discovered something that could dissolve it!
Even if Lou Gao couldn't, there were three God Craftsmen in this world. If he couldn't, there were others!
Some people, simply out of curiosity or a collector's whim, also bid a couple of times in small groups.
However, after several rounds, the crimson crystal had only reached one thousand gold soul coins, a far cry from the previous two auction items.
"That is my blood!"
The words transmitted from the little fox's mind made Wang Zhong's pupils contract sharply.
"One million years ago, I engaged in a final battle with the Holy Spirit Cult's leader. I was defeated!"
"The consequence of my defeat was having my bones forcibly extracted from my body, and all my flesh and blood became food for him!"
"I thought all my flesh and blood should have been completely consumed by him."
"But I never expected that he would refine my bones into something akin to soul bones."
"And this red crystal before me, if I am not mistaken, should be one of the vital drops of blood that scattered upon the earth when my spine was drawn out!"
Wang Zhong's heart trembled violently at this moment. Although the little fox's words were incredibly calm, as if speaking of someone else's affairs, the mere imagination of it conveyed the immense pain and hatred involved.
To have one's bones extracted while still alive, what a horrific torture! To have one's flesh and blood gnawed clean, with not even a corpse preserved, what tragic and sorrowful a fate!
The little fox's past was an era far more terrifying, bloody, and cruel than Wang Zhong could have imagined.
"Do you want this blood to recover your strength?"
Wang Zhong stared at the crimson crystal on the stage, his brow furrowed tightly. If it could be useful to the little fox, he would spare no effort to bid for it.
"No, I am merely your martial soul now. The stronger you are, the stronger I become!"
"The reason I want you to bid for it is because it is useful to you!"
"Useful to me?" Wang Zhong didn't quite understand.
"Indeed!"
"Ning Wudi, you personally experienced the power of his tenth soul ring, the Blood Qi soul ring."
"If you wish to condense a Blood Qi soul ring similar to his, my blood is of paramount importance!"
The little fox's tone also carried a hint of gravity.
"To condense a Blood Qi soul ring, it is absolutely impossible to rely solely on the body and blood qi. It requires a catalyst, or rather, fuel!"
"It is possible to forge it by igniting one's own flesh, blood, bones, spirit, and soul power, with an unyielding spirit and a fearless heart, for years or even decades!"
"Moreover, this catalyst fuel must be an extremely powerful,异种 (yì zhǒng - foreign/uncommon) blood!"
"If I am not mistaken, the catalyst Ning Wudi used was dragon blood! And the most pure essence of dragon blood! His white hair and dark skin are the best proof!"
Wang Zhong inwardly gasped, the purest essence of dragon blood!
Considering the entire continent, any powerful soul beast was either related to dragons or bore their lineage. The Azure Ox Python, merely possessing a trace of dragon blood, had dominated the Star Dou Great Forest for countless years.
In the deep seas, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King had roamed the oceans for nearly 300,000 years, only to complete one step towards becoming a dragon, not a true dragon species.
The power of the dragon bloodline was evident from this.
How could Ning Wudi not be powerful, having forged his Blood Qi soul ring with pure dragon essence?
However, another piece of information revealed by the little fox also shocked Wang Zhong immensely.
Its blood could rival dragon essence!
How powerful was the little fox in its past? And how terrifying must its victor, the Holy Spirit Cult's leader, have been?
However, these were not matters he could dwell on for now.
"Two thousand gold soul coins!"
By the window, Wang Zhong listened to the bids from below and directly raised the price from sixteen hundred gold soul coins to two thousand.
A bid increase of four hundred immediately deterred many. Such a price might be astronomical for commoners, but for them, it was merely a drop in the bucket.
It wasn't impossible to bid higher, but what was the point of buying such an item? It was only for show and couldn't be used. As a collectible with no practical use or future value, it was unnecessary.
Furthermore, those who could bid from private rooms were undoubtedly of noble status in the Star Luo Empire. Rather than inadvertently offend them, it was better to show them respect and goodwill.
Many people, though masked, smiled and nodded at Wang Zhong, who also stood masked by the window, holding a little girl about four or five years old, signaling they would not bid further.
Wang Zhong returned their smiles with a friendly one.
But just then, another voice rang out.
"Three thousand gold soul coins!"
The moment he heard this voice, Wang Zhong's brow furrowed. He recognized its owner, and it was coming from the private room adjacent to his.
Davis!
This voice's appearance also startled Zhu Zhuqing and her three sisters; they clearly recognized Davis as well.
Wang Zhong rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
The opponent's timely intervention clearly indicated he had recognized Wang Zhong's voice and intended to cause trouble, seeking some amusement.
"Five thousand gold soul coins," Wang Zhong said, his brow slightly creased, his voice calm.
As expected, Davis next door chuckled, "I didn't recognize your voice earlier. If I had known it was you, those nine pearls wouldn't have fallen into your hands!"
"Seven thousand gold soul coins!"
An atmosphere of rivalry filled the auction hall, and many onlookers displayed expressions of anticipation.
"Tch, so annoying!"
Wang Zhong sighed heavily, unable to act out.
The auction house did not care about one's true intentions to sell; as long as one could afford it, it was theirs!
Moreover, the highest bidder wins. Even if Davis didn't know the true purpose of the crimson crystal and merely wanted to buy it to discard, it was his prerogative.
And Wang Zhong, who genuinely desired this crystal, would have to obtain ownership from him at an even higher price.