Tier-eight artifacts were considered godly artifacts, treasures that existed at the very peak of what the Magus Alliance recognized. Such items were almost exclusively held by the highest echelon of the magus world, most often in the hands of the most powerful Supre beings. Even many of the strongest grand magus could only dream of ever possessing one.
The re possibility that such a treasure might appear tonight stirred the entire auction hall.
Many grand magus leaned forward in their seats, their attention completely fixed on the stage. Conversations that had once been quiet whispers now carried a clear undertone of anticipation. At the sa ti, several powerful auras briefly flared from the VIP chambers above before quickly receding again.
Klea glanced around the crowded hall and suddenly understood sothing. "This must be why it's so packed today," she murmured.
Ery also lifted his gaze toward the upper balconies.
If a tier-eight artifact truly appeared tonight, the competition would be terrifying. Those rooms were filled with individuals whose influence and wealth far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.
With only thirty thousand palace points, Ery knew he could not realistically compete with them.
Still, he had his own goals for the night.
A high-quality sword capable of withstanding his primal power... and perhaps a few protective items for the three won beside him.
"Let the auction begin!"
A shimring display appeared above the stage as the first item slowly descended from the ceiling platform.
It was a leather armor, crafted from the hide of an ancient beast. The dark crimson surface carried faint golden veins that pulsed gently with protective energy. Inside the armor, countless layers of intricate runic inscriptions had been engraved to strengthen the wearer's defenses and enhance spirit resistance.
"A mid-grade Tier Seven protective armor, forged from the hide of the Crimson Abyss Drake," the auctioneer announced proudly.
Ery's eyes widened slightly.
A very practical item.
"The starting price is 1000 palace points, with minimum incrents of 100 points."
The bidding began almost instantly.
"1200!"
"1500!"
"1800!"
Within monts the numbers began climbing rapidly as multiple grand magus competed fiercely for the armor.
Protective artifacts were always extrely valuable.
Ery briefly considered joining the bidding. It would certainly make an
excellent protective item for one of the girls.
However, before he could even raise his hand, the price surged past 3000
palace points within minutes.
Ery blinked in surprise.
The number continued climbing.
"3200!"
"3400!"
"3800!"
Then suddenly a man seated near the front rows raised his hand and calmly announced-
"5000."
The hall fell briefly silent.
The price was already higher than the armor's usual value.
Ery overheard a whisper from a grand magus sitting behind him.
"That man is about to face his cosmic tribulation soon... he's desperate for a good defensive artifact."
Understanding dawned on Ery.
If the man truly planned to break through soon, then spending extra palace points for protection made perfect sense.
Although Ery could easily afford to raise the price further, he had no intention of wasting points unnecessarily. He glanced toward Klea, Morgana, and Rosia.
"Do any of you want it?"
All three won shook their heads almost imdiately.
Not because of the price.
"That design is awful," Klea muttered.
Rosia nodded in agreent.
Even Morgana showed a faint expression of disapproval.
Ery could only sigh silently.
The first item was quickly sold, and the auction continued.
Several more treasures appeared afterward. So of the weapons were impressive, but they did not match his fighting style, while many of the materials were simply unnecessary for him.
It was not until the tenth item appeared that Ery finally leaned forward.
A chest slowly opened on the stage, revealing a collection of fine golden grains
that shimred like tiny stars.
"This is Golden Cleanse Marrow," the auctioneer announced.
It was a rare substance known for its ability to refine and strengthen a cultivator's cosmic body, gradually purifying internal impurities while enhancing the stability of one's physical foundation. The material had many applications, from body tempering to assisting breakthroughs during early cosmic cultivation stages.
However, for powerful cultivators like Ery and Morgana, who already possessed exceptionally strong physiques-especially as halfbloods-the benefits would be relatively limited. Their bodies had long surpassed the level where such materials could produce significant improvent.
For cultivators like Klea and Rosia, however, the effect would be far more valuable.
Recognizing this imdiately, Ery raised his hand and placed his bid.
"500"
Another voice quickly responded.
"600"
The bidding continued for a short ti. Because the material was mainly useful
for one-cosmos cultivators, most of the more powerful figures in the hall showed little interest. Still, the sheer number of participants slowly pushed the
price upward.
Before long, the bid reached 1000 palace points.
Ery decided not to prolong the competition. He raised his hand and
increased the bid to 2000 palace points, imdiately securing the item.
It was slightly overpriced, but the chest contained enough Golden Cleanse Marrow to refine the bodies of three to four cultivators. Ery also considered using the remaining material for research or other experintal purposes. Knowing what the material had been purchased for, Klea gave him a grateful
smile.
"Thank you."
The auction continued.
Another item soon attracted attention: a strange artifact called the Beacon of
Vigil, a lantern capable of emitting powerful purification flas that could destroy undead creatures and ghostly entities.
If Ery had possessed such an item during his battle with Talaro, the fight
would have been far easier.
Still, the artifact's efficiency was extrely conditional. It was only truly valuable against specific enemies. When the price climbed past 4000 palace points, Ery decided to give up on the item.
Although he possessed over thirty thousand points, he had no intention of spending them recklessly. So of those points would be needed later for
techniques and knowledge within the Virtual Palace.
The auction eventually reached the eighteenth item.
This ti, Rosia leaned forward.
A sleek low-grade tier-seven bow appeared on the stage. The weapon itself possessed no elental affinity, but it contained a rare enchantnt that enhanced the user's divine sense, greatly improving accuracy
and perception when firing ranged attacks.
Rosia's eyes lit up imdiately.
Fortunately, the competition for the bow was not particularly fierce.
After a short bidding exchange, Ery secured the weapon for 1600 palace
points.
Rosia smiled brightly.
Several more items followed.
Still, Ery had yet to find the sword he wanted.
The next item slowly descended onto the stage, imdiately drawing the
attention of the entire hall.
Massive flaming bone wings, unfolded in the air above the platform. The
artifact radiated an intimidating presence even before the auctioneer finished
presenting it.
"This is the Infernal Sovereign Wings, a mid-grade Tier Seven flying artifact"
The wings had been forged from the skeletal fra of an ancient creature.
Their structure consisted of dark crimson bone that burned with slow, eternal
flas. Heat waves rippled outward from the wings, causing the surrounding air to
distort slightly as if the artifact itself carried a lingering will from the divine
beast it once belonged to.
However, their origin also made them difficult to wield. The flas contained within the wings demanded a user with a trendously strong physique, otherwise the artifact's power could easily injure the wearer instead.
Ery imdiately realized how impressive such an relic was.
Then he noticed sothing else.
Beside him, Morgana-who had remained silent throughout most of the auction -was staring directly at the stage.
Genuine interest appeared in her eyes.
It was obvious to Ery that the Infernal Sovereign Wings were an artifact
perfectly suited for her.
However, the starting price quickly left him dumbfounded.
"Starting bid: 3000 palace points."
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