Seraphina Valerius stood center stage, her red hair gleaming like a flame under the spotlights.
"Our first item!" she announced, gesturing to a tray held by a levitating silver construct. "The Heaven-Sunder Pill. Formulated in the heart of the Golden Dragon Empire. It guarantees a ninety percent success rate for anyone attempting to break through to the peak of the Golden Core Realm."
The room erupted.
"Five hundred thousand spirit stones!" a merchant from the Southern Trade Union shouted, his voice cracking.
"Seven hundred thousand!" countered a General from the Black Army Fleet.
The Captain of the White Unicorns leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "One million spirit stones."
The hall went silent for a heartbeat. The White Unicorns rarely bid unless the Crown was interested. But then, a lazy, arrogant voice drawled from the Royal Box.
"Two million," Prince Charles said, not even looking at the stage.
The Captain's jaw tightened. "Two point five million."
