Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 653

Chapter 653

Chapter 653: The Final Item

“”Ladies and gentlemen, please wait for a moment . ” The Wine Master’s voice suddenly called out . The buyers all cast their eyes his way .

The Wine Master continued . “In recognition of your presence and support, the Eastern Alliance has decided to relinquish one final vital crystal for our auction, the best yet . It is on its way now, we simply ask you to wait a little longer . Jewelry Master, if you would fetch it for us?”

“Alright . ” Lan Jue rose to his feet and stepped out .

More? A final item?

The dejected face of the Western delegate changed and an excited light glinted in his eye . The Northern representative gaped at the Wine Master . This wasn’t on the auction agenda! However, there were no rules against adding items .

What sort of crystal could be even more impressive than the last one? When Lan Jue left the museum, he took a brief stroll along the Avenue . What did he need to get? The crystal was stored safely in Thor’s Promise .

When he returned to the hall, his arrival was heralded by an intensely rich aura . Cradled in his hands was a vital crystal, not particularly large .

The crystal itself was surrounded by a hazy rose-tinted hue . It was about the size of his palm, flat, and octagonal in shape . The surface was oddly ridged . This was far more potent than any of the crystals that they’d seen before .

The Terminator, who had for a while been silent, suddenly popped his eyes wide . The fire within them was fierce . He sensed that the energy inside was in a liquid state . What’s more, it had protogenia! Vital protogenia!

This crystal was alive with vital protogenia! Logically this meant only a Paragon could create it . The Avenue was holding onto a crystal like this all along? He could hardly believe it, but as a Paragon this crystal had tremendous significance .

Of course the Pontiff wasn’t the only one who desired to extend his life . The Terminator was no less urgent . Although he wasn’t as old, the process of converting his body into a machine had riddled his body with problems . Upon breaking through, protogenia helped to mitigate most of them, but they did not disappear . Whether he wanted to take the next step as a Paragon or just live longer, these problems had to be addressed . Vital protogenia would help greatly .

Lan Jue’s gait was deliberately slow, allowing everyone a chance to see the crystal, feel its energies . One could even use it to supplement their cultivation and catapult them to Paragon status!

Lucifer felt similarly . Although he was slightly weaker than Metatron, they were stuck at the same hurdle .

Dozens of fervent stares followed Lan Jue, but he paid them no mind . He hadn’t the slightest fear that someone might try to take advantage . What had happened to the Astral Phantom was still fresh on everyone’s mind . Skyfire Avenue had dealt with her handily . They sat within the Avenue after all, the museum – former home of the Clairvoyant .

Greedy eyes drank in the light of the crystal . Their minds raced . Everyone knew what this meant .

Lan Jue made his way to the Wine Master’s side .

The Avenue’s chairman did not immediately open bidding . “I imagine you’re all tired after such a long and competitive affair . We’ve prepared food and drink for you to enjoy . After a half hour break we’ll proceed with the bids for our final item . ” With that, both he and Lan Jue left the stage . There was a flash of silver, and they were gone .

When they vanished, order crumbled . The chatter became loud and unruly . Many were making calls to their backers with the news .

It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened at auction, but this level of ardency was unprecedented . The crystal was one-of-a-kind .

“I’m a little reluctant!” The Wine Master handed Lan Jue a glass of brandy . He sounded upset, clearly the crystal was of interest him, too .

“The covetous child can’t trick the wolf,” Lan Jue said through an impatient frown . You know what our goal is, here . Don’t you already have one, anyway?”

This final crystal was indeed one of the best they’d obtained during their time in the Starfields, capture by Jue Di in that single-punch massacre . However, there had been a good seven or eight other crystals which had been better than this one, which the Wine Master had access to .

The auction had been for the benefit of Skyfire Avenue, but they also had an ulterior motive . It wasn’t the Wine Master’s brainchild, but a suggestion from Jue Di . It was simple; Lan Qing would get his pick of the earnings from the auction, up to fifty percent of the total .

The alien planets were powerful enough to present a real danger, even for Jue Di . Something in there was more powerful than anything they’d encountered, but even Jue Di couldn’t tell how strong . In a situation like this, safety was only assured through personal strength . An Lun had been struggling for resources, especially ships .

The East was not flush, either . They only had four interstellar fleets . One was stationed on An Lun, but it was hardly their strongest . It was unsatisfying . Indeed, their interest was making sure the other side didn’t outpace them .

However, right now the situation had changed . Lan Qing was a Paragon, inheriting great abilities . His influence in the East was vast . As far as the East was concerned, strengthening An Lun was in everyone’s best interest . They would worry about the scope of his power if humanity survived the alien menace .

The Eastern government agreed to Skyfire Avenue’s suggestion . It was part of the reason why Lan Qing was at the auction .

The Wine Master replied . “Ah, you . A real scoundrel . Collaborations between you and Hua Li are going well? Ah, who’d have thought he’d be a Paragon?” He hadn’t known, but once Hua Li revealed his face the secret was out . He and Lan Jue were so close, he couldn’t blame them .

Lan Jue answered . “I didn’t think it would be so fast, either . It must be an inheritance . In fact, every generation of the Poseidon family has a Paragon . It’s a power that’s passed down . Hua Li’s father must have sacrificed much to lift him into this Domain . Once it’s stabilized, he’ll be a true Paragon . Right now my brother and Hua Li have both ascended, A-Cheng is sequestered away in cultivation . I’ve fallen so behind . Skyfire Avenue isn’t hiding any secret powers that’d make a Paragon, eh?”

“Enough crap,” the Wine Master muttered in irritation . “If we did could anything compare to Jue Di? He’s showed you the way step by step, there’s no better situation . ”

Lan Jue changed the subject . “This auction has been a great success, but I’m not sure about the next one . They’re likely already bitter at having to give up so many strategic resources . I’ve already set up the jewelry shop, you want to let them out for fresh air?”

The Wine Master nodded . “It’s all prepared . When the auction is over the news will get out . ”

Some participants in the auction found it impossible to compete, and were going to go home empty-handed . Their longing for even one was almost too much to bear . The Avenue still had many, and could use this opportunity to sell another batch on the black market . Prices weren’t limited to ships; mechas and power gems were also accepted as valuable resources . They planned to leverage the crystals’ rarity to get whatever they needed .

There had been a plan for this auction from the beginning . First, was to put the West’s doubts to rest . Then suck up as much power from their rivals as possible . This was how they would profit from the crystals . Also, it gave them an opportunity to puzzle out the state of these governments and wealthy families . Under all of that, though, the intent was to prepare the East as best they can for the alien invasion, and as a deterrent force against their neighbors .

The East’s relative weakness wasn’t something that would be changed overnight . However, the fact that their Alliance had a bevy of powerful Adepts . Their sheer number of Paragons was a deterrent against attacks, and it was only going to grow . The East or North would have to destroy the Avenue to take it .