Murim Recurve

Even though the figures of every one was hidden by the gowns, their subtle change in posture, the way they inched their hand towards the levers, and the number of gazes directed at her, all allowed the auctioneer lady to determine their interest in the item.

She chuckled, thinking, 'This will be a successful auction indeed.'

Her energetic voice boomed through the auction house, "We'll start with the first coupon. Starting price is 400 RuQi."

The sounds of many levers being pressed at the same time resounded. As they were pressed at the same time, the auctioneer lady only looked at the seat that had pressed the largest denomination, "Seat number 691 starts with raising the price by 100 RuQi."

More than twenty levers were pulled the next instant. As if she had trained her life to this very day, the auctioneer lady wasn't even flustered. With a single glance, she determined the seats to focus upon, choosing one of the seats that had bid the highest price.

And, she always picked the seat that seemed the least confident among the lot that had bid the same price. This way, the others would bid more. And because of this, the price of the item would increase.

With a single general glance, numerous data streamed into her mind. It was as if she had practiced the same thing tens of thousands of times that even a subtle action among the crowd was enough for her to get a clue about them.

It was as if the audience wasn't covered by the gowns but were laid bare, with their facial expressions zoomed further for her to see. This was how they looked in her eyes, thanks to the tremendous volume of experience she had gathered.

This was the very reason she took charge of the auction, one that was the most important and the largest in their state's past decade of auctions. This way, her subtle manipulations caused the people to spend more money than they would have done normally.

After all, when more than two people bid with the same price, it was her choice as to who to pick. Moreover, in such cases, it meant they would be continuing until there was a clear winner. So, it didn't even matter. It was just to announce the increase in the price.

But, the way it was told spurred the intentions of the crowd to fight with one another in a battle of money. Moreover, even if they were triggered, nothing negative would happen. After all, the identities of everyone among the crowd were protected by the Royal Clan.

This was the reason she riled up everyone as much as she could. Upon seeing their enthusiasm, she smiled, shouting with renewed gusto, "Seat number 207 has increased the price by another 100 RuQi."

"Seat number 11 has increased it by another 100 RuQi."

"Amazing, we have a fierce competitor among us now. Seat number 207 has increased the price by 1000 RuQi. Do we have a winner here? Is there anyone else who wishes to bid for this coupon?"

After reiterating the usual phrase thrice, the auctioneer smiled, "Congratulations, seat number 207 has won this coupon."

It was Re'Kha that had won it. She wasn't happy though, wondering if she had spent too much money on it. She wasn't sure if raising the amount by 100 every time would work or if it would cause the price to increase too much upon the gradual increments. So, she had increased it by 1000 RuQi.

She spent 1700 RuQi in total for the coupon. Once the price was set, the auctioneer lady sold the second coupon. And upon seeing the price it was sold for, Re'Kha heaved a sigh in relief, feeling that she hadn't spent too much.

For, all the other coupons more or less sold around the same price as hers. The last three coupons even crossed the 2000 RuQi mark and were the most expensive of the lot.

Once all the items were sold, the auctioneer lady watched another young Harmoniser bring in an item stored inside a box, revealing it as she smiled, "We have a Fire Qi Essence. Starting price is 300 RuQi."

"Seat number 3 increases it by 10 RuQi."

"Seat number…"

"Seat…"

"The Fire Qi Essence is sold for 1380 RuQi."

What arrived next were a series of Elemental Qi Essences, totalling 5 Fire Qi Essences, 4 Water Qi Essences, 8 Metal Qi Essences, and 2 Lightning Qi Essences.

On seeing as how the prices of the later Metal Qi Essences were dropping as compared to the initial ones, the auctioneer lady motioned with her hands, subtly telling the people working backstage to change the order of the items. They were told by the capital to distribute a lot of Elemental Qi Essences this time, so they had no other choice but to do so. Hence, they took up a lot of the item slots.

The auctioneer lady then smiled upon seeing the next item that was being brought. At the side of each trolley was a tiny number plate. There were four-digit numbers inscribed on each trolley. As it was positioned on the side, the audience wouldn't be able to notice it.

But as for her, she had already memorised all the items. So, the moment she saw the code number, she immediately knew the item that was being brought and prepared her lines accordingly.

But for the current item, the code wasn't even needed. For, it was a massive item that two people carefully pushed forth on the trolley that was custom made to hold it. It was a large wall, spanning the height of a person and the width of two people.

It was completely made of stone, seemingly a mural. And inscribed on it was an elaborate scene, vividly described. The moment it was revealed, everyone among the crowd stirred in response. For, it wasn't an item of their race, but one of their spoils of war from the Treka.

Seated on seat number 200, Ki'Nua was startled for a moment as she stirred up in shock.