Chapter 27: The Auction

Joining the Palace of War Gods and spreading his own reputation was already enough for Jiang Chen to consider his objective achieved. As for making the acquaintance of powerful individuals from other factions, that was merely incidental—a bit useful, but not much. Ever since he’d realized he’d transmigrated into the world of Swallowed Star, Jiang Chen had set his sights on the universe itself, paying little heed to the power struggles on Earth. As long as those squabbles didn’t interfere with his true goals, he couldn’t care less how tumultuous things became.

Back in reality, the production of the new generation of “Boxer” was proceeding in an orderly fashion under Jarvis’s supervision. In about a week it would be completed and ready for combat testing. Jiang Chen himself had cut back on his time spent in the library and instead bought a large quantity of throwing knives, beginning to familiarize himself with planetary-level strength. He wasn’t aiming for unmatched combat prowess, but he did want precise control over his own abilities.

Perhaps because his expectations for himself were modest, by the time the experimental model of the new “Boxer” was finished, Jiang Chen could already manage to wield more than a dozen throwing knives in battle, albeit with difficulty. Only two or three of them could unleash their full power, while the others could at best disrupt an opponent’s judgment—but that was already enough to easily overwhelm anyone below planetary level. Even some newly advanced planetary-level powerhouses might not withstand Jiang Chen’s onslaught.

At lower levels, the range and speed advantage of a spiritual force master was simply overwhelming. What’s more, upon breaking through, Jiang Chen’s spiritual power immediately reached the fifth planetary level. Even just relying on raw statistics, he could annihilate the vast majority of planetary-level one or two opponents who had no special trump cards.

Nevertheless, Jiang Chen’s standards for his own strength remained modest before he officially ventured into the universe; being “good enough” sufficed. Various technological wonders, though considered “external aids,” were much better suited to Earth’s current conditions.

On August 15th, Jiang Chen donned his virtual helmet and entered the Palace of War Gods. The fifteenth of every month was the date of the Palace’s grand auction. In the hall, aside from a handful of powerhouses who truly could not attend, nearly every War God and Councilor appeared in person. Jiang Chen sat with Luo Feng.

Just a few days after Jiang Chen joined the Palace, Luo Feng had also become a member, earning the title “Invincible War God.”

“I can’t believe you quietly became a councilor!” Luo Feng’s tone held a trace of frustration. He’d thought his own strength was improving fast enough, but hadn’t expected Jiang Chen to overtake him.

“I told you long ago, don’t think about challenging me,” Jiang Chen replied with a slight smile. The future Lord Luo, who would shake countless Source Worlds, was now just a greenhorn not even at the planetary level. Perhaps Luo Feng’s potential was monstrous, his future limitless, but for now—and for several years to come—Jiang Chen was confident he could suppress him. The sensation was quite delightful. Subduing ordinary people brought no sense of achievement, but holding down a peerless prodigy—especially one who happened to be a close friend—was immensely satisfying.

Just as Luo Feng was about to speak, the auction hall suddenly fell silent. The spotlight illuminated the auction platform, where a Chinese and a Western man stood, hosting the proceedings in both Chinese and English. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the 15th again; we meet once more!” announced the Chinese host, echoed in English by his counterpart. With a wave of their hands, projections of numerous items appeared around the stage, only to quickly vanish.

“This auction features seventy-two lots, many of which are extremely rare. I now declare the auction officially open!” the host proclaimed. “The first item: a centuries-old artwork—Vincent van Gogh’s 1890 masterpiece, Portrait of Dr. Gachet. The starting price is one billion Huaxia yuan.” A huge image of the painting appeared above the hall, slowly rotating so every War God and Councilor could examine its details.

Jiang Chen and Luo Feng had little interest in such things and watched only out of curiosity. Still, there were plenty of powerhouses who enjoyed collecting antiques and famous paintings, and bidding soon began. In the end, the piece was won by a War God from Europe for 3.2 billion Huaxia yuan.

One item after another came up for auction, but neither Jiang Chen nor Luo Feng made any bids.

At last—

“The thirty-ninth item: a vial of Water of Life. Starting price: ten billion Huaxia yuan.”

Luo Feng’s eyes lit up at the announcement, and he immediately called out, “Eleven billion!”

Beside the projection of the Water of Life, Luo Feng’s image appeared. The hall fell silent.

In the audience, Luo Feng muttered in surprise, “Why isn’t anyone bidding?”

He knew well that a vial of Water of Life fetched nearly thirty billion on the open market. Even if it didn’t reach that within the Palace of War Gods, it typically sold for around twenty billion at past auctions. At the War God level, earning money was easy; a hundred billion might be a fortune to an ordinary person, but for a War God, even without hunting high-level monsters, serving various factions and organizations for a steady salary could amass such wealth within a few years.

“There are only a handful of ‘Invincible War Gods’ on Earth,” explained a female War God beside him. “And it’s your first auction—if no one’s desperate, they’ll give you this one as a gesture. But this courtesy won’t be extended next time; then, it’ll be every bidder for themselves.” She was Jiang Fang, an instructor from the Elite Training Camp of the Limit Martial Hall—Luo Feng’s mentor. Though she shared a surname with Jiang Chen, they were not related. In fact, they’d only met through Luo Feng’s introduction before the auction.

“Eleven billion—third call! Sold! Congratulations to War God Luo Feng!” The auctioneer’s gavel fell, sealing the fate of the Water of Life, that miraculous elixir capable of regrowing severed limbs.

“Congratulations,” Jiang Chen said, offering his best wishes.

Jiang Chen knew Luo Feng had a disabled younger brother, Luo Hua, whom he himself was also quite acquainted with. This vial of Water of Life meant Luo Hua could leave his wheelchair and walk again—a blessing for the whole family.

“Hua can stand up again,” Luo Feng said, his smile utterly irrepressible.

The auction continued, but for a long while neither Jiang Chen nor Luo Feng made another bid.

Finally, as the auction drew to a close, the projection of a special item appeared in the hall.

“And now, a truly unique item—offered by our newly appointed Councilor, the formidable Jiang Chen!”

The auctioneer’s voice rang out.