Dark Moon Era

Chapter 424: Tang Long’s Stabbing Knife

Maybe because he found it uninteresting, Jian Fei stopped his little farce. The copper-faced man would never understand his humor and taste.

He sat down and poured himself a glass of alcohol. After a sip, Jian Fei seemed calmer. “I don’t have a stand about this.”

“Stop repeating nonsense.” The copper-faced man scoffed at Jian Fei.

“No, no, I’m not repeating. I’m just trying to ask a question, one that I am curious about.” Jian Fei’s gaze suddenly looked profound. The meaning behind his gaze was something worth ruminating over.

The copper-faced man did not respond to him nonetheless.

“What about your stand? Tang Ling or Tang Long? Or someone else? Like that little genius in that particular circle? Oh right, let’s group Tang Ling and Tang Long as the geniuses of the Dongsheng Continent. In fact, the Light Continent, the North Tribal Continent, the Primal Continent, and the others all have their own remarkable geniuses, am I right? Darkness Port is just a tiny stage. So what is your stand in this?”

“Hoho, since you appeared in Darkness Port so frequently lately, your stand must be obvious. It’s either Tang Ling or Tang Long. Tsk tsk, so who is it? Come on. Tell me about it. It’s just you and I here,” Jian Fei said it like it was just a single question, but when he asked it, it became a chain of relentless questions.

As a man of few words, the copper-faced man suddenly made a startling comment, “Maybe neither of them.”

“You said there are a lot of geniuses out there and I remain absolutely fair and relieved about it. Be it Tang Ling or Tang Long, they are just part of my personal emotions.”

“I’m just thinking that some of them might have already noticed it. No matter what this batch of geniuses encounters, they were always able to grow stronger without too much hindrance. Most of them are able to make it with the secret protection by the forces behind them,” the copper-faced man suddenly said strangely.

Jian Fei pouted before smiling sinisterly. “Those young geniuses are still dumb but not the people behind them. Those old foxes might have picked up some unusual scent, but do you think they will appreciate this and work together? Maybe they will run away and hide at the critical moment. At this current stage, just let their own geniuses seek whatever benefits they can get since they were all protected…”

“Hmm, not exactly. Reality will force them not to. The news from Iron-Blooded City has probably spread to every major faction. Will they run away and hide to survive? What a joke!” The copper-faced man’s words were sharper than usual.

Jian Fei did not voice his comments on this. His mannerisms made him seem on edge like a young man who had the sharpest eyes over the world.

“Let’s just continue with the auction. I’m looking forward to what happens next. Will Draconic Twelve stay put?”

…

The exciting Heart-throbbing Cliff session was over.

As though the black market wanted to raise the level of excitement, an expert appraiser was invited to the state to evaluate most of the items at the end of the session.

It was like when the cards were shown at the end of a gamble.

‘They did it on purpose! On purpose! If they can find an expert appraiser now, they could have done it earlier. They did it on purpose…’ Tang Ling complained in his heart.

Nevertheless, whenever the value of the item was appraised and its origin was stated, Tang Ling heaved like an idiot and cheered like a teenager with eighth-grader syndrome. In fact, he was indeed a teenager. Despite the lack of youthful presence, he was still a teenager at heart.

Some rejoiced while some worried.

All the appraisal results were revealed except for a few unknown items.

Tang Ling sighed with his arms crossed. He actually had his eyes on four of the items, three of which were valuable. The last one even cost a lot. He started to regret not bidding for it.

Hmm, the auction seems like a fun place. Maybe I can earn money here the next time.

While Tang Ling was thinking about some useless things, the auctioneer declared that the auction had entered its second session—the Acceleration Road.

What was the Acceleration Road? After the second item was sold off, Tang Ling finally knew what it meant.

The second session was an auction for all kinds of top-tier consumable items such as vicious beast meant, super-advanced serums, all kinds of pills, and so on.

Tang Ling was very interested in this session, but he realized the money that he earned earlier was like a tip in this session. In this session, the offers were screaming at ridiculous prices.

One set of consumable items that cost tens of thousands was considered the cheapest out of all.

Even vicious beast meat on Level 6 or above was considered nothing because only the best part of the vicious beast was auctioned here.

Tang Ling knew since a long time ago that every vicious beast had different juicy parts, but in this session, the Deciphering Cottage came up frequently and provided a clear image of the vicious beast in a hologram. A detailed explanation of the value would be provided at every part of the vicious beast to ensure the parts that they auctioned were the best of the best.

Tang Ling learned something new in this session.

Level 6 was a line that separated the quality of vicious beast meat. Vicious beast meat below Level 6 was considered a middle-class snack that could be enjoyed once or twice per month.

Vicious beast meat might be precious, but following the shift of era, their number was plentiful. Furthermore, with the numerous vicious beasts out there, the price would fluctuate a lot.

However, things changed when the meat reached Level 6. The hunting place was different from usual and Tang Ling could not understand this particular point. Moreover, Level 6 and above vicious beast meat could replenish one’s talent ability and not just the basic attributes. This point alone boosted its value by leaps and bounds.

On second thought, Tang Ling might have enjoyed great meals at Boss Huang’s place, but most of them were Level 3 to 4 vicious beast meat, with the highest being Level 5, and that was only served on rare occasions.

Tang Ling did not remember having any Level 6 or above vicious beast meat.

Hmm, I guess the boss can’t afford it, or maybe he’s just stingy? I’ll have to ask him when I get back.

Tang Ling planned as such.

If Boss Huang knew what was going on in his head, he would have certainly beaten Tang Ling to death.

Level 6 vicious beast meat? Could Tang Ling digest it? Would he not waste it in his stomach?

However, even the precious Level 6 vicious beast meat was considered the cheapest lot in this session. It was only slightly more expensive than the serum set that was sold for tens of thousands.

As for the other precious items, Tang Ling could only view them as something to increase his knowledge.

He wanted to bid, but his pathetic funds were not enough! However, to his shock, he also realized these things were not someone that he, who was not even a Purple Moon Warrior, could use. Therefore, it would be a waste if he bought it.

Rather than buying them from the auction, he might as well try getting it in the black market or from a trading company.

The whole atmosphere was lively, and at the end of the session, the star of the show caught Tang Ling’s attention.

It was a vial of active Level 8 vicious beast blood that had been procured through special methods. Judging from the volume, it could probably be split into 10 drops.

Although it was not blood essence, the 10 drops of blood managed to fetch a hefty price of 300,000 Black Sea coins.

However, the auction refused to deal in Black Sea coins. Instead, it was priced with the most accurate currency calculation and it was valued at 30,000 True Capital coins.

Tang Ling’s blood was boiling. He was so intent to sell off the remaining drops of Level 9 vicious beast blood.

He might be an ignorant idiot in other aspects, but he knew one thing in his heart: the higher the vicious beast level was, the greater the level difference would be.

For example, 5 kg of Level 8 vicious beast meat might not be more valuable than 250 grams of Level 9 vicious beast meat.

If he followed the formula, how much would his remaining Level 9 vicious beast blood be worth?

Tang Ling’s eyes were glittering with True Capital coins, but in the end, he dared not do it. If he did not follow Kun’s advice, he would probably end up in a pool of blood.

Nevertheless, it did not stop him from feeling rich at that moment.

…

The second session might not be as exciting as the first, but it ended in the exchange of a large amount of money.

As for the third session, it was known as the Scholastic Family.

As its name suggested, this session mainly auctioned all kinds of books. The translated version of Lucar’s Purple Moon Combat Arts that Tang Ling was here for would appear soon.

Will it be as sick as the second session? Tang Ling wondered.

However, the books that were auctioned during the third session were either extremely cheap to the point that the price was a joke and no one even bid on it or they were extremely expensive as if the price was strapped to a rocket and had flown beyond the boundaries of one’s imagination.

There was a book that combined a mysterious and ancient hereditary technique of the old civilization and a unique set of techniques with the traits of the Purple Moon era. It was sold for a jaw-dropping price of 200,000 True Capital coins.

There was also another book regarding super-advanced technology and the auctioneer vaguely introduced that it had been procured without any alteration from a ‘certain place’. It was sold at an astronomical figure of 550,000 True Capital coins.

A certain place? Could it be the Mysterious Store?

No one could fault Tang Ling for having such guesses. In this world, other than the Mysterious Store that remained inexplicable, where else could rival its mysterious presence?

Tang Ling’s heart was racing. If the things from the Mysterious Store were this valuable, then could he auction off his Thousand Satin Skill Addendum and that piece of blueprint that he had given Boss Huang?

The moment Tang Ling thought of the possibility, his heart itched as if a cat was scratching it. He needed a large number of resources to grow and money was the most direct source of help.

But Kun…Maybe I’ll ask him next time for some leftovers. I’ll see if they can be auctioned off to repay the society or whatnot.

In the end, Kun’s whiplashes left a painful memory in Tang Ling, so he dared not simply sell off the things he got. Otherwise, he would have contacted the staff in the auction hall for an immediate sale.

Nevertheless, it did not stop him from feeling proud. He felt like a grand noble.

“The next item is Lucar’s combat arts, but it’s a translated version. However, since it only has an ultimate and its value and power aren’t proven, its asking price is 2,000 Black Sea coins and every incremental bid is 100 Black Sea coins.”

While Tang Ling was having all kinds of thoughts in his mind, the auctioneer announced the next item which was the combat arts that he had hoped for.

Tang Ling believed it was time for him to make an offer. After all, compared to the other books auctioned during the third session, Lucar’s combat arts was not popular enough. He even hoped that no one would bid on it so that he could get it for 2,000 Black Sea coins.

“Make an offer,” Tang Long told Draconic Twelve.

In fact, during the second session, Tang Long told Draconic Twelve to bid several times and he bought some consumable items that he could use.

After all, Tang Long’s energy pool had started to crystallize and he was going after a full crystallized dantian. The consumables that he could use were countless times more expensive and valuable than those of his peers and he had spent almost 100,000 Black Sea coins.

The number was nothing to Tang Long. He could simply apply for more funds although it would take time. Nevertheless, he was willing to sell off some of his belongings that were of less use but were still valuable.

Therefore, after spending almost 100,000 Black Sea coins, Tang Long’s cashflow ran into a stump. He was only left with 12,000 Black Sea coins.

Under normal circumstances, the remaining fund would not be a problem but earlier during the session, the staff of the auction hall notified him about the ‘mysterious items’ that would go on stage during the last session and one of them caught Tang Long’s attention.

Therefore, 12,000 Black Sea coins could barely meet his requirements.

He could not afford to spend too much money on other sessions now. Tang Long had a strange habit whereby he did not like losing what he owned even though it was useless to him. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never sell any of his belongings.

Nevertheless, even if his fund was barely able to meet ends, he did not see Lucar’s combat arts as a problem. After all, it would not cost him a lot of money, would it?

Moreover, Tang Long just wanted it as part of his collection.

Maybe because Tang Ling’s little prayers were answered or maybe Lucar’s combat arts were overshadowed by the other high-quality items, the floor did not bid as actively as before.

After three minutes in, the price was only raised to 3,100 Black Sea coins.

Tang Ling believed it was time for him to make a move. He raised his hand and offered 3,500 Black Sea coins with a feeling that his price would be the final price.

The Super-advanced Combat Wrist Guard had put Tang Ling under the spotlight earlier, so it was normal for him to bid a higher price for Lucar’s combat arts.

Since he had earned a great sum of money earlier, he ought to spend it lavishly.

His bid did not catch that much attention.

“4,000.” Draconic Twelve increased the bidding price. It was an item Tang Long wanted after all.

Tang Ling got frustrated. Is the b*stard on the second floor fighting with me over something insignificant? If this isn’t bullying, what is?

“5,000.” Tang Ling did not want to look weak.

“6,000.” Draconic Twelve raised the bidding price. At his level, he no longer wanted to raise the price by a hundred each call. He just wanted to end the bidding quickly.

“6,100.” Tang Ling suddenly wanted to slap himself. Why didn’t I increase by a hundred slowly? Why did I go with 5,000?! Damn it!

“Young Master? This guy seems determined.” Draconic Twelve looked at Tang Long.

“He must have gotten some confidence from the money he earned earlier.” Tang Long never took a small fry like him seriously.

“What about us?” Draconic Twelve asked.

“Raise to 10K. If he really wants it, just let it go. I don’t mind missing this from my collection,” said Tang Long flatly. He did not like competing with a small fry either, but his manners made him a gentleman and he did not want to lower himself to the same level as the small fry.

However, he could still give the small fry a little headache by bidding for Lucar’s combat arts with 10,000 Black Sea coins, which was far over the value of the manual. It was also Tang Long’s bottom price. He did not want to compete beyond that since it was just for collection.

Even if he did not have any use for money, he was not that silly to spend such a huge sum to get the manual.

After all, Tang Long did not expect to hit the jackpot with the manual since the odds were slim. A real gentleman and noble like him was not an idiot, unlike Tang Ling.

Therefore, when Draconic Twelve raised the price to 10,000 Black Sea coins, Tang Ling felt an intense heartache as if a hundred knives had stabbed him at once.

F*ck!