He stopped. Because when the numbers slowed down, it became risky. If the other bidders were like him, he might end up with the short straw. To Jin, becoming the winner of the bid was a loss. Eleven million was too much. He never had that much.

Hymin snickered at him as she saw him stop but he did not mind. Whatever her thoughts were did not matter to him. After this event, they would never meet again. He would tell her some lies in case her association with him was one day found out and that was all.

In the end, it took a few more minutes between the bid was validated by the console. It was sold for the modest amount of 14.500.000 Golds. As it was sold, the host who had stayed silent after finishing to introduce the item, spoke once more: "Dear guests, please wait a moment while we make the trade with our successful bidder"

The lights faded and everything returned to the darkness.

A different gaseous light show took place while symphonic music played. It was a nice distraction from the boredom. Fortunately, they were very efficient and only a few minutes later, the auction continued.

There was already a new item on the stage. The host introduced it as Hot-Blooded Taurus Twin balls. According to his description, they were the perfect ingredients for any cultivation related to the chemistry between lovers...

Hymin teasingly asked Jin if he planned to go for that item to which it was his turn to snicker at her.

He did not bid this time as the numbers moved up rather slowly. There were less potential buyers. Still, the price managed to reach quite the impressive height of 5 120 000 Golds.

For two balls.

For an instant, Jin wondered if he would sell his own for such an amount...

Anyways, the auction continued and many more items of great standards appeared one after another. From time to time, Jin placed a bid without much interest or care.

Until something caught his eye.

It was a spear of course. It was bright red with many purple runes running across the shaft and forming an eastern dragon design. It looked mighty. And it probably was considering that this spear was a grade 4 treasure.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

According to the host, this was a recently forged armament containing the fire attribute as well as the shadow attribute. Jin was in need of a weapon and that was why this one caught his attention. While far from the worth and potency of his own, it was still a good equipment. At his current realm, grade 4 and grade 6, the differences were negligible. It was all because he did not have the ability to truly demonstrate and use the might of either.

A 9th stage cultivation could not support either of those grades.

Unfortunately for him, the entry price was beyond his means. As such, he bid out of frustration a few times and planned to stop there. Until the prices began to move very slowly. The voice of a man was heard throughout the entire auction hall: "I, Jared 'Firebreath' Jones, desire this spear! I hope that everyone here will give me some face!"

Everyone here had their identities protected. Who cared about who you were? If you could not recognize who fought you, why would they fear fighting you? Unsurprisingly, the bid actually increased fervently many times. The price kept rising further high as that same man screamed aloud. Until, at the very end, the host stated that this spear had been forged by Jared 'Firebreath' Jones.

The bids instantly stopped as the roaring laughter of a man rang throughout the auction auditorium. Jin could not help but laugh inside his own room. It seemed like he was far from the only one who understood how to manipulate things. Of course, by doing this, this Jared exposed himself. Then again, considering that he could forge a grade 4 armament, he was definitely at least at the 50th stage. He had no reasons to be fearful of revenge.

Though the possibility was there, it was slim.

In Jin's case, he had no reasons to play around like this man. And, for obvious reasons, he could not do so either. If he used a fake identity, no one would care. If he used his real identity, he would be apprehended.

Of course, he still appreciated the show put on by the man. It was a very entertaining.

After this, the auction continued as usual.

There was a slight pause when it reached halfway into the auction in which waiters brought refreshments to the many guests. Jin asked for some but did not drink. Hymin, on the other hand, proceeded to drink both. Poisoned drinks? She believed it impossible. This was certainly a secret event but not one where their lives were in danger.

And the time continued to move forward as the auction resumed and more rare items appeared. However, grade 4 was the highest ever brought out. Many grades 4 were sold but nothing higher was even shown.

Jin wondered if he would ever participate in this auction seriously... At the very least, it broadened his view.

Fortunately, something within his means popped up on stage.

The host introduced the item with fervor: "This, my friends, is something that is very rarely put out for auction. Even in secret ones like ours. This is a set of elemental treasures comprised of three items. One year, ten year and one hundred year. Enough to get someone to the 30th stage!"

"Of course, if this was all to it, it would not deserve to be put up for auction here. Let me tell you, my friends, that this set is special due to its element! You might have guessed it but this element is part of the restricted banned list!"

"The bid will start at 10 000 Golds with every increment of 100 Golds!"

Jin had his eyes fixed on the items up on the stage.