Chapter 68 East Sea Auction House, Soul Coins!
This is a magnificent building, resembling an ancient castle.
Its outer walls are constructed from giant golden stones. The bronze double doors are engraved with intricate patterns that Su Mubai cannot decipher, and a plaque above the entrance bears five large characters:
[East Sea Auction House]
Withdrawing his frost, Su Mubai stepped into the spacious ground-floor lobby.
Inside, crystal chandeliers gleam brilliantly, the polished marble floor reflects the light, and the walls are adorned with famous paintings and introductions to featured auction items. The air is heavy with the scent of spices and the murmur of conversations.
Although the tide of players has yet to enter the city, a considerable number of locals still frequent this establishment.
The lobby is remarkably vast. Su Mubai swept his gaze across the area, counting roughly dozens of service windows.
These windows serve as locations for consigning and purchasing goods.
Here, players can list items for sale and set a starting bid.
Generally, items are consigned for 24 hours, during which the East Sea Auction House charges a 5% service fee.
Of course, one can also pay to extend the consignment duration, with the fee increasing by 1% for each additional day.
In addition to the starting bid, a buyout price can be set. Should a buyer be willing, they may instantly purchase the item at the buyout price without waiting for the consignment period to expire.
However, after learning more about the system, Su Mubai discovered that the descent-bearers and the local residents do not utilize the same auction system.
In other words, players cannot purchase items consigned by locals, nor can locals bid on items listed by descent-bearers.
This is reportedly a rule established by the Myriad Realms game, designed to protect the interests of the descent-bearers in the early stages of the game so they would not be outcompeted by the natives of the Forbidden Land of Gods.
After all, players have only just arrived in this world, and their financial resources are vastly inferior.
According to the staff, the two auction systems will only merge once a sufficient number of players break through to the Second Order.
For players looking to buy goods, this is quite fortunate.
Yet, for a seller like Su Mubai, it is hardly good news.
The items he intends to sell are far beyond the financial reach of any player at the current stage.
Even Wealthy Across the World, a person possessing the SSS-rank [God of Wealth] talent, appears utterly impoverished in Su Mubai's eyes right now.
"Sir, have you decided which items you wish to consign?"
Seeing Su Mubai lost in thought, the staff member behind the window gently reminded him.
"I heard that an auction is held here?"
Su Mubai answered with a question. The staff member showed no displeasure, instead smiling as he replied:
"Indeed, our East Sea Auction House holds an auction once every month, and in addition to that, a grand auction is held annually."
"This month's auction happens to commence tomorrow."
At this, the staff member pointed to the right and continued:
"If you wish to participate, proceed up the stairs over there to the second floor and purchase a ticket first."
"Thanks."
Su Mubai nodded, turned around, and walked toward the designated location, where a flight of stairs stood.
"A mere descent-bearer wanting to attend the auction? I bet he'll be scared off by the price of the ticket."
No sooner had Su Mubai left than a skinny young man standing behind him in line curled his lips and muttered under his breath.
In his view, even a descent-bearer capable of entering the city so quickly could never afford an auction ticket.
"You are underestimating that gentleman."
The staff member smiled. Accustomed to dealing with auctions for years, he could tell at a glance that the equipment Su Mubai wore was utterly extraordinary.
Several pieces were treasures of Epic grade or higher.
How could someone like that be frightened away by a ticket?
...
Stepping onto the second floor, Su Mubai was indeed startled by the price of the tickets.
The cheapest seats in the back row cost a full one thousand gold coins.
The most expensive private VIP rooms were priced as high as one hundred thousand!
And this was merely for admission—just how exorbitant must the auctioned items be?
Looking at the nearly one million gold coins in his inventory, Su Mubai suddenly felt that he was not as wealthy as he had imagined.
With ticket prices set this high, the money he currently possessed was certainly insufficient for participating in the auction.
"Sir, which tier of ticket would you like to purchase? I must remind you that they are almost sold out."
The young ticket attendant blinked playfully at Su Mubai.
"Can I get a discount on this?"
Only a fool passes up a chance to save money.
Su Mubai decisively produced the [East Sea Token].
The next instant, the attendant's expression shifted dramatically. She hastily stood up and presented a golden card with both hands.
"Ah, so you are a distinguished guest of the City Lord, Lord White Night! This is your exclusive VIP card. Please keep it safe."
[VIP Card No. 007]: Whenever an auction at the East Sea Auction House begins, you will receive a notification, and using the VIP card will allow you to teleport directly into VIP Room No. 007.
(Possessing this, you are a revered guest of the East Sea Auction House.)
"It's free?"
Su Mubai was slightly taken aback. The benefits of the [East Sea Token] far exceeded his expectations.
"Of course. The East Sea Auction House is an enterprise of the City Lord's estate, so naturally, you will receive VIP treatment upon your arrival."
"VIP treatment?"
A flicker of delight crossed Su Mubai's heart as he accepted the card.
"Any items you consign or auction with us will enjoy a 50% discount."
"Furthermore, should you find yourself short of funds during the auction, we can provide you with an interest-free loan of up to ten thousand soul coins."
Soul coins!
At these words, Su Mubai's eyes brightened. He had finally heard that name.
He eagerly asked, "What is the exchange rate between soul coins and gold coins?"
"Generally speaking, 1 soul coin is valued at 10,000 gold coins, but very few people would exchange soul coins for gold coins."
The receptionist shook her head and patiently explained:
"Each soul coin contains a trace of time energy, equivalent to one hour of lifespan."
"However, the time energy within a soul coin cannot be directly absorbed; it requires special methods to extract."
"Fate Soul Stones are forged by powerful individuals who extract this time energy from soul coins."
"Lord White Night, how much do you think a lifespan is worth?"
Hearing this, Su Mubai experienced a sudden realization.
Lifespan naturally holds a different value depending on the person.
To someone on the brink of death, a single hour of life is an invaluable treasure.
Yet, to many others, an hour amounts to nothing at all, often wasted simply in a daze.
Su Mubai now understood that within the Forbidden Land of Gods, soul coins are the true currency of value.
As for gold, silver, and copper coins, they merely serve to satisfy daily expenses; while they might purchase some basic equipment and items in the early stages, true treasures can only be acquired with soul coins.
He could not help but think of Wealthy Across the World's [God of Wealth] talent.
Clearly, that person had concealed the vast majority of his information.
Otherwise, such a talent could never merely be classified as SSS-rank!
Still, this was entirely understandable since the two were not close.
Stowing away the VIP card, Su Mubai retrieved all of his Tier 1 Radiant Gems and placed them on the counter.
"Are these gems qualified to be auctioned?"
"Radiant Gems are naturally qualified."
The receptionist nodded. "I wonder if Lord White Night wishes to trade in gold coins or soul coins."
"Soul coins."
"Very good. Our suggested starting bid is 5 soul coins per gem. Based on past experience, the final transaction price should be around 9 to 10 soul coins."
"The auction house will charge a 10% commission on the total auction proceeds."
"Of course, given your status, you only need to pay 5%."
"Lord White Night, does this arrangement meet your satisfaction?"
"No problem."
Su Mubai nodded slightly, pondering for a moment before asking, "Can the value of my consigned items be used as credit during the auction?"
He feared that if desirable items appeared later and he lacked cash in his inventory, he would not be qualified to participate in the bidding.
"For others, certainly not. But for you, yes."
"Is that so?"
A wave of satisfaction washed over Su Mubai as he waved his hand, producing all of his intermediate Fate Soul Stones.
"Consign these as well, and trade all of them for soul coins."