293 Rising Costs (1/2)

As lot after lot was auctioned, the bids rose ever higher.

”Three hundred and forty one thousand!” That was the concluding bid of Lot 15.

”Sold!”

By the time Lot 16 came around, Chen Ho had basically already spent his entire budget. Ming Ye was down some 375,000 Black and by his own estimates, had 125,000 Black remaining to spend. Wu Tian, however, since raising his earlier spending limit, still had some 300,000 Black available. This made him the only remaining threat to Remian winning Lot 17.

Hmm. Maybe he could just sit back and let things be… chances were, Wu Tian would pass over lot 17 and save the remainder of his already-extended budget for the Most Important Final Lots.

Then again… was it worth the risk? Remian sensed out Wu Tian's thoughts. The guy had no intentions for Lot 16. He wanted to save his money for the later lots. Did those later lots include Lot 17? Remian had no idea, and apparently, neither did Wu Tian. He was going to wait and see.

In other words… it was still a risk.

”Starting bid, one hundred thousand! Anyone?”

There was a short, awkward silence.

Remian paid close attention to Wu Tian's thoughts.

Wu Tian was telling himself, 'No, absolutely not, I really can't…'

But somewhere in that resolution was a twinge of pity. It really was a good spear being auctioned, reinforced with sixteen ancient runic formations, long-lost arts the likes of which nobody in the world today could replicate. One hundred thousand for that spear was a steal…

Keenly, Remian pushed that thought, encouraging it and protecting it like blowing on the embers of a barbecue charcoal. [Come on, now, it's a good investment, with your contacts, you could easily sell it off for twice that price…]

[But… but…] Wu Tian was struggling against the temptation. [The Nine Dragons Jade Cauldron is up next! And the Nobles Karma Scripture is after that! And then…! A Seedling of the Tree of Boiling Blood Fruit! Any of those three would benefit my clan for generations to come!]

Thus thinking, Wu Tian suavely warded off temptation. [I'm already going to extend my budget to the absolute maximum for those three! If I must spend one million today, so be it!]

Remian sat stunned, frustrated for once. The Wu Clan was a nouveau riche family that had only recently stumbled into wealth. Their foundations were lacking in comparison to the older, bigger clans like the Chens or the Mings. This was why Wu Tian had the potential for extending his budget if he found worthwhile deals, items with potential to strengthen and benefit the clan for generations… like a young Tree of Boiling Blood Fruit! Every practitioner in the Body Tempering stage would go crazy over those fruits! To bring back that tree would change the fate of low-level martialists in his clan forever!

Remian paused, then finally decided to change his tactics. Instead of pushing the thought of the 16-runic formation spear, he shifted his efforts to the Sapling of the Tree of Boiling Blood Fruit. [That tree! Must buy! At all costs! No matter what!]

Suddenly, Wu Tian had a desperate urge to save up every bit of his remaining funds for the all-out bid on the final lot.

Remian pressed it. [That's right! Forget the spear! Forget the cauldron! Even the scripture is a gamble, at best! But the tree! The tree is a definite must-buy!]

That was right. Wu Tian agreed. Weapons and tools could be bought anywhere, any time, by anyone. Techniques and cultivation scriptures could be bought elsewhere too. But a once-in-a-million chance like the tree sapling was an absolute find!

Had he not spent so much earlier, Wu Tian could tried for the others too… if his budget were just higher…

Remian hurriedly pressed. [No! Don't lose focus! Everything depends on this now! Save all your financial strength for the tree!]

The truth was a very strong persuasion. Without further second thoughts, Wu Tian was finally resolved. He would completely give up on the next few lots for the sake of that final prize.

With the three greatest bidders suddenly silent, other, less flamboyant buyers finally raised bids on the lot. The price went up to 190k Black before being bought by a local clan.

Finally, Lot 17 came up. This was it!

”Starting bid, 120,000 Black!” the auctioner called.