The elaborately dressed host clapped her hands gently.
From the other side of the stage, a staff member strode in, carrying a delicate tray.
On the tray was a rolled-up scroll.
The beautiful hostess began to introduce, "Now, please allow me to introduce the first auction item of this exquisite auction."
"This is the city lord appointment certificate for Mo City, located on the edge of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Due to the city's proximity to the desert region, coupled with the previous city lord's mismanagement, the city's financial situation is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Out of desperation, the former city lord has entrusted our auction house to select a suitable replacement for him.
The starting price for this item is 10,000 gold soul coins, with a minimum increment of 1,000 gold soul coins per bid."
As soon as the beautiful hostess finished speaking, several bidders from the black zone successively raised the price.
In an instant, the bidding price soared directly from 10,000 gold soul coins to 20,000 gold soul coins.
During the auction, people could use the bidding buttons next to their seats to conduct bidding activities in a simple and convenient manner.
However, these buttons are directly linked to personal savings accounts. If the amount they propose exceeds the savings in their account, they will not be able to continue.
Quan Yi and Huo Wu's accounts only had the authority temporarily granted by Zheng Xiao, so they could reach the million-level position. In reality, there wasn't a single coin in their accounts.
The exquisite auction lived up to its name.
Starting with the first item, the starting price was no less than 10,000 gold soul coins. Moreover, what surprised Quan Yi even more was that the auction house was openly auctioning off the right to manage a city.
Selling titles and offices, these corrupt phenomena that generally only occurred in the twilight years of dynasties were vividly displayed before Quan Yi's eyes.
The darkness of the auction house was even deeper than Quan Yi had imagined.
Huo Wu, who was beside him, also had a look of astonishment in her eyes.
She whispered to Quan Yi, "This auction house is too bold. Don't they know that buying and selling official positions is against the law?"
Quan Yi didn't know what to say for a moment and could only say, "The law cannot punish these people."
Huo Wu was still young, and the passion in her heart had not yet been extinguished. Seeing such a scene, she felt indignant.
Quan Yi touched Huo Wu's head and comforted her.
However, at this moment, Quan Yi had a deeper understanding of the overall situation of the continent.
The Heaven Dou Empire, in recent years, although in a rare period of peace.
Having temporarily avoided the invasion of foreign enemies, the Heaven Dou Empire was now facing another crisis.
That was internal strife.
The corruption of the nobles, the empire, kingdoms, and duchies were becoming increasingly estranged.
The vast empire had long shown signs of decline.
And the selling of official positions was just a manifestation of the decline.
Most of the bidders in the black zone were wealthy people without power.
They were extremely wealthy, but they didn't have much power in their hands. Therefore, even if it was just the position of city lord of a small border city, they would do their best to take it down.
"50,000. Okay, a distinguished guest in the black zone has bid 50,000. Is there anyone else who wants to raise the price?"
Seeing that no one continued to raise the price, the beautiful hostess decisively struck the auction hammer and said, "50,000 gold soul coins for the second time, 50,000 gold soul coins for the third time.
Sold.
This document will belong to the distinguished guest in the black zone."
The beautiful hostess smiled sweetly, and a pot-bellied man in the black zone got up and walked towards the passage on the side.
Obviously, this person was the bidder who had won the city.
The next auction item was a soul tool with storage capabilities.
Although its storage space was not as large as the original size of the Heart of the Scorching Sun, its starting price was still directly raised to 20,000 gold soul coins.
For this auction item, the distinguished guests in the red zone, who had remained silent in the first round, also began to raise the price one after another.
In the end, the storage soul tool was auctioned off for 30,000 gold soul coins to a distinguished guest in the red zone.
The price increase of the second auction was significantly less than the first.
This was because the first auction item accurately grasped the desires of the bidders in the black zone, attracting everyone to compete.
In the end, it was sold at an amount exceeding its own price.
After the second auction ended, the hostess moved from the center of the stage to the edge area.
She said with a smile, "Please note, distinguished guests, the following auction item is a bit special. In order to fully showcase its wonders, we have decided to present it to everyone in a unique way."
She raised the megaphone and said, "Lights."
In an instant, the lights in the room gradually dimmed, and the bright room became dim.
Just then, a crisp bell sound came from the passage next to the hostess.
"Ding-a-ling!"
The attention of all the distinguished guests in the audience was instantly drawn over.
The next moment, a stream of light flickering with golden fluorescence rushed out of the passage and quickly circled the ring-shaped stage.
Just as everyone was wondering what this was, the distinguished guests in the red zone sitting in the front row exclaimed, "What is this thing?"
Another person said, "I saw a human figure."
Taking a closer look, everyone clearly saw a person sitting on a strange device, using only the drive of his legs to propel his body forward.
Seeing this situation, Huo Wu excitedly said, "Xiao Yi, this time it's our auction item."
Quan Yi also didn't expect the auction house to make such an arrangement for the bicycle.
The staff member skillfully rode the bicycle around twice, and then the lights in the room gradually brightened.
Only then could everyone clearly see the entire appearance of the bicycle and the rider.
"What? This is actually not a soul tool?"
At this time, a sharp-eyed guest took the lead in shouting out his surprised emotions.
The guest next to him continued, "Then how does he maintain his balance?"
The mysterious appearance of the bicycle instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.
Under the bright lights, the fluorescence was dim, revealing the white body of the car. The smooth and simple structure allowed everyone to understand its operating structure at a glance.
At this time, the hostess standing on the stage introduced to everyone, "Distinguished guests, please allow me to solemnly introduce this auction item.
This thing is called a bicycle. It is a means of transportation that converts human power into driving force by stepping on the pedals with both feet.
It is a magical tool created by a mysterious craftsman with his wisdom.
At the same time, I assure all distinguished guests that this is the first appearance of the bicycle on the Douluo Continent. All the distinguished guests present will be the first people on the entire continent to witness this thing."
The hostess's enthusiastic introduction instantly mobilized the interest of all the bidders.
Bicycle, first appearance, these two words had a inexplicable attraction for these wealthy people.
