Chapter 49
Amidst the rhythmic clanking of machinery, all the nutrient pods were pushed upright by mechanisms from behind, transitioning from a horizontal position to a standing one. The metallic structures of the pods automatically separated, revealing transparent inner chambers reminiscent of crystal glass.
Spotlights from all directions illuminated each nutrient pod on the platform, casting a clear light on the intelligent beings suspended in the nutrient solution, revealing every detail.
“Welcome, esteemed members, to today’s auction!”
As the voice echoed, a spotlight focused on a host dressed in a formal suit.
The host wore a white mask devoid of features and stood on a magnetic levitation device, rotating around the platform where the nutrient pods were located.
As his words faded, exaggerated cheers and applause erupted around him, clearly mechanical sound effects rather than genuine human voices.
Ye Bai’s physical body remained in a state of anesthetic-induced stupor, but her spiritual essence was remarkably clear, hovering at the center of her brow. In the darkness where the spotlight did not reach, she sensed thousands of spiritual entities of various sizes watching intently.
Like a pack of wolves in a desolate wilderness, they observed their prey with a mix of indifference and curiosity, exuding an unsettling desire.
Guests? Real people are actually present?
Ye Bai felt a brief surge of surprise, quickly recalling that in this technologically advanced interstellar era, if the entire transaction were conducted through communication networks without any real contact with the ‘goods,’ it would be far too easy to commit fraud. Moreover, given the illicit nature of such dealings, any victimization could not be made public.
At that moment, the host moved closer to Ye Bai’s nutrient pod, and she seized the opportunity to observe his spiritual essence.
The host appeared to be a C-level entity, but his spiritual light flickered like a faulty bulb, trembling like a candle flame, indicating instability.
This was clearly not normal. Was he… injured in his own game?
Never mind, the main task is at hand.
Feeling her energy bar nearly full, Ye Bai wasted no time and directed her spiritual power like a tentacle towards Xilian Na.
“Arrow of Light!”
This time, Ye Bai chose this skill again, having gained more proficiency from her previous experience.
As she aimed to destroy the spiritual suppressor, she dared not make any large movements. The two ethereal needles piercing into flesh looked perilous; if she were not careful, she could inadvertently harm the spiritual entity, which would be counterproductive.
…
“Let’s take a look at today’s first auction item…”
“A prehistoric human who awakened from a cryogenic pod ten thousand years ago. Her species has evolved since migrating from their home planet. This is the most primitive gene chain, a true collector’s item for the lucky seller!”
“F-level spiritual power, a safe and non-threatening being, small and adorable, with the classic starry black hair. Whether for collection or as a pet, it’s a prestigious acquisition!”
“Starting bid: 500 star coins!”
However, after the passionate introduction, the audience fell silent, with no one willing to place a bid.
“…”
The host glanced at Ye Bai, who still seemed to be in a ‘coma,’ and decided that her frail appearance was the issue, triggering a command.
“Click, click, click…”
The mechanical sounds of the nutrient pod activated once more.
With a gurgling noise, the bottom of the pod opened, emptying the nutrient solution inside, allowing fresh air to flow in.
Ye Bai’s body softly fell, sitting at the bottom of the nutrient pod.
The host approached, seeing a woman with damp black hair clinging to her cheek, obscuring much of her face.
“Whoosh—!”
A strong gust of air blew downwards, sweeping aside the black-haired woman’s hair, revealing a slightly pale yet beautiful face.
This commotion finally prompted Ye Bai to open her eyes, her dark gaze meeting that of the host.
The host’s voice clearly reached the nutrient pod, translated for Ye Bai by her personal terminal.
“Item number one, do you have anything to say?”
“If you don’t make an effort to sell yourself, you’ll end up in the lab as some kind of precious material…”
The rich implications in his words made Ye Bai acutely aware of her predicament, while her personal terminal could not send information out, as it was only linked to the network of Makur Star.
Ye Bai ignored the host, pretending not to understand.
—Don’t bother me, I’m busy!
At that moment, Ye Bai was fully focused on manipulating her magic, the tiny light arrows acting like a wrench, continuously tapping at the weak points inside the spiritual suppressor on Xilian Na’s neck.
“Thud, thud, thud…”
If the host could show his face, he would likely appear quite embarrassed, growing impatient as he warned Ye Bai.
“Move quickly! This is your only chance!”
Finally annoyed by the interruption, Ye Bai extended her right hand, reaching toward the edge of the nutrient pod.
The host curiously leaned in, observing her make a gesture he didn’t understand—folding all her fingers except for the middle one.
…?
This unexpected action piqued the curiosity of a guest in the audience, whose distorted electronic voice asked, “What does that mean?”
The host couldn’t comprehend it either, but that didn’t stop him from earnestly explaining, “Oh… this is an ancient human gesture of friendly affection. She hopes you’ll take her home!”
“What do you say, guest? Just 500 star coins!”
The questioner, however, fell silent.
Sensing the atmosphere growing cold, the host quickly shifted his focus away from Ye Bai and began introducing other nutrient pods. Perhaps due to a previous experience, he poured out all the anesthetic from the other pods.
After all, other spiritual beings wouldn’t have the same troubles as Ye Bai, the F-level prehistoric human. With their robust spirits and physiques, they were already awake, and what truly bound them were not the anesthetics or the metal chains on their limbs, but the spiritual suppressors around their necks.
The various powerful beings awakening within the nutrient pods quickly grasped their situation, responding with anger, pain, or silence…
“The Blue Collar Giant Clan… said to share the same bloodline as the Golden Pattern Giants of the Kaien Federation. Now starting at 4500 star coins!”
“The Tin People, a clan exceptionally skilled in stealth. Capturing this juvenile took our hunting team considerable effort, starting bid at 3600 star coins.”
“The Kelu Clan…”
As other C-level spiritual beings appeared, the atmosphere in the room grew lively.
Until the host reached the last nutrient pod, standing before the red-haired Xilian Na.
“Dun dun dun! The grand finale of our auction today! A warrior of the Tianlu Clan!”
“Look at her battle armor; we captured her by sheer chance, even losing a small team in the process.” The host pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears.
Some guests below impatiently interrupted his performance, “How much?!”
“Hahaha… please don’t rush, dear guests.” The host chuckled, sensing that this auction was finally taking on the right tone: “The bloodline of the Tianlu Clan is rare and precious. I needn’t elaborate. Although it may be challenging, with advanced genetic technology, one can surely obtain descendants with their genes. This is a race capable of venturing into space with their physical forms.”
“So, starting bid… 10,000 star coins!”
The audience erupted in astonishment, but new bids continued to emerge.
Just as the bidding heated up, the price soaring to 30,000 star coins.
“Ding!”
A cracking sound, audible only to Xilian Na, echoed in her mind.
The long-bound chains of her spiritual power suddenly shattered, and her powerful, radiant spiritual essence burst forth in a brilliant display.
A mysterious, ethereal, and grand will descended once more:
“Go forth, shatter evil, and rescue the weak…”
Xilian Na slowly lifted her head, her heroic and beautiful face revealing half-closed eyelids that opened, her gaze shining like stars.
Her full lips moved, reverently reciting the name of the Star God.
“I will defend your will with my life.”
Seeing this scene, the host was still puzzled and leaned in to ask, “What are you saying?”
He certainly hoped Xilian Na would ‘perform’ again, showing resilience or pain to stimulate the guests’ desire to buy.
However, the next moment—
“Boom!”
With a thunderous crash, the nutrient pod binding Xilian Na shattered like a fragile glass bottle, exploding from within.
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