Chapter 123
In the realm of the Alchemy School, physical professions are predominantly ranged, such as the earlier mentioned Gunner, and the high-ranking engineer Kali from the Ye Bai territory, who is also an Alchemy profession known as a Demolition Expert. The magical professions within the Alchemy School are collectively referred to as Alchemists.
As the name suggests, Alchemists occupy a space between mages and warlocks, wielding various alchemical tools and constructs in battle. Among these constructs is the Alchemical Golem; possessing one signifies that one has reached the status of a fully-fledged Alchemist.
At this thought, Ye Bai felt a stir in his heart... Could it be that this Alchemist has come here because of the Golem?
Since this was not related to any quest, players at this stage generally lacked the spare coin and time to browse art shops.
Meanwhile, the two individuals who had been stopped were equally bewildered. The Alchemist among them, regaining his composure, displayed a look of anger, his expression shifting several times before he suppressed his rage and said in a low voice, “I didn’t see anyone else needing an invitation.”
The doorman frowned and replied, “Well, that’s obviously different.”
“Different how?” the Alchemist pressed angrily. “I was here just yesterday and didn’t see anyone needing an invitation.”
“Apologies, but today is different from yesterday,” a manager stepped forward to explain. “Today is a special auction, and an invitation is required for entry.”
The Gunner beside him also reacted, indignantly saying, “Then how come those people in front got in without an invitation?”
The two players were already established professionals, having advanced beyond the status Ye Bai had seen in Mei Luo City. Their standing in the inner city was somewhat elevated, so their argument didn’t escalate to the point of calling for guards.
Of course, this elevation wasn’t significant. The manager responded, “The faces of these esteemed guests serve as the most direct invitation.”
This remark elicited a light chuckle, clearly pleasing the nobles and merchants attending the auction, who then turned their attention away and entered the shop.
The manager turned back to the two players with a smile, saying, “Please come back another day.”
Under the watchful eyes of the guards who had just arrived, the two reluctantly left, brushing past Ye Bai, who was approaching the entrance.
“What if we can’t get into the auction?” one of them asked.
“We’ll think of something. That Golem is inside; I received a hint that it’s special—definitely a hidden quest!”
“Why not try to get some help from that Sir Luo Fu?”
“Good idea…”
The two earnestly discussed their strategy, unaware of the person they brushed past, whose clothing underwent a remarkable transformation in an instant, changing from an unremarkable windbreaker into a splendid red velvet gown.
When Ye Bai, adorned with a lace hat and holding a folding fan, reached the entrance of the Figeer Curiosities, the manager who had previously blocked the two players’ entry brightened at the sight of her and immediately approached to greet her.
“Esteemed guest, your arrival graces us with brilliance. Welcome! We hope today’s auction meets your expectations.”
The gown, a Red Velvet Dress imprinted into the Thousand Illusions Garment by Di Linna, boasted a fashion value exceeding eight hundred, instantly transforming Ye Bai into a wealthy noble, allowing her to enter the auction without an invitation.
Clothes make the man; the special effect of the fashion attribute was evident in moments like this.
The two players were denied entry primarily because, in the eyes of the NPCs, they simply weren’t dressed fashionably enough…
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Inside the auction hall, everything was already set up. The high platform at the front was draped with velvet, concealing various artworks, the outlines of which hinted at paintings, sculptures, and jewelry.
Upon entering, Ye Bai was escorted to her seat by a server, who provided her with a bidding paddle. She glanced down at her paddle: 233.
Well, it seems this auction is quite popular.
After a brief wait, the auctioneer stepped onto the platform. The lights dimmed, and the strongest spotlight illuminated the stage. Ye Bai nodded to herself, acknowledging that the Alchemy School had a distinct advantage in civilian technology.
Having completed her class transition quest, Ye Bai intended to replicate her previous success in Mei Luo City, while also opening up trade routes in this Alchemy capital.
At the town level, commerce is a crucial driver of rapid territorial development.
Establishing trade routes not only yields productivity rewards but also accumulates school affinity; the earlier this is done, the greater the future benefits.
As the auction was about to commence, just as the staff was about to close the auction doors...
“Wait!”
The voice sounded familiar. Ye Bai turned to see the two players who had been stopped at the entrance, now slightly out of breath as they blocked the closing door.
“Let them in,” the manager who had previously sent them away approached, his expression unreadable. He spoke to the surprised guards and allowed the two to enter, seating them in the last row.
“Hmm?” Ye Bai was surprised, not expecting them to find a way in.
However, seeing their unchanged attire, it seemed they might have gained entry through some quest or the influence of an NPC.
After a quick glance, Ye Bai returned her focus to the stage.
At that moment, the auctioneer tapped the table with a wooden hammer, drawing everyone’s attention back from the two players.
“Esteemed guests, welcome to the Figeer Curiosities Auction! Today, we have thirty-two treasures, each a rare gem of the world. I hope all of you leave here satisfied!”
With the auctioneer’s flowery praises, the event commenced.
“Now, let’s take a look at our first item up for bid, from a renowned painter two hundred years ago…”
The auction proceeded smoothly, with nearly every item drawing bids. While not every piece fetched a high price, there were no awkward moments of items going unsold.
Ye Bai, not having spotted her target, remained inactive, all the while keeping a discreet eye on the two players, who also hadn’t placed any bids.
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In the last row of the auction hall, the two players were intently focused on the stage.
Suddenly, the Alchemist among them became visibly excited upon seeing the next item up for bid. He turned to his companion and exclaimed:
“It’s here! This is it!”
“Item twenty-one, wow, a precious Klinn-97 Alchemical Golem! It’s registered in the Golem Archives of Laan City, and we have all the legal documents for it.”
As the velvet covering was pulled away, the auctioneer began to speak in an enticing tone.
“Although this item has lost its magical power, the Klinn model was only produced for ten years, and this number 97 is the last one. Its historical significance and collectible value are undeniable. Is there a guest who wishes to acquire this rare and valuable treasure?”
“The starting bid for this Klinn-97 Alchemical Golem is—only 1 gold coin!”
As the bid was announced, a buzz of conversation filled the hall, but initially, no one raised their paddle.
After all, the NPCs present were not blind; the Golem on stage had once been highly coveted. A well-maintained ordinary Golem typically sold for over 20 gold coins, and even a damaged version, if in good condition, could fetch up to 10 gold coins among collectors.
But the key was its condition. Upon a simple assessment of the Golem now revealed on stage, it could only be described as a severely battle-damaged version.
Typically, Golems are humanoid constructs made from various materials, and with the evolution of aesthetics and times, there are also special Golems mimicking animal forms. They appear robust, with limited joint mobility, as they do not need to sacrifice their advantages for close combat when casting spells.
However, the Golem on stage had more than half of its body eroded away, as if it had encountered something horrific. Its torso was mostly gone, leaving only half a head and an empty chest. Without the relevant registration documents, it would look like a broken sculpture.
Owning a Golem is often a display of one’s strength and wealth, but this Golem was so damaged that it was hard to even recognize it as a Golem, which naturally did not attract the interest of the attending nobles and merchants, leading to a brief lull in the auction.
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