Red Envelope Group of the Three Realms

“Yes, it is extremely cliché! But the more cliché the story, the more the people’s hearts would be stirred!” Wugui Kojiro grinned. “Childe Chen, you have to have faith in Ms. Qingya. She is the star auctioneer of Crimson Moon!”

“Qingya?” Chen Xiaobei studied the attractive auctioneer.

“You know what they say, ‘Spiritual Stones have a price, but real love is priceless’!” The auctioneer said. “For the first time in a thousand years, this is the first time Crimson Moon is auctioning off an item endowed with such a sacred meaning! We may not auction anything like this again in the future!”

The woman’s voice had this impelling disposition. Emotions were stirred by her simple speech.

A middle-aged man seated in box number four was getting impatient.

He blurted, “Earth-God Instruments are difficult to obtain as it is. Getting them as a pair is even more unheard of! Who cares if the story is real or made-up, this is a pair of gems! Hurry up and announce the opening bid already! I, Master Kan, cannot wait anymore!”

From the way this Master Kan was dressed – a Pinnacle phase Spiritual Instrument grade long robe – the more observant ones could tell that he was a man of substance!

“Like I just said, Spiritual Stones have a price, but real love is priceless!” The auctioneer flashed the man a dazzling smile. “This pair of treasures have no reserve! The first bid will be the starting price!”

“No reserve price? Then I won’t hold back!” Master Kan said. “In the current market, a One-star Earth-God Instrument sells for 100 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones! Since there’s two here, I’ll bid 200 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones!

“200 million?!” Chen Xiaobei’s hand flew instinctively to his mouth. “200 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones is equal to 2 trillion low-grade Spiritual Stones. My goodness… I had no idea Earth-God Instruments are worth this much!”

“That’s actually very normal!” Wugui Kojiro smiled. “Earth-God Instruments are scarce, and they are scattered across the universe. Most of them are in the hands of powerful institutions of the various starfields. Practically no one sells them! Because it is in such short supply, no one would ever sell them! A lot of Earth-Gods don’t actually own an Earth-God Instrument themselves! This extremely scant resource would never sell for cheap!”

Chen Xiaobei nodded. “200 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones is the starting bid. Will anyone else offer a higher price?”

“Of course!” Wugui Kojiro grinned. “Childe Chen, don’t underestimate the power of a cliché story!”

A wealthy middle-aged woman from box seven stood up abruptly, flashing in gold and jade. “Wang Shankan! Has the dog gotten your heart? That’s such a beautiful love story and you started the bid with the market price?!”

Master Kan scoffed, “That cliché story is for twenty-year-old young maidens. Ma Shanliang, you’re already over 200 years old, but you’re still so naïve!”

“You’re the one who’s cliché! Your whole family is cliché! Fu po!*” Ma Shanliang retorted. “Every woman desires for a dramatic and tragic love! Even though the ending is a sad one, dying with the man you love is the most romantic thing that could ever happen!”

“Please stop! The hairs on my back are already standing!” Master Kan hissed. “You either increase the bid or shut up! This is an auction house, not a theatre!”

“Hmph! Of course, I’m going to bid!” Ma Shanliang shouted back. “For true love, I’m bidding 400 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones!”

“Wow! 400 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones! That’s 4 trillion low-grade Spiritual Stones!” Chen Xiaobei exclaimed. “That cliché story is really very powerful…”

Ling Qinfeng was still in shock – she had not yet recovered from the initial shock.

Wugui Kojiro could barely sit still. “I know these kinds of stories work but I didn’t think it would be so damn effective! 4 trillion low-grade Spiritual Stones can buy three One-Star Earth-God Instruments! That’s one Earth-God Instrument’s worth of earning!”

Gasps of surprise echoed in the hall.

“What the hell! You crazy woman! Did you take the wrong medication?” Master Kan’s jaw fell open. “You’re paying double the price for something that costs 200 million in the market? I’m not going to join in your madness!”

“Real love is priceless! No one can take it away from me!” Ma Shanliang was ecstatic.

“Wait! I’ll bid 500 million medium-grade Spiritual Stones!” Suddenly, a handsome young man in box nine called out. “This pair of Earth-God Instruments are the symbol of true love! It’s very meaningful! I’m going to buy it as a gift for my fiancé!”

Everyone turned to look at him.

He was clutching the hand of an ordinary-looking girl who, like Ma Shanliang, looked extremely enthralled. Clearly, she had also fallen under the spell of that cliché story.

“Look who we have here! It’s the young master of Southern Palace!” Ma Shanliang squinted at him; her tone nippy. “You really are going all out to please her royal highness, the princess of Black Realm King aren’t you?!”

Southern Palace’s young master shrugged. “My feelings for the princess are sincere. I’m willing to give her everything. This is something I ought to do!”

“Hmph! Those are nothing more but superfluous words!” Ma Shanliang hissed. “Once you’re married, you will gain ten times the benefits!”

“Don’t drag those pointless things into the conversation! This is an auction! If you’re not happy, you should just use Spiritual Stones to beat me!” Southern Palace’s Young Master chuckled. “To tell you the truth, 500 billion Spiritual Stones is my limit. If you add one more Spiritual Stone, consider yourself the winner!”

“I…” Ma Shanliang was speechless. She clearly could not afford to pay that much.

No other magnate present could afford to pay more than 500 billion Spiritual Stones. So, no one dared say anything.

“It looks like this gem which embodies true love has already found its true owner!” The auctioneer announced. “Since no one is raising the bid, I am happy to announce that Southern Palace’s young master has successfully won the bid for the Ice and Fire Undying Love with 500 billion Spiritual Stones! I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Southern Palace young master and her highness a very happy marriage!”

With that bid, the round of auction was finalized.

The Southern Palace young master emptied his storage bracelet to pay his bill. After he received the Earth-God Instruments, he immediately returned to his seat and presented it to his fiancé.

The maiden could not stop smiling and she was extremely moved.

“Wow! Who knew?! Cliché stories are lethal to women!” Chen Xiaobei declared.

“Of course! Why else would there be a saying that it’s easy to earn women’s money?” Wugui Kojiro smiled victoriously. “Please wait a minute, Childe Chen. I’ll go fetch the Spiritual Stones for you!”

“Hurry! Go! Go!” Chen Xiaobei’s eyes lit up. He was about to pocket a shedload of Spiritual Stones. He was tingling with excitement.

Footnote:

Fu po: A wealthy woman