Chapter 97: The Earthen Battle Armor Goes to Auction!
“The competition for the Bloodthirst Greatblade was already intense, and I believe everyone here will find the next item even more intriguing.” As soon as Xiao Yun finished speaking, the formation on the stage rose once more, revealing a suit of armor before the crowd.
“This armor is called the Earthshaker Plate, and it is also a legendary piece of equipment.”
“This Earthshaker Plate was likewise obtained by a powerful individual after slaying a saint-tier beast. Beyond that, we have no further information, so we ask for your understanding.”
“It’s worth mentioning that while the Bloodthirst Greatblade is unmatched in terms of offensive capability, our auction house considers the Earthshaker Plate similarly unrivaled among defensive gear.”
“Both are top-tier items at the legendary level, and our auction house has verified their authenticity, so you may rest assured.”
Xiao Yun had barely finished before voices rose from the first floor. “You dare claim this is on par with the Bloodthirst Greatblade? That’s quite a boast. With such heaven-defying attributes, that blade is already among the very best in the legendary class.”
“Please, honored guests, let’s not be hasty,” Xiao Yun replied patiently. “What I’m about to announce is that the Earthshaker Plate is, in fact, part of the same set as the Bloodthirst Greatblade!”
...
At those words, the hall fell utterly silent.
A set item!
“You’re certain they’re of the same series?” Li Changqi stepped forward to ask.
“Absolutely,” Xiao Yun replied with a smile. “A third-turn appraiser has authenticated this with no doubt whatsoever.”
“Although the two pieces have different names, we can confirm without question that they are related.”
“Our Millennia Trading House has provisionally named these the Bloodthirst Set, and we are in the process of official verification. We believe that name will soon be recognized by all the empires.”
“If you believe the Bloodthirst Greatblade is worthy of its reputation among legendary arms, then know that, at present, the Earthshaker Plate stands unchallenged among legendary defensive equipment.”
As Xiao Yun spoke, the attributes of the Earthshaker Plate appeared:
[Name]: Earthshaker Plate
[Type]: Armor
[Grade]: Legendary
[Description]: Grants a 30% defense bonus. If the wearer sacrifices hit points, the defense bonus increases to 50%.
Everyone studied the Earthshaker Plate’s attributes intently. At first their expressions were indifferent, but gradually, horror crept across their faces.
Terrifying!
The defensive stats of this equipment were nothing short of monstrous.
...
“I’ll spare everyone the chatter—surely you’re all eager to begin. The opening bid for this item is sixty million, with increments of five million per bid!”
The moment Xiao Yun finished, the great houses tensed visibly.
“We must get this armor!” Li Changqi stared intently at the Earthshaker Plate, his breath coming unevenly.
“The Bloodthirst Greatblade, for all its power, is somewhat limited. If a non-frontline class uses it, its effectiveness is much reduced. Even some frontline classes aren’t suited to swords. But this Earthshaker Plate can be used effectively by any class.”
“Defensive equipment has far fewer limitations.”
“With such astonishing defensive capability, even a top mage could hold their own in melee if they donned this.”
“And that sacrificial method is simply outrageous. This is a piece that’s almost at the saint-tier. If not for its legendary classification, it would be a saint-tier artifact in truth!”
All the noble houses and guilds grew deadly serious. This piece was even more practical than the Bloodthirst Greatblade!
“Five hundred million Star Dragon Coins!” Li Sanjin was first to bid, raising the price in an instant from sixty million to five hundred million.
“Six hundred million Star Dragon Coins!” Chen Feng no longer held back. Now was the time to seize the initiative. He had let the Bloodthirst Greatblade go; he would not lose the Earthshaker Plate as well.
“Li Sanjin, don’t make trouble,” Ma Tianxin sneered. “You’ve already taken the Bloodthirst Greatblade. Even if you have money left to compete, do you think I’ll let you walk away with this too?”
“Tch.” Li Sanjin had indeed exhausted his funds; that five hundred million was his last.
And, as Ma Tianxin had pointed out, the rest would never let him take the Earthshaker Plate. If both pieces ended up in the Azure Dragon Guild, the legendary class would be unassailable.
Even saint-tier masters would covet them.
While they couldn’t compare to the very best saint-tier gear, the Bloodthirst Set was far superior to most ordinary saint-tier items—though it did cost a bit of life force.
“One billion!” Gongsun Qian’er said with a cheerful smile. “Come on, everyone, let’s pick up the pace. Our Gongsun family is quite fond of the Earthshaker Plate as well.”
“Pick up the pace?” Wang Xu laughed. “If you say so, Qian’er, then let me help—one point five billion Star Dragon Coins!”
“Still too slow!” Ma Tianxin sneered. “Two billion Star Dragon Coins!”
...
The crowd was dumbstruck. Barely three minutes had passed, and the price had already soared to a staggering two billion.
Remember, the starting price was just sixty million, with increments of only five million.
“These nobles… with a five-million increment, they’re bidding in jumps of five hundred million at a time.”
“There’s no way we can even make a bid.”
“It’s a clash of titans—a spectacle truly worth the trip!”
Lin Han was stunned. Were these people always this extravagant?
Was money really so easy to come by?
Granted, the equipment was extraordinary, but ultimately, its effect required sacrificing one’s own life force—a weapon that harmed both enemy and user.
Was it worth risking one’s life so recklessly?
Lin Han sighed and said, “Xiao Tao, get in touch with Manager Liu for me.”
“Understood.”
...
“Two billion and ten million,” Li Changqi bid, not pushing to the limit like the others but guiding the price upward incrementally. Just as he finished, there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Li Sanjin!”
“Uncle? Please come in.”
Li Sanjin asked in confusion, “Uncle, you just won the Bloodthirst Greatblade. Why are you looking for me? Have you finally decided to return to the Li family?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Could you lend me some money? I’d like to bring the Earthshaker Plate back to the Azure Dragon Guild as well.”
Li Changqi was at a loss. “Uncle, as a member of the Li family, you joined the Azure Dragon Guild against the family’s wishes. Now you come to me to borrow money, hoping to take the item I’m bidding for back to your guild. Don’t you think that’s a bit unreasonable?”
“If you do this, how am I supposed to explain it to the family?”