Aquino rallied the audience as the competing parties began to wrangle over the Cryco Core. This was not an opportunity to be missed; for though this was not a true renewal or restoration of longevity, even an extension of 10 years was valuable enough!

Especially for clans, sects or organisations where the sole powerhouse was already advanced in age. Once that single strongest person had pa.s.sed their prime and began to decline in strength, it would be the beginning of the end for the entire organisation. They would fade away and begin to be a by-gone; and even their erstwhile allies would soon turn into ravenous wolves, joining the packs of scavengers and predators ready to tear apart the defenceless fat piece of meat that they would become!

For in that span of years bought by the Cryo Core, perhaps a member of the younger generation would be able to break through to a new level and establish a new era for their sect or clan! Or perhaps they would be able to ally themselves and attach the group to a stronger and bigger party, like taking refuge under a large tree.

Whatever the case was, the number of parties vying over the longevity treasure was not few, not few at all!

"Yes! Yes yes yes! 93 million platinum coins! Splendid! Do I hear 95…? Tell me, how greatly do you value this item…? It is not just a physical or material possession, but one that could guarantee and solidify a clan's position for decades to come! Remember, this is certified to have efficacy of more than 50 years! Yes…? YES! 99. Million. Platinum. COINS!!! Give yourselves a round of applause!"

Aquino continued in his over-the-top enthusiasm and his hype was met only by silence punctuated occasionally by hushed whispers – bidders discussing their bottom line and just how much they could afford to spend for this treasure.

After all, even if they could preserve the life of their grand elder, founder or pinnacle expert… It would be meaningless if it drained the entire clan dry! Whether it meant emptying their coffers and leaving no resources to nurture the future generations, or if it meant drying out their clans strength and becoming unattractive to future suitors, these were paths that led only to destruction. Even if a group had a networth of over 1 billion platinum coins, that did not mean they would have the cashflow to support splurging more than 10% of that in just one transaction.

Most likely they would end up having to borrow at exorbitant rates from "friendly" or "allied" clans… Or submit to the rule of the Kingdom or Government in their home base, which would mean relinquis.h.i.+ng their ident.i.ty and owners.h.i.+p of their organisation permanently…!

Hearing the price nearly breach the 100 million platinum coins mark, countless elders were on the verge of gnas.h.i.+ng their teeth as their nails dug into the palms of their hands, nearly drawing blood. Here they were on behalf of their clans, attending as representatives of the leaders.h.i.+p and seeking to procure a suitable treasure to secure the posterity of their peoples, and they just had to be swept in to what they felt was a bidding war between two egomaniacal whales!

One of them, a black haired man in his late 40's was especially troubled. He had his hair slicked back and also wore aged-looking robes, perhaps in an attempt to look older. To be here as the lead of his entourage meant that he was probably the most promising successor of his clan who was most likely to take over his leader's place. However, he gritted his teeth and struggled over the decision internally before lifting his hand decisively and inputting his raise.

"Oh! We have done it! A historic moment – this is the first time ever in the history of an auction that only the SECOND item has breached… A HUNDRED MILLION PLATINUIM COINS!!! What a spectacle!!! Now, could this be the end of this round of bidding…? What do you think, dear audience…? Will you be able to bear parting with this treasure after such a tussle for dominance…? What will be your next bid…? Will it be marginal at 101 MP…? Or will you be flexing your financial muscles and showing your intent with a far grander bid..? You've got to let me know in these few seconds, because it is… Going once!!! Going twice!!! And…"

Aquino's cheerful and welcoming smile grew even wider at that moment as his count was interrupted once again, followed by his joyful exclamation.

"ONE HUNDRED AND TEN!!! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the highest record bid for a second item in the lineup, 110 MP already! If this is how exciting just the first two rounds have been, I wonder just how the next few ones will be…?"

"What?!? How… How is that possible!??" The black-haired man who had been about to bid was crestfallen and slammed his balled up fist onto the control pad in frustration. Just who had raised the bid so excessively…?!? It WAS a treasure, but…

Was it really worth that much to others…?

"Father… I… I know you told me not to do it, but I have no choice!!! It's not just about the future of the clan but… It's so you can live after being poisoned by the Blackwing Flame Venom…! Father… I'm sorry, but this is the decision I have to make!!! I will raise—"

"ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY MILLION PLATINUM COINS!!"

A booming voice echoed through the auction hall, both shocking and eliciting reactions of cynicism from the audience members – though the man with slicked-back black hair was enraged and anxious when he heard it.

It was Duke Moron once again!

"I would like to see if anyone would care to contend with the pride of our Wiarno Kingdom once more…? And if you truly have the resources to back up your reckless behaviour to disdain the dignity of my lofty nation!! Come!!"

Duke Moron shot off his challenge towards the entire hall, clearly aimed at the individual – or so he a.s.sumed that it was just one individual – who had challenged him on the last bids and upped the price ridiculously.

It was silent for a moment on stage with Host Aquino stunned in shocked silence before he caught himself and quickly shook his head to announce the new leading bid.

He could not help but gulp as he smiled eagerly – looks like he needn't have to work too hard for this round's commission to be sky-high!

"120 million platinum coins going once…! Dear guests, if you would still want to stay in the running, this is your chance, I believe you will—Wait! Thank you once more! I have a new bid… 125 million platinum coins! A clear challenger has emerged! What will be the next bid from our revered Duke Moro—"

He was cut off by a loud and powerful cough, not the type that would be to clear one's throat but obviously just to make a point.

"My dear compet.i.tor…! I am afraid that I will have to withdraw from the bidding this time! You have cowed me with your vast resources and proven to me that you are truly amazing! I'll let you enjoy overpaying for that measly piece of ice! Hahahahahaha!"

"And looks like there is a real whale in this time round's auction, just, one which is foolish and does not know the market prices! Hahaha! I regret that I cannot accompany you to play this kind of foolish game, and I truly hope you will enjoy your well-earned purchase! I will have to withdraw myself from competing… I will only bid for those items I truly want, but if the price exceeds my limit, I will withdraw and let you have them…"

"For double the cost! Hahahaha!"

Duke Moron's emphatic announcement immediately caused the audience members to erupt with discussion among themselves.

First of all, they were pretty sure that at least one part of what he was saying was false – there was definitely no way he would be withdrawing, not at all! Perhaps this was just a ruse used to prevent unreasonable raising of prices in a bidding war – one that would damage every party. It seemed that the veiled meaning behind the announcement was to seek common ground; a truce of sorts between himself and the hidden whale to avoid either side eating a loss.

Secondly, it looked like this round, it was not the other whale who had come out on top; for despite getting his item, it was a clear psychological win by Duke Moron to aggressively raise the price… And then withdraw, clearly demonstrating that he was the more experienced and seasoned bidder, able to correctly suss out just when his opponent would take the final bid, before the Duke withdrew and left his rival saddled with an overpriced snow flake.

Thirdly… It was all a pile of bulls.h.i.+t about his stopping bidding! Obviously he was just pretending and wanted people to let down their guards before he silently swooped in to s.n.a.t.c.h up his targeted items…!

For despite Duke Moron's loud antics thus far, he could very well himself stay silent and put in some bids with none the wiser, right…?

While all this commotion was going on, Host Aquino trembled slightly, unsure of how to proceed. He glanced over to one of the viewing boots where a dark-robed figure was seated. The figure nodded to him and Aquino gulped once more before continuing his count.

"Going twice…! And…"

"Sold! To the highest bid of 125 million platinum coins! And as promised beforehand, this means that the charity pool will be increased by a whopping 12.5 million platinum coins!"

And at Lars booth, a dumbstruck Lars froze with his hand hanging over the keypad where he was about to key in his bid.

While the audience members were pitying the poor soul who had tried to force Duke Moron to overpay for the item (i.e. Lars), the person in question was sitting stunned in his chair beside an incredulous and bemused Charley.

Lars slowly turned to Charley who raised his brows to him and scratched his head before asking Lars.

"…If it wasn't us who made that last bid, then who was it…?"