MTLNOVEL Chapter 179: Glorified Pet
As the weight of James' words hit Lily, her excitement toward the turtle dropped to an all-time low.
'Is it really as useless as Sir James said?' Her face darkened.
Lily had wanted to win the Bloodline Appraising Turtle for her Big Brother Lucian, but if the turtle could not acquire the Skill, then what was the point of bidding and winning it?
"Even if the turtle is useless, Chef Lucian said he needed Magical Beasts. You should still bid for it." Fenwick reminded Lily after seeing her shoulders slumped.
"That's right, Big Brother Lucian needs Magical Beasts. And maybe… he might know how to unlock the turtle's Skill. He's the best. If anyone can unlock its Skill, it would be him!"
After she finished speaking, the others in the room were speechless by her confidence in Lucian.
"For the Esteemed Guests who are unaware, allow me to explain the Bloodline Grade System. It's as follows: Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, and Mortal." Meng Ruo announced, and without giving the guests a chance to react, she continued, "Now, the Bloodline Appraising Turtle before you all is a Grade 1 Magical Beast with a Mortal Grade Bloodline.
Despite its less-than-pleasing reputation, its rarity and potential Skill cannot and should not be overlooked. Just imagine being the first person to unlock the Bloodline Appraising Skill. Just because others have failed, doesn't mean you will fail. With that said, the starting bid for this Magical Beast is 50 Low-Grade Mana Stones."
Following that, one after the other, four people's names, who had previously never bid, instantly appeared on the large screen.
50 Low-Grade Mana Stones - Saber-Toothed Wolf
51 Low-Grade Mana Stones - The Greatest Beast Tamer
52 Low-Grade Mana Stones - Master Quen
53 Low-Grade Mana Stones - Beast Tamer Ponyu
They all had wide and anxious smiles on their faces, which surprised and confused Lily. After what James had told her, she expected no one would bid for the Bloodline Appraising Turtle, but it seemed she was wrong. Despite the negative reactions many, if not all of the people in the venue had, there were still a few optimists among them.
Lily was not the only person confused and mildly surprised, as many in the venue had similar reactions.
A few people wore expressions of disdain and even voiced their disdain for the four people out loud.
A hoarse voice said in contempt, "A bunch of Fools! They're wasting Low-Grade Mana Stones on a glorified pet!"
Many guests nodded their heads in agreement and some even laughed under their breath.
"That turtle's nothing but an overpriced decorative trinket." Another person was heard saying.
On the other hand, the four people who were on the receiving end of the mockery snorted and continued bidding.
Their disdain could not hamper their will.
Within mere moments of the Bloodline Appraising Turtle being put up for auction, the price had reached an astonishing 100 Low-Grade Mana Stones; 20 Low-Grade Mana Stones more than the average price.
However, in an auction, it was a given that items were sold above the average price. This was due to multiple reasons, such as scarcity of resources, multiple bidders, the wealth of the bidders, the pride all Mages had, and even auction fever.
"How… strange," Garrett muttered quietly. "These people clearly know the Bloodline Appraising Turtle is useless, yet they're bidding as if it's a one-of-a-kind treasure."
Without taking his eyes off the large screen, James replied, "Think of it as a gamble. They might know something we don't, or they might be trying their luck, hoping to be the first to unlock the Bloodline Appraising Turtle's Skill.
"A hidden potential is irresistible." Fenwick said and continued immediately after, "Also, Master Quen and Beast Tamer Ponyu are well-known Beast Tamers. Even that shameless fellow calling himself 'The Greatest Beast Tamer' is probably as knowledgeable as them. I doubt they would bid unless they knew something, especially Beast Tamer Ponyu, who never wastes money.
There may be more to them bidding than we know."
As the others in the room listened to their words, Lily went into deep thought.
'If they know something, then it's even better. Lily will definitely win the Bloodline Appraising Turtle for my Big Brother Lucian.'
"Be careful. The price of the Bloodline Appraising Turtle is already over the average price." Fenwick warned when he saw Lily typing on the Auction Tablet. "Also, it's not a given that they know how to unlock the Bloodline Appraising Turtle's Skill. Like Sir James said, they might just be trying their luck."
Lily nodded her head, "I understand! But I must win for my Big Brother Lucian! Even if the four bidders don't have a method, my Big Brother Lucian will definitely have one!"
After saying that with the utmost confidence, which left the people in the VVVIP Room speechless by her confidence, Lily pressed enter on the Auction Tablet.
Immediately after, the previous highest bid was replaced with the following:
101 Low-Grade Mana Stones - James Orchard
In an instant, the fingers of Saber-Toothed Wolf, The Greatest Beast Tamer, Master Quen, and Beast Tamer Ponyu froze inches away from their Auction Tablets.
Then, as if it had been orchestrated beforehand, every single pair of eyes darted up to the VVVIP Room.
"Sir James entered the bidding!"
"He hasn't bid since the first item… why now?"
"Could it be Sir James knows how to unlock the Bloodline Appraisal Skill?"
"I doubt that. Not even the Orchard Family should have a method; otherwise, it would have been public knowledge. He's probably trying his luck."
"I agree with you big sister. I'm also more willing to believe Sir James is trying his luck."
Meng Ruo, on the other hand, was smiling even more beautifully. 'Finally. With Sir James joining the bid, the price will definitely skyrocket.' After such a thought, she cleared her throat, and despite the commotion occurring on the first floor, the sound was heard by all of them.
The guests became silent and turned in Meng Ruo's direction.