MTLNOVEL Chapter 180: The Time To Cook Has Arrived
Once Meng Ruo received their attention, she announced, "101 Low-Grade Mana Stones going once…"
Meng Ruo raised the gavel and swept her seductive eyes across the four other bidders, hoping they would not be deterred by James' name.
Beast Tamer Ponyu furrowed his brows as he glanced at the VVVIP Room. He had expected a fierce bidding war, but not one in which James was involved in. It was not as though he was afraid of him, but there was no need to continue bidding.
Saber-Toothed Wolf, on the other hand, was not one to back down easily. His eyes narrowed, and he slightly clenched his jaws. 101 Low-Grade Mana Stones? Fine, I'll show him. This Bloodline Appraisal Turtle is mine.' He muttered and lifted his fingers to increase the bid, but just as he was about to press enter, a voice he was quite familiar with entered his mind via Voice Transmission.
[Wolf. Don't be reckless. Let him have this one. The Bloodline Appraisal Turtle is not worth the risk if James is also involved. Just buy the next Magical Beast that appears up for auction.] The Greatest Beast Tamer said.
Saber-Toothed Wolf did not respond to him. His fingers were mere inches away from entering in his bid, but after a moments hesitation, he sighed, reigned in his wolf instincts, and withdrew his fingers. He was no fool and knew when to retreat.
Meanwhile, Master Quen sat emotionlessly with his hands crossed before his chest. He was known for his impeccable instincts, and right now, his gut was telling him to step back. Not wanting to go against what had saved him many times in the past, he remained emotionless, clearly indicating he would not continue to bid.
Seeing as none of the four bidders were making any moves, Meng Ruo's beautiful smile cracked. She cleared her throat and swept her beautiful eyes across the guests in an attempt to rekindle their competitive spirits. But even as her gaze paused briefly on a few hot-tempered people, none of them bet.
It was just as James and Fenwick had previously said — they were gambling, hoping that by some miracle they could unlock the Bloodline Appraisal Skill. Now, that not only was the price higher than the average market price for the Bloodline Appraisal Turtle but James was also the person who bet, they opted out.
Meng Ruo dejectedly raised the gavel higher, and knowing she could no longer stall, said, "101 Low-Grade Mana Stones going twice…"
But before she could finish her sentence, a gruff, bestial voice was heard saying:
"102 Low-Grade Mana Stones."
Instantly, the highest bid displayed on the large screen and Auction Tablets changed, and the people on the first floor and even in the VVVIP Room turned to the owner of the voice, who turned out to be none other than Saber-Toothed Wolf.
[Why the hell did you bid?] The Greatest Beast Tamer yelled in frustration. [Damnit, you're lucky I can't tame Demi-Humans.]
[Even if you could tame Demi-Humans, you wouldn't be able to tame me.] Saber-Toothed Wolf snorted.
"Fufufu. It seems the Bloodline Appraising Turtle has caught Esteemed Saber-Toothed Wolf's eyes. Are there any more offers?" Meng Ruo asked as she raised the gavel with her eyes locked on the VVVIP Room.
"Don't get swept up by the bidding war. If the bidding keeps rising, you might end up paying too much for something that is useless." Fenwick warned Lily.
James nodded. "He's right. This is exactly why people steer away from auction houses. Otherwise, before they know it, their entire life's fortune is taken away."
"Don't worry, Uncle Fen and Sir James," Lily replied and typed in another bid.
Following that, the highest bid once again changed:
103 Low-Grade Mana Stones — James Orchard
With a sigh, Fenwick shook his head and stopped trying to persuade her. He knew better than to continue. It would be useless. Once Lily set her mind on something, there was little that could shake her resolve. And perhaps… in this case, she could be right. Lucian was mysterious and powerful.
Who was to say he did not have a method to do the impossible?
"104 Low-Grade Mana Stones." Saber-Toothed Wolf countered calmly.
Lily pouted. She was a tad bit annoyed by the Wolf-Kin, thus she could not help but speak out her bid, "110 Low-Grade Mana Stones."
However, even though she had lost her composure, she did not forget to use Voice Mimicry, which perfectly changed her voice to that of James'.
Just like before, those on the first floor still believed it was James who had just spoken, rather than a mischievous, young lady.
Saber-Toothed Wolf gnashed his teeth together. A direct increase of 6 Low-Grade Mana Stones showed James' stance on the Bloodline Appraising Turtle.
'He wants to win it…' He and everyone else in the venue thought.
Remembering how James unexpectedly stopped bidding after driving the price of the bracelet up, Saber-Toothed Wolf had another reason to give up. Therefore, he shook his head at Meng Ruo, showing he had no intention of continuing.
Seeing this, Meng Ruo raised her gavel again and with a beautiful smile said, "110 Low-Grade Mana Stones going once, going twice, going thrice…"
"Sold! To Sir James for 110 Low-Grade Mana Stones. Congratulations."
Immediately after, many people in the venue broke out into applause, only to quieten down moments later as the auction continued.
"The next item is…"
—--------------
Meanwhile, inside the kitchen of Duan's restaurant, Lucian had been sitting cross-legged on the bed, motionless for quite some time now, waiting for the System's announcement.
On the other hand, Mei was sat on the floor, unbothered by the cold tiles.
[Host, precisely an hour and thirteen minutes have gone by. Therefore, the time to cook the 553 Siren's Melody Poached Eggs has arrived. Please wake up.]
The System's voice sounded in Lucian's mind, awakening him from his brief nap.
With a muffled yawn, Lucian opened his eyes and sat up from the bed.