Chapter 421: Darkness Auction
Indeed, he had gained more than his money’s worth!
The energy in Tang Ling’s dantian was already dense enough, and now, a third of the energy had turned into liquid form.
As a matter of fact, energy was a very abstract concept but only to living beings. In objects, energy could be found in the form of steam, gas, or battery.
In the Purple Moon era, with the existence of supermen, they were able to materialize energy.
As for what gave the supermen the ability to materialize energy, the scientists had yet to provide an answer. For example, the dantian was just an area below the belly b.u.t.ton in the aspect of old civilization biology. What was actually inside? Where exactly was the dantian?
However, this concept seemed to exist since ancient Huaxia, and as for why?
As Tang Ling inhaled deeply, he realized that his strength came from his dantian. Could it be considered as a kind of evidence?
In the Purple Moon era, people no longer viewed their own bodies as the compilation of organs and bones. They could feel something more abstract such as the dantian, veins, and acupoints.
Where exactly did ancient Huaxia get such knowledge?
Tang Ling walked out from the cabin area and stretched his body under the sun. He was impressed that he could think of so many abstract questions from the theory of energy.
Unfortunately, all the answers did not have an answer at the moment. Anyway, he cared more about the auction that was happening later.
Tang Ling realized he had lived extremely lavishly in the past three days. In the blink of an eye, he had spent half of the 13,000-odd Black Sea coins. Would he be able to get something from the auction later?
He did not mind even if he did not get anything from the auction since he already got two Purple Moon Combat Arts manuals.
There was a question that caused him a headache though. Why did he spend like a n.o.ble? Why must he act generous and wealthy? He had been poor all his life and seemed to be carried away by the sudden wealth. What if he could no longer get used to being poor?
When it came to this particular point, Tang Ling did overreact. The way he spent money had nothing to do with a n.o.ble. It seemed more like someone who got wealthy overnight.
…
Unlike Tang Ling’s exception, the large black market auction that happened once every three months was not held in the underground black market. Instead, the black market rented the best place in Darkness Port’s commercial district openly: The Captain’s Tavern.
It was the most Western-influenced building in the district and all three floors were booked.
The event was strictly by-invitation-only, and without an invitation card, one was not allowed entry regardless of status or wealth.
However, Tang Ling believed that it was not that strict. If someone was that rich and had a high status, why would the person not get an invitation card? Was this for the sake of the so-called presentation?
Anyway, Tang Ling put on his robe and mask and went in proudly with his invitation card.
The auction hall was huge. The glorious and grand decorations were as typical as they could get and they all followed the theme of a captain’s cabin to the tee. The marine style had already become the fixed theme for all major events and Tang Ling was not equipped to enjoy this kind of interior design.
His sight was filled with people walking around and wearing the captain’s mask and black robes. Some even had advertis.e.m.e.nts for the black market on the back of their robes.
Could they be people with a status? However, there were all kinds of advertising slogans on their backs such as ‘The Floating Ice Black Market. The world is different because of us’, ‘Super-Advanced Black Market. Mankind is the root of technology’, ‘Madame Pusher Black Market. Pus.h.i.+ng good luck to you’, and so on.
Shameless!
It was rare for Tang Ling to be bothered by it because on his robe was also another advertising slogan, ‘Black Gold Black Market. More lubricants, less friction.’
If he was not mistaken about the Black Gold Black Market, it was the black market that dealt with all kinds of information such as the trading of intel or publis.h.i.+ng missions and so on. The slogan sounded appropriate but was also weird at the same time.
Tang Ling scratched his head. He then saw a reception table at the entrance. On it was a sign that said, ‘Remove your advertising slogan. Buy a voice changer, so you can lay low.’
There’s such a service?
Tang Ling squeezed his way into the crowd before realizing that the service cost 10 Black Sea coins and the voice changer must be returned upon exit.
It seems like I can’t save the 10 coins.
After all, Tang Ling had devoted himself to playing the role of a n.o.ble.
Compared to the crowded first floor, the second floor was a lot quieter as it required a VIP invitation card. Different status meant different services.
It was not mandatory to wear a robe with advertising slogans on the second floor. Therefore, there were no services for removing it. If the guests wanted to remain hidden, a high-cla.s.s velvet robe would be provided instead.
Unlike the first floor where everyone had to sit together as if they were in a movie theatre, the second floor had many independent theatre boxes equipped with comfortable sofas, a tea table, and one-way gla.s.s. As its name suggested, the gla.s.s provided the VIP guests with extra privacy.
On top of that, the voices from the second floor were all automatically altered, so there was no need for a no voice changer that required a deposit.
If one had the need, one could spend a little more money on food and drinks to create the best enjoyment one could get.
Tang Long was sitting in a box on the second floor. He saw someone’s advertising slogan on the robe: ‘More lubricants, less friction’, and he found it funny.
Thankfully, the guy who wore the shameful robe was smart enough to remove the slogan using the provided service. After all, other than shame, the slogan would be a way for others to recognize one’s ident.i.ty.
A faint smile later, Tang Long s.h.i.+fted his gaze.
Truth be told, his interest in Darkness Port’s black market auction was not that high. Due to his ident.i.ty, he had partic.i.p.ated in several other high-end auctions and seen quite a number of good things. Why would he look forward to the black market auction that was only held once every three months?
If it was not for the news about a translated version of Lucar’s Purple Moon Combat Arts, he would never have shown up in such a place.
After all, as someone who acknowledged Lucar’s work, even if Tang Long knew most of Lucar’s work was trash, he was still willing to collect them out of respect. As for whether or not the combat arts manual had a practical use, Tang Long did not care.
One of his trump cards was other than his own G.o.dfather. No one else knew how many combat techniques he had mastered and how powerful they were.
Tang Ling would not stand a stance in the life or death match.
“Young Master Long, why don’t you go up to the third floor?”
Draconic Twelve appeared in the wide and s.p.a.cious box. He sounded as tender and was comfortably sincere. He seemed to be baffled by Tang Long’s choice of sitting on the second floor.
Given Tang Long’s ident.i.ty, he could very well choose the third floor which was reserved for real VIP guests.
Everyone on the third floor would have their own room with an unlimited flow of all kinds of beverages. On top of that, there was a screen that would show the details of every auction item.
“It’s not necessary,” said Tang Long. He then took a sip of the red wine. Since when did he change his habit? Tang Long used to only drink water, but now, he had to have some alcohol every single day.
Draconic Twelve did not ask why. Since Tang Long said it was not necessary, it was not necessary at all.
However, as he gazed upon Tang Long’s drinking, a profound gaze flashed over Draconic Twelve’s eyes under the mask.
Despite all the amusing advertising slogans, the black market auction was organized decently. Be it the crowded first floor or the second and third floor which had VIP boxes and VIP rooms equipped with the best services provided, everything was sorted out nicely ten minutes before the auction started.
The guests on the first floor were seated and they quickly quietened down. The VIP guests on the second and third floors were carefully tended to as well.
After everything was ready, the red curtain on the first-floor lobby was lifted.
All the lights were switched off and only one spotlight was cast on the center of the stage. The stage was large but absent of anything else except for the podium under the spotlight. There was a row of microphones on the podium and a mallet, the holy symbol of an auction.
“At least, they’ve got the atmosphere going.” This was Tang Ling’s first auction. He was curious about everything but also stayed cautious.
He started to suspect that the man three rows ahead of him, who kept digging his nose, was none other than Boss Huang. After all, the design of the captain’s mask was meant to show the mouth and a bit of the nose.
The guests waited patiently and Tang Ling fixed his eyes on the man digging his nose.
All of a sudden, grand and majestic music started playing on the stage and a man came down from the ceiling. Tang Ling was frightened by the music and he cursed in his heart.
At least, give me a heads up, you b*stard!
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Darkness Port’s black market auction. I’m Nom, your succinct auctioneer for the day.” The man behind the podium started to introduce himself.
The man had average looks and a normal body, but his voice was powerful and charming, yet he claimed that he was succinct. Should he not promote the items for auction?
Tang Ling felt that he was strange.
The auctioneer on the stage was as succinct as he claimed. “Now, for our first event of the day: the Heart-throbbing Cliff.
“The first item will be the usual Intricate Dori Box. There are five in a set and the starting price of each set is 20 Black Sea coins with an increment of 5 Black Sea coins per raise.”
After that, the auctioneer kept quiet.
Several strong men then came out from the dark stage behind him and swiftly brought out ten sets of the so-called Intricate Dori Box.
No one was puzzled by the procedures as if everyone was familiar with what was happening.
Only Tang Ling was still thinking about why the starting event was called the Heart-throbbing Cliff? Why would the auction start with a Dori Box which was sold for 1 Black Sea coin outside? Why did the box cost so much inside here?
While Tang Ling was baffled by his thoughts, the first set of boxes was set.
Although the guests were not very interested, the bidding started. Soon enough, the price of 20 Black Sea coins per set was raised to 50 Black Sea coins per set.
In the end, a man, who looked fat even in the black robe, won the set with 65 Black Sea coins.
The man’s figure reminded Tang Ling of the fatty, Ji Chenxi, back in the Dream Domain, but it was just a fleeting thought. After all, he would be able to meet Ji Chenxi in the next dream again.
“Congratulations to the good sir on the first floor. According to the rules, we will open it up right away. I wish you good luck, dear sir,” said the auctioneer after he smacked the mallet.
He then walked over and opened the Dori Box himself.
Tang Ling’s interest was piqued, but the people around him somehow lacked concern.