The holographic bidding pit of the Central Galactic Stellar Real Estate Exchange glowed with the light of a thousand miniature suns.
Under the towering sapphire dome next door to the Bullion Lounge, hundreds of star-brokers in velvet coats shouted bids across the circular floor. Above their heads floated three-dimensional projections of white dwarfs, red giants, and mineral-rich asteroid belts up for auction.
At the center of the main rostrum stood Elder Huo (Goodness: -52/100) of the Blazing-Sun Sect.
Elder Huo wore crimson robes embroidered with golden solar flares that crackled with dry, oppressive heat every time he moved. He had his thumb pressed firmly onto the VIP margin-bidding pad for Lot #700: a prime, newly formed Twin-Golden Binary Star System.
“Thirty trillion Origin Dao Crystals on three-to-one Vault #3 margin!” Elder Huo bellowed, his arrogant voice echoing across the glass rotunda. “The Twin-Golden Binary Star System belongs to my Blazing-Sun Sect! Anyone who dares outbid me is declaring war on our twelve solar furnaces!”
Behind the auction podium, Auction Director Lin Zhentian (Goodness: 65/100) adjusted his crystal spectacles and raised his gavel.
“Thirty trillion Origin Dao Crystals on margin from Elder Huo,” Lin Zhentian called out. “Note that under Vault #3’s solar-collateral deadline, the Blazing-Sun Sect must lock in this binary star title before the noon bell in three minutes, or their existing sector leverage will default! Going once...”
