The auction proceeded with rapid, mechanical rhythm through the afternoon lots.
Rare spirit-gourds, thunder-pears, and dragon-scale walnuts were hammered down one after another. But nobody in the Colosseum was paying attention to the smaller lots. Every gaze remained fixed on Box Zero Zero One, where Lin Mo sat calmly sipping green tea while his guards finished their watermelon slices.
Suddenly, a heavy bronze bell rang three times from the high rafter beams.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Elder Greed-Tongue stepped to the front of the stage, waving both hands to quiet the murmuring stadium. A greasy, triumphant smile spread across his vulture-like face.
“Distinguished patrons, the moment has arrived for our special mid-session feature!” Greed-Tongue announced, his voice oozing with false excitement. “Lot Number Fifty! An extraordinary artifact of cosmic regeneration, discovered in the deepest subterranean strata of the ancient Star-Tomb Sector!”
Four demon-beast handlers wheeled an obsidian pedestal onto the center stage.
Resting upon a cushion of crimson velvet was a single, massive fruit the size of an iron cauldron. Its skin gleamed with a deep, pulsating violet luster, interlaced with intricate golden veins that hummed with hypnotic light. A sweet, intoxicating perfume of wild orchids and warm honey drifted across the front rows of the arena.
