The auction did not come to a halt because of the arrival of Han Shuo and Sophie. Under the bewitching voice of the host, the bids for the magic staff rose higher and higher.
The noise rose and fell, and the hall was filled with incessant discussions. A few beautiful women dressed in gorgeous magic robes made no attempt to conceal their strong interest in the magic staff. This directly led to a small scale chaos in the auction.
"What do you think of that magic staff?" Sophie couldn't help but ask Han Shuo after the two sat down.
"Not much!" Han Shuo pursed his lips and added, "Flashy but impractical!"
Contrary to Han Shuo's expectations, Sophie actually agreed with Han Shuo's evaluation. "Yes, this magic staff is overly gorgeous. If I were a mage, I would definitely not choose such a beautiful magic staff."
Han Shuo looked at Sophie in surprise and said with a smile, "I thought you would be like them and pursue the ultimate beauty of everything."
Snorting lightly, Sophie said, "I'm choosing some trinkets from the stalls purely to enjoy the joy of shopping. It's not because I really like them."
"Oh?" Han Shuo looked at Sophie with a light smile and pointed at the crystal button Sophie was wearing. He teased, "Then, why would you wear this crystal button, and look like it's so precious?"
Sophie was taken aback and immediately waved her little fist. She said a bit mischievously, "That's because I'm giving you face. You bought this for me. If I were to carelessly throw it to the side, how embarrassing would that be!"
Han Shuo laughed involuntarily. Although he knew that Sophie was purely joking, he was still a bit happy in his heart. Whether or not Sophie had the intention to wear a crude button worth only three gold coins on her chest, as the buyer, Han Shuo did feel that he had received the respect he deserved.
It had to be said that talking with Sophie gave Han Shuo a very relaxed and carefree feeling. It was as if he was talking with a female confidante without any restraint. This kind of feeling made Han Shuo feel very comfortable.
"Eh, why is he here as well?" All of a sudden, Sophie let out a low cry and immediately retracted her head. She even grabbed Han Shuo and pulled him to lower his head as well.
Han Shuo was suddenly pulled by Sophie, and their heads almost bumped together. A refreshing fragrance immediately rushed into Han Shuo's nose, and the natural and fresh fragrance gave Han Shuo a sense of smell that he hadn't felt for a long time. Last time in the Dark Forest, the two had also been so close to each other and surrounded each other's scent.
The group of people walked steadily and gradually passed through the corridor on the left of Han Shuo and Sophie. Under the respectful welcome of the guards, they slowly went up to the VIP room on the second floor.
The person in the lead had a gentle smile on his face. He was dressed in a simple and clean snow-white warrior robe. He had a broad body and thick arms. He had an awe-inspiring aura. It was obvious that he was a swordsman or knight who was good at fighting.
"Your father?" With just a glance, Han Shuo was able to sense the power contained in that person's body through his Divine Sense. This kind of power was difficult to understand without reaching a certain realm.
"How, how did you know? You've seen my father? "Sophie was shocked and asked in a low voice.
Shaking his head, Han Shuo said, "I saw that he looked a little like you, so I made a random guess. I didn't expect that he really was your father."
Looks were only one aspect. The most important thing was that the fighting aura that Sophie cultivated was of the same origin as this person. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to sense it, but Han Shuo's Divine Sense was extremely strong. He could naturally sense it if he carefully sensed it.
"He must have gone to the VIP room where Braque is. Humph, he's really something. He made the decision for me without my consent. I hate him to death! "Sophie said angrily. It seemed that she held a grudge against Sulo.
Han Shuo wasn't clear about the matter between Sophie and Braque. Hearing Sophie's complaint, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's wrong?"
"No, nothing!" Sophie was actually a little flustered and said hastily.
Han Shuo was a little baffled, but he didn't pursue the matter. He pointed at the stage and said, "There's something down there that's not bad. I think it's more suitable for you!"
Sophie raised her head and stole a glance ahead. She only heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that there was no trace of her father Sulo in her line of sight. She then looked at the stage in high spirits.
At this moment, under the guidance of the host and the projection of the lights, a dark green armor slowly descended from the ceiling. The dark green armor was glossy and bright, sparkling with a dazzling radiance under the lights.
"This knight's armor is the handiwork of a dwarf master. Although I don't know which dwarf master it came from, but judging from the luster of the armor …" After the armor was revealed, the host started to brag again.
"The armor is indeed beautiful, but is it really that sturdy?" Sophie asked Han Shuo with some doubts as she looked at the armor from afar.
"It's alright. It's mixed with a few rare ores, including black iron ore, mithril, and black gold. Forged by the hands of a dwarf, it shouldn't be too shabby. You can consider it," Han Shuo said with a smile.
"Forget it. My father is in the VIP room. We can't see him from here, but he can look down from the high vantage point. I once used this face to tease him. He'll recognize me. It'll be terrible if he catches me red-handed, "Sophie cutely stuck out her tongue. Sophie stuck out her tongue cutely, as if afraid that Sulo would notice her, and shrunk back a little.
"Twenty thousand gold coins! Young master Braque bids twenty thousand gold coins!" the host suddenly screamed before he could finish extolling the advantages of the armor.
Sophie snorted and said disdainfully, "Bastard, I won't accept your kindness!"
Although Sophie's cry was soft, Han Shuo still heard it clearly. He raised his head and looked upstairs. He asked in surprise, "Who is this Braque? The host hasn't even finished his speech and he's already throwing out such an expensive price! "
"His name is Braque Pillon. You are already in Kasi Empire. Don't tell me you don't even know him?" Sophie was somewhat stunned. She looked at Han Shuo strangely and asked.
Han Shuo shrugged his shoulders and calmly said, "I really don't know. Is he very famous?"
Sophie made an expression as though she had been defeated by Han Shuo. She then explained with a straight face, "Although the Shrine of Ice has great authority in Kasi Empire, the one who truly controls Kasi Empire is still the Pillon Family. Braque is the son of Prince Bradley. He's not a benevolent person. It's already very troublesome for you to offend the Shrine of Ice in Kasi Empire. You must not provoke this family as well."
"Thank you for the reminder!" Han Shuo still had a faint smile on his face, but in his heart, he didn't think much of it. On Profound Continent, there weren't many people who could threaten Han Shuo's life. He didn't give a damn about this so-called imperial family.
"Bradley? Bradley of Cesar City? "Han Shuo suddenly recalled something and asked.
"There's only one Bradley Pillon in the entire Kasi Empire. That's him!" Sophie creased her brows and added, "Since you have come to Kasi Empire, why are you still so unfamiliar with our Kasi Empire?"
Trunks had been painstakingly developing and strengthening the Valley of Sunshine all this while. His target was none other than this Bradley Pillon. Han Shuo understood that the cause of all this was Annie. This young lady, whom Trunks treated as his own sister, had once suffered unbearable treatment. One of those people was Bradley.
Both Florida and Butcher died in Trunks' hands during the riot in the Valley of Sunshine. Now, there was only Bradley, who wielded immense authority in Kasi Empire, that was Trunks' persistent target. When Sophie mentioned this Bradley, Han Shuo couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
Han Shuo had already set his mind on this person. Although it wasn't good for Han Shuo to overstep his boundaries, if Bradley dared to provoke him, teaching him an unforgettable lesson wouldn't be a bad thing.
"Is there a higher price?" the host continued to make a big fuss. However, there was only a meager response from the audience.
"In Kasi Empire, the Pillon Family is the true ruler. Most people wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for this family," Sophie softly sighed and explained to Han Shuo.
Sophie was truly helpless when she said those words. She was helpless about her own future. It was precisely because she clearly understood the influence of the Pillon Family in Kasi Empire that she felt powerless over the marriage with Braque. A sense of dejection suddenly filled her heart. Sophie suddenly felt that even if she possessed extraordinary strength, wouldn't it still be difficult for her to resist power?
"Twenty thousand gold coins! This armor belongs to Young Master Braque! "the host hammered down the hammer, indicating who this item belonged to.
Just as Sophie was in a low mood and had no intention of attending to the auction, another four treasures were bid for at a high price. Two of the four items were magical robes with special functions, a scroll capable of releasing a forbidden spell, and the last necklace with a hundred diamonds once worn by the Empress of the Verdun Imperial Court who had disappeared.
Han Shuo had no interest in any of the four items. Three of them were purchased by three magi, and the last necklace was purchased by Braque.
Han Shuo noticed that as Braque became more and more arrogant, Sophie's mood became more and more gloomy. This made Han Shuo feel rather baffled. He couldn't understand why Sophie would suddenly become so sentimental.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is rather special. Even our experts don't know what it is! However, this item possesses a miraculous effect. Once it is inserted into the ground, the plants within several miles will grow even stronger and taller, "the host continued to introduce.
Following the host's introduction, a tender green leaf the size of a palm was presented on a crystal tray. That leaf appeared to be made of dark green jade. It was glossy and bright. As soon as it was presented, the filthy air within the entire auction house was purified.
All of a sudden, the air within the bustling auction house suddenly became a lot fresher, as though everyone had entered a lush forest in an instant. Everyone's body and mind seemed to have suddenly relaxed.
Han Shuo, who hadn't paid much attention all this while, suddenly jolted. His eyes abruptly emitted a dazzling radiance that no one dared to look straight at. Sophie, who was beside Han Shuo, immediately noticed the change in Han Shuo's eyes. Her gloomy mood was somewhat diluted by curiosity. She looked at Han Shuo in puzzlement and asked in a low voice, "You want this item?"
"That's right!" Han Shuo replied in a deep voice.
"What is this? I've never seen such a strange leaf before. Do you know what it is?" Sophie was a little surprised. She stared at Han Shuo and asked hurriedly.
Nodding, Han Shuo explained, "It's hard to explain to you. Anyways, this item is very useful to me!"
"Then you can bid for it! If you don't have enough gold coins, I can lend you some, but you have to return it! " Sophie said to Han Shuo with a smile. She then looked at the VIP room above and said to Han Shuo with some misgivings, "I have to lower my head so that my father won't notice you when you're lining up to buy it."
"It's not convenient to talk about the origin of this leaf, but I think those who know their stuff should be able to tell that it's extraordinary. Hmm, the starting price is ten thousand gold coins. The highest bidder wins. Let the bidding begin! "the host shouted.
"Twenty thousand!" "Twenty five thousand!" "Twenty seven thousand!"
"… …"
It seemed that there were quite a few who knew their stuff. Just as the host's voice faded, the price began to climb.
Han Shuo was in no hurry to make a move. He merely observed the few competitors with cold eyes. After a round of shouting and wrangling, the price slowly rose to forty thousand gold coins. At this point, those nobles who were purely curious about the use of this treasure gradually stopped participating.
The remaining three who were truly interested continued to raise the price. Among the three, one was a real fatty, one was a brightly dressed upper-class lady, and the last one was shockingly Braque of the House of Pillon.
Braque was the most excited among the three. Perhaps it was because he had discovered that there were people who dared to compete with him. He appeared to be very impatient. Han Shuo could even hear his heart beating rapidly due to excitement.
Judging from the way that fatty was dressed, he should be a true wealthy merchant. From his clothing, he seemed to be from the Brut Merchant Alliance. No wonder he dared to compete with Braque. The upper-class lady was graceful. Han Shuo couldn't tell her background, but she should be the most lacking in financial resources. Her complexion was gradually turning ugly. He reckoned that the price of that item had exceeded what she could afford.
After watching for a while, when Han Shuo saw that the price had already reached fifty thousand, he suddenly made a move. A string of numbers suddenly appeared.
"One … one hundred thousand! Who, who is it? "the host suddenly screamed and hastily looked at the plate number.
The audience was in an uproar!
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