The auctioneer held a round object, about the size of a fist, in his hand.
The item was entirely black, its material indistinguishable. Its outer shell was covered in a thick patina, clearly indicating its age.
This piece attracted the attention of many in the hall, who immediately used their divine senses to probe its nature.
However, a frown soon appeared on everyone's faces, as the item was evidently forged from special materials, capable of blocking divine senses.
"You want me to buy a ball?"
Ji Mo looked at the Treasure Snake, his mind full of questions.
He couldn't see anything special about this thing.
The Treasure Snake nodded humanely, its innate instinct sensing that something good was hidden within.
The auctioneer, noticing the confusion on everyone's faces, didn't prolong the suspense. He introduced, "This item is called the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball. It is ancient and suspected to be an artifact from the primordial era. Its structure is complex and incredibly intricate, crafted using the lost Lu Gong lock-making techniques. Without knowing the specific unlocking steps, it's impossible to open."
These words immediately piqued the interest of many, as primordial artifacts were highly attractive.
Of course, there was likely some exaggeration in the auctioneer's words. The word "suspected" was used very shrewdly, indicating that the auction house couldn't ascertain its true age.
However, it was certain that this item was definitely an antique.
"Is it truly impossible to open?"
Someone couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, a Grandmaster-level blacksmith at our auction house couldn't open it. After all, these are lost techniques. However, this also serves as proof of its ancient origins," the auctioneer replied. He continued, "Because it cannot be opened, we are unsure of what lies within. It might contain ancient immortal elixirs or supreme secret manuals. Buying it is a guaranteed profit."
"Isn't this just like a blind box? Are you trying to fool us?"
Ji Mo felt this was a scam.
It wasn't even certain if there was anything inside, and the auctioneer was hyping it up to the sky. He was a master of deception.
Upon hearing the auctioneer's words, many people's eyes indeed turned red.
But there were also discerning individuals who scoffed at the auctioneer's claims.
A blacksmith commented, "I believe the material used for this Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball is Tri-Colored Mithril. Although it's a rare metal, its value isn't very high. It's not worth much. Moreover, if it were forcibly opened, the item inside would inevitably be damaged. Even if it did contain an immortal elixir, it couldn't be retrieved. This thing is useless."
The auctioneer's expression changed slightly, surprised that someone knowledgeable had seen through the facade.
Upon hearing this, many people lost interest.
If even a blacksmith grandmaster couldn't open it, and forcing it open risked damaging the contents, what was the point?
"This is an ancient artifact, rarely seen, and incredibly precious. Furthermore, setting aside other aspects, the Lu Gong lock-making technique alone is invaluable. If one could comprehend this lost skill from it, it would be priceless."
The auctioneer, being eloquent, managed to stir the interest of many once more.
Even the blacksmith who had spoken earlier showed a flicker of interest in his eyes.
"This Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball is not expensive. The starting bid is five hundred thousand taels of gold, with each increment no less than fifty thousand taels."
The auctioneer wasted no more time and began the bidding.
"Five hundred and fifty thousand taels!"
The blacksmith was the first to bid.
"Six hundred thousand taels!"
"Six hundred and fifty thousand taels!"
...
The crowd continued to bid, and soon the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball surpassed a million taels of gold, with the bidding showing no signs of stopping.
Tang Heng's face lit up with excitement, as this item was one he had sent for auction, and he hadn't expected it to be so valuable.
"Are you really going to buy it?"
Ji Mo felt a sense of unease. This was no small sum.
He remembered when he was poor, he'd stretch a single copper coin into two. Now, he was about to buy a luxury item worth over a million taels of gold. It was truly decadent.
"Hiss hiss!"
The Treasure Snake gave a positive affirmation.
It trusted its intuition; buying it would surely be a profitable venture.
Ji Mo began to participate in the bidding, and the price quickly exceeded two million taels before the bids became more spaced out.
"Three million taels of gold!"
Ji Mo decisively placed a high bid.
This immediately silenced everyone.
The price had exceeded the bottom line for most people.
As Ji Mo uttered this number, his voice trembled.
He was prepared to gamble.
At worst, he'd suffer a significant loss, but this money was ill-gotten gains anyway.
Just as the auctioneer was about to close the deal, Tang Heng spoke, "Three million and five thousand taels."
Ji Mo turned his head and saw Tang Heng's mocking expression. He calmly said, "Three million one hundred thousand taels."
"Three million two hundred thousand taels. Country bumpkin, if you have the guts, keep up."
Tang Heng deliberately provoked him.
Ji Mo couldn't stand this attitude and went head-to-head with him. Soon, the price of the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball soared to four million.
"I thought Ji Mo was someone significant, but he's just an idiot."
In the VIP box, Tan Yunao made this assessment.
He was so easily provoked by a low-level taunt; it was truly brainless.
He wasn't even interested in looking at such a person.
Zeng Qiyan's expression soured upon hearing this. He considered Ji Mo his lifelong rival, and if Ji Mo was an idiot, wouldn't that make him look foolish as well?
He knew Ji Mo was no simple person; this man was cunning and extremely insidious, not easy to deal with.
When Ji Mo reached four million taels, Tang Heng suddenly stopped bidding.
From the conflicted expression on Ji Mo's face, it was clear that this was his limit, and he wouldn't go any higher.
Thinking that he had tricked Ji Mo out of another million taels of gold with a small scheme, Tang Heng's smile stretched almost to his ears.
"You stupid pig, spending four million taels of gold on useless trash."
Tang Heng, full of smugness, walked over to Ji Mo and taunted, "I forgot to tell you, this Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball is mine. Thank you for giving me so much money for free."
Seeing Ji Mo's face darken like a burnt pot, he laughed even more triumphantly.
At this moment, the auctioneer brought over the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball and happened to overhear Tang Heng's words. He glared fiercely at Tang Heng.
It was acceptable to artificially inflate the price of one's own auction item, but to say something so shameless was wrong. It made outsiders mistakenly believe that the auction house was colluding with the seller to cheat people.
The auctioneer was displeased and immediately decided to put Tang Heng on an unwelcome list, vowing not to cooperate with him again.
The auction house's rule was cash on delivery and payment upon completion of the transaction.
Ji Mo didn't say much, paid directly, and received the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball.
He handled it carefully, even trying to turn it, clearly wanting to see what was inside.
"Ridiculous. With your intelligence, you still want to open it? After you buy it, you can only play with it as a ball, haha!"
Tang Heng couldn't help but sneer. Even a blacksmith grandmaster couldn't open it, and he thought he could? It was laughable.
"Just because you're too unintelligent to open it doesn't mean no one can."
Ji Mo appeared calm, his gaze focused on the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball as his hands began to work.
"Heh, keep pretending. If you can open it, I'll publicly..."
Tang Heng continued his mockery, but his words stopped abruptly.
With a "click," the Seven-Skillful Celestial Craftsmanship Ball was opened by Ji Mo in just a few moves.
The surrounding people heard the sound and looked over, their faces filled with disbelief.
Then their eyes widened, eager to see what was inside.
Ji Mo took out a piece of silk, as thin as cicada wings, and slowly unfolded it.
Instantly.
A collective gasp of cold air echoed around them.
"My heavens, there really is a supreme secret manual!"