NOVPUBAt 10 a.m., the Petras Auction House.
As one of the most renowned auction houses in the South Continent, the Petras Auction House has a branch located in District 3 of Parriet, which has long been a treasure trove for art and antique collectors seeking rare gems.
Apart from regular sales, it holds dozens of large-scale, members-only auctions each year, involving paintings, furniture, jewelry, magic devices, and contracts.
The facade of this multi-story, fortress-like building is adorned with carvings and classic Parriet elements, and the golden sign above the door shimmers in the sunlight.
Stepping into this historic building, it seemed as though with every footstep, one could hear the sounds of past exorbitant transactions echoing in one’s ears.
Inside the hall, light cascaded down from exquisitely crafted chandeliers, dotting the art palace like stars.
At the moment, the deepest part of the Petras Auction House was hosting a large-scale weekly auction.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s grand event at the Petras Auction in Huadu. What we are about to embark upon is more than just an auction. It’s a journey through time, allowing you to appreciate the charm of priceless treasures. Let us set sail with passion, wishing for the most precious collections to find their ideal new owners."
The auctioneer’s voice permeated inside and outside the auction venue.
The audience seats, arranged like a theatre around the stage, fanned out layer by layer, with a private lounge behind the second-floor balustrade.
Lanci and Talia, along with Cat Boss, were sitting in a rather inconspicuous seat, surrounded by richly dressed, affluent individuals.
"Your membership really can be used."
Talia glanced at Lanci next to her and said.
Neither of them was interested in the treasure currently up for bidding, so they took the opportunity to chat while everyone around them was making noise.
"Of course, I wouldn’t make you come all this way for nothing," Lanci replied with a smug smile.
If it weren’t for their last-minute decision to come here today and the tight seating, they might have been able to book a place in the privileged area above earlier.
Unfortunately, they could not secure three spots this time. Lanci was the sole member of the Petras Company; Talia was admitted as his female companion.
And Cat Boss could only be held in Talia’s arms.
"Meow meow, what are they selling here?"
Cat Boss looked at the prices of items on the distant auction stage, feeling like a country cat.
If it hadn’t been for Asina taking over the Boss Cat Restaurant and multiplying its revenue severalfold, it wouldn’t even consider bidding for a chef.
Of course, even if it were to purchase a chef from the Demon Race, it might need Lanci to advance some money first, paying him back with the restaurant’s monthly revenue.
On the far auction area, the auction table on stage resembled a century-old cabinet, with gold leaf decoration and exquisite carpentry, making it particularly stand out in the entire auction hall.
In the glass display case next to it, an undying crystal necklace lay quietly on a velvet cushion, each orange crystal sparkling with interlacing light under the illumination.
"The next item up for auction is an artistic masterpiece that has been passed down for a century. It not only witnessed the historical changes of a family but also carries the profound artistic depth of Master Jera Zelt. This piece, without a doubt, is a dream treasure for every jewelry collector."
The auctioneer introduced the necklace, named "Memory of Starlight," and its information was displayed.
"Memory of Starlight"
"Type: Magic tool"
"Grade: Rare"
"Rank: 1"
"Wearing this necklace, the creature will gain a minute amount of spirit and have a slight chance to resonate with the memories of ancestors who wore the necklace, only once."
The bidding soon surged past the 10,000 pounds mark.
In the audience, Cat Boss looked at Lanci in puzzlement from within Tata’s embrace.
"Can this thing really be worth so much money, meow?"
The necklace’s attributes were close to none. If it sold for a high price, Cat Boss dared not guess how valuable the statues Lanci had repaired in the orc city-states of the Shadow World were.
Of course, if they stole the statues to sell, that group of orcs might go berserk, never ceasing until death.
"Its inherent attributes aren’t very strong, but it’s been imbued with the legendary allure of a great craftsman. If one uses it as a prototype to craft an Equipment Card, perhaps it could become epic," Lanci muttered, stroking his chin.
The concept of legendary allure had been taught to him by Professor Bolao, but Professor Bolao didn’t explain it very clearly, hoping instead that Lanci would come to understand it on his own.
According to Professor Bolao, overexplaining would only dull the spirit. If a craftsman set out solely in pursuit of legendary allure, they would never attain true legendary allure. Therefore, he neither wanted to teach Lanci too much nor needed to.
Lanci felt he could comprehend what legendary allure was about. There was always an ineffable element during card making, likely this concept, which was also the key to anchoring history; once an item was endowed with legendary allure, it could be used to construct epics.
Talia listened quietly to Lanci’s musings on the side.
Ever since she and Lanci had linked minds, she felt she could grasp some of his insights.
In a way, Lanci’s learning meant her learning; she could directly benefit from the fruits of Lanci’s studies.
"Of course, the collectors who are bidding for this necklace may not intend to use it for crafting; they might simply appreciate it for its own sake."
Lanci felt that over 10,000 pounds was still too much of a premium, mainly due to its collectible value.
