Chapter 13: Moko Auction House

After leaving the beastmen’s shop, Mo Fei and Cain followed the direction indicated by the fox-man shopkeeper and arrived at the auction house not far away.

They beheld a massive cylindrical building, occupying an enormous area and rising at least thirty meters high, standing imposingly before them. The entrance to the auction house was perched atop thirty-three steps. Above the grand doors hung a signboard inscribed with the words “Moko Auction House” and a giant auction gavel suspended overhead.

At that moment, the steps before the entrance were not crowded. The auction house typically hosted smaller auctions, and the items up for bid were displayed in advance on a magical screen by the door. Today, the screen announced a grand auction scheduled for the following day—a weekly event featuring extraordinary treasures rarely seen on the continent. Divine weapons, cultivation techniques, rare materials, and precious treasures, all awaited eager bidders.

“Excuse me, I have something I’d like to offer for tomorrow’s auction. Whom should I speak to?” Mo Fei entered and approached a young woman at the reception desk.

“Ah… S-sir, welcome! If your item isn’t particularly rare or precious, it can only be included in the regular small auctions, and I can register it for you. If you wish to participate in tomorrow’s grand auction, your item must first be appraised by our manager to decide if it qualifies!” Despite being frightened by Cain behind Mo Fei, the receptionist patiently explained.

“Could you take a look and see if this qualifies as rare or precious?” Mo Fei withdrew a small porcelain vial from his robe, poured a fragrant pill into his palm, and handed it to the young woman.

She examined the green pill offered by the young mage, inhaling its fresh, alluring aroma. She was certain this was no ordinary item, but unfamiliar with it, she could not judge its value.

“Sir, may I ask what this item is? What does it do? Could you tell me more about it?” she asked, a little embarrassed.

“This is called the ‘Returning Vitality Pill.’ After taking it, a warrior can rapidly restore depleted battle energy and heal bodily injuries,” Mo Fei replied calmly. Indeed, this was the very pill Cain had treated like candy. Mo Fei knew that, while it was a common elixir for cultivators, in this world it was unheard of.

On this continent, warriors and mages relied solely on themselves to recover their strength—never had there been an external item capable of rapid restoration. If used in a battle between equals, the Returning Vitality Pill could potentially turn the tide. The young woman understood the significance and respectfully said, “Sir, your Returning Vitality Pill is, as you described, truly precious and absolutely qualified for tomorrow’s auction. Still, it must be appraised by our manager. Please follow me, I’ll take you to see him!”

Mo Fei and Cain followed her down a long corridor, arriving at a door at the end.

“Master Mo, there’s a gentleman here with an item for tomorrow’s auction; it needs your appraisal,” the receptionist announced, knocking on the door.

“Let him in,” came a faint, aged voice from within.

The young woman opened the door and ushered Mo Fei and Cain inside before quietly leaving.

“You’re the ones wanting to auction an item? You know the rules, I hope! Only quality goods make it into tomorrow’s auction,” said the hunched figure behind the desk, turning to face Mo Fei. He was the manager of the Moko Auction House.

Mo Fei’s keen senses detected that, despite his hunched stature, the man’s eyes were sharp and his entire presence radiated danger—a true expert, one he could not hope to match at present. Instantly, Mo Fei grew serious, preparing himself for any threat. After the mercenary robbery incident, he was no longer naïve; murder and theft were far too common in this world.

“This is what I wish to auction. Please take a look. This elixir is called ‘Returning Vitality Pill,’ and it rapidly restores battle energy and heals injuries,” Mo Fei said, offering a pill to the manager.

Mo Fei’s subtle reaction had not escaped the manager’s notice. As a Sword Saint, he was impressed by Mo Fei’s instinct, especially for one so young. Hearing Mo Fei’s explanation, his eyes widened in disbelief.

As a powerful Sword Saint himself, the manager fully grasped the pill’s value. Years ago, injuries sustained in battle had left him with lingering internal wounds that had never healed. If the Returning Vitality Pill truly possessed the restorative powers Mo Fei claimed, he might yet reach the legendary realm in his lifetime.

The more he contemplated, the more excited he became, his aged face flushing red with emotion. Mo Fei, seeing his reaction, couldn’t help but wonder, “This old man is so powerful, yet acts like he’s never seen such things—so excited he might burst a blood vessel?”

The manager took the pill with trembling hands, carefully inspecting it and inhaling its potent fragrance. Immediately, he felt a subtle improvement in his old wounds. Clearly, the pill did indeed have the effects Mo Fei claimed.

“How did you obtain this Returning Vitality Pill?” he suddenly asked, lost in the wonder of the elixir.

“Master Mo, isn’t this question against auction house protocol?” Mo Fei’s face darkened at the inquiry, and Cain instantly entered a berserk state, his crimson eyes locked on the manager. Though Mo Fei was no match for the old man, as a cultivator he was not someone to be trifled with.

The manager realized his mistake at their reaction. Auction house rules forbade asking about the origins of auction items. He hastened to explain, “Please don’t misunderstand—I meant no offense. Our auction house’s reputation is impeccable. I simply got carried away in my excitement. May I ask, how many Returning Vitality Pills do you possess? Would you be willing to sell them directly to me? Rest assured, I’ll ensure you get a fair deal.”

“I have a bottle here, ten pills in total. What price can you offer, Master Mo?” Mo Fei asked. He was unconcerned whether the pills were auctioned or sold directly.

“One pill for ten thousand purple coins, ten for one hundred thousand. How does that sound?” the manager proposed.

On this continent, one hundred copper coins equal a silver coin, one hundred silver coins equal a gold coin, and one purple coin equals one hundred gold coins. One hundred thousand purple coins amount to ten million gold coins. For reference, a common person’s daily expenses were about one silver coin. One hundred thousand purple coins was indeed a fortune. Mo Fei accepted the manager’s offer without bargaining.

After transferring the one hundred thousand purple coins to Mo Fei’s magical account, Mo Fei and Cain left the manager’s office and wandered the auction house at leisure.

The manager watched them depart, his eyes gleaming with newfound interest. The enigmatic Mo Fei, accompanied by a berserker who could remain lucid after transforming, piqued his curiosity. “Perhaps tomorrow’s auction will be most intriguing,” he mused aloud, carefully pouring another Returning Vitality Pill from the porcelain vial to savor its miraculous effects.

That day, only minor auctions were held, none featuring items that caught Mo Fei’s interest. If he wished to obtain something worthwhile, he would have to wait for tomorrow’s grand auction.

After strolling for a while, Mo Fei and Cain left the auction house and found a hotel in Moko City for the night.