The People's God: Sacrificing Trillions to Ascend-Chapter 421 - Auction
Han Wu received a summons from his professor and made his way to Xu Hai’s office.
“Professor, were you looking for me?” Han Wu had been so absorbed in researching the various golems and their blueprints that he had lost track of everything happening at Imperial College.
Xu Hai could only stare at his student in disbelief. Hard work was admirable, but isolating oneself for too long could stunt one’s growth.
“Han Wu, rumors about you obtaining the Fire Ring have spread everywhere,” Xu Hai said. “I need you to be honest with me. Is it true?”
Xu Hai couldn’t hide his curiosity. The Magic Ring was a treasure that even God Kings coveted. If it had really fallen into Han Wu’s hands, then it was no blessing but a disaster waiting to happen.
Han Wu knew the rumor’s source. Only Huang Shengjun had known about the Fire Ring. Thankfully, Huang Shengjun was unaware of the presence of another Magic Ring within the Transmutation Golem’s core.
Han Wu sighed. “Yes, it is true. I have obtained the Fire Ring. It has the power to control all forms of flame.”
Xu Hai’s eyes widened in surprise. He had never imagined that his own student would surpass him. With just a clone in the Middle Realm, Han Wu had managed to discover the Magic Ring, a treasure coveted even by the God Kings.
Once Xu Hai confirmed the truth, he spoke with a hint of regret. “Han Wu, I hate to say this, but you can’t keep it. Too many people are eyeing it. The Fire Aspect is one of the four fundamental Divine Aspects, and because it’s so common, numerous Gods wield fire.
“To them, the Fire Ring is a priceless treasure. If you hold on to it, you will become their target. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
“I do,” Han Wu replied. “But I won’t give it up for nothing.”
Han Wu’s affinity leaned toward darkness, so the Fire Ring wasn’t particularly useful to him. Still, his Flame Demons needed it to grow; without it their survival would be at risk. He couldn’t just abandon his race’s development just to avoid danger.
Xu Hai felt some relief when he heard Han Wu’s response. “Who said I wanted you to give it up for free? This is a special treasure, and you can trade it for many top-ranking treasures. And since you’re its rightful owner, you have the right to raise the price. Understand?”
Han Wu nodded. “Then I’m glad to have your support. The Fire Ring is one of a kind, so its value should reflect that. It would be reasonable for me to ask for treasures that can help nurture units of different attributes.”
Xu Hai chuckled, impressed by Han Wu’s cunning. “Not bad. Then I will use my authority to hold an auction for the Fire Ring. Just tell me what you need. If anyone tries to contact you in secret, you can push everything to me.” 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Han Wu understood that Xu Hai was offering to act as his shield, drawing all hostility toward himself instead. He quickly bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Professor!”
“There’s no need to thank me. This is my duty.” Xu Hai was actually pleased to have a student that grasped his intentions so easily. After seeing Han Wu off, he used his authority to release a statement on the Imperial College information board about the Fire Ring’s auction.
The notice immediately became the hottest topic across the college.
“Holy shit! Which God managed to get a Magic Ring? Please take me as your student!”
“A Magic Ring is something even God Kings desire, and they are selling it? That’s insane.”
“Are you stupid? Keeping the Magic Ring after the news got out would be a death sentence.”
“Everyone’s after it. I heard that a Major God skilled in assassinations has found out who the student is and plans to kill them for it.”
“Sigh... Even though the student will lose the Magic Ring, the resources from the auction will be enough for them to become a Major God. I envy them so much.”
The entire campus buzzed with excitement and speculation.
Before long, word of the auction reached many Gods’ ears. Once they confirmed that the Fire Ring existed, many fire-wielding Gods rushed to register for the auction.
Within a single day, more than 1,000 individuals had signed up. Among them were 900 Gods, 100 Major Gods, and even a newly promoted God King who wielded fire. Every one of them would attend the auction in person.
Imperial College threw its full support behind the event once they learned of the God King’s arrival. They had to ensure the auction was a grand affair worthy of his presence. They couldn’t afford the slightest embarrassment in front of a God King.
Hence, under the chancellor’s orders, every professor was required to contribute one or two of their best treasures to be auctioned. What had begun as an event centered around the Fire Ring soon evolved into a grand auction featuring many other treasures too.
Upon learning how extensive the auction had become, Gods who had little interest in the Fire Ring came to register as well. Even Xu Hai hadn’t anticipated that it would grow to such a scale.
The confirmation that three God Kings would personally attend placed it far beyond his ability to manage alone. Thankfully, Imperial College’s backing guaranteed that everything would proceed smoothly.
When the long-awaited day finally arrived, the college mobilized a large number of students to serve as ushers and welcome the guests. Those without assigned duties could only stand outside of the college and watch as beams of divine light descended from the sky.
Each beam of light signified the arrival of a God, and more than 300 had gathered so far.
Once all the Gods and Major Gods had taken their seats, three colossal pillars of divine light appeared above the auction hall.
Their Divine Authorities enveloped the entire Imperial College like a hurricane, drawing the awed gazes of students and guests toward the arrival of the three God Kings.
The first was the newly ascended Blazing God King, who radiated scorching heat. Fire was his element, and his mastery over it far surpassed that of his peers. The second was the True Martial God King, cloaked in a powerful aura and renowned for his unmatched prowess in martial arts.
Han Wu spottedTrue Martial among the honored guests and immediately suppressed his presence. In the past, True Martial had invested immense resources to unlock the Origin of Mutation’s seal, only for Han Wu to seize it by a stroke of luck.
Furious, True Martial had sent a subordinate to kidnap Han Wu, but the latter managed to escape halfway and returned to Imperial College. In the end, the college intervened and forced True Martial to offer compensation to Han Wu instead.
Han Wu worried whether True Martial still held a grudge. His unease deepened when the third God King arrived. It was none other than the God King of Light.
Light’s faction had many students from Imperial College, and those who worshiped the light cheered with excitement at his arrival.
Han Wu concealed himself even further. In the past, when he was chosen to participate in Life and Death’s game, he had attempted to join the faction of Life and Light. Instead, the system assigned him to the side of the Death and Darkness, where he ultimately emerged victorious.
That outcome had placed him at odds with Light as well. Out of the three God Kings, he had offended two. Han Wu sighed inwardly at his luck and did everything he could to remain unnoticed.
