BXBX NOVEL Chapter 414 Grand Banquet
As a person from the modern world, Mark naturally didn't like such customs but since he was a guest and the host was his ally, he had to respect them. Hence, he decided to not show any displeasure on his face and just went on with the flow. With the golden-furred kitten on Song Yue's side, he wasn't that worried about her safety when he isn't with her either.
The Heavenly Spring wine, made from the spring water of a sacred mountain, is served before the start of the meal. And there were cold cuts of dragon meat on the side.
Those who cannot drink alcohol due to preferences or age were served "Crown of the East" tea. It's a tea made from the leaves of a tree called the Crown Tree, which is only grown in the gardens of the royal palace of the Eastern Sun.
As a teenager who just turned 13, King Ouyang Zen naturally drank the tea while Mark was enjoying the wine he never tasted before. He was sitting right to the king while Lan Jing was on the left.
As for Jinlong and Lan Ju, both of them aren't interested to join the banquet as the former isn't interested to eat a species of his own kind (dragon meat) or even see others eat and the latter doesn't want to be bothered by the humans.
They just have the gardens to themselves, enjoying the tea while conversing about unimportant things.
Prince Qin Zhi of the Kun Empire sat next to Mark at the high table with other royal guests. And he was very much interested in conversing with Mark.
The remaining guests of wealthy backgrounds, scholars, court officials, and ministers sat elsewhere in the hall, mingling among people of similar status.
"Mr. Lu, I was wondering what you do with those weapons you acquired from your enemies if you don't use them?" suddenly asked Qin Zhi after talking about various things.
Mark raised his eyebrow and looked at him, "why? Do you want to purchase them or something?"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not interested in them." Qin Zhi clarified himself with an explanation, "There's a grand auction coming up at Dragon Empire. The date wasn't announced but it is usually either around the end of the spring or the start of the fall. If you have any semi-divine weapons, you can register with the auction. You will get a far better price than here."
"Oh, you mean the world auction by the Temple of Void?" Ouyang Zen, who heard it, took an opportunity to interrupt their conversation with his comment as he was too bored by silently drinking the tea.
"Temple of Void? I heard that name," replied Mark before looking at the teenage king, "What do you know about the world auction?" He was obviously interested.
His question was answered by Prince Qin Zhi, "It's the most prestigious auction conducted ever in this world where all the powers from four continents will participate. The weakest weapon you will find in the auction will be a platinum-grade set."
Ouyang Zen then added after he munched a chunk of the steamed bun and swallowed it, "The royal families were automatically granted entry but for others, they will have to receive an invitation from the temple. Of course, those who auction atleast a semi-divine grade item or a treasure equivalent to it will also get a seat."
As Wil was wondering whether he could introduce firearms at the world auction, Qin Zhi then said, "Assuming that you took all the treasures from the Wuji sect, there are three items in your possession that will sell for tens of millions (gold coins) per each."
"Yu Jade Pipa, Eye of Talim and the Staff of Talim, I guess?" Mark was confident that this fourth prince of the Kun Empire was talking about those two as they were the ones the system also showed interest to trade.
"Staff of Talim? I have only heard of the Eye of Talim," commented the birthday boy.
Qin Zhi explained with a smile, "They were part of the set equipment of a beast named Talim. He was a beast emperor from the upper plane of existence but was said to live like a human mage all his life.
Other than those two, there is the armor of Talim, the crown of Talim, and the Ring of Talim. Together combined, they were as valuable as a Sky-grade item.
The Dragon Empire has the crown, the Qilin Empire's imperial family had the armor in its possession, and the ring is lost somewhere."
Just like in the system, Divine grade in this world was also divided into four categories; Earth, Sky, Heaven, and Void.
Earth is equivalent to Mythril grade. Heaven is equivalent to Celestial. And Void is equivalent to the God grade. As for Sky, it is somewhere between Mythril and Celestial.
However, there are only earth-grade items within the powerful imperial families, and Sky-grade items are just one or two in number. Heaven-grade weapons are only known to be possessed by the gods and Void-grade items are just considered a myth as they are only contained in stories of Jade Emperor and Monkey King. No one actually believes them.
It is why, sometimes, Sky grade is treated as Heaven grade, and Heaven grade is termed as Void grade.
Returning to the present, as Qin Zhi was trying to tempt Mark into auctioning the items and further extending an invitation from their empire to join them at the VIP room in the auction, the latter asked what was occupying his mind for the past couple of minutes. "How would the auction organizers be able to decide to put in an auction and entice the bidders for higher bids for a never-seen weapon?"
"Eh?" Qin Zhi was surprised for a second as he didn't see any excitement on Mark's face for how much he could earn by selling such coveted items but instead there was curiousness about expanding the fame of his weapons store.
And trying to use this opportunity, he then explained, "Well, the Void Temple's word is enough for everyone to bid. All you have to do is to give a demonstration to their representatives. If you are willing to join us, we can arrange that too."
"Hmm… I'll think about it." Mark didn't give a definite answer as he wanted to keep his options open.
Personally, he would want to attend with King Shen Niu or his daughter as they were willing to ride in the same boat as him and soon, they were also about to play a massive role in his plan but he will have to talk with the princess before taking the decision.
Unlike the empires, the small kingdoms like Western Moon don't have that much budget to spend on things like weapons in an auction and too when they have already spent during the expo.
If they have to attend a world auction, then, they will be forced to spend a lot of money to keep up their dignity in front of others. That is why he will have to talk to Shen Ling and only then, he will take the decision.
Slowly, time passed away.
The tables were filled with various delicacies, followed by a serving of the legendary wine known as Black Spirit Wine. It was probably rare that only 2 foot-sized vase was brought into the main hall and was served to only important royal guests like Mark, Dwarven King, and others.
When Lan Jing offered to Mark before the others, he refused it right away in a little bit of disgust while staring at its details.
Black Spirit Wine
Grade: N/A
Description: Made from the blood of the pen*s of a beast king named Black Spirit Tiger, this wine is said to enhance one's testosterone levels, stamina, life force, and physical and mental strength (temporary).
Note: Not recommended for Spirit warriors below 5-circle.
Aftereffects: Those below 6-circle will go into an intoxicated state if drink more than 200 ml. If drank more than 450 ml, the sexual desire will overwhelm the user.
Note 2: No effect on the host.
"Mr. Lu, don't go after its color. Just a cup of wine almost costs 20,000 gold coins," said Qin Zhi as he took a sip. An expression of delight instantly appeared on his face. "Hmmm…"
Mark waved his hand with a smile, "It's alright. I don't enjoy the wine too much. You enjoy, Prince Qin."
"Okay…" Qin Zhi continued to enjoy the wine just like the other adults with the dwarven king enjoying the most. People appeared so intoxicated that they couldn't bother chatting about important things with others anymore.
Because of the taste of wine, Qin Zhi probably missed it but Ouyang Zen captured Mark's expression as the teenager wasn't allowed to touch alcohol.
Tugging Mark's sleeves, he leaned to the side and slowly asked while covering his mouth, "Do you figure it out? I heard that Brother Lu's eyes were quite special."
Mark nodded and replied, "What would happen if people realize the truth of the secret ingredient?"
Ouyang Zen shrugged his shoulders, "Thousands of people enjoy that organ itself. And many alchemists use such parts in making medicine. What's the problem with the blood anyways?"
Just like with his feelings about the separation of the dining place according to gender, Mark doesn't want to force his views on the kid and hence, he ignored the matter altogether and simply changed the topic, asking about his schedule for the rest of the day.